A Way to Save (Recycle)

This last month our city just began recycling. At first I seemed a little frustrated trying to figure out what goes in what bin, now I am realizing I do not have to buy trashbags for anything that is recycled. My trashcan this week only had one bag in it. Typically it is full!!! So had I known that recycling saves not only the resources on our planet and now our pocketbook, I might have gotten on board a little sooner. Going green is important, I was just lazy in taking all these products to a local recycling center. Maybe this is a way you can save too. Also I know certain locations pay you to take pop cans, etc. So check around your local area and see how much money you can SAVE!

My next adventure is going to be checking out a compound bin for all our food. I have also heard this is great. I will let you know what I find out this spring, when I do more research for our garden. Stay tuned for how to save by planting your own garden!

Do you love going out to eat?

So many Americans love going out to eat. I have heard by lots of viewers that they are not willing to sacrifice going out to eat. Many due to exhaustion of working a full days work. Here are some tips on keeping your out to eat expenses down.
1. Look at your local restaurants and see what day they offer for the kids to eat free. Make a list you can keep in your purse for those exhausted days.
2. Keep the local flyer's on coupons on restaurants. Many times there are good deals for the family. Keep a little folder and put it in the car you frequently use.
3. If your not tired of fast food restaurants, like McDonald's, etc. Use the dollar menu! A family of 4 can eat for about $8.
4. Drink water when out to eat... This is the most expensive item on most restaurant menus. On average it only cost the restaurant 28 cents for the cup and 3 cents for the soda. So when you pay $1.99 for a drink. Your giving them a huge profit. A drink at a restaurant cost more than a 2 liter at Wal-mart.
5. Use www.restaurants.com to get a gift card cheaper for a restaurant
6. Keep a cash system on how much you are going to spend in a week or month on restaurants. When your out of money, thats its... Don't spend anymore!
7. If you love to eat really expensive ask for a gift cards to that restaurant for Christmas or birthdays. This will help off set the cost to you.
8. Get on the restaurants email list. Many times they send coupons over email (Zios is very good at this)
9. Plan ahead if you know you go out to eat on Sundays because of church and the time crunch. Make a crock pot meal Saturday that you can just plug in before you leave for church. Learn your schedule!
10. Look for free items! For veterans day Applebees, Golden Corral, Hy-vee offer free meals. Also for firefighters on firefighters day Baskin Robbins offer free ice cream to all.
11. See if the company you work for offers deals for using corporate savings. For example Sprint has a website all employees can use for deals. Are bank also does this.
12. Eat lunch instead of supper. Huge savings! Some times the same meal is $2 more for supper than at lunch.
13. Share meals with your spouse. Get an appetizer and one meal. This is usually filling enough to get you home!
14. Keep a goodie bag in your car if you travel a lot or have sports events... This will allow you to make it home to make a meal if you prefer to eat at home.
15. If your not to hungry, and have kids with you at a nice restaurant order a kids meal. This is usually cheaper. Check the prices though!

Reasons to clean

Cleaning for one is very therapeutic! It can help you feel better. I know when I am having a bad day if I look at my kitchen or bathroom and its messy. I feel completely awful! However if I go in an tactile the task of cleaning it, I feel wonderful!!!

While cleaning you can organize you fridge... This is a great way to save money. Have a shelf designed just for left overs, this way when someone is hungry they know where to look. I know while cleaning out your fridge you realize "wow I forgot about this leftover and have to throw it away." On average in an American household we throw away $70 worth of leftovers a month! Take $70 multiply by 12 months you get that's right $840 a year, you have just thrown down the sink (literally).

Another way cleaning is therapeutic. You find things that you no longer, need, use or want. SELL, SELL, SELL! Garage sales to 2nd hand stores, to craigslist, there are many ways to sell your items! Have a corner in your garage or storage room just for this... As you find items throughout the week, put them their and sell even just once a month... You will be surprised what you can make at even a garage sale. I had one a few months ago and made over $800. Hey, that's an extra payment on something!

Get creative, organize your toy room or kids bedrooms, you will find tons of toys they no longer need. Sell that unused treadmill that you haven't used in years. No the dog in your house doesn't use it when your gone... Cleaning allows for great times to reflect on your life. It can help you appreciate the things you have... It shows God you appreciate them as well. These are ultimately his things, and what and how you treat them is ultimately up to you. Do you not want to honor the blessings God has given you?

You will also find extra space that you need for something else that is out of place. Get rid of the 2nd coffee pot that your neighbor gave you. Really is that a sentimental item! Organize pictures, you wouldn't believe just by going through them and putting them in albums saves space! Instead of buying the next house up the road who has another bedroom for your storage, save money and clean out the rooms you have.