Military Days at Sam's Club

I can't believe I just heard about this...the press release is dated November 11th!  During this holiday season, Sam's Clubs are offering special days for military members to shop at Sam's Club without purchasing a membership.  From their website:

"Military personnel with proper identification can shop and save on their holiday meals and gifts at Sam’s Club without a membership. The company will also waive its 10 percent non-member service fee. The military open houses will be held Monday, Nov. 17, Monday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Dec. 15 in 598 Sam’s Club locations in the U.S., during regular club hours.

More than 3,000 Sam’s Club and Walmart associates are active military personnel and the company supports numerous military and veterans programs. “We hope this event makes the holidays easier for military families and, if we can help them enjoy a special meal or find a unique gift, our mission will be accomplished,” said Greg Johnston, executive vice president, Operations at Sam’s Club. “This event is in honor of our nation’s military families present and past, to show our gratitude for their sacrifices.”

What a lovely gesture!  A list of Sam's Clubs can be found here.  I hope that some of you can take advantage of this offer.  While I often find that the prices at the commissary are equal to or better than Sam's, they do have some individual great offerings.  As long as you can keep yourself from filling a cart with a bunch of impulse purchases, this could be a great opportunity to sample Sam's Club and see if it is something that would save you money.  Enjoy!

Ten Things to do with Thanksgiving Leftovers

Hopefully, you've had a lovely holiday.  Now the fridge is packed with pieces of turkey, bits of cranberry and stuffing galore.  What are you going to do with all this food, and how are you going to prepare it so that you don't tire of the turkey before it gets consumed.  In the interest of frugality, you've got to use it all up.  So what are you going to do?

1. If you do nothing else, make Turkey Stock:  Throw the turkey carcass into a huge pot with a little bit of oil and brown for a few minutes.  Then add water to cover the turkey, plus three cut up carrots, three cut stalks of celery, and two cut onions.  Include the carrot skins, celery ends and onion skins for extra good color.  A bay leaf and two teaspoons of thyme make excellent seasonings.  Simmer for several hours, strain and chill.  Freeze in small containers or ice cube trays and use like chicken stock.  (Here's my chicken stock recipes for more details.)
2. White Chili:  Traditionally made with chicken, turkey makes a fine substitute.  Check out this recipe from allrecipes.com (obviously, you're using already cooked turkey and will have to adjust for that) or search the web for your own variety.  It freezes well, so you can easily spread your turkey into next month.
3. Dressing Patties:  Leftover stuffing and biscuits make another dinner side dish.
4. Turkey Pot Pie:  Start with two pie crusts, store bought or homemade.  Place one crust in a pie plate.  Mix together a can of cream soup (potato is excellent, celery is flavorful, chicken and mushroom work fine as well), a half cup of milk and a cup or two of veggies (leftovers, frozen, or canned mixed).  I like to add some pepper and thyme, as well as some onion if it's available.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.  Campbell's biscuit topped recipe is available here.
5. Turkey Salad:  Use your favorite chicken salad recipe, or just mixed diced white meat turkey with mayonnaise.  Add in chopped celery or onion, sweet relish, lemon juice and/or salt and pepper to taste.  Great in a sandwich or on crackers.
6. Potato cakes:  Mix leftover mashed potatoes (between one and two cups) with a beaten egg.  Optional, yummy add-ins include some onion (sauteed or not), dried onion flakes or powder, salt, pepper, shredded cheese, hot pepper sauce, and crumbled bacon.  If the mixture is too thin, add some flour.  Form into patties and cook in a saute pan with butter until hot through, approximately five minutes on each side.  Yum!  (You can also bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.)
7. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole:  I can't wait to try it!
8. Cranberry Pork Roast in the Slow Cooker:  Season a small pork roast with salt, pepper and garlic powder and brown in a small pan.  In a separate bowl, mix leftover cranberry sauce or relish (at least 1/2 cup, a can of pineapple with juice (crushed or chunks), and 1/2 cup soy sauce.  Place one sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker, top with pork roast, and pour fruit mixture over top.  Cook for 5-6 hours on low, until the temperature reaches 160 degrees.
9. Leftover Soup:  Bring 4-6 cups of turkey or chicken stock to a boil in a large pot.  Add 1-2 cups of leftover turkey and somewhere around a cup of leftover stuffing (without nuts, fruit or oysters).  Then include any or all of the following:  vegetables (corn, carrots, peas, onions, green beans, diced yams or sweet potatoes, green bean casserole ); mashed potatoes; and gravy.
10. Curried Sweet Potato Soup:  Puree leftover sweet potatoes or yams (but not casserole) with onions or leeks, chicken or turkey stock, and curry powder.  Heat through.

