Heather L. Clark asked:


Finding fun things for your family to do can be tough if you’re on a budget, but if you’re creative, you’ll find there’s plenty to do for just pennies.

With the rising cost of, well, just about everything, it can be difficult to indulge in the kinds of entertainment you may be used to. Never fear - there are things you can do that cost very little yet offer hours of family fun.

Game Night

Whether it’s a board game, charades, video games, cards or a made-up game, the whole family can get in on the action with a night of games. Add some fun snacks to the mix and get ready for a night of fun. This is a great option for older kids.

Movie Night

Head to your local video rental store and stock up on some good family movies, then settle in with some popcorn and candy and enjoy! If you want to go all out, you can even print some “movie tickets” and dim the lights to recreate the full movie experience. (Spilling popcorn and drinks on the floor is optional!) Best of all, you can always hit pause for bathroom breaks and no one cares how loud you’re laughing.

A Craft Affair

Do your little ones love to paint, color, cut and glue? Have them make decorations for whichever holiday is approaching. You can also have them decorate blank note cards, so you’ll always have a stash of unique cards ready to send out.

Cool Cooking

If your kids are like mine, they love to help me cook and bake. Borrow a kid’s cook book from the library and pick one recipe each week to work on. Of course baking sweet treats is fun, too, so be sure to keep cake mix, frosting and sprinkles on hand to make impromptu cupcakes.

On Your Marks

If you have some open space in your living room or basement, set up an obstacle course and then divide your family into teams for some friendly competition. The obstacle course doesn’t need to be elaborate, and you can use things you already have on hand such as pillows, laundry baskets and chairs. To make it even more challenging, have contestants perform some sort of feat during one leg of the course, such as carrying a plastic egg on a spoon without dropping it.

Befriend Books

If you really need to get out of the house, check out your local library. Both kids and adults love browsing the books, and some locations even offer story times and computers with Internet access and kid-friendly games.

Family fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Try some of the ideas above or use them as starting points for creating your own brand of fun.



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Theresa A. Nixon asked:


We have become a nation of instant gratification.  We want what we want when we want it.  But in today’s tight, economic situation, the importance of saving is critical.  It is the only true means to financial solvency.  That being said, however, trying to save money in a tough financial climate is difficult, at best.  But did you know that the true secret to wealth is paying yourself first and living frugally?  Generally speaking, that’s how most self-made millionaires became rich.  You, too, can cultivate the mindset of a millionaire by doing the same. 

 

Before paying your mortgage, before paying on your car, before paying all the bill collectors, pay yourself first!  It’s your money, after all; you work hard for it.  You deserve – in fact, are entitled – to keep a portion of your salary for yourself.  By living frugally – not giving into impulse buying – and saving your dollars, you can build financial independence; but the sooner you start, the quicker you’ll build financial independence.  

 

First, decide what you are worth; then deduct that amount from your paycheck and put it into a savings account.  Let this be your chief priority.  The best way is to take a percentage right off the top of your gross salary.  This may cause a little pain at first (like alleviating a toothache by pulling a bad tooth) but your budget will be much healthier in the long run.  For instance, if your monthly gross salary is $3,000.00, and you decide that you’re worth at least ten percent of that, your savings amount would be $300.00 per month.  (It’s important to decide your savings percentage from your gross salary as this is the true figure of what you earn, and you do not want to shortchange yourself.)  Once you begin to do this regularly, your savings will grow rapidly. 

 

Following are some tips that can help you to grow your savings even quicker:

 

·        Begin by living frugally.  Curtail the accumulation of things and get rid of all the excess (you can sell what you don’t need or give it to charity).  This will also help to alleviate the anxiety often associated with having too much stuff. 

 

·        Cut out the fat in your financial diet; create a budget to track your spending.  This is imperative in order to accurately gauge where your money is going.

 

·        Go back through your checkbook for a year; this will give you a snapshot of your spending habits. 

 

·        Total all unnecessary expenditures (those items not considered a need).  Then calculate your spending total.  I’ll bet you will be amazed at how much frivolous spending you see there.

 

·        Make the decision to cut out impulsive spending habits.  If you find yourself tempted to make an opulent purchase, walk away and allow yourself at least twenty-four hours to think about it.  This loosens the emotional hold the product has over you (most impulse purchases are based on emotion); chances are, you will realize you can do without it.  (Remember:  if it isn’t food, water, shelter, basic clothing, or a matter of life and death, you can probably do without it.)

