Work at Home Moms Articles – WAHM Articles

When looking for ways to save money and live a more frugal or simpler life, doing your best to save money on health insurance can leave a lot more cash in your bank account. Here are some ways you can cut your medical expenses dramatically.

1. Watch your deductible. Prior to his going on Medicare, my husband (who is self-employed) picked up an independent insurance plan. In order to save money, or so we thought, we put a $3,000 deductible on the policy. But we failed to put that money in the bank. When he was forced to claim some expensive medical tests on his insurance, we were left with $3,000 in medical bills to pay off. That was a hard lesson learned, but now we are very cautious about how much deductible we choose. It’s better to pay a higher monthly premium than to try to come up with a huge amount of money all at once. Or have to pay monthly bills for years to come.

2. Stay healthy. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Sadly, so few Americans are truly healthy. We eat too much. We eat the wrong foods. We don’t exercise. We smoke. Or drink. All of these things, especially when combined, work to diminish our overall health and cost us millions of dollars every year in medical expenses that we shouldn’t have to pay. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating right, refraining from unhealthy practices and getting enough exercise can do more to help us save on medical expenses than practically anything else we can do.

3. Shop around for the lowest priced insurance policy. If you’re responsible for providing your own health insurance, as those of us who are self-employed are, look around for the best policy with the best benefits for the best price. You can literally save thousands of dollars every year just by comparing rates from various companies. And don’t rely solely on online prices. Call a local agent and discuss rates, too. There may be discounts for buying locally that you won’t receive when shopping online.

4. Shop around for the lowest priced care. Doctors charge different rates just like anyone else does. If you’re uninsured, in particular, shop around when you’re looking for a new doctor. Ask how much a typical office visit costs, if the practice offers discounts for those with no insurance, or if they can work with you on payments. If you have insurance, stay within your network, if applicable. That can save you money on everything from office visits to blood work and other tests.

5. Cut the cost of prescriptions. Begin by asking your doctor to prescribe lower priced drugs, if they’re available. And always choose generics when possible. Also ask about over the counter choices that may be just as effective. And be sure any drug prescribed is really necessary. Doctors often feel they have to prescribe a medication to make a patient feel that they’ve been treated and helped. If you can get over your illness or injury in about the same time without the meds, opt out of taking them. In addition, if you need a medication but money is short, most pharmacies will let you get half a prescription instead of buying the entire dosage. Ask if this is an option when you go to get the medication filled or refilled.

There are many ways to save money on medical expenses, but these five will help you develop a more frugal mindset and help you understand that while medical professionals may act as if costs are uniform, and set in stone, that simply isn’t the case. By shopping around and being aware of the costs you can save a tremendous amount of money each year on the cost of staying healthy.

Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop is a professional writer whose work has been published in hundreds of places online and in print. She is the publisher of Just Write for Business, a free weekly newsletter filled with original articles, tips, ideas, inspiration and advice to help you write like a pro and make money writing.

Extreme couponing has received a lot of press lately, both in print, and on TV. If you’re wondering how to get started, here are some tips from Heather Wheeler and Joanie Demer, authors of “Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey,” and owners of TheKrazyCouponLady.com.

These ladies describe two ways of using coupons, one they call the “Krazy Way,” which is what the rest of the world calls extreme. The other is the “Express Way,” which can help you start saving right away and won’t become a full-time job.

The first step is to find the coupons. There are basically two sources, one is your Sunday newspaper. The other is to print coupons off the Internet. If you’re ready to go extreme, you can do like many others do and subscribe to several copies of your Sunday paper. You can also find coupons in newspaper recycling bins and ask spendthrift friends to give you theirs.

Printing coupons is a simple way to get started saving without investing a lot of money, except paper and ink. The key with any form of couponing is to actually use the coupons you acquire. That’s what hinders a lot of people from saving. Yeah, these are the people who say, “I never really saved any money with coupons.” Well, no… you won’t either unless you USE them.

Your second step, once you’ve begun acquiring coupons from various sources is to organize them. It’s beyond frustrating to go to the grocery store and know that you have a coupon for a product you want to buy, but not be able to find it in your bundle of other coupons. It’s even worse to let a good coupon expire because you couldn’t find the coupon in time.

The way to avoid these couponing mishaps is to build a couple binder. This will save you from creating what the Krazy couponers call “a big useless pile of coupons” and help you keep your coupons in order so you can easily find what you need when you want it. You can either organize them by date (which is easiest) or by grocery aisle in your store, or by the type of product. The goal is to find a system that works for you and use it.

