Tip of the day is here!

Have you filed your taxes yet? How about trying Free File? It is the biggest free tax filing service online.

Here's your tip of the day:

Federal taxes waiting to be filed at your house? File them using H&R Block online. The federal e-file is free through their site.

My affiliation with Blogging for Books, a program connected to Waterbrook Multnomah, led to my reading and reviewing a couple's devotional entitled Love & War. The Eldridge writing duo, a married couple themselves and both critically acclaimed authors) wrote another very popular book. It has been well-received by many, so I was anxious to dig in my heels and get into it. While nicely written, I found myself wanting a bit more after each day of the 8 weeks. Where were the daily discussion questions? I wanted to pour over the topics with my husband, but found myself at a lack of how to go about it. I am guessing this was created to be quick and painless and somewhat convenient for busy couples, but I would have enjoyed a longer entry each day.

I had the highest of hopes when I found out I had the opportunity to review Beth Moore's new devotional, Voices of Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World. Having completed several awe-inspiring bible studies featuring Beth, I felt I was in for a real treat with this devotional. And just in time for the new year, I received my new devotional n the mail!

To say I was sorely disappointed doesn't say it. There was very little of Beth and more stories from various missionaries. And the daily entries, while quick and easy to read left me feeling unfed. I wanted more to start off my day. The stories of Christians in service were nice, but where was the inspiration to get me to take on the challenges of my life? To make my life more? This book certainly left me hungry for inspiration and I am searching for a new daily devotional for 2011, if anyone has any suggestions.

I was afforded the opportunity to receive and review, with my honest opinion, this book via a program called Book Sneeze in connection with Thomas Nelson publishers.

Tip of the day time!

Most grocery stores run on a 6 week cycle. You might see dairy items on sale one week and then the following week may be cereals and such, etc. If you miss the big sale, never fear! That cereal will be on sale again next cycle. So save those coupons and use them on th next sale.

Here's your tip of the day:

Read those coupons and get great deals on the products you want. Read the text to see which products are included. Don't assume that only the item pictured is included, it is often not the case!

The same can be said for sales ads for stores.

Tip of the day time!

Save your BOGO Free coupons for BOGO Free sales! You will get both items for free. Sweet, huh?

Tip of the day time is here again.

Let them eat soup (not cake, as it is famously said).

If you have never, ever tried to make your own soup then it is time! Save bones from a meat dinner and toss it into a large pot with whatever veggies you can find in the fridge, cover with water, and simmer. Remove bones, add spices and seasonings to your heart's content. The result? Soup!

Even if you don't have time to make soup when you have a nice, fresh bone for stock, simply wrap it up and put it in the freezer until you do. There is nothing more tasty (or frugal) than pipin' hot homemade soup in the winter!

This post is linked to Frugal Friday.

Here's your tip of the day!

Be the portion police. Not only will your wallet thank you, but your waistline will, too! So many of us have long forgotten the food pyramid, but it is a great guide not only for how many servings we should eat of each food group daily, but it also reminds us how large those servings should be.

Take a look, for example, at meat portions. Are you really only serving 3 ounces of chicken per person? Any more than that is just too much!

Tip of the day is here!

Like Groupon and wish you could find even more local deals? Try Eversave.com! You'll get daily emails letting you know what money saving deal or great price can be found for local businesses and you decide whether or not to jump in and take advantage of the coupon.

Tip of the day!

If you are on the lookout for new electronics ask in-store if there are any open box specials (items that have damaged/opened boxes). They often get sold at 50% off their regular price and are usually just fine and have the same guarantee as any other products.

Ready for your money saving tip of the day?

Dye your hair back to your natural color and extend the time between salon visits!

Tip of the day time!

Seems like everyone I know is making resolutions this time of year, myself included. Mine is to take better care of myself. Is that one of yours, too?

Before you choose a place to workout or join up for a new weight loss plan, check with your health insurance. I just found out that mine will reimburse me for not only my gym, but for participating in Weight Watchers. So check before choosing!

This post is lined to Frugal Friday.

Better late than never...I have still been menu planning, but I've been lazy about posting it here. Ooops! In good news, I joined Weight Watchers with my Mother-in-Law. So my menus will be looking a bit different.

Time for that tip of the day!

Start shopping more often. Yep, I said it.