 

·        Don’t buy expensive cleaning or household products; this can be a major drain on your finances!  Besides, most of these products don’t work as well as using a plain, cloth rag and a little elbow grease; but it will save you big bucks over those highly touted, expensive brands.  Shop at dollar stores for cleansers, soaps, detergents, diapers, and other non-food items.

 

·        Get off the credit card treadmill.  Pay them all off and be done with them (very few persons can keep a credit card for dire emergencies only; most give into the easy temptation of charging again).

 

·        Put the money you would have used on unnecessary spending and credit card payments in the bank, or use it to pay down your car payment, add to your mortgage payment, etc.

 

·        Cultivate discipline by delaying gratification for those things you want by saving and paying for them in cash.

 

·        If you can swing it, make one or two extra car payments a year and apply it to the principal (be sure to note “towards principal amount” on your payment coupon to ensure that it goes to principal and not interest).  By doing this, you will hasten the loan payoff.  (The same principle applies to mortgage payments or any debt payments.)

 

With just a little assiduous discipline applied to living frugally and by keeping to your savings plan, you will have a tidy nest egg by the end of the year.  You can use this to pay off any remaining debt.  And by placing a portion of your savings into a safe higher-yield account (preferably one that has penalties for early withdrawal) you can grow your savings into a fund that will eventually sustain you.  Who knows?  You may even become a millionaire!

 

 

 

 



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Joe Mueller asked:


Shopping, especially grocery shopping can be no fun. Getting your list ready can be a hazel in and of itself let alone the coupon cutting, line waiting, child screening, spill on aisle 7 avoiding craziness the supermarkets can be. It was high time fellow shoppers took action to help each other out and brighten the mood at these haunts.

There is a very simple way that you could do this: as you go through the torture of cutting out your own coupons take the chance to cut out additional coupons of those products that you always see people buying that you never happen to buy. This could be the female razor that is simply too feminine for your chiseled chin. Or it could be that Axe body spray that you simply don’t want females all over because you don’t play for the other team. The product itself doesn’t matter. What matters is that you don’t buy it but others do.

You take these coupons with you to the store in your messy pile of coupons that you have to dig through. Better yet you put them in their own specially marked envelop so that you don’t complicate your own situation. Having them handy is the key.

Then as you walk through the store you place the coupons near the products that they are for like a human, coupon-laying Easter bunny. Then, as some person who actually wants the item walks up they will have a pleasant surprise as they realize that not only do they get a delicious cup-o-noodles but they also get a nice $0.50 discount on said noodles. This will increase their happiness to the max. You will also benefit in know that your actions had a direct and positive affect on another human being. The satisfaction will tingle for hours on end.

For those particularly brave and very interested in being strict utilitarians you might want to consider handing the coupons out to individuals rather than leaving them blindly on store aisle and end caps. That way you get that extra boost of happiness by witnessing first hand the joy you bestow on these lucky individuals. This will increase your happiness significantly.

It also might increase the beneficiary’s happiness as well, since humans are very social by nature. You might even start up a conversation and become grocery store friends. Who doesn’t want grocery store friends?

If you are of the opposite sex and find each other attractive for physical, emotional, spiritual, or intellectual reasons you could even start up a romantic relationship after first establishing a solid friendship. Then you could tell your children that they should be frugal too since you met your spouse by being frugal and employing a coupon sharing shopping tip.

Remember, the quality of life of those around can be directly impacted by your actions. If you are loving and kind around them they will benefit and so you will - both in the deep inward satisfaction that will result in you as well as the benefit you will receive in kind from someone looking toward your benefit in the future. Being kind is always rewarding.



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Debt Stoppers asked:


Be it a cocktail party, traditional family gathering or a New Year’s Eve bash to ring in 2009, just about everyone will attend or throw some sort of get-together before the month is out. But while the winter party season is great for food and friends, it’s not so good for your finances. Unfortunately, it can be dangerously easy to overspend.

