If you have no idea what I’m squawking about, I’ll briefly bring back the magic. Basically, you take your Shrinky Dink character, color it with a marker, and then oven bake it for like two minutes. The magic happens when that Dink shrinks to one-third their original size and becomes nine times thicker. Cool, eh! Kids could then turn Shrinky Dinks into shoelace charms or necklaces. So much awesome fun in a teeny tiny package.

Anyhoo, as an adult my fascination with teeny tiny things hasn’t waned. I often bake miniature morsels and I’m a little obsessed with compact packages. In my world (yeah, it’s a nice place to visit) small things can bring a lot of big fun.

But my wondrous world of the teeny tiny came to an end the other day when Carl brought home the groceries. Turns out his favorite brand of peanut butter turned into the dinks of shrinks by packing 25% less product into each jar. Yeah, the store discontinued the larger 1kg size in favor of this 750g shrunken micro mini — a decrease of 250g, or 25% per jar.

HONEY, they shrunk the peanut butter!

After unsticking my tongue from the roof of my mouth in disgust, I did a little mathy math to figure out the cost of a humble peanut butter sandwich. I went through my grocery receipts and found the prices.

The gobsmacking results surprised me, and we’re not talkin’ peanuts here, people.

Over time we’ve purchased both the 1kg and 750g jars for $3.99 each. At $3.99 per jar, there’s a jump in unit price from $0.40/100g to $0.53/100g — an increase of $0.13/100g.

Bottom Line: The lip smacking mathy math does not lie — a 25% decrease in product size at $3.99 per jar results in a 33% increase in peanut butter price!

What you can do about ‘Shrinky Dink’ products

Price inflation with product deflation is a strange, and expensive phenomenon. There’s no doubt that mindlessly buying your usual grocery products without paying attention to unit prices, sizes, and old receipts can cost you. Yeppers, those marketers are sneaky sneakers and often repackage and rebrand shrunken products JUST to charge you more.

As a smart consumer, there are a few tactics you can employ to combat the dreaded Shrinky Dink product and save yourself a little dough.

Tactics for combating Shrinky Dink products:

1. Buy the larger size. If the former regularly sized product becomes a cute micro mini, compare the unit price of the larger size, if available — it may be a better deal.
2. Compare prices at another store. When your usual supermarket becomes super at shrinking, do a price check experiment at another chain to compare prices. My Price Check Experiment at Costco shows you how to do it, and reveals super savings on certain products.
3. Make it at home. If you’re fed up with paying bigger prices for smaller grocery items, then roll up your sleeves and get friendly with the word HOMEMADE. Carl hasn’t bought peanut butter in months since he now roasts and grinds organic nuts at home for less.

   Here’s the recipe: Homemade Peanut Butter: A Visual Guide and Cost Analysis.

Lastly, calling up customer service and registering a complaint about micronized products might be worth a shot too.

Question for you guys: Have you ever noticed a shrunken product with the same price? What do you do about it?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

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But are these generic drugs worth it?

Sure, the packaging looks similar, the ingredients look consistent, and the price looks good — but how much do you really save? And do these generic drugs and over-the-counter remedies work as well as their cheaper counterparts?

Being a curious creature with a bad headache, a slight cough, and a touch of sea sickness-induced nausea (yeah, don’t go boating in October without a proper hat), I decided to take a bunch of commonly used brand name and generic remedies for a spin. Yes, this is a human guinea pig and price check experiment! Cough. Wheeze. Spew.

Price Check Rules

It never fails. Whenever I do a price check post (See Is Costco really worth it?) I get a rash of email from around the globe (that’s planet Earth, people) asking me to compare costs at some local store near whoknowswhere. The problem is: I don’t live near whoknowswhere! So I want YOU to take my simple price check experiment rules and apply them to where YOU live. It’s like teaching the internets to fish, but far less smelly.

OK, so the rules for buying generic over-the-counter drugs and remedies are simple — follow them and you can’t (cough) go wrong.

THE ONE RULE: Always compare brand name and generic labels to make sure you’re getting an equivalent product. Sooo…

• Check dosage.
• Compare active medicinal ingredients.
• Compare inactive ingredients (sugar, starch, etc.).
• Verify product volumes, weights, or sizes are equivalent.
• Check Cost (sometimes the brand is cheaper on sale).
• Size up if the larger volume is a better value.
• Check expiry dates.

Easy peasy!

Are generic drugs the same as brand name drugs?

I checked in with the big federal health authorities in Canada and the United States for their take on generic over-the-counter drugs, medications, and remedies. Turns out that generic drugs not only have to be approved for use in both countries, but they must be exactly the same as the brand name in terms of active ingredients, strength, dosage form, route of administration, and labeling.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website says:

[The] FDA firmly believes that generic drug products that have gone through the approval process can be used with the full expectation that consumers will receive the same benefits from generics as they do from brand name equivalents.

In Canada, non-medicinal ingredients in generic products can be different from those in the original brand. The Health Canada website says:

Normally, when manufacturers change the non-medicinal ingredients or the manufacturing conditions, they have to provide studies to prove that the effectiveness of the drug has not changed.

So given that generic medications must be medicinally equivalent to the better known brand name product, my little experiment is sticking to price, sight, and taste comparisons.

Sample Shopping List

There’s must be a kagillion different types of generic drug brands available on the market today. Walmart, CVS, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, and Loblaws Superstore are just a few big players who offer discount generic brands in store. To find the right price for your pocketbook, I encourage you to make a shopping list and do a price check experiment at your favorite shop since prices can vary widely.

Download my free Printable Grocery Shopping List for some pointers.

Here’s my over-the-counter generic drug and remedy list:

For my experiment I visited a Canadian chain called Superstore. Your local generic prices may be cheaper. Lucky you.

And my price check results for the whole sickly lot:

Bottom Line: Get your sick on and cure the common cold for 22% less by switching your entire medicine cabinet to generic over-the-counter drugs.

