With the monthly income being constant, it is important to live within your means or else you will find yourself debt ridden and unable to get out of that mess. With the global financial crisis and food shortages that are being experienced presently, people are experiencing untold hardships across the world and the insecurity of jobs has certainly not helped the situation. It is therefore even more important to stay within your budget without taking the option of ‘buy now and pay later’ because if the trend of this financial mess continues, you may not have any income to survive.

Everyone must make that extra effort to stay within their budget. Some of the things that might help you are:

• Plan the menu for the month.
• Then go through your coupons and see how you can apply them and put them in an envelope for production when you shop.
• Check the local grocery shopping options and who is having sales and make use of them.
• If they offer a membership which entitles you to a discount, then take it.
• When sales are available, buy more and stock them for the next month.
• Shop only once a month.
• Write out a list of your requirements. More often than not, you can use the same list with a few variations.
• Buy the store brand wherever possible unless well known brands are on sale for the same price or even less. There is no reason to pay for the advertising of well known products when you can buy the same thing with an unknown brand.
• Watch the cashier when she is entering the items as you may able to catch an error while being billed.
• Check the markdown area for items that are sold for next to nothing. You will be able to buy the meats also at a lesser price if it is marked down.
• Select items which are needs versus wants.

If you would like a free budget worksheet please email me, I can send you one via email.  Its one that I believe is better than any one out there.  Ours if completely free too.  So if you would like one please email me.

Here are some great Budget Friendly Thanksgiving Hostess Gifts, that I found.  I am going to my Aunts house for Thanksgiving so I will be doing one of these money saving gifts.  If you have any more to add, please leave some comments.   Have a great Thanksgiving Everyone

• Small filled baskets make nice gifts. These can include a loaf of homemade bread in a basket, holiday kitchen accessories or other small items. The basket is included as part of the gift along with anything in it. Tie a colorful fall bow to the handle.

• Thanksgiving themed decorations make lovely gifts. A few ideas include Thanksgiving figurines, a Thanksgiving themed kitchen towel and oven mitt, pilgrim salt and pepper shakers, silk plant or cornucopia.

• Candles are almost always the perfect gift. They add a welcoming elegant touch to the home of the hostess. Candles in orange, brown, tan and other warm fall colors are especially good. Scents in pumpkin, spice and cinnamon are good choices.

• Specialty teas or food make a nice gift. Put a small package of imported cookies and individual free trade coffee or a few tea bags in a mug. Wrap everything in clear cellophane and add an orange bow. Alternatively, put a box of cookies together with the coffee or tea. Wrap in cellophane or use a cello bag. Tie with ribbon.

• For the hostess who enjoys reading there is no better gift than a book. Choose a book of poetry, an inexpensive inspirational book about Thanksgiving, a book of quotes or a small book about something the hostess is passionate about.

• A small candy dish or trinket box that can be used all year is often appreciated. Select a crystal box or glossy ceramic box.

• What’s better for storing memories than a photo album or frame? These are inexpensive but thoughtful. They can be picked up almost anywhere and are sure to be appreciated by any hostess.