Guide to Cheaper Living

It's a rare family that's not on a food budget. The family food shopper searches for any way possible to cut back on the amount of money spent on food. One of those is using coupons.

Conservatively speaking, there are millions of coupons circulating every day that could cut your food budget by 30 to 50% - even more if you're willing to turn couponing into a passion.

Even the casual coupon clipper can become quite successful overnight and with more work and dedication become a super saver shopper. You have to be patient, flexible and perhaps give up your favorite brand, but it can be done and you can save a lot of money.
Remember, coupons are designed to sell a certain product and get you in the store but if the item is not one you need and use, then saving money on that item is a moot point.

Food coupons can be found anywhere. The Sunday newspaper is usually the best source but also look on line, at public libraries and at coupon swap boxes at the store itself. Some stores issue coupons at checkout for use on your next trip. Be sure and note expiration dates and if a cash value is offered. Don't let them expire and go to waste.

Organize before you shop. Keep coupons sorted by food type in an easy to search through container and match coupons with needs on your grocery list. Some coupons have mail in rebates. Beware of this and follow up.

Sign up for a store loyalty card that usually offers coupons plus bonus points that are cumulative each time you shop. Using a store's own credit card can lead to double points and free item coupons.

When you combine regular coupons with sale prices, you're becoming a super saver. If a coupon item is not on sale and it's not an urgent buy wait until it's on sale. Be on the lookout for sale and bonus points tags.

Compare ads. It may pay you to drive to more than one store if it's an item you need, have a coupon and it's not available anywhere else. But, before you burn up extra gas, ask if the store honors its competitor's coupons. Many will do this just to keep you in the store. You can call ahead to save a trip.

Don't be susceptible to the 2 for a dollar marketing tool unless it's to your advantage with a coupon. If you need two of the item go ahead and buy them; but save by buying only one if that's what you need. For example, the sign may read: 15 limes for a dollar. Unless you're a big lime user, some could go bad before you use them.

There was a time when some shoppers felt using coupons was not appreciated by the grocer and hesitated to use them. They didn't want to hold up the line while the checker scanned coupons.

It's a faster and easier method now with computers. Some of these strategies may not be right for you. It takes practice and patience, trial and error. If stretching your food dollar is your goal, there are few better ways than using coupons.

Old habits are hard to break. We get used to doing things a certain way and we're not interested in changing no matter what. But with gasoline exceeding four dollars a gallon we're rethinking our old driving habits to see if we can cut down on fuel consumption.

Fuel efficiency can be done in a number of ways. If we can just add a mile or two per gallon here and another there it will add up to significant savings over a period of time. Oil is a non-renewable resource and when we save on gas, it helps us with our reduced dependency on foreign oil. Over 50% of our gas comes from foreign lands!

Many of our bad old habits can be logged under one heading: Drive Sensibly. Avoid aggressive driving. In other words steer clear of rapid acceleration and quick braking. This alone can lower gas mileage up to 33%.

Of course you don't speed. Do you? Speeders rarely get to their destination much earlier than law abiders and waste a lot more gas. Gas usage goes up considerably at speeds over 60 mph. For each 5 mph your drive over 60 you can add an additional 30 cents a gallon to your bill.

When you're on the highway, use cruise control, which helps maintain a constant speed. Use the highest gear possible and overdrive gears if you have them. The faster an engine is turning the more gas you're using. Pay attention to your tachometer. Plus, a slower turning engine means less friction and engine wear.

Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. It doesn't get much worse than that. If you're stopped for a train or backed up in a fast food take out line or waiting for a drive thru bank teller stop your engine if you're going to be idling for more than 30 seconds. The bigger your vehicle the more gas you're using even when idling. It costs less to restart than idle.

Turn off the air conditioning. It may get hot but try opening a window and breathe in the fresh air. An air conditioner can lower your mileage by two to three miles per gallon.

Is this trip necessary? Don't drive until you have several errands or appointments to combine. Avoid doing these errands during peak rush times. If possible, and the distance is short, try walking or riding a bicycle.

Know where you're going before you start out. Don't drive around looking for something. I'm afraid the good old days of dragging Main Street with friends are gone. Now, it's called car-pooling and friends who share the gas bill or drive next time. Public transportation is also a good option. Changing bad driving habits doesn't cost you a thing and will pay you big dividends in fuel economy and saving money.

Save water and you not only save money but also conserve one of our planet's most valuable natural resource. It's like getting paid twice. Water conservation is one of the easiest things to do if you have a little discipline but it's so easy to turn on the faucet and let the water run.

The first thing you know gallons of water have gone down the drain and with it your money. You can actually save a third time because most sewer charges are based on the amount of water used.

Let's take a look at the amount of water used daily for a family of four. Bathing or showering uses the most at about 80 gallons. Showering accounts for 30% of total water usage in the home.

Laundry uses about half that, dishwashing 15, cooking and drinking 12 and for the big surprise, four people can flush down over 100 gallons of water a day. Including miscellaneous use the total rounds out to 250 gallon a day or 7,500 gallons per month. That's a lot of water. What can you do to save?

Make sure your commode doesn't leak. Listen carefully for the tiniest dripping sound.
If it's old you might want to buy a new water saving model. Or, place something plastic inside the tank to displace the amount of water being flushed.

Use only as much water taking a bath as you need. A full tub is fun but not necessary. For showering use a low-flow showerhead. Get wet; turn off the water and soap. Turn water back on and rinse. When shaving or brushing your teeth, don't run water during the entire task. Running water while brushing for two minutes can waste up to four gallons of water.