But how did the generic products compare to the big brand name superstars? I tasted, sampled, guzzled, dripped, and stuck every product on my list. Some generics are better deals than others.

1. Cough Syrup: Buckley’s Cough Mixture

I asked the fine people on the Squawkfox Facebook Page which generic product packed the biggest savings. No one guessed that generic brand Buckley’s would cough up the best bargain.

Bottom Line: It tastes awful, and it works for 31% less when you switch to generic Buckley’s cough syrup.

While both brands tasted terrible, the consistency and color were a little different. Buckley’s was milky, and the generic was a tad bit thicker, but neither tasted sweeter. Both products contain the same active and inactive ingredients.

Switch Tip: Because taste plays a major role for kids taking their cough medicine, it’s a good idea to compare the sweetness of each brand before making the switch.

2. Eye Drops: Visine

What to see some real savings?

Bottom Line: You’ll see clearly now for an eye popping 24% less with generic brand Visine eyedrops. Since both products contain the active ingredient tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride (0.5mg/mL), you’ll save a spectacular $1.17 per bottle by passing on the popular peeper brand.

Both products looked exactly the same to me.

3. Liquid Ibuprofen: Advil

Many people on the Squawkfox Facebook Page guessed that ibuprofen would be the best generic bargain. They guessed wrong, but these generic pain-killing pills do bring home stellar savings.

Bottom Line: Mend that migraine and save a mind-numbing $2.97 (that’s 23%) on a 72 tablet bottle of generic liquid ibuprofen.

The only time I’ve ever bought brand name Advil was for this article. Never again. Both products offer 200mg of ibuprofen per tablet.

4. Anti-Nauseant: Gravol

A good dose of dimenhydrinate — the active ingredient in Gravol — might right bad cases of motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. But are you paying too much for relief?

Bottom Line: Stop the spinning sensations for $1.30 (or 21%) less with 30 tablets of generic Gravol.

Tough pill to swallow? Generic dimenhydrinate tablets don’t come with Gravol’s trademarked ‘FilmKote’ coating, so those who prefer an easy-to-swallow tablet may benefit from buying the Gravol brand for $1.30 more.

5. Clear Bandages: Band-Aid

Runners, walkers, gardeners, clumsy cooks, and parents always need a first aid kit stocked with multiple sizes of bandages.

Bottom Line: Skinned knees and other boos-boos are covered for 18% less with a box of generic Band-Aid bandages.

The Band-Aid brand bandage boasts a tapered shape and a little more gauze. The generic bandage is a little stickier.

6. Stomach Relief: Pepto-Bismol

Got a little gut gurgle? Had too much frugal chicken and not enough honest exercise? A brighter pink potion is what the generic Pepto-Bismol buys you. A blind taste test (with my somewhat scientific family) reveals that both pink liquids taste the same (to us).

Bottom Line: Settle your upset stomach with a little 12% savings by guzzling from a 230mL bottle of generic Pepto-Bismol. Both products contain the active ingredient bismuth subsalicylate (17.6 mg/mL) to ease gut rot.

Switch Tip: Consider sizing up to the 480mL bottle of generic Pepto-Bismol to save even more moolah — 24% to be exact.

Buying in bulk can often save you money if it’s a product you need and use often.

So where am I going with this?

You don’t need to spend big bucks on brand name over-the-counter medications and remedies to get healthy and headache-free. Making the switch to generic drugs could save you up to 30% — that’s $360 per year for a family that spends $1,200 annually.

For more easy ways to save money, check out 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year.

Your Turn: What generic remedies do you buy? What brand name products are worth the additional dollars?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

[Now I'm on hold. The sound of muzak is tickling my eardrums -- probably Smooth Operator, by Sade.]

You know the drill. Your phone, cable, or internet provider dropped the ball and now you’re stuck on the line trying to get the costly problem fixed. Yes, your call (*cough*) is important to them. But maybe you should keep records of the issue in case you need to revisit the problem.

Knowing the names of agents, times of calls, and file/case numbers could save you a lot of grief, a bunch of time, and some money down the road.

I started tracking my customer service grievances back when a big phone company got sneaky and charged me a long distance access fee despite my never using the service. Whenever I called to follow up and recoup my costs, all the service agents went mute, or ‘forgot’ to escalate the issue. No one wanted to refund my moolah. But after getting through to a supervisor with specific call times, agent names, and case numbers I was refunded over a hundred bucks thanks to my handy Track Customer Service Calls Worksheet (PDF).

Download: Track Customer Service Calls Worksheet (PDF)
 

Tracking customer service calls was also important when I tried to break up with my cable company — they didn’t want to let me go! Knowing my cancellation date and time (down to the minute) became essential ’cause I had to give that greedy cable guy 30 days notice before I was allowed to quit the service.

So before calling a phone, cable, financial, or airline customer service line with an issue to air, be sure to download this simple worksheet and record that conversation. Track the date, time, agent name, reason for call, and any comments pertaining to your problem. You could save a little, or a lot, of money.

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

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• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

After taking a 21-year break, David Chilton has (finally) written a follow up to his mega bestseller, The Wealthy Barber: Everyone’s Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent. This news horrified me. Not because Chilton takes long vacations, but because I’ll probably need a second bookshelf to deal with the success of his new book, The Wealthy Barber Returns.

You see, Chilton’s first book broke all sorts of Canadian publishing records by selling over two million copies in the land of Eh!, and I think I’m partially to blame for his blockbuster sales. Over the years I’ve collected four copies of The Wealthy Barber — all of which sit happily on my bookshelf waiting for a fifth to become a stack.

Reasons to read the first copy

It all started when my folks gifted me with my first copy of The Wealthy Barber in my late teens — they wanted me to grow into a financially responsible adult. Since I was a teenager, I did the right thing by ignoring their advice, and pocketed Chilton’s tome for later. I had no interest in cutting hair.