I realize that most of these recipes are pretty loose with the measurements and directions.  Thankfully, they work that way.  If you're intimidated or want more precise instructions, I highly recommend allrecipes.com.  I use them nearly daily!

Keeping Insurance Costs Low

If you own a home, you should have homeowners insurance.  In fact, your mortgage probably requires it.  Insurance protects the house itself from fire and other damaged (but not all of them) and also protects the contents from damage or theft.  I can't imagine any situation in which insurance wouldn't be a good idea.  Unfortunately, it looks like the cost of homeowners insurance is going to be going up, and for some people that increase could be large.  An article at CNNMoney talks about the reasons for the increase and ways that you can keep your costs down.  I suggest you check out the list and consider which ones you might be able to try.  Here are my suggestions in order of importance and ease:

1. Lower your deductible.  This is a win-win decision for nearly everyone.  Most insurers offer several deductibles on each type of insurance.  I always choose the highest deductible.  In the case of my homeowner's insurance, that is $2,000.  Here's my logic:  I'm not going to claim anything less than $2,000 on my homeowner's insurance, because it would raise my rates and possibly cause me to lose my coverage.  If a catastrophe hits, and I do file a claim, then $2,000 will be only a fraction of the amount involved and is truly an amount that I can find a way to cover, either with my emergency fund or other creative financing.  Many of those things, like using a credit card, aren't things that I would recommend, but if we are truly talking about a huge loss, it will be the least of my worries.  In addition, I set up an automatic deduction from my checking account to a special "deductible" savings account.  I'm having $10 per pay period put into that account - I'm already over five hundred dollars!  Once that account reaches $2,000, then I'll stop paying towards it.  That way I'm self-insuring for that first $2,000 of claims.  My policy decrease was less than $100 per year, but that adds up pretty quickly.  Plus, knowing that my deductible is so high keeps me from wanting to make claims, which will help keep my rates low.
2. Compare insurance.  Truly, USAA is most likely to have the best rates and the best service around.  However, it won't hurt you to make a few phone calls.  Make sure that you are comparing the same insurance - replacement value coverage, various discounts, and other variables.  Make sure it is a stable and good company.  The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (www.naic.org) tells about various companies, including complaints.
3. Make sure you are getting all your discounts:  Do you have an alarm system?  (Make sure to note if it is a monitored system.)  Do you have deadbolt locks?  Smoke alarms?  A sprinkler system?  Ask your insurance company if there are other discounts for which you might qualify - a gated condo community, a non-smoking house, or a particular group (college alumni, credit union, or similar.)  Those discounts can really add up!
4. Check your credit rating and CLUE report to make sure that the information is accurate. 
5. Find out which payment plan has no extra costs.  Many insurers offer a discount for automatic payments, or charge a fee if you spread your payments out over the term of the policy.  Ask which plan will be the least expensive for you.

More great information is available from the Insurance Information Institute.  Hopefully you can use these tips to keep those insurance bills as low as possible.

Grocery Points for Gas Really Work!

We don't live on post, and the closest commissary is 15-20 minutes away, so we sometimes choose to go to the local civilian grocery store.  It is a block from my house, it has a fantastic selection of everything, and the organic milk we buy is even cheaper than the commissary.  We have the little club card thingie, which is necessary to get the good price on milk, and I've always noticed that I am accumulating "gas points" at the bottom of my receipt.  I never knew what "gas points" were (and I still don't.)  Our local store doesn't have a gas station, but apparently you can get a discount on gas at stores that have gas stations, based upon your spending.

Today, I was across town doing some errands when my fuel light came on.  The first gas station I saw was run by the grocery store, so I stopped in.  The price for gas was posted at $1.76, which is pretty good around here.  At the pump, I was prompted to swipe my club card before I began my transaction.  Imagine my delight when the price fell to $1.56 a gallon!  I was quite low and put in almost 20 gallons, so I saved nearly four dollars.  And it was so easy!

