How to Save Money on Lunch

Lunchtime can be an expensive time. Whether you eat out every day, or bring your own lunch, expenses can really add up. While spending money on lunch is inevitable, there are opportunities to save money by taking advantage of teacher discounted school lunches, or making your own lunch. For example, the average daily cost of eating lunch out is $6. So during a five-day workweek, one can spend $30 a week on lunch. This adds up to $1560 a year just on lunch! However, the average daily cost of packing a lunch from home is $2.20, adding up to $11 a week. This adds up to $572 a year, with a savings of $988 a year!
I recently visited Pueblo High School for a few presentations on Budgeting. I had a short break in between classes and decided to head down to the teachers' cafeteria and get a bottle of water. I happened to notice while standing in line, the wonderful price breaks teachers got on a nice lunch. For example, one could get a bottle of water, a freshly made sandwich, and a cup of fruit for $3.75. Not only is that a great deal on lunch, it is a great deal on a healthy lunch.

Here are some tips for saving money at lunch:

• Go home for lunch, or bring a sack lunch
• When eating out, order water, soda and tea can add up
• Order lunch specials, they are usually offered at a discounted price
• Avoid dessert, they are pricy and full of calories
• Budget how much money you are going to spend weekly on lunch
• Put your business card in the fish bowl at the front of the restaraunt, you may in fact win a free lunch

Resources:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/save-998year-by-bringing-your-lunch.html
http://www.helium.com/items/1360387-saving-money-on-lunch
http://www.ehow.com/how_4668949_save-money-eating-lunch-work.html

Fun Money Facts

How many ridges does the quarter have?
How long does a $50 bill last?
How many times can I fold a dollar bill before it tears?

We use money every single day. Money allows us to eat, live comfortably in a home, buy clothes, purchase cars and much more. While money can purchase fascinating tangible objects, money in itself is quite fascinating. Please enjoy the fun money facts I have included in this posting, and the great websites you can use in your classrooms to show kids how money is made.

• Cattle is the oldest of all forms of money. Cattle as money dates back to 9000 B.C. Some cattle were still used as money in parts of Africa in the middle of the 20th century.
• The Massachusetts Bay Colony issued the first paper money in America in 1690. The colonies would later form the United States.
• Parker Brothers printed more money for its Monopoly games than the Federal Reserve has issued in real money for the United States. If you stacked up all the Monopoly sets made, the pile would be more than 1,100 miles high.
• There is about $823 in circulation for each person in America.
• A piece of currency can be folded forward and back 4,000 times before it will tear.
• Currency is made of 25 percent linen and 75 percent cotton paper. Red and blue synthetic fibers of various lengths are distributed evenly throughout the paper.
• A mile of pennies laid out is $844.80. By this standard, America is about $2.5 million wide, coast to coast.
• A quarter has 119 grooves around the edge.
• If you have three quarters, four dimes and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins possible without being able to make change for a dollar.
• The Federal Reserve System lists the following life spans:
  $ 1 lasts 22 months
  $ 5 lasts 2 years
  $ 10 lasts 3 years
  $ 20 lasts 4 years
  $ 50 lasts 9 years
  $100 lasts 9 years

PBS-Check out this fun site which shares the fun secrets about making money

The Bureau of Printing and Engraving- Enjoy the resources and lesson plans on how money is made

Teaching your children the value of money-This how-to approach goes over the basics on how to teach children the value of money and why it is important to save

Work Cited:

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/special_exhibits/moneyville/pop5.htm

http://www.treas.gov/kids/

Want to Make Money?

The economy has taken a plunge, and there appears to be one thing on everyone's minds, how can I make more money? It seems like everytime you open a newspaper or turn on the news, you learn about a different business that has closed its doors, or an increase in the number of employees laid off. However, the idea of making and saving more money is not out of the question. Since one can only save so much money, I have included some tips to start making more money.

1. Work overtime if possible (some companies may even pay time and a half per hour).
2. Have a yard sale and sell items that you no longer use.
3. If time permits, get a second job.
4. Visit http://www.missingmoney.com/ - There are billions of unclaimed dollars that could be owed to you.
5. Become a tutor and help students achieve their success, while also earning a few extra bucks.
6. Mow neighbor's lawns or walk their dogs.
7. Donate plasma.
8. Become a mystery shopper.
9. Turn your hobbies into a business (art, jewelry, hair, etc.).

