4 Tips for Saving Money on Appliances
Anyone that has ever had a major appliance goes out knows that it’s certainly not a good feeling. The minute it happens, you get this sinking feeling in your gut and you know that you’re going to have to shell out some big bucks for a replacement. If you don’t have an emergency fund, you could be in some serious trouble. Before you know it, you’re shelling out four figures for a replacement. Even if you do have an emergency fund, you’re going to want to save as much money as possible and you’ll also want to take extra precautions to decrease your chances of this ever happening again.
Below, you’ll find some tips that will help you save a ton of money the next time you have to go out and purchase an appliance.
#1. Be Careful if Buying Used
Personally, I won’t buy used appliances, but I can definitely see where people would be tempted. Buying a used appliance can save you hundreds of dollars initially, but you could end up shelling out much, much more. If you’re going to buy a used appliance, you should either know a great deal about appliances or take a friend along with you that knows what to look for. A lot of people buy used appliances that end up dying on them a week later and then they’re stuck in the same situation they were before, but with less money. You may save money in the long haul by sucking it up and buying a new appliance.
#2. Buy Appliances That Have a bit of Shelf Wear
Chances are, you’ve been to an appliance store and you’ve seen an appliance setting out in the middle of the floor with a significantly discounts price tag attached to it. Upon further inspection, you see that there’s a big scratch on it or a dent / ding in it. Typically, this doesn’t mean that the appliance was abused in any way and the inner working of the appliance will be just fine and it’s simply just a cosmetic blemish that likely happened while the appliance was in the truck on its way to the store. If you don’t care about cosmetics, you’ll save hundreds of dollars by purchasing an appliance that has a cosmetic blemish.
#3. Don’t Look at the Brand New Models
Stores get new models of appliances in all the time. Typically, they receive new models and they just put the older versions off to the side or in the bank, so the new model can get all of the attention. Check out these models that have been pushed off to the side or removed from the floor. These models are still new and their price tag will be much smaller.
#4. Shop at Rent-to-Own Stores
I’m not talking about going to one and getting one on a lease agreement, either. A lot of people get appliances on a lease and find out that they paid way too much for the appliance, so at the end of the lease, they allow the item to go back to the store. Rent-to-own stores will sell items that have been previously leased at a heavily discounted price and sometimes they may even come with an active warranty.
6 Shopping Apps That Will Help You Find the Best Deals
If you’re like me and you’re a member of a lot of rewards programs, you probably receive a ton of coupons in your mailbox and in your email. Even if you aren’t a member of rewards programs, you probably receive these in general. Therefore, it becomes a problem when you’re trying to sort through all of these coupons and figure out which ones you should actually use and which ones are going to get you the best deal. Luckily for us, there are tons of apps out there that will help us find the best deals. Check out the list below to see which shopping apps you should download to get the best deals.
#1. Slickdeals
Slickdeals is actually a site I visit a decent bit of time on the PC, so I was happy to find out that they actually have an app, as well. Slickdeals is basically a website where users can submit the best deals they’ve came across and share the savings with other visitors of the website. I highly suggest downloading the app, which will also help you find awesome deals in your area.
#2. PriceBlink
PriceBlink is an add-on that you can download for your browser when you’re on the PC, but you can also download a PriceBlink app from the app store. Basically, whenever you’re shopping online, PriceBlink will alert you if it has found a better price for whatever item you’re looking at. The company that owns PriceBlink says that users save, on average, $17-$20 on every $100 they spend shopping online. Now that’s some pretty amazing savings.
#3. Favado
Favado is a great app that will allow you to compile a shopping list and then it will present you with some of the best coupons for the items you’re looking for in your area.
#4. RedLaser
This is actually one of the first apps that I purchased on my iPhone. RedLaser will allow you to scan barcodes on items while you’re out at the grocery store and it will check for the best prices on that particular item at other stores. It will also compare prices online, as well. Therefore, you’ll always find the best deal when you’re on the go.