You can bet I'll be figuring out this gas points promotion.  I encourage you to check out those odd promotions that you don't understand - maybe you'll find a great deal like this, or another bonus that will help you save a few dollars.

Free Welcome Home Banners

Andi at SpouseBUZZ tells about the generous promotion from BuildASign.com:  they're giving away 20,000 banners and jumbo cards for deployed and returning servicemembers.

Austin, TX - November 10, 2008 - In honor of Veteran's Day, BuildASign.com™ is re-launching its banner giveaway to help 20,000 more Americans show their support for the US armed forces. With this donation, BuildASign.com™ will provide military families all over the country with personalized banners for their homecoming and holiday celebrations while encouraging businesses to create banners that show their support for our troops.

BuildASign.com™ is also giving away jumbo holiday cards to families whose service members won't be home in time for the holidays. These families can send personalized jumbo holiday cards to loved ones overseas for less than the cost of shipping a banner. Both free banners and free jumbo cards are available to everyone at www.BuildASign.com/Troops.

If you have a loved one deployed, or are anxiously awaiting a return home, check out this wonderful offer from BuildASign.com!

Elsewhere on Military.com

Military.com is full of great resources.  In the Banking and Savings section, there is a good article about the various tricks that some credit card companies use to make more money .  Most of the things listed can be avoided by choosing your credit card carefully.  Ask questions before you sign up, read the pamphlet that comes with your card, and keep up with any changes to the cards terms.  If you have a card with unfavorable terms, consider switching to a more customer friendly bank or credit union.  You will save yourself money and frustration by selecting a company that doesn't try to make things complicated for you.

Five Things For Which I'm Thankful: The Financial Edition

With Thanksgiving coming up next week, I've read many articles about being thankful.  As I put together my own list of thankfulness, I noticed that many of the things for which I'm thankful are related to security, and those things are often tied to finances.   Here's how my list looks:

1. Health insurance:  Sure, you will occasionally hear me gripe about Tricare and the military medical system.  I am smart enough to know, however, that what's we've got is a pretty good thing.  The cost is low (or free) and the care is usually quite good.  I take my kids to the doctor's when necessary without worrying about how I'll pay for it, I get the prescriptions that my family needs, and I don't fret about a medical catastrophe ruining my family's financial future.  I know many people in America don't have any insurance at all, and many more people have insurance that isn't as good as ours.  And so, I'm thankful.
2. A spouse who thinks about money pretty much the same way that I think about money:  We've all heard that money causes most of the fights in marriages.  While you won't ever agree on everything, being married to a person who basically has the same financial views can help keep the disagreement to a minimum.  Heck, I can't even remember the last time we disagreed about money.  We do try to keep the lines of communication open, and it is a lot easier to talk to someone who is starting from a similar point of view.  And so, I'm thankful.
3. A safe, adequate house:  We don't live in a McMansion (nor would I want to), and we've lived in some small houses and some big houses.  However, we've always had enough room to eat, sleep and play, and I've never been concerned for our safety.  We've always had heat, even when the thermostat was a little crazy and the temperature was unpredictable.  The occasions when I've had to shower in cold water have been few and it's been quickly fixed.  Whether military housing or on the economy, I've not been worried about homelessness.  And so, I'm thankful.
4. Job security:  For most of our married life, I've been a stay-at-home mom.  Knowing that my husband is going to get paid twice a month makes it a little easier to push through the lean times.  I can't imagine being constantly worried about lay-offs, downsizing, or other things that would decrease or eliminate my husband's income.  It would take a major upset, or a choice by my husband, for his job to end.  Even then, we'd have some advance notice that it was coming - very few military members show up for work one day and are told to pack their stuff and go home.  Even a few months of preparation time would make any transition so much easier.  And so, I'm thankful.
5. Youth:  If you are in the military, you are young, or at least relatively young.  We've still got time to pursue our financial goals and weather the current financial turmoil.  My small retirement savings have shrunk like just like everyone's, but I'm not planning on using it for at least a few decades.  Either it will rebound, or I'll work a little harder to make up the losses.  And so, I'm thankful.

Even when economic times are tough, there are many things for which to be thankful.  So, what's on your list?

