Making Budgets Go Farther

Yes, typically I am a design blog. Recently I have had a greater needs to make my funds stretch father. My husband is still and school, and I have to provide for all the bills. WE do not have room for splurging on fun. But on occasion I can get a little fun or save a little more by:

• Plan your Meals around what is on sale at the grocery store.

•  Save money, energy, and water by taking "Navy Showers". Basically you shut the water off when you are not using the water in the shower.

• Make a budget when shopping, and then keep a running total while you shop. It will help you track spending and stay on budget.

• Inbox Dollars: I earn money at the slowest rate on this site. Mostly money is earned through surverys, emails, and watch ads. The great part of this site is that it gives actual money, not gift cards.

• MyPoints: This site has you earn money through web searches, surveys, emails, and online shopping. You can do the shopping that you were going to do already, but just get points back on it. You redeem points for gift cards, and you have to wait for them to be mailed to you.

• Swagbucks: I earn money through surveys, polls, watching ads, and web searches. The points rack up most quickly on this site. I use those points to buy Amazon gift cards (which can buy almost anything.)

• Coupons: Inbox Dollars, MyPoints, and Swagbucks all let you print coupons and let you earn money/points. Coupons work best when you can stack them with other in-store sales. Sites such as stockpiling moms and totally target can help you snag the best deal.

Do you have any secrets you use to save/provide more money for yourself? 

Money, Money, Money!

U.S. money was originally based of the Spanish dollar (coins, and then later switched to paper notes). Today's notes are made with a special blend of linen paper, a variety of dyes and inks that are used for security purposes, and specialized Litho plates. (I love the smell of fresh dollars because I can smell the ink and paper and it reminds me of being in the print room at KU).

There have been several designers who have tackled the project of coming up with ideas of new currency. (The U.S. government of course is not using any of these designs, but is soon to debut a new 100 dollar note). Below are some of my favorite ideas for a new look for our money:

Michael Tyznik

Dowling | Duncan and winnder of the dollar ReDe$ign Project

Ani Ardzivian

AJ Getz

When I find something I like I tend to just grab the image, and I try to mark the original creator, this does not always happen.