Daily Preparedness

The images coming out of Haiti are heart-breaking and as generous souls, we all want to do our part to alleviate the catastrophic suffering we see on a daily basis. As with all modern disasters, the Haiti earthquake has unleashed a secondary storm of disaster–the charity scammers. Within hours of a major disaster, fake charities, websites and phone solicitors arise from the ashes to ply us with pleas for assistance. Sometimes sounding like recognized charities, or ‘collecting’ in their name, these scamming vultures move quickly and effectively. They want your money and in the latest schemes, your identity, computer files and credit card information.

In order to protect yourself from these unscrupulous vultures, follow these suggestions:

• Never link through an unsolicited charity email. Go to the charity’s own website from your own web browser. Be certain that the site is legitimate.
• The newest scams involve virus-laden websites that infect your computer with a virus and then cause a virus alert message to appear. It then tries to sell you virus protection software, which is actually malware. These sites will pop up if you search for Haiti and earthquake.
• Before giving to any charity, know what percentage of your donation will go to aid, what percentage may be diverted to other causes and what percentage is for ‘overhead’.
• Know that in most cases, the best thing you can give after a disaster is cash. Truckloads of clothing, furniture & bedding are often left to rot because there is no mechanism to distribute it after a large disaster.
• If you have goods that can be sold, sell them and donate the cash to a reputable charity.
• Do not respond to unsolicited phone calls pleading for money.
• Do not give cash to individuals coming to your home, place of business or in public asking for donations in the name of a charity. Instead, give directly to the charity.
• Ask if the charity is a 501c3. Ask to see their annual report. Ask for contact information for the headquarters. If they refuse to answer your questions, don’t donate.
• Beware of text message donations. You will most likely be paying the texting charges and fighting a fraudulent charge may be difficult. Also, do not text credit card or other personal information.
• If donating online, do so only through reputable charities’ websites and only those that begin with https
• The safest way to make a donation is with a check made out to the charity. You will then have a ready-made receipt for tax purposes.
• Ask the charity what help they are currently providing in the area. How many people are they currently serving? What other organizations are they working with?
• Do an internet search for the charity in question. Look for independent news reports of aid they are currently providing in the area they claim to be serving.
• Ask the charity what will happen to excess funds collected. How will they use them?
• Never give out your credit card or bank information over the phone, especially when the phone call is unsolicited.
• With any phone solicitation, ask the caller to send written materials. Do not donate unless they do so. Even then, be cautious.
• Know that countless ‘charities’ and ‘foundations’ prey on the elderly. They send statements that look like bills, rely on their instinctive generosity and employ a variety of other unsavory techniques. If you have elderly family members, watch their bank accounts for such donations. Some frauds include using the information on checks sent in to set up automatic electronic withdrawals.
• Avoid giving to newly established charities, especially after a major disaster.
• Every state attorney general’s office will have information on legitimate and fraudulent charities. If you believe that you have encountered a fraudulent charity, contact the AG office immediately.
• Decide what you can reasonably afford to donate and donate it to a legitimate charity of your choice. When you are asked for donations by others, simply say, “We’ve already donated.”

One of the most effective and fast-responding charities is LDS Humanitarian Services. 100% of your donation will go to assist others, not only in times of disaster but with a wide range of truly wonderful programs. A link to a rapid donation form is available at www.lds.org. For further information about other ways you can support worthwhile efforts around the world, go to http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/

Do not become a secondary casuality of disaster. Be wise in your charitable giving and be certain that your generosity goes to those you wish to aid!

New Year’s Resolutions–easily made, quickly forgotten and fodder for guilt! Instead of feeling bad about yourself when April arrives and your resolutions are all but forgotten, set goals that will allow you to slowly but surely attain a more provident lifestyle. The changes need not be drastic or accomplished all at one time. Provident living is not a one-time event, but rather a mindset, a lifestyle, a commitment to viewing today in context of the years that lie ahead. No matter where you are on the Provident Living Spectrum, making consistent changes will brighten your tomorrows.

As you evaluate where you are, consider these dozen ideas:

1. Debt: If you are out of debt, stay out! If you are in debt, resolve to acquire NO further consumer debt and pay down your debt as quickly as possible. Tell yourself ‘No’ frequently until your debt balance is at zero. Buy used and apply the savings to your debt load. Put away the credit cards and pay cash. Do whatever you have to do to get out from under the slavery of debt.

2. Savings: Pay yourself each payday. Save whatever you can, wherever you can. Keep your savings in a secure, insured account. Teach your children to save and to be wise consumers.

3. Employment: Be certain that your resume is prepared and up-to-date. Improve your skills and be on the look-out for employment opportunities. If you are threatened with unemployment, begin your job search before you are laid off. Let everyone know that you are looking for employment!

4. Education: Be certain that your children understand the value of obtaining the best education possible. Teach them from middle school on that what they do in the six years after elementary school will affect their ability to be admitted to college and win scholarships. Help your teens find every scholarship opportunity possible. Teach your teens about the dangers of acquiring unnecessary student and credit card debt. If you need to return to school, seek grants, scholarships or employer-funded opportunities. Continually learn new skills that will help you live providently: gardening, canning, home repairs, computer skills, sewing, baking, cooking, etc. Be certain that every member of your family has the necessary life skills to enter the world prepared to be self-reliant.

5. Be a wise steward: Take care of what you own so that it will last and serve you well. The greatest ‘green’ thing you can do is to make what you have last as long as possible.

6. Prepare for ‘everyday’ emergencies: The largest percentage of ‘emergencies’ that we will face are the ‘everyday’ sorts–unexpected illness, injury, a flooded basement, etc. An orderly life and home makes it easier to deal with these types of events. Train your family to keep the home running smoothly. Have extras at home–extra cash, extra food, extra cleaning supplies. Know where your important papers and phone numbers are. Evaluate the most likely larger emergencies you might face and prepare with evacuation kits (72-hour kits or Bug Out Bags), emergency supplies such as first-aid kits, extra lighting, cooking, etc. ‘Prepare every needful thing…’

7. Store food and essential supplies: Even if you purchase and set aside a few canned goods each shopping trip, build a supply of food that you can rely on. Begin by purchasing ‘everyday’ foods until you have a 3-month supply. Store some water, extra hygience products, laundry soaps, etc. When you have accomplished your 3-month supply, slowly acquire long-term staples such as grains, sugar, salt and powdered milk.

8. Develop emotional resiliency: Learn to take the upheavals of life in stride emotionally (which is easier when you are living providently). Learn to appropriately deal with stress, anxiety, disappointment and develop a support structure that will assist you. Develop a greater faith and testimony of the eternal nature of your life so that the daily ups and downs are seen in the proper perspective. Learn to laugh. If you need professional help, seek it from a trained professional that shares your core values.

9. Build your spiritual muscles: Like physical muscles, spiritual muscle must be built over time. Do not wait until the tempest is raging to learn to seek Divine Guidance and Strength. Serve others and forget yourself as you lift another.

10. Practice Prevention: Prevent accidents whenever possible. Make your home and your car as safe as possible. Teach your children to behave appropriately and how to react to danger. Seek preventative medical care from competent professionals. Think before acting and research before leaping!

11. Plan ahead: Live today fully, but look towards the future. Plan economically, physically and mentally for events that you know will occur. Whether it is a birthday, Christmas or retirement, many of life’s events can be accurately predicted and planned for. Continually living in a state of ‘last-minutitis’ increases stress and nearly always results in frayed nerves, greater expenditures and wasted effort.

