Mom’s Money

Make The New Year A Debt Free Year

If you’ve got credit card debt that’s out of control, you are not alone.  If your budget is getting tighter and tighter every year, you are really not alone.  This year has been excruciatingly painful for many families in this country and around the world.  How can you make the New Year a better year financially speaking?  First step is to get rid of that credit card debt for once and for all.

Easier said than done.  Well, yes and no.  The process is easy, but it doesn’t happen overnight or sometimes not even in a year’s time.  But, every month that you stick to a debt free plan is another month closer to finally breathing easier.

The method you employ to become debt free differs from family to family, even though the basics are the same.  We’ll give you a few basics here to get going, but depending on the amount of debt and whether you are still making your monthly payments on time, your strategy will be uniquely yours.

Begin by figuring out your disposable income.  That is your monthly income minus your monthly household bills and estimated variable expenses, like groceries.  The money left is your disposable cash which is what you have left to pay off your credit cards.  Look through your cards and decide which ones you want to pay off first, or how much money you want each card to get each month.

Once you know how much money you have available to pay down your credit cards, you’ll be ready to call the credit card companies.  You need to arrange lower interest rates and have any late fees and overage charges reversed.  Be honest with the customer service person at the credit card company and explain to them that you are paying off several credit cards and want to arrange payments within your new budget.  Tell them how much you can afford to pay them; don’t wait for them to tell you what they want from you each month.

A third party like a debt relief company should be your last resort.  You will have a better return on your payments if you arrange a payment schedule directly with the creditor.  However, if you do need to go this route, ask friends for recommendations and call the Better Business Bureau to check every credit counselor or debt relief specialist before you meet with them. 

Debt consolidation is another option, but beware.  Check every option thoroughly before proceeding. Again, your first and most cost effective method is to deal directly with the creditors.

Now the hardest part. Sticking with your plan. Be watchful and make sure your budget plan is being followed precisely by everyone.  This will require absolutely no credit card purchases and no missed payments.  You should start to feel a little relief after a few months, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security and start spending money.  Patience, time, and fortitude are your friends.  Have a Happy, Prosperous, and Debt Free New Year!

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Shopping The Sales For Essential Items

I know in years past, when my budget was not so tight, the day after Christmas was a great bargain hunters delight.  I stocked up on gift wrap, purchased ornaments, trimming, and all that glittery stuff that I didn’t want to pay full price for before Christmas.  Well, the times they are a changin’…  I don’t stock up on anything that is not absolutely necessary, and certainly do not buy any glittery stuff anymore.  So, why even fight the crowds this year?  I’ll tell you why… bargains on things our family needs.

Walking by the 75% off tables of pretty stuff is a challenge, so I sit down before I head out the door and make a serious shopping list.  Shopping the after Christmas sales can yield some great savings.  So, how to begin?

My mission is clear; I march straight to the seasonal wear and buy a coat for each child in a size or two larger than they’re wearing now.  Then off to shoes and boots.  Hats, gloves, mittens, and scarfs will also be marked down considerably.  Then I move to the sweaters, dresses, and pants.  Maybe that pretty Holiday dress will finally be within my budget.  Buying clothing for the next school year will not only ease the last minute rush come next fall, but the prices are always going to be better than any “Back To School” sale. 

When you get back home, put everything in a plastic bin marked for the next school year.  Then when fall rolls around, dig in!  You and your budget will have a little breathing room.

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Last Minute Panic? Remember: Time Is The Best Gift

If you are like millions of Moms and Dads, you’re looking at your children’s Christmas gifts and feeling somewhat pitiful.  Last year the pile was a bit bigger… this year the budget has really gotten tight.  How do parents reconcile these cut backs when they look at those expectant little faces? 

Let’s remember what children REALLY expect.  Children expect their parents to spend time with them, play with them, provide them with shelter, guidance, food, warmth, hugs, kisses, and fun.  You know, the love stuff.  Gifts are great, yes, but will not take the place of a parent’s time.

If you have some board games, or video games, or bats and balls, or family movies, or even a deck of cards, you are on your way to a wonderful Christmas Day.  Did Santa bring your daughter fingernail polish?  Sit down with her and give her a manicure. What gift put a big grin on your son’s face?  Spend time with your son learning about what makes him tick. And when your kids are finished exploring their new treasures, bring out some old ones.  How long has it been since you’ve played Sorry, or Monopoly, or Chutes and Ladders? 

A child knows they are important to you when you spend time with them.  That is parenting in a nutshell.  Make this Christmas season about real gifts.  The gift of time.  Merry Christmas!

