Greetings all.  Queen of the Court taking off my THUNDER hat and switching it out with my newly minted ‘Baby Daddy’ hat.

Mind you, I am skipping ahead of more than three years of history, news and information on our journey into parenthood, but needless to say, we are going to be daddies.  Well, actually that’s “Daddy and Poppy” but that isn’t the important part of this article. 

My partner and I are going through surrogacy with our surrogate mother in San Diego, California.  We are expecting twin boys (named Thun and Der … although we will have to see them to decide which one is which).  They are estimated to weigh between 6.5 and 7.5 pounds and continue to pack on the weight.  Our surrogate sent a text message last week that stated “My mucus plug has popped” and with those few words our minds went racing.  The boys are on their way and we need to get things done!  Some things to take into consideration before I get to far into my story: 

1. There are no direct flights from Oklahoma City to San Diego
2. We miss “XJet” as they were the only direct flight to and from OKC to San Diego and vice versa
3. There is a point around 6:15pm nightly that if we haven’t received the call that our sons are being born that we will be unable to make it to San Diego that day.
4. That we have washed more pairs of baby/infant socks then we both own or wear together.
5. Oh and perhaps most important: never put too much baby soap in a high efficiency (HE) washing machine.  Trust me on this one.

We washed all of the baby clothes that we had been given through our various baby showers (oh and if you were a person that gave us something, please know that we are working on your “Thank You” cards as we speak!)  We used the special baby laundry detergent and haven’t used fabric softener or any dryer sheets.  The room has been stocked with diapers for all ages, baby books, wipes, the most fantastic chair to nurse them in–and monkeys as far as the eye can see!  Right now we’ve put all of our friends and families on standby as we wait for the phone call, text message, smoke signals or the screaming of our names from our poor dear surrogate mother.  We have hold up our lives in the house for a little over a week now and so far so good.  The house has never been cleaner or have we done laundry as frequently as we have since we got the text message a week ago.

This article is ongoing, as of today we are still waiting for the sign to purchase our plane tickets and head West.  What we do know is that they will be born between now 5/4/09 and 5/15/09, we just don’t know when.  So, for any of you that have crystal balls that aren’t clouded and seem to have an ‘eye for the future’ please let us know the exact date.  Oh, and the PowerBall numbers too.

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1. Consolidating credit cards- Okay, so taking 12 credit cards with 12 monthly payments and turning that into one card with 1 monthly payment seems like a great idea, right? While one payment IS better than 12, its the interest rate that matters. If you are still only able to make the minimum payment, you aren’t really helping your debt situation. It will just be spread out over a longer period of time and with much more interest. The other major issue with credit consolidation is that your other credit cards (you know- the ones that got you in trouble in the first place..) are now free of charges and available for use. Many people who consolidate their credit cards end up spending again on the original cards and find themselves in TWICE as much trouble.

2. Taking out a home equity loan to pay off debts- For some people, this is a good option, but for lots of people this becomes an incredibly dangerous gamble. This might seem like a good idea, but you need to think about what you’re betting with (and against) before you jump in. If you’re using a home equity loan to pay off credit card debt, it’s just not worth it. The first reason is that you still have the same amount of debt. Secondly, if you can’t make the payments, you lose more than your credit rating. You lose your HOME. (Again, it makes the credit cards that got you into trouble available for use, which is dangerous. You may think, “I’ll just use them in case of emergencies,” but isn’t that what you told yourself when you GOT the card?) Before you risk your home, think about whether you’re actually helping yourself and how much you’re willing to risk.

3. Paying off the wrong debt. I know you already think I’m crazy because I put zombies in a financial column, but hear me out on this one. If you’ve got an overwhelming amount of debt, there is a right way and a wrong way to pay it off. You may be thinking that ANY debt that’s paid off is good (and you’re right, to a certain degree) but paying things off in the right order makes more sense. Here’s what you need to think about when paying off debt: What can be taken away from you? If you’re already behind and your credit score looks like it was run over by a caravan of semi-trucks, stop thinking about that number and think realistically. Here’s the truth: your credit rating is going to take a loooong time to repair so don’t get frantic about paying just anything off. Get caught up on things that involve collateral, like your house and car. Once you’re caught up, then you can start paying off credit cards and old debt. Pay off cards with the highest interest rate first, then those with lower interest. Then move on to old debt, like hospital bills and old phone or cable charges. Don’t give in to the first creditor that comes calling. Do what is best for you, not them.