12. Practice happiness: Happy people are more likely to successfully navigate the world without relying on impulse buying, addictive substances or other self-destructive behaviors. Find joy in the simple things of life and make your home a haven from the cares of the world. If your home is a simple cave, make it the brightest, happiest, most laughter-filled cave imaginable.

Provident Living is not a drudgery or ‘doomsday’ way of looking at life. Rather, it is the best guarantee that you and those you love will be safe, secure, strong and happy no matter what life throws your way. Make 2010 a year in which you embrace and find joy in being not only self-reliant but able to reach out to others. In that, you will find the greatest of joy!

The week before Christmas and all through the land,

Folks are scurrying and feeling rather grand.

Now is the time for the wise to prepare,

So that holidays will occur without a scare!

Okay, so the poetry isn’t great, but just to make certain that your holidays are more merry than scary, remember a few last minute reminders:

SHOPPING:

• Try to go without little ones so you aren’t distracted
• Keep packages out of sight–lock that trunk!
• Be constantly aware of your surroundings
• If you must shop alone and at night, ask for security to walk you to your car, especially in a large and/or dark parking lot
• Carry valuables in your front pockets. Avoid a purse or tote if possible
• Keep your credit cards in sight when completing transactions
• Be aware of anyone looking over your shoulder while you process your transaction
• Don’t process a purchase while clerk is on the phone, especially if speaking in another language and holding your credit card
• Use internet sites that are secure
• If you are gone from home all day, ask trusted neighbor to pick up packages left at your front door.
• Keep your receipts–most merchants have tightened up return policies!
• Have some cash for emergencies and small purchases

TRAVEL

• Have cash for emergencies
• Re-read hints about winter travel
• Plan plenty of time for delays
• Keep your cellphone charged
• Check car condition before travel

HOME

• If going away, use timers on lights and talk radio channel
• Ask trusted neighbor to bring in mail and newspapers
• Don’t put gifts where others can see them through open drapes
• Be sure to practice fire safety, especially with lit candles and flammable decorations
• If having house guests, be certain their medications are up & away from little hands
• Cut up and bag boxes from high priced items when disposing of them or take to recycling center
• Practice safe food handling

Have a safe, blessed, healthy and happy Christmas!

The costumes are put away, the jack-o-lanterns wilting and Thanksgiving is around the corner. It is time, once again, to consider the impending holiday season. This year the great majority of folks are wondering if reality is going to cause us all to turn into Scrooge! There is no need to fear being haunted by the ghosts of Christmas, no matter what your economic situation, if you but plan ahead, use a dose of creativity, think clearly and start NOW to wish those you care about a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate.

The first step is to BEGIN NOW–if you haven’t already. (You really smart people took our advice last year and may have a running head start on your holiday planning. Wahoo for you!!) For those of you that were a bit slower on the uptake, go back and read last year’s holiday missive first:

Warning: Holidays Ahead!!

NOW, we are ready to move forward to Post-Graduate Holiday Planning. Never willing to rest on our laurels, we are forging ahead to find even more creative way to be kindly, loving, generous and thoughtful — while maintaining our economic equilibrium– for the happy days ahead. Follow these easy tricks and earn your Masters of Generous Frugality:

1. WHAT YOU HAVE: First and foremost, do a solid inventory of what you have on hand. What supplies do you have that could be turned into gifts? Old jeans? Google how to make a tote bag or re-usable shopping bag utilizing these ’scraps’. Plain candles? Can you decorate them? Containers? Fill them up with a treat you make or buy for next to nothing. Plain paper or note cards? Turn them into Christmas cards. Write a Christmas letter and forget the card!

Need supplies to complete your project?  Michael’s and JoAnn’s will email you coupons nearly every week that give you 40 to 50% percent off your purchase.

2. COUPONING: Even those who do not regularly use coupons might want to reconsider for the holiday season. Expecting a lower than average holiday surge of shopping, companies right and left are offering up some fantastic savings on toys, games and gift ware. This week, games can be purchased for $1. Sit ‘n spin for $6.14. Many of these coupons are available online and several enterprising websites offer you not only the opportunity to print the coupons, but team the coupons up with store specific sales. These sites save you time and money! A few to check out are:

http://www.dealseekingmom.com/  This intrepid coupon and bargain shopper does a great job of keeping you up-to-date on current coupons and deals. If you browse the site a bit, you can learn how to get items for FREE and even get money back. Read up on how to play the Drugstore Game–she’s amazing (and that is a compliment coming from this veteran bargain shopper). Sign up for her email alerts and she will send you regular updates. I’ve tried her approach and it does work.

http://attentiontargetshoppers.blogspot.com/ Another great site that combines coupons with sales. I learned that you can ’stack’ coupons! You can use a Target coupon and a manufacturing coupon to often score free or nearly free items. Offers that combine coupons with purchases rewarded with a Target gift card are also highlighted. One listing today is for a free portrait sitting and 8×10 (or 2 5×7’s, wallets, etc) at a Target photo studio. Have a little child and grandparents? You have a great gift for free!! Ginger also points out other offers.

Follow some of the other couponing links on these sites and be amazed at the time and money these sites can save you!

3. FREEBIES: Using the sites listed above (and similar ones) you may be surprised at what you can get for free. Don’t forget other introductory offers, samples and ‘gift with purchase’ items. For instance, the Kodakgallery.com is giving away a MILLION $15 gift certificates. It is easy and they actually have gifts for $15. Shipping charges are super low.

Look for offers everywhere you shop. Today, I ordered 5 blouses and 3 pairs of pants on clearance (total of $35 with shipping) AND received a $30 gift with purchase–an item I had planned to buy for a family member.

Walmart.com provides regularly changing links to sign up to receive a variety of free samples, many of which are suitable for stocking stuffers or to fill that gift with purchase cosmetic bag. Give the filled bag to a traveling friend, relative or the college bound student. ‘Tween girls would also love such a gift!

Join freecycle.org and trade useful items with your community. Need jars to fill? Ask on freecycle. A glue gun? Ask on freecyle. Daily postings are emailed to you and the items offered are absolutely amazing.

3. GOT CHILDREN? If you have a young child and extended family that thinks your child is absolutely amazing (and of course they are right), you have low cost or free gifts at your fingertips. Print out low-cost or free (see Kodak Gallery listing above) photos of your child. Turn them into simple ornaments (get supplies for free or 50% off using coupons), frame them in repurposed frames or simply mail the photo with a loving letter of all you learned about parenting from the family member. Adhere photos to magnet strips to create instant refrigerator art: Keep all of those advertising magnets you get, apply double stick tape or permanent adhesive spray, attach the photo and trim around the child’s face.  What Grandparent wouldn’t love that? If your child is older, enlist them in designing and making frames or other gifts such as ‘raggedy reverse applique’ items. Old blue jeans can be turned into charming frames. Simply browse the internet for loads of free ideas and instructions.

