groceries

A Practical Guide to Setting A Budget (Part Three)

Abby H.

The first two parts (Part One, Part Two) of this series talked about the essentials of how to budget. This third part is for those of you who are having a difficult time making the ends meet to get your needs met.

I’m talking about when cutting cable and going cash only for groceries isn’t enough. When you need help. When there isn’t much (or anything) to eat. When the power might be shut off. When there isn’t money to put gas in your car to get to work or job interviews.

This is the most important thing to remember: It is ok to ask for help. It is ok to seek out services and take advantage of programs. Do not worry about what others will think- This pandemic and all of the fallout that has happened has affected so many of us. So many hardworking families and individuals need a hand up right now. 

A lot of the services and programs listed below are specifically for San Diego County. If you live outside San Diego County, I recommend that you call 211 anywhere in the US. They can help you find resources- all judgment free!

So when I talk about needs being met, I mean:

  • Shelter (Rent/mortgage assistance/utilities)
  • Food (Healthy food for you/your family and pets)
  • Comfort (Clothing, healthcare, medication)

Shelter:

  • If you have a mortgage, contact your lender for a forbearance. You may have to provide them with proof that you are unable to pay.
  • If you are a renter in San Diego, here is the County Rental Assistance site.
  • If you require assistance with your utilities, SDG&E has many programs and assistance available.
  • For your water/sewer bills, you will need to contact them directly. There are so many water municipalities in San Diego County.

Food: Food insecurity is a cause near and dear to my heart, so I have all kinds of resources to share!

Many food banks give out pet food as well- don’t forget to mention your furry friends when you complete your intake paperwork (which is oftentimes to find out demographic information to obtain additional funding from the government or private grants). Some do not require any paperwork at all.

Comfort: Being housed and fed is important, in addition to this I’ve added the comfort category. This includes clean, well fitting clothes, access to health care, and prescription medicines.

  • There are many resources for no and low cost clothing (besides thrift stores, which have become increasingly higher in cost in the past year). Naomi’s Closet, Closet on 54th, Charity’s Closet at Sonrise Church, Sharia’s Closet are all San Diego resources. I’ve been told that some Salvation Army churches offer free clothing vouchers to be redeemed at their thrift shops. Don’t forget your local Buy Nothing Group too! So many of your local neighbors are cleaning out their clothes and purging while they are stuck at home, you’d be surprised what your neighbors are will to share with you.
  • If you are in need of healthcare, there are several options. Medicaid/Medi-cal may be available for some. If you have had a “life event” (job separation, birth of a child, death of a spouse, marriage, etc.) you can look for health insurance in your state’s Health Insurance Exchange. Here is a link to California’s Exchange. There are frequently lower rates or discounts for those with certain income limits.
  • If you or family members take prescription medicines, look into discount programs like Singlecare (which you can access via the Fetch Rewards App and earn cashback/points), or GoodRX. Some pharmacies have their own discount programs too. Make sure to ask the pharmacy staff. Another option is to ask your doctor for medication samples when you are visiting them. Many doctors have medication samples in their offices, and most doctors are willing to help you when you tell them you need assistance with medication costs.

 

 

 

A Practical Guide to Setting A Budget (Part Two)

Abby H.1 Comment

In our last post, I talked about the basics of starting a budget (you can read it here).

We ended with… What happens if you spend more money than you bring home? Don’t feel bad, It happens more than you would think. Living in a credit-based world, it’s easy to swipe, swipe, swipe your card and have it seem like it’s not real money.

How do you stop spending willy nilly and start saving money?

First of all, I went through our family budget line by line looking for ways to cut down on costs. This will take a little work, but it’s worth the savings. Here are a few ways that you may be able to save.

  • Cell Phones- I called and negotiated a new contract, and they were able to give us a small discount ($15/month).
  • Auto/Home Insurance- Called our insurance carrier (it’s the same for both). We went through both policies, and were able to adjust our annual mileage to lower mileage, and adjust a few things with our homeowner’s insurance to save some money too. (About $50/year)
  • Gas & Electric (power company)-Because of the big kids’ diagnosis, we were able to qualify for a discount. SDG&E (Our utility provider) offers several discounts. You can learn more about our experience and how we saved money here.  We also take part in OhmConnect, and that saves us money and gives us cashback. You can learn more about OhmConnect here. We save about a thousand dollars a year between the programs SDG&E offers and using Ohmconnect.
  • Internet- We ended up changing internet providers to save money. I know that not everyone has this ability, but it’s worth a call to see if you can get a better deal. We don’t have cable or a home phone, so there are no bundling deals that can save our family money. ($5/month)
  • Cable- We don’t have it, but if you are thinking of cutting the cable, it’s not all static and bunny ears like in the old days. Between Apple TV (ours is really old and it works great), Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and over the air TV, we aren’t suffering. (No savings for us, but maybe some for you?)

