Embed an Audio File into Blogger

1. Create a free account with DropBox.

2. Follow the instructions and install to computer.

3. Copy audio file to the Public Folder.

4. Right click on the file, select dropbox, select copy public link.

5. In the HTML of your blog post add the following code, copy it exactly:

[click on image to enlarge]

That's it!

Top 5 Dave Ramsey Must Have Products Now $10!

I was delighted to find an email from the Dave Ramsey store in my inbox this morning! They are having a $10 sale and the Deluxe Envelope System is included!

Here are five of my favorite Dave Ramsey products:


Deluxe Envelope System 
$10 (Was $19.99)





The Total Money Makeover Workbook 
$10




 
Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance Software (CD-ROM) 
$10 (Was $24.95)



Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance Software (Immediate Download)
$10 (Was $18.95)

• More Than Enough
  $10 (Was $14.95)
  
  
  Some of these would make great stocking stuffers or under the tree gifts! I have my eye on the Deluxe Envelope System, it's about time I replaced my $1 store mini accordion file!!
  
  
  * Budget Bella is NOT affiliated with Dave Ramsey in any way and receives no commissions or products for this post. 

OT:Stand Up To Cancer

As I [Alison] type, Stand Up To Cancer is being aired. In the last three years I have lost 3 very close people to Cancer and have an uncle currently fighting Cancer. We were always a family that looked at others and said, "I couldn't imagine how people deal with that." Now we are a family that has and is. 

I stand up for my GodMother, Gina Hastings (aged 54) who died of Ovarian Cancer (within 6 months of being diagnosed). 

I stand up for my Auntie, Anne Howells (aged 56) who also died of Ovarian Cancer (within 8 months of being diganosed).

I stand up for my wonderful Grandmother, Megan Thomas (aged 79), who died of Stomach Cancer, June 2010 (within 6 weeks of being diagnosed). 

I stand up for my couragous Uncle who has been battling cancer for two years and who lost his wife my Auntie to Ovarian Cancer. 

Should you feel led to Stand Up To Cancer, which kills a person EVERY minute in the US. Please donate whatever you can. Even a $1. I hope my message helps this cause. I Stand Up To Cancer. 

https://www.standup2cancer.org/

Please forward, this is not spam. 

Making the most of 75% at Target!

I paid just under $9 for this lot:

You can enlarge the picture to see the prices and original costs (if you so desire!).

Now that's how you shop for "new" clothes on a Dave Ramsey budget ... it's better than the everyday Goodwill prices for second hand.

Restaurant.com $25 meal for $2!

7/23 - 7/31 use promotion code PLATE and pay $2!!

Baby Step 1 Complete ... now on to Baby Step 2!

Wow it's taken so much longer than expected to complete Baby Step 1 and move on to the snowballing part ... but we're moving on FINALLY! We are Baby Step One Graduates!!

Baby Step 1 took us 6 months to complete. Why that long? Life just kept happening. You can read more about that in my last budget post, 5 Months of Ramsey.

Baby Step 2 is going to take even longer to complete ... not factoring in "life happening" events it should be completed in 2014. We have $58565 of debt to eradicate in this step (and that's not including the house). Geez $58565 where and when did did we rack that up? Stuff just kept happening and we weren't prepared for it. Also $37231 of it is a student loan incurred by The Husband putting himself through college, way before we met. I earned my degree in the UK and thankfully it didn't make a dent in the amount he had to borrow!

So how do the debts look and what order are we snowballing them? This should help you all understand (please keep in mind that we will be snowballing an extra $390 from this month):

Would it make more money saving sense in the long term to snowball largest interest rate to smallest? Yes it would. But we are people that gain accomplishment and keep on track from quick results.  This is why we chose the Dave Ramsey method. It works for us and our personalities.

I cannot wait to report back with how this goes. For now though we are sticking to the Gazelle Budget and Envelope System through The Total Money Makeover system ... but more on those in the future.

Learn For Le$$: Do You Ebate?

Learn For Le$$, highlights how to have homeschool/daycare activities on a small budget.

Here I post about bargain finds, sales, utilizing items from dollar stores and do-it-yourself money-saving stuff. This post was originally posted at Itsy Bitsy Learning.

 
Shop via Ebates at over 1200 stores! You can actually earn cash back for purchases. What a neat way to save on the homeschool budget! The stores that jumped out to me were:

1. Oriental Trading Company (2.5% cash back)
2. Scholastic Store (5% cash back)
3. Shutterfly (10%)
4. LeapFrog (3% cash back)
5. Kid Surplus (3% cash back)
6. Ebay (1 - 3% cash back)
7. Hooked On Phonics (10 % cash back)
8. Walmart (1 - 3 %)

Here is how it works:

Shop through Ebates, and earn up to 25% cash back at your favorite stores. How? Our stores pay us a fee when you shop. We then share the fee directly with you - it's just that simple.

