Go online.  There is a plethora of companies and businesses offering discounts and promotions as a way to have students use their products.  It may take some research but there are some great deals to be made here.  Take your time and investigate every possible source.

Clothing can be big expenditure if you don’t shop smart.  Consignment stores and second hand stores such as Goodwill are excellent places to find good clothing at a fraction of what you will pay at a retail store.  This is name brand clothing that would cost a fortune new.  These stores only sell clothing that is in good condition so there are no rags here.  And many times you can find brand new pieces that still have the tags on them.   

Remember two simple words: used textbooks.  This is going to save you huge amounts of money and when you are finished with a class you aren’t going to need them anymore.  Buy them second hand, take good care of them and resell them when you are finished.  You may even regroup your initial investment back.

Food is another massive chunk in finances.  This can usually be due to poor eating habits.  Fast food is a very costly item, resulting in poor health and poorer students.  Plus, you will find that all of those artificial this and added preservatives that dulls your thought process and clouds your memory while disrupting your sleep.  If you take the time to shop for a week all at once you will save money. 

Make your meals for the week on Sunday, separate them and label them for each day of the week.  This will help in two ways.  One, you’ll never be caught without food prepared.  All you have to do is take it out and heat it up.  Second, you won’t have to worry about coming home tired and having to cook.  This leads to taking the easy way out. 

If, at all possible, skip the car.  Cars are expensive.  Title, insurance, gas, oil, parking permits, and if the car isn’t paid for, a payment.  Invest in a good bicycle and you’ll not only save a tremendous amount of money but you will be getting great exercise that will help you feel better. 

If you feel the need to spend then spend wisely.  Instead of going to the movies wait a couple of weeks and rent it for a dollar.  When a semester is about to begin get many of your supplies from the dollar store instead of retail.  Have your hair cut at a cosmetology class for free.   

Setting priorities makes budgeting much simpler. But even this is difficult for many household money managers. Priorities are somewhat subjective, and those within the household often have vastly different priorities. Here are some ways that you can make priority setting a little easier:

1. Keep first things first. When it comes down to it, there are only a few things that we truly need to survive. These things include food, water, clothing and shelter. Transportation and other things that enable us to work and continue to make money also fall into this category. These should always come first in the budget, although it’s always a good idea to do our best to save money on them.

2. Keep savings in mind. We all need to put money aside for emergencies and set up a retirement fund. It’s also wise to set up a college fund for each of your children as early as possible. But many families push savings to the side, and it often ends up out of the picture altogether. Putting money away prior to any discretionary spending is crucial if you wish to meet your goals.

3. Evaluate your debts. If you have none, you’re in the lucky minority. Most households have large amounts of debt, including mortgages, car payments, loans and credit cards. By paying your debts off as quickly as possible, you can save lots of money in the long run. And once they’re paid in full, you’ll have a lot more wiggle room in your monthly budget. Putting as much money as you can afford toward paying off debt will help you reach that point much faster.

4. Set goals as a family. Maybe you would all like to go on a nice vacation next summer. Get everyone involved in deciding where to go, then calculate your expenses. Get everyone involved in saving money for this goal. Not only will you get to go on a family trip, you’ll also be teaching your children about budgeting and teamwork.

5. Review your budget periodically. A family’s needs change over time, and if your budget is no longer meeting your needs, it’s time for a change. Once again, you’ll need input from everyone in the family to make this work.

Priorities are at the heart of a successful budget. By keeping them in mind, we can resist impulse spending and make progress toward our financial goals. And by getting input from the entire family, you can gain valuable insight into individual needs and encourage interest in working together to keep your finances in good shape.

Kids grow quickly in the literal sense of the word, too. They go through clothes at lightning speed, often growing into a new size before the clothes they’ve been wearing start to look worn. Keeping them in attire that fits can be a chore, and it can also put a strain on the budget.

But you can get kids’ clothes without paying an arm and a leg. Here are some ways to do so.

1. Make use of hand-me-downs. Maybe a friend or family member has a child who is the same gender as yours but a little older. Ask her to send clothes your way when her child outgrows them. If you have more than one child, save the older kids’ clothes for the younger ones to wear.

