Kids Ain't Cheap

But They Sure Are Worth It

Getting Rid of All That Unwanted Stuff

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Found on DeviantArt
Found on DeviantArt

One of the biggest things I was unprepared for when I had kids was the mass accumulation of stuff and how quickly some of that stuff became obsolete!  All parents talk about it and tell parents-t0-be about it but it’s hard to grasp the reality of it until you are surrounded by more baby and little kid stuff than you can handle.   Kids grow up so fast and as they grow up, they grow out of the old stuff and you need to make room for all the new stuff.

So, how do you deal with it?  The easiest thing to do is throw it out when you are done with it.   It’s easy, but I don’t think it’s the responsible way to deal with it.  With a little effort, you have a lot of options open to you and some of them can even help you financially.  In this blog post, I am going to tell you about the methods I use and am aware of.  If I miss anything, please leave a comment below and let m know what I missed.

Save it for your Next Child

If you aren’t sure if you are done having kids and you have the storage room. Don’t get rid of it. I hate clutter as much as anyone but if you can keep it organized and stored out of the way, hold on to it if you think you might have more children. Keep in mind however that if any items are broken, missing pieces, or simply just not great for children (shoddy work happens still!) then it would be safe to get rid of them properly. You could also go around the house and declutter each room as well simultaneously, helping to make a fresh slate for the next child, or just a fresh slate at least until your current child’s next birthday and the items come pouring back in again. If you think it will be a rather ambitious project to get all of it gone, then you could hire a dumpster that’s ideal for decluttering your entire smaller home, saving you multiple trips back and forth to the dump or recycling centre.

Pay it Forward

I don’t know how it was for you but when we had our two boys, things were pretty tight.  We barely had a nickel to scrape together let alone excess funds available to buy everything a child needs.  We managed to make it mostly because of the generosity of family and friends.  Whether it was in the form of presents at our shower, presents from the grandparents, hand me downs, or gifts when our babies were born, we managed to do just fine.  It’s important to my wife and I that we pay it forward.  We don’t know a lot of people that have kids that are younger than our own but we make an effort to give what we can.  It doesn’t have to be someone you are close with or even friends with, if you know of someone that could use what you no longer need, consider giving it to them and pay it forward.

Sell it Online

The Internet has made getting rid of stuff easier than it ever, and sometimes you can even do it profitably as long as you are careful about what you choose to sell.  You would have to travel to a far corner of this world to find someone that doesn’t know what ebay is and almost every major region has a free Craigs List classifieds service.

ebay

With ebay, I never opt for listing upgrades, they typically end up being wasted fees. A basic listing will get you what you need in most cases.  The most important things with ebay are listing it in the correct category and pricing it correctly.  You don’t want to start the bid off too high or people won’t start bidding, they will assume if it’s already at that level that it’s going to go higher than they will want to pay.  You also don’t want to start it off too low because if it sells at the starting bid, you will be bound to that price.  When I price my listings, I typically start at the lowest amount I would be willing to part with the item.  I come up with this price by looking at a few things.  I look at what similar listings have sold for on ebay, how much I paid for it, how much it’s going to cost me in fees, shipping and packing material to ship the item and my time.  That last one is important.  It doesn’t make sense to go through the hassle of selling something on ebay if you are only going to make $1 off of it.  Your time is more valuable than that.

Craigs List

I use Craigs List for items that are bulky or too cumbersome to ship.  I know ebay has local options and I have used them but since Craigs List is free, that is where I start.  Make sure if you post to Craigs List that you anonymize your email so people can’t see your personal email address.  SPAMMERS crawl the site regularly and try to harvest email addresses from postings for their lists.   You can avoid that by simply using Craigs List free feature which makes your email anonymous.  I also don’t put my phone number in the listing.  If someone is interested, I ask them to email me and I will call if I want to sell it to them.  On popular listings, this prevents you from having to field a bunch of phone calls from people after you have already sold the item.

Another tactic I have used to  get rid of stuff is post things to Craigs List that I am willing to give away for free.  I had a huge pile of bricks leftover from when I installed our backyard patio.  I tried selling them but no one was interested.  I didn’t want a bunch of perfectly good bricks to go into a landfill so I posted an ad offering to give them away for free to anyone that will come and pick them up.  I got rid of them within 48 hours.  It saved me the hassle and expense of having to cart them to the dump and someone else was able to get use out of them.

Personally, I am pretty picky of what I am willing to try to sell on either of these two channels because I just don’t have the time to spend doing it if I am not going to make a decent amount off of it.

Donate it to Charity

We donate quite a bit of what we don’t need to Goodwill.  If we can’t find friends or family that need it and it’s not something we want to ebay but is still a good, usable item, we often donate it to Goodwill.  They take those donations and sell them in their stores at very cheap prices so that families that don’t have a lot of money have cheap access to clothing and necessities.  One thing a lot of people don’t know is Goodwill will take everything but they won’t necessarily keep and sell everything.  If something is junk, they throw it away.  This is an expense for them so keep that in mind when you are adding stuff to your Goodwill pile.  If you know something is junk, get rid of it yourself rather than putting that expense on a non-profit charity.

The best tip I can give you with Goodwill is to always ask for a receipt and then make sure you put that receipt in a safe place.  I stick it in a folder marked “taxes” so at the end of the year, I can hand it to my accountant and hopefully get a deduction.

If you don’t have a Goodwill that is convenient to you, there are other charities that do the same thing like the Salvation Army or your local church.

Consignment Shops

We have used consignment shops quite a bit over the years as both buyer and seller.  Kids outgrow things so quickly, if you can get nice used stuff, then why pay for something brand new?  For the longest time we had one local consignment shop that was very popular and very picky about what they took.  Being picky is a good thing in many ways.  It means the quality of the merchandise is higher and hopefully the average price the stuff sells for is also higher.  Unfortunately, this consignment shop has gotten so popular, it often takes months to get an appointment and they end up rejecting more than half the stuff we give them.

