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Thrifty Moms Two Cents
Kathy Murdock
Kathy Murdock works as a full time writer and web designer. Recently planted in the middle of the deep south from the busy streets of Los Angeles, when she's not coding Wordpress websites or writing about women in business and thrifty motherhood, Kathy spends time ...Read More
Budgeting for Back-Up Childcare
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
If you are already a parent, you may know this situation: It’s five o'clock in the morning, and you’re preparing to get up to get ready for work when your child complains of a headache. One touch to the forehead and you know she has a slight fever, but both you and your husband have used up your allotted sick days so lost time at work m... Read More
How Much Would You Pay for a Gym Membership?
Monday, May 14, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I have a love – hate relationship with my gym membership. I love the gym itself. It’s clean. There isn’t a bunch of hair in the showers, people wipe down machines when they finish, and childcare offers actual classes like Zumba for Kids and Music and Motion for parents with kids throughout the day. It’s a drive, but once ... Read More
Are You a Coupon Super Saver Who Shops with Her Kids?
Friday, May 11, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Last week and this week I saved a bit more on my grocery bill than I have been saving, and I changed only one element: I shopped alone. (In George Thoroughgood's voice, all by myself.) I believe it was key, because by shopping on my own I was able to spend a bit of extra time really considering what I needed to purchase and what I didn't need, an... Read More
Cutting Back on the Cost of Meat at the Grocery Store
Wednesday, May 09, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Meat constitutes one of the highest ticket items at the store. For our family of four, we eat around one pound of meat per seating. If I purchase a pound of hamburger meat, for instance, we’ll eat most of it in the form of burgers and have just one meal leftover if I make something else, like meatballs and spaghetti. I always... Read More
How Do You Teach Your Child(ren) the Value of Money?
Monday, May 07, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
During a trip to Winn Dixie yesterday (in which I spent about half a week’s budget in groceries and then kicked myself all the way home, but that's another post altogether) my daughter found something she wanted in the aisles. It was a toy, and when she held it up to me I, at first, said no way. Then I asked the cost. “Three dollars,... Read More
Saturday, May 05, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I’ve come to learn the hard way over the last few days that one of the best ways to lose money is to assume the products you’ve just purchased have been rung up correctly and you are paying what the sign stated they were worth. Wrong. In the last week alone, my husband and I have run into two instances when the register rang up or... Read More
Making Children Earn Their Keep
Friday, May 04, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
In my last post, I commented about chores and allowances, and I asked if you felt the two should be tied together or if they should remain separate. I have been reading through a book Earn It, Learn It: Teach Your Child the Value of Money, Work, and Time Well Spent by Alisa T. Weinstein, founder of Earn My Keep. Weinstein begins the book with her ... Read More
Chores and Allowance: Tie them Together or Split Them Apart?
Wednesday, May 02, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
One decision most parents of children aged 5 or so and up will need to make will be that of giving an allowance and assigning chores. For some parents, the idea of paying a child to do a chore makes complete sense. You ask the child to make his bed each morning, much like you are required to get up and go to work each day, and at the end o... Read More
What is Your Go-To Splurge Item?
Monday, April 30, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I wrote an article quite a few years ago about how to create and stick to a budget. At the time, I was not budget-conscious. While I’ve always been thrifty, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about how to save money, or where I might need to cut spending. (This was pre-kids, of course, when our family had two incomes and not that man... Read More
Friday, April 27, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Here is my cranky post about couponing. Yesterday, I spent an hour in the grocery store gathering up items on sale. Prior to the excursion, I’d spent an hour making a list and checking it twice to ensure I had coupons to go with most of my things. At checkout, I watched my total rise and rise; and when it was all over, though the coupons de... Read More
How Do You Choose the Type of Book You Read (E-book or Regular)?
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Reading has always been one of my favorite past times, and to this day, the moment I walk into the library my attitude shifts. Books – and by that I mean books I love – can transform me, so I spend a little time each night before bed reading. I’ve posted this before, and I’ll post it again: I’m still stuck on the hard... Read More
Sunday, April 22, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
On Earth Day each year, I try to evaluate how I’m doing on cutting back on the resources I use and keeping our family as green as possible. The joy of going green for a thrifty mom is not only does it help the environment and make our home a healthier place for the family, but it can also be quite a cost effective strategy. These are a few o... Read More
Save Money By Using What You Have
Friday, April 20, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
If you’re like me, your cabinets might be far from bare. It’s not that I’m a hoarder; I’ve written about how I try to only purchase items I think I’ll use within the next sales cycle so I don’t have a lot of clutter. Still, I must have six boxes of pasta, three jars of sauce, and a variety of bags of rice and be... Read More
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
My girlfriend and I were talking yesterday about making purchases. Not just big ones, like a new television, but small ones too, such as moisturizer or a new pair of running shoes. I’ve written before: I have to make many purchases online these days. There are not a lot of shopping outlets available in the small town in which I curre... Read More
Do You Have a Stocked (or Semi-Stocked) Pantry?
Monday, April 16, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
One of the best ways to save money at the store is to keep in stock the items you use most, so you don’t run out and have to buy them when they hit the full price. I’ve found, more than any technique, this has cut back on my grocery bill. I buy at the lowest price and I use a coupon. If I need more than one of the specific item, I make ... Read More
Make the Most for the Least: Summertime Outings on a Budget
Friday, April 13, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
In an earlier post, I wrote about fun things to do over the summer months. Since my girls were small, I’ve looked into a variety of passes for different places in whatever town in which we lived. We’ve been members of gardens, zoos, and amusement parks; we’ve signed up for memberships with classes like “Mommy and Me” a... Read More
Need a Break? Hire a Mom’s Helper
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
As a work-at-home mom, when summer rolls around, I am stuck each year with the same dilemma: how to get work done when the girls are home full-time for the summer. It’s not the worse dilemma to have, of course; and things have gotten easier as the girls have gotten older. We are no longer bound or ruled by naptime, which means if I have a mo... Read More
Amazon Versus Walmart: What’s Your Go-to Choice for Shopping?
Monday, April 09, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Several years ago, our family relocated from the big city of Los Angeles to a small southern town. When we lived out west, I never lacked for places to shop. If I needed running shoes, I headed to the local running store. If I needed something for the kids, I had a variety of places to choose from for shopping. Then we moved south. Our town is fai... Read More
The Best Things in Life are Creative and Free!
