Living a Better Life®
Changing Lives. One Budget at a Time.™
August 2015 - Volume 15, Issue 8
Copyright © by Blue Ridge Publishing, Inc.
ASIN:B0000A0XQM
Celebrating our 15th year of educating and encouraging frugal
families around the world. Dedicated to helping families save money and live
better since 2001.
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From the Editor...
We're back! Thank you for your patience while we've been hard at
work moving our BetterBudgeting website over the summer. We still have many
more pages to move but everything is completely accessible and easy to locate. Now
we can enjoy our monthly ezine again and we are very grateful for all of your
support. We hope this issue and every issue will be a blessing to you and your
family. Please tell a friend about us today and invite them to join us. They'll
be so glad you did!
Have you ever wished you could do something as well as other
people? It seems to start in grade school, maybe even earlier. There's always
someone who runs faster, reads better, writes with more passion, or draws like
a professional artist at the age of 7. The list goes on and on, and doesn't
stop when grade school is over.
Thankfully, as we continue on through life we have many options
to improve our skills. We can be (or do) better at just about anything we
chose. Not everyone needs to be the fastest runner or the most talented artist.
Nor does everyone have to be the BEST at managing money. However, when it comes
to finances, all of us can do BETTER. And that's why we're here; to encourage,
educate, and support each other in this incredible journey called LIFE.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step." - Lao Tzu
This issue is packed with goodies you won't want to miss!
Including, Traveling to NYC on a Budget, August and September Sales updates,
new printable budgeting worksheets for College Students and Medical Bills,
Editor's Book of the Month (hint: frugal lunch box ideas!), details about our
newly revised Tip Rewards (Pay it Forward) contest, new DIY frugal crafts
and recipes to make, our Kids' Site and Laugh Out Loud Joke of the Month,
Hot Topics, and, new coupons and discounts!
How much money do you think we'll save this month? The more
you read the more you'll save!
Until next time... keep budgeting, saving, giving, and LIVING!
Blessings always,
Michelle
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In This Issue
1) Featured Columns & Guest Articles
2) Free Budgeting Help
3) Editor's Book of the Month
4) Tip Rewards
5) DIY Frugal Crafts and Gifts
6) Frugal Family Recipes
7) Not Just for Kids
8) Hot Topics
9) Coupons and Deals
10) Membership Center
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The Better Budgeting Class
Next session begins October 12, 2015
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1) Featured Columns & Guest Articles
Traveling to New York City on a Budget
New York City is one of my favorite places to travel. I get a
thrill seeing iconic places from the movies, catching a Broadway show, seeing
the lights of Times Square, hours of shopping and even hitting the beach. All
of this fun and pleasure comes at a price though and that's why over the years
of traveling to NYC once a year I've learned... read more
Alfresco August Savings (Annual Sales Calendar Update)
It’s August and summer is sizzling inside and outside of the
shops as sales heat up. This year retailers hope to score good grades with
their back-to-school savings. So, strap on your backpack and head out to the
store with your kids. You can expect to find many alluring deals and discounts
to help out with what many parents call... read more
Super September Savings (Annual Sales Calendar Update)
Don't go running indoors yet! It’s still summer at least until
September 23rd, according to daylight savings time. There are bright days ahead
for late night shopping, plus with the Labor Day holiday (1st Monday in
September), you can guarantee that there will be sidewalk sales, promotions,
and... read more
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2) Free Budgeting Help
Visit our Better Budgeting page to view more of our
budgeting topics and resources. If a friend has shared this issue with you
please sign up for your own free membership on the web site or at the end of
this issue. Membership includes two free ebooks in your Welcome Letter. If you're
already a member and missed these gifts ("Dealing with Debt" and
"101 Coupon Tips") send an email to freeebook@betterbudgeting.com and we'll
gladly resend them to you.
New Worksheets: We've added 2 new printable
worksheets to help with your family budgeting. The first one is for College Students needing to manage
their money, maybe out on their own for the first time. The second worksheet is
for managing Medical Bills, which we always
seem to have way too many of. UGH!
