The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter
August 7, 2006



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    The Budget Stretcher
    Week Of: August 7, 2006
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    Grandpa Terry's Quips

    Tip #49 - Getting organized is essential when it's back to school
    time.  Then reality sets in!

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    ***What's Inside***

    Money Saving Tip
    Subscriber's Tip of the Week
    Coupon Savings
    Grandpa Terry's Update
    Credit Card Information
    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
    Site of the Week
    Grandpa Terry's Email
    This Week's Articles
    Special Recipe - Lunch Box Recipes and Ideas
    Everyday Savings from http://www.thefrugalshopper.com

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    Subscriber Tip

    Hi:

    Check out all the Sunday circulars. Wal-Mart seemed to be the
    only one selling certain school supplies  5/$1. This week, the
    office supply stores plus the other discount stores, such as
    Target, CVS, Eckerd Drugs, Walgreen’s have gotten on the
    bandwagon to offer cheap school supplies either $.10 each or
    others 5/$1.

    Check the local thrift shops for school and office supplies. I
    once went into one where they had a grocery cart full of the
    green hanging file folders, with a sign "free". I asked if I
    could have them all and they said "Yes". What a deal!

    It seems to be that certain thrift stores get certain
    merchandise. One I frequent gets Seiko Watches, real ones. The
    most I have paid for one is $9.99, needed a battery, ($5 as the
    cheap ones won't work in such a watch) real value of the watch -
    $250. Another thrift shop seems to have office supplies and
    office equipment. Learn what they carry the most of and take
    advantage of it.

    May The Angels Watch Over You,
    Betty G.

    All you have to do is submit a "Subscriber Tip" and
    if it appears in The Budget Stretcher you will get your
    choice of either The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer
    Download or 10 of my Budget and Credit Card Calculating
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    Please use the form available at:


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    Coupon Savings
    by Michelle Jones

    Certain times of the year call for extra bargain shopping
    efforts to save money and "Back to School" is certainly one
    of them!  Whether you scout out extra coupons for school
    supplies at drug stores, office supply stores and discount
    stores, or take advantage of special shopping days (such as
    "tax free" or "save an extra 20%"), every dollar saved will
    help your budget go a little further!

    Save hundreds of dollars on your groceries each month, with
    or without using coupons!  Read more of Michelle's FREE
    grocery saving tips at http://www.GrocerySavingTips.com

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    Grandpa Terry's Update

    Welcome to this week's issue of our newsletter.  I
    hope this finds everyone doing well.

    As promised, this week's issue is going to be all about our
    youngsters going back to school.  I already had several ideas
    and tips from previous years that I've included.

    I did a search on Google for "Back-to-School" and came up with
    about a gillion hits.  I spent about three hours going through
    and checking out several of them and came up with the list
    of sites below:

    Back to School

    Thrifty Fun

    Back To School Resource Center

    Family Education

    Back to School for Kids With Special Needs

    Kids Health

    Back to school savings guide
    5 Tips: How to get deals on books, computers and more.
    By Gerri Willis, CNN/Money contributing columnist

    I think that should keep you busy for a while.  I hope this issue
    makes sending your kids back to school just a little easier.

    That's all for now.  Remember, I really enjoy hearing from you
    folks.  If you have any comments, complaints, suggestions or
    just want to say Hi, please send me an email to

    If you know someone that may be interested in subscribing to our
    newsletter just have them visit:


    All the best,
    Grandpa Terry

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    Credit Card Information

    Teach your teen how to handle credit cards
    By Liz Pulliam Weston

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    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week

    Save On School Supplies (Reprinted from Jul 28, 2003
    Newsletter)

    I was interviewed by a lady recently for an article that
    will appear on an investment web site that will run in their
    publication in the next week or so.

    Her topic was saving money on school supplies for
    elementary school age kids.  I was able to come up
    with a few suggestions that I thought might help and
    I did a little research on the web to come up with a
    few more.

    I thought you all might be interested in seeing the
    list.

    Start out by checking to see what you already have that
    might be used for the upcoming school year.  This
    includes school supplies and school clothes.  Once
    you have determined what you have that can be used
    you will need to make a list of what you need.

    If you have older kids see if any of their leftover
    school supplies can be used.

    Check with your friends and family to see if they have
    any supplies you can barter.

    Collect as many Back to School flyers from your newspaper
    as you can to see what items you can save money on from
    your list.

    Pay cash for your back to school purchases.  The
    interest on credit cards can easily eat up any savings
    you managed to get.

    Check the Dollar Stores.  They normally carry some items
    you might need at very affordable prices.

    Try to buy your back to school items without the kids along.
    This may be a little difficult when you are buying their
    clothes but it could save you a bundle and a lot of headaches.

    Always store your school supplies in one location to make
    sure you can find them when you need them.  This will save
    you money later on.

    Be skeptical of the initial list you receive from the teacher.
    It is best to buy the basics first and the rest after you see
    exactly what they need.

    Put your child’s name on everything.

    Check to see if you are eligible for free or reduced lunches
    at school.  If not consider packing your child’s lunch.