4. FOOD STORAGE: Ever thought of food storage as a source for gift giving? Your storage can work holiday magic in multiple ways. First, cut your grocery bill this season by utilizing food you already have stored. If you have the basics stored, you should be able to produce baked goods to give as gifts. When I had four children in school and lived on a single income in a high cost area, I began baking a super simple French bread recipe for my children’s teachers and school staff. The hot bread was wrapped in simple brown kraft paper that I had on hand and tied up with raffia (that I had on hand).  A small gift card signed by the appropriate child was attached. The hot loaves were delivered over a two day period at the end of the school day and were very well received. Out of pocket expense? Zip! If you don’t want to bake, save some empty jars (or score free canning jars on freecycle) and fill with food storage ingredients for bake-it-yourself cookies, soups, granola or other mixes. Grab some powdered milk, cocoa, sugar and make hot chocolate mix. Package it up and place in a mug with a cute tag. Again, recipes are free online. (Note: Do NOT follow instructions for ‘canning’ cakes in jars. It is a recipe for botulism which is NOT a nice gift)

Have wheat or rice? Sew up a small fabric bag (recycle old clothing, sheets, etc. if you don’t have yards of fabric) and fill with wheat or rice. These bags are then heated in the microwave and provide soothing relief for sore muscles. The first batch I made disappeared when a bunch of house guests fell in love with them. (No, they didn’t steal them, but I couldn’t say no to their requests to take their new found best friend home.) A deluxe version would include a small case for the bag.

5. POST HALLOWEEN & ‘AUTUMN’ CLEARANCE: Scoop up clearance rack candy that isn’t wrapped in Halloween wrappers, solid color candles, baskets and simple wreath forms after the 31st. Also check for totes in Autumn colors, gold colored napkins, plates, containers & mugs as well as baking mixes. Many will be 90% the week after Halloween. Put some candy in a jar, container, mug, basket or even ziploc bags to share with co-workers, doctor offices, neighbors or anyone else you need a gift for. Don’t forget to save some for stockings. Take a plain candle and glue gun candy canes or twigs around the edge–you have a lovely ‘designer’ look for pennies. For a more elaborate gift, place candle in a basket with some cloth napkins, napkin rings or other hostess items. Children have too much Trick or Treat candy? Save some for gingerbread houses and other holiday decorating. Don’t forget to check your grocery and drug stores for clearance items!

6. GROCERY STORES. Always check their clearance racks for specialty gifts. I recently found cedar wraps, a perfect gift for my gourmet brother, marked down 90%. I’m still hunting the library book sale for a great cookbook to go with it. Next to the wraps were gorgeous napkin rings (see above) at 90% off!

7. MAKE IT A GAME. Is everyone on a tight budget? Admit it and make gift giving more about the thought than the expense. One of my brilliant daughter-in-laws came up with a game we participated in for several years. At Thanksgiving, we all drew names of other family members. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we had to find a gift for the person we drew that did not exceed $1 in cost. The gift had to be purchased at a dollar store, thrift store, used book store or yard sale. I was not allowed to purchase items on clearance racks–the family decided that was an unfair advantage.  ;( We exchanged the gifts on Christmas Eve and it was GREAT fun! Some of those $1 gifts required much, much more thought than simply running to the nearest store and buying whatever we thought the person wanted. One son found three books his person really wanted at a used book shop. Another son and daughter-in-law announced an upcoming grandchild utilizing a dollar store frame. The key is imagination and thoughtfulness.

8. EBATES, REBATES AND REWARDS. As you shop, get the most benefit from every dollar you spend. Sign up for sites such as ebates.com, that rebate a portion of purchases you make at participating merchants. Extra discounts are also available from many of these sites. If you utilize a credit card (which you pay off every month) that offers a cashback or other incentive, you have furthered your spending power. To top it all off, look for manufacturer’s rebates. Savvy shoppers can recoup a sizable portion of everything they spend. On the purchase noted in #3 above, I will receive a 4% rebate from ebates.com in addition to 4% from my credit card. 8% isn’t much on a $35 purchase, but those rebates do add up.

9. DIY. A handmade gift shows not only generosity but true thought as you give of yourself, your time and your talents. One of the most beautiful art bowls I have ever seen was a thank you gift given to a neighbor. The neighbor had cared for the children of a very cash-strapped friend. As a thank you gift, the dollar-poor but grateful woman cut strips of wool from several old, worn pieces of clothing and wove the richly colored strips of fabric into a beautiful bowl. The out-of-pocket expense was zero and yet a wonderful piece of art was created. No matter what your talents, sharing them with love is a gift of great worth. Teaching our children to cherish a handmade gift blesses them with a greater appreciation of the true meaning of gift-giving.

10. MAKE THE SIMPLE MEANINGFUL. Turning a simple, inexpensive item into something meaningful elevates the gift to a true expression of love. One Christmas, a friend of mine cut out simple wooden heart ornaments, stained them, added a ribbon and a small poem about following the star of Bethlehem. Though the ornament alone was lovely, the poem added great meaning to the gift. I have also seen inexpensive cookie cutters in significant shapes turned into an ornament with a piece of ribbon. Add a poem or quote and you have a thoughtful gift!

11. START A TRADITION. Traditions can build family unity, bring meaning to holidays and bind us through the generations. Begin a traditional gift that you give each year. As grandchildren appeared in my extended family, one sister began the tradition of giving each child a yearly Christmas ornament. Each year’s ornament was inexpensive, unique, labeled with the child’s name, the year and embellished in some way by my sister. The children entered adulthood with their own collection of ornaments. Another aunt I know gives each niece and nephew a book. Another sews simple pillowcases. Such a tradition allows you to plan ahead, keep spending under control and still remember family members and friends in a meaningful way.

12. FAMILY HEIRLOOMS AND HISTORY. If you are the keeper of family heirlooms, consider giving some as gifts to recipients that will appreciate them. My Mother has begun doing this recently, gifting beautiful items from our family history to grandchildren that will appreciate them. She is cautious that the recipient will treasure the item and keep it to be passed on to the next generation. If you have valuable family history, genealogy records or a compilation of family stories, consider copying these papers, placing in a binder and passing them on as gifts. If you are a grandparent or great-grandparent, your own life story would be a wonderful thing to write, copy and give as gifts. Gather family recipes and copy them for family members. Add small stories about the origin of the recipe or the person who submitted it.

13. THINK VINTAGE. ‘Vintage’ items are quite the rage in fashion and home decorating. Find interesting items in consignment shops, thrift stores, yard sales or your own belongings. Grandma’s mid-century costume jewelry may be just the thing for the fashion forward college student. Make sure the item is clean and suited to the recipient (which every thoughtful gift should be).

14. USED STUFF WITH MEANING. Thrift stores, consignment sales, freecycle and yard sales can yield more than a slightly stained shirt. Look for interesting mugs, plates that could hold cookies, tea cups that could be turned into a pin cushion, lovely old spoons for that hot chocolate mix, interesting old frames for those free photos you are going to print, scrapbooking papers for interesting wrapping, rubber stamps to decorate plain paper, vintage photos to be cut up and used to decorate a plain box, small pieces of unusual jewelry, out of print cookbooks, old kitchen utensils, bowls to go with soup mix from your food storage or baskets for holding a loaf of bread. Don’t be afraid to haggle over prices and look beyond the obvious use for an item.

15. SHARE A HOBBY. Do you have excess craft or hobby supplies? Enough to share? Consider putting together a small kit to share your hobby with a child, teen or another adult. Offer free lessons to go with the kit or find a book with simple instructions.