Friday, April 06, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I try to create posts that will help readers – particularly moms with young children – save money. Times are tough. Gas prices are ridiculous and groceries are so high we’re all going to lose a few pounds even if we don’t want to because it’s getting harder and harder to put a meal on the table without stealing bills f... Read More
Retail Me Not: Coupons on the Go
Wednesday, April 04, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
As a shopper, I have always been one to plan. My grocery trips entail creating a list and gathering available coupons; I make these up the night before I know I need to shop, even if it’s just for a mid-week run for a container or milk and some fresh fruit. If the kids come home and tell me they need something for school – paper plates... Read More
Smart Phone Versus Cell Phone: What Do You Use?
Monday, April 02, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Seems Americans are trading up their old cell phones for the smarter versions – ones that let you not just chat with friends while out and about, but also connect with them online, check your email, and shop around while seated in the doctor’s waiting room. I mean, everyone wants to post a status update on Facebook of “Here for m... Read More
Save Money On Clothes When Heading Back to Work
Friday, March 30, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
One of the last things you probably concerned yourself with after baby’s birth was clothing. For the first year or so of my first daughter’s life I trotted around wearing yoga pants and shirts, most of which were stained or wrinkled. (Yes, I know. I was a slob and proud of it!) My running sneakers got used whether I was jogging three mi... Read More
Wednesday, March 28, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Get out your bowling shoes – well, that is, if you have them – grab the kids, and head to the local lanes. It’s that time again: time for kids to bowl free all summer long! If you haven’t heard of this great deal, check out kidsbowlfree.com. We have been participating in this program for three years now. Each summer, you si... Read More
How to Save Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Monday, March 26, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I believe the biggest obstacle moms face when coupon clipping is time. It’s tough to fit in an hour or two each week to go through coupons, and no matter whose plan you follow and who you listen to, I’m here to tell you this: coupon clipping is a task and it will require time. I typically spend half an hour creating my grocery list by ... Read More
Friday, March 23, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Lunch is such a small meal tucked into the middle of the day; but for some reason it tends to be one of the most expensive. For the longest time, I lived on lunch meat. I love a turkey and cheese sandwich loaded with veggies, but at $7.50 and up for meat and $7.50 and up for cheese per pound, that can get really costly - especially if I’m mak... Read More
Warm Weather Inexpensive Activities
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Summer is approaching quickly in the south, if we even had winter at all. My kids have only eight weeks left to go with school – they get out May 21 (yes, a full week before Memorial Day!) – so I’m starting the search of "things to do for the summer." Working from home allows me quite a few perks; and probably t... Read More
Bag Up the Old to Bring in the New!
Monday, March 19, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
This week I have one top priority: bag up the girls’ old summer clothes that no longer fit and get them to the consignment store. Now is the time the consignment shops in our area begin taking summer-type clothing, which means, of course, now is the time they will begin to sell short sleeves and shorts. Lately, I’ve been doing really w... Read More
Keep Track of Savings to Stay Motivated
Friday, March 16, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Okay, I’ll fess up right now: last month I went over my grocery budget. Not like, “Oops, shouldn’t have bought that can of artichoke hearts I so desperately wanted,” but like, “Holy (insert words of choice), I could have fed an army on that amount!” Yes. It was bad. I’m blaming it on the extra week and my... Read More
Do You Use Drugstore Savings Programs?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I attended a workshop several years ago held by Jenny from Southernsavers.com. Her couponing program appears to be the biggest used in our area, and the church in which she visited was packed. During the workshop, Jenny talked about matching sales with savings. I already knew about most of the program from utilizing The Grocery Game while I ... Read More
Do You Use Your Cell Phone for Savings
Monday, March 12, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Technology has come a long way. Once upon a time, when I was a young twenty-something girl, cell phones were as large as house phones and not at all convenient. Today though, people use phones to connect, chat and, well, save! A survey by Princeton Data Source showed during a thirty-day period before and after Christmas of 2011, nearly a quarter o... Read More
Friday, March 09, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
A few years ago, my husband and I decided to tackle our lawn solo rather than going with a company. We’d gotten many bids, from larger companies to smaller one- or two-man units, but all of the bids to mow our grass and cut our bushes back were over two hundred dollars. We bought a small push mower and began doing it ourselves. I’d nev... Read More
Has the Recession Stalled Your Plans to Have More Children?
Wednesday, March 07, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
A study by Pew Research Center found that young adults aged 18-34 feel they have been hit hardest by the recession, which has also been reflected in government data showing those aged 18-24 have had the toughest time with employment (only 54% are currently employed) and earnings (a drop of 6% in pay). This may be why people up to age 34 are ... Read More
Are Movie Rental Stores a Place of the Past?
Monday, March 05, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Friday night was long ago designated movie night, which means pizza in front of the TV, fireplace roaring on cold nights, and a good flick on the television. The girls have some all-time favorites, like Peter Pan and Scooby Doo; but every few weeks we run out and rent a movie – at Red Box or Blockbuster kiosks. Yeah, we’re cheap. But ... Read More
Amazon Moms Benefits Changing: What Are Your Thoughts?
Friday, March 02, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Amazon recently made changes to its "Amazon Mom" program, which offered members a deep discount on diapers and wipes, along with other perks, such as membership benefits through the Prime membership program, like free shipping on many products. Now, angry Amazon Moms are protesting the changes and asking Amazon to take a second look at th... Read More
Entertainment Coupon Books: Yay or Nay for Saving a Few Dollars?
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I posted last week about not perusing the daily deal sites for buying items at a cheaper rate. I haven’t bought items from these websites because I feel I’d be purchasing something, even though for less, that I probably wouldn’t buy otherwise. The other thing I haven’t invested in is a coupon book. You know the ones: they s... Read More
Tips to Push Through the Boredom of Coupon Clipping
Monday, February 27, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Sometimes I get bored with couponing. Really bored. Bored to the point that I drop the scissors and, gasp, head to the store without one little slip of savings in my hand. This doesn’t happen often, mainly because I’m such a cheapskate that I want to throw up when I have to buy something at full price. But couponing, regardless o... Read More
Do You Buy Extreme or Purchase Only What You’ll Use?