 

Last year, for instance, I meant to throw a low-key Christmas open house. But before I knew it, I’d raided the Christmas decor section at the local Crate & Barrel (it was on sale, but still expensive!) and picked up ingredients for a bunch of pricey appetizers, including three out-of-season tropical fruits for my “festive” martinis. Then, of course, I started thinking about investing in a new cocktail dress to go with those fancy cocktails…

 

Needless to say, it didn’t take long to break the bank. It never does. But while you might bask in the glow of your hosting triumph temporarily, you won’t be too happy once your guests have cleared out and you’re left to look forward to the new year with a stocking full of debt (and that’s before the bill with your Christmas shopping adventure arrives).

 

But a soiree doesn’t have to bust your budget. Of all holiday seasons, people will be most understanding if you go frugal this year. Fortunately it’s becoming almost trendy to be low-cost. What used to be something you didn’t talk about—like sex and politics—has been swept out into the open. So embrace your budget-consciousness, and use it to throw a party that focuses on what really matters—quality time with friends and family. For inspiration, check out the get-togethers I’ve recently attended on-the-cheap.

 

Swap cookies

 

I assume the cookie exchange is not a new idea, but I swear that until now, I’d never heard of them, let alone been invited to one. This year? I’ve been to two already and am considering a third. Cookies have caught on like wildfire because they are easy—and affordable—to make and give. It’s really just a new take on the age-old potluck party. When you invite friends, ask them each to bake their favorite holiday cookie. Then you split them up and everyone takes home a sweet variety. Of course, the traditional potluck party works just as well—and provides a more well-rounded meal. The theme is up to you.

 

Play games

 

Kids always seem to have the best time around the holidays. Sure, it could be because they get the best presents (what kid has to feign a smile after opening up a pair of socks?). But I think it’s because, unlike us adults, kids know how to relax. Maybe that’s because they know how to play. But they don’t have the Monopoly (ha, get it?) on fun. Set out some easy (and cheap) snack food and break out the cards, dominoes and board games. Laugh, goof around, and forget about your troubles for the night. That’s what the holidays are supposed to be about.

 

Watch movies

 

Get out your stash of holiday-themed DVDs—sentimental or hilarious—and ask your guests to bring theirs as well. Or break out the home movies. Pop some popcorn and make some hot chocolate while you relive old times. Maybe play some cinema-themed trivia. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper than going to the theater.

 

Of course, you shouldn’t feel limited to these three suggestions. I’m no professional party planner. But these are the kind of parties that have kept my spirits up this year. It’s amazing—it seems like the less I spend, the more I focus on the feeling of being with the people I love. It’s a welcome distraction.

 

Holiday gatherings ought to be joyful—not painful. If you find yourself feeling pained because you feel you’re pinching pennies to no avail, give yourself the gift you really need this year—relief. Debt relief. Check out the tips in our new (and free!) DebtStoppers Financial Toolkit. For immediate help, sign up for a free personalized debt analysis with one of our attorneys. So you can spend more quality time with your family—and less time worrying about your wallet.

 



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Frugal Guy asked:


Is it winter again already? I don’t know about you but I’m certainly noticing the colder weather! Due to rising energy costs this winter is sure to cost us more than ever in home heating expenses. While these tips aren’t groundbreaking I’m sure they will be helpful for those that have never been responsible for heating bills before.

Plastic Window Wrap

If you rent an apartment, or otherwise can’t afford to undertake larger projects, then window wrap might be just the project for you. Basically, windows are sealed under a plastic film to reduce the flow of cold air from a window into a room. This cold air could flow directly through cracks or simply from the window pane itself via convection.

Heavy Curtains

If your windows are too large to wrap, or if you aren’t willing to look out of your windows through a thin plastic film, then perhaps you could put up some heavy curtains. These will reduce the flow of cool or cold air from a window fixture into the rest of the room. You can open the curtains during the day to enjoy the view and close them at night while you sleep.

Dress for the Season

No, I am not talking about when you go outside. In the summer season it is common to lounge around your home wearing shorts and a t-shirt. While this may be a comfortable habit you should work towards wearing pants and long sleeved shirts. Track pants and a sweater are certainly suitable if you aren’t expecting company. Keeping your home a little cooler can save a lot in heating costs. Of course, it goes without saying, but get out the heavier bedding as well.

