Recently in Saving Category

Earlier this week, the abundant sunshine in my kitchen reminded me to check on my seedling trays (I decided to save costs by growing my own food...well, some of it). So, I moseyed over and squealed with delight. My little seedlings have sprouted! Woot!

Growing your own produce is a great way to go green  (and save a little green, too). Getting some of your food from your backyard — or a pot on your balcony for that matter — means less food needs to be trucked from an outside location to your grocery store.

Just the other day I got some great tips on green gardening from the Sioux Falls Green Project , a project geared at educating the community on how to build a greener future. Here are a couple of the basics I learned:

• Grow native plants. By growing plants that are already accustomed to the area, they'll need less fertilizer and water. Check with your local Cooperative Extension office  for resources on what plants are native to the region.
• Use compost  instead of buying fertilizers full of chemicals and pesticides. There are tons of spendy contraptions to help you compost, but it doesn't have to cost anything. Even just a pile of grass clippings, dead leaves and kitchen scraps will turn into compost. Or if you can't make your own compost, see if your city offers free compost (Sioux Falls does).
• Water your plants with rainwater run-off. I am super intrigued by the idea of using a rain barrel. This is a great way to save on your water bill. Some of my favorite bloggers  recently made their own rain barrel.  (Come to think of it, they've also been composting! )
• If you don't have a backyard or a balcony for a garden, see if there is any space available in a community garden.

As I dive into greener gardening, I'll be sure to keep you updated. Once my green garden is flourishing, perhaps I'll have to add a statue of the Marble Faun (props to those of you who got that Grey Gardens  reference!).

I hate to contradict Shakespeare, who said "Neither a borrower nor a lender be."  But I'm going to make the case for borrowing (and lending) stuff.

When times are tough and everyone's trying to save money, borrowing and lending things among friends is a great way to save money, if you're smart about it.

So how can you be smart about it? Glad you asked!

First, know what you will not, on policy, ever lend: more money than you're willing to lose (that should be about $5-$10 if you're a college student!), your car, or other high-ticket items, like your laptop, iPod, etc. Once you've made it your policy, it's easy to say, "Sorry, I don't lend out my (insert item here)."

Now, what items are good to lend/borrow? From friends, borrow things that you can easily trade back and forth, that neither of you wants to spend money on: movies , books, CDs, clothes — that kind of thing. When I was in college, I quadrupled my wardrobe of miniskirts, "MC Hammer  pants" and boyfriend jackets simply by sharing with a few close friends.

Note I said "close friends." When you decide to start borrowing and lending stuff, keep your circle pretty tight. Don't lend your fave sweater to just anyone in the dorm, or you might not see it again. Or it might be a size too small when you do.

And don't be afraid to put your name on your movies and books to ensure that you get them back — even from well-intentioned friends. I borrow the latest bestsellers  from my sisters all the time, and I'm glad they stick return address labels inside, so I always know where to return them.

So, while it makes sense to borrow small things, what about bigger things? I would stick to family for this kind of stuff — but it's definitely a good idea to try out an expensive item before you invest in it for yourself. Maybe before you buy a bike, try out the one with flat tires in your brother's garage, to see if you'll really use it. Not sure if you need a food processor? Borrow the one your mom hasn't touched in ages. Personally, I wanted to start sewing  and considered buying a cheap machine. My sister piped up that she never uses hers, so I am currently borrowing it — saving myself the $75 I'd have spent on a basic model.

Once you get started, be a good borrower (Staci will laugh at this, as I once held a book of hers hostage for over a year). Return things promptly, in the condition you found them. And be willing to lend stuff back.

Do you think it's a good idea to borrow things to save money? Or did Shakespeare have it right?

College students are well-known for their frugal habits. Ramen noodles , anyone?

But in a recession, everyone can take a page from college students, who know how to have fun on the cheap.

I'm taking a page myself. After four months of making double mortgage payments (and no offer in sight on my old house), I've had to adjust my own spending habits. Things that seemed essential in better financial times — like my HBO  subscription — suddenly find themselves on the chopping block.

But giving up Flight of the Conchords  doesn't mean I have to give up entertainment altogether. I recently discovered Redbox  $1 DVD rentals at my local grocery store. A buck plus tax will get you the latest new release for an evening, provided you return it the next day. You can return the DVD to any Redbox location — it doesn't have to be the same one you rented from — and you can reserve DVDs online ahead of time, too. Plus, since you're already at the grocery store, you don't have to make an extra trip!

Sure, Redbox isn't the only service of its kind out there. My best friend Charlie swears by Netflix  because he doesn't even have to get out of his pajamas to watch movies — the DVDs are delivered to his door or he can watch them instantly on his laptop. The selection is greater, too. But that requires a longer-term commitment, not to mention more than just one dollar.

