Saving Money on Food and GroceriesWritten by Stefanie Epperly
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*Buy juice in concentrate form that mixes with water. They are cheaper that buying pre-mixed refrigerated juice. *Don't buy juiceboxes. Purchase refillable plastic juice bottles with built-in straws and fill them with juice yourself. *Consider buying generic brands. Most items you can't tell difference (e.g dried pasta, canned tomato products, canned beans and vegetables, juice, flour, raisins, rice, spices, butter, crackers, oatmeal and peanut butter). Sometimes it's worth it to pay more for name-brand items such as foil, plastic storage bags, paper towels, and dishwashing liquid. You're not saving any money if your generic foil rips or you need twice as many paper towels or dishwashing liquid to do job. *Buy large bags of chips and fill small plastic bags with them for kid's lunches Monthly Recipe: How to make your own Glass Cleaner- Clean your glass, mirrors and windows with your own homemade glass cleaner! Combine one quart of water with 2 tablespoons of ammonia and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. (Some people like to add 2 drops of liquid hand dishwashing detergent.) Store it in a spray bottle, and just spray and wipe until your surfaces shine! This recipe is quick and easy and, best of all, cheap!
President of Bargain Street Gifts, which provides customers with discounts and coupon codes to popular online stores.
| | Your Income Tax Refund: Sofa, Pecs, or Freedom?Written by Darlene Arechederra
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4 Tips to Keep Drooling at Bay 1. Decide ahead of time not to spend it. If you later change your mind, ask yourself, "is my *want* important enough to use this lump sum of money?" 2. Tuck it into savings immediately (preferably your emergency account). Or, if that sends you into a cold sweat, put up half of it. Avoid Money Sponge. Don't be tempted to leave it in checkbook! 3. Think of your tax return as *Freedom Money*, not as *extra*. Add bits of money to it for a 'Freedom-To-Be-My-Own-Boss' Account. This is money you've managed to do without over past year. You didn't miss it then -- no need to miss it once you've tucked it away... 4. Picture yourself debt free... All credit cards are paid off. You have a few thousand dollars in several money accounts. You are contributing to your retirement account on a regular basis. Bill-paying time is stress free. You can go out from time to time, paying cash as you go. Emergencies are covered. Your money is under control. Your control -- not that of credit card companies or debt collectors. Will this year's refund bring you a new sofa, Perfect Pecs, or Feel of Freedom? You have *power* in palm of your hand -- to take a huge step forward in your financial life. Will you DO it?
Darlene Arechederra is author of Rat Race Blues-How to Break the Stranglehold. She believes that everyone can save money -- once they find what *works* for them. Fr*ee weekly newsletter offers no-budget strategies and motivation for saving money and digging out of debt. Change your thinking, change your balance. Lots of encouragement! http://www.RatRaceRemedies.com
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