Greening Your Home - Bloomberg:

Greening Your Home - Bloomberg: Your Money

As the temperature dips and my energy bills go up, I'm looking for new inspiration to save money. This video taught me that my refrigerator was the biggest energy user in my house, and reminded me to seal those little cracks around my windows and doors. (And the house in the video looks remarkably like our last on post housing, 34 layers of paint included!) I hope you find a few useful tips!

Everyone is Cutting Costs

An interesting article at USA Today talks about the variety of ways that Americans are cutting their spending and finding new ways to pay their bills.  From selling unneeded items to taking second jobs, there are many ways to increase income and lower costs.  My family is avoiding stores and recycling catalogs before the enter the house, trying to stretch the time between grocery store trips and shopping consignment shops and thrift stores when we need new clothing.  What things are your family doing?

Consignment Bargains Galore

I had the most successful shopping trip today!  I am blessed with a really nice consignment store about 10 minutes from my house.  I haven't been in lately because I'm trying to keep my spending down, but I have been needing a nice pair of black pants.  I received an email about a sale today, so I stopped by and I found some fantastic bargains.  In addition to two pairs of lined pants that fit me beautifully, I also got a smashing ball gown for $4 (can we please have a ball soon?), a two piece skirt and top set for $4, and a pretty sweater for another $4.  Add a pair of brand-new kids shoes and my total for the whole shebang was less than $50!  I don't usually like to spend so much on clothes at one time but I still feel like I did well.  The pants will be well worn this winter and the weight will work for all but the hottest days of summer.  The two piece outfit will look great with some other things in my closet as well.  I think I've added about 20 outfits to my closet!  I had a credit from some items I'd consigned before, so I didn't even have to spend $50 in cash.

If you have a consignment or thrift store nearby, you should check it out.  I can't always guarantee that you'll have the success I had today, but I do think you'll probably find some good values.

Gas Savings Really Add Up

I've always had a "two credit card" plan, but this summer I found an offer so good that I thought it was worth adding another card to my stash.  Pentagon Federal Credit Union's Visa Platinum Gas Cash Rewards card offers 5% cash back on gas purchases, and the reward is credited monthly.  On our trip to visit Grandmom and Granddad this summer, (when gas was rreeaallyy expensive), we received nearly $100 back on our huge gas bill.

This card also offers 2% back on grocery purchases and 1% on other purchases, but for my family this is a "gas only" card that can be used at any gas station.  While it has no annual fee, this 13.99% APR is higher than my NFCU and USAA cards and therefore I wouldn't ever want to carry a balance on this card.  You might want to see if Penfed's offer would work for you.

Good Info About Payday Loans

MoneyTrack, a public television series about investing, has partnered with MSN Money to presented an  interesting group of videos about financial issues and the military.  The first segment talks about Predatory Lending, specifically payday loans.  It is hosted by Pam Krueger and Jack Gallagher of MoneyTrack and features real stories about service members and their experiences with payday loans.

These same financial experts are also featured in an on-demand Scams and Predatory Lending webcast offered through the California Department of Corporation's Troops Against Predatory Scams program.  About 30 minutes in length, this webcast includes video, text, links to resources and the opportunity to submit questions to the experts.  Also at the TAPS website are downloadable publications on a variety of personal finance topics of interest to military members and their families.

Payday loans and other predatory scams can look attractive when you're in a cash crunch.  There are several problems with payday loans.  According to the Center for Responsible Lending, "the payday lending business model is designed to keep borrowers in debt."  Payday loans look easy because they don't require good credit and it is easy to "roll over" your debt into a new loan when you can't pay the first one.  The interest and fees can quickly dwarf the amount of the original loan, and combined with the short repayment schedule, it can be difficult to pay the balance in full.

However, there are almost always better options available.  Check with your service's relief organization (Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, or the Air Force Aid Society) about the possibility of no interest loans, or ask at your base's credit union to see what options they offer.  Programs and offerings vary by location, but many major military credit unions offer alternatives to payday loans. For example, the Pentagon Federal Credit union offers Asset Recovery Kit loans at select branches in the U.S.

When money is tight, a payday loan may look like a quick and easy solution to your financial trouble.  I hope that the videos, webcast and articles linked here will help you find a way to avoid these troublesome and dangerous products.

