Been awhile. Been busy. Life and Stuff.
Here are a few stats from our 2013 budget/expenditures. The good and the not so good.
Groceries:
This is for a family of 14. At any given time 1 or 2 kids could be out of the house but we also have friends, acquaintances and those we can hardly tolerate over for meals a lot.
Food and Drink Expenditures for 2013 (includes eating out).
Year - $15,120 ($1,080 per person per year)
Monthly - $1,260 ($90 per person per month)
Daily - $41.54
Average cost per meal per person = $1.15. I used 12 family members since sometimes kids are out of the house. But really it's more like 99 cents per person per meal.
We used to spend $1,600 per month a few years ago. But when Aldis opened our monthly bill dropped dramatically.
Granted some of the kids are young. But 7 of them are age 12 and older. Plus my wife eats like she is going to the chair.
And no we aren't eating junk all day long. Plenty of fruits, veggies and meats. Everyone is fairly healthy...well Sam is coughing like she's gonna hack up a spleen, but she'll live.
I could save even more if I could break the gallon-a-day milk habit my kids have.
The Feds need to take cost efficiency advice from us.
Utilities:
Average Monthly Expenditures
Electric - $250
Natural Gas - $115
Water - $100
Average per month for all 3: $465
Before 2013 we were spending well over $500 per month. So it's improved but is still too high. This older rambling house that has been added on to many a time is very inefficient to heat and cool. And 5 loads of laundry and 2 loads in the dishwasher daily adds up. Plus thankfully the kids bathe/shower daily...for the most part.
Retirement Savings:
Without going into specific dollar amounts. I was able to funnel 30% of my salary into retirement investments. A major improvement over years past when it was usually in the 10-15% range. The main reason for this was the paying off of our mortgage in the fall of 2012.
Medical Expenses:
$225 per month. I could reimburse myself for these costs from my Health Savings Account (HSA) but choose to pay for them out of pocket and let the HSA buildup tax-free.
Gasoline:
$150 per month (no work commute and no excessive hauling the kids around)
Kids Activities/Sports/Piano/Trips/Fun etc:
$200 per month
Homeschool Expenses:
K-8th grade (5 kids) -$1,000 for the year. That is mostly for an at-home tutor/teacher helper. Less than $100 was for books and supplies.
Tutor Fees for 2 high-schoolers - $5,050. Plus a few hundred dollars for books.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Friday, October 25, 2013
It's Two Months to Christmas
Have you finished your shopping yet? Have you even started?
Plan gift-giving well in advance. That will give you time to decide on the most thoughtful gifts, which usually are not the most expensive ones. And if these gifts are products that must be purchased, you will have the opportunity to look for sales.
Take time through out the year to buy a little at a time and put it away. My bride has dozen's of gifts hidden away that she uses for birthdays and Christmas.
Consider giving your kids just 3 gifts this year. If 3 were good enough for baby Jesus than they should be good enough for the rest of us.
We used to do the 3 gift rule, then someone I'm related to by marriage decided we were Rockefeller's. So the kids actually get more than 3 now, why? Beats me. Supposedly we are going back to the 3 gifts per person rule for this year, we shall see.
Got a big old family? Pick names and just give one gift. Or do one of those silly gag present exchanges than my in-laws seem to think is so much fun but is really annoying and tired.
Buying for someone that has "everything"? Give a gift to a charity in their name. Or a subscription to the Jelly of the Month club.
Need something for your bride? Don't want to spend a lot? Write her a letter, give her coupons for: walks, dessert dates, back rubs etc...be creative.
Bake for people. Especially for guys. Need gifts for mail man, trash men, teachers, delivery guys? Fire up the oven and get baking.
Beware saying yes to every event, cookie exchange, caroling session, party, play etc...try and chill a bit and enjoy.
Don't forget to shop the after-Christmas sales, but use self control. Great deals can be found on wrapping paper, gifts and lights. You really think you lights will be working next year after sitting in the basement for 12 months?
Plan gift-giving well in advance. That will give you time to decide on the most thoughtful gifts, which usually are not the most expensive ones. And if these gifts are products that must be purchased, you will have the opportunity to look for sales.