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Quick Ideas To Wrap Up Those Gifts

It’s crunch time and you haven’t finished wrapping gifts yet.  Happens every year; the wrapping paper either runs out or seems tacky or old.  You want to involve the kids in wrapping some of the gifts, but they lose their interest fast when they find out it’s a job instead of being fun.  Try these fun, quick, easy, and inexpensive wraps.

Large Paper Bags:

Always the go-to solution for a wrapping problem.  Open a paper bag, and let your youngster loose with colors, paints, markers, stickers, or anything they like to decorate with.  Let dry and you have a creative, inexpensive, and sturdy wrapping.  Paper bags make the perfect wrapping paper for gifts that require a heavier paper, like odd shaped items.

Small Lunch Bags:

If you keep small lunch bags around the house, you have an instant gift bag.  Have your child decorate to their hearts content, using as many sparkly items as you have, such as glitter and sequins.  I use the glittery things because I think it’s a humorous touch, off-setting the plain old brown paper bag.  Attach some ribbon or jute rope for a handle.  Use shiny or colorful tissue paper and you have completed the look, and have a great homemade gift bag at a fraction of the cost of those store-bought ones.

Comics:

A tried and true wrapping for kids, or adults who are kids at heart.  Using colorful comics from the newspaper, wrap up your gifts using several sheets if necessary, and use matching colors of gift ribbon.  If the comics leave ink on your fingers and you want a cleaner wrapping, use a sheet of white tissue paper for one layer over the comics.  The comics will show through and your gift recipient won’t get their fingers dirty.  I like to use a little extra gift ribbon, the curling kind.  Run it around the package several times, and curl up a big, silly bow.  This wrapping should be extra fun.

Aluminum Foil:

Using heavy duty aluminum foil is a great wrap especially on smaller packages.  I wouldn’t use it on large packages because it’s not as inexpensive as other wrapping and it might tear.  Use heavy duty aluminum foil just like you would wrapping paper.  I like to use metallic curling ribbon to complete the space-age look of the wrapping.

Freezer Paper:

Another kitchen item you may have in your pantry is freezer or meat wrapping paper.  This, again, is simple.  Just get out the crayons, markers, and paints, and let your child use their imagination.  Wrap up your packages as you would with any wrapping paper.  Again, this paper is usually studier than the normal store-bought wrapping paper so you could use it on difficult to wrap gifts.

Cloth:

If you have remnants of cloth laying around from old sewing projects, or if you are cleaning out your closet and there are clothes that you had intended to throw out because they wouldn’t be good enough to go to the resale shop, consider cutting them up for gift packages.  Wash and dry your cloth items, and cut them into sizes needed for wrapping.  You can either purposefully fray the edges (denim works well for this), cut the edges with pinking shears, or use fabric glue to seal the edges.  Then wrap packages either as you would with wrapping paper, using fabric glue to seal, or form a bag around the item, closing with another piece of fabric or ribbon.  This works very well if you have some unusual fabric patterns, or use fabrics that are interesting, especially denim, velvet, or shiny fabrics.

Now, when the time comes to get those last few packages together to take to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, or to drop off at the neighbor’s house, you can find everything you need right there under your roof to make a first-class, fun gift wrap for pennies instead of dollars.  I suspect the wrapping may cause just as much commotion as the gift!

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Homemade Gifts That Teachers Will Cherish Forever

We’re closing in on the last few days before Christmas.  Do you have little gifts yet for all your child’s teachers?  With the last day of school just around the corner, you need to think fast.  And with an extremely tight budget this year, I’ll bet you need to watch your money, too.

One thing I’ve learned from my teacher friends is that there are gifts, and then there are gifts.  A teacher is a dedicated professional who works with your child because, well, they love working with children.  They wouldn’t teach otherwise.  Yet another #1 Teacher ornament or coffee mug is not the most anticipated or loved gift.  Show your child’s teacher that you appreciate him or her by giving a personal, well thought out gift.  It’s truly not the cost that matters here.  Teachers know about financial hardship.  Let’s consider just a couple homemade items that your child’s teacher will cherish.

Bookmarkers:

Some of the sweetest bookmarkers are the ones that remind your child’s teacher of your child.  Take a photo of your child and glue it to a piece of card stock, cut to the size of a bookmarker, say about 2″ x 7″ or so.  Have your child decorate both sides of the bookmarker with the year, your child’s name, the teacher’s name (This Book Belongs To…), and some drawings, stickers, or glitter.  Then laminate the marker, punch a hole in the top, and string some ribbon through for decoration.  You can embellish it as much as you want, but be sure the bookmarker remains flat, so it doesn’t mark a book’s pages when used.  This craft can be repeated for each teacher because any teacher is going to love it and use it often.  Depending on your gift budget, you could include a gift certificate to a book store along with the bookmarker.

