As you work towards a more healthy budget, it is essential to include your children in the process. It will make life so much easier if everyone in the family has a clear idea of what the family budget is and is working towards the same goals. Children and budgeting There are many good ways…
Last fall my husband and I sat down with an adviser to begin the paperwork for his retirement. This was the second scariest decision we’ve ever made during our marriage. The first was when we decided to live on one income so that I could be at home with our children. Retirement sounds wonderful: no…
Family entertainment can be a budget-buster. The average American spends about $1,800 a year on entertainment and that’s not including eating out. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have fun. Who wants to live frugally if it’s all tedium and drudgery? If we are to be successful at living within the budget, it’s essential to…
Between the demands of work and family, who has time to cook from scratch? It is much more convenient to buy something ready-made or almost made. Don’t you just love those veggies in the produce section that are already prepped and all you have to do is perhaps mix in a couple more ingredients and…
Beans, beans, the magical fruit… School yard rhyme aside, you really should be eating beans at every meal. Beans are super high in fiber, protein and lots of vitamins. And they are tasty, inexpensive and filling, making them the ideal food for those trying to keep their food budget under control. They really are a…
Getting your tax return can be a nice windfall to the family budget. Assuming that you’ve already got a healthy budget and are meeting all your monthly obligations, you might want to use your tax return to get ahead on your preparedness goals. Some tools and equipment needed for self reliance may cost more than…