16. GROUP GIFTS PART ONE. The first type of group gift is when multiple people share the cost of one great item. My brother and I have done this on multiple occasions in order to give my Mother a gift we know she really wants, but is a bit out of our singular price range. Even if the price tag is low, a gift that requires a great deal of time could be shared between multiple family members. Family history, anthologies of creative writing, photo albums, remembrances and other such gifts can be given by a group of people and hold great meaning for the recipient. Perhaps each child and grandchild in a family could write an article or personal letter about a favorite grandparent. One family member can assemble the offerings into a notebook. This type of well-thought out and loving gift would certainly brighten the holidays of an elderly family member.

17. GROUP GIFTS PART TWO. Consider ‘family’ gifts instead of individual gifts. A game that the entire family can play, a movie or other item that all can share (and would want to enjoy) is a way to give a nice gift at a lower cost. Packaging can make the gift more interesting, such as a movie, a ‘theater sized’ box of candy and some microwave popcorn packaged in a popcorn box shows more thought than simply wrapping up a DVD.

18. SHIP EARLY, SHIP SMART. As you choose meaningful, budget-appropriate gifts, keep in mind any shipping needs. Keep items light weight and not over-sized. If the family gathers from far and wide for Thanksgiving at Mom’s house, have everyone’s Christmas gifts ready for them to transport home. Ship everything early and compare rates. FedEx often beats the post office and if you open an account at fedex.com, you receive a discount.

Whatever tactic you use to keep your holiday meaningful and budget-conscious, plan ahead, give sincere thought to the recipient and remember that the most meaningful gifts are those given from true, sincere love.

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Self-reliance can be accomplished by small steps taken on a regular basis. This week’s 10×100 Challenge Goals:

43. Add a first aid kit to your car pack.

44. Stick a set of fuses in your car pack.

45. Put a flashlight in your car pack. Package the batteries outside of the flashlight.

46. Add a flare to your car pack.

47. Add a can of Fix-a-flat to your car pack.

48. Check your spare tire & tire iron.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month here in the U.S. (the rest of the world is welcome to join), it is time for a challenge! You can do it! With just over 100 days left in 2009, it is time to buckle down, dedicate yourself and set aside just 10 minutes or less per day. Yes, in less than 10 minutes a day and nearly no money at all, you can improve your preparedness status by leaps and bounds.

The extra days in 2009 can be set aside for holidays, vacations or, even better, utilized to do a more-than-ten-minute job. However you use the days, use them well!

Ready? Set? Go! Here it is, the first installment of 100 things you can do in 10 minutes or less:

1. Program your cell phone phone book with the word ICE (stands for In Case of Emergency). Under that listing, include the name & phone numbers for the person you want to have contacted first in case of an emergency. First Responders and ER personnel know to check your cell phone for this listing.

2. Check your car’s glove compartment and be certain that you have a current registration, inspection receipt, insurance card and insurance contact information.

3. Write down all of your family’s prescription drugs, their RX number, refill date, name of medicine, instructions and the pharmacy phone number. Make a copy for your 72-hour kit.

4. Write out a card for each child’s car restraint seat. Include child’s name, your contact info, another relative’s contact information, child’s pediatrician and important medical history. Attach to the bottom or back right rear of the seat.

5. Schedule your yearly health maintenance check-ups such as mammograms, pap smears, physical exams and immunization review.

6. Place water leak alarms near washing machine, hot water heater and any other area likely to suffer a leak.

7. Wash the dryer lint trap under hot water until water runs freely.

8. Check the tire pressure and tread depth on your tires.

9. Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose of out-dated medications.

10. Test your smoke detectors & change batteries as needed.

11. Set up a spot for your perpetual grocery list. Let your family know where it is!

12. Photocopy your credit cards & ID. Place copy in your “What If?” Notebook.

13. Check the outside dryer vent. Be certain that vent flaps open freely. Remove any visible lint.

14. Clean the inside of your car windshield. “Stuff” gathers on the inside of the windshield and can cause complete ‘white out’ when you are driving towards the sun.

15. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.

16. Write down neighbor’s phone number, doctor’s phone numbers, family contact numbers and place inside a cabinet near the phone.

17. Add at least one long-term storage food to your grocery list. Consider rice, dry beans, sugar, oatmeal.

18. Check outside lights. Replace burned out bulbs.

19. Check your supply of flashlights. Do they work? Do you have batteries for them? One for each room of your house?

20. Clean the trash out of your car.

21. Cook a double entree and freeze the extra one.

22. Make a list of everyone you plan to purchase Christmas gifts for.

23. Pick up Christmas Cards at a discounter or dollar store before the inexpensive ones are sold out.

24. Replace filters in your HVAC system. Write the date you replaced it on the filter. Mark your calendar for the next change date.

25. See what Christmas gifts you may already have on hand. Plan which ones you are going to make.

26. Do a quick comparison of current prices for internet providers. Do you need to change?

27. Clean out one kitchen drawer.

28. Have little ones at home or due to visit? Check childproofing & poison control.

29. Check 401K & pension plan balances. Do you need to save more for retirement?

30. Purchase at least one item for long-term storage.

31. Treat sink & tub drains with baking soda and vinegar.

32. Check children’s toys. Throw out broken ones.

33. Set budget for holiday gift giving. Do you need to save some money?

34. Check nightlights. Do they illuminate areas that need light? Do they work?

35. Find a backpack, tote or other container that can store items in your car.

36. Add jumper cables to your car pack

37. Put some bottled water in your car pack.

38. Put some long-term food such as granola bars in your car pack.

39. Put several ’space’ blankets or wool blankets in your car pack.

40. Add some matches and a candle to your car pack. Pack candle in an empty vegetable can and cover top with aluminum foil.

41. Add an all-in-one screwdriver to your car pack.

42. Add an ‘emergency’ flag to your car pack. This can simply be a piece of bright orange or red fabric.

43. Add a first aid kit to your car pack.

44. Stick a set of fuses in your car pack.

45. Put a flashlight in your car pack. Package the batteries outside of the flashlight.

46. Add a flare to your car pack.

47. Add a can of Fix-a-flat to your car pack.

48. Check your spare tire & tire iron.

49. Check the fluid levels in your car.

50. Put some paper and a pen in your glove compartment.

51. Check your gutters to see if they are running well.

52. Look at your roof from across the street. Does it look solid?

53. Add your doctor’s voice & fax numbers to your cell phone directory.

54. Add a worthwhile item to your 72-hour kit.

55. Grab some 3×5 cards. Write out personal information for each person & add to 72-hour kit. Include out of state contacts, medical information, etc.

56. Check the caulk around the doors and windows of your home. Note which ones need repair.

57. Add some cash and quarters to your glove compartment. An empty prescription bottle or tube from mini-M&M’s work well.

58. Check outdoor walkways. Are they clear? Free from tripping hazards? Cracks?

59. Add one item to your food storage.

60. Gather up your candles and see if you have enough to provide some light for 7-days. Store some matches (more than you think you need) with the candles.

61. Refill BBQ propane tanks if you have them.

62. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.

