Thrifty Tursday: 3 Ways to Cut Your Grocery Budget

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Thrifty Thursday: 10 Easy, Money-Saving Grocery Swaps

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Thrifty Thursday: Produce Bag Scrub Pad

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Thrifty Thursday: Ways to Save Water

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Thrifty Thursday: eMeals

*I received a membership for review purposes. Any opinions expressed are my own.

     I just got accepted into the eMeals blogging program. You may have heard of eMeals before. If you listen to Dave Ramsey at all, I can almost guarantee you have heard him mention this program! But just in case you haven't heard of it, let me briefly explain. 
     eMeals is a program that basically plans your dinners for you and gives you the grocery list you need. This helps you keep your grocery spending in check because you only buy what is on the list. You can choose from a variety of meal plans, including gluten-free, vegetarian, clean-eating and more! They also have a new slow-cooker plan. 
     The slow-cooker plan is perfect for busy families who are out (at work, school, etc) all day but still want a home-cooked meal. There is even a clean eating slow cooker option. If you want a sample of what kind of recipes you will find, check out this slow cooker clean eating chicken broccoli pasta.
     If this is something you'd be interested in, you can use the code SLOW to get 15% off. Check out eMeals today!

     Bloggers, if you're interested in taking part in the eMeals blogger program, sign up here. Be sure to let them know I sent you!

Thrifty Thursday: Ways to Save Electricity

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Thrifty Thursday: Free "Perfect" Portions

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Thrifty Thursday: Get the Most out of Your Toiletries

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Thrifty Thursday: Survey Sites part 5

     Now, on to what is probably the most profitable use of your time--online focus groups. Online focus groups (or even in person ones if you can find a company in your area) generally pay pretty well for your time. They can pay anywhere from $50-200, depending on the subject and how long the study is. The catch is if you can get into one. They are often looking for really specific demographics. 

Thrifty Thursday: Survey Sites (part 2)

      Okay, today I'm continuing my post on online survey sites, or market research companies. Last week I told you about which ones I plan to stick with for now. Today I'm going to tell you which ones (in my opinion) you shouldn't waste your time on.

Thrifty Thursday: 5 Ways to Save Money

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Thrifty Thursday: Total Money Makeover

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Thrifty Thursday: Freezer Inventory

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Thrifty Thursday: Dirty Dishes Cause Debt (guest article)

     This is an article by Jill from Living on a Dime. If you haven't checked out their website, and you need ideas to save money, you should check them out because they've got a lot of great ones.
     I wanted to share this with my readers, because this is a topic that hits me hard, because eating out is one things we really struggle with. And I'm sure some of you can relate. Some of you may be "there" where eating out just doesn't interest you. If you are, that's awesome. But for the rest us, read on!


Dirty Dishes Cause Debt!
by Jill Cooperhttp://www.LivingOnADime.com

     The other day I was asked one of the most common questions that people ask me: "Where do I start if I want to get out of debt?" After telling me of her huge credit card debt and how they eat out almost every night, the lady took a deep breath and said, "How do I save on laundry detergent and cleaning supplies?" Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.

     Even though saving money on cleaning supplies does help and should be part of your plan, that usually isn't where the biggest problem with the debt lies. This woman never once thought to ask me how to stop eating out so much. Most people don't want to face the real causes of their debt because their biggest problems are the things they like the most. Going out to eat is one of the top five causes of debt.

     Get those dirty dishes out of the sink!!

We go out to eat because we can't face a dirty kitchen. Keeping your kitchen empty of dirty dishes is the key to saving money. This is probably the #1 way to start getting out of debt. Most people are so overwhelmed with piled counter tops and dirty dishes that they would rather go out to eat than face a dirty kitchen.

Do the dishes after every meal and keep hot soapy water in the sink while you are baking or cooking. Clean as you go. If your sink is empty and the dishes are washed, your kitchen always looks good. This helps you save money because you have the time and space to cook.

To get in and out of the kitchen quickly, try these easy steps:

1. Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and put the hand washables in it to soak.
2. Wipe off counter tops and tables with hot soapy water. (This way, if you have unexpected company, at least your table and counters will be clean.)
3. Sweep the floor and shake throw rugs if needed.
4. Wash the dishes that have been soaking.
5. Wipe down the faucets and dry with a towel. (Be sure to wipe any sticky appliances, too.)
6. Put out a clean dish rag and towel.
7. Take out the trash.

     These simple steps can help you start climbing your way out of debt. You will be amazed how much better you will feel just having the kitchen clean.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the authors of the Dining On A Dime Cookbook. Dining On A Dime will help you save money on groceries and get out of debt, by cooking quick and simple homemade meals. For free tips & recipes visit http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Make it Monday: Cereal Box File Tray

     Here is a really cheap, simple "file tray." I know it's not fancy, but it's functional and cost me a roll of duct tape. And not even that b/c I didn't use the whole roll--not even half! The cereal boxes I don't count, since I'd have those anyway. I just saved these from the dumpster. :-D

     So, did you know that you can get duct tape in all kinds of pretty colors and designs now? Not just the dull silver that's been around forever. So, first thing you want to do is pick out a design you like. As you can see, I favored the blue with white flowers. You can also get it in sheets, by the way (the size of a normal piece of paper). But I found the roll to be the more practical and versatile option. 

     Besides the tape, you will need empty cereal boxes and scissors. I have for boxes in the pic here, but decided to just do three.

     First, you will want to trim the boxes so that they are the same length. Next, you will start wrapping tape around the boxes to hold them together.

     Repeat this step until the whole box is covered. I didn't actually cover the back or the bottom. I figured those parts wouldn't be visible, so why waste the tape? But you can do that if you want to!

     And there you have a cheap, simple file tray. Nothing fancy. Maybe something you don't want to show company. Maybe close friends who know how quirky and frugal you are. :-P Maybe one day I'll venture to make a lid for it for storage. I'll be sure to let you know when I do.