By Chelsea P. Gladden

If the price of Suri Cruise’s $180 jeans has you feeling down, I’m here to pick your spirits back up. Instead of throwing down $250 for a dress you admire only for it to get stained within the first five minutes of finger painting, find a replica for a tenth the price.

For example, Old Navy and Target are a great place to get the latest in tot couture for a much more reasonable cost (i.e. jeans for $15). Check out the pricey stores and latest Shiloh shoes, then find the knock-offs that won’t knock your wallet out.

Label lovers can rejoice in savings, too. Wait until summer 2008 clothes go on sale, and purchase them in the size your child will be in summer 2009. For example, if your child is 2T this year, purchase 3T for next.

Perhaps that requires planning a little too advanced for a brain surviving on little sleep while repeatedly being tested with that question of all questions: “Why?” Then sites such as Gymboree (http://www.gymboree.com) and Janie and Jack (http://www.janieandjack.com/) have great sale sections that are seasonally current.

Better yet, remember when your friends gave birth while you (or your wife) waddled around in anxious agony to follow suit? Well, now’s your chance to take advantage of their barely worn suits. In other words, it’s all about the hand me downs.

So instead of spending money on clothes that will have you in a panic when the first cookie crumbles, spend your time allowing your kid to, well, be a kid.

All (cost effectively) dressed up and no place to go? Check out Top 10 Cheap Ways to Entertain Your Family on Mainstreet.com.

Shop your ideas! Check out: It’s Time to Budget and Financially Frugal Families.

Better yet? Rate your favorite way to spend here!

Photo Courtesy of Clara Natoli

As the season changes into Fall, we always want to get out and experience the change! But sometimes our budgets can restrict what we are able to do and when. However, you don’t always have to strain your budget in order to get out and do things.

Here are some things that you might be able to do near you this Fall:

Apple Picking
I just did this last weekend and it was a lot of fun. Not only do you get to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, but you also get to bring home some amazing apples. Often times if you go to an Orchard, you sometimes get a free hay ride out to where you pick the apples. If you have kids they will love this! Not only is picking the apples a lot of fun, but you can bring them home and make a variety of baked goods instead of buying them at the store – apple pie, apple crisp, apple sauce, etc.

Pumpkin Carving
This is great for any age! All you have to do is buy the pumpkin and then carve away any design/face you like. Pumpkins aren’t too expensive and you get to display them throughout your house with candles afterwards. Also, baking the pumpkin seeds can be a lot of fun and tasty as well.

Wine Festivals
Depending on if you live in an area where there may be a winery, you might be able to attend a wine festival and tasting. Fall is the greatest time of year for this because this is when the grape harvest begins. At these festivals there are often wine tastings, food, and other events going on such as great live music. Check on this MainStreet.com article for more information on some great wine festivals.

Fairs
Fall is the time for fairs throughout the country. Although fairs can get expensive with the food, rides, and games…there is also a lot to do once you purchase your ticket in the fair that is for free. Often times there are live concerts, horse shows, pig racing, craft fairs, and a variety of other interesting events to see. For kids there are usually petting zoos where $0.25 will buy you some food to feed them! You can also bring your own food into the fair and sit at the picnic tables that are provided to save some money (possibly bring lunch and purchase a candy or caramel apple for desert!).

Shopping
People love to shop, especially when the seasons change. The fall is time for sweaters and lightweight coats. Instead of heading to the department stores and spending all your money on a few things, make your way to the nearest outlet stores near you. These stores will allow you to get more for your money of the same brand names you love and want to have.

Fall Foliage
This is a really big thing in New England. People come from all over to drive up the coast and throughout New England just to see the leaves changing to brilliant colors of orange, yellow, and red. Although this may sound a little bit corny, it is so beautiful. If you can find a lake or stream the colors reflect off of it and it makes for some great pictures and a great place to picnic. Also, the weather is perfect to take a hike in the mountains in the fall. Not only will you get some great exercise, but the views with the leaves changing colors will be breathtaking.