63. Clean out your refrigerator. Discard old food and mark food that needs to be eaten up.

64. Do you need to have your chimney cleaned?

65. Read about one way to cook food without power. Order or gather supplies you would need.

66. Program your pharmacy’s phone number into your cell phone.

67. Check your computer’s firewall and anti-virus strength.

68. Do a quick comparison of auto insurance rates and coverage.

69. Set aside ingredients for a ‘no time to cook’ dinner.

70. Add one item to your two week supply of food that you could eat without cooking.

71. Store some water.

72. Plan holiday meals. Watch for ingredients to go on sale. Don’t forget potluck dinners, treats for neighbors, etc.

73. Do you need to have your furnace checked?

74. Check appliances for frayed cords.

75. Do you have de-icer in your windshield washer fluid?

76. Ice scrapers in each car….unless you live where it never gets cold!

77. Clean out one pantry shelf. Discard out of date food. Move older food to the front.

78. Try a new recipe that utilizes at least two items from your long-term storage.

79. Check supply of over-the-counter medicines such as antihistamines, antidiarrheal, pain killers & anti-inflammatories.

80. Check the caulk around tubs, showers and toilets. Repair or replace as needed.

81. Check your credit cards? Current? Do you have too many?

82. Check your credit report for errors.

83. Be certain your are shredding documents with personal information such as insurance numbers, birthdates, account numbers, social security numbers.

84. Google your name to make sure someone is using it online or writing about you in an unfavorable way.

85. Buy or obtain a free (try freecycle) transistor am/fm radio.

86. Clean out one closet.

87. Add one item to your food storage.

88. Check your doors and windows for air leaks.

89. Make certain that shrubbery around your house does not obscure windows. (burglars love it when they can hide behind a bush while they break your window)

90. Make a place for end of year tax information.

91. Try a recipe utilizing one or two items from your long-term storage.

92. Check your cell phone contract. If out of contract, compare rates.

93. Add a small flashlight to your glove compartment.

94. Check cash supply at home. Be certain you have bills in $20 or less denominations

95. Mail holiday gifts early to avoid paying express shipping charges.

96. Do you need de-icer for walk ways and driveway?

97. Collect loose change and establish place to store it.

98. Add one item to your 2 week supply of foods you could eat without cooking.

99. Add one item to your 72-hour kit.

100. Cook a double entree and freeze the extra!

See, you can do this!!! It is inexpensive, fast and all things YOU can do with little time and money.

Don’t worry, we’ll remind you periodically. Now, get to it! And good luck.

Whether you have bundled children off to school or are living life child-free, now is a good (and often neglected) time to hit clearance racks. The end of summer and back to school rush is over and the retail leftovers can be great budget savers. Think creatively, as many items marked 75 to 80% off can be re-purposed from their original intent. Beef up your preparedness status while preserving your financial well-being. Just a few tips to guide you:

Don’t forget to look for items in stores that don’t usually carry summer and back to school items. The greatest savings are often found in drug stores, grocery stores and some department stores.

Remember that Christmas is just around the corner. Many school supplies (think markers, magnets, crayons, cute notepads, colorful pencils, specialty pens, stickers, permanent markers, thumb drives) make great stocking stuffers. My grandchildren were thrilled one year when I gave each of them a large package of scotch tape rolls, one of their favorite craft items. The older children also received miniature staplers. Look for socks, fun t-shirts (maybe for pj’s), zippered pouches and organizing boxes.

Don’t forget children’s birthday party gift bags, gifts and activity days.

Many crafters will appreciate organizational tools, art supplies, etc.

Classroom teachers might appreciate a box filled with replacement supplies as a Christmas gift. Glue sticks, liquid glues, markers, white board erasers, stickers, etc. would be welcomed mid-year. Add some chocolate for the teacher and you have that item checked off your holiday ‘to-do’ list.

Accumulate enough art supplies to stock a ‘rainy day’ box. Again, a great gift or stand-by activity for snow days, rainy days or sick days.

Restock your own office supplies and organizational aids.

Check out clearance displays of dorm room ‘necessities’. You will often find over-the-door ironing boards & shoe holders (which can be used in any room to hold a multitude of little things), irons, plastic shoe boxes, folding hampers, under-the-bed storage, small book shelves, decorative items, organizational items of all sorts and sheet sets drastically reduced. Bedding in twin, x-long twin and double sizes are most commonly clearanced.

Don’t forget to stock up for your own gift wrapping supplies, such as tape, labels and markers. Some organizational items will be so inexpensive that they can be turned into gift wrapping. A shelf storage box lined with tissue paper makes a great gift box and a secondary gift.

Think 72-hour kits when you see flip-flops, zippered pouches, hand sanitizer, small notebooks, pencils, tape, markers, thumb drives and even flashlights.

Zippered pouches designed to hold small items in a notebook can be used in your purse, school backpacks, glove compartments, 72-hour kits, junk drawers, suitcases, overnight bags and craft rooms. Their size and transperant fronts make them ideal for organizing small items, while providing protection from dust and moisture.

Fill a zippered pouch with a pencil, your insurance information, a small notepad, a small flashlight, a disposable camera and a permanent marker. Store in your glove compartment. You might want to add a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

Look for kitchen items such as storage containers, food storage bags and even plastic dishes being clearanced out.

Snack and lunch box items packaged with summer or back to school themes may be greatly reduced. Freeze candies for Halloween or Christmas. Baking supplies such as cupcake papers may be reduced.

3×5 cards can be used for note taking, but also for labeling storage containers, recording important information for backpacks, glove compartments & 72-hour kits.

Use a thumb drive to record medical history, contact information, allergies, etc and attach it to your keyring. This can be a life-saver if you have significant allergies or other medical complications. Mark the thumb drive with a large red cross so that emergency personnel will notice it.

Purchase your family’s summer clothes for next year now. Don’t forget swimsuits, floaties, goggles, etc. Store them in a box clearly labeled and you’ll have a head start on next year. In many climates, ’summer’ clothes can extend well into fall. Don’t forget basic items such as underwear, socks, etc.

Office supply stores may clear out their specially packaged CD-R’s, DVD-R’s and other computer-related items.

Have fun shopping the clearance racks and look forward to the cooler days of autumn!

Before you know it, the school bell will be ringing from kindergarten to the hallowed halls of advanced degrees. As summer winds down, it is time to once again set those alarm clocks, pack the lunches, fill up the backpacks and send the children off to school (or prepare for your homeschooling year).

No matter the grade or age of your learner, starting early and planning well can help make the school year a successful one for you and your student-children. Just a few pointers to help ease the transition:

1. Reset body clocks several weeks before school starts. If your summer schedule has included later-than-usual bedtimes and wake-up times, now is the time to reset those internal clocks. Begin with a few minutes each day, working toward a regular school schedule at least a week before school begins.

2. Do your back-to-school shopping NOW (if you haven’t already completed it). Be certain to get your supply lists from school and shop at home FIRST. You might be surprised how many supplies you have on hand. Take your amended list to the store and check off items as you purchase them. Label everything and pack away (far, far away if you have anxious little fingers around) so that all is ready before school begins.

3. Shop at home first for school clothes. Get the laundry caught up and see what junior already has in his/her wardrobe BEFORE you go shopping. Set a strict budget and shop the end-of-summer sales for fall clothing. Don’t forget to check sibling hand-me-downs as a potential source of clothing. Also check with friends, thrift shops, freecycle and Craigslist for clothing exchanges & great deals.

4. Include in every backpack an emergency contact card that includes your child’s name, address, phone, parents’ contact info, alternate contact person, important medical history (allergies, conditions, etc) and out-of-state contact. Laminate the card or seal in a ziploc bag. Attach to the inside of the backpack with a safety pin.

5. Label backpacks on the inside with your child’s name—not the outside. Outside names help predators befriend small children.