To avoid putting out a small fortune next Christmas, try breaking up your shopping throughout the year. Buy a gift or two for your list of folks each month.

Tip time! Save money with this tip of the day:

This one is a preventative measure that could save you in the long run because it will keep your equipment running more efficiently, longer. Flush out your water heater several times a year. Check out this tutorial from Consumer Reports.

Top of the day, coming your way!

ShopRite is in the midst of their annual Can-Can sale! That means lots of homes are chock full of canned goods of all kinds right about now. Wondering what you can make with canned goods? Erin from $5 Dinners has a feature that will tell you how to do just that!

Time for the money saving tip of the day!

Got leftover food? Turn it into something new to eat for dinner! Use this cool site Big Oven to search using which leftovers you have lurking in the fridge and pantry and whip up something good tonight.

"And God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:19

Trust in Him!

Tip of the day time!

I was sitting in the car with a friend the other day and she noticed she was almost on E. So she headed straight to the next gas station she found and turned off the engine. Debit card in hand she awaited the attendant's presence at her window. I told her to put her card back in her wallet and she looked at me strangely. "Don't you know that credit will cost you more than cash?" She did not. I wonder how many people fail to notice that many gas station signs reflect that credit will cost you more per gallon than cash? Apparently more than I realized. And a card of any kind (credit or debit) counts as credit in this case!

Friday's here! How can you save money this weekend? Here's a tip of the day to tell you how!

If you wanna take the fam out to do something fun, call around first to get the details on the best prices. Don't think it varies that much from place to place? Think again! Last weekend we wanted to take the kiddo bowling. Here is what we found:

Alley #1 offered games for $3. The game prices are almost always per person, unless otherwise stated so ask! Shoe rentals were $3 as well. So the 3 of us would have spent $27 for 2 games.

Alley #2 offered a family special for 2 hours of bowling, unlimited games, shoe rentals included. It was $39.95.

Alley #3 offered $1 games. Shoe rentals were $4. Bowling there would cost a total of $18 for 2 games. SOLD!

This post is linked to Frugal Friday.

KAY DICKINSON

Congrats!

Tip of the day, coming your way!

Did you get a gift card as a present for Christmas that you just won't use? Don't waste that money, trade it! Sites like Plastic Jungle help people in your predicament trade or even sell unwanted gift cards.

Ready for your money saving tip of the day?

Here you are at the tail-end of a successful shopping experience. You made a list, carefully selected the items with best price, and now you are in line to pay the cashier.

Wait.

You spy a razor hanging on a display across from the register. You could totally use a new razor. Yours is done and done. You toss it in the cart haphazardly.

STOP!!!

Pick that razor back up and hang it back up. The items suggestively hung by the register are called impulse buys. The store puts them there so while you wait you will add a few more things to your cart (and your bill). If you really do NEED a razor, get out of line and go back to that section of the store. There might very well be one on sale or one that you can buy with a coupon, etc. But most likely that one strategically placed by the checkout lane is not the best deal.

Don't fall for the store's tricks, frugal friends!

Never miss a new printable coupon again! Sign up for coupon alerts (a free service!) by clicking the above box.

Here for the money saving tip of the day? You're in luck!

Try scheduling shower and bath times back to back with other family members in your household. I'm not suggesting you go all Little House on the Prairie and share the same bath water.

But think about it. How many times are you gonna fire up that hot water heater to make nice warm baths? If everyone takes a quick shower one after the other that will save energy versus mom takes a shower. Two hours later dad takes a shower. Another hour later junior takes his bath.

New Coupons are ripe for the printin' from Coupons.com!

Here's your money saving tip of the day:

Heat rises, as you probably know. Change the direction your ceiling fans move to push the heat downward and circulate the warmth throughout your home.

"The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers." Psalm 37:21

If you have debt, why not avow to take steps to pay it back in this new year? Be it debts from a friend or family member, or from the bank, make a plan to do away with debt.

The first step?

Stop making debt. Lock up your credit cards. Freeze them in a cup of ice. Whatever it takes. But do not spend money you don't really have. You'll be okay, I promise. God's got this.

Happy New Year!

Today, resolve to do one thing to save yourself money. Just one little thing. Stick with it all year long and it will be better than proposing to do a whole slew of things that won't last longer than a few weeks or months.