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Cutting Grocery Costs without Cutting Nutrition

Simple, healthy, and affordable ways to weather the rising price of food

by Karen Collins, R.D., American Institute of Cancer Research

Grocery prices are projected to increase again in 2008 – that’s following 2007’s highest annual increase in 17 years. But surviving these tough economic times doesn’t have to mean sacrificing good nutrition. Some simple strategies can help you cut food costs and eat more healthfully, too.

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Nicholas is Kid of the Month


  Got a Cute Baby Pic? Free Entry! New $2500 Winner Every Month

Using Insurance to Reduce Risk

econ4u.org

All Choices Involve Risk: There are no risk-free choices. Usually, the best way to reduce risk is to take action yourself. For example, to reduce health problems, eat right, get plenty of exercise, get enough sleep, don’t smoke, avoid drugs and so forth. But, since there is no way to avoid risk completely, a common approach is to buy insurance to help reduce the financial losses that can result from bad things that happen.
How Insurance Works: ...In the real world, the fee (premium) would have to be large enough to cover not only the losses but the cost of operating the business and earning a profit. And because things don’t always go according to plan, an insurance company needs to be prepared for unexpected costs. If 10 residents have their apartments robbed, the insurance company needs to have enough cash in reserve to pay them back, for instance...

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How to Save on Your Grocery Bill

A full cart doesn’t have to leave you with an empty wallet

by Kati Neville

Don’t buy non grocery items at the supermarket. Health and beauty goods are usually cheaper at mass-market retailers, like Target. And you’ll find the best deals on paper products at warehouse clubs.

Purchase oranges, onions, and potatoes in bags rather than individually. You’ll pay roughly half the price.

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Fix, Freeze, Feast

by Kati Neville and Lindsay Tkacsik

In addition to recipes they also have tips for organizing your shopping list, packaging meals and preventing freezer burn...

Are women paid less than men?

by Diana Furchtgott-Roth

One of the concerns of working women is the “pay gap” – the alleged payment to women of 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man. But there are more behind these numbers than first meets the eye, because women work different hours, major in different subjects, and choose different careers.

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Gut Decisions May Not Be Smart

by DEIRDRE VAN DYK

If you have ever struggled with a difficult decision — new job vs. new boyfriend, sports car vs. minivan, read the book vs. see the movie — you have likely also been offered a heap of decision-making wisdom. Make a list of pros and cons. Go with your gut. Sleep on it.

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  Make extra cash from Google!!!
  Need low-cost health insurance? Protect your family with the right coverage at prices you can afford.

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Being A Single Mother on a Budget

 

by Kelly Kennedy

As a parent you are bound to face a few challenges but as single mother you are bound to face challenges everyday. Raising a child is not meant to be done alone however today it is occurring more often then traditional value holders would like to see.

 

If you are a single mother trying to successfully raise your family you are among the many. There are a vast number of women that successfully raise their family. However there is also a great number of single mother’s that must bear the burden of covering their own costs as well as their child’s, all on one income. Whether you are working full time or going to school to better your education you have to make sure your child has proper care after school lets out or during the day while you are away. Whether this proper care is day care or a babysitter, they all come with costs. Many households today are faced with debt so it’s not a surprise to see single parents in debt. With the stress of everyday life, it’s important to not let your debt be ignored. Managing your debt right away is the first step which is followed by finding out ways to reduce your expenses and paying the rest off.

 

There are many things you can do to make sure you stay out of debt or get out of debt fast. According to many sources along with singlemotherresources.com budgeting is a key factor in helping so many people get out of debt and stay out of debt. The core of budgeting is for you as a single mother to see your monthly spending needs and habits. The purpose of a budget allows you to track your personal cash flow. Your personal cash flow is how much money comes in and how much goes out. Once you make a list you are going to realize that you have a lot more money going out then coming in especially on unnecessary goods such as impulse buys at the grocery store checkout, or items that your children want. Instead of giving in and giving your child what he or she is asking for, it’s best to tell them the truth that you can’t afford it right now. Suggest that your child starts or continues doing weekly chores and in return you will give them a small allowance where they can save up for something they want. This way it will take the burden off of you each time they ask for something. Once they save up enough money they can buy it themselves and then feel as if they earned it.

 

As for yourself and your expenses you need to make a monthly budget and follow it. You need to have the will power to control yourself from buying unnecessary items at the grocery store or taking your children to the latest movie. Go see a matinee film instead where prices are lowered, and eat before going to the grocery store so you won’t want to buy everything in site. Set financial goals for yourself and keep track of what you are spending. This way if you know Girl Scout dues are coming up, you can set a goal to put that money aside where you might have spent it on something else otherwise. Also by keeping track of what you are spending you might come to some realizations such as what you buy at the grocery store. Name brand products are just as good as generic minus the name so it’s worth buying generic products; you’ll be surprised in how much you save. Let your children be involved with budgeting as well. Have them make a list of chores they do and how much money they receive in return. They will see how hard work pays off. Keep in mind that owning something that you worked hard for creates something that no one can take away from you which is pride.

 

Before you know it, you will be on your way to being a debt free mom and able to treat your children to something special. But remember, it’s going to be difficult at first and you’ll want to give in or give up, but in it’s all worth it in the end. You will be a debt free mom as well as a successful mom in teaching your kids a valuable lesson in life; hard work pays off.

 

About Author:

Kelly Kennedy is the Communications Specialist for MindComet Corporation, a full service marketing agency for Fortune 500 companies and international conglomerates. Kelly specializes in public relations strategies focused on single mother's financial guidance. Kelly has been author to hundreds of articles focusing on single mother financial concerns. She also acts as a contributing author for a wide variety of websites and newsletters. Kelly holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida.