6. If your child has severe allergies to items that might be in the class or lunch rooms (such as peanuts, wheat, etc) be certain to speak with the school administration, school nurse and all classroom teachers that might have contact with your child (don’t forget art, music, etc). Speak face-to-face as well as present written information about the allergy, the possible reaction and medication that must be given. Don’t hesitate to check back with all you spoke to in a week or two to make certain that they remember. Ask what has been done to protect your child.

7. Do several ‘trial runs’ to elementary school with your child. If they are walking, point out the homes of friends on their route that they can seek help from. Be certain they know who to go to if they should ever come home and find no one home. The same thing goes for after school caregivers..make sure they have an emergency alternative planned.

8. Check to see what the school’s policy is concerning early dismissal or delayed starts. Do they have an emergency contact system in place that you can sign up for? Do you have childcare arranged for such instances?

9. Be certain that your older children (middle school & high school) are well versed in preventing accidents, how to extract themselves from a dangerous situation and who to report suspected or potential violence to. Have a frank discussion with them about the dangers of fire arms, weapons, drugs, hate crimes, sexual abuse and harassment (including being groped, spoken to inappropriately, etc), physical threats and abuse. Sexual abuse and harassment have become so common, that a shockingly high percentage of high school girls do not even recognize it when it happens to them,

10. Have the same frank discussion with college-bound students. Be certain that they are aware of safety precautions, the dangers of date rape, the potential for drugging of beverages (at a party or other social gathering, they should only drink from a can or bottle they open and which remains in their sight at all times), car safety and dorm safety. Know what safety procedures are in place at your child’s college campus and be certain they your student understands them.

11. Be certain that your middle and high school students understand that the effort they put into school now will affect the remainder of their life. The grades and activities they participate in now will affect their ability to be accepted to college & possibly win scholarships.

12. Establish good sleeping and eating habits for your students! Many high school students are chronically sleep deprived and their grades suffer. Look carefully at school lunches offered. Are the meals nutritious, healthful and handled carefully? If you are packing lunches, be certain to read up on safe food handling practices.

13. Be open and realistic about your expectations for your children’s academic endeavors. Be certain the child undeerstands what you expect and the consequences if they do not meet those expectations.

14. Have a frank discussion with your college-bound students about the realities of student debt. The average undergraduate leaves college with a diploma and $25,000 to $45,000 in debt. Advanced degree holders leave with debts that spiral upwards of $100,000. Be certain that your college student understands the full picture of the dangers of accruing not only student loan debt, but credit card debt. There are thousands and thousands of stories out there of college graduates with unmarketable degrees and a lifetime of debt to pay back. Explore other avenues of financing college, such as scholarships, work study programs, community college for general education credits, work-release programs and payback options through employers. If student loans are an absolute necessity, be sure that they are used only for absolutely necessary educational expenses. Be certain that the student understands that debt accumulated now will not disappear and should they marry, they may be doubling their debt.

15. Send your college student to the dorm with a mini-72 hour kit. Include foods that can be eaten without cooking, a change of clothing, emergency contact info, water, a first aid kit, a ’space’ blanket, a flashlight, a candle, a simple sewing kit, some cash in small bills and some matches.

16. Before college begins, check to see if your student is covered by your medical and dental plans. Be sure that your student has the appropriate policy identification cards and knows where to get care. If your child has a less-than-run-of-the-mill medical history, locate a physician in the college area and forward pertinent medical information.

17. Be certain that your college-bound student understands the realities of and how to prevent identity theft, including medical identity theft.

Enjoy watching your child grow up and conquer the world!

NOTE: While writing this article, I missed some VERY important information. Thankfully, Tami sent in a comment reminding me with her words of wisdom. Here is her comment:

“I just want to add to your note about preparing for college students–parents need to know that when their child heads off to college, there are privacy laws that apply to their child, and the parents do not have the legal right to get any information about grades or anything else. Also the parents do not have the right to be notified about any medical issues and do not have the right to be involved in any medical decisions. This can all be addressed legally, with medical power of attorney and other legal documents, but it’s something that all parents need to be aware of and discuss with their almost-grown children.”

And from me:

Thank you, Tami for pointing out this important item I missed! You are absolutely correct that parents (even ones paying the tuition bill) will have NO legal right to obtain information about their legal-aged child’s school or medical records. Even if your child is ill, the physician is constrained by law. He/she cannot discuss your child’s case or history without (except for possibly life & death situations) your child’s consent. Before dropping Junior off, have him/her execute a medical power of attorney which gives you permission to speak to caregivers. You can easily find a ‘fill in the blank’ form online by searching for medical power of attorney. Ideally, the form will be notarized and include express permission in compliance with HIPPA laws allowing you to speak to any medical professional caring for your child. A similar form should be completed with regards to academic records, etc. Thanks again, Tami!

By special request, here’s an addendum just for those with little ones in the house. Before proceeding, be CERTAIN that you consult your baby’s pediatrician as to current guidelines for the introduction of semi-solid, solid and finger foods. Let your physician know of any family history of food allergies. NEVER leave a baby or young child alone while they are eating!

Loving parents of Little Ones are the perfect targets for the savvy marketeer. The Ad Guys know that parents who want to do what is best for their baby are often chronically tired, over-worked and short on time. This combo plate of weaknesses allows those Ad Guys to convince you that you need to part with a greater portion of your hard earned cash to keep your baby well fed, happy and ‘in’ with the other babies. Ah, but you are smarter, aren’t you?

Let’s start with the littlest of babies, the beautiful little newborns. Newborn humans cannot tolerate solid food and must be fed with either breast milk or a formula designed to replicate breast milk. The health benefits of breast feeding are well established. However, have you considered the economic benefit? Conservative estimates are that the breastfed baby costs at least $1500 a year less to feed than the formula fed baby. The savings takes into account the added calories required by the nursing mother.

As baby progresses to semi-solid foods, the marketing gurus go into high gear! Buckle up your wallets and protect yourself from the slings and arrows of ads especially tailored to pierce your financial armor.

The first weapon in your self-protection arsenal is the knowledge that you can prepare at home nearly any baby food your Little Darling will ever need. The ingredients are easily accessible, quickly assembled and DO NOT have to come in cute packages with little chubby baby faces. Recipes abound on multiple reputable websites for everything from baby cereal (whirl some instant oatmeal from the adult grocery aisle in the blender, add hot water and you have ‘baby’ cereal) to combination meals for older babies.

Is your baby ready for applesauce? Purchase a large jar of unsweetened, all-natural applesauce from the ‘adult aisles’. Freeze the applesauce in ice cube trays for single serving portions. When frozen, pop out the ’sauce’ cubes and store in ziploc bags. Going out for the morning? Pop a frozen portion in a small bag or plastic bowl and allow to thaw. Difference in cost? ‘Baby’ applesauce is $2.18lb. ‘Regular’ applesauce in small containers is $1.32lb. In a large jar? 87 cents a pound.

Bananas? Smoosh a ripe one and you have baby bananas. Again, freeze the excess or eat it yourself for a healthy snack. Baby food bananas? $2.49lb. ‘Regular’ bananas? 39 cents per pound.

Veggies? Mash up a baked sweet potato. Purchase salt-free canned vegetables and smoosh them up! Canned lima beans, peas, green beans, sliced beets, asparagus and other soft vegetables become baby food quickly and offer you a huge savings. If baby can’t eat the entire can within a day or two, freeze the left-overs in ice cube trays. Baby food peas?  $2.18 per pound. ‘Regular’ peas? 45 cents per pound.