Pencil Holders:

Using a clean can, cover with Contac paper, construction paper, or if the can has a nice look, spray paint, and embellish as you wish.  I suggest using pictures of your child, or pictures taken during the school year of the various school programs.  Have your child write the school year, their name, the teacher’s name, and decorate as you please.  Your child may like to glue sea shells, buttons, or other items to the pencil holder.  Buy brand new pencils and pens, fill the pencil holder, and you’ve got a beautiful, personal, and appreciated gift.

Markers:

School budgets are just as tight as household budgets these days.  Did you know that many teachers spend their own money on supplies if they have a classroom project in mind that the school doesn’t have the supplies for?  Markers, Sharpies, colored pencils, and all the fun writing and coloring tools that we love are hard to come by in most schools.  Your child’s teacher will treasure a gift of beautiful markers of any variety.  You may wish to make either the pencil holder previously mentioned, or even buy a cardboard box from a craft store, decorate it, and present your teacher with their new assortment of wonderful markers in the special box.

Food and Beverages:

Gift baskets, put together at a super store, are rather impersonal, and often expensive.  But, when your child picks out a few food or beverage items, puts them together in their own little box or bag, the gift becomes a one-of-a-kind gift from the heart.  You can actually find many “gourmet” items in your own grocery store, so you can stay within your budget.  Choose a couple items that go together, like some special coffee with a rich chocolate bar, or some herbal tea with a nice package of little scones.  If your teacher likes to cook, maybe a couple nice spices or seasonings in a lovely package.  You can get pretty creative right there in your grocery store aisles.  Buy simple bags and tissue paper for the packaging, and have your child decorate the bag.

With just a few ideas, some creativity, and a little time spent with your child, your homemade gifts will have an honored place in your teacher’s home… and heart.

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Quick Little Homemade Chocolate Treats You Can Give With Pride

If your gift giving is starting to get confusing, what with all the teachers, coaches, and other folks involved in your child’s life, I have a never-fail gift idea.  Chocolate!  No, not the expensive chocolates in a box, but those little treats you make yourself.  It’s easier, and less expense than you think.  Let’s give it a try.

To begin, you need to buy some decent chocolate coating for melting.  This is the stuff that’s in the chunks broken off of a big block that you’ll find in the baking aisle.  Be sure the label says “chocolate coating” or something to that effect.  You don’t want to use Real Chocolate because you will have a time trying to melt it just right, and real chocolate has a tendency to get a powdery white look or some disturbing white swirls through it and can end up with a dull surface instead of a shiny one if it’s not done absolutely perfectly. This is something you don’t need to mess with.  Buy chocolate coating and you’ll be fine.

Purchase an assortment of items that you would like to eat dipped in chocolate.  For instance, pretzels in any shape, Oreos, Animal Crackers, or other cookies, salted peanuts, cashews, and pecans.  You might also like to try making “Haystacks” out of coconut or chinese noodles.  Both are very fun. Chocolate dipped marshmallows are a treat for a hot cocoa fanatic.  Just look around and see what looks good. 

To melt your chocolate, cut the chunks up into smaller pieces.  Put your pieces into a small, heavy saucepan that will fit inside another larger saucepan.  Fill the larger pan with water and bring to a boil.  Turn the heat off and set the smaller pan inside the larger one being very careful not to slosh any boiling water over the edge and into the smaller pan.  With a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon start stirring the chocolate and continue stirring until all the pieces are melted.

Put the nuts into individual bowls and working quickly pour just enough chocolate over the nuts just to coat them.  Stir until completely coated and drop by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  Put in cold area of the house to set up.  The freezer or refrigerator is okay, but don’t let them stay in there for more than a few minutes.  You now have a supply of Nut Clusters.

Follow the same procedure for your coconut and chinese noodle Haystacks, working quickly in small batches so the chocolate doesn’t set up before you get a chance to drop them onto a cookie sheet.  Again, drop the Haystacks onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, but be sure to drop a large “stack” piled high to resemble an actual haystack.  Cool as you did the nuts.