Although some of these events will cost some money, many of them can be done outdoors. You will get to enjoy the great fall weather before the snow comes and it is too chilly to venture outdoors for long periods of time! You can also often check websites on a town/city near you and these will sometimes have a calendar of events per month. Just remember that not everything requires a lot of money and you should try to get yourself outdoors while the weather still permits it!

Photo: Robb E. Kiser

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By Jeffrey Strain | MainStreet.com

The U.S. may not technically be in a recession. After all, the U.S. Commerce Department says the economy grew at a 0.6% pace in the first quarter.

But most people look at things more like legendary investor Warren Buffett, who defined a recession as when “people are doing less well than they were three months, six months or eight months earlier.”

For most economists it is no longer whether there is going to be a recession, but what type of recession it is going to be: short recessions like the one from 1990 to 1991 and the one from March to November 2001, or something like the Great Depression.

No matter which it ends up being, one of the best places to look for sound advice is from those people who have survived the worst of economic times - namely your grandparents.

1. Frugality Is Not a Bad Word

There was a time when a person who was frugal was looked upon with esteem rather than someone without the means to buy more. Many people seem to equate frugality with “cheapness,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Being frugal is simply getting the most out of what you have and purchase, and not purchasing things that you really don’t need.

While your grandparents learned frugality during the hard times, many of them continued to practice it even when times got better, which helped them build wealth. Learning to be frugal could help a lot of people who haven’t learned to live within their means.

2. Use What You Have

In a consumer society, whatever problem you may have can always be solved by buying something else. If something breaks, go out and buy a new one. If something isn’t exactly right, go buy something that is. In your grandparents’ time, when something broke, they first took a look to see if it could be fixed.

If it couldn’t be fixed, before it ended up in the trash can, they would consider whether it could still be useful for something else. There is no reason to go out and spend money on something new if you can get the same thing accomplished with the things that you already have.

3. Doing It Yourself Is the Way to Go

When it comes to fixing things, the first people that your grandparents looked at were themselves. Instead of calling someone to fix something that broke, they fixed it on their own most of the time.
In a society where we now hire people to do most basic repair and maintenance, it’s important to remember that most repairs aren’t nearly as difficult as they may appear and that you can do much of it on your own with a how-to book and patience.

4. Things Have More Than One Use

People tend to buy stuff with a specific purpose in mind and use it exclusively for that intended purpose. What your grandparents knew is that most things can have multiple uses throughout their useful life. That T-shirt can become a night shirt when the collar gets worn and can’t be worn outside, and then a painting shirt when it starts to get holes and eventually rags when the holes get too big.

5. Debt Is to Be Avoided

In the age of credit cards, where spending what you don’t have now is encouraged left and right, it’s hard to believe there was a time when people actually believed that debt was to be avoided, but those are the words that your grandparents lived by. If they didn’t have the money, then they would simply need to figure out a different plan on how to get what they needed. It might be borrowing it from a friend, saving up money or finding something that could be used instead. Going into debt to get it accomplished was not an option.

6. Save for Rainy Days

As many people are finding out, rainy days eventually come. Your grandparents were well aware of this and specifically put aside money for these rainy days. It’s now what is commonly referred to as an emergency fund and something that comes in quite handy when your financial plans don’t go exactly as you imagined they would.

7. Used Can Be Just as Good as New

This concept isn’t completely foreign even to today’s generation. The notion that buying a quality two- to three-year-old car has become basic mainstream financial advice when it comes to car ownership. Your grandparents knew that just because something happened to be pre-owned doesn’t make it something to be dismissed as unworthy. They also know that this concept doesn’t stop with cars and can be expanded to almost any other area where a second-hand market is available.

8. Functional Trumps Fashion

When it comes to making purchases, your grandparents knew that it wasn’t what the device looked like, but what it could do that mattered. It was much more important to buy something that did what needed to be done regardless of what it actually looked like. That Rolex may look great, but it doesn’t tell time any better than a standard watch bought at the local discount store. Learning to buy for function rather than looks is a great way to save money. ]

9. Bargains Are to Be Sought-After

When it was time to purchase something, your grandparents didn’t just go out an get it that day. They took the time to look for a bargain. That meant doing research and waiting until the price was right rather than pulling out a credit card and buying it even when they didn’t have the money. Bargains take planning and time to find, but when they are found, you know you have gotten a great deal.