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3) Editor's Book of the Month
Weelicious Lunches: Think Outside the Lunch Box with More Than
160 Happier Meals
"Filled with lots of great menu planning ideas; tips,
tricks, and reusable product suggestions to make lunch fun; inspiring color
photographs, advice on dealing with food allergies and so-called picky eaters;
and more than 160 tried and true recipes, Weelicious Lunches takes lunchtime
planning from hassle to joy!"
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4) Tip Rewards
"Pay it Forward" Money Saving Tip of the Month
We're excited to announce our NEW monthly Tip Rewards contest!
The awesome rewards are still the same (25.00 cash and clipped grocery coupons
valued over 200.00) but the submission guidelines are a little different and
should make it even easier for you to win. Now, instead of trying to submit a
NEW money-saving tip that hasn't been shared already (not so easy to do after
our many years of sharing tips), we invite you to "Pay it Forward"
and send us a brief story about your favorite financial or money saving tip
that has been passed down to you by a family member, friend, mentor, or elder.
Example: Your mom, dad, aunt or uncle, grandparent, teacher, caregiver,
employer, pastor, friend, neighbor, just about anyone!
Submission Guidelines: Please include as much information
about your tip as you can, such as the special TIP someone shared with you, WHO
that person is (name and relationship - or anonymous), and HOW you have
been able to use the tip to save money either recently or over the years. You
may also include anything you'd like to add or specify about the tip or person
who shared it. Submissions will edited for spelling, grammar, and punctuation
if needed.
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5) DIY Frugal Crafts and Homemade Gifts
How to Make a Birdbath with Clay Pots
This beautiful birdbath is relatively inexpensive to make. I
made it out of Terra Cotta Pots. I bought the pots and small saucer for 1.00
each (on sale) and the larger saucer for 7.00. The pretty blue glass beads were
left over from my wedding. they were originally purchased from... read more
How to Make an Ombre Glass Vase with Repurposed Wine Bottle
Home décor projects can add new color to a dull room, but they
tend to be very costly. Follow this craft project to add a fresh look to a
bedroom without breaking the bank in the process. Repurpose a wine bottle
using... read more
Crafters: We'd love to feature your frugal craft and gift idea
in our next issue. If you're not a crafter but know someone who is please
invite them to join us. You do not have to be a professional writer to submit.
We offer free editing when needed. Craft articles for our next issue need to be
submitted no later than the 15th of the month.
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6) Frugal Family Recipes
Chicken and Vegetables with Bowtie Pasta
Here's a one-dish meal I put together when chicken was on a
great BOGO sale at Publix. It takes a little time to prepare but it's simple
and only requires a few ingredients. And, it turned out FABULOUS! Get recipe...
Easy Chicken Alfredo
Here's another one of our favorite chicken dinners that is quick
and easy to make. It's not as fancy as homemade but it gets an A+ from mom and
dad on a busy school night. Extra bonus points: The kids love it! Get recipe...
Frugal Cooks: Do you have a recipe to share
that could help our frugal families save money and feed their family on a
budget? If so, please submit your recipe(s) today at editor@betterbudgeting.com. If selected, your
recipe may be printed on our recipe blog, and in our next issue, so be sure to
let us know if you'd like us to include your name or if you'd prefer to
share anonymously. You may also include a photo of your recipe,
though it is not required. Thank you for your frugal love and support. We could
not do this without your help! :o)
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7) Not Just for Kids
Kids' Site of the Month
Why is the Ocean Important?
Laugh Out Loud Joke of the Month
How does the ocean say hello?
Answer located at the end of next section!
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8) Hot Topics
China’s 'Black Monday' Spreads Stock Market Fears Worldwide
Stock market jitters spread throughout Asia and the rest of the
world, and Wall Street sustained a major plunge (down more than 1,000 points
within just a few minutes of open), after Chinese stocks recorded their biggest
slump in eight years during what China’s state media dubbed “Black
Monday"... “A lot of questions are being asked by investors,” said Chris
Weston, chief markets strategist at IG in Melbourne. “This is a confidence
game, and when you don't have confidence, you press the sell
button.” Read more at The
Washington Post...