A new consignment shop opened up across the street from where I work and while they seem to do a good business, they aren’t as picky and it’s very easy to get an appointment.  They keep the stuff for 3 months and if they can’t sell it in that time, they donate it to a local church.  I took a bunch of old stuff, lot’s of clothes, baby items we didn’t need, toys, VHS tapes and a high chair and so far, they have done a pretty good job of selling it.  It’s certainly not going to be a big windfall but it’s money I didn’t have before, it was very little work on my end and if they can’t sell it they pass it on to a charity for me.  All the money I do get from the consignment shop goes straight into the budget to pay off debt.

Final Thoughts

Be careful about what you sell and what you give away.  We had a crib that we used for both of our babies.  It’s the kind where the side drops down.  Not that long ago, these cribs were found to have caused death in infants.  The cribs were recalled and they are no longer made that way.  The chance of a baby dieing in a crib like that is small but there is still that chance.  We took it to the dump, we weren’t comfortable with the idea of selling it or giving it to anyone else if that slim possibility existed.  Same goes for things like car seats, they are recalled all the time and improvements are always being made.  Before you pass it on to someone else, make sure it’s still safe for someone else to use.

Another thought is that you may need to use it again in the future – for example, if you’re planning on having more kids, you may not want to get rid of that old crib.  In those cases, using a storage courier to store it for a while, or renting a storage locker, could make more sense.  It gets the item out of your house, but you don’t get rid of it forever.

With a little effort, we can all live slightly less cluttered lives.  Of course, if your house is anything like mine, the new stuff coming in will quickly fill the space you made from getting rid of the old stuff.  Oh well.

How have you gotten rid of unneeded stuff in the past?

Get a Free Movie from Amazon on Demand

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Amazon has a new On Demand serviceNetflix has the majority of the market when it comes to movies on demand but Amazon wants to change that. They know that if they are going to take customers away from Netflix, they are going to need to make it easy for you to try them out and that is exactly what they have done. New customers of Amazon on Demand get to start out with a $5.oo credit which will allow you to get more than 1 free movie streamed directly to your PC. Most movies cost $0.99 with new releases at $2.99 so $5.00 will get you a nice bit of entertainment at no cost.

With Amazon on Demand, you can watch a movie on your computer without having to download any special software. Just like iTunes and Netflix they offer both movies and TV shows. With the huge economic power of Amazon behind the service they have a great selection so give them a try. New customers can get a free movie at Amazon on Demand by going to the Amazon on Demand New Customer page.

Have you tried Amazon on Demand? What do you think of it?

Double the Blessing — Double the Stuff; Tips on Buying for Twins

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TwinsAs I have mentioned before — I am the Mom of twin boys. Because of this, I get asked all kinds of questions. Here is one question that I get asked quite often by people who are either expecting twins or those who are just curious:

Does having twins mean you have to have two of everything?

Since money and space are a common concern for people expecting twins – thankfully – the answer is no. Certainly, there are things that you should have two of but there are many things where having just one, will suffice.

At the end of the article, check out our recommendations for some of the best online shops for baby furniture and supplies

Bringing Home Babies

It’s always a great idea to be fully stocked on all supplies – and ready for action – as soon as the babies arrive home. Having all the essentials and first aid supplies is a must but you can hold off on some of the bigger items until later (swings, high chairs, exersaucers, etc.)

Parents of twins do need to keep plenty (and by plenty I mean, imagine what you think might need and triple that number) of the following items on hand; bottles, wipes, diapers, and formula. Other things that are really important to have a lot of are; onsies, sleepers, burp cloths,love and patience. Trust me when I tell you that running out of any of these items, with two unhappy babies yelling at you is not – I repeat – not a good thing!

Things you need to have two of:

Car Seats

These are an absolute must. They won’t even let you leave the hospital, without seeing them properly installed in your car first.

Double Stroller

There are some great infant seat/double stroller systems out there. Do a lot of research and that will help you decide which one might work best for you. To get started you’ll want to ask other parents of twins, read reviews, and take them for a test drive.

We had an in-line stroller and later bought a side by side light weight double stroller when the boys were about a year old. Both had their advantages – like keeping the kiddos contained; and their disadvantages – like not being able to squeeze through narrow spaces or the ablility to take out clothing racks in department stores.

Cribs

Most twinfants do enjoy sharing a crib (or at least they seem to) but opinions differ on whether that is actually safe or not. Once they start moving around and rolling over, parents are strongly advised to put them in their own crib because one could roll over on the other and cause them to stop breathing.

Our boys slept in a crib together for a very short time. They couldn’t roll over but somehow N would scoot himself on his back (maybe kicking his feet or something) and end up using A’s belly as his foot rest. Neither seemed bothered by this arrangement but we separated them soon after this started — they actually slept much better on their own.

Baby Carrier or Sling

I loved our baby carriers, though looking back I probably would have purchased a sling as well — for around the house. The carrier was just too bulky to use while trying to get things done.

The carriers were great when my husband and I would take the boys out and about. We could hold them close (so people didn’t lean in and breathe all over them). Plus, we didn’t get people constantly stopping us to ask if they were twins — not that I minded that so much, but when you are in a hurry it can be a little frustrating.

High Chairs

These of course aren’t needed right away, but they are necessary. A friend of mine – who also has twins – advised me to get high chairs which would fit on our dining room chairs.

This was a fantastic idea for us because our kitchen isn’t very big and having two high chairs would have taken up a lot of space. We found some nice ones and then my Mom bought some very simple, plastic ones that were great for travel. They were light weight and didn’t take up too much space; which was nice.

Two Sets of Bottles

We started with glass bottles and that made for a lot of extra work. They were nice though, easy to warm up and store in the fridge but lots of washing, especially in the beginning.

I later moved to the Playtex bottles and liners (*money saver* Target makes liners that fit these bottles for much less than the Playtex ones) not very “green” of me I know — but it sure was simple and saved me a lot of time.

Potty Seats

Potty training twins isn’t easy but having two potty chairs in the house will make it a tiny bit easier.

Things you may need two of:

Diaper Genie or Diaper Pail

You really only need one of these but if you have a split level house it might be more convenient to have one on each level.

Baby Swing

You might be fine with only one of these but if both babies really love them — you’ll probably want two.

