Would you like to get your family a computer, but don’t have the extra cash to purchase one?  There are ways to get a computer without spending a lot of cash.  While times are hard, it is a good idea to find out how you can buy goods and electronics on a low budget for your household.  Computers can be pricey if you do not know what you are looking for-especially if you buy them loaded with software as well.

What some people may not realize is that sometimes you can get a computer free or for almost nothing from schools or universities when they throw out their old computers.  Some of these computers are still in decent working condition or just need small minor repairs-or perhaps the system just needs an update.  This is a great way to get a decent working computer. 

Also-Ebay is always full of electronics and people selling computers too.  You just have to read all of the descriptions carefully, and have an idea of what you are looking for. 

Always be sure to check out the classified ads in the newspapers, or even read over craigslist on the internet as well.  Somebody is usually always trying to sell or give away a computer that they no longer need.  If your children are needing  computer for school, or you need one for a home business, some of those places are wonderful to begin your search.  You don’t always have to have a lot of money to get the electronics or technology that you need for your home. 

The holidays are just around the corner, and families are in need more than ever this year.  Gas prices have finally given us some relief at the pump, but for awhile, the prices were just eating through out wallets.  Many families are suffering from job loss, a cutback of hours, and high energy costs.  There are many who have lost their homes, and they have been foreclosed on. 

If you and your family are finding yourselves in a somewhat comfortable, yet livable situation, perhaps you could try to help out families who are in need for the holidays.  Giving and helping others is a wonderful deed, and can really help you learn about current financial situations.  It is also great for your children to be a part of such services as well.  Perhaps if you help somebody today, -there may just be a time, that you could use a hand yourself later on.  If families can learn to help other families, some of the grief can be overcome.  

You can begin helping out families in need by donating to food pantries, giving away your coats that are still in great shape, or even donating clothes and toys for children at Christmas time.  Put together holiday baskets that you can hand out to families your area, or donate to nearby shelters.  Everybody needs a helping hand sometime, and is a great way to spend your extra holiday time. 

Take a tag off nearby angel trees, and shop for Christmas gifts for a little girl or boy.  These are often children who are less fortunate and need help with Christmas.  Put together small Christmas gift baskets and take them around to family homes who are in need.  Let the children help bake cookies to put in the baskets as well…  Christmas isn’t just about receiving–it’s about giving-….Giving your heart unto others…

Everyone enjoys a little get away to the movies every now and then-I mean-who doesn’t? But the cost is just enough to frighten me away sometimes!

You have to pay for the movie ticket itself-then the popcorn and the drinks.

I’m surprised you don’t drop a quarter somewhere for when you use the restroom!
I am only kidding on that though…

There are (surprisingly), some ways to save money going to the theater though!

If you live in the participating states, there is a program from Kerasotes theaters called, THE FIVE BUCK CLUB. Yes-it is still possible to see a movie for only $5!

I remember back when the day time movies were only $5….or $4.75 for that matter-but now I pay almost $6.00 for the matinee-and an ugly $7.50-$8 for the evening movies!…..

THE FIVE BUCK CLUB is FREE to join!.….

You just go to the website, sign up for a card, they mail it-and then BOOM-you are a member of the greatest movie club in the world.

You only have to keep track of the $5 show times in your area.
Just sign up for the emails that let you know which movies are $5.00 in your area.

Then take your card with you and you only pay $5!

Now only if they had a five buck club where you only pay $5 for your soda, popcorn, and some candy!….That would be the greatest!!!!

-—So–you want to know how to sign up for the FIVE BUCK CLUB???

CLICK HERE to get the great details for signing up for this movie saving idea…..

Let’s face it. In economic times and stress, job layoffs, and businesses slowing, Christmas could hurt this year. Families worry about not being able to get a few nice items for their children, and it hurts inside when you know you are having trouble providing for your family. It feels like total failure-but don’t feel at a loss-this is definitely not something that will last forever. A job will come soon, and perhaps business will pick up. Think of it as a temporary set-back. Things could get better with time.

There is help for those families who are hurting at Christmas time. And there is nothing wrong with getting assistance if you are in need. While Christmas isn’t all about presents, parents still enjoy seeing the smiles on their children’s faces when they can get a few of their favorite things, or get a chance to sit on Santa’s laugh. While-the children are what make Christmas fun with their innocent souls.

To begin looking for help, contact a community action agency, public aid, or human services.  There are usually angel trees within your area that have tags on the trees. These tags contain boys and girls in which others can shop for. Names are never displayed and your identity is never known.  You usually sign a few forms to get your children’s names on the tree, and then someone else buys the gifts, and then you go pick them back up usually at that office.  Also, some areas offer special vouchers in which you can use to go shop for your children on your own. Some offer cards that have as much as $25 on them that will allow you to buy something special for your child.

Don’t forget about crafty items too. Children love crafts. -After all -they enjoy making them for us too. … If you have a knack for making things, try creating scarves or jewelry for your little ones-or even warm knitted socks–or a snuggly blanket.  