A second copy landed in my possession by accident. I was dating a guy who lent me his Wealthy Barber because he thought I’d like the story. That guy dumped me three weeks later, so I kept his copy.

I earned The Wealthy Barber hat trick in my mid twenties at a library book sale. In this phase of my life I became obsessed with money, mostly ’cause I had none. And with a $17,000 student loan to pay back, I decided to get serious about my debt. So I bought a bunch of dog-eared personal finance books for a few Loonies — The Wealthy Barber was in the mix. Convinced I was haunted by this dang book I finally read it.

I loved the story of Roy, the title character, who gives several 20-year-olds financial lessons in a fun way. I needed the kick to start my retirement savings, stash some cash in an emergency fund, and pay off my student loan. I became an automatic saving machine, so I forgot about Roy.

My life was largely Wealthy Barber-free until I met Carl. I should have run screaming when Carl’s father — an English as a third language German immigrant — gave his son (my new boyfriend) Chilton’s barber book. When Carl moved in with me a year later we added his copy to my ‘Chilton collection’. Slightly fazed by my double duplication of Wealthy Barbers, Carl quickly learned of my (un)healthy obsession with personal finance.

Now we’re at today. Life is good. I’m blogging about saving bucks while livin’ on a frugal farm, my dog at my side. I’m not worried about limited bookshelf space, Chilton’s publishing prowess, or angry ex-boyfriends hunting me down on Facebook looking for lost copies of The Wealthy Barber. Yeah, life is grand … and then the dang mail arrives.

[Five minutes later ...]

I’m on the phone with Ikea pricing out BILLY bookcases and calculating shipping costs. I’m slightly horrified (and mostly shocked) to see an autographed copy of Chilton’s new book, The Wealthy Barber Returns, in the mail with my name on it. This is cool. This is scary. This means I’ll be gifted with a dozen more copies of Chilton’s books over my lifetime. I’d better order a third bookshelf.

The Review

This is the weirdest personal finance book review ever. Chilton deserves better. The thing is, David Chilton doesn’t write standard personal finance books — he’s a little unusual. There are no graphs, charts, or hard mathematical data within his pages. Nope. In The Wealthy Barber Returns Chilton writes witty stories and shares hilarious experiences in a very fun format. This is why we like him.

And then I hit page 219. Check it out:

Chilton is a genius. Not only does he enjoy my blog, but mentioning me in his highly anticipated new book nicely solves my costly bookshelf dilemma. I figure, if I’m in his book, maybe friends, family, and bad ex-boyfriends will stop gifting me copies. This realization gives me a case of the sads. So I give The Wealthy Barber Returns a second read to cheer myself up.

This time through I try to studiously sticky note all the witty, fun, and often weighty things he writes about saving, spending, borrowing, investing, retiring, and earning money.

Here’s the important stuff, the weighty stuff, the real reason you should read this book:

• We are treating our lines of credit like a second income, rather than money we owe the bank.
• We are saving too late in life.
• “It’s a mathematical certainty that investors who buy market-matching index funds will outperform the majority of investors who attempt to outperform market-matching index funds.”
• “Pay yourself first, start now, live within your means.”
• We are fantastic spenders.

The chapter on term life insurance is excellent. Read that one too.

So barely 150 pages in, I run out of sticky notes. This is a problem. How am I going to thoughtfully review the follow-up to the biggest selling book in Canadian history without 3M at my side?

Overwhelmed, I give up and hand my autographed copy to Carl. I figure, Carl is not a funny guy. As a German immigrant (from Germany) he would be better suited to seriously review such an important book. Carl is also marginally better at math.

It was worth a shot.

Carl (my formerly serious German spouse) could not stop laughing. My man was broken by The Wealthy Barber Returns. I’m sending David Chilton the bill.

The chapter on ‘Dash’ the race horse gave my German the chuckles. He also enjoyed the chapters on index funds, lizard brains, plastic surgery, and teachers. Yes, I’m writing about a personal finance book.

So where am I going with this?

I don’t know.

But I do know that I rarely love a book about personal finance. I think you’ll love it too. I think your teenagers will love it (ten years from now). I think you should steal it from the bad boyfriend who’s about to dump you. And you most certainly should agree to move in with a German immigrant if his father offers a fresh copy as an incentive.

I really must stop writing now. I’ve got an Ikea bookshelf to assemble.

Love Kerry

Check out these articles (written by real writers) for real reviews of The Wealthy Barber Returns.

• Ellen Roseman, Toronto Star | Wealthy Barber’s new warning on debt
• Ram Balakrishnan, Canadian Capitalist | Book Review: The Wealthy Barber Returns
• Ray Turchansky, National Post | Credit lines worst trend of last 20 years, Wealthy Barber writer says
• Kevin Press, Today’s Economy Blog | The Wealthy Barber on debt, active management and starting young

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
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• Frugalicious Recipes
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• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

There was a catch though — the whole savings shebang was filmed for a new reality TV show called Million Dollar Neighbourhood, set to air on OWN Canada. I was brought onboard as a Frugal Living Expert. Cool, eh?

I’d love to thank Bruce Sellery for this amazing opportunity. As he is the show’s host, a personal finance expert, business journalist, author of Moolala: Why smart people do dumb things with their money and a myriad of much much more, I was thrilled to take part in the savings extravaganza.

Here’s a picture of me in makeup:

Big thanks to makeup artist extraordinaire Stephanie Lynne Faoro for fixing my face. More thanks to host Dr. Joti Samra for snapping the photo, and big big thanks to Katie Redburn, Amanda Schultz, and Wendy Clark-Alvaro. Everyone on set was super nice and helpful.

I had a blast meeting around 100 families and taking part in the shoot. I was also pretty darn exhausted after sharing the same ten money saving tips over the course of a day. Because several families from the fair have emailed looking for my tips, I thought I’d post them here for everyone’s benefit. Here’s where to start saving to become a Million Dollar Neighbourhood!