    Buy your kid’s clothes just a little large.  This may delay
    replacing them.

    Instruct your kids that their school clothes are just for
    school.  If they want to play after school they have to change
    in to play clothes.

    It’s too late for this year but you may want to start your
    back to school shopping much earlier if you find items on
    sale.  As fast as kids grow at this age it may not be a good
    idea to buy their clothes early.

    I hope this helps!

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    Site of the Week

    Back to School - First Gov.gov

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    Grandpa Terry's Email

    School starts here the end of August, but daytime
    temperatures remain in the 80's or higher until mid
    October.  Instead of buying a "back to school
    wardrobe" before school starts, we buy one outfit to
    wear the first day of school and a new pair of
    athletic shoes for PE.  We sort through existing
    clothes for shorts, capris & skirts that still fit
    (and are appropriate for school) and buy a few new,
    solid colored t-shirts to match.  Then we sit back and
    wait for the Fall clothes to go on sale in October,
    about the time the weather starts to cool down.


    Margie

    ----------

    I am a 5th grade teacher.  Parents need to keep in contact
    with teachers when things happen at home that might effect
    their student at school.

    For example:  the dog getting ran over right before the
    student leaves for school, a grandparent in the hospital, a
    divorce.  All of these things and many more can effect a
    child's school day.  We can be more sympathetic to their
    moods if we know what is going on at home.

    Nancy
    central Texas

    ----------

    With all the back to school sign-ups and fees it is sometimes
    hard to take full advantage of all the sales on school
    supplies so instead of a tub that lasts the year it often
    empties when nothing is on sale.  It is frustrating to buy
    paper at a $1.00+ a package when it was once .50 or less.
    Then a friend  gave this tip--buy what they need to get
    started on school and put the rest in lay-away.  This lets me
    stock up on all the definites and the even 'the maybe's.  The
    back to school unexpected fees can be paid without straining
    the budget and any 'maybe' items can be returned.  This also
    works for having art type supplies ready for Christmas gifts.

    Stephanie in AR

    ----------

    Hello,

    This is not much of a tip but  it is what I do to keep  from
    killing the  budget  in  August.

    I  love the Dollar Tree.  Once a month I go to the Dollar
    Tree and buy a few  essential items I know will be needed at
    the beginning of the  school year.  I  know the classroom will
    need tissues, hand wipes,  pencils, pens, notebooks, stickers
    etc.  I purchase  these  items monthly and store them in a
    "back to school" blue plastic tub in the closet.  Having a
    supply of items on hand collected throughout the  year really
    saves some money.  I am also  able to donate to  the Church's
    annual school supply drive because I have these items on hand.

    Hope this helps,
    Martha

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    Subscriber Tip

    When my girls were young, around 5th-6th grade, I was a single
    parent on a very limited budget.   My daughters wanted  all the
    newest clothing styles just like "ALL the other kids".
    It was a continuing battle with the girls, often leaving them
    very disappointed.   I decided to give them a clothing allowance-
    what I could manage each month, and let them buy whatever they
    wanted.  It worked great!  It ended the battle very effectively,
    and taught them ALOT about managing their money.

    Sadee

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    Subscriber Tip

    For the Parents on back to school items, our state is holding
    a tax free day along with cities adding to it.  Check your
    state and city out and also try the outlet stores as these
    are already marked down and the tax savings would increase
    your savings!

    Victoria

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    This Week's Article Links

    Just click the links to view the articles

    Back to school, or back to the poor house?
    By Tawra Kellam

    Back To School Clothes On A Budget
    by Kim Danger

    Turn back-to-school shopping into a learning adventure
    By Amy C. Fleitas • Bankrate.com

    Back to School Shopping Blues
    By Patti Chadwick

    To read more articles visit:

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    Special Recipe

    Lunch Box Recipes and Ideas

    Easy Ritz Cracker Snack
    From Diana Rattray,
    Your Guide to Southern U.S. Cuisine.

    INGREDIENTS:
    1/2 cup marshmallow cream
    1/2 cup peanut butter
    48 Ritz Crackers
    1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips,
    melted
    1 cup flaked coconut or chopped nuts

    PREPARATION:
    Spread about 1 teaspoon peanut butter on 24
    of the Ritz crackers. Spread 1 teaspoon
    Marshmallow Creme on remaining crackers.
    Sandwich crackers together, using one peanut
    butter and one marshmallow, then dip in melted
    chocolate or white chocolate (almond bark),
    and roll in coconut or finely chopped nuts to coat.

    Set crackers on waxed paper and let stand until
    chocolate sets. Store in air-tight container for
    up to one week. Makes 24

    Get many more ideas for packing a lunch box:

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    Everyday Savings

    These Tips provided by The Frugal Shopper

    Get dozens of links for Teaching & Home Schooling Materials
    at the below link:


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    Fredericktown, MO  63645
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    Disclaimer:  This newsletter is only intended to provide
    information on proper money management.  Budget Stretcher
    or Terry Rigg can not accept responsibility for any injury or
    damage that may be caused to yourself, others, or
    property when following any advice given.