Friday, February 24, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I recently wrote a book for a client about coupon clipping and extreme buying, or scooping up all great deals that come your way and storing them so you never pay full price. This is not how I shop, and while I "get" the idea, it would never work for me. I haven’t gotten into extreme couponing because: 1. &... Read More
Starting Your Own Neighborhood Kids Clubs to Save Money
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
My kids love activities. So far, we’ve done soccer, basketball, gymnastics, dance, and music. I want them to explore each, and to learn to enjoy a variety of sports and activities, so they have several outlets for meeting new friends, learning new tasks, and getting out their wiggles after school. But, as they say, it ain’t cheap. Whi... Read More
Generic Versus Name Brand: When to Buy Each
Monday, February 20, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I had a lengthy discussion with another mom yesterday during Girl Scouts. As the girls used fondant to make a variety of heart shapes, she and I discussed the pros and cons of buying generic versus name brand items. Because I’ve followed a plan for the past five or so years of stockpiling to get to the next sales cycle, using coupons and sho... Read More
Lower Prices or Using Coupons: Which Savings Method Do You Prefer When Shopping?
Friday, February 17, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I headed to JCPenney’s this week to peruse their towel section, since ours have become as rough as sandpaper. On the way to the store, my mom explained JCPenney’s new coupon policy: no coupons, simply low prices. My first response can’t be printed here. I believe I dropped a few four-letter bombs. Then, I said, “Well, I&rs... Read More
Using Bargain Sites for Savings: The Good and Bad
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I have to admit, I’m not a daily deal site user. I signed up to watch the deals available on Groupon quite some time ago. I saw some great ones come through my inbox; but for whatever reason, I never caught the daily deal site rage that swept through the homes of many bargain hunters, including many of my friends. Eventually I asked to be re... Read More
Swap It Out: Have Fun, Save Money, Get New Stuff!
Monday, February 13, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Getting tired of the same clothes? Grown bored with the same pieces of jewelry? Baby outgrowing her outfits or his toys? If so, and you don’t want – or have the money - to go out and purchase an entirely new set of stuff, which will get used for six months and then be donated to charity or sold at a thrift store, consider Swapping It O... Read More
How Do You Carry Your Coupons into the Store?
Thursday, February 09, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I told my girlfriend the other day that I was heading off to the grocery store to pick up multiple packs of boneless, chicken breast. It had hit its lowest price of the sales cycle - $1.99 a pound – and I mentioned this to her, urging her to go. You see, she is going to be my Coupon Makeover Star, though she doesn’t know it yet... Read More
Tuesday, February 07, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I was talking to a friend the other day about coffee - the kind you brew at home, not the varieties you purchase at cute and eclectic coffee cafes while out shopping. The grocery store we frequent had a particular brand on sale for several weeks running. We could purchase a bag of ground coffee for $3.84, and that price was without c... Read More
Cheating on Your Sweetie – Financially
Monday, February 06, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
A headline sparked my interest on msnbc.com the other morning. The gist: Do you cheat on your sweetie when it comes to finances? Today.com and Self magazine are interested in learning about the lies partners tell one another when it comes to spending money. For instance, do you believe it’s acceptable to tell little white lies about ... Read More
Controlling Impulse Purchases to Save
Thursday, February 02, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I’m currently writing an ebook for a client about saving money, and during research, one budget buster continually cropped up: impulse buys. These last minute purchases bust many bank accounts, because they often consist of small items that, when bought one at a time, don’t seem to make much of a difference. We toss them into the cart o... Read More
Eating Out Can Starve Your Budget: Ways to Cut Back on Restaurant Expenses
Wednesday, February 01, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I love a good meal out. What I don’t love is the price tag. Each time we head to a restaurant, I squeeze my eyes shut when the bill arrives; my thrifty side just can’t take the bottom line, because I constantly think of how I could have prepared that meal at home for a fraction of the cost. Fast food is no better. We recently dropped a... Read More
eBook Reader Ownership Almost Doubles, But Digital Book Prices Still Seem High to this Reader
Monday, January 30, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
From the time the eBook readers came out, I put my foot down in deep defiance and pronounced I would never read a book from a computer screen. I have had my nose stuck in a book since I was a young girl. I volunteered in a public library when I was seven, and I got my Master's in Library Science. I love books. Then I got a tablet that allows me t... Read More
Keeping the Kids Entertained this Winter Without Breaking the Bank
Thursday, January 26, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
A few months ago, hubby and I took the two little ones to see a 3D movie. It had been a while since we’d wandered to the theater, and after hubby stepped away from the counter, tickets in hand, and told me the cost of four tickets (no discount despite matinee time because, I suppose, those cheap glasses cost a premium to make), I remembered w... Read More
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
I posted the other day about the expected rise in grocery costs for 2012. We know what we do when other prices rise; we cut back. We shop second hand stores when clothes get too expensive, or we ditch the gym membership when the fee to walk on the treadmill shoots through the roof and we realize we can do the same thing outside on the pavement for ... Read More
Cleaning Green is Healthy and Inexpensive
Monday, January 23, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
When I first brought my oldest daughter home from the hospital, I began to panic about all of the potential dangerous things looming in my home. Suddenly, the idea of fixing meat for dinner left visions of nasty bacteria dancing on the countertops in my head. And as she got a bit older, I constantly worried about the chemicals I used to clean, part... Read More
Gas, Grocery, Coffee Prices Expected to Increase in 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Just when I thought I had my grocery and gas budget settled, I came across an article on CNN.com about the rising prices of some of our most basic needs: certain foods, coffee and gas. Grocery prices seem to increase faster than I can clip coupons. Orange juice, which was once $2.50 a half gallon, always costs almost $3 for a half gallon these day... Read More
Consumers Borrowing Money in Record Numbers
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
It seems consumers are ready to borrow money again. In November, people charged debt and took out loans as though they’d hopped into a time machine and landed back in pre-recession days. The $20.4 billion dollar borrowing frenzy was the biggest monthly gain in ten years, and, it seems, this gain is becoming a rising trend. Maybe we are feeli... Read More
Fitting in Fitness Without Breaking the Bank
Monday, January 16, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
If you are like 45-percent of the population, you set a New Year resolution before January 1st rolled around; and, chances are likely some type of fitness goal topped your list. One survey I read stated nearly 38-percent of people who set resolutions focus on losing weight. New Year resolutions don’t have a fantastic success rate. In fact, s... Read More
Convenience Could be the Largest Villain to My Grocery Bill
Thursday, January 12, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
The last few weeks have been a lottery for what our family will eat for dinner. Foods have been fished from the depths of the freezer. Rice and macaroni that has set on our shelves untouched for six months have been boiled and eaten. Crackers that remained unopened during the holidays have been reduced to crumbs. What happened? This was not an att... Read More
January’s Bargains May Entice You to Shop Once Again
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
You may have packed away your credit cards at this point, worried that after the hectic holiday season they may spontaneously combust. Or you might feel like I do: I don’t want to see the inside of a department store for a long, long time. Our attitudes, it seems, may hurt us when it comes to savings. Freeshipping.org (freeshipping.org) rep... Read More
Returns on Online Purchases to Increase as Online Shopping Increases
Monday, January 09, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Prior to moving to a small southern town, our family lived in Los Angeles. If I wanted a pair of running shoes, or something so rare it might seem impossible to find, I could have most likely located the item within a ten mile radius of my house. We had so many places to shop I never turned to the computer to buy anything. Then we moved to a sleep... Read More