Take time through out the year to buy a little at a time and put it away. My bride has dozen's of gifts hidden away that she uses for birthdays and Christmas.
Consider giving your kids just 3 gifts this year. If 3 were good enough for baby Jesus than they should be good enough for the rest of us.
We used to do the 3 gift rule, then someone I'm related to by marriage decided we were Rockefeller's. So the kids actually get more than 3 now, why? Beats me. Supposedly we are going back to the 3 gifts per person rule for this year, we shall see.
Got a big old family? Pick names and just give one gift. Or do one of those silly gag present exchanges than my in-laws seem to think is so much fun but is really annoying and tired.
Buying for someone that has "everything"? Give a gift to a charity in their name. Or a subscription to the Jelly of the Month club.
Need something for your bride? Don't want to spend a lot? Write her a letter, give her coupons for: walks, dessert dates, back rubs etc...be creative.
Bake for people. Especially for guys. Need gifts for mail man, trash men, teachers, delivery guys? Fire up the oven and get baking.
Beware saying yes to every event, cookie exchange, caroling session, party, play etc...try and chill a bit and enjoy.
Don't forget to shop the after-Christmas sales, but use self control. Great deals can be found on wrapping paper, gifts and lights. You really think you lights will be working next year after sitting in the basement for 12 months?
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Tip of the Day
Instead of going out to dinner with friends, take turns hosting dinner parties.
Have an afternoon cookout with the adults and the kids. Or do a later in the evening dinner party just for the adults.
Host family supplies the main dish. Have others bring the sides, salad, desserts and drinks.
Have an afternoon cookout with the adults and the kids. Or do a later in the evening dinner party just for the adults.
Host family supplies the main dish. Have others bring the sides, salad, desserts and drinks.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Tip of the Day
Extending the life of your cell phone battery.
See the rest of the tips Here
or just
- Turn the phone off
- Stop searching for a signal.
- Do not follow the method of full charge and full discharge. Avoid letting your cell phone's battery run all the way down.
- Turn off your phone's back light
See the rest of the tips Here
or just
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Tip of the Day
How much to save? Aim for 10% minimum and try and increase it from there. But have a method to your madness. Have a goal....house down payment, car, retirement, emergency fund. And have a plan to reach that goal.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tip of the Day
Make your monthly loan payments forever. That;s right, never pay that car off. But pay yourself instead of the lender. Many of us have monthly loan payments, whether for a car loan, credit
card debt, a mortgage, or all of the above. When you’ve finally paid off
a debt, try to keep it up. But instead of sending a check to the
lender, deposit the money into a savings account. You've increased your
net worth by paying off the debt; now keep up the good work by building
up your assets.
Say you've got a car payment that is $435 a month and you finally get that sporty Camry you bought paid for. That car is gonna last another 10 years if you care for it. Keep "paying" that $435 a month, but dump it into a savings account or a mutual fund, depending on your goals. In another 10 years that payment will be worth over $52,000 even if its sitting in a crappy savings account and over $60,000 if its in a mutual fund. Unless of course the economy goes into the crapper.
Say you've got a car payment that is $435 a month and you finally get that sporty Camry you bought paid for. That car is gonna last another 10 years if you care for it. Keep "paying" that $435 a month, but dump it into a savings account or a mutual fund, depending on your goals. In another 10 years that payment will be worth over $52,000 even if its sitting in a crappy savings account and over $60,000 if its in a mutual fund. Unless of course the economy goes into the crapper.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Tip of the Day
"Crooks are taking advantage of the difficult economy, including tighter credit and higher unemployment, to trick people into accepting fraudulent and deceptive offers that seem beneficial on the surface but actually could cost a lot of money or result in identity theft," said Michael Benardo, manager of the FDIC's Financial Crimes Section.
Here are some common schemes being reported:
Mortgage rescue schemes
Other credit-related scams involving upfront fees
Work-at-home scams
"Mystery shopper" scams
As in anything finance related, use common sense, and realize if it sounds to good to be true...it certainly is.