Humidity Management

Have you ever noticed that you feel hotter on a humid summer day? Sure you have. Well, this is true year round. If you don’t let your house get too dry in the winter you may be more comfortable at lower temperatures. Use a cool water humidifier for maximum safety and energy efficiency.

Screen Doors

On many homes you’ll see defective screen doors. Windows may be cracked, corners may be gone or perhaps the whole door is missing. Perhaps it is just heavy summer use, but these doors often seem to be abused, especially in areas populated by students. Fix up the screen door, make sure it closes properly, and fix any holes, cracks or leaks.

Seal Cracked Caulking

We don’t often inspect the outside of our homes. However, while we may easily spot cracked and peeling paint, window caulking is something we may overlook. Cracks in caulking can allow hot air to escape and cold air to enter your home. Before it is too late in the season take a look at your windows and see if you are due for some minor repairs.

Adding Insulation

This is a big ticket item. If your home does not have adequate insulation then you should consider adding insulating to your attic or exterior walls. See if your utility provider offers free home assessments. They can measure how much heat is being lost and identify how much you can save on heating costs.

Conclusion

While some of these projects are more complex and more expensive than others they are all worthwhile. However, if you don’t own your home or don’t plan to live there for a long period of time, then it may not make sense to invest in all of these solutions. If you do own your own home you’ll find that rising energy costs make it quite easy to get your money back over time.



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Catherine Mcdiarmid-watt asked:


Diapering: Newborn Cloth Diapers - Here’s a great suggestion to fit your newborn, or skinny baby! Consider getting smaller wraps, and using night liners (or diaper doublers) inside to ensure a good fit around your baby’s legs to prevent leakage.

Then you can buy larger diapers that will give your baby longer wear, skipping the size small and use the night liners again to double diaper when your baby wettings get heavier!

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Diapering: Free Diapers - Too many receiving blankets? Make a couple dozen of them into great prefold diapers. Even with a high-needs baby, I was able to make at least one of these diapers per day.

Here’s how: Cut one receiving blanket down to about 20″ x 36″ to 40″. This should give you a second strip about 7″-10″ wide. Fold this narrow strip in half or thirds to about 20″ long. Place this down the centre of the large piece, as shown: [ [] ] Fold in the sides of the larger piece about 2/3 of the way across. Overlap them on top of the folded strip down the centre, leaving the diaper about 15″ across: [] = [[]]

Sewing: Zigzag stitch across the top and bottom raw edges of the folded diaper, making sure to catch in all layers. Stitch down the centre pad about 1/2″ in from the edge of the centre pad.

(All measurements depend on original size of the blanket. Don’t be afraid to experiment!)

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Diapering_: Free Diaper Covers -

Do you have any old, shrunk and matted wool sweaters?

Then you can make two excellent diaper covers per sweater. The more matted the sweater - the more waterproof the covers!

To Make: Cut an equal-sized triangle out of the sweater, using the sweater waist-band as your diaper cover’s waist band. Zigzag stitch along raw edges to prevent unravelling. Fold the points in to meet in the centre (diaper-style) and stitch half-way down sides, to form leg holes. Crochet a woollen chain out of some of the remaining wool, about double the width of the waist-band, and thread this through the waist-band.

To use: Multi-layered or double diapers work best with these covers. Pull-on over diaper and tie in front.



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Steven Kokensparger asked:


If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself caught in a divorce during these tough economic times, you’re going to wonder how you can make sure your interests are protected in your divorce without breaking the bank in the process. Here are five suggestions from http://www.midohiodivorce.com to help keep the cost of your divorce litigation in check.

1. Don’t even consider going it alone unless you have no other choice.

One trend which has been frustrating family courts has been the increase of “pro se” divorce filings. “Pro se” is the term commonly used for parties who are without legal counsel. Although a divorce can be a complex matter fraught with opportunities to make extremely costly errors, the court generally cannot provide legal advice to the parties nor can it refuse to hear the case without involvement of qualified divorce counsel. Even with a slight error in language, the end result can be the loss of an interest in retirement funds, the loss of child custody, the inability to discharge debts in bankruptcy, errors in spousal support calculation, and numerous other possibilities. Even if the end result is satisfactory, going it alone can result in needless frustration, a substantial, and unforeseen, time commitment on the part of the pro se parties and the court, and more cost than initially anticipated in light of additional court costs and time away from work finalizing the case.