Fed Might Not Raise Rates as Expected
In a note to clients on Monday afternoon, Barclays economists
Michael Gapen and Rob Martin wrote that US financial market
conditions have deteriorated in recent weeks, and this has, in effect,
tightened financial conditions already. This move comes as many expected
as recently as last month that the Fed would raise rates for the first time
since July 2006 at their September 16-17 meeting... in addition to tighter
financial conditions, "our decision to delay our outlook for the
tightening cycle stems from the effects of a stronger US dollar, lower oil
prices, and weak global demand on our outlook for US inflation." Read more at Business
Insider...
Chipotle to Hire 4,000 New Workers in One Day
The company said Monday that it's planning a mass hiring for
September 9 that would increase its workforce by about 6.7%. On that day, every
Chipotle across the U.S. will open early to interview 60 applicants at each
location. The new hires will be in entry-level positions that earn an
average hourly pay of $10 an hour and get a 401(K). Chipotle also began offering
all staff access to paid vacations and tuition reimbursements in July. Read more at CNN...
Turning Summer Internships Into Jobs
As the end of the summer approaches, many rising seniors and
recent graduates are wrapping up their summer internships. Fortunately, many
companies do extend job offers to current and former interns. So, how can you
make sure that you'll be one of the interns to make the transition into a
full-time-employee? Even with numbered days left in your internship, you still
have time to increase your chances of getting hired now or down the road. Read more at USA
Today....
Belk: Largest Family-Owned Department Store Chain in the U.S. to
Be Sold
Charlotte-based, Belk Inc., has agreed to be purchased by New
York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners for 3 billion, including the
company’s debt. The deal effectively ends local control of the
127-year-old company that began in Monroe and grew into the largest
family-owned department store chain in the U.S. Belk stressed that the its
leadership and merchandise offerings will remain largely unchanged after the
deal, though analysts say new owners may try to make the chain more profitable
through initiatives like store closures and job cuts. Read more at The
Charlotte Observer...
Back to School: Why August is the New September
There are more than 12,000 school districts in the country, and
all sorts of laws and reasons govern when they can start and who decides. All
the education experts I spoke with seemed to agree that through the 1980s,
Labor Day still ruled. But by the mid-1990s, especially in the South, districts
began to hop aboard the August train. The last time schools started after Labor
Day in my current home of Atlanta, it was 1996. This year, districts in states
from Florida to Kansas to California will start in August and end around
Memorial Day. Read more at CNN...
(Answer: It WAVES!)
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9) Coupons and Deals
Free Birthday Treats - Help us
continue building our delicious list of places that offer free birthday
desserts, dinners, coffee, and more!
Publix Digital Coupons - Looks like
it's been awhile since I shopped for groceries at Publix. (Love the store, and
the BOGOs, just not the crazy-high prices for items not on sale.) They may be a
little late to the digital coupon party, having not required a shopper's
"rewards card" previously, but now you can sign up for their extra
coupons online with your My Publix account and add them to your order when
checking out at the store. Simply by entering your phone number. No card
required. Kudos to Publix!
10-15% Off Gift Cards - We're not sure how
long this temporary price cut will last but at least for now you can save up to
10% off digital gift cards at Target and 15% off iTunes gift cards in
store and online.
1.00 Atlanta Sunday
Newspaper - Get the Sunday Atlanta Journal
Constitution delivered locally for 1.00 a week with 13 or 26 week subscription.
This is the lowest price we've ever seen on the AJC Sunday paper!
Popeyes Coupons - Check your local
Popeyes restaurant for new coupons. Ours is offering a 5 piece chicken
dinner with 2 sides and 2 biscuits for 7.99, or a free 2 piece dinner with
purchase of 3 piece dinner and 2 drinks.
Free Cheryl's Cookies - Get 6 cookies and
pay only S&H of 6.99, AND, receive a 10.00 reward card for next purchase at
Cheryl's Cookies.
Have extra coupons you are not going to use? Please consider
helping out with our Military Family Coupon Project. Expired
coupons (up to 6 months past the expiration date) can still only be accepted
overseas. Our base lists are updated every month. As more of our
troops are coming home please donate your unused current coupons to military
families locally. Thank you to all of our volunteers!
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10) Membership Center
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