Never give out personal info, such as: social security number, account numbers, credit card numbers etc...unless you are positive you are dealing with someone reputable. When in doubt walk away or hang-up. Better to be thought rude than be in the poor house.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Tip of the Day
Be sure to take advantage of discounts and/or incentive programs provided through
your employer. For example, the company I work for offers discounted
rates for computers, fitness center memberships, movie tickets and
passes to summer festivals. We can also join a credit union, which has decent rates and fees. I don't use the credit union because I like my online bank better.
Check your corporate intranet or talk to your human resources representative.
And don’t forget the best deal of all – investing in your 401(k)! Most companies match a certain % of investment.
Check your corporate intranet or talk to your human resources representative.
And don’t forget the best deal of all – investing in your 401(k)! Most companies match a certain % of investment.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Weekly Web Roundup
From Money Talk News
15 Low- and No-Cost Ways to Reduce Your Winter Energy Bill
"As you dig out your sweaters and winter coats and prepare to ward off the cold, you also should think about ways to ward off higher energy bills in your home.
More than 90 percent of American households can expect to pay more to heat their homes this winter because of higher fuel costs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration."
From Daily Finance
Retirement Planning With Just 3 Numbers
"Professionals love complications. Trust me. I'm a lawyer. I know. We love using fancy words and really long sentences. Uttering something in Latin is even better. "Nunc pro tunc" is my personal favorite because it makes me feel like a time traveler.
Retirement planning should not be so complicated. We can put away the Monte Carlo simulators and fancy calculators. We don't need a thick, smartly-bound plan from a financial adviser. In fact, all we really need to understand are these three numbers:"
From Daily Finance
5 Reasons Why You're In Debt Up To Your Eyeballs
"We've all seen the LendingTree commercials where the guy sarcastically says: "I'm in debt up to my eyeballs. I can barely pay my finance charges. Somebody help me!"
If that sounds like you, read on. Here are a few reasons why you're swimming in debt and what you can do about it."
From The Simple Dollar
Quickly Figuring Out the “Best” Option When Buying a Small Item
"Many times in the past, I’ve talked about my process for figuring out a major purchase. I’ll consult Consumer Reports, I’ll talk to my social circle, and I’ll usually end up buying with reliability as a primary factor.
This process really helps for anything that’s expensive, because the time you invest in figuring out the right purchase, but what about a spur of the moment purchase?"
From Wise Bread
6 Reasons You're Not a Millionaire
"In 2012, Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart was officially declared the richest woman in the world, boasting assets of more than $26 billion. Not long after, Rinehart took heat for an article she wrote for the Australian Resources and Investment Magazine, where she suggested that those who wanted what she had should "spend less time drinking or smoking and socializing and more time working."
15 Low- and No-Cost Ways to Reduce Your Winter Energy Bill
"As you dig out your sweaters and winter coats and prepare to ward off the cold, you also should think about ways to ward off higher energy bills in your home.
More than 90 percent of American households can expect to pay more to heat their homes this winter because of higher fuel costs, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration."
From Daily Finance
Retirement Planning With Just 3 Numbers
"Professionals love complications. Trust me. I'm a lawyer. I know. We love using fancy words and really long sentences. Uttering something in Latin is even better. "Nunc pro tunc" is my personal favorite because it makes me feel like a time traveler.
Retirement planning should not be so complicated. We can put away the Monte Carlo simulators and fancy calculators. We don't need a thick, smartly-bound plan from a financial adviser. In fact, all we really need to understand are these three numbers:"
From Daily Finance
5 Reasons Why You're In Debt Up To Your Eyeballs
"We've all seen the LendingTree commercials where the guy sarcastically says: "I'm in debt up to my eyeballs. I can barely pay my finance charges. Somebody help me!"
If that sounds like you, read on. Here are a few reasons why you're swimming in debt and what you can do about it."
From The Simple Dollar
Quickly Figuring Out the “Best” Option When Buying a Small Item
"Many times in the past, I’ve talked about my process for figuring out a major purchase. I’ll consult Consumer Reports, I’ll talk to my social circle, and I’ll usually end up buying with reliability as a primary factor.
This process really helps for anything that’s expensive, because the time you invest in figuring out the right purchase, but what about a spur of the moment purchase?"