Incredible deals don't end with cash back. We hunt down cut-rate coupons and exclusive offers plus amazing deals on hot products. Unlike any other savings site on the internet, you can layer the deals. Save big by using coupons and getting cash back at the same time! With deal layering, you really stack up the savings.

Best of all, we never charge a membership fee or require mail-in rebate forms. We just send you your cash, no strings attached.

You can sign up through the image here:

If you have any experience of Ebate please leave a comment so others can make an informed decision too! I know that I am preetty excited about the Oriental Trading Ebates!

Get Up to 25% Cash Back at Over 1200 Stores – Sign-up Free at Ebates.com! Click Here

You Have Mail: P&GeSavers Qs Are Back!

Straight from my inbox:

Beginning June 25, P&GeSAVER coupons can be downloaded to shopper cards for your favorite retailers. (Kroger is included!)
Redeem the current coupons by June 30. Then, look for the next set of P&GeSAVER coupons, available July 1 through August 31.


We value your loyalty to P&GeSAVER, and we are excited to keep delivering the savings you deserve!

Click Here For More Information and Sign-Up!

Mail In Rebate: Save $20 on Laminator and Pouches (cheaper than Wal*Mart)

I love my Scotch Thermal Laminator! I use it most weeks and it has stood the test of time. For something so little and inexpensive it sure does help with my activities for my four Itsy Bitsy Learners! If you have yet to get a laminator or have been sitting on the fence for a while ... Amazon has a great offer right now! 

(I first read about it here)

Save $20 When You Buy a Scotch Thermal Laminator and Pouches

Through July 31, 2010, get $20 back on the purchase of a Scotch thermal laminator and a 50-pack of thermal laminating pouches via mail-in rebate. Applies only to products sold by Amazon.com; does not apply to items sold by other merchants on the Amazon.com website. Not valid with any other mail-in rebate offers.

Let's do the math:

Laminator $31.49 + Pouches   $10.00 = $41.49 

Minus $20 Mail In Rebate 

Final Cost= $21.49

That's le$$ the cost of the Laminator even if you purchased it from Wal*Mart ( I paid $25 there!! The pouches cost $13.99 there too!). And it's eligible for FREE SHIPPING from Amazon!

Happy Shopping!

         

CVC Photo Center - Father's Day Special 50 Free Prints!

... and FREE SHIPPING TO A CVS STORE!

Precisely, my cup of tea: #1

I have decided to join in with the Simple Woman's Daybook. If you'd like to join in please head on over to the Simple Woman's Daybook for more information ...

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...I see the leaves blowing in the breeze.


I am thinking...I am trying to not think. I'm worried about my Nana and those who are by her side.


I am thankful for...my family near and far.


From the kitchen...I served fish, carrots and peas.


I am wearing...my old blue jeans one size too big and the t-shirt I had on yesterday (ew).


I am creating...a Home(pre)School Pack for Itsy Bitsy Printables.


I am going...nowhere... except from one room to another. By tomorrow evening I will have been in my house for 48 hours.


I am reading...Montessori Read and Write, Lynne Lawrence .. and wishing I had the time to do it all!


I am hoping...I can find the strength to follow through with my plans for University.


I am hearing...the cup fall on the floor. My baby's way of letting me know she's finished dinner.


Around the house...the paint on the trim is peeling.


One of my favorite things...the computer my parents bought me last birthday.


A few plans for the rest of the week: To start picking up around the house and planning day trips for my two week Summer break.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

(perhaps we should all take a moment to walk in someone else's shoes, no matter how difficult that walk may be .... )

Are you joining in with Simple Woman's Daybook? Leave a link in my comments section to the direct post. I'd love a chance to get to know my fellow bloggers more!

Google Reader Issues

If you are having problems with receieving the latest post in your Google Reader for this blog please make sure your feed is http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default . Go into the settings of your Google Reader and click on the subscrptions tab. Make sure the address under Budget Bella is this link http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default. If not go back into Google Reader and click on add a subscription and add the link http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default . You should see the feed immediately to the right.

I have checked the feed and have it displayed in my sidebar to ensure Google is picking up the feed. I have checked feedburner too and my blogger dashboard. Everything seems to be working my end ... if you are still having issues, please leave me a message and I'll try something new. If you subscribed via Feedburner to have my posts emailed to you and are having issues please leave a comment for me!

Hope That Helps!

5 Months Of Ramsey

So we have officially been using the Ramsey method for 5 months to guide us through our development in Family Finances.

As much as I'd love to blog that we have paid off debts that has not been the case. That is of no fault to the method. We are still on Baby Step One. The step where you have to save a $1000 for an intital emergency fund. We have saved this fund three times.

From February to now life events have just happened. Each time causing us to deplete the EF. The DH had a throat abscence and ended up in ER. The out-of pocket after insurance came to $890. Then just after that the air conditoning in the car went, the cost of that $1200. Then the car tires all needed replacing , that was $500.