4. Borrowing from your 401(k)- NOOOOOoooooooo! Don’t do it! 401(k)s are tricky enough without borrowing from them. Once you do, there’s a huge number of ‘if’s hanging in the air. Because the money in your 401(k) is full of wonderful pre-tax dollars, there are tons of restrictions. For example, if you leave your job before you pay back what you borrowed, the whole amount is then due. (You may be thinking you won’t leave your job anytime soon, but your company may have different plans. With lay-offs running rampant, its not a chance you want to take.) Also, if you can’t repay, you risk losing your job and being hit with major fees. It’s just not worth touching, if it can be avoided.

5. Not applying for unemployment- Losing your job is devestating, but if it happens, be prepared! Instead of risking more financial instability while you wait to see how long it takes to get a new job, apply immediately for unemployment benefits. It can take 2-3 weeks before you even see the first check, so waiting is just not an option. If you’re one of the fortunates that are able to land a new job quickly, good for you! You can cancel the unemployment and move on with your life. If, however, it takes longer than you expected to get a new job, you can count on having a little help. Using unemployment benefits may be hard to swallow, but put your pride aside and do what’s best for yourself and your family!

6. Filing bankruptcy- This is a touchy subject and as with all financial decisions, should be taken with extreme care and caution. There are two different types of Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 wipes out debt entirely and Chapter 13 which requires a repayment plan. Bankruptcy may seem like the only option, but there are several things you need to consider before applying. 1.) What are you going to lose? You will likely lose your car, your home and other posessions. You will definitely lose your credit score (and no matter how bad it is, ANYTHING is better than 0… when you apply for bankruptcy, the bottom drops out of your credit score, leaving it a dark, scary abyss..) 2.) Are you really getting relief? It may seem like the grass is greener on the debt-free side of the fence, but that simply isn’t the case. When your bankruptcy is accepted, you will have a hard time doing much with your life since your credit rating will be lifeless. Finding an apartment, or even a job may be impossible since most companies run credit reports prior to employment. Having no debt isn’t necessarily a fresh start, which many people find out the hard way. (Many people that file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy end up filing a second time 7 years later.)

So here’s the best advice I can give this week: Calm down and consider your options. Before jumping into any major decisions, weigh the cost with the outcome. Are you really doing yourself a favor or are you just prolonging the problem? Remember- new debt is not the answer to old debt. Until you fix the behavior that caused you to be in trouble, you will never be out. If your credit and debt are out of hand, seek counseling. I’ve listed a few handy contacts below that are reputable and ready to help you on your way to financial freedom.

Hope Now Alliance (for mortgage issues)
1-888-995-HOPE
hopenow.com

National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (for help with 401(k) and investments)
napfa.org

Unemployment Benefits
525-1500 (for OKC) or 1-800-554-1554 (outside OKC)
unemployment.state.ok.us

Oh, one more thing.. Watch out for zombies, they’ll sneak up on you.

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1. Buy energy-efficient appliances!

When its time for new appliances, look for the energy-star rating that indicates high efficiency. They can generally be found in all price ranges and will save you money, long term. Pay special attention to refrigerators and choose one that saves the most energy- refrigerators in the U.S. can use as much electricity as 25 large power plants!

2. Let in the sun!

Use natural light as often as possible to decrease the use of electricity in your home. Placing mirrors strategically can help maximize light in a space without using electricity.

3. For the lights you can’t get rid of, replace the bulbs with LED lightbulbs.

(They generally run $3-5 dollars each, but last up to 15 years.) Lighting is responsible for 25% of most energy bills. Replacing your standard bulbs with high-efficiency LED bulbs can save you almost 20% on your electric bill.

4. Wash your clothes in cold water.

80% of the energy used to wash a load of clothing comes from heating the water. By switching to cold washing, you’ll save that energy and your clothes won’t suffer a bit!

5. Unplug it!

Many electronics continue to use electricity, even when they’re turned off. (Anything that has a clock on it is a good example.) By unplugging appliances in between uses, you can conserve a significant amount of energy.

6. Give your dishwasher a break!

I know you hate it.. I do, too. However, washing your dishes by hand once a week can save up to 20 gallons of water and lots of electricity. It seems like a small step, but like I say every week.. the small stuff adds up!

