I will shop Back to School sales, for myself and my preschooler. I will also be on the lookout for filler items that I can donate, locally. High on my list are all manner of craft/art supplies and paper and quality pens (so many junky pens out there, lol--it's a minefield!)
Darren, I believe you need to update your math. You would have $6,500 if you saved $25 a week if you put it in your mattress. $25 x 52 weeks per year x 5 years=$6,500.
I'm not getting it. After saving $25/week for 5 years the principle will be $6,500. If you put that money into the bond market and bonds go down (assuming that the stock market will rebound),...then you'll LOSE money !
I completely agree that $75-$100 would be an AMAZING budget for a family of 4! We are a family of three and I am usually able to stick around $65 up to $75, but it's very hard. And we need to keep those numbers low in the picture of the rest of our budget. So, I'm right there with you :)
Tracy -- I understand the lack of access to cheaper groceries. On a trip to my hometown recently, I went shopping with my mother, and most of the prices were much higher than what I am able to find where I currently live. My parents actually live in a relatively remote area, so they combine a lot of errands and make a 45 minute to hour drive to get access to cheaper foods. And I think the key with some of the foods on this list (pasta, bread, etc.) is choosing the whole grain options. Our Aldi has whole grain and whole wheat options for most all of these things, which is great, and they are still at a low price. Thank you so much for your comment, and I'm glad this list helps!
Thank you for pointing that error out, Andrey! As a vegetarian I probably eat 5.5 cups of beans (OK that's an exaggeration, but I eat a lot) which is likely why it was on the brain :)
Hi -- Just a couple notes: This list is intended for just one person, not an entire family, for $20 a week. I make a note that I've been feeding my family for around $65 a week, but that's around $20/person average. The meals in the plan are just suggestions -- not a play by play of what you should eat for the week -- and you need not eat sandwiches each day. The meals can mix and match. Sandwiches are just easy to make, so I suggested several options.
And -- yes -- I am thankful for Aldi and access to less expensive groceries. In the town where I grew up -- which is located in the mountains of PA -- I cannot find groceries this cheap. However, a 45 minute drive from there can get me to an Aldi. It's all in the hunting around. Or also general cost of living, I suppose.
I live in an area with a very low crime rate. Up until about 2 years ago, it was very unusual to hear of people breaking into houses. Last year, there was a rash of break-ins occurring where people were home--the thieves were peeking into windows looking for prescription drugs. Within the last month, there have been several instances where people have waken up to find that, while they were sleeping, their houses were robbed.
I don't need office supplies, so I probably won't be shopping any back to school sales, but I am going to keep my eyes open for any home goods sales (need some things for after a renovation) and clothing sales (LOVE fall clothing). Sometimes stores put those on sale as a "back to school" or end of summer/Labor Day sale.
i would like to sell my son's hair for a good decent price. i have never done this before and i would like to know where and how to sell this hair. pls help!!
I guess it depends on what town you are from. Pittsburgh has a great dental school- BUT they charge almost as much as a regular dentist. Upon needing a root canal & a retreated root canal I was quite disappointed when I found out that there was little difference in price & it was an hour away. On a side note I thought that once you shelled the money out for a root canal & crown that you were set for life- no such luck! The roots can get infected & who knows what else. And of course because a re-treatment is complicated I had to go to a specialist in endodonics. Luckily the receptionist was friendly with my husband while he waited and told him about a discount plan (Aetna Dental Access) that would save us $650. And on $2900 I was thrilled to death. She was nice enough to delay billing. And she signed us up for the GE Care Credit program that offers no interest for $18 months. Next week when I see the dentist to get crowns I'm hoping that Aetna will once again prove helpful.
Those are some great website links. My dad has always said that in order to properly maintain your car, you have to get regular scheduled oil changes and open up that manual and look at what needs to be done and at how many miles. Now that I plan on keeping my car until it dies, I have started looking ahead to see what needs to be done and when.
I tried this site a couple of times and never received any response to my e-mails. It sounds like a nice concept, but I'm not sure how well it actually works.
Thanks for the kind words, Gary ... very "generous" of you! I really enjoyed writing this article, as I learned a lot about the power of generosity in the process.
I will shop Back to School sales, for myself and my preschooler. I will also be on the lookout for filler items that I can donate, locally. High on my list are all manner of craft/art supplies and paper and quality pens (so many junky pens out there, lol--it's a minefield!)
Not sure i understand.
$25 x 52 weeks x 5 = $6500
What's the ROI/growth?