#5. PriceGrabber
PriceGrabber is a lot like RedLaser in that it allows you to scan barcodes while you’re out shopping and it will find you the best deals, but PriceGrabber will also alert you when items that you’ve scanned have been marked down in price.
#6. RetailMeNot
This app has coupons for a ton of different retailers and you can bookmark which retailers you like to shop at. That way, you’re able to check for the hottest coupons certain retailers have to offer while you’re shopping. Also, this app will give you the coupon code and the cashier can scan your phone, so you don’t even have to print out coupons and bring them to the store with you.
What are some of your favorite apps that help you save money? Leave a comment below and let us know.
Why You Shouldn’t Go to the Stores on Black Friday, but Still Get Excellent Deals
A lot of retailers out there participate in black Friday events and some of them have even taken things a whole step further and start their deals on Thanksgiving day, rather than actually starting on black Friday. I guess the name doesn’t really matter all that much, especially when there’s money to be made and these stores just can’t seem to make that money fast enough. So, as a consumer, what do you do when you want to take advantage of those black Friday specials? I mean, is it worth skipping out on Thanksgiving dinner to save a few bucks and wait in line with hundreds or even thousands of other deal-hungry shoppers?
What if I told you that you should actually avoid the stores on black Friday? What if I told you that you should just hang out at the house and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with everyone else? Now, what if I told you that you could do all of this while also getting those great deals? It’s doable and easier than you think. Scroll down to see my reasons why you should never go to black Friday.
Get a deal alert app or browser add-on.
Technology is our friend and it will help us score the best deals. There are plenty of browser add-ons and apps out there that will alert you when prices drop on items that you’re interested in. As soon as an item gets marked down, you’ll get an alert. From there, you could order the item online and have it shipped to your front door or you could go out to the store and pick it up yourself. This way, you won’t have to go shopping on a specific day and fight the crowds.
Better deals will pop up in the future.
Did you know that items that are marked down on black Friday will likely be marked down even more in the very near future? A lot of parents buy toys for their children on black Friday, but the best time to go toy shopping is actually during the first week of December. That’s when you’ll get the deepest discounts on certain items. As for home décor, you should wait until the second week of December.
The early bird gets the worm.
If you want the absolute best deals on something on black Friday, you’ll have to get there very early. Some stores out there offer special “door buster” deals that they use to try and lure even more customers in, but very few people even get their hands on these items and once supplies are gone; they’re gone. Also, you likely won’t even know what door buster deals are going on, because most stores, such as Best Buy, won’t even tell people until it’s the day of black Friday.
You’re impulse shopping.
It’s extremely easy to make impulse purchases on black Friday, because you want to snag up that excellent deal before anyone else can get their hands on it. Before you know it, you’ve purchased things you don’t really need or even want. Therefore, instead of saving money, you’ve actually blew through your budget.
5 Easy and Simple Ways You Can Save a Dollar
As a frugal person, I know that every single dollar you have counts. That’s why I do so many posts trying to help all of you out, so you can save as much money as possible. There’s nothing wrong with saving a dollar, even if it’s just a single dollar. Below, I’m going to give you some tips that will help you save a dollar. Incorporate these saving habits into your life and before you know it, you’ll be saving hundreds of dollars every single year.
#1. Use Your Crock Pot
Do you remember that crock pot your grandma gave you years ago and you stored it away in the cabinet and probably forgot about it? Well, it’s time to wipe the dust off of it and put it to good use. With a crock pot, you can save a ton of money and enjoy some very tasty recipes. I suggest using your crock pot at least twice a week, as it will save you time and money.
Are you really tempted to swing by a drive-thru after you’ve picked up the kids from school? It’s okay, because most of us are. However, if you prepare a crock pot meal early in the morning, you’ll have the pleasure in knowing that as soon as you get home, you’ll have a finished meal that’s hot and waiting for you and your family. That way, you can avoid the drive-thru and save money.