Commissary Scholarships: Applications Now Available

The Defense Commissary Agency has announced its 2009 Scholarships for Military Children program.  Applications and information are now available at your local commissary or online at the Scholarships for Military Children website.  It is available only to unmarried students under the age of 23, who are the dependent of an active duty, National Guard, reserve, or retired military member, as well as surviving children of military members who died while on active duty or in a retired status.  Students must have a 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree program.  This program strives to offer a $1,500 scholarship at each commissary that has qualified applications, and more than one scholarship per location may be awarded dependent on response and funding.  There is an FAQ section that answered most of my questions about the process.  I encourage you to check into this opportunity to help pay for college, and let us know if any of you are awarded the scholarship.

Free Holiday Messages in Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes military newspaper is offering free holiday messages to be shown on their website and also included in their print editions.  Click here to access the December 2008 holiday message website.  Messages must be submitted by 8 a.m. EST on November 28th, 2008, for inclusion in the print editions.

USPS Discounts For Mailing to FPO/APO Addresses

I don't know about most people, but I seem to spend a lot of money mailing packages when my husband is deployed.  Fortunately, the large Priority Mail Flat box from the U.S. Postal Service mails at a $2 discount if going to FPO and APO addresses, making it $10.95 instead of $12.95.  These boxes can be obtained at your local post office or you can order them to be delivered to your home in packages of 10 or 25.  And they're free, even the delivery! You can order at the USPS website, or by calling 1-800-610-8734, then selecting option 1.  At the same telephone number, you can also order a free kit of packing materials, including priority mail boxes, tape, and labels.  The person with whom I spoke was helpful and nice.  How awesome is that?  I'm hoping to save a lot of money next year using these great offers.

Don't forget, mail your FPO/APO holiday packages by December 4th!

Air Force Reserve? More Money For Master's Degree

Over at Military.com's Education center, an announcement about increased reimbursement for Air Force Reservists pursuing Master's Degrees.  Check it out!

Quick and Easy Laundry Tip

I have recently switched to cold water for most of my laundry.  However, I've found that the clothes smell musty if I don't get them out of the washing machine as soon as they are done.  A solution that I've found is to put a capful of ammonia in the wash water.  It seems to kill whatever bacteria are causing the odor, and my clothes are a lot fresher.  You might give it a try if you are cutting back on your hot water usage.

Sound Advice From Dear Old Dad

I recently stumbled across a lovely article in the September issue of Money Magazine.  In A Letter to My College-Bound Daughter, Dan Kadlec offers financial wisdom that is useful and also very sweet.  A little lighthearted yet relevant reading for a Sunday morning.

USAA Educational Foundation: An Amazing Resource

Do you know about The USAA Educational Foundation?  Created in 1989,  The USAA Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides consumer information publications to military members and the general public.  It is sponsored by USAA, but it does not endorse the products of any particular company.  The Foundation offers online information, downloadable publications, and free hard copy publications on a variety of topics including:

• Choosing, Buying, Selling, Leasing, Insuring and Owning a Vehicle
• Home and Personal Safety
• Insurance
• Financial Planning and Management
• Buying, Selling or Renting a Home
• PCS, Deployment, and Leaving the Military
• Preparing For, Financing, and Succeeding in College
• Elder Care Issues
• Estate Planning and After-Loss Changes

I've enjoyed several of The USAA Educational Foundation's publications and I've found them to be helpful and easy to read.  Click on over to their site and take a look around.  I imagine that you'll find something helpful!

Budget So You Can Retire

Budget So You Can Retire - Bloomberg: Your Money

While pretty basic, I like this Bloomberg piece about figure out retirement expenses because it is simple. All the other calculators I use have all sorts of variables to consider. This is easy enough that most people can do it without too much difficulty. I hope you enjoy!

Would You Like to Open a Card With That?

I recently needed to make an expensive purchase in a department store.  It was a need, not a want, and I had carefully researched and planned this spending.  I took my time in the store, made a good choice, and went to the register.  There it hit me:  the store credit card promotion.  Due to the nature of my purchase, I got to wait at the register for about 10 minutes as they took care of some details.  In attempt to pass the time, I picked up the credit card flyer.  Keep in mind, I don't do store credit cards.  I have three general cards, one that we use just for gas, one for everyday purchases and one for emergencies (like if my wallet with the other two cards is stolen.)  I don't want any more cards cluttering up my credit report, I think that store cards tend to have awful interest rates, fees and other costs, and I choose not to have a card for myself.  But that slick brochure, with descriptions of the benefits, very nearly made me break my own rule.