The third step, according to Wheeler and Demer, is to shop smart. Never purchase something just because you can save a few cents. Like my husband always says, “You can save a lot more by not buying something you don’t need and won’t use!” Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy another brand, or a generic, even when you account for the coupon savings. Compare your prices before buying, even if you plan to go extreme with your coupons.

There are many ways to save money with coupons. Some are extreme, some are simple. Whatever you prefer, when you’re looking to be a more frugal shopper, coupons can boost your savings on hundreds of products every week when used correctly.

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Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop is a professional writer whose work has been published in hundreds of places online and in print. She is the publisher of Just Write for Business, a free weekly newsletter filled with original articles, tips, ideas, inspiration and advice to help you write like a pro and make money writing.

Frugal living is a trendy topic right now, but it’s a lifestyle that’s been around longer than anyone reading this post. In fact, we can learn a lot about living more frugally from our parents, grandparents and other ancestors in generations past.

For instance, the old adage to “use it up, wear it out, make do or do without” is excellent advice from another generation. America, in particular, has become a throwaway society. We use throwaway water bottles, paper plates, napkins and towels, disposable diapers and just about anything else you can imagine.

Learning to reuse more of the things we buy will take us a long way down the road to frugality. Eliminating paper napkins, for example, is easy to do when you eat at home. Just get some lightweight cotton or linen fabric—remnants work great—cut out some 8 to 10 inch squares and hem on all four sides. Voila! Napkins that you can throw in the washer and reuse over and over again.

Eliminating paper plates is easy, too, if you just remind yourself how little effort it takes to wash dishes. We get the “chore” mindset and feel as if it’s a long, drawn out effort to wash a few plates. But if you actually time yourself, you’ll see that you can wash a whole sink full of dishes in 5 to 10 minutes, max. That’s worth the savings over time.

Another aspect of this philosophy is to get rid of the idea that we have to have the latest gadget, the newest model, the most recent update of anything and everything we buy. Instead of buying a car and making it last for 10 years, we trade in every two years and take on the higher payments associated with the new vehicle.

In the same way, we have to have the most recent gaming system, the most up-to-date computer, the latest phone… even our TVs and living room furniture must be replaced because we no longer like the color or the style. Such a waste!

Learning to make do with what we have requires that we quit worrying about “keeping up with the Joneses” and begin to think about our financial health and well-being. If a heavy economic failure is really in store for the world as some experts predict, it’s time to quit wasting our monetary resources and begin to prepare for the future better than we have. Don’t you agree?

There are so many ways we can learn from past generations to live more simple and more frugally. Talk to your parents, grandparents or an elderly neighbor and ask them about some of the things they did to survive in previous years. You may be surprised at what you’ll come up with. And how it can help you and your family become more self-sufficient and less strapped financially.

Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop is a professional writer whose work has been published in hundreds of places online and in print. She is the publisher of Just Write for Business, a free weekly newsletter filled with original articles, tips, ideas, inspiration and advice to help you write like a pro and make money writing.

As with almost anything, frugal living often requires knowing the best time to purchase certain items for the best savings options. With spring just around the corner, it’s a good time for frugal shoppers to become aware of the best springtime saving possibilities.

Appliances are top of the list for items to buy in the spring at the lowest prices you’ll find all year. This is typically when you’ll find rebates and large discounts on refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers, and even air conditioners.

Spring is also a good time to find video games at a discount, as well as sweaters, wool suits, coats and boots that retailers are trying to clear out.

Look for summer items as well such as patio furniture, gas grills, pool supplies and other summer stock. You can easily save 30 to 40 percent or more if you buy now rather than wait until the season is in full swing.

It may be a good time to get your furnace service, your chimney cleaned or your home weatherized. Spring is the off-season for these and other services and buying now, rather than waiting until winter or summer, depending on the service, can offer you a solid discount.

If you’re into secondhand shopping, and you should be for the greatest savings, spring can be a tremendous time to rack up some great bargains. Many people get busy cleaning out their closets, attics and basements to make room for new acquisitions throughout the year. That means you can haul off some great deals at yard sales and thrift stores in your area.

Electronics, and high tech toys are also at their lowest prices during the spring. As are vacuum cleaners and certain styles of shoes.

Though it may sound odd, spring is also a good time to buy things like salad dressing, condiments and paper products such as napkins or paper towels. Not to mention the seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Spring not only brings the desire to get outside more, enjoy the warmer weather and the beauty of flowers blooming and trees budding out, but it’s a great time to save money on a variety of things you buy all year long. That’s a must for frugal shoppers, especially frugal moms.