Bouncy Seat

Our boys loved these. I would put the babies in them and it made it easy for me to transport them to any room in the house. Some babies don’t like them though, so if you get one and they both like it, you can get another one later.

Exersaucer

These were fantastic and the boys loved playing in them. They would also interact and play with each other when I would put them in them side-by-side.

Bumbos

My boys didn’t use these for very long before they figured out how to escape — but they were fun to have.

One will be just fine:

  • Changing Table
  • Wipe Warmer
  • Vaporizer (unless they are in two separate rooms)
  • Nursing Pillow
  • Activity Mat
  • Bathtub
  • Night Light

Recommended Baby Stores that Help Support this Site:

If you have any questions about twins, or would like to see a post on a specific topic relating to twin parenting let me know!

Do you have twins? What items to you get two of and what did you only need one of?

Greeting the New Year with…a PLAN!

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Budget planning tips for the new yearI don’t know about you but I always like to sit down and plan things as best I can and as early as I can. I find this is really important, especially as a single parent. Since I’ve started planning my year, I’ve been able to keep my budget and time in check . Here are some tips that you might find helpful.

According to E-Home Fellowship,

A good budget is a spending plan that includes everything you will spend money on and stays within your income. A wise budget includes everything you will spend money on, savings for a ‘rainy day’, savings for large purchases, giving, savings for kids, and investment for retirement and still stays within your income.

I think it is important to do this activity at the start of the year as it sets your expectations and gives you an idea bout how to deal with the coming events over the year.  Plus, just remember the 5 Reasons You Should Save Half Your Income!

Tip 1:

Get the whole picture. Start by collecting all checking account and credit card statements for the last year. Hopefully, you will have limited this or, as I have done, stuck to a strict cash or debit card only rule. Note any and all expenses you regularly make. If you keep receipts, this will help you a lot. If not, maybe you should start for recording purposes only.

Tip 2:

Record the whole picture. Use all the stuff you collected to record a ‘picture’ of what you spent last year. This might be depressing or not but this is important to give you a good basis of comparison for the next budget.

Tip 3:

Make sure you don’t double-list items. Check off the lines on your documents as you account for them in a budget item. this way, you also do not forget anything.

Tip 4:

Note your net monthly salary, combined with any extra work you might be doing as well.

Tip 5:

Create a monthly expenses worksheet.

Tip 6:

Create a worksheet for non-monthly expenses like Insurance.

Tip 7:

Include everything you regularly pay cash for in the Cash Budget-Monthly section.

Tip 8:

After you total everything, you may be surprised to discover your expenses are larger than your income. This happens to everyone so do not fret. If you have a larger income figure than your expenses however, place this amount in your savings.

Tip 9:

Review your budget worksheet. Check if you’ve listed expenses accurately then look to see if you are being too excessive with some items. Also check those items you anticipate will increase within the year and make your adjustments.

Tip 10:

Try your best to have an emergency fund that equals around 6 months of your net income. After you’ve saved this amount, you cans start investing anything over.
After doing this you will find that you will be relieved to have a better picture of how your year will play out financially. While this is never a sure thing and while plans ALWAYS deviate in some way, you will probably stick to this basic picture for the next 12 months. You can also use this to plan anything extra you might want to do to earn more or to plan for points in the year when you know you will need to spend.

However you decide to go, let’s make 2011 a better year and the start of a better-budgeted decade.

How are you preparing for the new year? Are you doing anything different financially?

Happy New Year!

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The New Year is a time for looking back and looking forward
Photo by Christmasstockimages.com

Happy New Year everyone!  I had a pretty good 2010 and really looking forward to seeing what 2011 will bring.

We had a party at our house last night and really had a blast.  Nothing too crazy, nowhere near as big as my parties used to be, just a few close friends and family, music, games for the kids, beer and drinks for the adults and a good cigar to say goodbye to 2010.  With all that going on last night it meant for a rough start to 2011 but it was worth it.  Every new year should start with at least a little bit of a hangover so things can only improve as you go.

My debt story

As I have mentioned in previous posts, my wife and I are in significant debt from a business that we ran for several years that ultimately failed.  Shortly after it’s failure at the end of 2007, I was able to sell what assets we had left in the business and secure a job for me and my employees with the company that bought me out.   Later in that same year, my wife, who used to work for me, got a great job in her chosen profession.

2008 became the year we started over but we were starting over with a huge pile of debt that really hamstrung us.  We sat down, created a budget and created a 5 year plan to eliminate the majority of our debt.  We would do without most perks and focus on two things; our debt and our two boys.  2008 and 2009 were VERY difficult years but we stayed on track, stuck to our plan, tightened our belts and made it through them.  2010 was still a struggle but it was the first year where we really started making some progress.

I am very happy to report that 2010 ended with a bang, it was the first year in a long time where we had a little breathing room and could enjoy ourselves a little more while dealing with a little less stress.  The Ecommerce company that acquired my old business had it’s most successful year ever and I have been able to gain some ownership in that company.  My wife’s job continues to go well and we have much to be thankful for.

It was looking a little bleak for awhile but with the success of 2010 and the hopes that 2011 brings, it’s looking better and better that we will be able to pay off the majority of our debt by the end of 2012.

How optimistic are you for the new year?

Get Fit in the New Year without Spending a Fortune

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Fitness tips on a budget
Image from Pixabay

It’s the New Year again! Are you making any resolutions?

Some of the most popular ones are to:

  • Get organized
  • Try new things
  • Manage time better
  • Reduce debt
  • Lose weight and get fit

If the last two items are on your resolution list, then this post is for you.

Back in October I wrote a post titled Wanted: Motivation to Run. I explained how I have been terribly lazy as far as exercise concerned and I was thinking that if I could get into running, that would be a really great. However, I also confessed that I cannot stand running. Shortly after that post was published my cousin called to check-in with me to see how the running was going. Well, I hadn’t started yet.

Then a friend of mine who does run – and is training for a 1/2 marathon – read my post and invited me to run with her. As much as I wanted to, I just thought I might be out of my league running with someone who loves to run. Long story short, after a month long stint of doing yoga and the Wii Fit, I fell back into my old habit of not exercising but I know I need to find a way to get active and stick to it! So, even though I’m not big on New Year’s Resolutions I am going to give them a try this year — and one of the resolutions I am going to make is to lose a little weight and get fit.