From Wise Bread
6 Reasons You're Not a Millionaire
"In 2012, Australian mining tycoon Gina Rinehart was officially declared the richest woman in the world, boasting assets of more than $26 billion. Not long after, Rinehart took heat for an article she wrote for the Australian Resources and Investment Magazine, where she suggested that those who wanted what she had should "spend less time drinking or smoking and socializing and more time working."
Tip of the Day
Enjoy going out but trying to save money? Check for local free events. Look in your local newspaper, if they haven't gone out of business yet. Check at the local library or with city hall or look on your town's website.
Use those resources to learn about free or low-cost parks, museums, concerts, film showings, sports events, and other places which you and your family would enjoy.
Go to a town hall or city council meeting and heckle the politicians. Ask your mayor why your town doesn't have its own tanks and fighter planes.
Use those resources to learn about free or low-cost parks, museums, concerts, film showings, sports events, and other places which you and your family would enjoy.
Go to a town hall or city council meeting and heckle the politicians. Ask your mayor why your town doesn't have its own tanks and fighter planes.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Tip of the Day
It pays to practice preventative dental care, since a good cleaning
routine helps prevent fillings, root canals, and dental crowns, which
are expensive and no fun, This is especially true if you have dental insurance that pays for cleanings every 6 months. My company provides good dental insurance that pays for the cleanings in full. So all 14 of us get our teeth cleaned twice a year, not all at once. We should do that one day, schedule 14 cleaning appointments for the same day.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Tip of the Day
Cancel or let your magazines subscriptions run out, especially if you hardly read them. I've let my car and my running magazines run out. Almost all the material is available online for free.
For example both Runners World and Running Times post their articles on their websites.
Same applies to newspapers. The content is free online, stop paying to have the paper delivered. Sure all those philosophy majors will have to go find new jobs, maybe Starbucks is hiring.
For example both Runners World and Running Times post their articles on their websites.
Same applies to newspapers. The content is free online, stop paying to have the paper delivered. Sure all those philosophy majors will have to go find new jobs, maybe Starbucks is hiring.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Tip of the Day
Turn off the TV and radio, especially during ads. Or change the channel. Or just go out and do something.
Seeing all those ads isn't helping your budget.
Seeing all those ads isn't helping your budget.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Tip of the Day
Plan your weekly meals around what's on sale in the grocery store's ad. Not by what you want to make. We see what meat's are on sale each week (meat being the most expensive thing we buy) and stock up on those meats. Ground beef on sale? Well then it's burgers, meatloaf, tacos and burgers for that week.
We also eat whatever veggies and fruits are on sale each week. Kids want pears but apples are on sale that week? Then apples it is and the kids will just have to wait to have pears when a sale rolls around.
We also eat whatever veggies and fruits are on sale each week. Kids want pears but apples are on sale that week? Then apples it is and the kids will just have to wait to have pears when a sale rolls around.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Tip of the Day
Buy a pair of hair clippers and cut your own hair and the hair of your boys. Ladies/girls are exempt from this tip. Unless you want to do the bald chick thing.
We have 8 sons. Clippers have saved us a small fortune over the years. Eventually the boys get older and start making some $$$ and decide to pay for haircuts themselves, but as long as we are footing the bill they get the momma mauling them.
I buzz my own hair off about every month or so. A set of clippers are around $20-$30 and seem to last forever. Even if they don't last forever, they pay for themselves after a few haircuts. Go checkout Amazon or head over to Walmart (at your own risk).
Trust me nothing can go wrong.
We have 8 sons. Clippers have saved us a small fortune over the years. Eventually the boys get older and start making some $$$ and decide to pay for haircuts themselves, but as long as we are footing the bill they get the momma mauling them.
I buzz my own hair off about every month or so. A set of clippers are around $20-$30 and seem to last forever. Even if they don't last forever, they pay for themselves after a few haircuts. Go checkout Amazon or head over to Walmart (at your own risk).
Trust me nothing can go wrong.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Weekly Web Roundup
From Bargaineering:
Struggling financially? The stress might hurt your decision-making
"One of the tenets of the “American Way” is that anyone can “make it,” no matter how dire their circumstances. While this is a comforting thought, the reality might not play out quite so nicely. According to research from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, there are indications that financial stress can reduce the ability to make good long-term decisions."
