Have you already started your Christmas shopping? If not, you can start doing several things to help you avoid the financial toll that this holiday can take on your budget. There are several ways to avoid this but they all have one thing in common – early preparation. Early preparation helps to avoid using a credit card. Christmas is a planned event and not an emergency. Don’t take money from your emergency fund.
Saving for Christmas
If you are not a member of a Christmas club through a bank, you can start your own “club” by opening a special savings account. Deposit money every time you get paid. Even if it is $5, it will accumulate and be useful at Christmas shopping time. If you start in January, figure out a reasonable budget, divide by the number of paychecks that you get in a year and then sock that money away. If you are starting now, do the same thing only dividing the number by how many paychecks are left between now and December 21st or so. If that is too much money to drain from your budget every paycheck, then adjust the amount down.
Think of ways to find extra money. Return something you recently bought but decided not to keep. Take that money and buy something for Christmas for someone on your gift list. Put in a medical claim reimbursement form and take that money and buy a gift. Make sure you claim that rebate and use that money for gifts.
How to Shop Cheaply for Christmas
There are still garage sales so take advantage of them. When my kids were younger, I bought almost all of their presents at garage sales. Sometimes I bought new toys but often they were used toys that were in excellent shape. Did my kids notice the difference on Christmas day? No. Did they notice when they got older? Yes. I told them that it was all we could afford and for the and they accepted that. The point is that they liked the gifts and didn’t care if they were used. A used gift is better than no gift. Garage sales are also good to find new items suitable for gifts for adults.
Comb thrift stores and consignment stores for good deals. I often find new items there too.
Start crafting something for the adults on your list. I have one daughter that crocheted us all beautiful scarves or hats one Christmas. They were very nice gifts.
Here are links to other articles about how to save money on Christmas:
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/christmas/Christmas.htm
http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/10/17/ask-the-readers-favorite-frugal-christmas-ideas/
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf933280.tip.html
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Review of New 4th edition of Miserly Moms
I read the first edition of Jonni McCoy’s Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two Income Economy, back in 1994 or so. I reread the new 4th edition, which is subtitled Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy. When I read the first edition I thought it was useful and employed several of the practices she recommends to help save money. On reading the 4th edition I decided I had several problems with what she writes and how she recommends saving money.
First, the first 150 pages of the book are ways to save money at the grocery store. Many of the ideas are worthwhile, such as being wary of shopping at warehouse clubs, keeping track of food prices and eliminating convenience foods. The focus of the book seems to be on food. Although the rest of the book (another 140 or so pages) focus on other things, I found that these chapters did not have the depth in them that the chapters concerning grocery shopping had. There were tips but they were not as complete as previous chapters.
What I really don’t like about this book is her tone. Frugality is something that she practiced as a necessity in order to achieve her goal of staying home to raise her children. Her Guideline 1: Don’t Confuse Frugality with Depriving Yourself, is about how if you feel cheap trying to save money you will abandon your frugal ways. She then goes on to say that she was “determined to maintain a sense of class and still be frugal.” (p. 33) And that is my problem with this book. Throughout the book McCoy comes off as a snob.
McCoy advocates having a goal in mind when embarking upon the lifestyle change that frugal living demands of us. I also advocate this in my presentations about frugal living. But the one goal that she doesn’t recognize is the necessity of having to live a very drastic, frugal life due to circumstances such as job loss. The subtitle of the book, Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy, tells us that one can still remain classy even when one is faced with job loss, etc. I don’t think this is true. Concern for how you look and what things look like to the neighbors got many people in financial trouble to begin with. That is one of the things that has to go by the wayside when one is faced with economic hardship. Maintaining the fiction that all is well if we cut a few corners here and there won’t be enough for many people.
Should you read the book? Yes, if you want some tips on saving money. No, if you need to employ drastic frugal measures due to job loss, medical issues, divorce, etc. The tips she offers and many more tips are found in the Complete Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn.
First, the first 150 pages of the book are ways to save money at the grocery store. Many of the ideas are worthwhile, such as being wary of shopping at warehouse clubs, keeping track of food prices and eliminating convenience foods. The focus of the book seems to be on food. Although the rest of the book (another 140 or so pages) focus on other things, I found that these chapters did not have the depth in them that the chapters concerning grocery shopping had. There were tips but they were not as complete as previous chapters.