I am really ready to get back into shape but I’m also trying to reduce debt, so I’m not ready to fork out the money for a gym membership just yet. It’s not that I don’t think they are worth the money, I just want to make sure that I have the time and motivation to take full advantage of everything a gym has to offer. So I decided to do some research to see what weight loss programs and exercise options are available that will motivate me, fit with my lifestyle and won’t cost a fortune.

Find Free Support

I was able to locate several free weight loss plans:

FitClick.com
Spark People (which I signed up for just to see what it was)
Biggest Loser League

I didn’t join all of these of course but they all say that they provide free recipes, meal plans, workout plans, calorie counts, community support and so much more. These types of websites can be highly motivating for many folks. I decided to check out Spark People and see how that one works for me. I’ll let you know what I think about it. The great thing is – since it’s free – if I don’t like it I can try one of the dozens of other free programs.

Keep Track of What You Eat

If you have a smartphone this can be pretty easy. All you need to do is find a calorie tracker app (there are a lot of free ones out there) and you are all set. This is a way not only to keep track of what you are putting into your body but you also find out how many calories you are consuming. It has been shown that simply writing down what you eat can help you lose weight.

Often times we (and by this I mean me) just eat mindlessly; while watching television, working on the computer, or snacking because we are bored. If you have to write down what you eat, you might think twice about picking up that brownie. I downloaded the diet and calorie counter through Spark People. It was free and I have already calculated my breakfast. I was very surprised that the banana I had was 207 calories! I am not trying to diet or anything now, I am simply keeping track of my diet and exercise so I know what I need to work on.

If you don’t have a smartphone you can keep track via your computer or just keep a notebook handy write down what you eat and figure out your calories at the end of the day. You can find calorie information on the web fairly easy or in a book.

Get Walking

This is a totally free good for you excercise plan. The only thing it may cost you is a good pair of walking shoes. The most simple thing for any of us to do is to just get walking. It takes a lot to get me out the door but once I’m outside (as long as it isn’t raining or freezing) I really enjoy myself. I just need to myself go!

(Via Amazon.com Only $7.99 at the time of posting)

Workout at Home

The thing with working out at home is that you can fit excercise into your schedule pretty easily. You just have to pick your program and pick your time. There are as lot of great DVDs out there that can help you get a workout and if you don’t think you can get a good workout at home, you are wrong. I have the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga DVD and it really kicks my booty.

Eat Healthy

Sometimes folks think that eating healthy means spending a lot to do so — not true though. If you are couponing, purchasing fruit and veggies in season and you cut way back on eating out, you can eat right and even save money! Check out my post 10 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Bill these are tips that you can use in addition to couponing — or if you aren’t into coupons using these tips on their own will still help you save.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress and I would LOVE to hear some of your New Year’s Resolutions as well. If you are making a New Year’s resolution you may want to check aead my post from last year Tips for making your NewYear’s Relsolution Stick.

Good Luck and Happy New Year!!!

Are you trying to get fit next year? What is your plan?

How to Deal with “Mommy, I want…..”

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How to react to "mommy, I want"
Image from DeviantArt

There are two times in the whole year when my kids go on a litany of “I want’s”.  These are their birthdays and Christmas.  They tap into the age-old tradition of gift-giving and suddenly they have reams and reams worth of gift suggestions you never knew they even had a clue about until now.  Of course, it doesn’t help that the television flashes ad after ad of all these innovative, new, varied, and expensive toys.  Even my kids, whom I try my very best to raise simply, succumb to the desire to own these toys.   And this is a tough thing to fulfill being a single mom.  But besides that, I really do not believe that they should have everything they want, any time they want it. I think it builds character to wait for a toy, to earn a toy, and to know that sometimes you can’t get the toy.  And I have clinical support for this belief, apparently.

“ Kids who get whatever they want don’t develop the critical life skills of self-discipline” David Walsh, Ph.D.  Author of No: Why Kids- of All Ages- Need to Hear It and Ways Parent Can Say It.

So here are some tips I’ve taken to doing to help my kids learn some self-control, and to save me from the needless and endless expense of too much toy shopping.

1.  Earn your Toy

My 5-year old son really wants a Wii.  Now, where we live, the kids don’t normally have Wii’s or PSP’s.  But my nephew, who is younger incidentally, has a Wii and so my son knows exactly what this is and all the virtual fun it can bring. This is a very expensive toy though and not something I think a 5-year old should have yet.  In fact, I am trying to limit their computer game exposure for the simple reasons that I want them to love reading and playing outside. I believe these activities enrich their minds and bodies.  Reading allows them to stretch their imagination and creativity as well as communication skills because they learn a lot of different vocabulary words from these books. Playing outside will keep them agile, fit, strong, and will build their immune system as well.  It is said  that one of the ways to fight a cold is to get exercise because it is through physical activity that blood circulates and disease fighting cells are made.

So I told him:

That a Wii is an expensive toy that requires some prerequisite behavior.  First, he has to show me he can take care of the toys he currently has meaning putting them away properly after  he plays with them and making sure he doesn’t intentionally break them.  Second, he has to show me that he can stop playing and eat or do his homework when he needs to. Finally, he has to earn the toy through a combination of good behavior and his allowance.  Granted, he has a tiny, tiny allowance, being only 5 years old, but still, it teaches him how to save.

2.  Look at the root of the desire

My daughter likes toys in general but nothing really in particular.  Thankfully, she is growing up fairly satisfied with having one of one kind of toy. This does not include her true favorite which are bags and shoes but that is an entirely different post.  Anyway, because of this, I am surprised when she accosts me with a barrage of toy requests.

This is what I do:

I sit down and listen to her and see if she really wants the toy for the toy itself. She can articulate why she wants the toy if it is really something she wants.  Often it is usually parroting her brother or just the act of collecting things.  If it is the former, then I have to sit down and look at the request.  I have to see that it is age-appropriate and not too expensive.  If it is, then I explain why she can’t have it.  This usually works.  If it is the latter, then I have to redirect her need to collect.  So far, I’ve redirected her efforts towards creating cards from art paper. These she can collect all she wants and all year-round at that!