So what, you might ask?

First, I have to say that there are benefits to store-specific credit cards.  They are easy to obtain, which might help someone without any credit history build a positive credit report.  They limit the amount of trouble you can create because they usually have lower credit limits and they can only be used in one (or a few) stores.  They often offer benefits such as sale prices, rewards programs or other bonuses.  Sometimes they even offer "same as cash" offers, which can be helpful if you are making a big purchase such as a large appliance or electronics.  Store credit cards are seductive - they look wonderful!  But what are the downsides?

1. Opening a new account will negatively affect your credit score.  Even if you use it once, pay it off, and close it, your score will drop.  One or two such transactions won't have a huge effect, but repeated credit checks make your report look bad.  It is true that opening new credit will decrease your used credit to available credit ratio, which may improve your score a bit, but I still don't think it is worth it.
2. The administering company might not have good customer service.  Most store cards aren't run by the stores, they are run by other companies.  Even if the store has outstanding customer service, the company that runs their credit accounts might be awful to deal with.  Most stores will not offer any actual "service" on these accounts, other than to take payments.  Co-branded cards are Visa or Mastercard accounts that are affiliated with a particular store.  Unfortunately, they are usually affiliated with the larger, expensive credit card companies.  In that case, you would probably be better off getting a high quality Visa or Mastercard elsewhere.
3. They nearly always have very high interest rates.  I've seen rates as high as 28%!  The average department store credit card charges about twice the average major credit card.  It will only take a month or two of not paying the balance in full to make the interest more than any discount that you've gotten for opening the card to begin with.  In addition, late fees and over-limit fees on both store cards and co-branded cards are typically much higher than fees on a good bank or credit union Visa or Mastercard account.
4. Store card programs are designed to encourage spending.  From sending special "coupons" to creating alluring rewards programs, the stores' marketing departments first try to increase sales from existing customers.  Stores know that customers paying with credit spend more than customers paying with cash, and using your special store card seems to increase spending even more.
5. More credit accounts presents more of an opportunity to miss errors or fraud.  Do you have an old card that you never use but haven't closed?  Would you know if it was being fraudulently used?  Does the company even have your current address or other contact information?  Open accounts that aren't being used will help keep your credit score high, but not if someone is using them without your knowledge.  Also, credit bureau fraud department are more quickly able to notice fraud when your report is simple and clean:  unusual activity is pretty obvious when you've only got one or two major credit cards on your report.
6. Store card rebate or reward programs rarely beat good bank or credit union rebate or reward programs.  There are exceptions, of course, but I still haven't found a store reward program that beats the cards I have now.
7. More credit accounts means more actual bills to pay, and that means more work for you.  Ever misplaced a bill in a pile of mail?  It is easy to do, and even easier if you've got stacks of bills, sales flyers and other mail coming in every day.  The less mail you are receiving, and the fewer bills due each month, the lower the chance that something will slip through the cracks.

I know that there are certain instances in which a store card is a good choice for an individual.  I have chosen to stay away from them because I have very carefully selected the credit cards I carry, and I am confident that their low rates, excellent rebate programs and positive customer service can't be beat.  In the end, I passed on the store card, not because I could think of all these smart reasons but rather because I didn't want to break my own rule about department store cards.  And you know what, I think that is the most important thing I learned.  There was a good reason why I have that rule, and I'm glad that I stuck with even when faced with all the glitz of the rewards available.  Trusting my own decisions was a smart idea!

Looking Forward to Eating In!

Today's post at Free From Broke lists Six Ways Eating Out Less Has Made Our Family Better.  I couldn't agree more, and I've got a few things to add to the list:

1. My kids are learning how to read recipes, measure, multiply, divide, and follow directions.
2. I'm learning to be more creative, rather than cooking the same 10 dishes all the time.
3. I'm justifying the snazzy refrigerator and dishwasher we purchased when we updated our kitchen.
4. We're wasting less food.  Ever bought enough food for a week, eaten out three times and wasted the leftover food?  When we stick to our meal plans, the food is always eaten.