1. Cut your landline.

Talk ain’t cheap if you’re texting on your cell phone and not using your landline every day — so cut it already! If you’re paying for a few special phone features on top of basic service, your family could save around $50 per month by cutting the landline.

Total Savings: A tidy $600 per year should get the neighbours talkin’.

2. Make you own cleaning products.

You don’t need to shop in a special supermarket aisle to sweep up some clean savings — all the ingredients you need are stocked in your kitchen pantry at home. These homemade cleaners won’t harm the environment, they are kid safe, pet safe, and one of them tastes great on French fries.

Ingredients:

• dish soap (not tasty)
• baking soda (tasty in cookie recipes)
• white vinegar (TASTY!)
• elbow grease (always free!)

Get my homemade cleaning recipes here: Spring Cleaning: 5 Chemical free ways to clean house for less.

Bonus: Microfiber cloths have many uses. They cost around $1 each and can be turned into a very frugal mop. See 4 Swiffer Cleaning Hacks for Cheaper Dust-Free Living for the frugal details.

Total Savings: Pledging to clean your home with kitchen staples, elbow grease, and microfiber cloths could save your family around $300 a year. If you own a dog, you could save more.

3. Switch to generic personal care products.

You don’t need to spend big bucks on brand name hair care products, makeup, and over-the-counter medications to get gorgeous and headache free. Making the switch to generic personal care products could save you up to 30% — that’s $360 per year for a family that spends $1,200 annually.

Switch Tip: Always compare brand name and generic labels to make sure you’re getting an equivalent product.

• Check dosage
• Compare active ingredients
• Verify that product volumes, weights, or sizes are equal

Total Savings: Cure the common cold (cough) with generics and save $360 per year.

4. Make your own coffeehouse style drinks.

I wanted to say: “Who loves an ice cold frozen Starbucks Frappuccino?” But I think the TV people preferred I called this tasty (expensive) treat a frozen blended coffeehouse style beverage. Try saying that on camera fast. Gulp!

Anynamegame, my homemade Frapp Attack recipe costs $0.32 and tastes just like the real thing thanks to the secret ingredient — a pinch of xanthan gum.

Get the recipe in this very popular post: Make a Starbucks Frappuccino for $0.32 and enjoy the cool savings.

Total Savings: If your family buys six Frapps a week, you can save up to $1,100 per year by blending your own at home.

5. Raise your insurance deductibles.

When was the last time you read your homeowner’s, renter’s, or car insurance policy? I challenge you to open those policy pages and check your deductibles to save a little — or a lot — of cash on your yearly premium payments.

A deductible is simply the amount of money you have to pay before the insurance kicks in. Raising these numbers from $300 to $500 or from $500 to $1,000 could save you between 15% and 25% on your annual insurance premiums. Besides, making fewer small claims can also help keep your premiums from increasing.

Total Savings: Pocket $300 per year by raising your deductibles and decreasing your premium payments.

6. Install a programmable thermostat.

This tip created a lot of brain energy, caused a few sideways glances, and generated some great discussions. I was surprised by how many people don’t own a simple programmable thermostat. These gadgets have a one-time cost of $30 to $50 and can save you up to 10% on your energy bill by automatically turning down your heat at night and when you’re away. It’s kinda like magic, but not. Yes, you need to read the manual. No, it’s not difficult. Yes, you can do it.

Total Savings: Turning down the heat in the winter or dialing up the air conditioner in the summer can save you $180 a year. If you live in large home you’ll save even more!

7. Start a compost.

Composting can eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers, saving you at least $50 a year on gardening costs while reducing the chemicals around your home and protecting your kids and pets. A simple kitchen compost can also reveal how much food you’re wasting — a huge budget buster.

You don’t need a fancy compost container to get the frugal job done. I use a simple airtight $10 container and store it under my kitchen sink.

There are rules for building a better compost. Check out How To Compost Without Raising a Stink for the green thumb details.

Total Savings: Show a little environmental responsibility by creating fertile soil and save at least $50 a year on garden costs. Your kids’ grandkids will thank you.

8. Do your own manicures and pedicures.

Do we have any glamour girls or guys in the audience? ‘Cause I’ve got a handy tip to save you around $600 a year. Those who regularly visit a salon for pricey manicures should be biting their fingernails — yeah, it’s time to handily cut this cost.

Spending around $50 monthly for a nail buff and polish is silly. Sorry. Especially when a bottle of nail polish costs under $10 and nail files can be bought for a buck at your local drugstore.

Total Savings: Cut your mani-pedi pampering sessions, learn to do your own dang nails, and save at least $600 bucks a year.

9. Cancel your newspaper and magazine subscriptions.

I dare you to make a list of all the newspapers and glossy magazines you pick up at the news stand. Or maybe you’ve got a monthly subscription for a few periodicals.

Why?

There’s this place called The Internet, and you can browse all this stuff online for free. There’s also this thing called The Library — it’s a great place for those who love touching glossy fashion mags and have the need to flip through a few pages. The library lets you borrow older issues for free.

Total Savings: Skipping your subscriptions and that random magazine check-out purchase could save your family around $125 per year.

10. Wash in cold, hang to dry.

It’s hard to say something clean and refreshing about such a dingy topic. But a little dirty talk here today could save you $180 this year if you turn off your dryer and wash your clothing in cold water. Washing in cold and hanging your gear to dry prolongs the life of your clothing and reduces the amount of energy needed to power your machines. Easy.

This filthy post gives you all the dirty details: How to Save Money on Laundry

And yes, I really hung my shirts in the middle of our hay field to get this shot. I always go the extra mile for you guys. Enjoy!

Total Savings: A clean $180 in dirty savings is yours by washing just five loads a week in cold, and then hanging those fabrics to dry.

