Budgeting

The First Step to Budgeting

Posted November 6, 2009 - 06:00 by Nora Dunn

Budgeting

budget spreadsheet

Why do so many budgets fail? Because the first step to budgeting is omitted. When implemented correctly, it can make a huge difference. When the first step is neglected, intangible and unrealistic budgets are often created –- a recipe for disaster. Here’s the good news: the first step to budgeting is an easy one. Check it out!

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5 Potluck Parties That Help You Share the Wealth

Posted October 29, 2009 - 06:00 by Max Wong

Food and Drink, Budgeting

potluck

Having no money has never kept me from having a good time. Over the years I’ve developed several pot luck-style parties that are not only easy to tweak for just about any location or age group, but are beneficial to me, my friends and my community. Here are the five parties I’ll be hosting between now and the New Year.

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Tools to Get Organized, Family Style

Posted October 22, 2009 - 12:15 by Julie Rains

Productivity, Budgeting

teen on computer

Many people think I’m incredibly well organized because I can easily manage (certain) projects and recite dates, locations, deadlines, etc. for my family’s activities. The truth is that I’d be almost completely lost without my computer. Here are some easy-to-follow, tech-oriented tips on keeping things together whether there are toddlers or teenagers running amok at your house.

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Menu Planning Backwards and Forwards

Posted October 1, 2009 - 06:00 by Anne Louise Bannon

Shopping, Food and Drink, Budgeting

perpetual calendar

We all know it saves time and money to plan a weekly dinner menu. You're also more likely to eat a healthy diet and less likely to cop out and pick up a Big Mac, because you know you're going to pull together a nice chicken Caesar salad when you get home from work.

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Dealista Tip: 50 Best Deals and Coupon Sites

Posted September 28, 2009 - 07:00 by Lynn Truong

Budgeting

deal hunting

Frugal is in and couponing has become trendy. Coupon users are no longer scrooges but sages, wisely spending by saving. Here are a list of 50 great deals and coupon sites dedicated to serving savvy shoppers like you, and a few tips on using them efficiently. If you haven't joined in on the action, there's no better time. Save now -- no clipping required.

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Can You Save Money by Renting Textbooks?

Posted September 4, 2009 - 17:10 by Xin Lu

Budgeting

Chegg

When I went to college it was unheard of to rent textbooks, but a number of outfits such as Chegg, Campus Book Rentals, and BookRenter.com have sprung up in the last few years that allow students to rent good quality textbooks at a fraction of the purchase price. As an experiment, I checked out these sites to see if it is really worthwhile to rent a textbook and here are my findings with real examples.

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Budgeting Tricks for Parents

Posted September 4, 2009 - 13:30 by Tisha Tolar

Budgeting

Being a parent, you may be able to admit (at least to yourself) that you enjoy indulging your children even if it is to the detriment of your budget. Here are some tips to help you keep your sanity and a little extra cash in the bank when you are a parent.

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A Cheapskate’s Guide to Eating Out

Posted August 26, 2009 - 08:00 by Paul Michael

Food and Drink, Budgeting, Consumer Affairs

Happy Food

When I was a young lad, eating out was something of a luxury for my family. Most of our meals, at least 95%, were prepared and eaten at home. This was the model for most people my age or older. But these days, society has migrated to eating out of the home way more often. The result is that we’re spending a lot more on food than we used to. So, are there ways to chop the bill and eat out for less? You bet.

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Beyond Budgeting: Pocketsmith Helps You Forecast

Posted August 20, 2009 - 12:01 by Lynn Truong

Personal Finance, Budgeting

pocketsmith calendar

There are many financial tools and services that help you track your spending and stick to your budgets. PocketSmith is a new contender with a twist. While it does track your spending, it focuses on forecasting. PocketSmith is also giving 5 Wise Bread readers a yearly Premium account. Read on for details.

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Prepaid Gift Cards for Modern Envelope Budgeting

Posted August 18, 2009 - 13:00 by Paul Van Lierop

Budgeting

Cash Envelopes

Interested in budgeting your money but don't want to carry loads of cash? Enter in the modern equivalent using Gift Check Cards or Preloaded Student cards.

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