Secrets of Success

50-20-30 DEBT RULE- Rule of power pay

I have a rule called 50-20-30 Debt savings and power pay down...
I re budgeted everything and found out I was way over debt.. after working hard on power paying bills I was able to fit into this percentage rules..
50% Must haves- rent, insurance, gas, food, your things on what you need to live off of
20% savings- Paying down debt
30% wants- cell phone, cable bills, subscriptions ect. Things you want but can live without

Make my own prepackaged foods

I save money and eat healthy by slow cooking large amounts of brown rice or beans and then saving meal sized portions in re-usable freezer and microwave safe containers. I also do this with chicken breast I use for salads and sandwiches and it saves me from buying the salty prepared kind.

Saving money is all about saving money!

couponing!!

Tip for Free gym membership and making money!!!!

One thing I do to save money is to get a part time job at a gym in town. I was on swim teams as a kid and can teach swim lessons once a week and get paid for it! As well as get a free membership to the place I work! Most gyms offer discounted or free classes for employees and some even have health programs for them as well! It's a great way for me to save money and earn some as well! Plus it makes sure I'm going to the gym!!

Avoid the drive-thru!

I've figured out that if I put my purse (with all my cash/debit cards/etc.) in the backseat or even the trunk of the car (any where that I can't reach) it makes going to a drive-thru for a snack impossible. And usually I'm too lazy or rushed to stop and actually go in.

It's a win-win, I save money and avoid the calorie-dump of drive-thrus!

This has decreased my pre-work (and sometimes post-work) Starbucks consumption a ton.

Using the core of the pineapple

When we buy a whole pineapple and peel/core it to serve, we save the core and put it INSIDE a chicken or turkey while it's being roasted. GREAT flavor, keeps the bird moist and tender, and uses up what otherwise would have been thrown away.

Shop like a guy

Some women look at shopping like an adventure. It's a chance to possibly find a beautiful dress or a perfect gift to have on hand just in case. Looking is at least as important as what is purchased. This, however can lead to unexpected purchases.

Many guys, on the other hand, look at shopping like a military mission. Get in, accomplish the goal, and get out. This mindset minimizes expenses and time. You'll be surprised at the difference an alternate point of view can make.

Black Friday Snacks- Double Win

When I Black Friday shop, I'm usually out for AT LEAST 8 hours...make sure to bring healthy snacks with you so when you get snacky you don't grab something at the register...you save money and calories!

I dont use credit cards, I pay for things with cash.

I save and purchase everything with cash. I own everything I have which lets me sleep at night because I'm not stressed worring how I'm going to meet my payments when due. You also save alot by not paying those interest rates !

Shop at Thrift Stores

It can be a little overwhelming, but you can save so much money by shopping at them. I saved about $700 on clothing this summer by thrifting. I also have a blog where I post all my finds etc. Feel free to check it out!
niftythriftygoodwill
.wordpress.com

Cheap way to try new fruits/veggies

Try going to bountifulbaskets.org and ordering a basket of fruits and veggies for cheap ($15.00). You never know what you're going to get, and I've tried tons of new veggies using it. Who knew my kids and I would love things like cabbage, kale and bok choy? While most of the foods are "normal" parts of our diet, we occasionally get something I've never bought, and it's been a definite healthy learning experience for all of us.

Jeans for $8

I have a new blog post about how to shop for designer jeans in thrift stores!
http://niftythriftygoodw
ill.wordpress.com/
ch
eck it out and feel free to leave comments!

Laundry detergent trick!

I have a great trick to save money while getting your clothes clean: You use 1/2 of what the detergent says to use. I know a lot of people do this but it really does work and it gets your clothes just as clean!

Saving Money on Clothes

I have a blog that will teach you how to shop on an extreme budget while maintaining a beautiful wardrobe! I hope you guys will check it out...we should have nice clothes to go along with our nice new bodies :D

http://niftythrift
ygoodwill.wordpress.com/

Mix up your routine without breaking the bank!