10. Homemade Cookies Are Delicious

In a society where everything is pre-made and sold for convenience, it may be hard to remember the last time you had a meal made from scratch. What your grandparents knew was that not only is it less expensive to cook this way, the resulting meal is also a lot more delicious. Think of it this way; would you ever consider trading in a plate of your grandmother’s homemade cookies for any store bought brand?

While the way that your grandparents handled money may seem unsophisticated with all the financial tools that are available today, the basics of living below their means, saving for a rainy day, getting an education and investing in their future are values that a lot of people could financially benefit from today.

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Everyone in my family, except for those in my immediate family, live in England. Last week I went to visit and realized just how much travel can cost (especially with the dollar being so weak compared to the pound). Everything in England is priced the same price that you would expect to see in the U.S. in dollars, which means that if a bottle of soda is priced at £2.00 there, that is $4.00 in the U.S. (and that is buying the soda at a grocery store…NOT an amusement park)!

Just because you are on vacation or traveling for other reasons, don’t slack off on your budget. Yes, it may be a little bit harder to keep your budget and goals in mind if you are having so much fun on your travels…but you can still have fun and save a bit of money too!

Since I love to travel, I have found some of the following advice very helpful.

Some tips on how to save…so that you actually have some money to spend when you get home:

SHOPPING – Don’t. Now don’t get me wrong, I love shopping more than you can imagine…but sometimes it just gets a little bit too expensive. I know that many times the purpose of some people’s trips is to shop, then that’s fine and you have prepared yourself for what you will spend. But if your intention before you left for your trip was not to shop, I suggest limiting yourself. Make sure you are only buying things on your travels that you won’t be able to find back home; something unique or a souvenir to remind you of your trip.

CAR RENTALS – Make sure to be smart with this. If you are staying in a city your best bet is to use public transportation. Not only will you not have to pay for your car rental, but you won’t have to pay the extravagant parking fees either. If you do have to get a car rental, make sure to consider if you actually need the car rental insurance that they offer you or if you are already covered. Check out this Geezeo article for more information!

PETS – Check to see if there is anyone that would be willing to take care of your pets for you while you are away. Paying someone that you trust to come to the house and walk your dog or feed your cat will save you a lot of money since you don’t have to send them to the kennels. I know that my brother always offers to take care of his friends dog because he knows that it will save her a lot of money in the long run and it isn’t a hassle for him. Even one of your kids friends might be will to help you out for a little extra cash!

HOSTELS – I know not everywhere has hostels, but if the location that you are traveling to does, it is something that you should definitely consider. Sometimes in Europe and other locations, a hostel is almost as nice as a hotel but at half the price! I know that whenever any of my friends were traveling abroad they never stayed in hotels and always resorted to hostels instead. If you are going on a trip to see the sites, then how much time are you actually spending in your hotel room anyway?

PACK LIGHT – Nowadays, packing light is the only way to go. Flights will charge you for an extra bag AND for your bag being over 50 pounds. Check your bag if at all possible before you arrive at the airport…you don’t want to be stuck paying those extra fees just because you are a few pounds over that 50 pound mark. Also, traveling light will give you more flexibility in case you have to lug your bags around when you get to your location.

CARRY EXTRA CASH – I know this sounds like the opposite of what most people would tell you, but I have found that taking out extra cash while I am home will save me a lot of money on ATM fees when I am away (especially if you are traveling internationally). I am not saying to carry your cash on you at all times when you are on your trip, but you should bring some extra to avoid the fees and keep the extra in the safe while you are at your hotel. I know that this is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea to carry more cash, but I have found it helpful in the past.

Saving money on vacation is not always possible! And don’t let being worried about money ruin your vacation. But do be sure that you are prepared before you take the trip…you don’t want to come home and realize that you have overspent and now have to be frugal for the rest of the year.

Photo: Kevin Rosseel

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Singer Rihanna spent Labor Day spending her earnings at Gucci. How did the rest of us mark the working person’s holiday?

Amber runs Geezeo’s “Money Challenge” group. She challenged the community to spend as little as possible this weekend and focus on “free fun”.

