Simple Cents

I was reading an article in Woman's Day the other day about saving money and thought I'd share a few tips here. My time normally comes in bite size pieces, so it will take a few posts....

First one is easy - never spend your coins! Save 'em! The author of this article, Mary Hunt (love her stuff) saved more than $1,00 in one year doing this! Think about how light your purse will be too! :)

Free Homeschool Curriculum Contest!

Would you spend two minutes to win an entire year's worth of curriculum? That's all the time it took Rebecca Day from Amarillo, Texas, to register in last year's spectacular homeschool giveaway at Alpha Omega Publications® (AOP). After winning the grand prize of $500 in homeschool curriculum, Rebecca wrote, "It was such a blessing to get your phone call about the prize! This is going to help our family out tremendously!" Now, here's your opportunity! Register to win in this year's giveaway at AOP. From now until February 28, 2009, enter for your shot at the grand prize of $500 in award-winning homeschool curriculum, or other prizes like a complete, 5-subject set of Switched-On Schoolhouse® computer-based curriculum, the fully animated Character Builders™ 8-DVD set, or a complimentary copy of the uplifting and encouraging Daily Focus® devotional book. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain outstanding curriculum and products for your homeschooling family. It's easy to enter. Simply click REGISTER NOW below and fill in your information. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age, and there is a limit of one entry per household. For more details, check out AOP's contest rules when you enter and remember that no purchase is necessary. Don't delay. Register to win today! Who should enter AOP's Homeschool Giveaway? EVERYONE!

AOP's Giveaway Prizes: Grand Prize: $500 in Homeschool Curriculum 1st Prize: Switched-On 5-Subject Set 2nd Prize: Character Builders 8 DVD Set 3rd Prize: Daily Focus Devotional Book

Saving money when homeschooling

PerX Discount Program

REAL VALUE Legal representation and homeschool advocacy aren’t the only benefits that make HSLDA membership a top value for your family. We also provide a wide range of other services and money-saving discounts. LOOKING AHEAD October Home School Foundation November Clicks for Homeschooling December Contests January GPA Smartstore PassPort

Dozens of Discounts Hotels, Car Rentals, and Insurance Magazines and Education Resources Family-Oriented Internet Services Request a PerX Discount Now SECURE YOUR BENEFITS TODAY HSLDA membership has its privileges—but it is our privilege to save you money! Through HSLDA’s PerX program, HSLDA members automatically qualify for discounts with dozens of vendors and services. You can save 10% off homeschool science supplies or driver’s ed. Save 20% on room fare at more than 5,600 hotels throughout the Choice Hotel worldwide network (savings normally exceed AAA discounts). Save on insurance, magazine subscriptions, education resources, and much more. The PerX program is easy to use. Simply visit our PerX webpage and select the discount you are interested in. Provide your active HSLDA membership number and an email address. Within a few minutes, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to obtain the particular discount. Save enough money with your PerX benefits, and your HSLDA membership just might pay for itself!

Free Starbucks Coffee!!

Starbucks Offers Free Coffee for Homeschool Parents
This coming Monday, September 29, homeschool parents will be able to pick up a complimentary tall size (12 fl. oz.) cup of Pike Place Roast from Starbucks. Read more >>

Financial Bondage

I was emailed these thoughts from Dr. Jack Graham and thought them applicable to share here...

Are you in financial bondage?

If you're not sure, here's what financial bondage looks like...

1. You charge daily expenditures for the lack of funds.
2. You put off paying a bill until next month.
3. You borrow money to pay fixed expenses such as your mortgage, insurance, or energy payment.
4. You are unaware of how much you owe your creditors.
5. You have creditors calling or writing you about past-due bills.
6. You take money from savings to pay your current bills.
7. You take out new loans to pay off old loans.
8. You and your spouse argue about money.
9. You consider being dishonest about your finances.
10. You find it difficult to tithe.

If any one of these markers describes your life today, I want to offer you a word of encouragement: There is a way to escape financial bondage!

Number one, you need to confront the problem. When you have a problem, you have to be willing to be honest about it.

Number two, you need to take decisive action. As our Scripture today says, you need to have a plan if you're going to escape financial bondage. It's not just going to take care of itself on its own! This will probably involve such things as reducing your spending, putting up or tearing up your credit cards, and budgeting your income.

The last way to escape financial bondage is to focus on what you can give--not on what you can get. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

If you find yourself in financial bondage, I encourage you... make the decision to free yourself today!

YOU WILL NEVER BE THE BLESSING AS GOD INTENDS AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN BONDAGE TO MONEY.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

--Proverbs 21:5

Lack of action

This quote was probably not intended for advice regarding finances, but it really is applicable for all of life, including money stuff...

Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
- Will Rogers

What am I doing to get on the right track, and also to get moving, in regards to my finances?

Airline cheapness

I traveled this weekend by plane, and it was a wonderful trip! I was able to find fairly priced fares, so that was very cool. I was surprised however, at the cheapness of many other things besides the fares!

Remember flying years ago and getting the little snacks and drinks and stuff? Well, in two out of four flights I had soda, half a can, and no snacks whatsoever. Yikes!!

And did you know that now, for many airlines, you can't check ANY bags without paying a fee? You have to carry on everything, which is challenging considering all of the security restrictions. I had heard that there would be fees for additional bags, which I understand, but not even one!?!

Ok, enough complaining.... Catch you soon!

Garage sale failure

We had a garage sale today and it was an abysmal failur. I had hoped to clear some clutter out of our home at the same time as making a few dollars, and when all was said and done I ended up netting about 75 cents!!! My girls did a little better, but our total was still under $20!! That's very very sad for being up and setting up by 7 am, and being outside "working" until 3:00 pm. We had signs. We ran an ad in the paper. We had eye catchers up front. We had a free box. We did it all right. It did rain all day, quite heavily at first, so I'm guessing that's what did us in. Sighhhhhh.... There is a town wide one coming up soon, so since everything is labeled and sorted, I guess we'll try once more. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Free Direct TV channels

I know the whole reason that they do this is to get you hooked on these extra channels, but it's fun when they do....

Direct TV is offering a couple of free previews this month:

	Starz® FREE Preview & Offer FREE preview 9/11-9/14. Chs. 520-533. Upgrade & get a $25 Best Buy gift card. Offer ends 10/15.

FREE SPORTS PACK Preview FREE preview 9/19-9/21. College football, hoops & more. Chs. 601-699.

	HBO® & Cinemax® FREE preview 9/5-9/8. HBO®, Chs. 501-508. Cinemax®, Chs. 512-514.

I really like free :)