From Daily Finance:
5 Counterintuitive Financial Tips That Work
"Russell Holcombe, a certified financial planner based in Atlanta, says he's tired of constantly warning clients against making bad money choices. Part of the problem, he says, is that popular financial advice is often wrong. That's why he finds himself urging people to rethink purchasing houses that would max out their budgets, or putting so much money into retirement accounts that they're unprepared for emergencies."
From Wise Bread:
40 Ways to Use Spray Paint for Cheap and Easy Decorating
"What's super cheap, highly versatile, available in every color, and something that anyone can use to make beautiful decor? The answer is spray paint, of course.
Whether you are looking to restore a great flea market find, simply touch up an existing item, or go for a dramatic change of color, spray paint gets the job done. While you can spray-paint just about anything, here's a host of suggestions, sorted by color, to help you start putting this awesome and affordable DIY tool to work for you."
From Wise Bread:
Boost Your Retirement Savings Fast With This 6-Step Plan
"What do you do when you're in your last decade of your working life, but you don't have enough money saved for retirement? Sausalito, CA financial planner Bob Goldman shared his top tips for maximizing savings during the home stretch. (See also: Essential Truths for a Successful Retirement)
Goldman created this step-by-step list for Carol Dorsett, who relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after being laid off as photo editor at a Midwestern newspaper. Carol moved in with her sister and began training in computer skills and started job hunting."
From Money Talk News:
You’re Probably Trusting Your Teen Driver Too Much
"No friends in the car? Home by 9? No texting? Really?" A recent survey conducted by State Farm finds a huge disconnect between what parents think their teen is doing on the road and the behaviors that the teens themselves report. The survey focused on the key provisions of graduated driver licensing laws that introduce driving privileges in stages with the goal of keeping inexperienced teen drivers out of dangerous situations."
Struggling financially? The stress might hurt your decision-making
"One of the tenets of the “American Way” is that anyone can “make it,” no matter how dire their circumstances. While this is a comforting thought, the reality might not play out quite so nicely. According to research from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, there are indications that financial stress can reduce the ability to make good long-term decisions."
From Daily Finance:
5 Counterintuitive Financial Tips That Work
"Russell Holcombe, a certified financial planner based in Atlanta, says he's tired of constantly warning clients against making bad money choices. Part of the problem, he says, is that popular financial advice is often wrong. That's why he finds himself urging people to rethink purchasing houses that would max out their budgets, or putting so much money into retirement accounts that they're unprepared for emergencies."
From Wise Bread:
40 Ways to Use Spray Paint for Cheap and Easy Decorating
"What's super cheap, highly versatile, available in every color, and something that anyone can use to make beautiful decor? The answer is spray paint, of course.
Whether you are looking to restore a great flea market find, simply touch up an existing item, or go for a dramatic change of color, spray paint gets the job done. While you can spray-paint just about anything, here's a host of suggestions, sorted by color, to help you start putting this awesome and affordable DIY tool to work for you."
From Wise Bread:
Boost Your Retirement Savings Fast With This 6-Step Plan
"What do you do when you're in your last decade of your working life, but you don't have enough money saved for retirement? Sausalito, CA financial planner Bob Goldman shared his top tips for maximizing savings during the home stretch. (See also: Essential Truths for a Successful Retirement)
Goldman created this step-by-step list for Carol Dorsett, who relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area after being laid off as photo editor at a Midwestern newspaper. Carol moved in with her sister and began training in computer skills and started job hunting."
From Money Talk News:
You’re Probably Trusting Your Teen Driver Too Much
"No friends in the car? Home by 9? No texting? Really?" A recent survey conducted by State Farm finds a huge disconnect between what parents think their teen is doing on the road and the behaviors that the teens themselves report. The survey focused on the key provisions of graduated driver licensing laws that introduce driving privileges in stages with the goal of keeping inexperienced teen drivers out of dangerous situations."
DIY
Try and DIY before calling in the pros. Got a broken appliance, car? Plumping problem? Have a go at it yourself before paying someone to fix it. Do a search on Google for how to fix it. I've found lots or articles and videos that show you have to to basic repairs.
