Common Sense Savings

Eating healthy on a budget

creativegardening — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:18:42 +0000

“Eating healthy” means different things to different people. Whether you are trying to cut calories, follow a special diet, or simply satisfy basic nutritional requirements, there are a variety of products that promise to meet your needs for a price. A grocery cart filled with the latest fad foods and “heath” products can really eat into your budget, but there are ways to find the healthy foods you want at a price you can afford… read more

How to make your own thank you cards without looking cheap

creativegardening — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:59:21 +0000

Sending hand-made thank you cards can save you money, but that doesn’t mean they have to seem cheap. In fact, a hand-made thank you card can be both more personal and more beautiful than a store bought one. If you enjoy drawing or calligraphy, then you already have the talent to make a unique, professional looking card. For those of us with more limited artistic skills, however, making the perfect thank you card will take the right tools. Here are a few ideas for making your card look great even if you aren’t an artist… read more

Cheap, green gift wrap

creativegardening — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:15:30 +0000

“Going green” is a smart idea from both an ethical and a financial standpoint. When you find ways to reduce consumption, you not only decrease your carbon footprint, but you shrink your expenses too. Finding “green” ways to wrap Christmas gifts will help the environment as well as cut your holiday budget. Here are a few ideas for environmentally conscious gift wrap… read more

Easy– and cheap!– gifts to make for all occassions

creativegardening — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:02:51 +0000

Making your own gifts can be a good way to save money and add a personal touch, but not all of us have the time or the talent to create complex projects for presents. The good news is that even if you aren’t a whiz at knitting or a skilled seamstress, there are easy items you can make to a high standard of quality. Here are a few ideas for great gifts you can make quickly and easily… read more

How to save money on your electric bill

creativegardening — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:42:25 +0000

We all want to save money without sacrificing the quality of our lifestyle. How can you put more money in the bank without giving up anything you’ll miss? One of the best ways you can painlessly cut your spending is by shaving a few dollars a month off of your electric bill. Here are a few strategies to help you light up your life without big bills darkening your doorstep… read more

How to cut air conditioning costs

creativegardening — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:05:59 +0000

Part of what we love about our homes is that they keep us cool in the summer. Who doesn’t love stepping through the door, out of the sweltering heat, and into a breezy indoor oasis? For many homeowners, that feeling comes at much too high a price. In this era of tight budgets and uncertain employment, cranking up the AC can land you in financial hot water. Here are a few tips for keeping your home pleasant without spending a fortune… read more

Always broke? Steps to better money management.

creativegardening — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:30:44 +0000

If there always seems to be “too much month at the end of the money,” then your money management strategies could use a tune up. Of course big changes like getting a higher paying job or moving to a less expensive home can help your bottom line, but not all of us are realistically able to make such drastic moves. Even if you can’t make those large changes, there are small ways to control your everyday spending and help make sure your financial needs are met in the long run. Here are a few ideas for making sure you have enough to pay the bills… read more

The best ways to save money

creativegardening — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:21:34 +0000

We could all save money by wearing rags, eating nothing but dried beans, and living in a cardboard box, but no one wants to live that way if they have a choice. The best way to save money is by finding strategies to cut costs without making too many sacrifices in lifestyle. Here are few tips for saving money without missing out on the good things in life… read more

Ways to help a struggling neighbor

creativegardening — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:27:41 +0000

Financial difficulties are often a source of personal embarrassment. If one of your neighbors is suffering financial hardship, an outright offer of assistance may well be refused out of sheer pride. That doesn’t mean you can’t help a friend in financial need, just that you may need to be creative about how you do it. Here are some ways to help out without causing embarrassment… read more

Effective ways to slash your electric bill

creativegardening — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:13:06 +0000

In the current economy, frugal living is a necessity for most and a smart idea for everyone else. People are cutting back on all but the basics, and even when it comes to something as fundamental as electricity, we all look for ways to save. The good news is, there really are some simple strategies you can use to cut back on the electric bill and have more money for the mattress. Here are a few cost cutting tips… read more