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Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop is a professional writer whose work has been published in hundreds of places online and in print. She is the publisher of Just Write for Business, a free weekly newsletter filled with original articles, tips, ideas, inspiration and advice to help you write like a pro and make money writing.

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you may be looking for ideas for a frugal Valentine’s Day gift that says “I Love You” but not “I’m cheap.” If so, here are some ideas to help you spread the love without spending a lot of cash.

• Create a customized Valentine’s Day card for your sweetie. You’ll need one sheet of 8 1/2″ by 11″ cardstock in a color of your choice, pens and markers, stickers or other embellishments and a few minutes of your time.

Fold the cardstock in half to create your greeting card. Add stickers, 3D embellishments or other goodies to the front. Write in a sweet message and sign. Be sure to include lots of X’s and O’s so your Valentine knows you’re sending lots of love. You also include a “SWAK” on the back or on the envelope for good measure.

• For a surprise, write a message on the bathroom mirror after you’ve taken a steamy shower. Be sure to get the bathroom before your loved one, though, for the biggest impact.

• Make a batch of homemade fudge, a pan of chocolate chip cookies or anything else your loved one really likes. These are always better than store bought and taking the time to make them from scratch sends a message of its own.

• Send the kids to the grandparents for the night and create a warm, romantic atmosphere at home. Light some candles. Turn the lights down low. Put on some soft music. Serve a simple meal with chocolate fondue and strawberries for dipping for dessert. Make it special and make it unique. You’ll both have a night to remember… guaranteed.

• Does your Valentine like being pampered? Fill a gift bag or basket from the dollar store with lotion, bubble bath, fragranced soaps and more for a self-pampering gift she’s sure to love.

• While it may not sound like the most romantic gift, if your Valentine is an avid golfer, fisherman or bookworm, create a gift designed just for him. Fill a dollar store gift bag with items that complement his tastes and it’s sure to say “I love you” loud and strong.

• Buy a few roses at the grocery store, where they’re relatively inexpensive. Tear off the petals and leave a trail from the front door to the bedroom or bath.

• Don’t forget the kids when you’re planning Valentine’s Day gifts. You can print cute Valentine’s from a number of sites online (I really like the ones at DLTK Holidays.)

• Another great idea for kids or adults is a “survival kit.” These are easily made with a variety of simple items that you may even have on hand. And they can quickly be made up in batches to hand out to several people at once. There are instructions online here that tell you what to include, in case you’re stuck for ideas.

These are just a few ideas you can use to make your Valentine’s Day fun, romantic and filled with your loving thoughts without spending too much or breaking the bank in the process.

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Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop is a professional writer whose work has been published in hundreds of places online and in print. She is the publisher of Just Write for Business, a free weekly newsletter filled with original articles, tips, ideas, inspiration and advice to help you write like a pro and make more money writing.

Gasoline prices have seen some extreme highs recently and they’re only expected to get worse. It seems that there is no relief from the rising cost of gas. While we have to drive, we need to do all we can to conserve and save money on gas—for the long haul.

Driving a car is expensive, but cars are a necessity for most of us. Only a few people might be able to truly give up driving because of high gas prices. Most of us, though, must look for ways to save on fuel. One way to do so is by improving your car’s mileage. Apart from buying a new car with better mileage, it is possible to improve the mileage of your current car.

Become a more efficient driver. Efficient driving means you develop careful and effective driving skills. Avoid aggressive driving such as sudden acceleration or braking. This can waste a substantial amount of gasoline—as much as 33 percent—which can really rack up some money. Surviving the high cost of gas may mean driving more carefully and avoiding sudden acceleration and sudden stops whenever possible as a means to improve your gas mileage.

Get rid of excess weight. Not yours personally, but in the car. We tend to accumulate a lot of junk in the trunk of the car over time. We may tend to just ignore it, but that excess weight can actually lessen your car’s mileage. The extra weight on your car means it requires more power and energy to move. And the extra energy translates into more fuel usage, and more money for fuel. Simply making the car lighter by removing unwanted weight will use less gas on each trip and save you money.

Get regular check-ups. Again, this is referring to your car, not your person. But because cars go through a lot of wear and tear, over time, this affects your car’s mileage. Following the manufacturer’s preventative maintenance schedule will help alleviate greater fuel usage because of a poorly maintained vehicle. Care for your car well and you’ll get better gas mileage, even after years on the road. Regular tune-ups will also help your car run better and get better mileage, even as it ages.