2. Visit a consignment shop. These stores usually have gently used clothing that is in very good condition at much lower prices than you would pay for a new item. You could even take your child’s best used clothes in and ask for store credit instead of cash when they sell.

3. Check out thrift stores. They sell second-hand clothing at dirt cheap prices, sometimes as low as a dollar or two for a bag full. Some clothes will be in better shape than others, but if you look hard enough you’ll usually find some gems.

4. Go to an outlet store. Outlets sell overstocks and factory seconds at much lower prices than the norm. If you’re fond of a certain brand, check to see if they have an outlet store nearby or online.

5. Make use of coupons. Sometimes you can find coupons for clothing in your local newspaper. You can also find coupon codes for online stores on the Internet. Just do a Google search for the store name plus the words “coupon codes.”

6. See what eBay has to offer. Moms often sell children’s clothes in the size that their child just outgrew in lots at low prices. You can also find great deals on new kids’ clothing.

7. Stop by some garage sales. If you can find a garage sale with clothes in your child’s size, you might be able to get some excellent deals. Prices are often negotiable, and if you take several items off of the seller’s hands, he might even give you a discount.

8. Check the classifieds. Those with small children often find this to be the easiest way to sell clothes that they have outgrown. It’s not unheard of to get a large box full of baby clothes for the price you would pay for one or two new outfits.

9. Shop at the end of the season. This is the time when clothes go on clearance, and you can find awesome deals on brand new items. The tricky part is guessing what size your child will be in when the season comes around again. But if you miscalculate, you can always sell the items online, at a yard sale or in a consignment shop.

10. Try your hand at sewing. You’ll need a sewing machine, but the initial investment will pay off in no time. And best of all, you can make numerous unique outfits from one pattern by using different fabrics.

1. Share and Swap Care – Get together with friends to schedule alternating childcare among your group. If possible, working alternating schedules could permit a schedule convenient for everyone. However, if you all work similar hours, you could consider hiring one childcare provider who would be willing to care for all of the children, while splitting the cost.

2. Nanny-mom – You may find someone willing to come to your home and be a nanny for your children, but she has a child of her own who needs her attention. By allowing her to bring her child along while she cares for yours, you’re not only getting childcare for your little one, but you can pay her less as she doesn’t need to pay for her own childcare expenses.

3. Staggered Work Hours – You and your spouse can try offsetting your work hours. Instead of both of you working 9am – 5pm, perhaps one could work 7am – 3pm to cut the number of hours your children need to be in daycare or with the sitter.

4. Office Daycares – There are many companies who are now providing employees with daycare facilities in the same building as their offices. These are normally available either at a largely reduced rate, or as a benefit offered to enable longer work days from their employees.

5. Telecommuting – Many companies are offering the option of telecommuting to their employees. This enables you to work from the comfort of your own home, while not worrying about childcare. Any appointments or meetings which require your attendance could most likely be scheduled for a time when your significant other is available to care for the children. If not, at least you will have far less to pay for a babysitter if you only need one on occasion.

6. Family help – Perhaps grandparents or other relatives would be willing to care for your children while you are at work. Although grandparents will often tend to do this for free, you may want to take them out for dinner on a regular basis or some other activity or gift to show your appreciation for their generosity.

7. Start a new job from home – There are many ways you can do this, and not only does it remove the necessity of childcare, it can also get you some potential tax breaks. If this doesn’t sound like something you would be interested in doing right now, there is another alternative. Sit down with your spouse and calculate carefully both incomes and compare them to your monthly expenses. Then recalculate what you could save if one person were to stay home instead of working. Be sure to include not only childcare costs, but clothing allowances, travel expenses as well as the change in income tax brackets. You may just find the second salary isn’t as much of a necessity.

1. Clean up the yard. You may have developed a blind spot when it comes to weeds and trash in your yard, but those are among the first things that a prospective buyer will notice. So get out the weed whacker and remove the debris, and if you have items sitting in your yard that don’t belong there, move them.

2. Maintain your flower garden. If you don’t have one, plant a few easy-care flowers.

3. Pressure wash the exterior. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.

4. Add a fresh coat of paint to your siding if needed. This can make the difference between someone stopping to look at your home and someone driving on by.