#2. Stop Giving Money Away to Your Bank
I have some friends that have bank accounts with certain banks that actually charge them a maintenance fee every single month. This is insane to me, because there are so many banks out there that offer free checking and saving accounts, so why would you pay a bank money every single month for their services? Open an account somewhere else that doesn’t charge this fee.
#3. Sign up for a Customer Rewards Card or Program
Almost every store out there offers some sort of rewards card or program that you can sign up for. Basically, you’re allowing them to send you an email from time to time informing you of great deals in exchange for saving money at the checkout. By signing up for these programs I’ve been able to save as much as $50 a month at the register.
#4. Stop Impulse Purchases
Are you about to purchase something that costs over $25, but you don’t really need it? If so, you should put the item back on the shelf and pick it up on your next shopping trip if you still want it. This will help you avoid making impulse purchases and you’ll undoubtedly save a ton of money.
#5. Change Your Vehicle’s Air Filter
Did you know that cleaning your vehicle’s air filter can actually increase performance and fuel efficiency by as much as 7%? That means you’ll save a ton of money at the pump, especially with gas prices constantly going up.
Do you have any money saving tips? If so, leave a comment and let us know what they are.
3 Tips to Save Money on Your Wedding Dress
My husband and I got married a long time ago and when we decided to get married we didn’t have hardly any money at all, but you can have an amazing wedding even if you’re on a very tight budget. A lot of people say they want to get married, but they just don’t have the money to have the wedding that they envisioned. Now, I’m not saying you’re going to have an absolutely luxurious wedding, but you can have a decent wedding on a budget that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. One of the most important and most expensive things is going to be your wedding dress. Below, I’m going to give you some tips on how you can save money on a wedding dress for your perfect day.
#1. Visit Daily Deal Websites
It’s rare, but sometimes you can go to those daily deal websites and you will find an amazing deal on a wedding dress. These sites are worth bookmarking and checking on a regular basis, regardless.
#2. Have Someone Make You a Custom Gown
I went with my friend to help her look for a wedding dress for her wedding when I was much younger. As I walked into the bridal shop with her, I was completely overwhelmed in more ways than one. First of all, everything in the bridal shop was practically white, which is fine, but there’s not many color options. I would have liked to have seen wedding dresses in different colors. Also, I was blown away by the price tag attached to some of these dresses. It was at this point that I knew I wanted a custom gown for my wedding.
When the time came about, I contacted someone about making me a custom dress. However, I was admittedly quite a bit worried that the price would just be far too much for my budget. However, after it was all said and done, I got the perfect wedding dress that was better than I had ever imagined and it was significantly cheaper than the wedding dresses you would purchase at a bridal shop. Plus, I was able to get the exact kind of dress I wanted in the exact kind of material.
#3. Buy a Used Dress
I know some people don’t even want to consider buying a used dress, but you really should. This is a great option if you want to get an amazing deal on a wedding dress. There’s a ton of websites online that are dedicated to used wedding dresses and you can also find some used ones on sites like Ebay and Craigslist. I would highly suggest trying to find a used wedding dress locally, rather than online, though. That way, you can try the dress on and if it’s a little big, you can have the dress tailored to fit you. Never buy a used wedding dress that’s small on you.
Remember, wedding dresses are very expensive and are typically only used one time. Therefore, there’s nothing wrong with going the used route to save some money.
5 Ways You Can Save Money and Energy in Your Home
Obviously, I do a ton of topics on here that will help you all save a good bit of money. If you’ve followed my posts, you’ve probably noticed that I also do believe in living a green lifestyle. I love to live green whenever possible and I especially love it when I can live green while also saving some money along the way. Below, I’m going to list out some ways that you will be able to save energy and money all at the same time.