I managed to still spend quite a bit on meals out and a movie, but, here’s my list of free weekend activities. What did you do for free this weekend?

Here’s a list of free activities for the family, at Labor Day or any other time:

Amber’s group posts a lot of fun financial challenges to keep you more mindful of your spending habits.

So, how did the rest of you spend your holiday weekend? What do you do for fun with your family that costs very little? Comment here or in the Money Challenge group.

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For young generations today, the pressure to spend is greater than ever. Not only spending on clothes and electronics, but also spending on eating out and drinks with your friends.

But the pressure to save is also there. All people hear on the news is about saving and how difficult it will be to retire if you don’t start young.

Young generations are feeling the pressure to save early while still trying to enjoy their lives and not always stress about money. Personally, I graduated college this year with NO credit card debt, something I am extremely proud of. But for many of my peers, this just isn’t the case.

I understand that starting to save for retirement ASAP is crucial; I just wish it was a little bit easier and less stressful. Here I’m sure my mum would say – “Hannah, life isn’t easy!” But honestly, with student loans, bills, rent, food, gas, and other expenses…what is there actually left to save?

The key aspect is to find a balance between saving and spending. Something that isn’t always easy to do (and often times it feels impossible). And yes, sometimes this means that you have to say “no” to going out for a night on the town or to concert.

Putting money into a 401(k) account as soon as you start a salaried job is a great idea (and a good starting point for your retirement savings). It doesn’t matter how little you put towards it at first, at least this is moving you forward. Often times employers may even match your savings up to a certain amount. However, once this money is in your 401(k), just forget about it and put it out of your mind. That way you aren’t tempted to borrow the money from this account.

MainStreet.com explains that there are things we can all try to avoid when we are trying to continue to save even when the economy is in a downturn.

Here are their top 5 things NOT to do:
1. Don’t borrow from your 401(k) unless you absolutely need the money.
2. Don’t ignore: (a) car or mortgage payments, (b) student loans, (c) credit card bills, or (d) all of the above.
3. Want to eat out or play a few rounds of golf? Okay, just don’t put it on your credit card.
4. Don’t make pricy purchases, even if there is a sale or your fancy new toy might be a cost-saver.
5. Don’t quit your job unless you have another job lined up.

For the full article (and their explanations), click here!

Believe me; I understand what it is like to be stressed about saving. Being in the young generation just out of college when the job market and economy aren’t doing so well is not the greatest, but we just have to push through it.

My advice is to take it day by day. You can think about retirement saving before you even have a job. Just make sure when you get that job that you are saving as soon as is possible for you. Don’t worry too much! It definitely won’t help the situation. Somehow we will all get through this together and retire happily ever after!

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Part of setting your budget is determining how much money you have and where it should go. And with this comes the important task of figuring out what you need verses what you want. Too many times people will set their bars really high to allow for those “extra” things that they think they need. The may put a little bit more in their food budget for those convenient snacks, or maybe a little more in the entertainment budget for those extra few drinks. But for those serious about getting out of debt, there is a lesson to be learned here. The more money you save on your wants, the more money you have to pay off your debts, and the sooner you will be debt-free.

Still trying to determine the difference? Check out what Sarah Winfrey had to say over at Wise Bread:

“But Mo-om, I want it!” How many times have you heard that in the grocery store, or the toy store, or anywhere else, for that matter? Probably more than you can count. And what do you think when you hear it? That poor parent? Or, thank God that’s not me anymore! Or, What is wrong with that child? Most of us go on our way, relieved for some reason. It’s not our kid, it’s not us, and we don’t have to deal with it.

I must admit that I am plagued with scenario every time I pass the toy section in the store with my kids. They wine and complain that they want a toy and will try to give me a valid reason for it. The answer remains the same - No. But then again, maybe I should sit back and think about my purchases, and wonder if I do the same thing. Do I try to give myself a valid reason for purchasing something just because I see it on the shelf? Keep reading:

The truth is that, as adults, there are times when we keep ourselves from throwing these sorts of tantrums by buying something we don’t need. We see an item, feel the same desperate need that child felt, and assuage our own feelings by buying the item. We have the power to do that for ourselves as adults. But these are the purchase we often feel guilty about, and one of the main ways to get rid of the guilt is to find a way to classify that purchase as something we do need. Actually, we can do this any time we regret a purchase.