7. Open the windows and let in the breeze!

If it’s a particularly beautiful day, open the windows! (I don’t suggest doing this all the time, only if the temperature outside is close to what you normally keep your thermostat set on.) Turning off the A/C even for a day can save you big on your electric bill. Use ceiling fans to circulate the air, keeping your home cool for a fraction of the cost!

8. Watch the cell phone charger!

If you’re charging electronics (cell phones, cameras, drills, etc.) pay attention to the charger! Don’t leave your appliances plugged in longer than necessary to complete the charge. Electronic chargers suck tons of electricity, even after the charge is complete. Unplug your charger as soon as your electronics are fully charged!

These are just a few tips, there are hundreds of ways to save the Earth while you save money! If you’ve got tips I haven’t listed, PLEASE leave them below! Your comments will do more than just earn you points to spend on swag- they can help save the world!

Metroglow Challenge: Unplug a couple lamps or other electronics that you don’t use regularly. When your next utility bill lands in the mail, see how much you’ve saved by turning a few things off! (I unplugged 2 lamps for a month and noticed almost $20 less on my bill.) See what you can live without, I dare you!

(Special thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy for statistical information.)

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Here’s the thing about those utility bills.. most customers don’t even know what they’re actually paying for. I encourage all of you to grab your latest stack, and take a closer look. Here are a few things I found:

1. Bundle packages aren’t always the best deal.

It’s easy to be duped into thinking that bundling your services is the way to go to avoid extra bills keep things simple. I’ll remind you here that it is a salesperson’s job to sell, sell, sell. They’ve been trained to add on like crazy to boost their numbers. Before bundling your packages (say for cable, phone and internet) ask for a complete list of bundled services to be mailed or emailed to you. DO NOT ask to be given the list over the phone, you won’t get the whole truth. Choose the bundle package that is right for you, if any. Don’t ask for suggestions from a salesperson, they’ll almost always give you more than you need, or want.

2. Don’t take the discount!

A lot of companies (again- telephone, cable, etc.) will try to offer you a discount to take a new service. For example, my cable company (cough- bloodsuckers..) offered me an HBO subscription at the low, low price of $8 a month. That included free movies on-demand, shows, sneak previews, blah, blah, blah. They assured me that I would get the discounted price as long as I was a customer, so I agreed. Six months later, my cable bill had doubled inexplicably. (I bet you can guess why..) Don’t be fooled by temporary discounts, they usually aren’t worth the mess you’ll find yourself in.

3. Check the fine print.

It’s easy to just pay the monthly bills without a single thought as to whether or not you’re being ripped off. They’re just part of life, right? While you can’t get away with not paying them, you do have a right to be informed. Double check your monthly bills to ensure that extra charges aren’t being tacked on and call the Customer Service lines immediately if you notice any discrepancies.

4. Don’t subscribe to auto-bill pay!

Having said that, I absolutely think online bill paying is the best! However, subscribing to a service that automatically deducts the amount due from your bank account can be a seriously bad deal. It keeps you out of the loop and out of control. Pay your bills online, by all means, it saves stamps, trees and late fees; but don’t have your bills paid automatically. In case of billing errors, your bank account can suffer a serious blow and it can take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days to correct the problem.

5. Check out the competition!

Shopping around isn’t just for groceries and appliances! Many residential areas have their choice between several utility services. Double check the prices, quality of service and ask about additional charges.

6. Do a little bit of good.

It’s more than obvious that lots of people are hurting right now and are stretched a bit too thin. Check your utility bills (electric, phone, cable) for a place to make a donation. It doesn’t have to be huge, sometimes you can just round up on your bill and the excess will be used to help someone that’s having trouble with their bills. If you’re fortunate enough to have a little extra, pay it forward!! A few dollars may not make a big difference to you, but could be more than helpful to someone who really needs it.

I hate to have to drop some G.I. Joe sense on you, but knowing really is half the battle! Take some time to sort out your bills and become familiar with them. Know what is normal and what isn’t. Don’t just shrug them off as something that is non-negotiable. Take charge and enjoy the money you’ll save!!

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OKC Zoo
Tickets- $7 each now through September, you can enjoy the zoo and its exhibits until 8p.m. (You’ve got to see the Dinosaurs Unearthed, it’s awesome!) Same day re-entry allowed.

Northpark Mall Cinema
Tickets $1 (Shows before 6 are 50 cents, after 6 tickets are $1. This weekend’s movies include some of our favorites: Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pink Panther 2 and Coraline.)