Your Turn: What money saving tips would you share with a TV audience? And are you going to watch Million Dollar Neighbourhood? (Hopefully I make the cut!)

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

You must be ready for some summer fun too — I’ve had SEVERAL requests for summery articles on gardening, vacationing, and dining. So, to quench your thirst for summer, I’ve rounded up my Top Frugal Summer Squawks to get you enjoying the great outdoors for less. There’s a little something here for everyone.

1. Go fly a homemade kite

Take your kids (or just yourself) outside this weekend and go fly a kite! Building a homemade kite is a fun summer activity for everyone, and downloading my printable kite pattern makes this do-it-yourself project a breeze. Just add wind!

• DIY Kite Designs: How To Make A Kite

2. Take a cheap summer vacation

Stay local and become a tourist in your own town to save money during the summer holidays. You don’t need to venture far to have fun with these travel tips.

• How to Build Your Own ‘Modified Staycation’ Vacation Package

If you decide to take a little road trip, cut your fuel costs with 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas, and try this handy Gas Mileage Calculator to see how much fuel your vehicle consumes.

3. Start a square foot garden

Get the family outside and build a little (or big) square foot garden. Growing your own fruits and vegetables could save you a few bucks on your grocery bill.

• DIY: Getting Dirty with Square Foot Gardening

4. Plant a container garden

No space for a square foot garden? No worries. Apartment dwellers and urbanites can take part in the growing season by planting vegetables, fruit, and flowers in a container garden. Looks pretty on a patio too.

• Container Gardening: 11 Fruits and Vegetables You Can Grow in a Pot

5. Survive summer without air conditioning?

Beat the heat and cut energy costs this summer by turning up (or off) your air conditioner with a few handy tricks. Tank tops, summer dresses, and a thin pair of shorts may be required!

• 6 Cheap Ways To Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning

6. Skip the ice cream parlor

Fuel your summer sweet tooth by turning ripe fruit into healthy ice cream. No need to toss that banana or pitch that peach!

• Healthy Snacks: A tasty twist on homemade ice cream

7. Build a better compost

Someone called me a “do-gooder hippie” after I shared my composting tricks with you. Sure, composting is an environmentally friendly way to turn kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer, but I do it to cut costs on garbage removal too. Ok, I like to churn my compost while wearing braids and flowers in my hair. Peace.

• How To Compost Without Raising a Stink

8. Grow a delicious herb garden

Have you seen the price of fresh herbs at your local grocery store? ACK! Growing your own mint, chives, and other tasty herbs is super cheap and easy, so spice up your summer meals with this fresh summer post.

• How to grow and dry tasty herbs

9. Sip on something hot, or cool

There’s no ‘latte factor’ with these tasty brews, so take a seat on your patio and infuse yourself with a little herbal tea goodness.

• 5 Gourmet Herbal Tea Infusions for Your French Press

10. Cut lawn care costs

If you grow it you have to mow it! Yep, that perfect urban lawn can be a costly seed to sow. Here’s how to save some green while keeping a lush lawn this summer. (Hint: you’re watering too much!)

• 10 Ways to Grow Grass and Cut Lawn Care Costs

11. Make a single tomato last for years?

Stop buying expensive heirloom tomato plants every growing season. Follow these simple steps and teach your kids how to save your precious seeds year after year. (Tip: This won’t work for hybrids, only heirlooms!)

• How to Save Heirloom Tomato Seeds

12. Bake a little summer crisp

The best way to save money and enjoy a summery dessert is to make it yourself. So grab some seasonal fruit and try this gluten-free recipe for dessert tonight. (Yeah, that’s me peeking out of the rhubarb patch.)

• Dessert Recipes: Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp with Apples

13. Take a hike?

Gym rats should scatter into the summer sun and enjoy a hike or two outside. If you breathe in the fresh air you won’t have to wipe your sweat off that salty treadmill. Promise.

• 10 Free Ways to get into Fitness this Summer

14. Land a better summer job. Write a killer resume.

Looking for a sweet summer job or a paid internship? Do yourself (and your career) a solid by cleaning up that resume and writing a better cover letter. Oh, you don’t have to be a college grad or a high school student to benefit from these free resume templates, resume examples, and this resume writing advice.

• 6 Words That Make Your Resume Suck

15. Go read a book

The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer sometimes demand that you sit and chill out. So head to the library, sign out a few free reads, and enjoy a good book (or two).

Your Thoughts: What are you doing to stay frugal and on budget this summer? What are your favorite family activities?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Signs of the sickness include sore thumbs from excessive texting, interrupted face-to-face conversations from constant cell phone chatting, and a severely whacked wallet from the myriad of costly data plans.

The biggest problem with ‘data plan disease’ is that the eroding effects on your savings are cumulative. Go ahead and add up your family’s cellphone minutes, cable or satellite TV services, high-speed Internet access, Xbox Live or PlayStation fees, Apple iTunes downloads, Netflix use, and your humble land line telephone (if you still have one).

Got that number? Now add in your overage fees, roaming charges, the teenager’s texting plans, system access fees, taxes, and any additional airtime fees (gulp), and you could be on the hook for $500 per month — that’s $6,000 each year — just for data plans! Feeling sick yet?

Reader Polls: We’ve added polls to the site! Go ahead and vote!

The New York Times ran the story As Data Flows In, the Dollars Flow Out and offered these budget busting numbers:

By 2004, the average American spent $770.95 annually on services like cable television, Internet connectivity and video games, according to data from the Census Bureau. By 2008, that number rose to $903, outstripping inflation. By the end of this year, it is expected to have grown to $997.07. Add another $1,000 or more for cellphone service and the average family is spending as much on entertainment over devices as they are on dining out or buying gasoline.

And those government figures do not take into account movies, music and television shows bought through iTunes, or the data plans that are increasingly mandatory for more sophisticated smartphones.