Almost all communities offer some sort of help for low income families or those in need at Christmas time.  Once you speak to the right people and groups-or even those at your church, you can receive the help that is needed for your family during the holidays. You can even get a food basket to make that precious yummy Christmas dinner too.  

• For more information on getting help for your family at Christmas time, CLICK HERE to learn about ways to get assistance during the holidays .
  

Looking for a vacation, but the wallet is just a bit tight?  There are still ways to have fun as a family and take vacations without breaking the bank.  Sometimes, you can take vacations on off season times-just for lower prices.  Also in cooler weather times, you can still have fun vacationing as well.  There are always great cozy log cabins, and plenty of places to sit around the fire to roast marshmallows, weenies, and even tell ghost stories, or even old family tales.  Also, many hotels have large indoor pools, where you can enjoy playing in the water-even if it’s too cool to make it to the beach.

Throughout the fall time, you and the children can provide fall cleanup services for your neighobors such as raking leaves and bagging them-in the spring, you could mow lawns, plant flowers, or offer to help others wash their pets.  Clip plenty of coupons for savings, and check out travel booklets at visitor centers or restaurants for coupons on saving at hotels.

With some creative thinking, off-season planning, and plenty of change saving, it’s possible to take a vacation with the family and have plenty of fun without spending tons of money.

• For some tips on budgeting for a family vacation, click in this article link to learn how you can have fun without putting a hole in your wallet:

Fuel prices are high on our trips to work.  The cost of food seems to be getting higher, and even eating out is burning a hole in our pockets at well.  When we have been working hard at work all day, during lunch, it can be hard not to just drive to the nearest fast food join and grab a quick burger.  Families across America are cutting back, and we have to decide in what areas we can cut back. One area to save money in is how we eat lunch at our places of employment…

It’s actually healthier to pack your lunch, than to rack up calories eating out at a restaurant.  By buying goods in larger bulk at stores like SAMS, you can save per day on what you spend on eating.  Purchase bread and lunch meat for making sandwiches, carrots for healthy snacks,  and bring bottled water to drink on.  There are also healthy frozen food entrees you can eat for lunch if your place of employment has a microwave available too.

Brown bagging it also lets you mix up your lunch options.  You don’t have to eat at the same place every day.  Taking your lunch is also safer since you prepared your meal yourself.  If a restuarant is busy and understaffed-the food isn’t always at it’s best…

Purchase a small little lunchbox or cooler along with an ice pack, and your lunch will stay cool until you eat it. If you are lucky that your employer provides a refrigerator, then you can store lunch items there as well.  If you’d rather not eat at your desk or area, then drive to a nearby park, or somewhere with different scenery. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors if the weather is nice.  Taking your lunch and eating outside gives you a breath of fresh air from being closed up all day……

If you are looking to save money for lunch-then how about brown bagging it? …It can save you $ and even be healthier for you!

Looking for more ways to save money at lunch when you go to work? 

Read this helpful article, ”

How to Save Money Buying Lunch

It’s starting to be that time of year when we are in transition from summer to fall.  Not to mention those with families-we are doing our best to try to buy new school clothes for our children too.  Our children continue to grow, grow, and grow-we wonder if it will ever stop?!? So much money is spent on new school clothes, supplies, lunch items, money for lunch, book rental, club fees, and the list just goes on. Before we know it-our bank account is almost cleared out, and there just isn’t much money left on the budget.   We begin looking through our wardrobe trying to remember when the last time was we bought some new outfits for work-or when we actually dressed up to look nice for our spouses.  We do the closet search looking for an outfit that we might have not worn yet before-of course-everything has been worn.

It’s hard living on a budget, but many of us do it.  We all love our children, so of course, we want what is best for them.  Before we know it-somewhere along the way-we’ve completely forgotten about ourselves. Perhaps there is somewhere that we can get a better take on our old clothes, or maybe –just maybe get a couple of new outfits.

Some ways we can spruce up our current wardrobe is changing around the buttons.  Sometimes minor details make a big difference.

Another thing is to shop at used clothing boutiques.  Some of these shops have great clothing that has gently been worn.  There are even some that still have tags.  Other shops allow us to bring clothing in to sell for cash or store credit as well.

Ebay is another favorite of mine.  I find a brand of clothing that I like.  At the moment, my favorite store is Cato.  So I go to Ebay and type in CATO in the search bar and up comes clothing that is from Cato.  Occasionally, I find a steal on there.

Keep up to date on all of the sales. Hit the clearance racks at Walmart, Cato, Pennys, and any other retail store.  Clothing can be purchased at half of it’s original retail price at times.  Clearance racks have been my way of shopping for new outfits for the last few years.

While we may find it hard to keep up on our own wardrobe, the steps mentioned above can make it possible to get a few new outfits now and then.  And if you are on a really strict budget-following the same rules can apply to your children’s wardrobes as well.