Fruits? In addition to bananas and applesauce, don’t forget the wide variety of canned (in juice, not syrup) fruits available as well as frozen fruits (without added sugar). Thawed frozen strawberries are mushy already! Canned pears are easy to mash or cut up for a baby ready for finger foods. ‘Baby’ pears? $2.18+ per pound. Canned pears? 60 cents a pound.

Proteins? Scrambled eggs, smashed up hard-boiled eggs, mild white fish (microwave a small piece), boiled or canned chicken can be reduced easily and quickly to a moosh that baby can swallow. ‘Baby’ chicken & noodles? $6.33 lb. ‘Regular’ chicken noodle soup? 76 cents per pound.

Carbs? Baked sweet potato, soft cooked pastas, canned beans, rice, quinoa, oatmeal and other grains can be cooked and pureed for your spoon fed baby. Frozen cooked carbs without added salts, fats or preservatives are a great alternative. Cooked items can always be pureed and frozen in individual-sized portions. ‘Baby’ pasta? $3+ per pound. ‘Regular’ pasta? As little as 69 cents a pound. ‘Baby’ oatmeal? $3.19 pound. ‘Regular’ oatmeal? 98 cents pound.

If you want to speed up the mashing process, purchase an inexpensive baby food mill. Many fresh fruits can be easily ground in the baby mill. Watermelon, blueberries, raspberries, ripe mango, strawberries, kiwi and any other soft fruit can be processed quickly and easily. AGAIN, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT FEEDING GUIDELINES AND HOW TO INTRODUCE NEW FOODS. BE ESPECIALLY ALERT TO REACTIONS TO HIGH ACID FOODS SUCH AS ORANGES!

The golden moment for many parents is when Baby is old enough to sit in a high chair and feed themselves. Hooray! You can now (hopefully) get a bite or two into your mouth while Baby is happily eating independently. Even better, Baby can be entertained and contained while you take care of nearby tasks. Independent eating is not only important for your sanity, but Baby develops eye hand coordination, fine motor skills and a host of other developmental necessities. Ignore the mess and let Baby have at it as soon as it is safe.

Nearly any food that you have been grinding for the spoon fed baby can transition into finger foods. Introduce new flavors, textures and tastes to avoid developing a picky eater. Eventually, Baby will be enjoying the nutritious, economical meals that you prepare for the rest of the family.

It is important to carefully watch your baby as they begin to feed themselves. The ability to masticate foods and swallow them is a learned behavior. Be certain that early finger foods are cut into small pieces, are easily mashed without molars and won’t choke Baby if they slide down without adequate chewing.

Finger foods are a Golden Egg for companies that want to separate you from your money. If smooshed baby foods are silly expensive per pound, ‘junior’ and ‘toddler’ foods are absolutely absurdly expensive!

Early finger foods that require nearly no preparation on your part could include thawed frozen peas (they are easier for baby to pick up than canned peas), small well cooked pastas such as alphabet pasta or ditalini, canned or cooked fruits in small pieces (fruit cocktail packed in juice is a good choice though some babies have trouble with the ‘cherries), scrambled eggs, any soft fruit cut into small pieces, canned green beans, other beans, etc. that are soft. Merely cut the food up into small pieces and put on a clean high chair tray. Remember that you can freeze meals and thaw quickly in the microwave or by immersing the container in hot water. ALWAYS double check the temperature of Baby’s food before serving.

Combo meal? Try draining a can of low-sodium, natural soup such as chicken noodle, vegetable or alphabet soup. This is a great way to transition Baby to the tastes and feel of table foods. Small size cans may be more expensive per serving, but are ideal for quick baby meals and meals out of your home. ‘Toddler’ meal? $3.25 per pound. ‘Regular’ soup? 50 cents a pound!

Meats and proteins? As soon as it is allowed, small pieces of canned chicken, fish, cheeses and tofu can be quickly chopped up into bite sized pieces. Canned meats will be soft enough for baby to chew without molars, are thoroughly cooked and easy to have on hand. Thoroughly cooked and drained ground beef in small pieces can be eaten by older babies. Eventually, Baby will transition to small pieces of baked chicken, turkey and other meats. ‘Baby’ chicken ’sticks? $8.90 per pound. (And do we really want to know what is in a chicken stick?) ‘Regular’ tuna? $1.75 lb. Boneless skinless chicken breast? $1.99 lb.

Carbs? Small pieces of lightly toasted bread, canned beans, pastas, cubed sweet potatoes, little clumps of rice or other grains are all easily eaten. ‘Baby’ pasta with cheese? $3.79 lb. ‘Regular’ pasta with some fresh cheese? $1. per pound.

Snacks?  Baby ’snacks’ are a relatively new and OVER-PRICED, OVER-PROCESSED, UNDER-NUTRITIOUS ploy to separate you from your money!  Everything that goes into their mouths should be highly nutritious, as minimally processed as possible and contain little or no processed sugar. Whole grain, unsweetened dry cereal is an easy snack on the go. At home, Baby may be a ‘grazer’ requiring many small meals throughout the day. Give Baby a small portion of fruit, cheese, veggies or other ‘regular’ food rather than an over-priced, nutritionally challenged ’snack’. Not only will your wallet thank you, but Baby may just grow up thinking that ’snacks’ are for healthy foods! ‘Baby’ snack ‘banana puffs’? $10.81 per pound. (What snack do YOU eat that is $10.81 per pound?) A real banana? 49 cents a pound and MUCH more nutritious! ‘Baby’ snack ‘blueberry yogurt melts’? A WHOPPING $47.84 per pound! Organic frozen blueberries? $3.75lb. Baby ’snack crisps’? $23.65 lb. Whole grain oat cereal? $2.27 lb. Difference in nutritional value? Every ‘baby snack’ item showed the predominate nutritional contribution to be SODIUM with a bit of fat. That’s right! Up to $47.84 lb for SALT!

Feed your baby healthy, simple, nutritious snacks and save your money for their college education!

And you will have MORE MONEY in your bank account!

Wahoo–you did it! You are back home with your car loaded with groceries that you have saved at least 20% (hoping closer to 30%) and it is time to store everything so that you maximize the potential waiting in those bags. Let’s get started.

Put the cold things away immediately. This includes meat that you are going to put in the freezer or cook up. Be certain that the raw meat does not contaminate surrounding food. Keep it in plastic grocery bags and on a low shelf of your frig.

If you have purchased dairy or meat products that are close to their expiration date, grab a sharpie and write the expiration date on the packaging in very LARGE letters. This will be a visual reminder to help you use the product before it is too late.

For non-cold items, put the newest purchases to the back of the shelves. Pull the older items to the front. This is the same system that grocery stores use.

Need to store small items such as chewing gum, muffin mixes, etc that can tend to get lost? Categorize them and store in inexpensive plastic shoe boxes. Empty plastic tubes from ‘Crystal Light’ type drinks also are wonderful for storing things like cough drops, small amounts of pasta or mints. Write on the tube what is inside and your pantry will be easy to use as well as save you money.

