Back to school, or back to the poor house?
By Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam
http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

Back to school is a time when many moms witness their money sprout wings and take flight, finding their homes at retail stores across America. I know that consumer spending is good for the economy, but I don’t take it upon myself to keep the entire US economy propped up, so when my first-grade son announced that he wanted a backpack with rollers, I saw this as a wonderful financial teaching moment. His school is small, and he doesn’t walk to or from school. He didn’t need rollers.

I told my son that I would give him $8 toward a backpack. I told him that if he wanted a fancier one, he could put up some of his allowance money for the difference. That’s the rule at our house. Mom and Dad buy the basics the kids buy the extras. It was amazing how my son’s perception of the need for rollers changed when his allowance was on the line. Yes, he has concluded, a regular backpack will do the trick this year.

Thousands of parents are buying back-to-school supplies. From crayons and notebooks to calculators and lunch boxes, the list of what to buy can be as long as the list of your kids’ excuses.

I know that you are anxious to get your kids back into school, but there is no need to take out a second mortgage just to get rid of them. Instead, use some of these money-saving tips from www.LivingOnADime.com and you can happily send your kids to school and keep some of the cash for mom’s back-to school celebration!

*Wait for the list to come out and stick to it, otherwise you might buy things you don’t need. Remember, the Bank of Mom doesn’t pay for frills. Any extras the kids want will have to be funded from their own cash reserves. I do understand that it is nice for kids to have “hip” back-to-school supplies. I look at yard sales and thrift stores for brand-name finds. For instance, I recently found a gently used Barbie backpack and a Barbie lunch box and no one would know that I paid $1.00 each instead of the $32 that Becky Johnson’s mom paid. Who says stay at home mom’s don’t make any money?

*Don’t buy back to school clothes. Children don’t need an entirely new wardrobe every fall. Some mom’s act as if aliens clothes-napped their kids’ clothes the night before school and the fashion police will come arrest them if they don’t buy the latest designer clothes right away. The kids wore clothes all year long, didn’t they? If they need something like a new pair of shoes or new jeans then buy what they need, but don’t just buy a new wardrobe because it’s the thing to do.

*Use back to school sales to your advantage.
If you know your kids go through a package of socks, underwear or jeans every six months then stock up while they are on sale. The same is true of crayons, paper, notebooks, backpacks and lunch boxes. My son went through two backpacks and two lunch boxes last year, so this year we will buy two while they are on sale instead of waiting until the middle of the year when they are full price. We will also be checking garage sales between now and then to find any good deals on those items. Don’t be tempted to buy things that you wouldn’t normally use, though, just because they’re on sale.

*Go through last year’s school supplies to see which things are still usable. If my student has a working calculator, the Bank of Mom will not extend credit for a new one.

*Limit activities to one at a time. Activity fees can add up fast. One at a time is the rule at our house. If you can’t afford the activity, it doesn’t hurt for the kids to use their own money to pay for it. The best way to teach them money management is to let them manage their own money when they have nothing to lose, instead of after they have maxed out the credit cards someone persuaded then to sign up for in college.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are the authors of Dining On A Dime:1,000 Money Saving Recipes and Tips. (formerly Not Just Beans) Dining On A Dime will help you shop smarter, by cooking simpler meals and by making your own basic cleaning products and beauty aids.

For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

Dirty Dishes Cause Debt!
By Jill Cooper
http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

The other day I was asked one of the most common questions that people ask me. “Where do I start to get out of debt?” After telling me of her huge credit card debt and how they eat out almost every night, the lady took a deep breath and said, “How do I save on laundry detergent and cleaning supplies?” Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees. Even though saving money on cleaning supplies does help and should be done, that usually isn’t where the biggest problem with the debt lies. This woman never once thought to ask me how to stop eating out so much. Most people don’t want to face the real causes of their debt. Their biggest problems are the things they like the most. Going out to eat is one of the top five causes of debt.

Get those dirty dishes out of the sink!!
We go out to eat because we can’t face a dirty kitchen. Keeping your kitchen empty of dirty dishes is the key to saving money. This is probably the #1 way to start getting out of debt. Most people are so overwhelmed with piled counter tops and dirty dishes that they would rather go out to eat than face a dirty kitchen. Do the dishes after every meal and keep hot soapy water in the sink while you are baking or cooking. Clean up as you go. If your sink is empty and the dishes are washed, your kitchen always looks good. This helps you save money because you have the time and space to cook.

To get in and out of the kitchen quickly, try these easy steps.
1. Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and put the hand washables in it to soak.
2. Wipe off counter tops and tables with hot soapy water. (This way, if you have unexpected company, at least your table and counters will be clean.)
3. Sweep the floor and shake throw rugs if needed.
4. Wash the dishes that have been soaking.
5. Wipe down the faucets and dry with a towel. (Be sure to wipe any sticky appliances, too.)
6. Put out a clean dish rag and towel.
7. Take out the trash.