Americans should be a lot annoyed, but not super pi$$ed, by the communication costs they pay — Canadians have it far worse. According to a recent global telecom report from BofA Merrill Lynch (via Wireless North), the country that pays the most for cell phone use per subscriber is Canada, at $55 per month.

I took a good hard look at my own wireless and data plan numbers a while ago and came to the conclusion that my cable TV package had to go. Here are my current data plan digits:

My Data Plan Disease Numbers:

• Kerry’s Cell: $5 / month (7-Eleven SpeakOut Wireless)
• Carl’s Cell: $17 / month (Virgin Mobile Canada)
• Landline: $25 / month (Telus)
• Internet: $69 / month (Rogers Wireless)
• Cable TV: NOTHING! — we canceled that costly beast!

Total: $116 / month

My biggest source of ‘data plan disease’ is of course my Internet connection — living in rural Canada (in the middle of a forest) affords me few options for doing business online. That’s the price I decided to pay, and I cut my cable subscription to stay on budget.

What’s your data disease?

The good news about ‘data plan disease’ is that the ailment is not fatal. You have the choice to cut services, minimize fees, and downgrade data packages to cut costs and save money. Your results will vary, sure, but by adding up your numbers, crunching your monthly spends, and doing the simple math I bet you can minimize this costly sickness.

Heck, I wrote a whole post about cutting back (50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year), authored a book about saving money (397 Ways To Save Money), and shared my cable story in Breaking up with a cable company is hard to do. I know you can cut back too!

Your Thoughts: Now hop on over to the poll, or share your data disease numbers here! How much are you spending monthly on data plans? And can you cut back?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Don’t forget to vote in our new poll How much do you spend on your pets? — the results are astounding! So far a whopping 53% only adopt from animal shelters while 64% spend nothing on dog walkers or pet groomers each month.

Let’s continue on with the final five ways to save money on your pets.

6. Make your own pet food?

I make a lot of my own pet food. Sure, there are days when I put a little bit of quality dry kibble into the mix. But for the most part, my dog eats a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet which consists of a lot of raw meat and organs, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. It’s not for everyone, and I certainly wouldn’t call this type of dog chow cheap.

Reader Polls: We’ve added polls to the site! Go ahead and vote!

I started rethinking packaged pet food in 2007 after the massive pet food recall in Canada and the United States. Many dogs and cats became ill and died after adulterated wheat gluten was found in several brands of pet food. Watching families lose their pets was heartbreaking, and I’m fortunate that my dog was not fed this food.

Switching to a raw dog food diet was easy for my family. Since we live on an organic cattle ranch, sourcing quality organ meat is generally inexpensive (if not free). This probably won’t be the case for you though.

Want to see the meaty math? The Mint Blog makes the case for homemade pet chow in Does it Pay to Make Your Own Pet Food?, and offers up these dietary numbers:

“A balanced, home-cooked diet for a 30-pound dog would cost $3.52 per day; $5.58 if you go organic. That’s two to four times the price of commercial dry dog foods of similar qualities, but up to half the cost of commercial wet foods.” — Dr. Jules Benson, vice president Petplan

If going raw is not for you or your budget, try these tips to keep pet food costs from wagging your wallet:

• Shop at a farm supply store. Farm stores generally sell high quality pet foods for at least 15% less than retail stores. Farm suppliers sell in bulk and without fancy packaging, so don’t expect resealable bags and fancy brand names! Be sure to bring a car with a sizable trunk.

• Skip wet pet food, buy dry. Wet pet food is pricey! To cut your costs per serving in half, opt for dry kibble that’s high in protein and low in corn and grains (if any at all). Many pet owners claim that dry food keeps their pets fuller for longer, so you can feed your furry friend a little bit less.

• Buy the largest bag. If your pet is accustomed to a certain brand of chow, go ahead and buy the biggest bag to save a few bucks. Most stores offer a 5% to 10% savings on volume bags for budget-conscious shoppers.

Bottom Line: A BARF dog food diet for a 30 pound canine costs $3.52 per day and adds up to a hefty $1,285 per year. But if you’re feeding commercial wet foods to your pet, then a homemade diet can cut your costs in half. Switching from wet to dry pet food can also cut your food costs by over 50 percent. Lastly, feeding your pet quality ingredients might prolong the life of the animal while reducing vet bills due to illness. You are what you eat, right?

7. Get your pet fixed. Yes, FIXED!

Does your macho male dog really need that big set of balls? Do you want your female cat to go into heat? Keeping one pet is fun, but caring for a litter of little ones (and finding homes for them) can get expensive, fast. With many thousands of unwanted animals put down by shelters each year, be a responsible pet owner and help control the pet population (Yeah, I watched a lot of Bob Barker and The Price is Right as a kid). Anyways, spaying and neutering early may also help minimize your vet costs down the road by helping to decrease the odds of infection and illness in older animals.

Bottom line: Litters of puppies or kittens can be cute, but costly when you add up vet bills and the challenge of finding homes for them. Spend a little money now by spaying or neutering your pet to save some cash in the future. Pets adopted from your local shelter may already be fixed, so you’re saving money while saving the life of an animal. Kudos.

8. Shop around for a veterinarian.

Don’t be afraid to call up and few vets and inquire into their common check-up fees and overnight stay charges. Asking is free! Not all veterinarians charge the same, nor do they all provide the same level of service. When looking for a veterinarian, try to meet with a few in your area, and ask neighbors and friends for vet recommendations, what they think of the vet, and what the vet charges. Doing your research before your pet needs medical attention is the best way to prevent surprises later when you get the bill.

Bottom line: Do your research and find a veterinarian you can trust to provide your animal with the best care, while not overcharging you. You may save yourself thousands in pet care costs by finding the right vet for your pet and pocketbook.