Oklahoma Museum of Art Film — Garrison Keilor: The Man on the Radio with the Red Shoes
Tickets $8 or $5 for museum members. Showing Saturday at 5:30 and 8p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

Science Museum Oklahoma
Tickets $9.95. Check out the new Shipwreck! Pirates and Treasure exhibit on display now through October 23rd.

Half price pizza Sundays at Othello’s!
Cost: $6-$6.50 for cheese plus one topping! (These are delicious, check them out on Sundays after 4 p.m.)

Sunday in the Park at Martin Nature Park
Cost: $2. Guided tours of the wildlife sanctuary each Sunday (except holidays) at 2:30. The park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (General admission is also $2.)

Live action laser tag at Laser Quest
Cost: $8, $6 for members. Open Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

To be honest, folks, there’s lots to do in OKC that isn’t terribly expensive. This list merely represents some of my husband and I’s favorites. We’re always looking for new things to do that won’t cost an arm and a leg! I hope you find some inspiration from my list above and have a fun (and thrifty) weekend!

Leave your own ‘Fun for Under $20′ ideas in the comments box below!

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1. HOPabaloo at the Oklahoma City Zoo

HOPabaloo is great for families with kids who are tired of hunting eggs in the backyard. Brunch with the Easter Bunny at The Canopy Restaurant from 10-1 followed by the Tiny Tots Egg Scramble for the kiddos. The egg scramble times are 1:30 p.m. (2 and under), 2 p.m. (3 year olds), 2:30 p.m. (4 year olds) and 2:45 p.m. (5 year olds). Each egg scramble is based on a first come, first served basis and includes prizes. The scrambles take place in the grassy area located by the Roughneck Picnic Pavilion. To make brunch reservations call the Zoo at (405) 425-0262. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for kids. Brunch tickets also include access to the animal exhibits, so be sure to check out the new Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit!

2. Easter Brunch at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

For older kids or adults, this one’s a winner. Enjoy brunch at Dining on Persimmon Hill, the museum’s full-service restaurant. The menu includes glazed ham, beef, chicken and an extraordinary dessert selection. Brunch is from 11-3. Tickets are $16.98 per person and include access to the exhibits and gardens. Museum tickets alone are $10, so this is a great deal for both food and entertainment! Guests are invited to view the exhibits and the gardens between the hours of 9am- 5pm.

Special temporary exhibitions on display at Easter include an art exhibit featuring The Jackie L. Coles Collection, which just opened on late March. Other special exhibits include “Art of the West: Selections from the Bank of America Collection,” “Guardians of Glacier Park: The Blackfeet in Artistic Imagination” and “‘Did She Kill ‘Em All?’ Martha Maxwell, Colorado Huntress.” Call (405) 478-2250, Ext. 281 for reservations.

3. Easter(Eve) fun at the Orr Family Farm

If you’ve got plans for Sunday, but feel like celebrating a little early, check out the Orr Family Farm. Easter events include: duck races, egg decorating and hunting, as well as carousel and train rides! Tickets are $12.50 each, kids 2 and under get in free.

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

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Even though we’re smack in the middle of a recession, there’s no need to go without fun. In fact, I advise you not to do that at all! With a bit of reformation and a tiny speck of research, entertainment doesn’t have to keep you from financial security. Here are some tips on adding some fun to your life without breaking the bank:

1. Set a limit! As with most things, entertainment (spending) is best when done in moderation. Set a limit for your fun time, but be reasonable. Pull out those receipts again and see how much you’re spending on entertainment every month, then readjust to meet your current budgeting needs.

2. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Don’t use plastic! Debit cards are such wonderful, evil things! They are oh-so-convenient and that, my friends, is the problem. Debit purchases are made so frequently that you can lose track quickly and spend much more than you intended. Instead of taking your debit card with you, take cash instead. Carrying cash is a great way to keep yourself from over-spending and you’ll feel so much cooler when the ladies see you dropping Franklins like they’re nothing.

3. Ditch the routine! When I hear ‘date night’ I instantly think dinner and a movie. Since I see millions of others out on the exact same date night doing the exact same thing, I’m tempted to believe we’re all stuck in a rut. Then I think about how quickly things add up on that kind of date night. Movie tickets- 10 bucks each, popcorn, candy, nachos, and two cokes — 27 bucks. Add dinner after that and you’re easily dishing out 80 bucks or more to ’spend time’ with someone. Instead of a movie and dinner night out, try something else instead (maybe something where you can actually talk to each other without being kicked out..).

