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!

Childrens Orchard Deal December 5th

On December 5th Childrens Orchard is having a great deal on kids clothing! $5 for just one bag.... Fill it how you like... My husband and I love when stores do this... It allows for you to stock up on many items for a great price... Expect lines and crazyness, but have fun!!!

Great ways to save money and still get Holiday decor

After any holiday you will find almost everything on sale if not 75% off or so. I do this with all my christmas items especially. Christmas is my favorite so a few days after the rush is over I head to my local wal-mart and target and shop the clearance. I got all my goodie bags for next year for $1. These will hold up 100 people's worth of food items. I love baking goodies so what a great way to save yet allow people to enjoy. Halloween is another great way to get cute costumes. Even if you do not celebrate you can still get dress up clothing for your children much cheaper after the holiday... Being patient is the hard part I know I do it alot.... Another great way to save in the holiday season is celebrate christmas with your family after christmas. Get great deals after Christmas. What a great way to get more things for your family with out missing the holiday. Get creative if you see something on sale that you know your child will still want a few months from now purchase it and put it in a special spot so you will not forget... ;)

10 Saving money tips... Part 1

Some people have been asking how I save money. Here are just some ways I have found to save money.

1. Hang around people that save money. Do not spend time with people who enjoy blowing money, this will make you desire to spend money you do not have...
2. Look at how people that are older saved money. For example hang your clothing outside to dry.
3. Turn off or down the heater when not at home.
4. Use walmart sacks or plastic sacks you get from stores as garbage bags, works great in the bathroom.
5. Make meals at home, when you do double and freeze the other. That way you can have another meal another day.
6. Turn down your water heater.
7. Use cloth diapers when at home with your kids.
8. Garage sales, Garage Sales, Always negotiate the price when shopping there! If they are not willing to haggle move on, somebody else will...
9. Find items that you can fix up on Craigs list, freecycle, etc. That way you do not have much investment in furniture and if you want sell it to make a profit.
10. Coupons, coupons

Do not be label specific

What I mean is do not favor a brand over another...

If one brand is on sale but you use another. Save money and use the brand, Who knows you might even like it more. I know I especially do this because my husband loves Charmin, but not always is it on sale. So I stock up on Charmin when I can, and use the other brands the rest of the time. Yeah he grumps at me... But I am a home economist and I want DEBT FREE! He understands but loves his Charmin.