8 Weeks of Saving More! My Fave Resources (Week 7)

Just one more week to go, and our challenge will be over!  I don't know about you, but it's been a great way to start my year, saving some extra $$$!  I hope this challenge has been beneficial to you as well, whether you're participating or just reading through the posts each week.

Today, I wanted to share some of my favorite resources when it comes to money management.  I include a list of my top 8 in my savings book, but I'm going to tell you about 4 of my top go-to resources today.

(Of course, my savings book is a great resource to read anytime!  I'd love for you to check it out and purchase on Amazon.  By doing so, you are supporting my small business, and every little bit helps!)

My Four Fave Financial Resources

1. I totally 💗my envelope system, and I've been using it for several years now.  Basically, I put money for designated categories into different envelopes and keep track of it right on the envelopes.  The two categories I've used the most are for "mad money" (to blow) and "travel".  In November, I had the opportunity to visit the Dave Ramsey Show and instead of having him sign a book, I had him sign my envelope system!  Pretty dope! www.daveramsey.com
2. It was the Financial Peace University Home Study Kit that jump-started our debt-free journey several years ago, and it also included the envelope system I love so much (see #1).  I really wanted to get on the FPU bandwagon, but needed the flexibility to do it on my own time, so I asked my husband for the home study kit as a Christmas present.  Now, a few years later, I've joined the FPU class through my church so I can finish the nine-week program with some accountability.  FPU is a lifetime membership, so if you ever want to go through the class again, you just find one to join.  I have enjoyed going through the program again and realize how much of a life-changer it's been for my family's financial well-being. www.daveramsey.com  
   
3. On her website, livingwellspendingless.com, Ruth Soukup promises "practical solutions for everyday overwhelm".  She originally started her website to chronicle her methods of getting everything she wanted for way less than retail, but eventually, Ruth's way of living evolved into one of simplicity and enjoying life's beautiful moments.  Ruth has a whole section on the site about finances (click on the "smart money" tab), but it's her products that I love the most.  This is the first year I've ever spent as much as I did on a planner, but her planner is helping me get so much done (including writing this blog post).  I am also going through her book, 31 Days to a Clutter-Free Life for the second time and using it to slowly declutter my own home.  
4. Crystal Paine is the genius behind moneysavingmom.com, and she never ceases to impress me with the versatility of all she does.  My favorite book by her is Money Making Mom, which inspires women to get creative when it comes to finding work and carving out all-important family time.  Crystal also has several very affordable online courses (we're talking under $20) such as Make Over Your Morning and Make Over Your Year.  I just took her newest course, 15 Days to a Healthier You and loved it, but it's currently not available.  But she's got plenty of other resources to keep you busy, such as current posts on incredible online deals.

There you have it: my top 4 money-saving resources.  I hope you get a chance to check these out soon and that they help you on your savings journey.

Week 7, Task 1: Choose one of the resources above and visit the website.  Find and read a financial article on the site and apply what you've learned to your own savings methods.  Think of it like a homework assignment, but a really fun one!  

What are your favorite financial resources?  I would love to know.  Leave a comment below if you have any that aren't listed here.

Until next week, Happy Saving!

Kristin

Buying Secondhand

This is part two of my series called "Savings Superstars".  To read the first installment, To Coupon or Not, click here.  Please leave a comment below and I will respond in a timely manner!

I do not like to pay full price for books.  Ever.  And yet, I am a voracious reader and love to consume new materials whenever I get my hands on them.

Hence lies the struggle: I want to read but at what price?  I'll tell you.  Usually pennies on the dollar.  Here's my secret: I score many of my books secondhand from thrift stores.  If they are paperback, they typically cost anywhere from .50 cents to $1.  If they are hardcover, maybe a little more, like $1-$2.  I can't tell you how many "like new" books I've found at the thrift store that I've been hoping to read.  Some of them are still stocked on the shelves at Barnes and Noble for full price.  I walk out of the thrift store with my finds silently laughing to myself for my good fortune.  Let someone else pay full price.  Not this gal!

I always try to keep a mental list of the books I'm on the lookout for in the back of my head.  That way when I run into it, I can just pick it up.  If I have waited for a long time and can't find a title I'm searching for, I sometimes buy it used for .01 cent on Amazon and just pay shipping.  But most of the time, the title turns up locally and I save having to pay shipping at all.

There was a time in my life (before kids) that I got to attend a lot of classy functions that required nice dresses.  I went through a phase where I actually bought a few secondhand formal dresses on eBay, and generally had good luck with them too.  But, alas, I don't get to many formal functions these days.  So, I guess I will continue allocating my secondhand dollars to my list of reads.

Do you buy secondhand?  If so, what?  Be sure to comment below and let me know!

To learn how to turn your secondhand purchases into real, cash savings, check out my book 8 (Really Creative) Ways to Save.  It includes an entire chapter on buying used items!

Happy Saving!