When looking at the cost of divorce litigation, parties often look at the expense of the attorney and court costs alone without taking other, indirect, costs into account. While an attorney may charge $1,500.00 for an uncontested divorce, a party who decides to represent himself may find that the fee would have been well worth it once he goes through the process of doing the requisite research, completing the requisite forms, filing them, and addressing any problems raised by the court.

The general rule regarding legal representation in your divorce case is simply this: the earlier in the divorce process that you consult legal counsel, the more effective your legal counsel can be. While you might not be sure as to whether you wish to file for divorce or take other steps to address the conflict in your relationship, an experienced family law attorney can be a considerable resource. While most experienced family law attorneys maintain a low fee for initial consultations, they are also willing to discuss your options with you so that you may make an informed decision. Further, many maintain a list of competent marriage counselors and other community resources to assist you. They can also help you consider whether certain actions will affect you positively or negatively in a future divorce case.

If you simply do not have the financial ability to hire a qualified family law attorney, there are a few other options available to you. Quite often, the local Legal Aid Society will provide representation to indigent clients in divorce cases. You should also contact the local bar association and local law schools to see whether they offer a divorce clinic where indigent parties can obtain free representation in their divorce cases. If all else fails, and you do have to complete your paperwork yourself, you can often hire local counsel for a nominal fee to simply review your paperwork and advise you regarding any glaring errors he or she may find before you submit it to the court for filing.

2. Consider using alternative dispute resolution.

Sometimes even the roughest conflicts can be resolved amicably through mediation or collaborative law. The only true way to limit the expense of your divorce is to try and resolve your issues amicably with your spouse. This can involve one on one mediation or a settlement conference with your attorneys present. However, you should always inquire with your attorney regarding options for settlement or streamlining the process through any available alternative dispute resolution programs.

3. Do your research before retaining counsel.

In interviewing attorneys, make sure you know as much as possible about their experience and focus of their practices before making a final determination. Family law attorneys can have varying degrees of experience as well as a broad range of strengths, skills, relevant education and training, and, of course, weaknesses. In choosing an attorney to represent your interests, you should seek out an experienced and concerned attorney who will represent your interests and promote your goals zealously while also making sure that your decisions are being made based on reason rather than emotion. Most importantly, you should seek out an attorney with whom you are comfortable and who you feel you can trust.

The determination of whether one is comfortable with an attorney and feels that he or she can trust the attorney is obviously a personal, and subjective, one. However, the determination of whether an attorney possesses the optimal amount of experience and knowledge in family law can be easily researched and ascertained through a couple of questions in the initial intervie.

Find out, for example, if your state offers a “family law specialist” designation and, if so, whether the attorney you are consulting with is a family law specialist. Quite often, a state family law specialty designation carries heightened requirements concerning the percentage of the attorney’s practice devoted to family law cases, continuing legal education dedicated to family law issues, references from local family law attorneys and court staff, and often even submission to a family law specialty exam or other advanced screening process.

Not specializing in Family Law Practice does not mean an attorney is not competent to handle a Family Law case. However, where the attorney is not a specialist, or if you live in a state which does not offer a family law specialist designation, you should still inquire regarding the percentage of the attorney’s practice which is devoted to family law cases. Often, a greater focus on family law cases will entail an office with staff who are more experienced with the family law process and in handling issues which may arise from day to day as well as a more streamlined approach to handling domestic cases which, in turn, may result in more efficient and expedient representation.

4. Know your attorney’s full billing policy.

Recently, I read an advertisement for a “$350.00 flat fee for uncontested divorce” offered by a local law firm where I practice. The ad seemed deceptive since the filing fees for a divorce in the county where I practice were $250.00 which were clearly not included in the quoted price of $350.00 for an uncontested divorce. With the filing fee, the cost of a process server and any other necessary outside expenses, the ultimate cost of the divorce would be similar to the rates charged by other attorneys in the area. Thus, regardless of whether the attorney charges a flat fee or an hourly rate, you should always review the attorney’s billing policy to see whether there are other charges such as filing fees, postage, service of process, long-distance telephone charges, copies, or other charges in addition to the quoted fee.