3. ‘No’ means No.

Sometimes, even the best efforts just fall by the wayside.  These are the times when you have to look for your inner Hercules and stand your ground.  My son keeps going on and on about getting this very expensive train track set that he doesn’t need because he already has 4 others.  So finally I’ve told him that we won’t be getting it because he already has enough train track sets and that our budget would be better spent on something he doesn’t have or in saving for a rainy day. Naturally, he was upset when I told him this.

“Kids this age aren’t developmentally ready to understand that parents make and enforce rules to protect, not punish, them”. Dr. Walsh.

The thing that matters is that the kids see that you have values and that these are important and that you stand by them. These will be the values they will emulate themselves when they grow older.

More Helpful Tips:

1.  Limit TV time.

Like it or not, kids get 80% of their ideas from what they watch on TV. Just as the take in and copy expressions and behavior, so do they take in what consumerism tells them they should want and have.  Limiting TV time or popping in appropriate shows on your DVD will expose them to the good values in these shows and limit all the spending and collecting desires.

2. Explain things Clearly

When my son or daughter wants something, I talk to them about it. I asks them why they want it and I explain why I think it is not a good idea just yet.  My son had adjusted well to this form of communication, so much so that I often hear him telling his play mates why he doesn’t have a certain toy, when he can get it, and all with ease and no acrimony.

3. If you must take them to the mall with you, reserve toy shopping for when they are at the play area or in the library.

Choose your battles. Remember that these are kids and that sometimes, no amount of explanation will calm a child who literally sees the toy of their dreams an arm’s reach away.

These tips have really helped me keep my kids tantrums in check when considering the presents they want this Christmas.  I really think that these also apply to other aspects of life.  It teaches them discipline, control, how to save and budget, and how to handle different, difficult emotions.  If you get around to trying any of the tips, let me know how it goes.

How do you teach “no” to your children?

Review of Groupon and Tips for Using It

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Groupon is a popular deal siteI have known of Groupon for awhile now but until recently, it wasn’t available in my local area.  I used to check out the site and see what deals were available in Philadelphia, which is about an hour and a half from us, but with two kids, work and a very tight budget, we don’t get the opportunity to go into the city as often as we used to.  I was pretty excited when Groupon starting offering deals right in our town and it looks like it plans on launching sites for many of the surrounding areas very soon.  The company seems to be growing at an amazing pace, hopefully the people behind it are able to manage that growth so they don’t become the next dot com fatality but only time will tell.

Groupon Deal of the Day

For those of you that don’t know, Groupon is a “deal of the day” web site that provides huge savings in your local area.  I have seen the savings range from 25% to 75% off with most being close to the 50% off range.   Each deal has a tipping point that activates the offer.  In other words, if enough people don’t buy it, then the deal is null and void.  Most of the time, more than enough people jump at the deal.   The deals can be for almost anything.  In the short time it’s been available in my local area I have seen discounts for restaurants, local stores, flying lessons, spa treatments, and more.  It’s part of the attraction of the site, every day brings something new and you feel compelled to read the emails, check the Twitter feed or view the site to see what the days deal is.  It’s the perfect execution of a viral marketing plan.

It’s hard to see how some of the companies that use Groupon actually make money.  To keep the math easy, let’s say a local restaurant offers a $100 meal for $50 (a pretty common deal on Groupon) the restaurant doesn’t get $50.  They split that money with Groupon so Groupon get’s $25 and the restaurant get’s $25.  After selling that particular deal, they still have to offer the $100 meal that was advertised.  It’s not unusual for hundreds of people to jump on a deal like that so if you do the math, it’s quite a lot for a small business to absorb.  Talk about eating into your margins!

Despite all that, there seems to be no limit to the number of companies interested in offering a huge discount on sites like Groupon.  So, how do they make money or at least hope to make money, offering such huge discounts?  I have a few thoughts this:

  • It’s a service or product that has huge margins and they can afford to offer big discounts in the hopes of gaining a new customer
  • The company knows it will lose money on the deal but hopes it will make up for it by the increased exposure and the chance to capture new and repeat customers
  • As with most coupons/gift certificates, a certain percentage of people will buy the deal but will never actually use it.  When that happens, it’s pure profit for the business offering the deal.

The only negative press I have been able to find online is from companies that have used it and failed to turn a profit on their particular deal but is that really Groupon’s fault?   They seem to be pretty up-front about what they have to offer companies but I have no first hand experience.  I am sure I am missing some strategies that businessmen smarter than me have been able to take advantage of and I would think that a good portion of the companies that use it must make out alright for the company to be growing as fast they are.

How to use Groupon

Okay, so enough about how Groupon works for the businesses that use it, let’s take a look at the customer, the end user for the service.  Can you really save that much using Groupon?  Absolutely!  That I know for certain.  The deals they offer are legitimate and easy to cash in on.  Before you give them your credit card number and start buying up discounts and special offers, we do have a few tips on how to best use the Groupon site:

  • As with any coupon, don’t get sucked in by the deal and spend money on something you didn’t need or never intended to buy in the first place.
  • You can get $10 just for referring other people to Groupon who make a purchase.  I signed up and referred my wife, my sister and my parents.  If they opt into any of the deals that come along, I will get $10 to spend on any deal I want.
  • The site can be fun and addictive, don’t let that overrule your own common sense.  If you can’t really use it, it doesn’t matter how good of a deal it is, don’t spend your money on it
  • If you do buy it, make sure you pay careful attention to the expiration date.  They are counting on a certain percentage of people buying into the deal but never getting around to actually using it.  If you aren’t sure you will be able to use it before the expiration date, don’t buy it.
  • Take a look at what other customers have to say about a particular deal before you purchase it by clicking on the “Jon the Discussion” link.
  • I never buy into the deal the first time I look at it.  I typically check out the Groupon site first thing in the morning before work.  If I am not interested, I don’t go back until the next day.  If I am interested, I wait a few hours and go back to the site on my lunch break.  It gives me time to think about whether I will really use or need the offer and helps to remove some of the emotional excitement from the transaction.
  • Make sure you read the fine print so you know exactly what you are getting and what the restrictions are.
  • If you are interested in the service, make sure you register and create a profile, it will make it a lot easier to purchase deals and keep track of what offers you have available to you.