Other items like pretzels and Oreos or other cookies will need to be hand dipped.  Just dip them as you wish into chocolate poured into a deep bowl, remove and lay on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.  I don’t dip my pretzels or cookies into the pan I melted the chocolate in because you’re bound to lose a few chunks of the pretzel or cookie and then you’ll have to fish it out before you use the chocolate for anything else.  Cool as you would the other items. 

I recommend starting with one thing in a small batch until you get used to how fast the chocolate firms up in the pan.  You can always reheat the chocolate if you get to the point where you need to stop and start up again later. 

Once you have your bounty of chocolate clusters and chocolate dipped goodies, you can arrange an assortment in small boxes or tins, packed neatly with parchment paper all around, and tie it up in a colorful ribbon.  Include on your gift tag that this gift is perishable and should be kept cool. 

Now, who wouldn’t like to see what’s inside THAT gift box!

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Giving To Charity This Year Is Getting Harder

Every year I am bombarded by ways to give gifts to needy folks in our community.  Angel Trees, Giving Trees, Gifts Of Love Trees, you name it and there’s a need for it.  I want to give to those in need, but my severely limited budget won’t allow any more philanthropic gestures.  How can I resolve this heartbreaking decision?

I have been able to save just enough money to purchase one gift for each of my family members.  This isn’t the way it used to be.  I think I am not alone.  The news each night is a reminder to me of the fact that millions of families are facing budget nightmares over the Holidays.  Now, when I’m faced with giving to charity, I feel helpless. 

Discussing these feelings with my family, we came up with a merciful solution.  It seems we all are feeling a bit pressed upon to give, but without any money to actually buy an item to put under an Angel Tree, we decided to be creative and frugal. 

Our family shops at the resale and consignment stores often and have found a great many fabulous bargains.  Consignment shops have been very good to us.  There are some wonderful, tidy, neat, clean, and stuffed consignment and resale shops that cater to people in all walks of life.  So we have decided to shop for items in consignment and resale shops that are really great, wrap them up, and give them away. 

If that sounds like cheating, or it sounds in poor taste, here’s why I don’t agree.  I buy myself clothing at resale shops at incredible deals, and they are in perfect condition, sometimes they actually still do have the tags on them.  If I’m willing to clothe myself in neat and clean “previously loved” clothing, shouldn’t someone who is needy be happy with those same items? 

One other method of giving that my family has decided to do this year is cleaning out our own closets and donating the items to the thrift shops.  That way, we are giving to the truly needy in our community by supplying good clothing items to the thrift shops that are most frequented.  I’m not proud to say that we have way too many clothes, some barely worn, some never worn, which need to be given to someone who can use them.  I think a big box of good sweaters, slacks, jeans, shirts, and coats, will go a long way to providing needy people with a hand up this winter. 

Going to a department store and purchasing a new sweater, wrapping it up, and putting it under a Giving Tree isn’t the only way to help needy families.  Sometimes, a whole box of good, lovingly worn clothing is just what a family needs.  And our family is doing whatever it can, within our means, to help those less fortunate than us.

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Makin’ A List And Checkin’ It Twice

Have you started putting together your shopping list?  No?  Are you like so many of the “shopping challenged” folks out there that just cross their fingers and hope they will get through this year’s gift buying frenzy without spending too much money?  I guarantee, you will spend money you don’t have if you don’t sit down and make a shopping list.

Lists are tedious, aren’t they.  It’s much more fun to just go into the beautifully decorated stores and be inspired by all the sparkle and glow and let your heart do the shopping, isn’t it.  It’s also so much more fun when you don’t know how much you’ve spent until you get your credit card bill.  I mean, how uninspiring to have to stick to a budget! 

Okay, sarcasm aside, you know what you need to do.  To prevent that doomsday feeling when you get all the packages home and realize that, 1) you spent an unbelievable amount of money, and 2) you didn’t get what you set out to buy, you’re going to need a comprehensive Gift List.

Every year you start out with some ideas about what you want to buy, and every year it comes down to the last few days and you begin the “panic buying”.  Did I get enough?  What about stocking stuffers?  To prevent the last minute push that really breaks the gift budget, start with your list.

If there are a couple “big ticket” items on your list, that’s okay.  That’s where we start.  Subtract the cost of those items from your budget and begin listing the other items.  Be as thorough as possible, using newspaper flyers or the internet to find out how much each item will cost.  Now list the stocking stuffers.  Yes, those little items add up very quickly.  One suggestion when the gift budget is extremely tight; use bigger items as stocking stuffers.  It’s cheaper to buy a bigger stocking than to try to purchase a lot of additional little items to stuff a smaller stocking.

