Frugal Facts: Best Blogs for Saving Money, Vol. 3

With double-digit unemployment and rising prices, everyone is looking for ways to save money. This is Volume 3 of some of the best blogs on the Internet dedicated to helping you make the most of the money you have. Most of these blogs are written by average folks who had to scramble for ways to save money out of necessity. You can get the benefit of their research and mistakes.

For other money saving blogs, look at Frugal Facts: Best Blogs for Saving Money, Vol.1, and Frugal Facts: Best Blogs for Saving Money, Vol. 2 . Clip these money saving resources and check them for updates often:

Jen's Money Saving Blog, http://jensmoneysavingblog.blogspot.com/

This blog isn't as sophisticated or as high tech looking as many others. What it lacks oin glitz, it makes up for in giving you a financial reality check. The writer basically chronicles her good deals in the form of a blog. It's not much in terms of research, but it's first-rate in terms of enthusiasm and tenacity. If nothing else, it will keep you motivated to keep your little wins here and there in your mind. All of those little wins add up...one penny after another, until you have real money, as the saying goes.

Not Made of Money, http://notmadeofmoney.com/blog/

This blog is written by a husband/wife team who live on one income. Their credo: "Money saving tips. Frugal Living, One Income. Debt Free." They tell ways they manage their finances so she can stay home with their children. They have been debt free their entire married life (17 years and counting), so they are well-equipped to give advice. Again, real advice from real folks.

Not Made of Money takes a family-oriented approach to living within your means. For the July 6 blog entry, they wrote on ways to get your children involved in clipping coupons. You'll also find meal suggestions to go along with your money-saving coupon finds.

ChristianPF,http://www.christianpf.com/.
According to the home page: "This blog is dedicated to helping you manage your money wisely and according to timeless Biblical principles."

In addition to a great array of budgeting templates, the site has blogs on insurance, budgets, investing and saving. As it's a Christian Web site, there is also a section dealing with the Bible and money. The site has over 1,000 blogs and resources. You can also sign up for a newsletter to keep current.

Of particular interest, in the budget section, you'll find a collection of 10 free household budgeting spreadsheets. If you are trying to get a handle on your spending, but are confused about where to start, check out these spreadsheets. One may work for your needs, or it may lead you to create a spreadsheet to meet your specific needs.

Money Saving Methods, http://moneysavingmethods.blogspot.com/

Carrie is a wife and stay-at-home mom of three children who learned to support the family on one regular income. Now, like many of the bloggers listed, she shares that information with others. An interesting aside is that Carrie worked in accounting, so she brings another perspective to her writing. As Carrie says, "I felt the need to pass on the information so others could benefit as well."

This site has many forums for making money at home, most of which I'm not a fan of-mystery shopping, surveys. Some of the titles are deceiving. You have to sign up for things and they sound vague. Basically, it's like the survey sites...the sign up process never ends, and you don't get the prize. Still, you will find little financial gems that make the site worthwhile.

For example, Carrie's grocery section is great. She writes, "Last year, I was able to feed my family of 5 for under $75 a week. And, this included my meats, fruits, vegetables, diapers, beauty and cleaning products...EVERYTHING! My savings are more than 50 percent off for the year."

This is one of those sites in which you have to keep your radar up. Take what you need, and leave the rest. Don't be tempted to get involved with the make-money-at-home items or you'll end up defeating the purpose of reading blogs on saving money in the first place.

Kimmunications,http://kimsnider.blogs.com/my_weblog/saving_money/

Kim Snider is an author, speaker and host of Financial Success Coaching, Saturdays at noon, on KRLD Newsradio in Dallas. Snider's blog hasn't been updated recently, but her information on teaching women how to invest and keep their money earning in a down market is spot on target. For Snider, life is about achieving true financial success. Kim's book, How To Be the Family CFO: Four Simple Steps to Put Your Financial House in Orderis available from Amazon.com.

With this blog, you'll find a lot of well-written financial articles from an expert. More than that, it leads you to other sources of financial information, and information is what will empower you to save money. The great thing about the Internet is that one site begets another.

This is the third volume in a series on blogs dedicated to saving money aimed at the average consumer. Volume 4 will follow, as I'll be adding additional discount sites and wonderful blogs for saving money in my Frugal Facts column. As the blog writers here have found out, you'll find saving money and seeking out discounts will become second nature. Don't forget to bookmark the sites as you check them out so you can refer to them quickly.