Money Saving Mom®

Guest post from Rachael of Thriving on Thrifty

Every month, I designate a specific amount of our budget for various gifts (i.e. birthdays, Christmas, etc.). While I think it’s great that we have the money saved, I decided that we were spending too much of our budget on this particular area.

Therefore, this year I gave myself a challenge that I hope will inspire some of you as well. I cut my monthly budget by 75% and have found other creative ways to come up with the money.

Here is my strategy to cut my gift budget and put more money to other needed areas:

1. Lower the Amount Spent By Shopping Early with Deals. 

I actually started shopping for Christmas as soon as last Christmas was over. I already have over half of my Christmas shopping complete and probably spent less than half of what I would have normally spent on these items by shopping clearance items and deals.

2. Use Money-Making Apps and Websites to Earn Gift Cards.

Here are a few that I have been using so far this year to help pay for my gift budget:

• Swagbucks: I have been a member for at least a year but just recently found a way for me to make Swagbucks without spending a lot of time. I downloaded the SBTV app and try to hit my daily goal of 50 swagbucks by watching videos. I also do some Virool videos on the Swagbucks App as they become available and do the daily poll each day.

• PerkTV App:  I just recently started using this app. I am able to run continuous videos and earn points which can then be redeemed for various gift cards.

• ChatAbout: I just signed up for this site and really like it so far. It doesn’t take me too much time to reach my daily goal of 55 points by chatting about various topics and taking their daily poll. I have already redeemed twice for a Paypal redemption, and I just got started a couple of weeks ago!

• Viewpoints: This site allows you to review various products in exchange for points. These points can then be redeemed for gift cards.

• ExpoTV: This site offers points in exchange for video reviews. I have redeemed several times off of this site since I started using it last year.

• SavingStar: I use the cash back that I get through shopping with the SavingStar App to cash in for my gift fund.

• Rakuten (formerly Ebates): I use Rakuten when I shop at various stores online to get a percentage of my purchase back. When I get my rebate check each quarter, I plan to put this in my gift fund.

Creatively Use Freebies and Rewards Programs.

Each time I find a freebie deal either online or in the store, I try to think about how I could creatively use these items as presents.

Also, many stores have rewards programs for purchases or occasionally offer free credits. Even if they aren’t huge credits, you can usually shop in the clearance section to find great deals.

How do you stretch your gift budget? I’d love to hear!

Rachael Lachniet is a stay at home mom who enjoys learning ways to save money for her family and tries to share these ideas with others on her blog, Thriving on Thrifty.

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Guest post from Deanna of From this Kitchen Table

I tend to be a tightwad — in fact, spending money can cause me pain! This means I can be a difficult person to vacation with. I see dollar signs if we consider doing certain activities on a trip or want treat ourselves to something as simple as ice cream sundaes. Thoughts about what we aren’t going to be able to do with our money come to mind.

However, budgeting has helped me enjoy vacationing so much more. I even get excited about doing activities that cost money. How does that work? Isn’t budgeting supposed to help you not spend money?

Budgeting is about making your money work for you and having it go where you tell it. I’m going to share how our vacation budget works for us and allows me to get away for a few days with my family while actually enjoying myself.

1. Have a plan.

The first thing to do is to sit down and decide where you are going to go and when.

Look at:

• family schedule
• deals for certain dates
• when the crowds will be minimal

Then research activities in the area and come up with a list of what you want to do and where you are going stay. Sometimes, we plan our vacation so we can stay with family and other times we’ll check into a hotel or rent a condo.

2. Figure out potential costs.

Now that you have a plan, tally up what lodging, gas or plane tickets, activities, and food are going to cost. When we start looking at the numbers, we often adjust our plan to make it more reasonable. Sometimes we add an extra activity if we’re spending less than we thought.

3. Start saving.

Use the months leading up to your trip to start setting aside money. Maybe the standard vacation category in your budget will cover this. If you are like us, you might have to set aside other money that comes in. Portions of extra income from jobs, gifts, or selling things might go towards the goal.

4. Bring cash for everything except gas and lodging.

Lodging has most likely already been paid and we find it easier to pay at the pump rather than bringing cash inside the gas station.

For the rest of the funds, take it in cash. Having a vacation envelope helped me remember that the money was there and that its purpose was the vacation.

5. Splurge!

You’ve spent time saving and looking forward to the trip. Now is the time to enjoy yourself.

Enjoy the pirate themed miniature golf course, zip lining, touring a mansion, eating shakes. Don’t let spending that money stress you out — that’s what it’s there for!

Budgeting, a little planning, and using cash are the ways that I’ve found that enable me to relax and enjoy our days away as a family. I can relish the memories being made instead of fretting about the amount of money we spend.

Deanna, a wife and mother, attempts to balance frugality, (semi) natural living, lack of time and sleep while trying to follow what the Lord wants for her life. She enjoys dark chocolate, BBC mini series, good books, and spending weekends at home. She blogs at From this Kitchen Table.

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Guest post from Jenn of Building Mommy Muscles

Our family has been gluten-free now for almost two years, due to gluten sensitivity in several members of our family.

When we first made the switch, it was confusing, overwhelming and expensive! But along the way, I have learned some tricks for keeping the gluten-free budget under control.

1. Avoid Gluten-Free Replacement Foods

Gluten-free specialty items can be extremely expensive, and they are what killed our grocery budget when we first changed our diet.

If you find a great sale on gluten-free bread or pasta, stock up. Otherwise, don’t buy it. $6 for a tiny loaf of bread just isn’t worth it in my opinion!

2. Keep the Cooking Simple

Don’t go crazy trying to make all of the amazing gluten free recipes you see on Pinterest that require seven different specialty flours. Stick to cooking things you know and expand from there.

3. Make Mexican and Asian Recipes

Mexican and Asian foods are often naturally gluten-free. Fajitas, quesadillas, and enchiladas can all be made using corn tortillas, which are very affordable and are gluten-free. Many Asian recipes use rice, which is also a gluten-free food.

4. Use Fruits and Veggies as Snacks

Not only are fruits and veggies healthy snacks, they are also gluten-free and affordable. Instead of buying overpriced and likely unhealthy gluten-free snacks, stick with fresh food. Your health and your wallet will thank you!

5. Buy Pre-Mixed Flour for Baking

Many gluten-free recipes call for several specialty flours. I recommend that you purchase one all-purpose flour that is pre-mixed and already includes xanthan gum. This will save you time, money and hassle. My favorite brands are Pamela’s and Namaste.

Going gluten-free does not have to be expensive! I hope these tips are helpful to anyone who is looking to make the change to gluten-free living.

What are your best tips to go gluten-free on a budget?

Jenn is a wife and mother to three permanent kids and many temporary ones that have come and gone through foster care. She is a gluten free, homeschooling, adoptive mama who blogs at Building Mommy Muscles.

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