Visit daily deal sites and when you see something that even mildly interests you - buy it! This is how I discovered a passion for yoga, and also how I discovered that spin class is not my friend. Its a great way to try new things and mix up your routine - most offers are for 4 -6 classes, so even if you hate it its not a huge committment and still keeps you active. You can also buy things like massages and spa treatments to reward yourself!

Used Books Save $$$

Amazon, Half Price Books, and even thrift stores are the source of a large percentage of books I own. I'm horrible about returning rented books and most of the bestsellers I've found sold from $1.99 a huge savings from the originally priced @ $25.

Walking Fast to Save Money AND Burn Calories

If you make a list before going shopping and walk briskly to each thing and then straight to the counter to check out you will not only burn more calories than you would by shopping slowly, but you'll also spend less by not picking up extra things!

Stretch your laundry detergent!

Laundry detergent usually says "Fill cap to line 1," but it's impossible to see line 1, so we just fill up the cap, right? This uses 4x as much soap as you need! Take a permanent marker and mark line 1 inside the cap (you'll need a bright light to find it). Only fill to that line -- even for extra-large loads. Your clothes will get just as clean, and you'll save tons of money!

LEARN TO CAN AND PRESERVE

Learning to can and preserve your own food does more than save you money. Many of the products on the market like canned tomatoes, beans, and fruits are canned in cans that have a lining that may be harmful to your health and can cause cancer. By canning your own food you save money and your health. Need help getting started? Go online, the library, or even your local cooperative extension has advice. You don't have to start out with pressure canning. (continued in more information)

bubble gum machine

I found a bubble gum machine, which only accept quarters. I filled it with pistachios. So when ever I have munchies, I have to put a quarter in to get 6 pistachios. First it helpes me with portion control, second I have enough money to replace the pistachios with another bag without dipping in my pocket.

My secret to getting a good dental checkup

I have a Braun rechargeable toothbrush that I use daily. Since I have used it, I haven't needed any dental work except routine cleaning. I use it for the 2 minutes recommended by dentists, and it has been a great investment for my health and for my pocketbook!

Saving Money While Eating Healthy

The best thing to do is buy in season...

This is what $40 got me at Food Lion. It enough food for my and my hubby for 1 week.

I eat leftovers and the fresh food for my breakfast and lunch.

Re the chicken... We eat what we want and the rest is used to make chicken stock or chicken soup depending on how much is left. I will buy a whole chicken and cut it in pieces myself.. so 3 chickens yield 3 meals of 1 breast each, 2 meals of 2 thighs each (4 for hubby), and one meal of baked "wings"...

Bake something to warm your chilly home

If your house is chilly on a cool spring or summer morning/day, instead of turning on the heat for a half hour or hour, bake or cook something to warm up the house. Use that day to cook large meals for freezing or bake that healthier recipe you've been wanting to try. Multi-tasking at its best - warm up a chilly house, get some cooking done without cranking up the a/c, and if it is cool outside, once the house warms up, open the windows to air out the house!

Thrift Store Safety

Thrift store shopping rocks, but there is one major danger: BEDBUGS! Since I'd rather punch myself in the face than deal with them, here are two things I do for protection. 1) Check all pockets for brown stains and 2) Put all clothes in the dryer first. DRYER. Then washer. BUT FIRST DRYER! The heat will kill those little suckers and make you hate life less. If it won't fit into the dryer or isn't meant for a dryer, don't buy it.

This Is Nuts!

Nuts, like almonds, walnuts and pecans are so healthy, but also costly. You can save a ton of money by buying them at stores like Costco or Sam's Club. If you put them in the freezer, they'll last a long time, and you can take out a handful or whatever you need, right from the big package. You can also create a number of little packages, in baggies, to freeze and take with you to add to on-the-go for lunches or for a quick snack. They thaw quickly.