The other key word in the “$350.00 flat fee for uncontested divorce” ad was the word “uncontested.” Often, parties will jump at the offer without asking the question of what happens if they cannot reach an agreement with their spouse on the terms of the divorce. If this happens, the “uncontested” divorce quickly becomes a “contested” one and the client often has to pay additional fees for contested divorce representation.

5. Know whether your attorney incorporates recent technological advances into his or her practice.

Does the attorney use email? Believe it or not, there are still attorneys who do not have a computer in their offices let alone use document automation software or computerized case management systems. They rely upon more traditional methods of communication and this works well for them and their clients. However, with such methods comes the need for additional personnel, increased telephone expense, and a greater time investment than would exist if these technologies were used.

Document assembly software is simply software which generates the various forms required for a divorce filing from a central database of client information. Rather than entering the same information numerous times on numerous forms, the information is entered once and the documents are automatically populated with the requisite information. Document assembly software streamlines the document assembly process and allows attorneys to spend less time drafting paperwork and more time focusing on the legal issues in the case.



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Martin Lukac asked:


It really isn’t that difficult to save money when you are in college. After all, society has a notion that most college students are completely broke anyhow. If anyone can cut costs, it is a broke college student.

Why else would they be willing to live on a floor with thirty of their closest friends and eat cafeteria food every meal (or those noodles in a microwaveable cup)?

So how can you save money while in college? All you have to do is be a bit creative.

Most college students will tell you that next to tuition, books are the most expensive thing they have to purchase. College book prices are unbelievable. You thought $25 for a bestseller was bad, wait until you see $200 for a genetics book.

Many students have found ways around this. First of all, don’t buy your books until after your first day of class. Many teachers will revise their plan over the summer, after their book requirements have been turned in. While you can return books within the first week at many schools, you don’t want to buy something you don’t have to and go through the hassle.

Don’t worry, if the store runs out of books, your teacher will probably provide copies of chapters discussed until the store gets more books in. Or you will be asked to share.

Many students share their textbooks. Especially those that are in all the same classes (freshmen or best friends). A lot of students will photocopy a friend’s book or the one in the library. Many will simply check the book out.

If the book is for a class in your major, it may be worth it to buy a used edition and keep it as a reference book. Flip through it first and decide whether you think you will really use it again. There really is no need to ever purchase a new book. The used books have the same information.

When you sell the book back, you will get very little for it. This has led to many students selling their books on their own. They sell them for more than they will get back, but less than the bookstore’s used price. This is a great way to save money.

You could also consider swapping books. Many students do this, but only do it with books you don’t intend to get back.

When you are in college you can also save a lot of money by trying not to photocopy too much. I know that I spent a lot of money on copies that eventually became scrap paper. Today, you can often simply scan the text and email the file to yourself. Then it can be used from your own computer, or printed for free at the student computer lounge. If the school charges for this, simply purchase a cheap printer and ink. In the long run, this will save you a lot of money. I personally suggest that you go the paper-free route and just keep the file on your computer. Then you can delete it when you are done or save it for a future project. This is the best way to organize research.

If you really must make copies or print something, try to avoid using the school’s printing services. If there is a print shop within walking distance, become a customer. They are often much cheaper and sometimes you can wrangle a discount based on the volume you are copying.

There are a million things you can save money on while in college, from food to clothes and eating out. The key is to be creative and really think about what you are spending. Don’t just pull out a credit card. While you may not pay for it now, you will pay a lot for it later. Carry cash, spend cash and leave the credit for buying your first home or a new car after you graduate.



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Nicole Dean asked:


If you have a family budget worked out, you know how hard it is to stick to it without having some real concrete plans and strategies to stretch your money as far as it will go. Usually, the first area we can squeeze a few extra dollars out of our wallets is on groceries. I’d like to introduce you to your new partner in your frugal endeavor, the black bean.

If you find yourself wandering aimlessly through the aisles of your grocery store, looking for something to make for dinner that won’t break your budget, take a detour over to the black bean display and check out the price. Considering that black beans are loaded with nutrients like protein, iron, calcium, and potassium, and they are high in fiber, and low in fat and sugar, they really offer a lot of bang for your buck. It’s obvious that black beans should be a staple in every household, frugal or not. So, let’s think up a few simple meals to create with your new best friend… the black bean.