And each and everytime we have paid cash. And there for us is a triumph. In our five short years of marriage we have never paid cash for large expenses. The credit card usually came to the rescue.

Of course we are still working on the Ramsey method. We need to get better aquainted with the envelope method (had we had done this we would have money in the car envelope to not to use the EF). And God willing, we can begin in a couple of weeks to start snowballing.

But right now, my husband works a total of 2 full time jobs (Elementary Teacher, Coach and Pizza Delivery Guy) and I have been very creative with the budget we have. I am also looking into a new side line project to create some pocket money (Itsy Bitsy Printables). We are on the right track. So life so far may not be ideal, but life is good.

GIVEAWAY - Under The Sea Simple Puzzles

If you have preschool aged children and are looking for affordable learning activities please visit Itsy Bitsy Printables! Itsy Bitsy Printables offer FREE and low-cost downladable activities! Perfect for all budgets!

I am offering a giveaway for one of the activities on my other blog Itsy Bitsy Learners. You can earn up to five entries!

Click here to participate!

CELLFIRE:Surprise Cinderella Q at 3pm!!!

Kraft First Taste: Check your account!

It seems Kraft First Taste is offering coupons to those that missed out on the opportunity previously. You may want to check your accounts before they all disapper!

Not a Kraft First Taste member? Click here to sign-up!

Stock up on shoes with PayLess!

I love it when Payless has their sales, and I make a point of waiting until then to buy my daughters their shoes. I have never had a problem with footwear at this store and the prices are comparable to Target and Walmart, so it makes sense to get in on the Buy One Get One Half Off  Everything Deal.

Did you find any ggod saving at Payless? I'd love to know, please leave a comment!!

Sunday Coupons - Check the Parade Magazine!

Don't throw your PARADE magazine in the recycle bin yet! There are three, yes THREE high value coupons inside it this week!!

$1/1 Pantene
B1G1Free on Olay Moisturizer
$1/2 Dreyer's Ice Cream

Want to know what coupons are coming your way? Check out Sunday Coupon Preview!!

Personal Loan or Short Sale?

Well the time has come to put our house on the market. The Husband sat with a realtor today and talked about our options. We have two. Neither of them sunny. Our mortgage pay-off is currently $84500 the realtor stated he could move the house for $75000 (eek!) Which leaves a deficit of $9500 ( double eek!), and closing costs of about $6000 (triple eek!). So basically about $16000 remaining.

So here are options.

1. Find $16000 to cover it ... hmm, I'm pretty sure I don't have that kind of change under the sofa.

2. Ask for a short sale, and take a 7 year hit on our credit report.

I think we are going to choose option one. I honestly believe if you spend the money you pay it back, no easy way out.

I think we could probably save $4000 ourselves over the next 6 months (that's how long I think it will take to sell). Which would leave a personal loan of $12000. If we were lucky enough to be approved at 15% for 60 months this would our monthly payment about $300. This would mean us both taking on extra work (insert heavy sigh). But if it has to be done, it has to be done.

But wait! That's not all. We would need to save money also to move into a rental home and moving costs. I'm thinking that's $2000.

Is there any sunny side to this?

All I can think of at this time, is that by selling our house we decrease our debt-to-income-ratio, and closer to my desire of moving back to the UK one day (in the far far distant future). I'll take that for now.

So what would you do in our situation? I'd love any and all advice/opinions ... feel free to leave a comment below. And thanks for listening to my rambles --- again.

January Budget

I like to use Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makover site to create the family budget. At the beginning of the month my Husband and I sit together to complete this. It's important both of us are involved, otherwise fininacial miscommunication and over-spending occurs. The important thing about this systym is that it forces us to spend ALL our money on paper first.

Here is our overview for 01/01/10 - 01/31/10:

Please take note, we are never normally able to save as much as we have done this month. From January to March we recieve an extra $500 per month  from my Husbands coaching stypen. Coaching and referring are great ways to bring in extra income.

After creating a general budget, we then complete a worksheet from Judy Lawrence's book, The Budget Kit (shh! don't tell Ramsey) that helps divide all expenses up amongst the paychecks. This is especially helpful if your income does not arrive on the same date. It also helps overspending and timely bill payment.

Here is how our money has been divided this month:

From this we then put all expenses in envelopes. The idea behind the envelopes is that you should never take from one enevlope to support another. Any money leftover at the end of the month remains in the envelope.

Our envelopes for this month will be:

Groceries (includes cleaning, paper, health and beauty) - $320
Eating Out - $50
Gasoline - $150
Medical - $26.00
Clothing - $62
Gifts - $50
Entertainment - $40
Daycare Business - $11.50
Car Repairs - $104
House Repairs $60
Newspapers/Coupons - $24

I can already tell that adjustments will need to be made for February's Budget. I think I should have included a seperate envelope for Diapers, Pull-ups and Baby Wipes ($60). Hindsight is 20/20, right?