What ways has your family benefited from eating at home?

What If Your Landlord Is Foreclosed Upon?

Every day, the news is filled with stories about the economy, housing prices and mortgage problems.  Foreclosure rates are increasing, with several military-dense areas being hit hard.  So, what happens if your off-base landlord stops paying the mortgage on your house and the house goes into foreclosure?

The bad news is that you will probably have to move.  At foreclosure, the home will be purchased by either the lender, a new homeowner, or an investor.  The purchaser nearly always chooses to terminate the tenantship when the property changes owners, except in the few states where that is not permitted.  Depending on your situation, and the state that the property is located in, you may know for months ahead of time or it is possible that they could legally evict you within days of the foreclosure sale.

There are a lot of websites that can help you understand what happens in a foreclosure and how it affects you as a renter.  Unfortunately, foreclosure laws vary widely from state to state.  Here are a list of websites that talk about tenants and foreclosure.  Please be aware that some of these sites are owned by for-profit companies.  I have tried to make sure that none of them are too much like advertisements, but do know that there may be some information that might suggest that you need legal representation.  If you feel that you need legal help with your particular problem, you can contact your base legal services offices or MilitaryOneSource for free help.  While you may still have to move, knowing the state laws and your rights will lessen the stress as much as possible.  Thankfully, the Joint Federal Travel Regulations have recently been changed to allow the military to provide moving assistance for renters displaced by foreclosure.  See Some Relief for Military Renters for more information.

General Info: Foreclosure and Eviction Practices by State,  Tenants Facing Foreclosure in Rental Property, Tenants Caught in Foreclosure, Landlord Association.org, Fannie Mae:  Goal is To Avoid Evictions

Some State Specific sites:

Alaska: Landlord Tenant Book (page 52-53)

Arizona:  Arizona Tenant's Claims Against a Landlord When a Home is Lost in a Foreclosure, Arizona Tenants Advocates, Arizona Department of Housing, Foreclosure Crisis Hurting Renters, Too,

California:  Tenants and Foreclosure, Tenants' Rights in Foreclosures, Tenants Legal Center, Tenants:  Protection from Landlord Foreclosure,

Connecticut:  Is Your Landlord Going Through Foreclosure?

District of Columbia:  DC Law Protects Tenants During Foreclosures

Florida:  Tenants Evicted in Face of Challenging Florida Housing Market ,  Renters, too, Face Mortgage Fallout, Tenants Q/A

Illinois:  Metropolitan Tenants Organization (check out the links files on the right hand column - they're great!)

Maryland:  Foreclosure of the Property, Landlord Foreclosures

Massachusetts:  Tenants Facing Foreclosure, Mass Legal Help, Information for Tenants

Michigan:  Michigan Tenant Counseling Program, Foreclosure Leaves Tenants On The Street,

Minnesota:  Home Line, Wave of Foreclosures Hits Renters

Nevada:  Department of Business and Industry, When Renter Pays, Owner Doesn't:  You're Out, Tenant

New Jersey:  N.J. Renters Mostly Safe From Foreclosure

Ohio: Is Your Landlord In Foreclosure?

Texas:  Austin Tenants' Council, Austin Tenants' Council:  Foreclosure

Pennsylvania:  Foreclosure Fallout:  Renters Forced Out Of Lost Homes

Top Ten Personal Finance Books

There are a bjillion personal finance books out there.  (Yes, I know that isn't a word.  But I like it.)  I like to keep reading to keep myself focused on the things that are important to me.  How do you know which books are worth your time?  I've compiled a list of some all-time favorites.  Click on through to find some inspiration and learn more:

• The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason:  First published in 1927, this classic collection of short stories is easy to read and understand.  The wisdom is timeless and entertaining.
• Young, Fabulous and Broke by Suze Orman:  Though her personality can be a bit off-putting, Suze Orman's financial advice is always right on.  Aimed primarily at young adults but useful for anyone, Young, Fabulous and Broke explains financial concepts clearly and shows how your decisions as a young adult can help you create the future that you envision.  This is a simple compilation of most of the information in Orman's other books.  For more in depth information, I would send you to her other books as they expand on the information in Young, Fabulous and Broke.  I own several and regularly borrow the rest from the library.
• Smart Couples Finish Rich and Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach:  Why hasn't he written a Smart Men Finish Rich?  I don't know.  However, I have found these two titles to be quite helpful.  The first talks about the emotions and communication involved in financial management as part of a couple, and strategies for working together to reach financial goals that are important to both of you.  The second book looks at personal finance from a female perspective and shows women that they have the power to positively change their financial future whether they are single or part of a couple.
• Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko:  The authors have dissected the behavior of millionaires across America and distilled it to simple habits that anyone can practice.  Thought-provoking and easy to read, Millionaire Next Door shatters myths about how wealthy people act in their daily lives.
• Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey:  The author, host of a popular personal finance radio show, has inspired many people to change their behavior and take control of their finances by paying off debt.  Ramsey identifies some of the hurdles that stop people from succeeding at following his straightforward plan, and fills the book with inspiring stories of people who have succeeds.  Definitely motivational!  This book does promote strong Christian values throughout and some people find that offensive, but please don't pass on this book just because you don't agree with Ramsey's religious beliefs.
• Debt-Proof Living and Debt-Proof Your Marriage by Mary Hunt:  Hunt has a rare perspective on spending.  Her family was once in $100,000 in credit card debt and it took 13 painful years of multiple jobs and strict budgeting to pay off the debt.  Both books look at the emotions and experiences that shape our financial behaviors.  Hunt suggests new ways of thinking about money and offers lots of solid suggestions for cleaning financial house.  Debt-Proof Your Marriage deals with the communication and cooperation required for couples to be financially successful - I've read it at least a dozen times and I learn something new every time.
• Die Broke by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levin: Pollan, a financial adviser, promotes a different way of thinking about income, living and retirement.  He advises that you attend to the big financial tasks to allow yourself the freedom to enjoy the things that are important to you.  The second half is a bit outdated, but still contains useful explanations of key subjects.
• The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton: Remarkably uncomplicated and entertaining, Chilton's book presents personal finance concepts in story about siblings visiting the local barber.  The language and writing style are elementary and this book deals primarily with basic finance.
• Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominiguez, Vicki Robin and Monique Tilford:  A series of unusual exercises designed to help you figure out what is important to you, then plan a way to align your financial choices to your values.  This book truly changed the way that I think about money and I can't recommend it enough.  There is a new edition coming out in December...if you plan to buy it, please wait for this updated version to be released.
• Born to Buy by Juliet Schor:  If you have children, spend much time with children, or are just concerned about what our children are learning about spending, this is a must-read book.  Frightening statistics about the effects of our consumer society on our children, plus suggestions for helping your children to navigate the sea of shopping and advertising.  Fantastic!

Obviously, there are many other great personal finance books out there.  These can be found at your local library, or if you must buy them, please consider buying them used  You can look at half.com, Amazon or eBay for used books at deep discounts.  I know how fun it is to go book shopping but new books are awfully darn expensive!

I find that reading (and rereading) these books helps me to make good decisions and continue toward my financial goals.  Pick up a few and see what you think, or add your favorites to the comments.

Cut Your Utility Bills with These Ten Steps

Winter is coming and many of us have turned on the heat to keep our houses warm.  As our utility bills get bigger, this is a great time to find some small ways to conserve.  Try these tips:

1. Clean the dryer lint filter with every load.
2. Close curtains at night, and open them when sunlight is coming in those windows.
3. Consider purchasing insulated draperies, or hang quilts or blankets over drafty windows and doors.
4. Replace standard light bulbs with compact flourescents.
5. Install a programmable thermostat.
6. Check with your utility company to see if they have any energy saving programs.  Some offerings might include free or low-cost energy audits, rebates on energy efficient appliances, or installation of energy savings devices.
7. Look into budget billing.  Using this program, you will pay the same or nearly the same amount for your utilities all year long.  Your bill will be a bit higher in the spring and fall but will be lower in the summer and winter.
8. Invest in warm slippers, heavy bedcovers and warm sweaters.  A fleece jacket will keep you warm even with the thermostat turned down.
9. Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator.
10. Turn off the lights when you leave the room, or when the sun is providing enough light for your activities.

These tips aren't exciting, nor are they difficult, but they will help lower your utility bills.  Give them a try!