What I really don’t like about this book is her tone. Frugality is something that she practiced as a necessity in order to achieve her goal of staying home to raise her children. Her Guideline 1: Don’t Confuse Frugality with Depriving Yourself, is about how if you feel cheap trying to save money you will abandon your frugal ways. She then goes on to say that she was “determined to maintain a sense of class and still be frugal.” (p. 33) And that is my problem with this book. Throughout the book McCoy comes off as a snob.
McCoy advocates having a goal in mind when embarking upon the lifestyle change that frugal living demands of us. I also advocate this in my presentations about frugal living. But the one goal that she doesn’t recognize is the necessity of having to live a very drastic, frugal life due to circumstances such as job loss. The subtitle of the book, Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy, tells us that one can still remain classy even when one is faced with job loss, etc. I don’t think this is true. Concern for how you look and what things look like to the neighbors got many people in financial trouble to begin with. That is one of the things that has to go by the wayside when one is faced with economic hardship. Maintaining the fiction that all is well if we cut a few corners here and there won’t be enough for many people.
Should you read the book? Yes, if you want some tips on saving money. No, if you need to employ drastic frugal measures due to job loss, medical issues, divorce, etc. The tips she offers and many more tips are found in the Complete Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyczyn.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Frugal Weekend Entertainment
I noticed that there are a few things going on around Cecil County that are frugal and fun (at least I think they are fun!).
On Saturday, I am going on a date with my husband to the North Elk Coffee house over at St. Mary Anne's in North East to hear Pat Wictor play and sing. I love going to most of their coffee houses because it is a cheap out and all proceeds go to benefit Meeting Ground, our local organization that helps the homeless.
On Saturday, the Elkton Fall Fest is also underway. I didn't go last year but my teen aged daughters went with some girl friends. Let's just say the Firefighter Combat Challenge was the highlight of the festival for them! The festival includes an old-fashioned sock hop on Friday night.
Have a fun weekend!
On Saturday, I am going on a date with my husband to the North Elk Coffee house over at St. Mary Anne's in North East to hear Pat Wictor play and sing. I love going to most of their coffee houses because it is a cheap out and all proceeds go to benefit Meeting Ground, our local organization that helps the homeless.
On Saturday, the Elkton Fall Fest is also underway. I didn't go last year but my teen aged daughters went with some girl friends. Let's just say the Firefighter Combat Challenge was the highlight of the festival for them! The festival includes an old-fashioned sock hop on Friday night.
Have a fun weekend!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Food Pantries and Homeless Shelters
I have just had the privilege of putting together a document listing all the information I can find on Cecil County's homeless shelters and food pantries. I am putting it here in the hope that it can be used by others. This is as complete as I can make it but I did not verify all information. Please call ahead to make sure that the service you would like to use is open at the times specified.
Cecil County Department of Social Services
Referrals to shelters, Homelessness Prevention Program, food stamps, medical assistance.170 East Main Street, Elkton 21921 410-996-0100
Cecil County Food Pantries
Name: Cecil County Help Center
Phone: (410) 996-0260
Address: 135 E. High Street Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: Referral from DSS
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8am – 4 pm (Closed 12 noon – 1 pm for lunch)
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association
Phone:
Address: Trinity United Methodist Church, South Chesapeake City
Requirements: Unknown but may be that you need to be a resident of Chesapeake City area.
Hours of Operations: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 am - noon
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Immaculate Conception Outreach
Phone: (410) 398-2110
Address: 455 Bow Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: None
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 am – 12 noon
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Jewish Relief Center at Beit Ha Torah Messianic Synagogue
Phone: (410)392-5554
Address: 528 West Pulaski Hgwy., Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: None
Hours of Operation: Mondays, 9:30-11:30 am
Services Provided: Food, OTC medical supplies, personal hygiene supplies, furniture and appliances. Fuel assistance, rental assistance and motel nights for homeless.
Name: North East United Methodist Church
Phone: (410) 287-2220
Address: 308 S. Main Street
North East, MD 21901
Requirements: NE residents only
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 noon
Service Provided: Food pantry
Name: Ray of Hope Mission Center
Phone: (410) 378-9800
Address:960 Craigtown Rd., Port Deposit, MD 21904
Requirements: Must qualify through an intake process
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm and Sat. 1 -4 pm
Service Provided: Thrift shop for community and vouchers issued to the needy to receive items free of charge. Food Pantry on Fridays. Must apply to be eligible.