4. Trade out babysitting! If you’ve got kids, you probably have friends that have kids, too. Instead of hiring a babysitter that will add another 30-50 bucks onto your tab, swap out babysitting with a friend. Of course, since we’re talking free babysitting, it is important to be considerate of your friends. Schedule times far enough in advance that your friends don’t feel pressured and be sure to schedule their date night, too. Just saying, “I’ll babysit for you sometime” isn’t going to make your friends feel like they’re getting a good deal and setting a date will add to the anticipation!

5. Stay in for your ‘night out’! If you’ve got kids, send ‘em to Grandma’s or even to a neighbor’s house for a few hours. Date nights don’t have to happen outside your own home! Cook together, catch up on your favorite TV shows, rent a movie, snuggle on the couch, take a nap — do whatever you want, as long as you’re enjoying the company! Take a much needed chance to reconnect without the expense of a traditional date night.

Happy Date Night! I hope these tips are helpful in planning a fun night without spending tons of money. Check back tomorrow for my Quick Tips!

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1. Don’t clip them all! Clip coupons for items you would normally purchase anyway, whether you have a coupon or not. Skip items that aren’t regular purchases or that you have to talk yourself into needing.

2. Check your grocery store’s website. Many retailers make in-store only coupons available on the web. They can sometimes be used with manufacturer coupons and can mean double the savings! Also — if your store has a ‘frequent shopper’ discount card, sign up. The savings can be huge and its usually a free program.

3. Check the units! Double check the price per unit on purchases, even if you’ve got a coupon. (Example: If you have a coupon for $1 off a ‘family size’ but two of the smaller sizes are still cheaper, don’t get use your coupon!)

4. Double savings by shopping sale items. Sales are great and so are coupons! Put them together, though, and its a whole new kind of awesome! Watch store circulars to match up coupons with sale items to maximize savings.

5. Check out online sources. Lots of websites make it their business to save you money. Check out savings websites like coupons.com and freecoupons.com.  If you don’t buy a paper, these can help you get in on the savings.

6. Use rebates wisely. FREE FREE FREE (after mail-in rebate) can seem pretty enticing. Make sure you’re not parting with lots of money while assuming that your rebate check will be in the mail the next day. It won’t happen. Rebates usually take several weeks, sometimes even months, to appear in your mailbox. They can be awesome, if you’re not counting on having your money returned quickly.

7. Look for the catch! Some coupons require that you purchase multiple items. If you don’t need as many as you would have to buy to save a little bit, just say no! Remember that manufacturers want you to overbuy!

8. Stay organized! Keep your coupons all in one place and where you won’t forget them. (I like to keep mine in the car, actually.) Watch expiration dates but don’t feel compelled to use one just because its about to expire. You won’t save any money by using every coupon you ever have.

Quick Tips Challenge:

Start a coupon-swap! Call your friends and swap coupon wish lists. If there’s something you buy normally or are looking for, keep your friends in the loop! Coupon swaps are a great way to squeeze a little bit more out of your budget and a fun excuse to get together with your friends. (I need Pampers coupons, by the way…)

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Each week, I like to share some of my own financial shame. While this may make you chuckle, I hope that it can motivate you to take your own finances seriously and learn to spend responsibly. There is no better time to make wise financial decisions than now, with crisis looming ever nearer. So, why not learn from my mistakes? On to the shame!

When I first started thinking seriously about my budget, I was quick to cut out all the obvious extras, but didn’t think a thing about my grocery bill. It was just there. I had long accepted the fact that I was just going to have to spend 250-300 dollars every two weeks on groceries.  I had to feed my family, right?

When I had reworked my budget several time and still came up short, I knew I needed help. I called in the Queen of Frugality — my mother. She took a look at my budget and gasped audibly when she saw how much I had allotted for groceries. I tried to explain it away — I had a family, for Pete’s sake! I couldn’t feed my two growing boys, my husband and myself for any less than what I had allotted. My mom just shook her head and offered this advice:

1. Raid your pantry! Reorganizing your pantry is one way to get a real grasp on your grocery habits. Rearrange so that everything is in a good spot and in plain view. Put like items together and categorize your shelves. (Baking goods, canned vegetables, pasta, snacks, etc.) Check expiration dates and make note of any duplicate items. If there’s something that you aren’t going to use, take it to a food bank or other donation drop spot. When you have a clear idea of what you’ve got, it’s easier to decide what you really need.

