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Past Talk Detail

Join Kelly Whalen, author of the blog Centsible Life, and a stellar group of bloggers to talk about family, finances and living the life your dreams on a budget. We'll share great ideas, tips and support as we talk about taking charge of our finances and making money work for us. Tell your story, share your insights and feelings on the topic and let's all learn something new and inspiring about family, money and living.

FEATURED GUESTS:
Gina
Kim at MMI
Mindi
Jenn Fowler
Jen
StephanieR
SurvivingTheSt
CouponPrincess
Category:BODY AND SOUL
Most Commented On PostsView Full Talk
    • X

      KellyWhalen

      @Christine-I'm with you! I heart my iPhone.

      about 1 year ago

      CouponPrincess

      Well thank you very much!

      about 1 year ago

      Christine

      electronic books and tech gadgets *such a nerd*

      about 1 year ago

      Joy

      @couponprincess - You rock!

      about 1 year ago

      CouponPrincess

      Oh Joy, I do love Chai lattes.. yumm yumm.. did you sign up for Starbucks rewards, do so before tomorrow and they will send you a coupon in the mail for a free sandwich

      about 1 year ago

      SurvivingTheSt

      @StockpilingMoms -- have you used Priceline? We have had AWESOME experiences with it to get great hotels at over half off.

      about 1 year ago

      Jenn Fowler

      BTW-I'm not saying I necessarily do those things a lot-they are just my temptations.

      about 1 year ago

      SurvivingTheSt

      Hmm... organic coffee would be our frugal weak spot I guess... but it's so much better than conventional that I am more than happy to pay the extra for it.

      about 1 year ago

      CouponPrincess

      I do like nice restaurants, and fancy drinks too!

      about 1 year ago

      Missy

      Oh. My hair. Definitely a splurge for me.

      about 1 year ago

      KellyWhalen

      I also really love to eat out. So nice to not clean up after everyone!

      about 1 year ago

      Gina

      I can't think of anything--even my one expense (good haircut) is budgeted for and uses my personal allowance every month. Hmmph. I'm not having much fun!

      about 1 year ago

      StockpilingMoms

      Vacation! I don't skimp on hotels...

      about 1 year ago

      Joy

      You got me on the Starbucks! I'm expecting and right now, my cravings include a chai latte! My frugal weak spot is shopping handmade! Etsy is draining my bank account!

      about 1 year ago

      Missy

      Starbucks, kids' clothes, electronics.

      about 1 year ago

      Jenn Fowler

      shopping in general. I try to stay out of the stores whenever possible. Crafts, fancy coffee and eating out (lunches usually) are my biggest weak spots. Books used to be, but about 8 yrs ago I refamiliarized myself with the library and life has been good since!

      about 1 year ago

      Emily

      Great question!! For me it's books (electronic or hard copy), travel and yummy food.

      about 1 year ago

      Kim at MMI

      A good haircut. I only go a few times a year, so I splurge.

      about 1 year ago

      Mindi

      purses, shoes and Turkey Hill Diet Green tea

      about 1 year ago

      Jen

      Clothes for my kids!

      about 1 year ago

      CouponPrincess

      Jeans, I like nicer brands of Jeans. I don't have many pairs, but I figure have 2 favorites, instead of 20 pair that I hate!

      about 1 year ago

      Danielle

      Crafts!

      about 1 year ago
    • KellyWhalen 22 comments
    • What's your frugal weak spot? Mine are quality shoes, Starbucks, and healthy food.
      about 1 year ago
    • X

      Christine

      The family had our first debt free Christmas last year. The kids noticed, but they survived. Less mess in their rooms because of it. Okay, the last part I lied. But a mom can wish. ;)

      about 1 year ago

      StockpilingMoms

      @Joy I am using Swag Bucks for many of those :-) I keep an excel spreadsheet with my purchases.

      about 1 year ago

      Gina

      I always end up with a few extra, Jen, but every December I clean out my "gift closet," and whatever is still there goes into the Toys for Tots bin.

      about 1 year ago

      Deborah

      I would buy less and what we could afford. Truly, who wants a gift that puts such a burden on the giver? We've done some family trips in the past few years. (imho, the best gifts EVAH!!!!)

      about 1 year ago

      KellyWhalen

      Gina, having family on board helps tremendously. Thankfully our family is very understanding-we all try to focus on the kids.

      about 1 year ago

      Jen

      I keep bins just for birthday & Christmas gifts & look year-round for items that I can use. It's important to keep an inventory of the gifts you've bought, though, so you don't end up with too many extra gifts, just because they were on sale!

      about 1 year ago

      Jenn Fowler

      I am going to try to do a few more handmade gifts this year-although those are always time intensive! I also just plain old try to keep from overbuying. My mantra for most of December is "Don't buy anything, you've already got plenty"

      about 1 year ago

      Joy

      Me too @stockpilingmoms! Though, we do alot of gift cards for relatives that are far away...

      about 1 year ago

      Mindi

      I've been buying Christmas presents for 2 months. I watch the sales and am able to spread out the cost of buying so many gifts over a longer period of time

      about 1 year ago

      CouponPrincess

      I have a credit card we pay off every month, and I redeem points for GC so planning on using those for giving and buying!

      about 1 year ago

      Kim at MMI

      I also like the idea of sharing an experience instead of exchanging gifts. Maybe taking everyone to see the Nutcracker or out for a day of skiing.

      about 1 year ago

      Jen

      Start putting away a set amount each month from your budget all year long, so that it's not such a crunch-time at Christmas taking a significant part of your budget.

      about 1 year ago

      StockpilingMoms

      I am done with my Holiday shopping! I start the day after Christmas for the next year and my goal is to be done by Halloween however I am already there :-)

      about 1 year ago

      Gina

      I do that too, Kelly. We've also cut down on our spending for the holidays by talking with family WELL ahead of December. We now rotate which family we buy for (there are 11 grandchildren so far on one side). I buy a big family gift instead of many smaller ones.

      about 1 year ago

      Missy

      I start shopping in July when toys and things start going on sale. I also keep a list of who I need to buy for and then next to it I fill in the gift and check it off so I know that person is done. It keeps me from forgetting and overbuying.

      about 1 year ago

      KellyWhalen

      We also made a rule that each person buys one gift per person in the family-that way we all have something from everyone Christmas morning.

      about 1 year ago

      SurvivingTheSt

      I start looking for deals right after Christmas for the next year. We already have all of the kids' gifts for this year and most of the family gifts. In my opinion, it's never too early to start preparing for Christmas!

      about 1 year ago

      Kim at MMI

      Regift! (shamless plug for www.Regiftable.com)

      about 1 year ago

      KellyWhalen

      I know I'm a broken record but we make a list. 3 of our kids have birthdays right near the holidays so we have to be mindful of what we're spending. I also buy ahead-shopping clearance and sales, especially helpful for the birthdays after Christmas!

      about 1 year ago
    • Jenn Fowler 19 comments
    • How about saving for the holidays? For frugal folks, the time to start planning for Christmas is now (or even earlier!) What is your best idea to save money for the holidays?
      about 1 year ago
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