1) Black Bean Cottage Cheese Salad

A simple but delicious use for black beans is turning it into a creamy salad. Put a 1 scoop of cottage cheese in a serving bowl, and sprinkle a little salt and freshly ground black pepper on top. Then top with some drained and rinsed canned black beans, about 1/2 cup. Add a bit of chopped celery to the mix and you have a great, crunchy, creamy lunch, packed with protein, calcium, iron and fiber.

2) Bountiful Bean Salad

You’ll be choosing your favorite canned beans for this salad, keeping in mind color and texture; favorites like black beans, butter beans, navy beans, kidney beans, waxed beans, and whatever else you like. Drain and rinse all the beans and put them in a large serving bowl. To the beans, add some sweet onion, or green onion including the tops, chopped celery, freshly chopped parsley, maybe some fresh rosemary, or whatever herb you like, and top it all with a little shake or two of a very good vinaigrette salad dressing, I use Paul Newman’s Own Balsamic Vinaigrette. You’ve got yourself a kid-friendly and nutritious salad.

3) Use-It-Up Black Bean Burrito

If you have a few staples in your pantry you can whip up this simple burrito. You’ll need a flour or corn tortilla, either heated or not, that’s up to you. Drain and rinse your black beans, then start building your burrito however you want. I add black beans, some diced tomatoes, a little onion, lots of shredded cheddar cheese, a little sour cream, leftover rice, some chopped up pieces of chicken from last night, and whatever else I have to use up. Depending on how I feel that day, I go a little heavier on the black beans and lighter on the other stuff. Get your salsa or taco sauce ready and enjoy.

4) Simple Four Bean Soup

What you’ll need for the beans is 1 can each, black beans, garbanzo beans, butter beans, and navy beans (although you may substitute your favorite beans for any of those). Drain each can and set aside. Into a large pot, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil, add 1 cup finely chopped celery and 1 cup of diced onion. Cook on medium low until celery is just tender. Next add 1 clove of garlic, either minced, crushed, or grated, and let cook for just one minute. Then throw all your beans into the pot. Add 1 small can of fire roasted diced tomatoes and 1 small can chicken broth. Simmer nice and slow for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. It’s done!

5) 30 Second Black Beans with Taco Seasoning

Try it and I guarantee you’ll be wondering why you haven’t thought of this before. My daughter was the person who “invented” this recipe in our family, and now we’re all sold on it. Simply drain and rinse a can of black beans. If you have those little packets of taco sauce laying around, leftovers from carry-out, just squeeze a few in your black beans, give it a toss, and you have an incredibly delicious side dish that is sure to please. You’ll have to try this one to believe it. You might want to try some hot salsa instead of the taco sauce, but use only a little, just enough to flavor the beans. (Throw some shredded cheddar on top and you’re set.)

There are countless ways to enjoy our new friend, the black bean. You will easily be able to take the five ideas I’ve listed here and add your own personal flair to create black bean dishes to suit any taste, even your family’s most finicky eater.



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Martin Lukac asked:


Being frugal and happy isn’t something society usually puts together. Frugality seems to bring up images of great sacrifice. We think of the miser who lived in poverty only for others to find millions saved after the miser passes away. What was the use?

Frugal living isn’t necessarily what you may think it is. Frugal people live very happy lives. They find happiness in meeting goals, reducing their financial burdens and living stress free.

How happy can you be when you are drowing in debt and struggling to make ends meet? You aren’t living frugally, but you aren’t happy either.

The frugal person often sees each step towards being debt-free or early retirement as a great success. They don’t focus on that sweater they didn’t buy or that new car they aren’t driving. They focus on having spending money left over at the end of the month. They focus on the things that really matter.

Frugality is also a great challenge. You get to be very creative with your money and the way you live. Many people love moving from one thing to another, looking at the way to cut costs for each category. For example, you’ve cut your utilties, now what about your groceries or gasoline consumption?

The goal is what keeps the frugal person going. The daily victories and challenges keep them interested. The penny saved keeps them adding it all up. And the debt free life keeps them stress free.

Imagine a life where you have no debts to pay. All you have are your living expenses. Think about having two thousand extra dollars a month. Dollars that aren’t already spent before you make them. Think about retiring early to do something you enjoy instead of something you have to do. Think about following your dreams. Think about having money left over each month.

Frugality will get you there. Now wouldn’t that make you happy?



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