One of the basics to saving money is knowing how you already spend it. This means having a system to record your income and expenses. When I was in college I used the accounting pads with the green columns to record my receipts and tabulate how much I spent in each area. It was very... Continue Reading →
Brighter savings
(updated 4/23/17) One fairly simple way to save money (and energy) in your home is to switch to more energy-efficient light bulbs. In the last few years, LED bulbs have been introduced, which are even more efficient than compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs, which had replaced incandescent bulbs). Both CFLs and LEDs have a higher cost in... Continue Reading →
Saving money and energy on Shabbos
(updated 1/8/26) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. How can it be possible to save money on Shabbos when you aren't allowed to spend any? There are actually many things we do that are related to Shabbos that... Continue Reading →
Online shopping tips
Shopping online can be very overwhelming and time-consuming. However, last year (2010), I saved over $1600 from coupons, online shopping, buying online in bulk, and mail order prescriptions. I gave gathered a few tips to help you be successful at online shopping: ∞ Sign up for email lists from stores you like (either online or brick... Continue Reading →
(More) Make your own…
There are many store-bought products that are quite expensive if you consider how much cheaper it would be to make your own. They also often have chemicals and preservatives in them that we would rather not eat. When our boys (all four of them) were babies, we made our own homemade baby food by cooking,... Continue Reading →
Buying printer paper by the case
Over the past 2+ years, I have been searching for ways to save on things we use a lot of. As a teacher and a graduate student (and coupon clipper), I often have to print documents from home. I do try to use the backs of paper by rerunning paper through again for less important... Continue Reading →
Cheap rainy day ideas with kids
The weather does not always cooperate with our family plans! Some days off we might have a particular outing planned, and the rain interferes. Here are a few ideas for in and out of the house (no matter where you live). Note that some of these ideas may not be open on a holiday. The... Continue Reading →
Menu planning
(updated 3/5/17) One of the best ways to save at the grocery store is to have a list. Even better, have a menu for the week and then make a list from it. We try our best to make a menu on Saturday nights and go grocery shopping on Sundays. I admit, though, we do... Continue Reading →
Making your own challah
(Updated 3/5/17; Pictured above - my husband and my oldest son, then 3, making challah.) Making challah can be a very fulfilling mitzvah and is one of the major mitzvot for women. I admit, though, that during the last several years with me working full-time, I barely get to make challah at all. However, every time I do, I... Continue Reading →
Preparing for gift-giving = savings
(updated 1/20/26) This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It seems like whenever I look at the calendar there is another party or event coming up that I need a gift for. I try to do a few... Continue Reading →
Surviving on a tight budget 