2. Call a family meeting! This may seem a bit extreme, but talking about food is a great way to learn what items are important to your family. Talk about favorite meals and items that everyone wants and on the flip side, what they can live without. Make a list of wants vs. needs and let your family contribute. This is a great way to discuss health eating habits, too! (I usually put Ding Dongs on the ‘need’ side of the list.) Plan meals together and work on a grocery list that is thoughtful and reasonable.  Getting your family involved is a great way to encourage accountability and ensure your grocery spending doesn’t get out of control.

3. Never never never go shopping without a list. Ever. Shopping without a list is as dangerous as shopping when you’re hungry. You’ll pick up tons of stuff you didn’t plan on buying and will be easily tempted by seemingly great deals. Write your list out several days before you shop, give yourself time to think of everything.  Plan out meals instead of singular items so you don’t just add stuff to your pantry that you won’t use.

4. Pay attention! When you hit the grocery store, pay attention to the aisle markers. If there’s an aisle that doesn’t have anything from your list, skip it! There’s no need to tempt yourself with extras that you don’t really need.

5. Make it quick! Grocery stores are becoming harder and harder to escape from quickly! You’ve seen their crafty ploys — greeting cards, hardware and entertainment aisles. The longer you’re in a store, the more money you spend. (That’s a FACT, people.) Set a time limit on your shopping trips. Stick to your list and get through the store as quickly as possible to avoid temptation.

6. Use coupons wisely! Like every other money-saving mechanism, coupons are a double edged sword. On the one hand, they can save you some serious money. On the other hand- they tempt you to buy things that you normally wouldn’t. Weigh the cost with the usability. Is 30 cents off good enough, if you have to buy two? Will you actually use the item? It’s not a bargain if you won’t use it and it doesn’t fit into your daily needs or meal planning.  Beware of coupons that make you buy other things to get the savings. If it’s not on your list, don’t use it!

7. Watch yourself! Everyone forgets to put one or two things on their grocery lists. Don’t feel bad about adding something that you really do need, even if it’s not on your list. However, if you add something to your cart that’s not on your list, separate it from the items that are. Having a visual on how much extra you have can help you control what you add.

8. Lose the brand loyalty. I know this is hard! I’m a huge fan of Cheerios and I absolutely hate the knock-off brands. Trying store brands can be worthwhile, though. In many cases, store brands are EXACTLY the same as name brands, just in different packaging.  Try the store brand, you may be surprised how similar they are at a much cheaper price.

9. Re-evaluate your cart before you check out! Before you hit the lanes, look over your grocery cart. Remember those extras you added? Double check and be sure that you haven’t gone overboard. Look for duplicates, too. Do you really need 4 cans of corn? 3 bags of chips? Think about what you’ll actually USE before your next trip to the store. Don’t cut out all the treats, but beware the amount. The whole idea behind a ‘treat’ is that it’s not an all the time thing. If you have enough treats to send a kindergarten CLASS on a sugar-high, it’s time to rethink. Put a few things back, there’s no shame in saving money.

10. I see you staring at that impulse rack! When you check out, try not to look around you. Store planners don’t get paid for nothing. In fact, they get paid to put the most tempting items within 2 feet of you at the checkout.  If it’s not on your list, don’t give in! If there’s a magazine you read often, do yourself a favor and become a subscriber! Save 20 bucks and take away the temptation to buy it full price. Instead of looking around, use this time to triple-check your purchases. If you see something you don’t need, don’t hesitate to speak up. Have the cashier remove the item and don’t feel bad about it. The grocery store has people to put away returns!

I hope these small tips can help you make a big difference in your family budgeting. Check back tomorrow on coupon specifics — I’ll show you how to make them really work for you!

We want to know your great shopping tips! Feel free to leave them below and brag about how much money you save!!

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I think it’s obvious that I’m not the only American with a love of fast food. With tasty fried meals conveniently placed every half block or so, it’s become a staple of our society. I’ve found (at least in my own family’s experience) that the convenience of a quick meal can become more than just an addiction — it can be financially draining before you even realize it.