5. Wash the windows. Dirty windows may not be noticeable from the street, but they’re glaringly obvious up close.

6. Wash the interior walls, and repaint or rewallpaper if needed. Be sure to fill in any holes before painting, and use primer for a smooth finish. White or a light neutral color makes the best impression.

7. Declutter your home. Put some things in storage if necessary. An uncluttered room looks larger and more inviting.

8. Put up new curtains and blinds. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive, just new. The ones that you’ve been using for several years are likely faded or stained.

9. Thoroughly clean the floors. Clean floors as directed by the flooring manufacturer, taking care to remove stains. Wax hard floors if recommended.

10. Invest in a new shower curtain and toilet seat for the bathroom. Again, these do not have to be extravagant, just new.

11. Put in new light switches and outlets. This is inexpensive easy to do, and it gives your home an updated look.

12. Refinish the kitchen cabinets.

13. Add crown molding and other details. These items are cheap and easy to install, and they can change the entire look of a room.

14. Put in a ceiling fan or two. You can find inexpensive ones at discount stores, and they’re easy to install if you use them to replace an existing light fixture.

15. Place vases of fresh flowers around the house. This will add visual appeal and a light, pleasant scent.

16. Pay special attention to the entryway. This is the first thing prospective buyers will see when they walk in your home, and hence the basis for their first impression.

17. Remove or replace old and worn rugs.

18. Clean all appliances. Even older ones look better when they’re spotless.

19. Consider putting slipcovers on old furniture. Even if you’re taking it with you when you move, the furniture that’s in the home makes an impression.

20. Hang up some mirrors in small spaces. This gives the illusion of a larger room.

There are an abundance of ways you can accomplish both – saving money and going green. You will see just how easy it can be to continue being a part of the solution to our environment’s future while continuing to save some of your hard-earned money at the same time.

1. The rising cost of gasoline has had its own impact on pocketbooks of late. Instead of putting that extra money into your gas tank, why not leave the car at home? Grab your bike to head to the office or other locations where you won’t need the storage space of the trunk. You’ll be saving money, protecting the environment AND getting exercise all at the same time.

2. There are ample ways you can reduce your family’s water consumption, and this is one of the easiest ways to go green and save. Instead of letting the faucet run until the water gets to your preferred drinking temperature, why not keep a pitcher in the fridge for easy access? You can save water by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, or filling the sink with water to wash dishes instead of letting the water run. Make it a family decision to cut back on personal shower time by five minutes each.

3. Many people buy water bottles instead of using tap water. Well, those empty bottles end up in landfills, whereas the purchase of a water filtration system can range both in size and price. This is a purchase which is not only good for the environment, but will save you money in the long run. If you’re looking for something even less costly, buy yourself a reusable water bottle you can refill during the day.

4. Avoid wasting food. Buy groceries every two weeks instead of weekly, being careful not to buy perishables which aren’t needed. Buying in bulk saves on packaging and results in needing to purchase food less often. Remember your reusable shopping bags!

5. Start composting kitchen scraps and yard waste. Not only will your garbage bins fill up slower, but the compost can be used in your gardens as fertilizer when you begin growing your own vegetables.

6. Don’t drain the dishwater. Before pulling the plug, consider using the dishwater for your flowerbeds and gardens. This will save you from using the hose, and some of those minerals might just do your garden some good.

7. Instead of a gym membership, set up a space for a punching bag or yoga mat in your home. Play soccer with the kids, or go for a bike ride through local bicycle paths. Not only will you still be getting your workout, but you won’t need the car to get to the gym.

8. Use baking soda instead of harsh chemical cleansers. You can use it for scrubbing the tub and toilet; make a paste of it using warm water to get those stubborn stains off your plastic food storage containers or even to shine your silverware. It can also be used to whiten your teeth instead of expensive whitening kits or treatments at the dentist’s.

9. Planting trees in your yard, especially on the south side, will provide shade for your home. This can cool the temperature of the indoors, allowing you to leave the air conditioning off and saving approximately 25% in cooling costs.

10. When it comes time to change light bulbs in your household fixtures, check out your utility company’s website before going shopping. Many companies offer incentives or discounts for those who switch to a particular ‘green’ lighting choice. Besides, these new varieties of bulbs last longer and are brighter than you can imagine!

Although for some going green may seem like a lot of work, the benefits and consequences aren’t just for show. They’re for our future, and the future of those who will follow us.