I highly recommend Groupon, if you can exercise a little self control, it’s a great way to save a LOT of money.  You can check out their web site and sign up by going to Sign Up with Groupon


Do you use Groupon? How do you make it work for you?

Money Saving Tips for Christmas Shopping

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save money when buying Christmas presents
Image from Christmasstockimages.com

Christmas is a time for giving and sharing and expressing love and gratitude and being with family. Yes, it is. But all this love and sharing can also lead to a lot of over-spending. According to CBS moneywatch.com:

According to this year’s National Retail Federation holiday survey, the average American will spend close to $700 this season on gifts, cards, decorations, and the like.

If I convert this to my currency (Philippine Peso), that equates to around 30k PHP. WOW! That is a big, big, big amount to spend to feel the Christmas spirit. Now, I love Christmas and I am all for the gift-giving and the shopping. I love all the Christmas decor that comes up for the season. I love the window displays and the twinkling lights and all the multi-colored trees. But I make a conscious effort not to spend too much on Christmas, regardless of whether I have 30k or not. Here are some money saving tips that work. I know this because I’ve tried them.

1. Planning is the root of all saving.

Yes, I am a firm believer in planning. Ask anyone who knows me relatively well and they will tell you that I have a list for everything, I worship MS Excel, and my organizer is a perenial brick in my bag. I’ve found though that listing down the poeple you want to give gifts to, the gift you want to give (if you know this already), and your budget, all work to set your expectations and to keep to workable numbers.

2. Stick to the Plan.

Ok, you didn’t just go through all that effort of listing people and thnking about who would be on the list this year given your budget and who would just get some warm wishes on a pretty card, only to not follow it. As hard as it may appear, and as tough it may be to fight off the urge to get that perfect thing for your friend whom you haven’t seen or talked to in almost a year, RESIST!

3. Start Early.

In Manila, folks start Christmas shopping as early as September and October. I can see the collective eyebrows rising. There is a practical reason behind this over-exuberance. Items almost always become more expensive from November to the end of the year. This is true for most stores. We do have sales but these sales are often for items that aren’t as nice or as good or as up-to-date as others. You have to start shopping early on the first day of a sale in a shop to get the good stuff with slashed prices. Otherwise, you will be competing with a crush of people for so-so items. Usually, things that are non-perishable and aren’t dependent on size (like books, appliances, etc.) are still priced low or normal compared to Christmas prizes. You can also find a lot of variety in the months before the Holiday season. We aren’t limited by season so a lot of items are applicable all year round. You can also find a lot of bargain items in the bazaars that start springing up end of September onwards. These bazaars are different from stores in that they have often homemade items, rare items, unbranded but really good stuff and they compete with brand stores in price and try to beat them by offering good stuff at even lower prices, earlier. Shopping early can mean you are done with this way before the Christmas crush, still have a lot to choose from and not just the left-overs after the buying posse, and get items at normal or low prices.

4. Use discounts and gift cheques.

Discounts from stores you frequent or vendors you regulary go to, and using gift checques you’ve been given is one way to cut expenses. You aren’t actually spending at least the full amount here.

5. Do NOT use your Credit Card.

It may seem odd. It may be throwing a major kink in your Christmas budget plans. But using your Credit Card for shopping might just be the way to put you in debt for the next 12 months. I did this for one gift last year. I bought my son a big boy bike. I got in on installment, 6 months to pay. My goodness. I was still paying it off even after I had to get its flat wheel and busted breaks fixed. Never again.

6. Go for the Envelope Approach instead.

What is this? Well, it is simply putting your budget, in cash, in an envelope, ready for the days of shopping. You can allocate certain amounts for certain people as well. I like separating amount by indicating the person in colorful post-its and then separating by using paper clips. This way, you prepare your budget for the people you want to give gifts to this year; you aren’t in danger of over-spending on one person and not having enough for the rest; you do not go into credit debt.

7. Go Wholesale and/or Homemade.

If you have people in your list you feel have to be there, like groups of officemates, or your boss, doctor, dentist, etc. try going for wholesale products. What I do is I get 1 item for all my female officemates, like a pretty notebook, and 1 item for all my male officemates, like a nice money clip. This way you aren’t stressed out about having to think of forty unique, small gifts; you won’t be stressed over offending someone by maybe giving something “nicer” to someone else; you can get small stuff cheaper if you buy by bulk. Ok, maybe you can make an exception for your boss here.

On that note, what person wouldn’t like receiving something unique and from the heart? Seriously. So, instead of giving your boss a uniform gift, why not bake him a cake or your speciality pastry? Or you can give him something he can use like a hommade desk organizer. These are things that will cost you less than store-bought gifts because the individual ingredients or parts required cost a lot less put together. Plus, if it’s simple enough, not dangerous at all, and relatively fun to do, you can get your kids in on the action!

8. Finally, Be Prudent. If you really can’t afford a Santa sack this year, forego it. They will understand. Trust me.

Hey, times are hard for everyone. Sometimes, there are pressing matters that just require more attention and more of your resources. I’ve had a Christmas where I gave all my family and friends a nice photo calendar of myself and the kids with some warm holiday greetings instead of gifts becuase I just needed to allocate a Christmas budget for something else. I try to make sure my kids and god kids always have gifts, even small ones but I know the adults will understand.

So, I hope you all have fun and reasonable shopping trips over the next few days!

Cheers,

Vicki

Watching Movies on the Cheap

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Netflix is one way to watch movies cheapHere are a few strategies for watching movies more cheaply at home. Since I have two children, I have developed these strategies out of necessity rather than choice, including one called “how to avoid late fees.” This one hatched out of an incident when my then three-year-old daughter cried hysterically every time I tried to return Dora’s Halloween, resulting in $21.00 in fees. And it wasn’t even Halloween! Goodbye local movie store…hello Netflix!