Create a Pleasant Spending Goal for Yourself This Year
Thursday, January 05, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
As I was reading about creating spending goals the other day, I came across an article on cnbc.com regarding getting out of debt. The article talked about the pitfalls of debt, which include paying enormous interest rate fees (sometimes 14.99%) and not being able to save enough for the future because of this, and it also discussed creating a savin... Read More
Make Finances a Priority in the New Year by Creating Goals
Tuesday, January 03, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
The tree has been packed away, along with stockings, and now we look forward to 2012. It’s that time of the year when people get out their pens and paper and write a list of things they hope to do in the New Year: lose weight, stop smoking, remain positive in tough times. I gave up writing resolutions years ago. I found creating a "thin... Read More
Rein in the Spending for the New Year
Monday, January 02, 2012 by Kathy Murdock
Now that the holidays are over, the presents unwrapped and the credit card bills marching in like a steady line of soldiers ready for battle, it’s time to take a deep breath and lock the wallet. Christmas always brings some debt, even when you try your best to go lightly. Gifts and food and decorations add up, and sadly they don’t disap... Read More
Thursday, December 29, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
My dislike for shopping has left my wardrobe distressed, to say the least. I’ve been out of the full time workforce for almost eight years, and although I continue to work, I do so at home. (I hate to admit it, but right now I’m writing this article in my running clothes, because my mind is most fresh in stinky sweaty sweats after pound... Read More
Carnival & Scooby Doo Themed Birthday Party a Hit with the Kids: Here’s How We Did It!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I posted last week that one of the most surprising things to me about parenthood was the amount of money spent on a child’s birthday party. I’ve always enjoyed throwing parties for my kids, and when I compare the cost it would be to do one outside of the house, at a bounce house or something similar, to what it would cost to do it at t... Read More
Gift Cards Galore: What to Do With Your Plastic Stash
Monday, December 26, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Christmas is over, and chances are high that you racked up a decent amount of gift cards that will keep you from spending cold, hard cash over the next few weeks – or months. Gift cards are often on the top of a recipient’s list of wants, and the reasons are plenty: you can purchase exactly what you want or need, rather than having s... Read More
Christmas Cards Go Virtual – Well, Except for Mine
Friday, December 23, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Due to a pre-Christmas family vacation, I sent my Christmas cards out late: Yesterday, actually, holding my breath and hoping they got there as I placed them in the mailbox. When I woke this morning and checked my email, I found a friend’s virtual annual Christmas card, photos attached, snippets from the year securely embedded in a Yahoo mes... Read More
What are Your Family Budget Goals for the New Year?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Long ago I gave up making New Year resolutions. I realized at the time that writing out a list of things I wanted to accomplish was futile; instead, I would focus on one thing on the list of several and forget about the rest. Besides, I believe short term goals are the way to go. If I know I can focus on one thing – let’s say, increasi... Read More
Monday, December 19, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The video store guy and I are on good terms. We chat a lot about a variety of things beyond which movies are great and which ones I should pass up, and this week, as I picked up New Moon to rent (I have to see them all before the new one, of course!), we discussed credit cards. I have been a long time believer in not charging more than you can pay... Read More
Would You Trade in Your Landline Phone for Your Cell Phone in Order to Save Money?
Thursday, December 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In the past few months my husband and I have had a discussion based on cutting back monthly spending. We have looked at a variety of ways to do this, especially as it relates to technology. Do we need cable (I’ll write about this later), and what is the advantage of paying for two cell phones and a landline phone? Are we throwing good money o... Read More
Discouraged by Couponing? Don’t Give Up! Tips to Survive the First Six Weeks
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I recently had a conversation with a friend about couponing. She’d started to coupon after a seminar in our area that showed how to stack and buy on sale, but after only a few weeks she gave up. The time, she felt, was extreme, and the savings? Not so much. This tends to happen a lot with new couponers. I believe people go in thinking they&r... Read More
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have Gone
Monday, December 12, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have gone, leaving us with about three weeks left for Christmas shopping. I’m pleased to say that mine is mostly done. My husband and I finished up the girls’ gifts yesterday, so all I have left is something for him and something for my mom. I opted not to go out and shop with the hordes of people who did ... Read More
Throw a Great Birthday Party While Keeping Down the Costs
Thursday, December 08, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
One thing they don’t prepare you for when you have kids are the $400 birthday parties that seem to be almost the norm these days. Rent out the bounce house and buy a cake and you’ve paid more for two hours of toddler fun than many people pay for a monthly car note. The idea of tossing this kind of money into a birthday party turns my s... Read More
Winterize Your Home for Savings
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Brrr! The weather outside has turned frightful, which means pulling out the big coats, thick gloves, and furry hats for the winter. It also means trying to find a way to keep the house as warm as possible without paying more than your mortgage in heating costs each month. We moved to the south from out west, where the temperature hovered around 7... Read More
Shopping Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops for Holiday Gifts
Monday, December 05, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Since the recession began several years ago, sales at thrift stores have risen. According to the National Association of Retail Professionals, sales in thrift and consignment stores grew 12.7 percent in 2009; during that same period of time, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported retail sales had dropped by about 7 percent. These stores con... Read More
Consider Shopping Craft Stores for Great Holiday Gift Deals
Thursday, December 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m a crafter. I can spend all day sewing, scrapbooking, embroidering, painting, Photoshopping pictures and creating cards with them, or working on some other type of art project. Not that I have all day now that I have two children; but, when time permits, I enjoy doing something crafty. My kids, and I believe nearly all kids, love to compl... Read More
Swap Until You Drop: Something Old for Something New
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As we all know, clothes are expensive. Try finding a new pair of jeans for Junior at any department store – even the cheap ones – and plan to spend around $15. When you live in a cold weather climate and jeans are the staple garment six months out of the year, that can add up. Not to mention the fact that kids grow at the speed of an O... Read More
Dos and Don’ts for Cyber Shopping Monday
Monday, November 28, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Black Friday brings shoppers to the stores who are in search of great bargains and huge discounts. I’d thought I might join the stampede this year; and then I thought again. I really can’t stand crowds or, actually, shopping (I know, I’m weird), so I decided to continue my holiday shopping plan: set a budget (check), create a list... Read More
Dos and Don’ts for Holiday Online Shopping
Thursday, November 24, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Life in a small town has its definite advantages. I can go into any store and see someone I know. I can always keep tabs on my kids and what they are up to because everyone knows everyone else’s business. And if I need to get into the doctor for an emergency, I can call that morning and they’ll get me in by ten. On the other hand... Read More
How to Keep Spending Under Control During the Holidays
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
With Christmas fast approaching, it’s fair to say your wallet will be opened and your credit card swiped (or cash spent) at a much higher rate than is normal within the next few weeks. I have always tried to purchase Christmas gifts throughout the year as I find things I know certain people will like – a pretty sweater on sale for some... Read More
Black Friday Shopping: Will You Stand in Line for the Savings?