These are just a few simple ways to increase your gas mileage and survive the high prices we all face at the pump. Follow these tips and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much better your gas mileage will be, and you’ll almost certainly notice the savings the next time you fill up.

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Darlene ‘Dee’ Bishop is a professional writer whose work has been published in hundreds of places online and in print. She specializes in frugal living and business topics, and publishes the Just Write for Business ezine to help others write like a professional as well. Sign up at http://darlenebishop.com now.

Well we’ve made it to the end of our blog tour. We had some stumbles along the way, but we made it through. I’ll tell you I’ve learned a lot and will be making some changes the next time I do one of these.

I want to thank all of the ladies that participated in this blog tour with me. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every post along the way and I even learned a few things as we journeyed through our tour. I hope you’ve all learned and enjoyed this tour as well.

Below is a list of the blogs we stopped at and the direct link to the post.

Michelle Shaeffer

Sophie McIntyre and Shelly Hill

Amy Royce

Chris Carroll

Corrie Petersen

Tammy Embrich

Dee Bishop

If you missed any of the posts, click the name above and you’ll be taken to the post. Make comments and ask questions.

Thanks again to all the readers and participants. I really appreciate it.

Today is day 8 of our blog tour and we’re visiting Dee Bishop’s business blog. Dee is a work at home mom and loves every minute of it. She has control of her day and what she does during that day. When the day is done she calls it a day and turns the computer off. One of the many things Dee does in her business is ghostwriting and she’s great at what she does for others.

Click here to read Dee’s post. On Thursday we will have arrived at the end of our tour. Our final post will be my thoughts on the tour and you’ll see direct links to each post during our tour. So you’ll want to make sure you click here to visit our blog for this final post.

I want to thank all of our blog tour participants and to those that stop by to read the posts and make comments.

Blessings,

Today is day 7 of our blog tour and we’re on the downhill slope. Today we’re stopping by Tammy Embrich’s grandma blog. Tammy is a mom, a grandma, and a business owner. She’s also one of the authors at WAHM-Articles and I must say she writes great articles.

Click here to read Tammy’s post. We’re going to show Tammy’s readers how article marketing can lead to full time work. Also make sure you come back by on Tuesday when we stop by Dee Bishop’s blog. Click here to visit Dee’s blog.

I want to thank all of our blog tour participants and to those that stop by to read the posts and make comments.

Blessings,

Many of us enjoy decorating our homes or making simple changes to give a room a different look. It’s especially nice to find frugal home decorating ideas that can help us spruce things up without spending a fortune. Finding free ideas is even better!

Freecycle is always a great resource when you’re redecorating. A lot of times people will give something away just because they no longer want it or use it. Keep in mind, if you’re quick enough to grab an item, that you don’t have to leave anything exactly as it is when you acquire it.

A fresh coat of paint, a few low cost stickers or decals, some new fabric, a different drawer pull or handle, or even new table legs are inexpensive changes that can make a dramatic difference in an item you recently acquired, or even something you already have on hand.

Decoupage, for instance, is a simple technique that practically anyone can do and that can be used to add color and interest to everything from walls to floors, furniture and more.

Take a scrap of fabric or paper with a shape or design you like and cut out the pieces you want to use. Then, with decoupage medium or white glue thinned with water, paste the design in place. Add a layer of your glue or medium over the top and let dry. You can spray with glaze to seal it and give it a nice shine, or leave it as is. Either way, you now have a completely “new” home decor item for literally pennies.

You can also use natural elements that cost nothing to decorate your home. Pine cones, branches, dried flowers, nuts and more can be used to decorate every room in the house. Fill a basket with pine cones, tie a ribbon on the handle or attach a bow to the front, and you have a lovely home decor item to brighten a room.

If you want more elegant look, spray paint the pine cones white or gold before you place them in the basket. Gold pine cones in a white basket with a gold wire-ribbon bow is an especially beautiful addition to a mantle or hearth.

Use pine boughs to create swags and garland that can be used year round, not only during the holidays. Add a few berry picks or ribbon and you have a nicely scented addition to your room as well as one that adds decorative interest.

Another way to use natural garland is to drape a length around a mirror, across the top of a bookcase, or around a railing—indoors or out. You can add a bow that coordinates with your room decor, if desired, and everyone will rave about your expensive new look. Only you will know that it cost practically nothing but your time!

There are a number of decorative improvements you can make without spending much money. Just keep your eyes open to trends in other homes or home decorating magazines, then look for ways to adapt what you like in your own home. It’s a great way to achieve the look you want without the cost those trendy decor items require.