These simple steps can help you start climbing your way out of debt. You will be amazed how much better you will feel just having the kitchen clean.

Jill Cooper raised two teenagers alone on $500 a month income after becoming disabled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She is the of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook.

To read more of Jill’s articles and for free tips and recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com/ .

http://www.livingonadime.com/
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My 6 year old daughter has been showing signs of FM for about 9 months now.

I have both CFS and FM and I do believe that at least CFS is genetic. My mom, brother and I came down with CFS but the exchange students who were living with us didn’t. Mom and my brother don’t have FM.

Anyway, she has been very tired, falling asleep just after taking an hour nap.

Always “taking a little rest” as she calls it and just comes in after playing just for a few minutes.

Very sensitive to heat. It’s been cool the last couple of days after horrid heat and she is doing so much better!

Today I was giving her a love pat on the buns and accidentally missed and got her lower back. She about went through the roof with pain and I barely tapped her.
Every time I would help her up to help me bake she would would yell, “mom your hurting me!” when I would pick her up under the arms.

That got me to thinking because the very same places almost puts me in tears when it gets bumped or hit.

I then tested all the trigger points and some that weren’t. (I didn’t tell her that was what I was doing.)Every trigger point she said hurt and the others didn’t.

When she first started getting really tired about 9 months ago I took her to the doc and they did a bunch of blood work. They tested for anemia and diabetes and a couple of other things.

He just said “it’s a growing spurt” I said I’ve never heard of kids having a 9 month growing spurt he said “yeah it happens all the time”. (I’m really starting to dislike doctors)

She loves to be active but when we go on family bike rides she has to “rest” every couple of blocks.

She has also had these horrible dark circles under her eyes since she was 1 1/2. I have taken her to many doctors countless times trying to get it figured out. They kept telling me was just allergies. The problem was she was doing this in the winter when there weren’t any allergies and when she is on allergy meds. According to her tests she is just allergic to grass and maple trees, all summer things. I think they are from not sleeping well.

They took out her tonsils and adenoids and it did help some but not much.

It does make me sad. I know it’s not life or death but I know how hard it is to be worn out all the time and want to do things but you just can’t get your body to do it. I hate to have to see her go through that.

On the up side, I have it too so I will be able to fight for her with the docs and the school etc. since I totally understand and know not to give up until I find some cooperative people to help.

Tawra

http://www.livingonadime.com/

Our thermostat is in the hallway and you see it right at eye level every time you walk by which is about 150 times a day.

The other day I had a rag in my hand cleaning something and I decided to wipe it off. Good grief! I didn’t realize how dirty that thing was. It is so nice to see it shining now when I walk by. If you see something like that, clean it, it really does make a difference! On second thought just go clean yours now!

I’m off to do the glass on my front door now!

Tawra

http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

We still have some $4 Not Just Beans left. Makes great gifts order them today!
http://www.livingonadime.com/ordering.htm#discount
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At Walmart they had huge cantaloupes for $1.47 each and they were actually ripe!
They tasted so good. I remembered that in one of the frozen fruit mixes I had purchased that they had cantaloupe in it. I decided to try it myself.

I cut it into pieces and froze it on a silpat on a cookie sheet in the freezer. It worked great! I had Mike go get me 5 more and I may have him get me at least 5 more tomorrow. I love cantaloupe but it’s so expensive and it usually is so hard that it tastes like rocks here!

I will be able to maintain my diet better if I have some decent fruit to eat! Tawra

http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

Just put the people in a cell with a two year old. (They could put in a divider so they wouldn’t hurt them.

Stealing - 3 hours

Rape and Murder - a month

That would take care of all crimes and save us mother’s some of our sanity!

Tawra

www.LivingOnADime.com

www.LivingOnADime.com

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I knew this to some extent before but as we are working on this organizing book I realize that you aren’t going to be able to save any significant amount of money until you get yourself organized. How can you save money if you can’t ever find anything, are always buying doubles and have a general sense of depression from the state of your house. It’s hard to feel motivated to save when you come home to a mess.

Trust me know! I’m was not born organized. My dad’s side of the family are horrible hoarders. I am not exaggerating when I say they are just like those people you see on TV with these unbelievable houses. My aunt had a refrigerator box in her bedroom for 3 YEARS with poopy diapers, papers for who knows how long and it was full! That was in the middle of the floor with boxes surrounding their bed to the ceiling. (They fell down once on top of my other aunt and uncle when they were visiting while they were sleeping.)There was barely a path to walk through. She has 12 kids now and lives in a 1500 sq. ft. house.

The rest of my dad’s siblings are just as bad and my dad is worse.

I do not come by being organized naturally!

I didn’t realize how much this really mattered. Once you can find things easily then you can know what you have and what you need. You can also wait to find things at yard sales and thrift stores because you know exactly what you are looking for.