Once you have a comprehensive gift list together, stick it in your purse or glove compartment and get ready to shop.  Now, whether you shop all in one day or like to do a little bit each week, you’ve got a list from which to work.  Check off items as you go and you are on your way! 

With your gift list firmly in hand, you will no longer be tempted by that glitter-inspired impulse buying that we all succumb to during the Holidays.  You can relax, knowing that you got Junior and Sissy what you wanted to get them, no more, no less, and the budget is still on track.  And you can also breathe easy knowing that the January bills won’t harbor any big surprises.  Happy Shopping!

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Too Busy To Cook? Consider Poached Chicken A Staple.

Okay, I know planning meals is going to get more and more difficult as the Holidays approach.  A trip to the grocery store will most likely begin to feel like an extremely daunting task.  So, what should you keep on hand in your pantry and refrigerator for those last-minute, quick but healthy meals?  How about some poached chicken!

Aside from washed and cut-up vegetables, cooked rice, and cans of black beans, I can’t think of another ready-to-serve food item that is a more welcome sight than poached chicken breasts.  Having a few cooked chicken breasts, either whole or diced, will save you from nights of frustration when you’re looking at your family sitting around the table, waiting patiently for one of your wonderful meals.  So as not to disappoint, here are a few tips to get you through the next few weeks.

Preparing poached chicken is easier than you might think.  The trick is to have a few “recipes” so all your chicken doesn’t start to taste the same, which will spell disaster when your family gets tired of your chicken meals and starts munching on chips to fill up before dinner just to avoid yet another chicken dish.

One of my favorite, and more unique, poached chicken recipes is a sweet and tangy style like this:

In a large pot, bring apple juice or apple cider to a boil. (The amount will depend on how many chicken breasts you are poaching; make sure you have enough liquid to cover the chicken breasts.)

Turn heat down and place chicken breasts in liquid; the liquid should be at a very low simmer and have a “shimmering” appearance to it; do not reboil.

Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is just cooked; test one piece by cutting through to be sure the meat is white.  Remove chicken from pot and allow to cool.

This sweet-poached approach will give this chicken the perfect taste compliment needed for a Waldorf salad, Teriyaki vegetable stir-fry, fruit and chicken cold salads, or any number of Asian inspired dishes.

Another approach to take for your poached chicken breasts is a savory mix like this:

In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil (enough to cover the breasts completely).

Add garlic, onion, celery, rosemary, thyme, and a bay leaf.

Follow the same poaching instructions as above.

This savory-poached approach will create the perfect chicken to design a Mediterranean style dish with eggplant, tomatoes, red peppers, and the like.  You’ll also find this savory poached chicken stands up well in stuffed green peppers, baked spaghetti, or any hearty soups and casseroles.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the ingredients you use to poach chicken breasts.  I have even seen tomato juice used as a poaching liquid.  And what about adding a bit of white wine?  The trick is to try several different approaches so that your chicken doesn’t end up all tasting the same.  Then, whatever recipe you use, your chicken dinner will be delicious and a one-of-a-kind delight!
 

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Do You Really Need That Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Spree?

I’m a big believer in saving money anytime and everywhere a person can.  But, the day after Thanksgiving?  Yes, I’ve joined the teaming mass of shoppers throughout the years on that day-of-days for some extreme shopping.  And, yes, you can get some really great bargains.  In my experience, though, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons about spending and saving money.

When in doubt, don’t shop.  That’s the first lesson I learned when I started developing a serious family budget.  Sticking to a plan is the hardest thing about any family budget.  Removing the temptations of the pretty displays and store fronts may be important if your budget is to survive the holidays.  You need to know yourself and your weaknesses very well before you head out on that particular shopping trip.  The retailers have it all figured out and they’re pulling out all the stops to get you to spend your money.  Buyer beware.

If you have a tradition of shopping on the day after Thanksgiving and you don’t want to give that up, then you need to go into battle prepared.  Let this be the first year that you fully arm yourself with a list, a budget, and a time-line, and stick to it.  Your friends and family will understand if you go about your mission, get the items that you decided were important enough to venture out for, and then go home.  Meet up with your friends for a cup of coffee before you end your shopping expedition and then say your fond farewells.  If you hate to cut your day short, but realize you must in order to stay within your budget, you may want to invite everyone over to your house after the shopping day is over to enjoy some hard earned chocolates, or wine!  Now that you’ve saved your budget from being destroyed, you’ll have a few dollars to treat your friends, and they’ll enjoy the time spent together more than all the day’s shopping.

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