#1. Get a new Refrigerator
This one may sound a bit crazy, but if your refrigerator was made before 2003, you’ll definitely be better off if you go out and pick up a new refrigerator. Refrigerators that were made after 2003 are actually 70% more efficient than refrigerators from previous years. In other words, they don’t suck up nowhere near as much energy as they used to, despite the fact that they’re typically much larger in size. While you’re out, you may want to check out dishwashers and air conditioning units, as well. These appliances have seen drastic improvements over the past few years, as well.
#2. Hang Your Clothes to Dry
All this talk about new appliances probably has you wondering what else you could replace in your home, but your dryer isn’t one of those things. On average, your dryer adds about $100 extra to your power bill every year. If you want, you can hang your clothes and put that extra money in your pocket. Plus, you’ll have clothes that smell like the great outdoors.
#3. Replace your Light Bulbs
Have you seen those new light bulbs out at the store and wondered if they’re actually worth the investment? Well, I can tell you right now that they are. If you’re currently using those old school lights, you can save as much as $150 a year on your power bill by switching to the new style of energy efficient light bulbs. Also, the new LED light bulbs have a significantly longer life span.
#4. Buy a Programmable Thermostat
Once again, this is one of those investments that cost a decent bit of cash at first, but will save you money in the future. The use of a programmable thermostat will allow you to automatically reduce the amount of energy that you’re using when you’re not even home. Most people leave their thermostat at a set temperature, even when they’re not at home. Did you know that with a programmable thermostat you could save as much as $200 on your heating bill during those winter months just by having a programmable thermostat?
#5. Carpool
There’s no reason for you to drive in to work every single day if you have the option of carpooling with some fellow co-workers. This will save you a good bit of money and it will also mean fewer emissions that could harm our environment. Plus, you’ll have some company with you on your ride to work.
How to Look Good on a Budget
I always get a ton of emails from ladies that want to know how they can look good, but remain on their budget. After all, makeup, clothes and beauty supplies can be very expensive. I’m certainly not going to argue with that, but there are definitely some ways that you can look good and still stay on your budget, you just have to employ the right strategy. It’s all about spending money on things that count and then saving money on the smaller things that people won’t even notice as much. For instance, you should spend money for that nice pair of jeans that fit just right, but you should save money when it comes to buying things like nail polish, because people won’t notice that as much.
Below, I’m going to go over some more tips that will help you look good and stay on budget.
Brighten Your Smile
Your teeth are something that a lot of people are going to notice, because when you talk to them they will see them. Also, you should show off your teeth in general, because I believe that you should always have a smile on your face. Keeping a smile on your face will boost confidence in you and those around you will notice it, as well.
So, how do you get white teeth if you don’t have $600 to spare at the dentist’s office? Well, you could always use Crest White Strips, because they work wonders. These strips do work and they can usually be purchased for less than $50. Granted, that’s still a decent little chunk of change, but the whitening effect does last for a good bit of time.
Go to a Tailor
One thing that is really noticeable is when a suit hasn’t been tailored. Now, this goes for both men and women. It doesn’t matter how expensive your suit is and it doesn’t matter how nice your tie is when you have a suit that’s not fitted to your body, which brings me to my next point.
Wear Clothes that Fit
It’s important that you wear clothes that are form-fitting. It never looks good when a woman wears a pair of jeans that are sagging in the butt or a shirt just hangs on them.
Compress What’s Underneath Your Clothes
A lot of people worry about the clothes they wear, but they don’t worry about what’s underneath those clothes. I suggest wearing some sort of compression clothes or something like Spanx. This tip goes for both men and women, because it makes everything look much smoother under your clothes.
Go to Your Local Beauty School for Haircuts
A haircut is something that is going to be one of the very first things people notice about you. I highly suggest getting your haircut regularly and you don’t have to go to an expensive salon to do it. Instead, you could go to your local beauty school and the students will often times cut your hair for anywhere between $10 and $20 and they’ll have a professional overseeing the job. I’ve had haircuts from students for only $10 that would easily cost $100 at a beauty salon.
