Money Saving Ideas and Recipes

5 Money Saving Ideas

1.  Refinance your home.  Matt and I were able to get our interest rate down to 4.77% on a 30 year fixed.  This was a quick $100 a month, and closing costs were minimal.  One thing to consider is how long you intend to be in your current home, and if the monthly savings would pay for the additional closing costs.  Your best bet is to get a mortgage guy on your side.  Contact a mortgage company you can trust (we went with Wachovia; we also worked a lot with Churchill Mortgage - Dave Ramsey's endorsed company) - they can be constantly shopping and alert you when the rates dip (they don't dip for long!!).

2.  Pickup the phone and renegotiate "the givens."  Contrary to popular belief, EVERYTHING is negotiable.  If its not, don't buy it.  We've recently had some success with something as simple as internet costs.  These companies are hungry for business - everyone is cancelling or downgrading service.  If it means keeping your business, they'll work with you.  My conversation with Time Warner was to get a "new customer" promo since I had been with them for a couple years.  Naturally, the first customer service person says no - get a manager on the line and talk person to person.  You'll get what you want - particularly if you can leverage some additional business (maybe a free long distance phone line).  Be creative - it works!!

3.  Think about your purchases.  Before you go to the grocery store make a list of exactly what you need and stick to it.  Also, at the grocery store use the 10 second rule.  If you see something that is not on the list that you want to buy, stop for 10 seconds to think about whether or not you really need it (yes a full 10 seconds!!).  For larger purchases use the 30 day rule.  If you decide you need to upgrade your computer, give it a 30 day thought before taking the leap.  If after 30 days you still think it's a wise purchase go for it.

4.  Start preparing dinner before you are starving.  We know from experience - just tonight we ended up at Olive Garden because of this.  If you're starving at 6pm and have not started dinner, the convenience of eating out becomes awfully enticing!!  Prepwork on Sundays helps - so does freezing leftovers (red beans, roast & casseroles work well).  But fight the addiction - we're stuck and can't get out.  Does anyone know of a "Eating out" Anonymous group we can join?!?!?

5.  Tithe.  Tithing is a beautiful thing but sometimes a sensitive subject.  Its 2-fold.  First, its just the right thing to do.  Whether its at your parish or your favorite charity, we need to remember that no matter how little we think we have, someone always has less.  I'm always moved by the Gospel reading of the widow who gave from her "need" not her "want."  The reality is everything we have is a blessing from God - we're called to be good stewards of what God gives us.  The other piece of tithing is what it does for us mentally / spritually / psychologically.  It forces us to put what we buy in perspective.  Suddenly, we're having deep conversations with ourselves about needs and wants and where we need to put our money.  Initially, you look at a paycheck and wonder "Where will this money come from?"  Give to God first - the rest will work out.  I've heard countless stories like the fishes and loaves.  It sounds cliche and is forgotten in our society, but God does indeed provide for all our needs.  Just trust!

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This recipe comes from a New Orleans Native.  It is easy to prepare and easy on the budget.

Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients:

1 lb. dry red beans

1 chopped onion

1 lb. andouille (or smoked) sausage

salt

pepper

Cajun seasoning of choice (i.e. Tony Chachere's creole seasoning)

2 qts. water

1 stick of butter

Soak red beans in water overnight.  Cut sausage into bite sized pieces and brown in a large pot.  Remove sausage and add a little butter.  Add onion and sautee for 5 min.  Season with salt, pepper and cajun seasoning to your liking.  Add beans, water and sausage and bring to a low boil over med-low heat for 2 hours.  Keep uncovered and stir frequently.  You may need to add water as the beans cook.  Make sure the water always covers the top of the beans.  Add 1/2 stick of butter when beans are cooked right before you serve.  Serve over white rice.