Name: Rock Presbyterian Church – Deacons’ Food pantry
Phone: (410) 398-3470
Address: 3301 Singerly Road
Elkton, MD 21921
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 8 pm
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Church of the Good Shepard
Phone: (410) 642-3588
Address: 810 Aiken Ave., Perryville, MD 21903
Requirements: Must be Cecil County resident.
Hours of Operation: Mon.- Fri. 10 am – 12 pm(?) Call ahead
Services Provided: Food Pantry, and financial assistance towards eviction prevention, water bills, prescriptions, and heating bills.
Shelters
Name: Cecil County Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis Center
Phone: (410) 996-0333
Address: Confidential
Requirements: Victims of domestic violence or rape.
Hours of Operation: 24 hour Hotline
Service Provided: Shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Name: Wayfarer’s House
Phone: (410) 398-4381
Address: 107 Delaware Ave,
Elkton, MD
Requirements: Women and children only
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for women and children.
Name: Clairveaux Farm
Phone: (410) 275-8990
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for families.
Name: Settlement House
Phone: (410) 392-8066
Requirements: Men only
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for men
Service Provided: Rotating Church Based Homeless Shelter
Phone: (410) 620-4701
Requirements: Men, Women and families.
Hours of Operation: Intake for women and families is at Wayfarer’s House and men at Settlement House from 3-5 daily during winter months.
Cecil County Department of Social Services
Referrals to shelters, Homelessness Prevention Program, food stamps, medical assistance.170 East Main Street, Elkton 21921 410-996-0100
Cecil County Food Pantries
Name: Cecil County Help Center
Phone: (410) 996-0260
Address: 135 E. High Street Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: Referral from DSS
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8am – 4 pm (Closed 12 noon – 1 pm for lunch)
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Chesapeake City Ecumenical Association
Phone:
Address: Trinity United Methodist Church, South Chesapeake City
Requirements: Unknown but may be that you need to be a resident of Chesapeake City area.
Hours of Operations: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 am - noon
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Immaculate Conception Outreach
Phone: (410) 398-2110
Address: 455 Bow Street
Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: None
Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 am – 12 noon
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: Jewish Relief Center at Beit Ha Torah Messianic Synagogue
Phone: (410)392-5554
Address: 528 West Pulaski Hgwy., Elkton, MD 21921
Requirements: None
Hours of Operation: Mondays, 9:30-11:30 am
Services Provided: Food, OTC medical supplies, personal hygiene supplies, furniture and appliances. Fuel assistance, rental assistance and motel nights for homeless.
Name: North East United Methodist Church
Phone: (410) 287-2220
Address: 308 S. Main Street
North East, MD 21901
Requirements: NE residents only
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 am – 12 noon
Service Provided: Food pantry
Name: Ray of Hope Mission Center
Phone: (410) 378-9800
Address:960 Craigtown Rd., Port Deposit, MD 21904
Requirements: Must qualify through an intake process
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm and Sat. 1 -4 pm
Service Provided: Thrift shop for community and vouchers issued to the needy to receive items free of charge. Food Pantry on Fridays. Must apply to be eligible.
Name: Rock Presbyterian Church – Deacons’ Food pantry
Phone: (410) 398-3470
Address: 3301 Singerly Road
Elkton, MD 21921
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 8 pm
Service Provided: Food Pantry
Name: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Church of the Good Shepard
Phone: (410) 642-3588
Address: 810 Aiken Ave., Perryville, MD 21903
Requirements: Must be Cecil County resident.
Hours of Operation: Mon.- Fri. 10 am – 12 pm(?) Call ahead
Services Provided: Food Pantry, and financial assistance towards eviction prevention, water bills, prescriptions, and heating bills.
Shelters
Name: Cecil County Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis Center
Phone: (410) 996-0333
Address: Confidential
Requirements: Victims of domestic violence or rape.
Hours of Operation: 24 hour Hotline
Service Provided: Shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Name: Wayfarer’s House
Phone: (410) 398-4381
Address: 107 Delaware Ave,
Elkton, MD
Requirements: Women and children only
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for women and children.
Name: Clairveaux Farm
Phone: (410) 275-8990
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for families.