Secondly, I take cash out for Groceries ($100/week), gas ($60/week), and fun money (funds for the kids and I to do something fun during the week- usually a snack or treat at the zoo, admission to a museum, or renting a Redbox movie. $40/week). When the money’s gone, it’s gone. For our budget/spending- this has been the game-changer. Due to quarantine/lockdown the only fun we could have was ordering take out or expensive trips to the craft supply store/Amazon to keep us entertained. Now that we have parameters for spending money, I am taking a harder look at groceries and meal planning and low-cost to no-cost ways to have fun with the kiddos.

In addition to that, I didn’t set up Apple Pay on my phone. I don’t have a credit card attached to the app store on my phone. I don’t have any credit cards set up on my Amazon Account, or my Target App, or any of the purchasing apps on my phone. If I want to buy something I have to either go to a store or sit down at my computer and enter my credit card/debit card information. Taking that extra step to purchase stuff really helps me think about what I am buying and how much I am spending.

And I’m always looking for ways to make a little extra money. Side Hustles are a real way to make money. You can invest as little or as much time as you want.

You can still have fun and live on a budget. Don’t feel like having takeout? Spend some of your fun money on a couple steaks and have a BBQ at home one week. Rent a movie on Amazon Prime, and add some dollar movie candy to your grocery list (or hit up Dollar Tree). Close the curtains/ blinds and throw some pillows and blankets on the living room floor. We call that “Movie theatre night” and the kids love it.

Living during a global pandemic you have to think outside of the box.

My next (and last) post about setting a practical budget will be ready tomorrow and it’s going to be a little more serious. What to do/where to turn when you need help with the basics: Food, Shelter, and Comfort. And what you should cut out if you are struggling. For those who are struggling right now, this is written with you in my mind and heart.

Important information about SavingStar

Abby H.

Hey Gang- I opened my email to discover this news: SavingStar is closing it’s doors November 30, 2020. I don’t use Savingstar much to be honest. It’s mostly for stuff that I don’t buy or at stores I don’t shop at too often.

But, it’s not all bad news, check this out, since Savingstar is owned by Coupons.com, you can download the Coupons.com app and continue to save on basically the same items as before!

With the new Coupons.com app, you can save on all your favorites with cash back offers — these are much like the rebates you’re used to, but better:

  • Use them at ANY retailer that provides itemized receipts.
  • Skip the receipts and link your store loyalty cards for automatic cash back (1,000s of stores to choose from).
  • Get cashback with NO minimum balance — your money will go straight to PayPal, and you can grab it whenever you need it.

I downloaded the app this morning, and it’s nothing too spectacular, but if you really liked Savingstar, the coupons.com app will be a good fit. It’s basically the same offers, but at any store that offers an  itemized receipt (good for those of us who shop at store like Grocery Outlet and 99 Cents Only).

You can find the Coupons.com app wherever you get your apps.

 

Talk Back: Which app is your favorite for earning money?

Fetch Rewards: Want 4,000 easy points? Refer friends!

Abby H.

 

 

 

One of the reasons I love Fetch Rewards is that they run incredible referral bonus offers. And I LOVE telling everyone all about Fetch Rewards. It is my #1 favorite cashback app. There are thousands of referral bonus points just waiting to be claimed.

Now through 10/6/2020, you’ll get 4,000 points for anyone who signs up using your code. And the deal is sweet for your friends too! Each friend who signs up gets 2,000 points.

 

 

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score 2,000 bonus points.

In 2020, I’ve earned $75 in Amazon Gift cards! Sometimes there are extra point offers for buying specific brands or items, which is how I’ve earned extra points- but it was stuff I was buying anyway!

In order for you to qualify for the increased referral bonus, your friends must enter your referral code and complete a valid receipt now through 11:59 PM PT on 10/6/2020. After 11:59 PM PT on 10/6/2020, the referral bonus will expire. Your custom referral code can be found in app under Me.

*See Rewards page in the Fetch Rewards app for specific redemption details.

Hungry For More Fetch Rewards Points? Snap Restaurant Receipts!

Abby H.

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Woo Hoo! Ready for some good news?

Every time you order from a restaurant, you’re one step closer to a Reward. That’s because Fetch now accepts ALL shopping and dining receipts.

So, be sure to save and snap your receipts, whether it’s pizza delivered to your door, a quick stop at the drive-through, or enjoying a meal at your favorite bistro.

 

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score Bonus Points.