In this economy, are you changing your entertainment habits in any way?

By the way, I'm drawing the line at ramen noodles. I ate far too many of them in college!

The Facebook  status updates are overwhelming me: "So-and-so has two more weeks until spring break," "So-and-so is dreaming of spring break," "So-and-so can't wait to spend spring break on the beach."

Sigh. I wish I had a spring break. But since I don't, let's talk about your spring break. Ah yes, the yearly tradition where many college students head to more fabulous locations to escape from their college obligations, if only for one week.

Are you taking a big spring break trip?  My guess is that in the current economy (groan, I hate talking about it) some of you may be scaling back your spring break plans.

Perhaps you are thinking about some less expensive alternatives?  If so, you may have considered:

• Staying local and exploring what your city has to offer 
• Driving instead of flying 
• Packing your own food  in a cooler rather than buying it along the way (remember snacks , too)
• Finding a campground  or staying with friends/family to save on lodging
• Going on a service trip instead 

Choosing a less expensive alternative can still be just the getaway you need to come back to school refreshed and ready to finish out the year strong. Plus, a lot of times, it's more about the trip with good friends than the actual destination.

You tell me: Is a big spring break trip still the plan for you? And if you are planning an inexpensive alternative, share your plans.

As my father told me after my last home emergency, "Houses can sometimes be a money pit." Cue next home issue.

After Christmas, I decided that the wallpaper and bright green paint adorning my bathroom walls were meant to be left in 2008. It was a simple cosmetic fix. Well, it was until I got to the area around my tub and found moldy, wet drywall beneath the wallpaper. Awesome. New drywall and shower, coming up! Emergency savings, going down!

But through this tragedy I learned a valuable lesson: If you are able, do it yourself.

Yes, I still spent a pretty penny for professional drywallers and plumbers to ensure the work was done correctly (those are not DIY skills I possess). But by putting in a little sweat equity  when it came to demolition, I saved hundreds of dollars. I can tear down a defunct shower surround and rip out moldy drywall with the best of 'em!

The DIY mentality not only applies to home repairs, it also can come in handy during your college years (pre- and post-college, too!). Ask yourself how many times you pay someone else to do something you could've done yourself. Or how often do you pay for something new when you could've repaired the old item?

Here are some examples of what I mean:

• You may not be the best cook in the world, but does that mean you should eat out all the time? A little do-it-yourself cooking  could save you a bunch of money.
• What about clothing? Wouldn't it be easier to fix a ripped seam or hem in your pants rather than shelling out moolah for a new pair? Better to spend a few dollars for a needle and thread. 
• Applying for financial aid? Instead of paying someone to file your FAFSA, DIY! The same goes for taxes — go online and file for free.

Does the DIY mentality work for you? Tell us what you've done yourself (or would like to do) to save money.

I’ll admit, I’ve got budgeting on the brain. Maybe it’s because it’s relatively early in the New Year, and I have the chance to start fresh with a clean slate. Maybe it’s because my student loans have recently gone into repayment. Maybe it’s because I have an extreme Type A personality  and I really can’t help myself.

Whatever the cause, the budget bug has bit me big time!

My group of friends is pretty much comprised of current and recent graduate students, and we are all-too-conscious of the need to save money where we can. So a few of us have recently adopted a challenging and budget-friendly New Year’s Resolution: find fun activities for the group to enjoy without spending more than $10 per person.

Let me tell you, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, that’s not an easy endeavor. We’ve pretty much eliminated every sit-down restaurant, museum  and high profile tourist activity  out there.

This is where some creative thinking comes in, and the fun begins! For example, did you know that many museums offer days where admission is free or the price greatly reduced? Or what about that hidden gold mine, the student ID? Many places of business offer great discounts for students, which may put previously out-of-reach ideas back into compliance with the resolution. The possibilities are endless!

I’m excited about the ideas we’ve come up with, but I’d love to get your input! How can you keep to a budget and still have a good time?

In a year when nearly everyone is looking for ways to pinch pennies, be sure you don't overlook opportunities to save at tax time.

There are several valuable tax credits and deductions available to college students and their parents. We've put together an online guide to give you a brief overview of what's out there. Be sure to check it out to see if you qualify.

If you've got questions about filing taxes, check out this article.  It's got some great tips and advice — like to coordinate with your parents on filing to ensure your family maximizes its opportunities.

Of course, remember that we are not tax advisors, so be sure to check with your personal tax advisor with specific questions about your situation.

OK, I know Kathy just talked about BudgetWatch, but because I believe it is an amazing tool, I just have to talk about it again and share my experience.

Now, over the years, I've employed numerous budgeting methods  — everything from a strictly cash-only system, to writing down each purchase in a notebook, to the Diet Coke® Savings Plan. But nothing stuck.

So when BudgetWatch became available, I went though the motions to create my budget. Couldn't hurt, right?