Netflix

The beauty of Netflix is that you can keep movies at home for as long as you want. This is especially helpful if your kids get particularly attached to a particular movie and want to watch it daily until they achieve total burn-out. If you or your child simply cannot part with a movie title, you can also decide to buy the movie for $14.00 ($20.00 for Blu-ray). Depending on if it was a new release or not, this can actually be cheaper than buying the DVD new at the store. Netflix also allows for the occasional “lost in the mail” excuse, so if your DVD never arrives back to their receiving address, you will not be charged.

Plans range from $8.99 (one title out-at-a-time) to 4 out-at-a-time ($23.99). We currently have the cheapest option, but this works out great, because it also comes with the option of watching unlimited numbers of movies and television shows instantly on our PC’s. My husband picks out his choice (usually a new release) to come by mail, while the kids get to watch what they want on the laptop. Not bad for $8.99 (and no more late fees).  A new option with Netflix is instant streaming to your Wii console, which we happen to have.  If you have your Wii set up to wireless internet, you can watch Netflix selections on your television screen. Of course, you will need to make sure you have a strong internet connection through spectrum internet plans or a similar provider in your area, to ensure you can stream all your favorite movies. Gotta love technology!

Blockbuster

Most Blockbuster locations offer a membership plan that comes with one free rental per month and it is free to sign up. If you can be diligent about returning your items, this movie rental chain can be a great choice. I was also able to purchase an Indiana Jones game for Wii from Blockbuster for $14.99, after my son refused to relinquish it (do you see a pattern emerging here?). Blockbuster also sends us coupons periodically for more free movie and game rentals. Thanks, guys! Blockbuster now offers a movie delivery option as well, but it is a little more expensive than Netflix and wait times are longer, in my area, anyway, for sending and receiving movies.

Redbox Rentals

Redbox rentals are available at many grocery store chains and discount stores and are only a buck (plus tax) per night. Even if it takes you a few days to actually watch the movie, it is still cheaper than most movie rental stores. It can be tricky to find certain new releases if they are in high demand, but there is a “reserve online” option where you can put a movie title on-hold until you can get there to pick it up. If you sign up for their email newsletter, you also get a code delivered to your inbox each month for a free movie.

Movie/TV Websites

If you like watching television episodes and some older movies, there are a few great websites out there where you can watch for free:

  • Hulu
  • Fancast
  • You Tube (I am not sure of the legal issues involved here, but this can be a valuable resource for hard-to-find movies and television shows).

If it is a recently-aired television show that you seek (and you do not want to pay for DVR or TiVo), then remember to check the network’s website, as you can usually find episodes of popular shows that you might have missed. I am also hearing a lot about Roku lately, but do not know much about it.  If you have an opinion one way or the other, I’d love to hear from you!

What is your favorite way of getting movies for low cost?

Christmas as a Catalyst for Money Talk

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Christmas is a good time to teach kids about moneyChristmas is a season most often related to parties and gift-giving. This is especially true for the little ones. If you have kids, and young kids like I do, you will hear a non-stop stream of Santa wishes the moment you put your tree up. I was thinking about this as I was decorating my tree with my son and daughter and I thought now would be as good a time as any to start teaching them about money.

To be honest, this was a tough one for me There are so many schools of thought about how to go about doing this. When should you give your child an allowance, how much should this be, should you tie this to chores or not, and the list of questions goes on and on. I did some research and decided to try to combine a lot of what I thought made sense to me and I could actually apply.

Teach Your Child The Money Basics

Carol Wilson, a financial adviser from Salt Lake City, says that children learn about money the moment you start taking them to the store.

Your toddler begins learning about money from what she observes during visits to the store. When she reaches age 3 or 4, you should be explaining some of your shopping decisions: ‘We’re buying peaches today because they’re on sale,” or “We’re using coupons from the newspaper to help pay for our cereal.”

I found this to be so true. I’ve been taking my kids to the stores with me as soon as they were allowed by their pediatrician to venture out into the world and I must say my 5-year old knows all about buying food items, our grocery schedule, the fact that when I say “we have to buy more bread”, he knows that means a trip to the grocery store to pick out a loaf which will be paid for at the cashier. And my 3-year old is not far behind.

Now, I know that they know what money is and that it gets us goods and services (ok, services is stretching it, but you get the drift), I’ve decided to start teaching about the value of money. Ok, I’m going to do my best. This is not the easiest topic to teach.

Tips in Learning About the Value of Money:

Here are some tips I think are constructive and realistic when teaching your kids about money

Identifying money. Make sure that she knows the difference between a nickel and quarter.

Currency is different here in Manila but I get the gist of this point. My son knows the difference between all the bills and the coins but not the difference in values yet. Hmmmm….something to work on.

Making change. Make sure that she knows how to present enough money to cover a purchase and to count her change.

Ok, my son and daughter have very recently taken to buying a local tapioca and soy drink. A vendor passes by our house every morning and they come running to me for coins to make their purchase. This is a simple way to present covering a purchase and getting change. I’m happy about this.

Being responsible for money. If she loses the dollar that was in her pocket, she has to know that it’s her loss (you won’t replace it). This will teach her to be more careful in carrying money.

One morning last week, I gave my son some coins to buy his current favorite tapioca-soy drink. But the vendor didn’t come around that day and I didn’t get my coins back. The vendor did come the next day though and, like clockwork, both my kids came runing into the room to ask for change. So I asked my son where yesterday’s change was and he shrugged and said he dropped it. I told him that money was valuable and that he had to take care of it or he wouldn’t have any the next tiome he wanted to buy something. He didn’t get his drink that morning and seeing those big, fat tears almost made me cave. But he hasn’t misplaced his coins since. I’m hoping the lesson wasn’t too harsh.

Understanding that things cost money. From the candy she eyes at the supermarket checkout counter to the premium movie channels on TV, she must know that nothing comes free.

Well, the way I handle this is, every time we go out, I tell my kids that we can make 1 minor toy purchase only (if any). Antyhing they want after that has to go to the next trip becuase I only bring enough money for 1 toy each.

I also try to teach them about caring for their toys becuase these cost money and can’t easily be replaced. The verdict is still out on both attempts to teach my young ones about nothing being free.