Monday, November 21, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
It’s that time of the year again. No, I’m not talking about eating turkey with family while watching football and reminiscing. I’m not even talking about playing Santa for the young ones in your life. It is Black Friday time, or the day of fighting the shopping crowds following stuffing your face with pumpkin pie, green bea... Read More
Friday, November 18, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I got a ton of bargains at Publix this week. It was a great week to shop! My best . . . . The sale: Buy one, get one Barilla pasta, making it $.74 The coupon: $.55 off one Total: $.19!!... Read More
Tips for Creating a Festive but Frugal Thanksgiving Get Together
Thursday, November 17, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
For our family, Thanksgiving has always been a fairly small ordeal. Growing up it was just my mom and me and whatever pets we happened to own at the time. Nowadays, we generally celebrate turkey day with my husband’s family – still not super large – although sometimes it winds up just being the four of us. I have posted about a f... Read More
Holding on to Gift Cards You’ll Never Use? Gift Card Exchange Day Offers Cash or an Amazon Gift Card
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Buying the perfect gift for someone can be a tough task. Gift cards are one option for getting someone a gift without being too specific, allowing the recipient to use the card to purchase what they really want; but while most givers purchase cards with the best intentions, not all gift cards are warmly received. Case in point: A good friend of mi... Read More
No Debit Card Fees, But Watch Out: You’re Probably Going to Pay One Way or the Other
Monday, November 14, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The verdict is in: Consumers didn’t want to pay a monthly fee to banks for the convenience of using a debit card, and the banks listened. After an outpouring of complaints, Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo have decided to cancel the fees they had planned to charge for debit card use. This is great news for those of you who regular... Read More
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Cake, Anyone? This week’s bargain: Betty Crocker Cake Mix The sale: Buy One Get One at Publix @ $1.83. Since you can buy one only at half price, one box cost .91 The coupon: A printable .50 off two, which doubles to $1 off of 2 Total: $.83 for two boxes, or $.41 each! I stocked up since we have several birthdays coming up!... Read More
Saving Money on Fruits and Vegetables
Thursday, November 10, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
My grocery bill has been greatly reduced thanks to combining sale items with coupons, but I have always said I could never see the enormous savings those on shows like Extreme Couponing see. For one thing, I refuse to spend that much time on couponing – also, I just don’t have that much free time to invest – but for another, our f... Read More
Start Thinking Now About Holiday Dinners
Tuesday, November 08, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
If there is one thing you’ll quickly learn about saving money, it’s this: you have to plan ahead. Run out of something and buy it at the last minute and chances are high the item won’t be on sale, you won’t have a coupon, and you will have to pay double the price you would have paid had you gotten it a few weeks earlier when... Read More
Walmart Promotes Lowest Prices with Gift Cards This Season
Monday, November 07, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Hold on to your wallets, holiday shopping moms and dads! This year, retail giants plan to utilize sales strategies to reel consumers into their stores for holiday shopping, which means consumers can expect to find some great incentive plans starting in just a few short weeks. (Yes, Christmas really is only a few months away!) Why the i... Read More
Friday, November 04, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Coffee, anyone? This week’s bargain: a bag of Eight O’Clock Coffee for $2.49! The sale: Buy One Get One at Publix. Since you can buy one only at half price, one bag cost $3.49. The coupon: A printable $1 off one bag Total: $2.49 Since I’m not a specific coffee drinker, this bargain was so good for me I bought several. Also, i... Read More
Cheap Checks? What a Scam! Watch Those “Fake” Specials
Thursday, November 03, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
So the other day I realized I needed new checks, and I was flipping through the newspaper on Sunday when I spotted an ad in the insert that, I realize now, was way too good to be true. The deal? Purchase two boxes of duplicate checks for ONLY $9.00! $9.00? No way! I pay nearly fifteen dollars per box at the bank, I thought, happ... Read More
Don’t Fall Prey to These Three Money Gobbling Supermarket Strategies
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m a pretty smart shopper. I have done my research over the years, so I know the best price for the items I regularly buy. This means when I make a quick stop in the grocery store for an item I forgot, I don’t fall prey to the gimmicks I sometimes see. I know the bottom price of an item, and since I rarely shop without using coupons, I... Read More
Don’t Fall Prey to These Three Money Gobbling Supermarket Strategies
Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m a pretty smart shopper. I have done my research over the years, so I know the best price for the items I regularly buy. This means when I make a quick stop in the grocery store for an item I forgot, I don’t fall prey to the gimmicks I sometimes see. I know the bottom price of an item, and since I rarely shop without using coupons, I... Read More
Shopping End of Year Sales to Save Money
Monday, October 31, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As I purchased a Halloween costume for my youngest daughter this year, I complained to the cashier at the store about the price of Halloween costumes. (Yes, I’m one of those shoppers!) If you have more than one child, spending $15 and upwards for one costume can really crack a dent in the piggy bank. The cashier nodded and agreed with my com... Read More
Shopping End of Year Sales to Save Money
Monday, October 31, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As I purchased a Halloween costume for my youngest daughter this year, I complained to the cashier at the store about the price of Halloween costumes. (Yes, I’m one of those shoppers!) If you have more than one child, spending $15 and upwards for one costume can really crack a dent in the piggy bank. The cashier nodded and agreed with my com... Read More
Friday, October 28, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Cereal Steal This week’s bargain: Box of Post Cereal The sale: Box of Post Great Grains Cereal for $2.04 The coupon: $1 off per box Total price for a bag of food: $1.04 What was your biggest deal? Let us know in the comment section!... Read More
If Your Kids Love PB&J, Stock Up Now, Before Prices for Peanut Butter Soar
Thursday, October 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
We are a family of peanut butter eaters. My kids love the stuff, and so do I. We make peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch; I concoct banana and peanut butter smoothies as an after school treat; and at night my favorite sweet treat consists of bananas, a dollop of peanut butter, a squirt of chocolate syrup, and some granola. All that might... Read More
If Your Kids Love PB&J, Stock Up Now, Before Prices for Peanut Butter Soars
Thursday, October 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
We are a family of peanut butter eaters. My kids love the stuff, and so do I. We make peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch; I concoct banana and peanut butter smoothies as an after school treat; and at night my favorite sweet treat consists of bananas, a dollop of peanut butter, a squirt of chocolate syrup and some granola. All that might ... Read More