If your house is a mess then start by putting up 10 things before lunch and 10 things before dinner.

You could put up 20 by lunch but either way this will help get you started on your way.

I would start in an area that is driving you nuts like a countertop and work on it until it’s done. It really won’t take as long as you think! (About 3 minutes, I’ve timed it!

Tawra

www.LivingOnADime.com

www.LivingOnADime.com

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A tip about shoes.

I have about 6 pairs of shoes so mine are just on a shelf but they do fall down now and then and get mixed up.

I had two colors of the same type of dress shoe. I was forever trying to figure out each Sunday which was which. It took me almost more time to figure out the shoes and make sure I had two the same color then it did to figure out what to wear!

This was a “duh” moment but I got a permanent marker and on the inside sole of each set wrote “Black” or “Blue”. Now all I have to do is glance down and I see right away which two go together.

Tawra

We still have some $4 Not Just Beans left!! Order yours before they’re gone!

http://www.livingonadime.com/ordering.htm
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I have been wanting some new curtains in my dining room/living room. The ones I have are ok but they are a floral print that matches but is different from the floral wallpaper. (did that make sense?

I am trying to streamline everything so it has a cleaner look. It doesn’t look bad but just a little sprucing up would be nice.

I found some drapes at the DAV for $4.98. They are a beige tab top drape. The color looks nice but it kind of sticks out like a sore thumb next to the dark green floral wallpaper.

I am going to try and tea dye them and see if a darker shade will blend in better.

If you haven’t ever tea dyed it is very easy. Just get a bunch of tea bags. I used about 30 or 40 for the 2 drapes. Steep them in some water until you have a VERY strong tea mixture. Then just soak your material in it until you get the desired shade. I like the darker look so I usually leave it overnight.

Crafters also do this on materials to give it an antique or shabby chic look.

This is a very inexpensive way for me to get some new drapes. I saved myself around $30.

Tawra

http://www.LivingOnADime.com/

David has been potty training the last 3 weeks. He’s got the potty part down but not the poop part yet. Well, he doesn’t want to go and so he has been holding it in but screaming the entire time because he doesn’t want to poop on the floor or in his underwear.

He has also been super fussy and whining. He is screaming about everything and literally every minute he is screaming about something else. The sound is like listening to someone scrapping their fingernails on a chalk board all day long.

Now he has decided to hate bugs. Yesterday a moth was in the car and he went nuts! I mean he was just hysterical. I pulled over on the highway and didn’t realize we were on a bridge. I had 6 inches from the edge to try and get him out and then I had to fight to get him out! I got him out and praying that he wouldn’t jerk and hurl himself over the edge of the bridge or that a semi would run into us!

After I realized that he didn’t have a bee stinging him or something I tried putting him in the car and he was literally kicking and screaming so hard that I had to hold him down (in a 6 inch gap in the door)to get him in the car seat. Then he was fighting so hard he got a “rug burn” from the seatbelt. He hasn’t thrown tantrums (yet so this was not normal for him!

I finally got to mom’s house and it took him 15 minutes before he would calm down.

I was just shaking. After we got home he started again thinking there was a moth in the house.

Today he had to go poop again so was screaming about that and then he saw two bugs on the wall and was screaming again. He is just screaming and screaming. I got the bugs killed and then a fly came and started buzzing him and he started again. He kept doing this every 5 minutes. He would not stop screaming.

It has been something like this everyday for the last 4 weeks. I feel like I am on the verge of just collapsing. (I wonder why I can’t get the next book done? The noise is just about to drive me insane. I can’t do anything. I can’t work on the computer, I can’t read, I can’t get any housework done, I can’t sit outside cause it’s over 100, I can’t do anything so I am going crazy just sitting with this 2 year old hanging on me on all day and the other two kids saying “mom” every minute. (That’s not an exaggeration, I timed it one day!) I do get a about 1 hour when he is taking a nap but I have to do orders then and honestly it’s not enough time to calm my nerves.

I am literally shaking by the time Mike gets home from work everyday. Most mornings I am shaking by 8:30 or 9:00 A.M.!! It’s no wonder I’m not feeling well.

Anyway, I say all that to say my hubby is great.
Every night he has helped me pick up so the house is in good order (It’s only the 400sq. ft. of kitchen and living room but still it helps to have it orderly) Well today I was at the end of my rope. Even though I felt like I was going to collapse, I took the older two to Karate because I just couldn’t stay home one minute longer. When I got back he had vacuumed the entire house and picked everything up and the kitchen was spotless! He has also been so good about helping me but I just had to brag!

If you want your husband to help out, ask- don’t nag. Be specific and ask nice (can you vacuum please?) Then when they do help out don’t correct the way they do it. Just let them do it their way. It really doesn’t matter how it’s done, just that it’s done!

Tawra