9. Only vaccinate if necessary.

Common wisdom holds that pets should get their shots every year, but check with your veterinarian to determine what shots are actually necessary for the life your pet leads, and if they need to be applied yearly. For example, some types of rabies vaccination are needed only every three years, and may be completely unnecessary in areas of the country where rabies is non-existent.

Bottom line: By limiting vaccinations to the required amount, you could save $50 or more each year.

10. Save those medical devices.

Has your pet ever come home from the vet with a cone head? Yeah, those medical devices designed to prevent licking sure do look funny, but they cost a small fortune! At $50 a cone (depending on the size of your animal), a pet medical device like an Elizabethan collar can be costly, especially if you toss it only to need it again later for another incident or even another pet. When your pet is done with his cone, keep the device clean by wiping with a light bleach solution and store it in a safe place — you never know if you’ll need it again!

Bottom line: Keeping Elizabethan collars and other pet medical accessories could save you at least $50 each time your pet returns from surgery.

Don’t miss the first part in this doggone series: Part One: 10 Ways to save money on your pet.

Your Thoughts: Have you made pet food, shopped around for vets, or fixed your pet to save money? What’s your best tip for saving money on your furry friends?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

According to Businessweek, Americans now spend a barking $41 billion annually on their furry friends, while 48.5% of all Canadian households say (PDF) they dish out $870 a year on pets.

These numbers leave me scratching my head. Going through my own pet budget, I spent $465 on my Blue Heeler mutt Pivo last year. And this total includes toys, food, a vet bill, and love. Wanna know how I did it? Here’s part one of 10 Ways to save money on your pet:

Reader Polls: We’ve added polls to the site! Go ahead and vote!

1. Adopt a pet.

How much is that doggy (or kitty) in the window? If that furry critter is a purebred puppy or a cat with credentials, then you’re gonna pay dearly to own a pedigreed pet. Unless you’re into dog shows and cat competitions, I highly recommend you skip the pet store or breeder and adopt a lovable mutt or adorable tabby from the ASPCA, SPCA, Humane Society, or your local municipal animal services.

Shelter adoption fees are generally under $200 for dogs and $100 for cats — you’ll pay more for puppies and kittens. These fees often include the cost of neutering or spaying, and the first round of deworming and shots. Before adopting, many shelters will encourage you to first bring the animal home on a trial basis to determine if the pet is compatible with your lifestyle. And adopting an adult animal over a newborn means that behavioral quirks and health problems are more apparent and can help you better choose the right pet for your family.

I strongly encourage you to steer clear from pet stores, suspect breeders, and newspaper classified ads since you could be perpetuating animal cruelty. Many of these animals might be farmed out of puppy mills, and supporting these stores continues the cycle of cruelty while increasing the number of unwanted pets in shelters.

Some thoughts on puppy mills:

• MSNBC | Petland tied to puppy mills
• Humane Society, United States | Puppy Mills: Frequently Asked Questions
• BC SPCA | The Truth About Pet Stores and Puppy Mills

I adopted my own lovable mutt, the big-eared Blue Heeler named Pivo, from my local shelter when she was two years old (human years, not dog years ). As a working dog in need of a job, she proved too high energy for the three families who previously brought her home, so the shelter was thrilled when I stepped up to bring her back to the family farm.

The sad thing is, my dearest little dog is believed to be the product of a puppy mill, and was given away once a challenging dog emerged out of the cute, floppy-eared puppy. Today Pivo is a gorgeous, well-trained, and delightful dog who wants nothing more than a snuggle with the pack and to run freely on the farm. She’s amazing with young children, loves to play, and gives me a lick whenever I’m feeling sad or blue.

Bottom Line: You too can find the perfect pet at your local animal shelter. Sure you’ll save hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars with pet adoption, but you could also be preventing cruelty to animals, and that’s priceless.

2. Stop playing doggy dress-up or feline fashion.

Does your pet have a closet stuffed full of designer duds and pet costumes? Your furry friend doesn’t need to look runway ready or have a Halloween costume to be loved by you.

Anycrabbypooch, the only time I’ve dished out dollars for dog wear is when I needed to walk my dog in extreme weather. Since I live in the land of ice and snow (Canada, eh!), I spent nearly $40 on these high quality winter paw protectors — Muttluks Extreme Weather Dog Boots. Although they were a little pricey, they’ve lasted several years and hundreds of kilometers on rural roads, so this dog wear was money well spent.

Bottom line: The occasional outfit, pet costume, or protective wear is fine, but do watch the high costs associated with buying pet clothing. If you must buy winter or rain wear to walk your pet outdoors, invest in quality pieces that will last for years.

3. Wash and groom your pet at home.

Skip the pet boutiques and professional groomers to save anywhere from $15 to $75 per grooming. That’s right, those furry long-hairs and curly coated dog breeds can cost a fortune to get washed, dried, clipped, and cleaned. Investing in a set of quality Professional Animal Clippers may cost around $100, but they’ll last for years and save you hundreds in grooming fees over time.

Cheap Dog Wash: Use a big bucket, a small container, an old sock, and baby shampoo to get that doggy clean.

Home haircuts are a great way to save money if you and your pet have the patience to get through them. Regular brushing and nail trimming is also easy to do yourself, and helps you keep a close eye on your pet’s health.

Winner: Congrats to Colleen McKie for writing the top caption on the Squawkfox Facebook page.

Bathing your dog in the tub (or outside on the lawn) with an unscented no-name baby shampoo costs under $2, and saves you over $15 on special doggie-branded soap — just put a towel on the bottom of the tub to avoid scratches.

Bottom line: For a one-time expense of $35, buy a set of combs and scissors that will save you at least $50 every few months by grooming your dog or cat at home. If you need a little help, pick up a copy of Dog Grooming For Dummies at your local library. And skip the special dog and cat shampoos by washing up with no-name baby suds — if it’s good enough for a baby’s soft skin, your pet will be fine.