Would You Sacrifice Family Time for Big Grocery Store Savings?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
So this week I did it again: I turned on Extreme Couponing and tried to watch a few episodes without throwing up in my mouth. Didn’t work. I want to give this show a chance, but I can’t. My blood boils when I watch couponers stockpiling items in their basement for "future use." Things expire. And if you need eight hundred b... Read More
Halloween Coupons to Help Save You Money This October
Monday, October 24, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
This weekend I dumped an extraordinary amount of money on two Halloween costumes. The reason? Being unprepared. Although I started searching online for various costumes the girls said they wanted – everything from a witch to Daphne on Scooby Doo – they were unable to make up their minds in time for me to place an order before leaving t... Read More
Friday, October 21, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Doggy Has to Eat, Too! This week’s bargain: Kibbles n Bits 4 lb bag The sale: A bag of Kibbles and Bits for $2.49 (BOGO free @ $2.49) The coupon: $1.50 off per bag Total price for a bag of food: $.99! I was so excited - I had two coupons, and so I purchased two bags. So far, doggy likes it! What was your biggest deal? Let us know in th... Read More
Friday, October 21, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Doggy Has to Eat, Too! This week’s bargain: Kibbles n Bits 4 lb bag The sale: A bag of Kibbles and Bits for $2.49 (BOGO free @ $2.49) The coupon: $1.50 off per bag Total price for a bag of food: $.99! I was so excited - I had two coupons, and so I purchased two bags. So far, doggy likes it! What was your biggest deal? Let us know in th... Read More
Budgeting for Groceries: A Difficult Task
Thursday, October 20, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
While guidelines exist to teach those interested in budgeting about how much they should spend on items like a mortgage and/or lease, very little information exists about how much should be allocated each month for groceries. Feeding a family depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the number of people in the family, the ag... Read More
What Small Treat do You Allow Yourself for Your Hard Work?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The October 10th TIME magazine is stock-full of articles about saving money, extreme couponing and how much Americans spend. While all of the articles intrigued me, one small sidebar really caught my eye: Estee Lauder has reported its best sales in North America in a decade. That’s right: Lipstick sales are up 4%, and nail polish left lips... Read More
Financial Conflicts: When Spouses Don’t Agree on Spending
Monday, October 17, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Over the past few weeks I’ve blogged about creating a budgeting plan for the family. I’ve received a great response from readers who have been working toward this, but one comment arose several times, and it is something I’ve heard over the years from my own friends: What do you do about finances when your spending ideals differ f... Read More
Friday, October 14, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Bread Shaped Like Goldfish Rocks! This week’s bargain: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Sandwich Bread The sale: A box for $1.64 The coupon: $.50 off that doubled to $1 off Total price for the bread: $.64. What was your biggest deal? Let us know in the comment section!... Read More
Software and Programs for Tracking Spending
Thursday, October 13, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
If you have started following our budgeting posts and creating a budget for your family (and we have heard from many of you that you are, so congratulations!) you’ll find at the end of four weeks you are left with a stack of receipts tall enough to wallpaper your bedroom. Of course, you won’t want to do this all of the time – savi... Read More
Paying to Shop: Will You Continue to Use a Debit Card if You Have to Pay a Fee?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Years ago I gave up my debit card and started using my credit card or good old cash for purchases. I had a debit card problem in college: I wouldn’t write down what I "charged", so my checkbook balance was always incorrect. Credit cards work well for me. As I’ve mentioned before, we get points for every card we use. Plus, I c... Read More
Teaching Children About Money: Charge it, Please
Monday, October 10, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Here’s the conversation around our house lately. Daughter: “Mom, can I have $X for a new (fill in the blank).” Me: “You can earn it with your allowance.” Daughter: “But I only have $X.” Me: “Then how much more do you need to make it count?” Daughter, after calculating: “I need $X more... Read More
Friday, October 07, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Tacos? This week was a so-so week for groceries around the house. I didn’t find a lot of great bargains out there, but this one was good for those nights the family wants tacos. This week’s bargain: Old El Paso Dinner Kit The sale: A box kit for $1.59 The coupon: $.50 off that doubled to $1 off Total price for the box: $.59. What ... Read More
Spooktacular Tips for a Fun and Thrifty Halloween
Thursday, October 06, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
It’s that time of the year again: witches and goblins come knocking at the door, hands held out seeking treats they’ll eat until their stomachs pop out like a pregnant belly. My kids begin talking about Halloween as soon as school starts. As my oldest daughter says it’s her favorite time of the year because, “I get free cand... Read More
Creating a Budget: Categorizing Expenses for the Most Accuracy
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In my previous posts about budgeting, I wrote about the importance of tracking your spending for a month or two to determine where the money is going. After you’ve done this, and you have an idea of what you are spending on various items, you need to categorize these expenses. Categorizing the expenses will allow you to create a monthly guid... Read More
Teaching Children to Save Up for Something Promotes Long Standing, Financially Sound Decisions
Monday, October 03, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’m happy to report that this past weekend, my daughter, who has been saving tooth fairy, birthday, and chore money for the past two months, finally reached her goal: Enough to purchase the Barbie doll she’s been talking about nonstop for as long as I can remember. To say we were all elated is an understatement. That Saturday turned in... Read More
Layaway Plans Make a Comeback this Year in Time for the Holiday Season
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As a young girl with my mom, and then into my teenage years after I got my first job, I can recall shopping in stores like Kmart and TJ Maxx, finding items I wanted to purchase, not having enough money with me at the time, and taking the items back to the layaway department to put on hold. After handing the cashier a set amount of money, I’d ... Read More
It’s Hard to Create a Budget When You Don’t Know What You’re Spending
Monday, September 26, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
What a response we had on the first budgeting post! It seems that this is a topic close to many moms’ hearts. I hope that you continue to follow along and add your input as we talk about setting a family budget. I know several posters mentioned they made so little money a budget wouldn’t matter, but budgeting can always help, and it is... Read More
Get in a National Park Free Day!