In 2020, I’ve earned $39 in Amazon Gift cards! Sometimes there are extra point offers for buying specific brands or items, which is how I’ve earned extra points- but it was stuff I was buying anyway!

 

*Fine Print: The receipt processing function for the expanded set of retailer types and restaurants is currently only available on iOS devices on version 2.32.0 (on receipts dated 4/27/2020 or later) and Android devices on 2.29.0 (on receipts dated 5/26/2020 or later). At this time, we only accept paper receipts for these new retailers and restaurants.

This Weekend Only: Earn 4000 Points Per Referral with Fetch Rewards!

Abby H.

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It’s the perfect time to load up on referral bonuses with Fetch. Now through 5/26/2020, you’ll earn 4,000 points for every friend you refer to Fetch. There’s no limit to the bonus points you can earn, and your friends each earn 2,000 points, too. So, let the whole neighborhood know!

3 referrals = 12,000 points = $12 in gift cards*

With hundreds of gift cards to choose from, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart, you’ll always find the perfect one as we head into summer.

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score Bonus Points.

In 2020, I’ve earned $39 in Amazon Gift cards! Sometimes there are extra point offers for buying specific brands or items, which is how I’ve earned extra points- but it was stuff I was buying anyway!

BIG NEWS from Fetch Rewards: Earn points at ALL stores and restaurants

Abby H.

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Every store. Every restaurant. Every time.

It just got way more rewarding to snap your receipts. That’s because now you can earn at least 5 points no matter where you shop or dine. Pretty exciting, right?

  • Enjoying a burger at McDonald’s?
  • Updating your wardrobe at Marshalls?
  • Grabbing some toys from Target?
  • Loading up on groceries for the week?
  • Getting your favorite pizza delivered?

These are just a few of the unlimited number of places you can earn points. So be sure to save and snap your receipts every time you shop or dine. You’ll be picking out your next Reward in no time.

 

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score Bonus Points.

In 2020, I’ve earned $35 in Amazon Gift cards! Sometimes there are extra point offers for buying specific brands or items, which is how I’ve earned extra points- but it was stuff I was buying anyway!

**Fine Print for this deal: The receipt processing function for the expanded set of retailer types and restaurants is currently only available on iOS devices on version 2.32.1.1, and only valid on receipts dated 4/27/2020 or later. At this time, we only accept paper receipts for these new retailers and restaurants.

Fetch Rewards: Earn 4,000 points per referral

Abby H.10 Comments

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Fetch Rewards is at it again! Woo Hoo!

Earn 4,000 points for every friend you refer to Fetch – now through 4/29/2020. There’s no limit to the bonus points you can earn, and your friends each earn 2,000, too. So, tell everyone!

3 referrals = 12,000 points = $12 in gift cards*

With hundreds of gift cards to choose from, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart, you’ll always find one that’s just right for you.

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If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score Bonus Points.

In 2020, I’ve earned $35 in Amazon Gift cards! Sometimes there are extra point offers for buying specific brands or items, which is how I’ve earned extra points- but it was stuff I was buying anyway!

Fetch Rewards: 5 Million MORE Points are up for Grabs!

Abby H.

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Have you heard about Fetch Rewards Spring on the Points Giveaway?

They gave away 5 million points last week- and they are doing it again this week!

Through Wednesday, any store receipt or eReceipt could be a winner, from 500 to 25,000 points*, so be sure to continue submitting them like you always have. Fetch Rewards will randomly select 5,000 winners and award points on 4/16.

If you haven’t signed up for Fetch Rewards yet, or want to learn more, check out my post here. Find the Fetch Rewards app in your app store, and when you download it, use my code ND2TB when you sign up and you’ll score Bonus Points.

So far in 2020, I’ve earned $24 in Amazon Gift Cards simply by scanning my grocery store and mass merchandiser receipts into the Fetch Rewards App.

Faith Chapel’s Meet The Need is Drive Through Today 4/5/2020

Abby H.

I’ve posted about Meet The Need at Faith Chapel before– It’s a great way to pick up some groceries if times are tough for you. Usually, there is a little fellowship and the chance to pick up second-hand household goods and clothing (and they usually have diapers too- you just have to ask). Paster Josiah and his helpers aren’t letting the current crisis stop them from helping those in need!

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This Sunday Meet The Need drive-thru. In an effort to abide by the safety health ordinances within San Diego County due to the COVID-19 crisis, they are changing how they serve the community but certainly will not stop serving it. They will be providing a ready to eat meal & groceries this Sunday from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

The food will be distributed through your car window, so no need to leave your car, at the flagpole, outside the main sanctuary in the upper parking lot. They’ll be taking above and beyond precautions for health safety and social distancing.

No need to sign up in advance- all sign ups will be done on site!