Name: Settlement House
Phone: (410) 392-8066
Requirements: Men only
Hours of Operation: Call for hours
Service Provided: Homeless shelter for men
Service Provided: Rotating Church Based Homeless Shelter
Phone: (410) 620-4701
Requirements: Men, Women and families.
Hours of Operation: Intake for women and families is at Wayfarer’s House and men at Settlement House from 3-5 daily during winter months.
Free Pumpkins
About 15 years ago, we were driving in the Pocono Mountains on our way to a harvest fair at a living history farm. On a back road, I saw a giant pumpkin, lying on its side, alongside the road. I asked my husband to stop the car so I could pick it up but he refused since we had already driven down the road a bit. I told him I was getting it on the way home. I remembered where it was and we stopped on the way home. I picked up this huge pumpkin that had a crack on one side of it and put it in the trunk. I could tell it had fallen off a truck just that morning or the night before. It was still fresh!
What did I do with the pumpkin since it had a crack? I cooked it in the oven and we ate it! I cut chunks out and we ate a colonial dish of pumpkin, ham and corn in broth. We ate pumpkin bread and other things. Pumpkins are great to eat and we actually cook with it year round. The best way to get the pumpkin cooked is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place on a greased cookie sheet, flat side down. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Now just scoop out the insides. Fresh pumpkin can be watery but throw it in a sieve and have it drain over a bowl and it will be firmer. My issue of Country Living magazine has several great recipes for pumpkin dishes, including pumpkin ginger waffles. Try searching for recipes online and make something with pumpkin today.
If you are not as fortunate as I was that year, and can’t find a roadside pumpkin, try going to a small produce stand. Look for a pumpkin with a crack in it, an odd shape or strange markings. If it isn’t good for Halloween carving, the owner may let you have it at a reduced rate. I asked one produce stand if they would let me have one with a crack in it for a reduced rate and the owner said, “Aw, just take it.” (Another free pumpkin!!!) Don’t be shy. If the answer is no, then say thank you before leaving to try another produce stand.
Does anyone have a good recipe that uses pumpkins? Post it or a link and we can all enjoy some great, Fall fare.
What did I do with the pumpkin since it had a crack? I cooked it in the oven and we ate it! I cut chunks out and we ate a colonial dish of pumpkin, ham and corn in broth. We ate pumpkin bread and other things. Pumpkins are great to eat and we actually cook with it year round. The best way to get the pumpkin cooked is to cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place on a greased cookie sheet, flat side down. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Now just scoop out the insides. Fresh pumpkin can be watery but throw it in a sieve and have it drain over a bowl and it will be firmer. My issue of Country Living magazine has several great recipes for pumpkin dishes, including pumpkin ginger waffles. Try searching for recipes online and make something with pumpkin today.
If you are not as fortunate as I was that year, and can’t find a roadside pumpkin, try going to a small produce stand. Look for a pumpkin with a crack in it, an odd shape or strange markings. If it isn’t good for Halloween carving, the owner may let you have it at a reduced rate. I asked one produce stand if they would let me have one with a crack in it for a reduced rate and the owner said, “Aw, just take it.” (Another free pumpkin!!!) Don’t be shy. If the answer is no, then say thank you before leaving to try another produce stand.
Does anyone have a good recipe that uses pumpkins? Post it or a link and we can all enjoy some great, Fall fare.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Four Types of Frugal People
I have been thinking about why people are frugal or why they become frugal. I find it an interesting topic because many people equate being frugal with being miserly. But, from my own experience and the other frugal people’s experience that I know, that is not the case.
Why are we frugal? I think that, in most cases, it is because we need to be in order to make our paychecks pay for the necessities, and some wants, in our lives. That certainly fits me and most others that I know.
The second type of person is frugal because they have a goal they are working towards. The goal can be to have a stay-at-home parent in the house, save for children’s college or retirement or whatever their personal goals are. Many people are in this category and the good frugal habits they cultivate often stay with them throughout their lives.
The third type of person that is frugal are people that are born frugal. They are the kids who have so much cash in their piggy bank that their parents borrow from them when they are short on cash. Sometimes these people grow up with frugal parents or sometimes they just seem to come out of the womb being frugal. Who knows where they got it? I have a brother-in-law and his wife who were both frugal from when they were young. (Family legend has it that when he was little, you could ask Tommy to do anything for a quarter and he would.) He and his wife have worked hard, saved money for their children’s education, their retirement and carry no credit card debt.