Darren, I believe you need to update your math. You would have $6,500 if you saved $25 a week if you put it in your mattress. $25 x 52 weeks per year x 5 years=$6,500.
I'm not getting it. After saving $25/week for 5 years the principle will be $6,500. If you put that money into the bond market and bonds go down (assuming that the stock market will rebound),...then you'll LOSE money !
I completely agree that $75-$100 would be an AMAZING budget for a family of 4! We are a family of three and I am usually able to stick around $65 up to $75, but it's very hard. And we need to keep those numbers low in the picture of the rest of our budget. So, I'm right there with you :)
Tracy -- I understand the lack of access to cheaper groceries. On a trip to my hometown recently, I went shopping with my mother, and most of the prices were much higher than what I am able to find where I currently live. My parents actually live in a relatively remote area, so they combine a lot of errands and make a 45 minute to hour drive to get access to cheaper foods. And I think the key with some of the foods on this list (pasta, bread, etc.) is choosing the whole grain options. Our Aldi has whole grain and whole wheat options for most all of these things, which is great, and they are still at a low price. Thank you so much for your comment, and I'm glad this list helps!
$25 * 52 (weeks in a year) * 5 (years) = $6500
Color me unimpressed.
That's great advice, Amber! I will definitely check out that page!
Thank you for pointing that error out, Andrey! As a vegetarian I probably eat 5.5 cups of beans (OK that's an exaggeration, but I eat a lot) which is likely why it was on the brain :)
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Hi -- Just a couple notes: This list is intended for just one person, not an entire family, for $20 a week. I make a note that I've been feeding my family for around $65 a week, but that's around $20/person average. The meals in the plan are just suggestions -- not a play by play of what you should eat for the week -- and you need not eat sandwiches each day. The meals can mix and match. Sandwiches are just easy to make, so I suggested several options.
And -- yes -- I am thankful for Aldi and access to less expensive groceries. In the town where I grew up -- which is located in the mountains of PA -- I cannot find groceries this cheap. However, a 45 minute drive from there can get me to an Aldi. It's all in the hunting around. Or also general cost of living, I suppose.
Yes! I'm a teacher, so I need to hit the back to school sales to load up on supplies for my classroom.
I live in an area with a very low crime rate. Up until about 2 years ago, it was very unusual to hear of people breaking into houses. Last year, there was a rash of break-ins occurring where people were home--the thieves were peeking into windows looking for prescription drugs. Within the last month, there have been several instances where people have waken up to find that, while they were sleeping, their houses were robbed.
Yes, I'm shopping back to school sales. My kids need clothes, shoes and school supplies.
I don't need office supplies, so I probably won't be shopping any back to school sales, but I am going to keep my eyes open for any home goods sales (need some things for after a renovation) and clothing sales (LOVE fall clothing). Sometimes stores put those on sale as a "back to school" or end of summer/Labor Day sale.
i would like to sell my son's hair for a good decent price. i have never done this before and i would like to know where and how to sell this hair. pls help!!
I guess it depends on what town you are from. Pittsburgh has a great dental school- BUT they charge almost as much as a regular dentist. Upon needing a root canal & a retreated root canal I was quite disappointed when I found out that there was little difference in price & it was an hour away. On a side note I thought that once you shelled the money out for a root canal & crown that you were set for life- no such luck! The roots can get infected & who knows what else. And of course because a re-treatment is complicated I had to go to a specialist in endodonics. Luckily the receptionist was friendly with my husband while he waited and told him about a discount plan (Aetna Dental Access) that would save us $650. And on $2900 I was thrilled to death. She was nice enough to delay billing. And she signed us up for the GE Care Credit program that offers no interest for $18 months. Next week when I see the dentist to get crowns I'm hoping that Aetna will once again prove helpful.
Beat you to it. I already have.
Shop a major sale? Of course.
I no longer have a student at home, but got a great deal on a printer for myself last weekend. I might hit the shoe store this week too!
Yes I will. There are great deals to be had.
Great ideas; and I'm going to immediately try the basil pesto recipe before my basil goes to seed.
Those are some great website links. My dad has always said that in order to properly maintain your car, you have to get regular scheduled oil changes and open up that manual and look at what needs to be done and at how many miles. Now that I plan on keeping my car until it dies, I have started looking ahead to see what needs to be done and when.
I tried this site a couple of times and never received any response to my e-mails. It sounds like a nice concept, but I'm not sure how well it actually works.
Thanks for the kind words, Gary ... very "generous" of you! I really enjoyed writing this article, as I learned a lot about the power of generosity in the process.