4. Give your pet a toy, not the whole toy store

Do you have an entire toy box devoted to your dog? How much did that cost ya? While a few toys are great fun for both pet and owner, animals don’t require a lot of loot to be healthy and happy. My dog is pretty darn thrilled to chase after her $7 KONG and has never asked for a fancy designer Frisbee. Way back when I had cats, we’d stick a bunch of catnip in one of my dad’s old socks and watch them play and purr for hours. My tabby was particular with her food, but she never demanded a high-end plush toy for play.

Bottom line: Pet toys can be expensive, ranging from $5 to $50, and are marketed to humans, not pets. So be mindful of toy prices, and also consider making your own for less to save money. By all means throw your dog a toy bone (or two), but buy quality materials that can withstand your pet’s constant chewing, throwing, and scratching.

5. Pet insurance probably isn’t worth it.

Depending on your pet (cat or dog), plans can range from $10 per month for limited accident coverage to $50 per month covering illnesses and accidents.

OUCH! Getting kicked by cattle is expensive. Thanks for the mega vet bill, Pivo!

After punching the numbers and doing the math, I think it’s often more cost effective to save the premium money in a high-interest savings account; here’s why:

Over 10 years, paying $40 per month adds up to $4,800 in premiums. Compounded over 10 years at a modest 3.5%, this same $40 would add up to $5,754.03 in a high-interest savings account. Over a 10-year span, vet bills for things covered by insurance generally total an average of $3,000 to $4,000. Assuming a $100 deductible and 10 claims, this leaves $2,500 to $3,500 in actual payouts from the pet insurance company. Compared with an investment of $4,800 in premiums, it makes more financial sense to save the money in a high-interest savings account earmarked for pet medical expenses.

Bottom line: Before spending money on pet insurance, run the numbers to see if your pet’s insurance premium would be better off invested in a high-interest savings account.

Don’t miss the second part in this doggone series: Part Two: 10 Ways to save money on your pet.

Your Thoughts: Is pet insurance worth it? Do you groom your pets to save money? Are dog and cat costumes barking mad? How much do you spend on your furry friends?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness

Now, I’m the first to admit that making your own peanut butter is not going to save you mega millions. I don’t care if you bathe in the buttery stuff daily, ’cause putting more effort into paying down your mortgage, paying off your credit cards, and avoiding hefty investing fees is where you’ll bite back on the biggest bucks.

There are advantages to making your own peanut butter when compared to buying the branded stuff though, especially if you don’t mind the extra steps needed to turn a few peanuts in a blender.

Advantages

Homemade nut butters won’t contain the hydrogenated oils, stabilizers, emulsifiers, excess sugars, and salts found in many branded varieties. Plus, with the numerous concerns about salmonella contamination at large processing plants and peanut butter recalls, you can chew a little easier knowing that your homemade stuff is likely safer for your family.

Blending your own at home also gives you full control over the peanuts — country of origin, organic or not — while allowing you to mix in other nuts or seeds for a unique blend not available in stores. Boost the healthfulness of your nutty butter by adding a little flax seed oil, and enjoy the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for far less cost than other nut butters containing flax seeds. Homemade peanut butter just tastes fresher.

Price Check: You’re saving more than peanuts!

I can’t believe I did the mathy math and crunched the numbers on peanuts. Anyorganicpeanuts, I compared the pricing of my recipe to peanut butter made only with 100% organic peanuts — figuring out the math on added salt, sugar, and oil is not my idea of a party. Besides, I only buy peanut butter with one ingredient, and that’s peanuts.

In a nutshell, the store brand organic peanut butter cost $3.69 for 500g ($0.738/100g), while my organic raw unsalted peanuts cost $10.50 for 5lbs ($0.463/100g).

Bottom Line: You’ll save 37% by making your own organic peanut butter at home — that’s a savings of $1.37 per 500g jar.

What about Costco? My article, The Complete Guide to Costco, shows you how to find the biggest savings at everyone’s favorite warehouse store. But when you compare Costco’s organic peanut butter selling at $10 for a 2kg jar ($0.50/100g) my homemade recipe is still cheaper, and perhaps tastier.

Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe

Here’s how to make your own cost-cutting peanut butter in three easy steps:

STEP ONE: Roast your nuts (I’ve always wanted to write that) at 350°F (180°C) for 10-20 minutes in a shallow baking pan. Only roast one layer deep at a time to ensure even cooking. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Let cool for 15 minutes after roasting.

Skip this step if you’re into a raw diet and prefer green peanut butter. Some argue that roasting helps kill any bacterial contaminants that might be on the peanuts.

What about the skins? Peanut skins are high in antioxidants and give the final product a unique taste — and a slightly pinkish color.

STEP TWO: Place roasted peanuts in a food processor and grind until smooth. Processing may take several minutes.

At first the nuts break into a fine crumbly mix. A few minutes longer and the nuts begin to bind as the oil is released.

If your butter appears dry or your food processor cannot turn the mixture, go ahead and add one teaspoon of peanut oil or flax seed oil — don’t overdo it! A little oil goes a very long way.

Optional: Add a little salt or your favorite nuts and seeds to blend the perfect nut butter.

The food processor may form a big peanut butter ball if you didn’t add a lot of oil.

Crunchy peanut butter: Reserve a half cup (or more) of ‘chopped’ nuts right at the start and set them aside. When the peanut butter is almost done, stir them in.

STEP THREE: Remove peanut butter from the food processor (it will be warm) and refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.

Serve as a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or use as a dip for fresh fruit slices — either way you’ll go nutty.

Your Thoughts: What do you put in your homemade nut butters? Are the savings worth the work?

Love the blog? Get the book: 397 Ways to Save Money

Top Squawks

• How to make a budget (series with downloads)
• How to write a resume (series with downloads)
• Frugalicious Recipes
• 50 Ways to Save $1,000 a Year
• Credit Card Calculator
• Download your free 92-page eBook: The Insider’s Guide To Frugal Food & Fitness