Friday, September 23, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Looking for something fun to do with the family this weekend? How about visiting a nearby local national park. The cost can’t be beat: admittance is free! We are always on the lookout for fun activities near the house. I love getting the kids outside on the weekends, wearing them out by running, playing, hiking, and being active. We always t... Read More
Friday’s Thrifty Round Up Post
Friday, September 23, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Pancakes, anyone? This week’s bargain: Krusteaz Pancake Mix The sale: A box for $1.24 The coupon: $1 off 2, printable coupon Total price for two boxes made it $1.49 for two or $.74 for each. What was your biggest deal? Let us know in the comment section!... Read More
Repeat After Me: “Can I Get a Rain Check, Please?”
Thursday, September 22, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In the store I frequent for groceries, those who extreme coupon almost always beat me to the shelves for the best deals, clearing them within an hour of a new sales cycle. I’ve learned a few strategies for finding the items I want, which I’ll share at a later day; still, sometimes no matter what I do, those who shop daily for the best ... Read More
Printing Coupons: Is the Cost of Printables Worth the Savings?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
When I began my couponing adventure several years ago, I started off in a flurry, printing every coupon that came my way. It didn’t matter if I had it in an insert also; I printed. Write out my list? Please! It was available online, and all I had to do was click and print. I didn’t think much about the cost of the ink and paper used un... Read More
The Holidays are Coming to Town: Have You Budgeted or Started Shopping?
Monday, September 19, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I know it may be difficult to think about winter holidays when the temperature outside still creeps into the nineties some days, but in reality we only have a few months before we’re spending our children’s inheritance on talking dolls and creepy looking plastic toys that we step on in the middle of the night as we trek to the bathroom.... Read More
Friday’s Thrifty Round Up Post
Monday, September 19, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Pasta Sauce: It’s What’s for Dinner! This week’s bargain: Barilla pasta sauce at Publix. The sale: A jar of Barilla for $1.34. The coupon: $.55 off from Smart Source’s 8/28 flyer. Total price for a jar of pasta sauce: $.79! What was your biggest deal? Let us know in the comment section!... Read More
Setting a Budget? First, Change Your Way of Thinking
Thursday, September 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
While using coupons at the grocery store can save the family money, if you don’t know where the rest of your money is going, how will you know where to cut back or how much you need to save for certain expenses? Budgeting is an essential component of saving money, but for a lot of people – even me at times – the idea of budgeting... Read More
My Biggest Challenge to Cutting Back the Monthly Grocery Bill: Mid-Week Stops
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I know it’s been said time and again that one of the biggest budget busters remains the extra trips made to the grocery store. You know, those mid-week trips where you go to pick up a jug of milk and end up with forty dollars worth of stuff in your cart that you didn’t need in the first place. For each large weekly grocery trip, I&rsqu... Read More
Do You Have a Household Budget?
Monday, September 12, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I have a friend who shall remain nameless, although I’ve blogged about her in the past and she knows it. She and her husband have issues with budgeting and finances, and they always have. This has been a topic between us for a long time, as well as a joke. If I feel the urge to shop, she encourages me: “Go on! You can buy it!” If ... Read More
Friday’s Thrifty Round-Up Post
Friday, September 09, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Today's Weekly Round-Up: Got Pickles? This week I got a great deal on Mt. Olive pickles at Publix. The sale: A jar of pickles for $1.39. The coupon: $1 off Mt. Olive pickles from Smart Source’s 8/28 flyer. Total price for a jar of pickles: $.39! What was your biggest deal?... Read More
Selling Unused Items to Make Money for Items Needed (Or Wanted!)
Thursday, September 08, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
The other day we shopped for school clothes. Yes, I realize school has been in session for a few weeks, but we waited for a few reasons. First, I didn’t see spectacular sales pre-school this year. Did you? Supplies were marked down, but I didn’t feel clothes were, which eat up the largest part of the back to school budget. Secondly, ... Read More
A Saving Rule for Teaching Children About Earning, Saving, and Spending
Wednesday, September 07, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As we talk about how we can teach our children to save – and spend – money, one question that regularly comes up is how much money they should use for each. When I give my girls an allowance, they immediately want to spend it all. This is totally normal, since children don’t yet understand the concept of saving and spending. How... Read More
Take the Challenge: Thrifty Mom's Weekly Savings Round-Up
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Everyone loves a bargain, and most bargain hunters love to hear about them, too. I know when a friend tells me they got a bag of coffee for $1.00, I get as excited as I would if I paid that amount. Each Friday, we will run a Weekly Saving's Round-Up where you can share your deal(s) of the week. I'll begin by telling you mine, which might go somet... Read More
A Fun Activity to Teach Children About Working, Saving, and Spending
Friday, September 02, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
While it seems tough to imagine, the winter holidays are fast approaching, and we all know what this means: tantruming children dropping to their knees in the middle of Target, pounding their little firsts on the floor as their faces turn red and they screech about ‘wanting stuff’ and never ‘getting stuff’. Oh, and all the ... Read More
You Can Eat Healthfully and Save Money with these 4 Tips
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I believe one of the biggest misconceptions about couponing and saving money at the grocery store revolves around the idea that you can’t eat a healthful diet AND save money when you shop. I know how this idea has come about. For the most part, the foods that are the cheapest – processed boxed mixes like mac and cheese, canned meals li... Read More
Monday, August 29, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Yesterday I watched a clip from The View, which featured Erin Chase, also known as the $5 Dinner Mom. Chase recently compiled a cookbook filled with meals she could make for under $5. The title, appropriately: The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook. On the show, Chase showed a variety of meals she’d made, and she included a breakdown of the cost of eac... Read More
Create a Wish List to Teach Your Child about Spending and Saving Money
Friday, August 26, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’ve posted before about the importance of teaching our children the ideas of saving and spending money. Unfortunately, children aren’t born with this skill, and they require our guidance to learn techniques to help them financially. If we don’t teach them and let them grow into young adults, venturing into the world without an ... Read More
Wednesday, August 24, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
At the start of summer, one of my biggest fears is one I am sure you can all relate to: Taking two children to the grocery store for my weekly trip. I guessed I would need to be heavily medicated in order to accomplish this feat, but I’m happy to say I found a way to contain my children (for the most part) during our hour-long shopping trips.... Read More
Preparing for Baby: Strategies to Reduce the Financial Burden