Today’s school trips are often much different from those we went on during our school days. They often involve traveling out of state and staying one or more nights, even for elementary and junior high students. Even day trips have become more expensive, requiring parents to pay bus and admission fees. This is generally a result of reduced education budgets.

Handling requests to go on field trips and participate in activities can be difficult. Here are some ways you can work these things into your budget.

* Pick and choose. If your child’s class goes on multiple trips during the year, you may not be able to afford them all. Consider saying “no” to some of them. Talk to your child about which ones he wants to attend the most, and look at the educational value they provide. Then make a decision and stick with it.

* Be honest with your child. She may feel that it’s not fair that she doesn’t get to go on a trip that “everyone else” gets to go on. Explain that you would pay for the trip if you could, but it’s just not an option.

* Talk to your child about raising the money on his own. Older kids could get a part-time job to earn the needed funds. Younger kids might do a fundraiser such as a car wash or bake sale to get the money they need. If your child gets an allowance, perhaps he could pay the fees out of that.

* For big, expensive trips, find out if you can make payments. Coordinators often let parents know about such trips well in advance, and they may even set up a payment schedule for everyone. If you don’t feel that you can pay on that schedule, meet with the coordinator and ask if you can set up an alternate one.

* Consider asking relatives for help. Perhaps each grandparent, aunt or uncle could contribute a small amount to help fund the trip. If you can get several people to give a small amount, it won’t put a burden on anyone.

Field trips and other activities usually have educational value, and they foster a love for learning. But if you can’t make room in the budget for them, there’s no need to feel guilty. If you explain why you can’t afford to pay your child’s way, there’s a good chance that she will understand. She might even take it upon herself to raise the money, and that in itself will be a valuable learning experience.

Start Where You Are
To build good savings habits is really only a simple matter of actually doing something instead of doing nothing. So, start where you are. For example, at the end of each day, empty you wallet and pockets of any change you accumulated during the day, and put it in a jar. Deposit this money monthly into a savings account. Another option is to skip on one coffee a day, and put a dollar aside instead. At the end of the month, this will amount to roughly $30 to deposit into that savings account. After an entire year of doing this, you will have saved an approximated $360!

Keep Track of Habits
Many people typically spend approximately $5 eating out several times a week at the office cafeteria. If you were to reduce this to only once or twice a week, you could take the extra five dollars from the days you don’t spend it, and deposit it into your savings account. The same scenario can be used once you finish paying off your car or student loans. Once the actual loan has been paid in full, continue depositing the same amount in your savings account every month.

Set Goals for Success
In order to develop a discipline for saving, most successful savers have the need to experience a number of small successes in the beginning so one positive experience reinforces the other. Start out by picking short-term, easily attainable goals which will give you a sense of personal satisfaction from the start. For example, your goal might be a new stereo or paying off a credit card balance. Determine what those goals will cost, and give yourself a deadline for achieving them. Then all you have to do is just do it – begin by setting aside the right amount of money as per your schedule, and stick to it. Before you know it, your goal will have been reached.

Needs or Wants?
At some point or another we all have the urge to splurge or pamper ourselves. Of course it’s nice to treat ourselves to something new every now and again. Before making any purchase, however, remember to take the time to consider these questions: “Do I need this?” and “Does this help me achieve my savings goal?” As a rule this will help you make the appropriate decision and stay focused on your goals before making a purchase.

Monitoring Your Expenses
You may want to sit down at the end of each month and review all of your expenses. There may have been areas you didn’t consider before, but by seeing them on paper you realize they are part of what needs to change for the next month.

Stick With It
The most important point in any savings plan is to stick with it. Some people find it helpful to keep their goals in writing. Writing down the amount you need as well as the date you expect to achieve your goal gives you something concrete to focus on. With long-term goals, such as saving for retirement, you may find it helpful to establish milestones you can celebrate along the way.

Think Big
Big-time savers use an “I can” attitude while thinking long term. By exercising discipline now you can see rewarding paybacks later on. Saving can make the world of difference not only for yourself, but for your children as well. Starting to save today means less to worry about tomorrow.