The fourth type of frugalite is the one that everyone knows. They are the stereotypically frugal person. They are the one that gives other frugalites a very bad name. They are the miser. They often were born frugal but carried it too far. Or perhaps, they had a heart wrenching life experience (such as homelessness when they were a child) and it created a miserly mindset. They are the ones that are cheap, always trying to get the most for their buck but at someone else’s expense.
Why are you frugal? Has the new economy driven you to frugality? What changes did you make?
Why are we frugal? I think that, in most cases, it is because we need to be in order to make our paychecks pay for the necessities, and some wants, in our lives. That certainly fits me and most others that I know.
The second type of person is frugal because they have a goal they are working towards. The goal can be to have a stay-at-home parent in the house, save for children’s college or retirement or whatever their personal goals are. Many people are in this category and the good frugal habits they cultivate often stay with them throughout their lives.
The third type of person that is frugal are people that are born frugal. They are the kids who have so much cash in their piggy bank that their parents borrow from them when they are short on cash. Sometimes these people grow up with frugal parents or sometimes they just seem to come out of the womb being frugal. Who knows where they got it? I have a brother-in-law and his wife who were both frugal from when they were young. (Family legend has it that when he was little, you could ask Tommy to do anything for a quarter and he would.) He and his wife have worked hard, saved money for their children’s education, their retirement and carry no credit card debt.
The fourth type of frugalite is the one that everyone knows. They are the stereotypically frugal person. They are the one that gives other frugalites a very bad name. They are the miser. They often were born frugal but carried it too far. Or perhaps, they had a heart wrenching life experience (such as homelessness when they were a child) and it created a miserly mindset. They are the ones that are cheap, always trying to get the most for their buck but at someone else’s expense.
Why are you frugal? Has the new economy driven you to frugality? What changes did you make?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Mollie’s Bargain Barrel
Just over a week ago I went to Mollie’s Bargain Barrel in North East on Peninsula Drive (which is the road next to the Holiday Inn on Rt. 272). I found a small, but great, grocery salvage store. Mollie’s carries some canned goods, boxed meals, coffees, household cleaners, baby supplies, snacks, drinks and pet foods. I found a great assortment of foods and household items.
There were quite a few good deals, like Quaker Oatmeal Squares (smaller box) for $2.00. I also found Starbucks coffee, 12 oz size, for $5.00!!! I hope they have some more when I go back to get some this week. They also had several other brands of canned coffee if you don’t like the dark roast.
Most of the items were damaged goods rather than goods that are past their expiration date. They had a few cans of Vintage Seltzer that were dented free. I grabbed a few and left them in my van. I looked at one two days ago and the top of it was pushed up and expanded. It looked like it would explode if ever opened. I sure hope not because I forgot to take it out of the van!!! (So much for free being good when it comes to seltzer cans!).
Mollie’s has a small table and chairs with toys and coloring books for young children. The store is small enough so a mother can see her child playing as she shops. Very handy for busy moms! I also noticed that the staff was friendly and helpful.
Mollie’s is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-4 pm. They may change the hours to be open Wednesday too but close, during the week, at 2 p.m.
Come out and investigate Mollie’s while supporting a local business.
There were quite a few good deals, like Quaker Oatmeal Squares (smaller box) for $2.00. I also found Starbucks coffee, 12 oz size, for $5.00!!! I hope they have some more when I go back to get some this week. They also had several other brands of canned coffee if you don’t like the dark roast.
Most of the items were damaged goods rather than goods that are past their expiration date. They had a few cans of Vintage Seltzer that were dented free. I grabbed a few and left them in my van. I looked at one two days ago and the top of it was pushed up and expanded. It looked like it would explode if ever opened. I sure hope not because I forgot to take it out of the van!!! (So much for free being good when it comes to seltzer cans!).
Mollie’s has a small table and chairs with toys and coloring books for young children. The store is small enough so a mother can see her child playing as she shops. Very handy for busy moms! I also noticed that the staff was friendly and helpful.
Mollie’s is only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-4 pm. They may change the hours to be open Wednesday too but close, during the week, at 2 p.m.
Come out and investigate Mollie’s while supporting a local business.
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