3 Tips That Will Help You Save Money on Baby Food
We all know that having a toddler certainly isn’t going to be very budget friendly and as time goes by, your budget is going to get tighter and tighter. As your baby progresses to where they’re able to eat solid foods, you’re going to be shelling out even more money. The average parent of a toddler that’s able to eat solid foods will spend as much as $75 – $100 every single month just on baby food. Did you know that the average baby will eat as much as 600 jars of baby food? Keeping food for your toddler is going to be one of the biggest expenses you’ll encounter with them.
Below, I’m going to hook you up with some tips that will help you save money on baby food. The goal here is to keep your baby healthy, but also cut down on baby food expenses, so scroll down if you’re ready to save a good bit of money.
#1. Keep portions in check
Often times, our eyes are always going to be bigger than our stomachs. However, our eyes are usually much bigger than our children’s stomachs. It’s easy to give your baby an entire bowl of baby yogurt, pasta, cereal, etc… However, you’ve probably noticed that your toddler only eats a very small amount and then you have a good bit left over. A baby portion is going to be much smaller than a serving you would give yourself, so keep that in mind. Keeping portions under control will cut down on food waste and you’ll also save a significant amount of money.
#2. Make the Same Food for Everyone
As I said above, once your child is able to eat solids, you’re probably going to see a significant rise in your grocery bill. This is going to be the case if you buy separate foods for toddlers and the adults and older kids in your home. Also, it means more time in the kitchen, because you’ll be preparing two separate meals.
However, with a little bit of careful planning, you can actually serve the same things for everyone. For instance, you could get things for breakfast, such as Cheerios, bananas, oatmeal, etc… These options will work for everyone of all ages. You could also do this for snacks, lunches and dinners, as well. Just smush up some of the food you’re having for lunch or dinner and you can feed it to your baby.
#3. Coupons
Right now, you’re on a website that has an extensive library of the latest and greatest coupons for you to take advantage of. I highly suggest you go through this website and also bookmark it before you go out on your next shopping trip. Check back on a regular basis to get the hottest deals on baby food and baby supplies. However, make sure you use the coupons wisely and don’t make any special trips just because you found a coupon that’s going to expire soon. It could cost you more in gas than the coupon is worth.
7 Tips to Stop Wasting So Much Food
Being a frugal person I hate to see any food being thrown away. Throwing away food is like throwing money directly into the trash can. Also, it’s a shame, but most Americans throw away 30% of their groceries they buy every single month. Now, that’s a pretty big number when it comes to waste. So, am I saying that you should continue stuffing yourself even after you’re full? No, I’m not saying that at all, because that’s not good for you. However, I am going to give you some tips on how you can stop wasting so much food.
#1. Make a List
I always preach that you should have a grocery list to stick by for many reasons. Grocery lists will save you money and time. You’ll be able to get exactly what you need and you’ll know exactly what you need. That way, you’re in and out of the grocery store as quickly as possible and you save money. Try to avoid making impulse purchases on things that aren’t on your list, because you don’t need these things. This could lead to overspending and food waste.
#2. Buy What You’ll Use
I know a lot of people that will buy things in bulk and a lot of what they end up buying will get tossed in the trash. If you have a recipe that calls for a couple potatoes, you shouldn’t buy a whole bag. Instead, just get what you need and be done with it.
#3. Make Realistic Purchases
Do you live by yourself; if so, do you really need that whole bag of apples that would be able to feed a whole family of six; probably not, unless you’re an apple-eating machine. Therefore, you should just buy enough apples that you’ll be able to eat on your own.
#4. Get Creative
Did you plan on hosting a dinner party, but you ended up having to cancel the party for whatever reason? If so, you shouldn’t throw out that fancy schmancy cheese you bought. Instead, come up with a recipe that incorporates the ingredients you purchased for the dinner.