So it’s time for all of us (and I include myself in this) to grow up, time to stop looking like adults on the outside but acting like children on the inside. To do this, we must learn to distinguish between what we need, what we need in certain conditions, and what we want.

Find out how to group your needs and your wants accordingly - read more of her blog here.

Also, you can share your ups and downs, ins and outs of budgeting with other users in the group It’s Time To Budget by joining in on our conversation here.

By Chelsea P. Gladden

Have you heard the ‘ol adage if you bring the kids it’s not a vacation but a trip? Recently returned from Hawaii in my 8th month of pregnancy with two little ones four and under, I can validate that statement.

Don’t get me wrong; we had a blast and got some much needed quality family bonding in that I wouldn’t trade the world for, but with lots of diapers to be changed, baths to be given and chasing around in general, it was still a lot of work.

Nonetheless, while you can’t put a price on the memories I will treasure with my family forever, you can put a price on how much more traveling with children costs. Before embarking on your journey jubilee, consider the following.

If you’re flying, children over 2 require an airline seat. While this adds a serious chunk of change, also factor in that once you land, if you’re renting a car, you can no longer get away with the economy size with two or more children and will need to fork over the cash for the next size up. Even if you think you could squeeze two car seats in or have kids who are ready for seatbelts, you’ll still need room for luggage of a family of four or more.

Naturally, you’ll be spending more money on food than when it was just the two adults. Speaking of which, if you want any adult time, trusted babysitting services while traveling tend to cost more as well.

For some elbowroom, a bigger room might be needed and some hotels will charge a per person fee adding to that final check out bill.

However, to keep costs down, there are a few short cuts that can keep family vacationing from family bankruptcy.

Even with gas prices exceedingly high, it still could work out cheaper to pick a destination that you can drive to versus fly. If you keep it in the 100-mile range, you especially will avoid gas costs, car rental and room costs to break up your drive. Working your route to include a visit to family and friends will also cut back on hotel costs and can even score you a free sitter.

If flying is still in your cards, packing light can save you a bundle. To get a family of four packed into carry-ons, consider purchasing items such as extra diapers once you land. Bring some traveling detergent so you can wash clothes and get away with packing less. Doing so will help avoid airline charges for extra luggage and the need for a bigger rental car.

So don’t be deterred from family travel because it can be done cost effectively. Just remember: it’s a trip.

For more ways to be travel savvy The Street.com recommends booking a vacation home. Check it out: here.

Don’t be greedy with your travel savings tips. Share them on It’s Time to Budget and Financially Frugal Families.

Save on Food: Tips for Eating Local Produce
By Debra Borchardt | MainStreet.com

Floods in the Midwest and fuel surcharges have pushed up food prices at the chain supermarkets so high that becoming a locavore might be the answer.

Locavores generally eat only foods from within a 100-mile radius. But you might not need to go to those extremes to save money — just shop at local farmers markets and roadside food stands. Not only are you supporting your local economy, but you also get a fresher, better-quality product.

Make a Trip to the Farmers Market

Nina Planck, an expert on farmers markets, runs the farmers market in Washington D.C. and agrees that shipping and packing are much cheaper when it comes to local foods.

“Just about everything about local and traditional food makes it relatively cheaper when fossil fuel gets expensive,” Ms. Planck says.

Most large grocery chains buy produce from wholesalers and in bulk, which traditionally has given them a low-price advantage. The farmers markets tended to be higher priced, but consumers accepted that you paid extra for better quality.

But now, that food chain has been interrupted, with less product coming from the large corporate farms of the Midwest due to destructive weather patterns. Plus, wholesalers are tacking on fuel surcharges.

Restaurants are Buying Local, Too

Agnes Devereaux of the Village Tearoom in New Paltz, N.Y., has some farmers deliver directly to her and makes trips to others. Her restaurant tries to buy as much locally as possible, and while some products are more expensive, like dairy, others are cheaper when she picks it up herself.