Store your re-usable bags and dispose of plastic bags that have held raw meat products. It is safer to pitch these than to risk cross-contamination. One exception might be to use them when walking the dog, IF you can keep them separate from bags you might utilize elsewhere. For plastic bags that haven’t held raw meat, use them to line small trash cans, as a waste receptacle on your counter when you are cleaning vegetables, sort laundry….there are literally 100’s of uses for these bags. If you want to organize them, check out the plastic bag holder sold by IKEA that mounts on the wall. It is inexpensive, holds a ton of bags, holds up well and you can get the bags back out easily.

Wash down the counter that you placed the grocery bags on with a disinfectant cleaner. The bottoms of those bags are germ factories! Finally, wash your hands thoroughly and sit down to catch your breath. While sitting, congratulate yourself on a job well down.

After your little rest, recheck your menu plan for the coming week. Do you need to adjust it due to finding an ingredient you hadn’t planned on buying? For instance, you purchased near-its-expiration-date chicken and should use it up quickly. Or the produce man was clearing out bananas. Make necessary changes and repost your menus.

If you purchased near-its-expiration-date meat, consider cooking it now and freezing for later use. It will make great last minute meals and you’ll not risk further spoilage. This is also a great way to quickly process those club packs of meat. Make one mess and have multiple meals nearly ready to serve! Be certain to handle the meat carefully, package well, label with contents & date, cool appropriately in the refrigerator or a bowl of ice and then pop into your deep freeze.

If you are going to break down club packs without cooking, prepare your work area by assembling everything you will need. Scrub your hands and then divide the meat into appropriate smaller containers. Label and freeze. Sanitize your work area when you are done and give yourself another round of applause!

Still not satisfied with your savings? Be certain to utilize the internet for websites that match coupons to sales, notices of freebies, email alerts for your local grocery store flyers, inexpensive meals such as www.5dollardinners.com or www.hillbillyhousewife.com. Work your long-term storage foods such as whole grains and dried beans into your menus, double check your portion sizes, be certain that you are using every bit of food possible–never, ever waste left-overs! Scrutinize carefully what sorts of foods you are purchasing. Be certain to comparison shop periodically.

LEARN TO COOK SIMPLE, QUICK, INEXPENSIVE AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT HOME ! ! !

Like any great athlete, becoming an X-treme Grocery Shopper requires patience, practice, coaching and fine tuning of your game. You won’t be saving 30 to 50% overnight, but you will get there if you persevere!

Do you have great tips for saving money while feeding your family? Please, email them in and we’ll share your ideas. Further ideas are also listed under frugalmania above.

Are you ready to rumble? For those of you who are SERIOUS about saving yourselves time, money, energy (your’s, renewable, fossil fuel–whatever type you worry about), frustration and stress –come on and join the team! It is time to sign up for the X-Games Of Grocery Shopping!

The first step, of course, like any great sport, is training. You don’t just grab a golf club and immediately become Tiger Woods. Oh no, it takes thought, practice, patience and a bit of know how–in other words training. Unlike Tiger though, you don’t need to be born with a great talent to rid yourself of the waste most of us experience when dealing with the never-ending need to feed ourselves and our family.

This week, we will concentrate on visualization. No, not really–just getting ready to grocery shop. Getting ready? Don’t you just grab your wallet and go? Uh, not if you want to do it well. You must learn the fundamentals of the ‘game’ and then apply them to ensure success on the course/field/court/whatever.

The recipe for successful grocery planning includes these ingredients (go gather them):

Paper

Pencil

Perpetual Grocery List (if that is Greek to you, A PGL is a list you put on the ‘frig & everyone marks down when they need something or use up the last of something)

Your calendar, Blackberry, iPhone or whatever you use to organize your time (if you don’t have one, you really should get one right now!)

Grocery store ads

Your budget–do you know how much you can spend?

Prescriptions that need to be filled (if you use the grocery pharmacy and why wouldn’t you?)

A clipboard or something to put your list on so that it doesn’t end up at the bottom of the grocery cart

A quick peak in the ‘frig & pantry to notice things that are missing, old, growing fungus or nearly empty–add those to your PGL. Don’t forget basic non-food items such as toilet paper, facial tissue, plastic bags, etc. Throw out anything that has gone past its prime. This will allow you to start fresh when you come home from the grocery store. Salvage anything you can and add it to your menu before it goes bad!

Once you have gathered together the Preparation Recipe, you are ready to tear into making The List. True champions have advanced the PGL to a standardized list of commonly purchased items, preferably divided by appropriate sections of your favorite grocery store or at least by categories. This Gold Medal Level PGL is the ultimate in organization! If you frequent the same grocery store for most of your shopping, ask the service desk for a store map. Use this to prepare your customized PGL.

Another benefit of maintaining a PGL is that you can have someone else pick up items for you! This is especially helpful if you purchase specialty items from different stores. For instance, you might purchase organic peanut butter at just one store. If you know you need it, you can pick it up when you drive by that store. Or better yet–get someone else to do it on their way home! (Delegation is a very fine art)

Grab your calendar. Do you have any commitments coming up that will require the purchase of special items? Remember things like Johnny’s turn to bring snacks to soccer, Bertha’s Baby shower for which you said you’d make your famous spinach dip, that church potluck or a field trip requiring a packed lunch. Look two weeks in advance–further if you are REALLY organized!

With those commitments in mind, begin to look over the grocery store ads to see if anything is on sale that might fulfill those requirements. For instance, Johnny’s soccer snacks–ah ha ABC market has oranges on sale. And double ah ha–they also have graham crackers on sale! And you have a coupon for those. Mark both items on your list and put a small ‘c’ next to the graham crackers to remind you that you have a coupon. We’ll discuss how to protect those advanced purchases later–but keep a sharpie on hand in case you speed ahead of our tutorial. (Hint: You’ll want to mark those special purchases so they don’t get eaten too early)

As you peruse the sale ads, think through menu ideas. You do think about menus ahead of time, don’t you?? If chicken breasts are on sale, plan dinners around chicken breasts. What do you need to make your family’s favorite chicken cacciatore? Add whatever ingredients you are lacking to your list and put the menu idea on your calendar! You are now one step closer to being Super Organized!

Next, think about basic storage items that might be on sale. Which can you stock up on? Where will you put them? For instance, you don’t want to buy more frozen food than you have room for, so make certain you have the space for it! And the budget to cover it! Buying on sale can really rack up savings if you plan accordingly as well as extend your food storage plan.

Consult your calendar again for holidays coming up. What special foods do you need? Why not buy your Easter candy when it first comes out and then hide it from the little ones? If the tykes can’t read, just write on your calendar where you put it.

Ask family members if there is anything they need or activities they have failed to tell you about. With a bit of training, they will learn that if something they need doesn’t make it on the list in time, they will exercise their patience muscles or figure out how to get to the store themselves.

Once your list is fairly well finalized, check for coupons and attach those to the clipboard with your list. Be sure to add the small ‘c’ next to items that you have a coupon for. This will help you remember to check for a specific brand or size.

Attach any prescriptions that need to be filled. If you need to call in refills, do it far enough in advance that they’ll be ready for you.

Before going any further, be certain that your list coincides with your budget. It is pointless to spend more than you can afford as debt never saved anyone money.

Place the clipboard with your reusable grocery bags if you use them. If you are preparing a day in advance, put everything in the car or near the door where you won’t walk off without it. What would happen if Lance Armstrong forgot his bike? Tour de Oops??

You are now ready, primed, trained and set to enter the contest. Next week, we’ll ramp up your training a notch and GO TO THE GROCERY STORE well armed, toned, fit and ready to SAVE!