#5. Rearrange Your Fridge on Grocery Day
When you get home from the grocery store after going shopping and you’re about to stock the fridge, you should remember to put the older items in the front and put the new items in the back. That way, you’ll use up the older items first, so they don’t end up expiring.
#6. Take Note of Items You Throw Away
It’s important that you make a list of the items you throw out every week and go over the list frequently, so you know what you’re throwing out. For instance, are you throwing out half a gallon of milk every single week? If so, you may want to consider buying milk by the quart, instead of the gallon.
#7. Enjoy Leftovers
We have leftovers all the time and they make great snacks if you’re wondering what you should have between lunch and dinner. Also, some nights, I’ll take all of our leftovers, put them on the table and our family will have a feast. This saves money, eliminates food waste and I don’t have to cook a meal for the day. In other words, it’s a win-win situation for me.
How to Get Through the Grocery Store Quickly, Save Money and Have a Stocked Fridge
One of the tasks that most of us stay at home moms dread the most is going to the grocery store. Usually, it’s packed and you have to deal with kids, as well as being distracted by some of the new items that are out. After all, who doesn’t want to try those new watermelon Oreos? Sometimes, it can feel like it’s a hard task to get through the grocery store efficiently and make it home with a bunch of unnecessary items. Below, I’m going to go over some tips that will help you navigate your way through the grocery store with ease, save money and also have a full fridge.
Read the Circular
I get plenty of these in my mailbox all the time and I always go through them to see what awesome sales are going on that I can take complete and total advantage of. I also go online to check out the latest and greatest deals, as well. If you’re on a budget and you want a stocked fridge, you shouldn’t be brand loyal. Typically, you’ll see items in the circular on sell that you want, but they’re of a different brand that you’re not familiar with. I would suggest giving the unfamiliar brand a try, so you save money.
Stay Away from the Center Aisles
It’s important that you try to keep away from the center aisles as best as you can. The perimeter is where the major of the fresh and healthy food is located, so just stick to the perimeter of the store. By skipping the center aisles you will save a lot of money and time. The only exception to this is if you need items like coffee, trash bags, seasonings, etc…
Avoid To-Go Cups or Individual Servings
It’s extremely tempting to buy individual servings of items or to-go cups, because you can just toss them in your child’s lunch box and be done with it, but this isn’t cost effective whatsoever. For instance, my kids absolutely love yogurt and I’ve been able to save a ton of money just buying the yogurt in the big tub, rather than buying a to-go cup.
Look at all the Shelves
Have you ever noticed in the grocery store that the items you see directly in front of your face are the items you see mostly advertised on television? That’s because these companies pay stores to put their items at eye level on the shelves, so you’re more likely to go with their brand. However, you should look on the lower shelves, as well. Check out the other brands and you’ll probably be able to save a good bit of money.
Avoid Impulse Purchases
Did you ever notice that when you’re walking towards the checkout that there is a ton of special displays set up for you to quickly take items from? The stores put these images there for a reason. They want to lure you into making a purchase on impulse. Ignore these little special displays, unless one of them has an item you already have on your grocery list.
5 Easy GREEN Habits That Will Save You Money
As a frugal person, I’m always looking for ways I can save money, but you may not know that I believe fully in living a green existence. The Earth is our home and I want to take care of it while I’m here, so I’m a big time believer in the green way of life. A lot of people think that it can be difficult to go green or that they will have to change their entire lifestyle, but that’s actually not true at all. It’s really simple to go green and I’m going to show you some easy ways you can go green and save money while you do it.
#1. Quit Eating Out
This is something that I preach all the time. Eating out is a horrible having to get into and it’s so easy to fall into the trap. Going through a fast good restaurant’s drive-thru is quick, easy and as painless as possible After all, you won’t have to go home and make a meal for the entire family. However, the expenses of eating out can add up fairly quickly. First of all, you’ll be able to save money by cooking at home. Plus, you won’t have to waste gas by going to the fast food restaurant. Also, you’ll undoubtedly have a healthier meal if you eat at home.