But moms- and dads-to-be often forget about that last item. With everything that’s currently going on and upcoming, money matters can easily be the last thing on their minds. However, a new addition to the family will have a significant impact on the budget, and it’s very important to consider this ahead of time. Here are eight things you can do to prepare for the baby and keep your finances in order.

1. Start saving extra money as soon as you learn about the pregnancy. Those first few months won’t be as expensive as mid to late pregnancy, so you should be able to put a fair amount of money away. This fund will be helpful when it comes time to buy things like maternity clothes, baby furniture or a stroller.

2. Seek out deals on basic needs such as diapers, wipes and baby wash. Clip coupons from your Sunday paper or find them online, and then check your favorite stores periodically for sales. You’ll be glad that you stocked up on these things later on.

3. If you know the baby’s gender, put the word out to friends and relatives. They may have some baby clothes that you can use. Even if the gender is uncertain or you want it to be a surprise, you can probably get some donations of neutral clothing to help you get through those first few weeks.

4. Start checking out prices on things your baby will need on a regular basis. It may be difficult to determine how much formula she will drink or how many diapers she will go through in a month’s time, but at least you’ll have a general idea of what to expect. You may want to give it your best guess and work on a tentative budget to give yourself a head start.

5. Understand that a new addition to the family will raise many of your expenses. You’ll buy more groceries. You’ll use more electricity warming up bottles and turning lights on in the middle of the night. You’ll use more water giving baths and washing tiny clothes and bedding. Take this into account when planning your post-birth budget.

6. Resist the urge to take the easy way out when it comes to meals. When you’re tending to a newborn, it’s easy to fall into the habit of eating takeout and convenience foods. But cooking is less expensive and far healthier for you and your family. Ask other family members to help with food preparation so that it won’t be such a chore.

7. Set some money aside for medical expenses. Babies need several check-ups during their first year of life, and they’ll also need medical attention in the event of illness. Health insurance helps a great deal, but you’ll probably still have some out-of-pocket expenses such as copays and over-the-counter medications.

8. Weigh your childcare options. If a parent plans to stay home with the baby, it will significantly affect the budget. If you take him to daycare or a sitter, it will also have an impact. It’s important to carefully think things through before you make a decision and adjust your budget accordingly.

When there’s a little one on the way, it’s important to think about the financial implications. Planning ahead will make things easier when your bundle of joy arrives, allowing you to enjoy those first months and years without worrying about money.

1. Virtual Customer Service
Companies around the world have found that outsourcing their customer service needs to at-home workers is not only cost effective, but provides them with better results than many were able to attain with an in-house call center staff. You’ll find that pay here can range from moderate to very good depending on your experience and the company with which you work, and the field continues to grow. You’ll need to have the right equipment (computer, headset, mic, high-speed Internet access, etc.) but it can be a very rewarding choice for many people.

2. Crafting and Hobbies
Do you have a hobby or craft that can be turned into a career? Do you paint? Do you carve wood? Perhaps you have sewing skills or can make custom jewelry. Regardless, crafts and hobbies can be excellent options for at-home workers. In fact, with the growing “buy local” movement, you might just find that your crafts are in very high demand. You can sell your crafts through a variety of platforms online, as well, including sites like Etsy and eBay, or even start your own website if you prefer.

3. Go Freelance
Increasingly, taking your traditional work skills and offering them up on a freelance basis has become an immensely popular option. Whether you’re a writer, web designer, accounting professional or someone else, you’ll find that not only are your skills in demand, but that you can earn a very good living as a freelancer. You’ll need to know where to look for work of course, but the Internet has made this simpler as well. You’ll find that Elance.com and oDesk.com are two popular options, but you can also find work through Guru.com and tons of other sites online.

4. Virtual Assistant
If you have the skills, then becoming a virtual assistant is an excellent idea. You’ll take care of a number of reception and administrative tasks, handle data entry and perform a range of other job duties, all from your home computer. You can also go the freelance route or hire on with one of the new VA companies that are popping up all over the place.

5. Graphic Designer
Graphic design has become incredibly vital for businesses and entrepreneurs. Whether designing art for a book cover or graphics for a new website, graphic designers can earn a significant income with their skills. Moreover, you can work from home by going the freelance wrote or even telecommuting with a design company.

As you can see, there are numerous excellent work at home jobs available – the five listed above are just the tip of the iceberg.