Well, much to my surprise, this method is sticking! Why? Here are just a couple things that make this method easier for me:

1. Location, location, location: If you go into Wells Fargo Online® Banking regularly (to check your funds, pay bills, monitor what has been posted to your account, etc.), it's only one more click to check how well you're adhering to your budget. For me, having to go out of my routine to keep track of my budget, like through an Excel spreadsheet or other program, was a huge deterrent to sticking with a budgeting system.


2. Automatic comparisons: One of the big things that can throw a budget off is not having a good picture of your spending habits when you create it. Sure it's great to say you want to spend just $150 on groceries each month, but that may not be realistic. BudgetWatch gives you a picture of what your spending has actually been. You can even automatically fill in your budget based on your average spending each month.


3. Fluid budgeting: We're getting to the end of the month, and I'm starting to see some red categories (meaning I've spent over the allotted amount). However, some of my categories have a surplus. It's easy to swap some budgeted funds from one category to another if needed to keep you in the black. Or you can just keep track of "what's left" (your money inflow v. money outflow) to make sure you don't spend more than you have.

And the proof is in the Jello® pudding  I packed for lunch! Earlier this week, Staci sent me an invitation for a group lunch. Unfortunately, my restaurant spending category has only a whopping $0.31 left. Now, what about moving some clams from other categories? Well, most of the extras are already earmarked for some home expenses (story forthcoming) for which I hadn't budgeted. So, instead I sent my lunch regrets and brown-bagged it. A small victory, but I'll take it.

Have you found a budgeting system you can stick to? Perhaps BudgetWatch?

What does the word "budget" mean to you?

For many people out there, the word has an extremely negative connotation, conjuring up images of self-deprivation, tedious bookkeeping, and guilt-ridden uncertainty about being able to successfully stick to it. (Not exactly the warm fuzzy feelings most of us are looking for, eh?)

Not for me.

With the recent launch of the Wells Fargo Online® free tool My Spending Report with Budget Watch, planning and tracking my budget has made me feel more empowered over my money than ever before!

We don't normally pitch Wells Fargo products or services here on the blog, but seriously, it's great! The new online tool tracks and categorizes my deposits and spending for me, and enables me to easily set up a personalized budget that fits my needs.

I may not — and don't — always like what I see. As a recent graduate whose student loan repayment has just kicked in, it's difficult to see the occasional gaps between what I'm bringing in and what I'm spending.

But here's the thing: At least I KNOW what the gaps are, so I can take the steps to bridge them — whether it's talking to a banker, my parents, or a student loan representative. I can be proactive about my finances, and I feel confident that I am taking actions to build the future that I envision for myself.

Empowered. Proactive. Confident.

Now those are feelings I like!

Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

Holiday time means once-a-year kind of treats — lovely baked goods, tins full of popcorn, and candies galore. Everyone has certain foods without which it just wouldn't feel like the holidays. For me, it's hoska , a Czech bread that my sister makes from our grandmother's recipe. That's always been a family tradition.

Since moving to Sioux Falls, some new holiday treats have become somewhat of a tradition for me. Specifically, a recipe that Staci recently bestowed on me — her mother's party mix.

There are lots of types of party mix , but this was the best I'd ever tasted. This is my third December working with Staci, and each year the mix has made a brief appearance at the office. Brief because it's so good, it doesn't last long! This year, I decided I would be able to control myself with the recipe and not eat the entire batch in one sitting. So, I asked and received.

Now, I knew the basic ingredients — various cereals, pretzels, and assorted nuts. What I didn't know was the cost to buy those ingredients. Let me tell you folks: Nuts are spendy! I went with Staci as she stocked up to make her own batch and was not prepared for that price tag. Maybe I wouldn't be making my own!

I decided to try my hand at making the mix. But instead of following the recipe verbatim, I made some budget-friendly alterations, dubbing it "Poverty Party Mix."

First, I scrapped the nuts. They're not my favorite part of the mix anyway, so I could live without them. Next, I went generic. Crispix^®?  No way, Hy-Vee^®  Crispy Hexagons all the way. Cheerios^®?  Not so much. Hy-Vee^® Tasteeos work just as well. For full disclosure I did buy Kix^® , but only because there was not a cheaper generic equivalent.

So how'd it turn out? Fantastic! No one can tell the difference between the brand-name and store cereal, and the nuts weren't missed.

Feel free to share any other budget-friendly holiday treats. I should probably expand my palate past the party mix!

Oh and if you're curious about the recipe, here you go: Melt 3 sticks of butter in a roasting pan at 250 degrees, then mix in the cereal and add garlic salt to taste. Bake uncovered for an hour and a half, stirring and seasoning every 30 minutes, and presto, you have garlicky, buttery goodness to make the season a bit brighter!