#2. Replace Napkins with Cloths
I know this one may sound like a stretch, but this one is so easy to do it’s ridiculous and it will save you a ton of money in the long haul. Also, your table will look a whole lot fancier come dinner time. As clothes get dirty, you can just toss them in with the dirty clothes and wash them as needed. Napkins are a complete waste and just get thrown out after being used.
#3. Use a Reusable Water Bottle
Plastic bottles are nothing more than a huge waste and they’re quite expensive, too. All those plastic bottles you’re throwing out every day gets shipped off to a landfill. Instead, you should get a nice water bottle and reuse it. If you want, you could get a water filter, such as a Brita filter and use it to make your water taste better.
#4. Stop Using Traditional Light Bulbs
Instead of using those old school light bulbs, you should switch to fluorescent bulbs, as they use 30% less energy than traditional light bulbs and they last as much as 10x longer. In other words, you’re saving money on your power bill and you’re producing less waste. Sure, these bulbs may cost you a little more upfront, but they’re worth it, as you’ll save money in the long haul.
#5. Don’t Use So Much Water
People use an absolute ton of water. If you’re able to cut down on your water use, you’ll be able to save money on your water bill and help conserve our most crucial natural resource.
What simple habits would you suggest someone adopt to save money and also help save the Earth? Leave a comment below and let us know.
4 Ways Being Frugal Can Cost You More Money
As a frugal person, I’ve learned a ton of things over my years and one of those things I’ve learned is that you can’t be frugal all the time. There are some instances when spending less money isn’t the best option. It’s easy to save money in the now, but you have to be careful, because you could set yourself up for financial failure in the future. Below, I’m going to list some ways that being a frugal person can actually harm your budget, rather than help it. That way, you’ll know how to avoid some of the pitfalls of being a frugal person.
#1. Couponing Can Cost You Money
Using coupons is one of the best things you can do in order to save a ton of money, but it can actually cost you a lot of money, as well. This is one of those frugal areas where you have to be really careful. Sure, you can save money on items, but do you really need those 23 sticks of deodorant that will most likely expire before you even get to use them? No, you don’t, and this is where a lot of people mess up.
Just because you have a coupon for something doesn’t mean you need to use it. Also, spending hours upon hours of clipping coupons and organizing them can cost you a lot of time. Time is money, so your time may be better spent doing other things. It’s ultimately up to you, but I would suggest being very careful when using coupons.
#2. The Dollar Store isn’t Worth it Sometimes
It can be tempting to head out to the dollar store and pick up a blender for only $5, but how long do you really think a $5 blender is going to last? How about those kitchen utensils you can get for really cheap at the dollar store, but they melt as soon as they touch a hot pan? Sometimes, it’s better just to fork up the extra cash up front and get quality things, rather than things that will become trash in a short period of time.
#3. Cheap Insurance
Part of being frugal is knowing where you can cut corners to save money. Unfortunately, a lot of people will cut down on their insurance to save money and this can have drastic consequences. For instance, some people will carry the minimum amount of insurance on their vehicle, because they haven’t been in an accident for years. Well, what happens if you do get in an accident? The money you’ll pay out of your pocket will likely break your bank. It would have just been cheaper to have full coverage insurance on your car.
The same applies for health insurance, vision and dental. Your health is the most important thing in the world, so don’t skimp out on it.
#4. Avoiding Routine Medical and Dental Exams
This is something that a lot of people do, because going to the doctor and/or dentist can be very costly, but as I said above, your health is the most important thing to you and you shouldn’t skimp out on it. Look at all the people you know that had small problems, but didn’t go to the doctor/dentist and those problems turned into huge problems. Chances are, their big problem could have been prevented if they had went to the doctor/dentist earlier.