Most washers use up to 60 gallons per load so use load settings on the smallest possible. Permanent press cycles use a third more water than the regular cycle so use that feature judiciously.

Run your dishwasher only when full. The amount of water used is the same regardless of how many dishes you wash. At the sink, use hot water only when needed. You waste a lot of water waiting for the hot water to reach the faucet

Lawns are more resilient than you think so water lawns and gardens only when necessary. Mulch around plants to hold moisture. Water either early or late to prevent evaporation during the heat of the day.

A soaker hose conserves more water than a sprinkler and gets to the roots better. Native grasses and plants require much less water. Use a broom or blower to clean your sidewalks.

Don't wash them down with water. If you wash your car, don't let the water run continuously. Get a hose brush that has an on/off water switch. Wash your car on the grass to water it with runoff from your car.

Repair drippy faucets. The smallest drip can waste over 300 gallons a month. Check both inside and outside faucets. If you can't fix it right away, place a container to catch the drip water and use it to water plants or clean floors. Encourage your family to be water misers and your bank account will remain more liquid.

Buying a home is probably the largest investment you and your family will ever make.
Unless you're wealthy, few people buy homes and pay cash. Rather, they make a small down payment and obligate themselves to a financial lender for a term of usually 30 years. In this case, the lender determines the interest rate and gives you a thorough financial background check.

There are at least two other ways to buy the home of your dreams and probably save money: assuming the existing mortgage or owner financing. Either method usually saves you time, trouble and money.

If you're trying to assume a mortgage first make sure it's assumable and transferable. Many mortgages have a due on sale clause that states if the owner sells all or part of a house the entire balance becomes due and payable on demand. A lender may be willing to overlook a non assumable mortgage is you're able to make good any overdue payments and agree to do further business with the existing lender.

If a house is selling for $100,000 and the owner still owes $60,000, you could pay the owner the equity of $40,000 and assume the debt of $60,000 with the existing lender.

This is good for the buyer if the existing interest rate is equal or lower than the current rates for a home loan. A second mortgage may be needed for the equity payment.

There are different ways to assume a loan. You can, as a buyer, assume the legal obligation for payments and usually pay an assumption fee of 1% of the loan balance.
Or, you could take over the payments leaving the seller still legally obligated for payment if you default. If this happens, you lose the property and the seller's credit is harmed unless he makes payments as scheduled.

Seller (owner) financing is good if a buyer can't qualify for a traditional loan and if the owner has had trouble selling and is in a hurry to unload the house. In this case, it would be wise to find out the need for the rush selling or why the home has not sold previously.

For the agreed upon price you would begin making monthly payments to the seller usually at a lower interest rate than is being offered at institutions. There is little risk as the home is collateral. If you default, the seller regains possession of the house.

The seller may also need to have an additional stream of income each month instead of getting it in one lump sum. And, he could save on some of the capital gains tax. With owner financing, you as a buyer can avoid some (not all) costly administrative fees and private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Assuming an existing mortgage or obtaining owner financing are two great ways to become a homeowner and save money at the same time. No matter what the current status of the real estate market is or if interest rates are high or low, there are always creative ways to obtain financing.

We all would like to plan the dream date and treat our special boyfriend or girlfriend to all kinds of exotic foods and exciting entertainment.

Unfortunately, unless you have a substantial income you must resort to being resourceful and think outside the sometimes stereotyped dating box.

There's a fine line between being creative and coming across as a cheap tightwad. The last thing you want to do is give the impression that your date is not worth the money you spend. Some do expect you to spend the big bucks. Maybe it's good to discover this early on.

Planning dates with variety is the answer. If you consistently choose cheap dates you'll fall in the category of being thought of as consistently cheap. Save on one and splurge a little on another. Preparation and research go a long way toward a lasting relationship.

Keep them guessing. Start off with a couple of inexpensive but fun dates to get to know each other. Then, blow her socks off with a night on the town and drop a few extra well placed bucks. Just be careful it's her socks you blow off and not your entire weekly dating budget.

Take a hike or a bike. What a great way to be together and have an opportunity for conversation. Walking through a botanical garden or arboretum can be quite romantic.

It can also be free but not perceived as cheap. Same thing with a bike ride. Don't go on a biking marathon or race. Just a leisurely peddle through the park will do. At the end of the walk or ride enjoy refreshments as the bonding continues.

Sporting events are always a fun way to let your hair down and release your inhibitions without her thinking you're a nut. Major league sports can be pricy but check out athletic events on the college and local level. One of you might have brothers or sisters playing on the little league teams and showing family support is a great way to win a few points.

Popcorn and peanuts for munchies won't strain the budget either.

Be social and attend a friend's house party. Surely, one of you has a friend or family member who's throwing a get together some evening and you're invited. This is a good way to meet the other's friends or family in a less intimidating setting. Probably everything will be provided but don't go empty handed. Be the gracious guest and spring for a bottle of wine or whatever is appropriate.

Research the bar scene. If you feel taking your date out for a drink is in order and you dread paying for expensive fancy drinks, check out the bars that offer happy hour drinks and free snacks. You can do this by scanning the newspaper or local "on the town" magazines.

When in doubt, call the bar and ask what they're offering. Even if the happy hour drinks stretch into the regular price drinks, you're at least off to a good money saving start.

Fun dating doesn't have to be expensive. You shouldn't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy each other's company.