10. Baby-sit for family and friends.



Work Cited:
http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/20-easy-money-making-ideas.html#more-3947

http://www.donatingplasma.org/

http://www.missingmoney.com/

http://make-money-1.com/wp-content/themes/thesis/rotator/make-money-sign.jpg

TFCU 17th Annual Scholarship Contest

Graduation is right around the corner, and college is more expensive than ever. Between the months of January and April, most high school seniors and college students are busy applying for scholarships and financial aid to assist with the cost of education.

TFCU has been providing the community with an opportunity to alleviate some college expenses with a scholarship contest for the past sixteen years. This year, students will need to submit an essay answering the following question, "You are the youngest CEO in the history of TFCU. What is your vision to better serve the Tucson community?"

All entries are due by April 24, 2009. The prizes are as follows:

First Place - $2,500.00
Second Place - $1,500.00
Third Place - $1,000.00

For more information please visit our website or call (520)795-8520.

Other scholarship resources:
Fastweb-a large database that lists several scholarship offerings nationwide
Hispanic Scholarship fund- a website that provides funds for higher education for Hispanic Americans
Scholarships.com-resource for all financial aid needs

How to Save When on Vacation

I recently returned home from an expensive four-day vacation. It was my first time planning and paying for a vacation on my own. I had no idea how quickly airfare, hotel accomodations, food, cab rides and souvenir shopping would add up! Spring Break is a month away, and while I will not be going on vacation, I am sure most of you are. Here are some tips to make the most of your money while on vacation:
1. Save up the money to pay for your vacation ahead of time.
2. Rent a car.
3. Take advantage of coupons.
4. Bring refillable water bottles (they can be expensive to buy).
5. Make your own reservations. Websites like http://www.expedia.com/ and http://www.southwest.com/ usually have great vacation packages at discounted prices.
6. Bring your own snacks.
7. Make sure to bring a debit card or lots of cash. ATM fees can really add up!
8. Plan your vacation during off-peak times (usually during the school year or during weekdays).
9. Pick a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast.
10. Leave credit cards at home to avoid temptation altogether.

If you don't have the time or means to take a vacation, stay close to home. Enjoy a bed and breakfast, or take the family camping. Wherever you decide to travel, plan ahead and save save save!



http://goflorida.about.com/od/couponsdiscounts/a/moneysavingtips.htm
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/travel/onvacation.htm

I would like to take a moment and thank all of the teachers and students that have invited me into their classrooms over the past two years. I would also like to say thank you very much for the wonderful thank you cards and letters your classes have sent me. I have received hundreds of cards, and have kept each and every one of them. Each month I will post some pictures of the creative cards that I receive, so be on the lookout for your classroom's cards.

Please enjoy a couple of the thank you cards that were sent to me after visiting with the second grade classes of Ironwood Elementary. Thank you again!

Take charge of your college education

College is a memorable time for students, in which several notable changes occur, a plethora of knowledge is acquired and several friendships are created. Although college is a fun and educational period, it can be costly. Typical college expenses include, textbooks, lab fees, housing, meals, and of course tuition. According to the College Board Report, the average college student in the U.S. pays $6,585 per school, and the cost continues to increase annually.

In order to assist students, the University of Arizona has implemented an automatic late plan for tuition. The tuition plan was set in place to allow those students waiting for tuition funds to pay their bills in three installments over the course of four months. Those students who do not pay their bills within the first two weeks of the semester, will automatically be enrolled. There are additional costs associated with this plan however. The cost of the plan itself is $75, and students will also pay a $50 late fee as well.

Now is a great time to prepare your students for covering college expenses. I have included several links pertaining to financial aid, scholarships, and tips on saving for college right now.

FAFSA-apply for Federal Financial Aid
FastWeb-view and apply for scholarship opportunities
Education Index-a list of websites with tips for parents and students on saving for college expenses
College Saving Tips-read useful everyday tips for saving money while in college