Last week we bought a new dishwasher, no not a second wife, and I looked up a how to install video on YouTube. 1 hour later the dishwasher was installed and actually working and not leaking,
I've also found videos that helped me put in a new garbage disposal and do various car repairs.
Just be careful and don't totally screw it up.
Last week we bought a new dishwasher, no not a second wife, and I looked up a how to install video on YouTube. 1 hour later the dishwasher was installed and actually working and not leaking,
I've also found videos that helped me put in a new garbage disposal and do various car repairs.
Just be careful and don't totally screw it up.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Vote for Your Favortie Toy
The National Toy Hall of Fame wants you to vote for your favorite toy for the 2013 induction.
This year's nominee's are:
This year's nominee's are:
I voted for Little Green Army Men. So far Chess has gotten 3% of the vote, probably homeschooled dorks.
Tip of the Day
Invest in a full size freezer. You can stock up on meat when it is on sale, boneless chicken was on sale last month for $1.69lb, my bride bought 100 pounds. Our freezer is currently the Dolly Parton of freezers.
You can also make meals ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Running late or don't know what to have for dinner? Whip out one of the meals.
If you join the Mob, having a large freezer can be indispensable.
Look for used or frees one's before buying new. We got ours about 10 years ago for free. From a friend of a friend who was moving and downsizing.
Or use it to stash your liquor.
You can also make meals ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Running late or don't know what to have for dinner? Whip out one of the meals.
If you join the Mob, having a large freezer can be indispensable.
Look for used or frees one's before buying new. We got ours about 10 years ago for free. From a friend of a friend who was moving and downsizing.
Or use it to stash your liquor.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Junk by Any Other Name is Still Junk
Storage Units?! Really?
You have so much crap that it won't fit in your house and you have to pay to have it stored? (I'm not talking about people in the process of moving and between homes, or those in the Mob who need places to stash bodies, guns and drugs. Storage units are great for those needs.)
Paying $100-$400 a month (the going rate around here for a storage unit depending on the size) to store your material excess is insane. Sell the junk on eBay, at a garage sale, on Craigslist. Donate it to Goodwill or some other group. Throw it in a freaking landfill. Just quit paying all that money to store your grandmother's "antique" furniture she left behind. It was cheap then and it is junk now. Your grandmother wasn't a Rockefeller, she was a tightwad. She is rolling over in her grave and cursing your name that you are paying a small fortune each month to house her Montgomery Ward catalog furniture. Just let it go.
Are you really gonna use that Bowflex or thigh-master 2000? Will you ever fit into your clothes from college and are they even in style anymore? Your bobblehead collection of the characters of Joanie Loves Chachi? Get rid of them.
On the other-hand owning and renting them might be a good way to make a buck. So many people have so much stuff. It's probably a good business to invest in.
We have a ton of junk too, but it's all in our attic, closets, garage, shed, and every room in our house. But that's an issue for a separate post on detachment.
You have so much crap that it won't fit in your house and you have to pay to have it stored? (I'm not talking about people in the process of moving and between homes, or those in the Mob who need places to stash bodies, guns and drugs. Storage units are great for those needs.)
Paying $100-$400 a month (the going rate around here for a storage unit depending on the size) to store your material excess is insane. Sell the junk on eBay, at a garage sale, on Craigslist. Donate it to Goodwill or some other group. Throw it in a freaking landfill. Just quit paying all that money to store your grandmother's "antique" furniture she left behind. It was cheap then and it is junk now. Your grandmother wasn't a Rockefeller, she was a tightwad. She is rolling over in her grave and cursing your name that you are paying a small fortune each month to house her Montgomery Ward catalog furniture. Just let it go.
Are you really gonna use that Bowflex or thigh-master 2000? Will you ever fit into your clothes from college and are they even in style anymore? Your bobblehead collection of the characters of Joanie Loves Chachi? Get rid of them.
On the other-hand owning and renting them might be a good way to make a buck. So many people have so much stuff. It's probably a good business to invest in.
We have a ton of junk too, but it's all in our attic, closets, garage, shed, and every room in our house. But that's an issue for a separate post on detachment.
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