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9 Cash-Saving Tips That Pay Big Bucks

complaintsboard.com

The expression "a penny saved is a penny earned" doesn't cut it these days. But saving a few dollars here and there can add up...

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Try out these Thanksgiving recipes from tasteofhome

You May Have Too Much Debt But You Also Have Options

How Life Works

If you feel like you're in over your head with personal debt, you're not alone. Millions of Americans have become overextended, many as a result of easy credit and the recessions. Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans and raising interest rates do not make a good financial mix.

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Suze Orman's Recession Rescue Plan - helps you survive in times of financial crisis

OPRAH.com

Do you know what your family would do if you lost your job - or worse, your home? Financial expert Suze Orman is ready to help you devise a recession rescue plan to survive - and possibly thrive - during this deepening financial crisis...

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Could fat babies mean fat toddlers?

A new study from Harvard Medical School found that babies who gained weight quickly had a sharply higher risk of obesity. The study followed close to 600 babies and found those in the top quarter of weight for their length at 6 months had a 40 percent higher risk of obesity by age 3 than smaller babies.

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The 10-Ingredient Shopping Trip

By Tara Parker-Pope and Mark Bittman

... In his latest “How to Cook Everything” segment on the Today Show, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman makes it surprisingly easy to cook a week’s worth of dinners with just a 10-ingredient shopping trip.

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Finding last-minute tuition money

There's still time to find funds for this semester's college tuition. But you'll have to move quickly.

By Gerri Willis

It's only a couple of weeks or even days until school begins. And if you don't think you'll be able to get a handle on your college tuition bill, here with your guide to last minute money.

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Short-term Payday Loans

econ4u.org

...Which are more expensive, late fees or short-term loans?...
A short-term payday loan can be a better option than overdraft fees, reconnect fees, late payment fees or a damaged credit rating when the loan is repaid promptly. However, these loans are not suited for longer repayment periods... Being realistic about budgeting can help avoid the need for short-term borrowing.

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Your Just-in-Case Emergency Plan

by RealSimple

Who do you call if you can't make it home in time to meet the kids' bus? Who do you trust to take in your mail when you're on vacation? Who do you trust with the extra set of keys to your house?

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How to save $10,000 in 2009

By Liz Pulliam Weston

If you were hoping for a list of small tweaks you could make in your spending to save $10,000 a year, sorry. The reality is that $10,000 is a lot of money. And saving big money usually means making big changes in the areas where we spend the most, such as: Housing, Transportation, Food.

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The Super, Sexy, Single Mom on a Budget

by Renee Rayles

A quick reference guide designed for the busy, single mom who has

little time to read while running the mom taxi, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and trying to fit in a date night every now and then.



32 and Counting? Finding Your Happily Ever After Today

by Gi Gi

The author talks about the struggles a single mom goes through and the discovery that you can have HEAT (Happily Ever After Today) just as you are, being single, taking care of your kids...

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Single Mothers &
Male Role-Models / Mentors

Single mothers carry an enormous load of responsibility, especially those having sole and/or primary custody of minor children. They nourish, they nurture, they teach, they discipline, they shelter, they protect, and they provide… all without the assistance of another equally-invested adult.

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Your 5-minute guide to protecting your identity

 

20 steps to protect yourself from identity theft, and seven ways to clean up things if you become a victim.

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TheOnlineMom.com offers parents and consumers a guide to the top-rated, age-appropriate, kid-tested and parent-approved tech toys and gifts.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
by Jeff Kinney

For those wondering why tween boys don’t read very much, the answer is that more books aren’t like this...

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Money makeover: Single mom

Jacqui Sentmanat is trying to give her child the best of everything, but who's looking out for her financial future?

by Joe Light, Money Magazine staff reporter

(Money Magazine) -- When you're the single parent of an only child, you want only the best possible life for your kid. That's how Jacqui Sentmanat feels. But it's an expensive proposition.

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The best financial advice ever

Prince Charming isn't coming. Live like a college student.
Never co-sign a loan. Money experts like David Bach and readers like you share the best nuggets of wisdom they have ever received.

by Liz Pulliam Weston

... If you're not doing well financially, maybe you're finally ready to hear some advice that could make all the difference.

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Tips on How to Take Care of Yourself During a Global Crisis

by complaintsboard.com

During these last few months, the stress levels have been on the rise, from people struggling with finances, to the banking stresses, to the swine flu projected pandemic. There is a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unnecessary panic, and a lot of overall fear... For one thing, with the information overload that is being thrown in every which direction except straight leaves you wondering what is the truth, and what is not? ...

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Live well without going into debt by Donna Freedman

Living frugally (and debt-free) is a lot more fun than living with worry. I'll show you how you can enrich your life without breaking the bank.

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No More Money Stress!

...You have to remain positive..., because anxiety muddies your ability to think through problems clearly. Panic fuels rash decisions that could cost you much more in the long run than those made after careful deliberation.
If you've plunged into a financial funk, just take a deep, serenity-bestowing breath and follow these guides to regain control.

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Saving money - you can do it

Strategies for saving more and spending less

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5 lessons the rich can teach you

They don’t just have more money. They spend it, borrow it and save it in ways that might benefit you, too.

by Liz Pulliam Weston

... Studying the habits of this relatively large and growing group of affluent folks can teach us a lot. These people don't just have money; they treat it differently than people farther down the economic ladder.

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