4 More Ways To Save On Groceries
We’ve done a few lists like this in the past and decided that it was about time that we do another one. Not only are you going to learn a few more ways to save on groceries but you will also walk away with something else. What is it? Satisfaction! That’s right. You’re going to leave here with the satisfaction of knowing that you’re putting more money into your pocket and less into your pantry. The cool thing is that you aren’t going to starve or eat any less. No, you’ll be able to enjoy just as many meals as you would have before. Let’s start!
Shop For Sales
The first tip that we have for you is to shop for sales. What we mean by this is that you should be looking for sales and clearance items. Doing this in the grocery store will save you a ton of money and allow you to put more of that money into your pocket. If it means that you have to go shopping on Sundays when the new sales papers typically come out then so be it. You’ll save a ton of money and it’ll most definitely be well worth your time.
Use Your Rewards Card
Most grocery stores like Kroger have some type of rewards card that will save you money on your groceries and sometimes, you can even save money on gas. Some stores do cash back type programs but we prefer the ones that just save you money on groceries. You’ll be able to get a lot of items at prices of 10 for $10 which is extremely cool. We love it!
Shop In Groups
This isn’t your most typical tip but it is one that works. If you shop in groups, you’ll spend less money on gas (so will whoever you shop with) and you’ll have someone with you that can help you make smarter choices. Find a friend or family member that is willing to go to the store with you and it’ll work wonders on your grocery budget. Trust us! This works.
Shop Locally
Finally, this is the last tip that we have for you when it comes to saving money on groceries. We recommend shopping at local grocery stores versus going to big chain grocery stores. You don’t have to do this all of the time but definitely give it a shot once in a while. Not only will you be supporting small businesses but you could save money too.
So, in short, if you want to save even more money on your groceries, you should consider implementing some of these tips into your grocery shopping lifestyle. We know that they work and they do save you money. How much money they save you is entirely up to you. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out there and save money on your grocery bills. We know that you’ll love the extra money that you put into your pocket. We do!
4 Ways To Find Cheap Tobacco
While we don’t condone the use of tobacco, everyone is their own person and we realize that there are millions of people out there that love tobacco. So, with that being said, we put together a quick list of tips that will enable you to save money on tobacco. How? Well, in order to save money on your tobacco products, you just have to know what to do and where to look. So, if you’re ready to get started, go ahead and scroll down the page now!
Register On Their Site
The first tip that we have for you is to register on the site of whoever it is that makes your tobacco. If you’re a fan of Skoal, register on their site. If you smoke Marlboro brand, go to their site and register. More than likely, whatever brand that you use will be more than willing to send you out some coupons that you can use to save money on your tobacco products. They could be Buy 1, Get 1 free coupons or just 50 cents off coupons. Either way, they will save you money and you’ll be able to enjoy your tobacco products at a discount.
Go To Tobacco Stores
If you live in an area that’s not too small, you probably have at least one tobacco store. These stores only sell tobacco related products and because of that, can sell them at prices much cheaper than gas stations, retail stores, etc. Find out if you have a tobacco store in your area and consider stocking up there. If you do this, you’re bound to save some major money and besides that, a lot of people we know like the atmosphere of tobacco stores.
Decrease Your Intake
This is probably the least practical tip on the list and will definitely be the toughest one to pull off but we know that you can do it. If you smoke, try smoking 10 cigarettes a day instead of 20. If you use smokeless tobacco, try making a can or pouch last 2 days instead of 1. Little things like these will definitely save you some cash and the health benefits of limiting your tobacco intake have to be good as well. So, the next time you want to save a little bit of extra money on your tobacco products, just consider using much less of them.
And that’s really all that you have to do in order to save money on tobacco products. To recap, we suggest registering for coupons on the site of whichever brand that you use. It’ll only take a few minutes and you’ll get coupons for years to come. We also suggested cutting down on the use of tobacco products completely to save money. If you can’t do either of these for some reason, the last tip that we gave you was to shop at actual tobacco stores. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get to work and save money!