“I cut out the middleman. The wholesalers would just have to buy from the farm and then resale to me,” said Devereaux.

Laura Pensiero of Gigi’s Trattoria in Rhinebeck, N.Y., changes her restaurant menu every quarter according to local availability. For example, she says, “strawberries are abundant and much cheaper in June, so lots of strawberries on the menu then.”

Don’t Pass By the Roadside Stand

No matter whether you by a ton of stuff or just a bit, you can save money.

Raychel O’Shea Patino was able to buy two boxes of strawberries in a farm stand in Rochester, N.Y. for $3, when it normally costs her the same price for one box. Abby Goldstein stopped at a roadside stand in Maine and found the prices to be cheaper than in her local grocery store. Kristi Conn of Orange, Texas, said that while driving down Highway 87, she passed numerous trucks filled with vegetables and watermelons.

Some states are able to grow more variety than others, like Texas, but most states do have small farms nearby. Even New York City has access to many farms located in the Hudson Valley that provide products sold at Greenmarkets throughout the city.

By being flexible in purchasing decisions, such as buying what’s in season, a consumer can cut the food budget without cutting back on quality.

Buy a Farm Share

Another way to save is through CSAs, or community supported agriculture. A person can buy a share of a farmer’s crop for a set amount of money. Each week, they get a variety of the items the farm grows.

The consumer does accept the risk of vagaries in the crops; i.e., tomatoes may be bad one year, while the onion crop is outstanding.

Devereaux says there were only two CSAs when she moved up to New Paltz years ago, and now there are six — and they are sold out.

“Several deliver to New York City,” she pointed out.

Shares can be a family size, basic size or larger and can run roughly $450 to $500 for a basic share depending on the farm.

Be a smart shopper. Saving money on food doesn’t necessarily mean eating Ramen noodles. You can support your local farmers and cut costs.

Resources to find local foods include the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, Local Harvest and the Rodale Institute.

By Katie McCaskey

Lavish lifestyles presented in the media sell—a lot. From upscale food and drink to designer clothes to seductive toys, gadgets, and cars, few of us are 100% immune. When it comes to money many Americans think that if you “have it”, you “show it”.

In this installment of our back-to-the-basics series we discuss being frugal, or, living below your means. But first: let’s define “cheap”. Frequently, the two are confused.

The way I define “cheap” is simple: being “cheap” is being actively selfish. It’s putting your needs ahead of all else. “Being cheap” is behavior where someone tries to get a product or service “for nothing”. And, it gets ugly. Being cheap is frequently insulting and/or abusive — a one-sided “bargain”. Being “cheap” ignores the foundation of trade as equal exchange.

Being “frugal”, on the other hand, doesn’t mean driving a hard bargain. It’s living life by spending wisely. A frugal person might look for the best “bargains”. And, they might just spend less overall. But a truly frugal person never approaches a financial transaction with the goal of “putting one over” on the other party.

In short, being frugal is a great practice to put more money in the bank. Being cheap is a great way to piss people off.

So, how does frugal behavior increase your bottom line?

First, being frugal requires that you evaluate all your spending. It requires that you prioritize between wants and needs. A frugal person might “want” a new car, but instead chooses a “pre-owned” vehicle.

You think you know what comes next, right? Not so fast…

Some people will take the money “saved” by purchasing the “pre-owned” vehicle and spend it elsewhere. (Admittedly, that’s my toughest challenge!).

But truly frugal people have a greater purpose in mind. What is it? They put all of their reduced-cost savings to better use. This could be by paying down debt, saving, or investing. The point is: a frugal person not only conserves money, but, takes these incremental savings and puts them to better use.

Think of how much more productive you would be - financially speaking - if you took a lesson from frugal people. Too frequently we like to claim we “saved” money. But how many of us can point to specific dollar amounts and explain how it has been put to better use?

I’m learning to be more frugal. It’s both a mindset and a practice. But, I know the reward will be greater flexibility and greater ability to impact the causes that are important to me.

Find more discussion on frugal living by checking out Geezeo Groups.

Related:

Articles by TheStreet.com writer Jeffrey Strain
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