Monday, August 22, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Having a baby will be one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting, times in your life. It will also be one of the costliest. I can recall preparing for Baby Girl One. At the same time, I quit my job and we began to rely on only one income plus what I made from freelancing (which was nowhere near what I made working full time). To say I hi... Read More
Stealing for Savings: The Illegal Side of Couponing
Friday, August 19, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
An article in the local Saturday paper caught my attention this week. The title: Newspaper thefts on the rise. The tagline: Search for coupons drives criminal activities. It seems that in the area in which I live, along with many other cities across America, people are turning to stealing newspapers from the paper boxes on Sundays in order to get ... Read More
Learn the Coupon Policies for the Stores You Shop Most
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
All stores differ when it comes to coupon policies, and these policies can even vary within a chain. Knowing the policy prior to shopping – even prior to creating your list – will help save you money. Visit the stores you frequent most, head to the customer service desk, and ask for a copy of their coupon policy. You might also find co... Read More
Couponing: Getting Organized for the Trip to the Store
Monday, August 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
I’ve written about the things you should do to get started with couponing. These include: Purchase a folder in which to keep inserts Subscribe to a newspaper to get the flyers each week Clip only when the coupon is needed Visit a few sites like couponmom.com or southernsavers.com to learn how to match what is on sale wit... Read More
Step-by-Step Directions for Using Coupon Mom for Creating a Grocery List
Friday, August 12, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In the previous post I showed you how to read Southern Savers for creating a grocery list. Today, I’ll go through Couponmom.com. To begin, you’ll need to sign up for an account. Don’t worry, it is free! Upon signing up, you’ll log in when you go to the site. After, you’ll choose your state and grocery store that you ... Read More
Step-by-Step Directions for Using Southern Savers for Creating a Grocery List
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
After you’ve taken some time to choose the website you wish to use to help create your weekly list, it’s time to create a grocery list. First, go through the list of each item on sale in the store (this will include meats and fruits and veggies, for which you may not have a coupon) and mark off the items you need for the week. Beside ... Read More
Monday, August 08, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Before I talk about the couponing sites I use to organize the sale items and my coupons to see the most in savings, I need to say a word about Courteous Couponing. I am often asked if I watch the show Extreme Couponing, and when I answer with an emphatic, “NO!” the inquirer generally looks as though I’ve grown a second and third ... Read More
Dress for Less: Back to School Clothes
Friday, August 05, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
While school supplies might break the bank, shopping for school clothes and shoes can shatter it across the floor. I recently priced cute shoes in a popular department store and cringed when I saw the $20 price tag. Are you kidding me? Don’t shoe manufacturers understand how quickly children grow out of their shoes? (Or, should I say, of cou... Read More
Wednesday, August 03, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Looking for something cheap to do for the rest of the summer? How about bowling? Now, before you tell me how expensive bowling can be these days (I know, as I took my daughter last year and dropped nearly twenty dollars for two games and two shoe rentals, which took about an hour!), hear me out. (Remember, I am a thrifty mom – I wouldn&rsqu... Read More
Thrifty Mom’s Two Cents Guide to Couponing: Menu Planning
Monday, August 01, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
In my last post, I discussed the importance of pre-planning in order to save money. One of the most important steps during this phase is menu planning. Now, before you roll your eyes and ask if I also alphabetize my spices (I don’t) or color coordinate my clothes (I do, mostly), let me say this: Planning out your weekly menu will save you ti... Read More
Thrifty Mom’s Two Cents Guide to Couponing: Get Organized Before Heading Out
Friday, July 29, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Heading Out This week at the grocery store my bill hit triple digits, just like the temperature outside. Can I hear a collective gasp of disbelief? It started out all wrong. I had to shop for things one at a time after returning from vacation. My list was a mess. I hadn’t menu planned. And I had only eight coupons on hand. However, I h... Read More
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
With summer comes travel, and with travel, these days, comes a severe migraine each time I pull up to the pump and pay $3.50 or more per gallon to fill up my car. By the time I drive away, broke and battered and listing in my head all of the things I could have purchased with the money I literally poured down the drain – a new skirt from Old... Read More
Back to School Savings: Tips and This Week's Deals
Monday, July 25, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Soon, school bells will be ringing, which means it is now time to stock up on back to school supplies. This year, stores are starting to put these items on sale earlier with hopes that consumers will spend, spend, spend. This means great savings for those of us with school-aged children. Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money savings expert who has ... Read More
A Thrifty Mom’s Guide to Saving Money on Theme Park Vacations
Friday, July 22, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Our daughters are at the ages where they believe with all of their hearts in Peter Pan, fairies, witches, and pirates and princesses (oh my!). For this reason, we decided to head to a few theme parks for summer vacation. We live fairly close to the parks in Orlando, and our family lives in that direct area, so we combined visiting with family and ... Read More
Couponing 102: Defining the Basics
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Using a coupon can always save you money, but to see big savings you’ll need to have a little knowledge about how coupons and sales work. The following terms are ones I will refer to in many of my posts. Before we start talking about how we’re going to save money, familiarize yourself with commonly used definitions. Manufacturer Coupo... Read More
Teaching Our Children Financial Responsibility
Monday, July 18, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
As my girls grow older, I’m beginning to see the importance of talking to them, and teaching them, about money. As a young girl, I grew up with a single mother who worked, at times, three jobs to meet the bills. For several years, she was a teacher, a realtor, and a waitress. We spent money as was necessary, but we didn’t overspend &n... Read More
Getting Started On Your Couponing Adventure
Friday, July 15, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Many people want to start couponing but get frightened by what they feel is the enormity of it all. Television shows like Extreme Couponing depict people spending all of their free time looking for specials and organizing coupons, and most of us probably can't – or won't! – live like that. Fortunately, coupons do not have to be an all-c... Read More
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
Credit debt is a huge problem in America. We are a nation of chargers, so much so that in January of 2010, US consumers held 609.8 million credit cards with each person averaging 3.5 credit cards. Three and a half credit cards may not sound alarming, but consider this: CardWeb.com reports that most Americans who have at least one credit card also ... Read More
Monday, July 11, 2011 by Kathy Murdock
If you're wallet has thinned out as much as an octogenarian's hair and you're counting pennies before each trip to the grocery store in hopes of having enough to purchase a pack of toilet paper and some milk, you may need some budgeting assistance. If so, you've come to the right place! My name is Kathy, and I'm an ordinary mom of two children wh... Read More