Last week I asked you to gather up all your receipts and get ready for this week. Now that it’s finally Wednesday again, I’ll end your suspense. It’s time to start cutting your bills substantially. I’m not going to lie, for some of you this is going to be seriously painful (just like it was for me). Not necessarily because it’ll be hard to do, but it may be hard to see just how deep you’ve gotten. Alright, here we go…

The first part of conquering any addiction (and yes, I mean that literally here, even though we’re talking nuggets and cheeseburgers) is having a real understanding of your position. If you’ve got access to online banking, that may be the easiest way to do this. Pull up your statement and grab a notebook and writing utensil. Here comes the hard part: scan through your activity for the last 30 days. How much did you spend eating out? Groceries? Gas? Write all these amounts down (and count the number of times you spent in each category) and be prepared to gasp. What percentage of your income is being spent on instant gratification via fast food?  The first time my husband and I did this, we noticed that we had spent nearly $500 in ONE MONTH on fast food. (It hurts to actually have to type that, by the way.) We spent almost that much at the grocery store, too. There were some days that each of us would use our separate debit cards to grab something quick while we were out. $5 dollars here and there surely wouldn’t hurt.. Looking back, $1000 could have made a major dent in something important, like car payments or credit card debt.

The fact of the matter is that the majority of America spends up to 30% of their income on fast food alone.  That is incredible, considering that it doesn’t include grocery bills. So what can be done? The answer is obvious, but easier said than done. It’s time to stop swinging by the drive-through and head home instead. Of all the expenses that are associated with normal life, fast food is usually the quickest to be justified and dismissed, without a second thought. That’s the problem, too. When something becomes part of our routine, we forget to think about the ramifications of such a simple action.

When my family went from two (fairly substantial) incomes to one, my husband and I knew it was time to make some adjustments and sacrifices. We were prepared to do what we had to do and take drastic measures. We evaluated (for the first time ever) EVERY cent of our non-budget and saw that the one thing we could do immediately was cut the fast-food. We made a pact that we would simply not eat out anymore. It was done, a thing of the past. We had good intentions, but it just didn’t work out.

At this point, I feel like I should remind my readers that the number one issue in marriages and serious relationships is money. Everyone knows this, but it continues to be a struggle that a lot of couples (notice the skyrocketing divorce rates) just don’t know how to deal with. The clue to having a successful relationship is cutting away the tension and emotions that can erupt over everyday expenses. It’s been two years since my husband and I shifted to our new lifestyle and we are by no means where we want to be yet, but we’re closer. It’s taken a long time (as success usually does) but here are some tips I’d like to pass along:

1. Stop using plastic! One of the evil enablers of habit-spenders is the debit card. It’s easy to justify using it, since the money actually exists in your bank account and isn’t prone to huge interest rates. The problem is that a lot of people don’t track how many times they use their debit card each day. (My husband and I noticed some days that our debit cards were used 10-12 times!) Even though it may be a small purchase of just a dollar or two, the dollars add up quickly and usually go under the radar. Grandma says use cash!

2. Don’t try to quit cold nugget. If you’re used to eating out several times a week, don’t try to cut that to nothing. Some very strong-willed people (bless them) can handle this, but for the majority of us, it won’t happen. Instead, decide on an eat-out day and set aside money for that.

3. Put it in perspective. This is much easier to do once you’ve assessed your finances and determined just how serious the problem is. My husband and I were spending a lot on fast food, and got nothing out of it. It was basically money flushed away. There was no long term fulfillment on a huge investment. When you think of it that way, it’s easier to keep yourself from spending the money you worked hard all week for on nuggets that will be gone in a few minutes.

4. Reward yourself! This is perhaps one of the most important ideas when it comes to reforming habits. Without incentive, what’s the point? Of course, having more money in your bank account is a plus, but even that rush may not be enough. Give yourself a goal, and a reward when you reach it. Make sure your reward matches your effort, though. Try to make it less about money and more about satisfaction. For example, if you manage to save an extra 50 bucks by not eating out, don’t go buy new shoes.

Times are tough, we all know it. As silly as it might seem to start with something like fast-food abuse instead of stock exchanging, I started here because this is where my family’s financial reform began. It’s not as glamorous as investing, but I believe very much that if Americans are going to survive this economic crisis, it’s time to start looking at the little stuff. Often it’s the little stuff that slowly smothers you and causes irreparable damage. Tomorrow, we’ll have a follow up on food spending and we’ll talk about how to make your grocery budget really work for you and eliminate wasteful spending. It’s simple stuff, but it’s a start.

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