Handling an allowance. Make sure that she learns to live with the allowance she’s given and to meet any expectations for it that you might set. For example, this may include a modest savings plan to pay for things she wants.

OK, I’m not sure about this part. I’m honestly not sure about how to introduce an allowance. So far, I’ve tried to connect chores to fun activities and rewards (rewards sometimes being the pride in a job well done). I’ve read that it is ok to connect chores to payment too as this will teach kids that they have to work for money. I am thinking that it might teach them that the only value in a job well done is its monetary equivalent. I haven’t decided. I do know I am going to give an allowance when they hit elementary but i’m still fuzzy on how to teach this. Suggestions anyone?

I hope I’ve listed down some helpful suggestions for getting started on the money lesson. I guess at the end of the day, I really want them to learn that they need to understand and value money, that it IS important, but there are other important things too like going for excellence, and being cautious, etc. This is a work-in-progress for me so any other tips are highly appreciated.

Have you explained money and value to your children? What prompted you to discuss it?

Christmas a la Manila

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Christmas is my personal favorite time of the year.  And there is nothing like a Filipino Christmas.  Let me try to illustrate what the season is like here in the Philippines.

Christmas in Manilla, Phillipenes

Trivia to ‘Set the Scene’:

  • The Philippines has the longest Christmas celebration in the world.  As soon as September hits (known here as the start of the ‘ber months’), you can already smell the season of giving.
  • Philippine fiestas are legendary. This no-holds barred party is a reason for the poor man to celebrate, eat, drink, and be merry, all wrapped up together with song and religion.
  • Filipinos LOVE TO EAT. Ask anyone who has visited the country and they will tell you that a staple in any Filipinos welcome package is a large meal. Many large meals.
  • Filipinos LOVE TO SING!  Think Charice, Lea Salonga, Jamie Rivera, Monique Wilson, Billy Crawford, among some of the artists who have gone on to world fame.  You will find a sing-along machine (karaoke) around every corner. Seriously.
  • Filipinos have always been family-centered- a big factor in the strong yet gentle, kind, giving, and hospitable nature the Filipino is known for. Case in point, Manny Pacquiao.

These are all facts you need to know to understand what a Filipino Christmas is like.

Fun, Fiesta, and Family

Philippine history is peppered with influence from Spain and the United States. After 300 years of Spanish colonization, Christianity was firmly rooted in Philippine soil mixing with an already strong belief in a higher being.  The 50 or so years of American rule in the 19th-20th century left lasting imprints that are clear in our language, style of dress, educational system, and some traditional symbols.

Christmas Ambiance

You will definitely see a mix of the Western and the traditional in the Philippines.  You will see Christmas trees, of varying heights and color. Yes, color. I don’t know about the US but in Manila we have pink trees, blue trees, white trees, silver tress, and the typical green tree.  This will decorated with lights and ornaments as is the Western tradition and is topped alternatively with a lit star or an angel.

In addition to the Christmas tree, we have beautiful lit lanterns known as ‘parols’.  These are typically made of capiz shell, white or of varying color, with lights inside.  A parol of some size and design is usually found hanging outside the house.  This lantern symbolizes the star the three kings followed to the barn where the baby Jesus was born.  So, in addition to the Christmas tree and the lantern, you will often see a nativity, or statues of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, as home decor as well during Christmas.

You can find instructions on making one of these yourself on our Making a Parol post

Christmas Spending

You will start seeing bazaar after bazzar spring up in village club houses and church halls starting in October and these bazaars will showcase any kind of gift under the sun from the native item to food to clothes, etc.  All at slashed prices making it impossible for anyone to stick to a reasonable budget.  No where else will you see a financally struggling populace spend with abandon as some Filipinos do during Christmas.

There is a reason for this spending though.  In the Philippines we also have the adopted Santa Claus. So parents save months in advance to be both Santa and mom and dad. Frenzied shopping with a purpose is perhaps an apt way to describe the buying of the season.  There really is nothing like seeing the joy on your child’s face upon waking up to find Santa visited and was generous. I know this for a fact.

Eating and Making Merry for the Season

Christmas in the Philippines will showcase some of the country’s best native food.  There is the roast pig (lechon),  sweet meat loaf (embotido), smoked ham, fruit salad, quezo de bola (a round, aged cheese) and delicacies like puto bumbong. This purple colored dessert is made of sweet rice cooked in a hollow bamboo tube.  Once cooked they are removed from the bamboo tube and served with spread butter, sugar, and coconut.  This dessert, and most of the dishes I mentioned, are only served during Christmas making them eagerly anticipated and all the more special.

Of course, food always goes with song in the Philippines and starting the end of November calendars are filled with party after party, all of which have some form of singing to live bands, sing alongs, and Christmas caroling.

The Religion of Christmas

And again there is the religious aspect.  Starting December 16 there is a 9 day novena which most people attend. A novena is a Roman Catholic period of prayer lasting 9 days.  So a person attends 9 consecutive masses, praying for a special intention at the same time.  The novelty of this novena is that the masses are said in the wee hours of the morning, from 4 am to 6 am.  You will see flocks of people, young adults, working folks, etc all attending mass in the early morning.  This mass is capped off by an early morning breakfast of hot chocolate, coffee, and Philippine native delicacies.  A main mass is celebrated on Christmas day to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Have I mentioned how Christianity is firmly rooted in the Philippines?

Family is Everything

All the decoration, masses, gift buying, eating, drinking, and signing are geared towards one thing- being with the family at this special time of the year.  Yes, the birth of Jesus is the reason for the season but it is also the one and only time that family is expected to set aside all things, all worries, all animosity just to be together.  No other occasion or holiday matches Christmas in that objective.  So if you are visiting the Philippines during the season, you will not miss a celebration that has some relation to family.

Perhaps Christmas in the Philippines is no different from Christmas anywhere else.  I guess you have to be here from the beginning to the end of the season to understand and feel the full flavor of what I’ve tried to do justice to with words and pictures.  Come and visit next year and really see what it’s like.  I assure you, you will have a great time!

In the meantime, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to you all from Manila!

What are the Christmas traditions for your country?

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