Christmas in July for Needy Children

I never understood the idea behind the commercial slogan "Christmas in July."  I do know, however, that if you participate in programs such a Samaritan's Purse or fill stockings for local children's groups, this is a great time to start shopping. When I see clearance sales with toys and kid-friendly items at very low prices, I pick up a few. Back To School sales are a great time to stock up on crayons, pencils, and erasers [+]

The Five Worst Deals at the Warehouse Store

If you read my previous post, The Five Best Deals at the Warehouse Store, you know how much I love shopping at Costco. But, you should also know how careful I am about prices and what I buy at this mecca of oversized products. I am well aware of what is a good deal in my area and I implore you to do the same before you walk into one of these stores. In my opinion, [+]

Reduce Your Monthly Expenses

I've started a new series on reducing your monthly expenses over at Happy to be at Home and will be giving new ideas over the next few weeks. Link: How to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses [+]

Questions to Consider Before the Lay-Off, Part 2

What will you do if your family loses it's income? Check out my article: Questions to Consider Before the Lay-Off, Part 2 at Happy to be at Home. [+]

Is Your Family Ready for a Financial Emergency?

To help evaluate if your family is ready, check out my article: Questions to Consider Before the Lay-Off at Happy to be at Home. [+]

Money Management for Teens

The current economy has forced millions of families to reevaluate their spending and financial futures. Now, more than ever our next generation of leaders need a strong financial start. Regardless of how the economy looks when it is time for these teens to finally step out on their own, they will need as many tools for success as possible. Our family is right at the preteen/teen cusp and we are still learning how to wade [+]

How to Save a Bundle at the Grocery Store

My favorite grocery tip of all time is, "Buy when it is cheap and not when you need it." I save more money at the grocery store with this tip alone. Let me explain what I mean and how it works. For years, I restocked our pantry at Walmart with generics and carefully planned our menus to make the best use of the food I purchased. I price-matched and even brought a few coupons to [+]