Here are some tips to help you if one of your new year's resolution is financial health in 2008!
1. Clip coupons: make a list of the top 10 things you buy and clip just those coupons from the Sunday paper or from http://www.couponsurfer.com/.
2. Online coupons: you can often get free shipping or additional discounts from http://www.couponcabin.com/ and http://www.cheapuncle.com/.
3. Budget: geezeo.com and wesabe.com helps you track your spending and both sites are free!
4. Utility bills: insulating your home can save up to a third on your utility bills. While compact fluorescent bulbs cost more initially, they save you in the long run by lasting longer and using 75% less energy. Don't leave lights on when a room is not in use, be quick with storing or getting food from the fridge and use the microwave in place of the stove for small cooking jobs. Unplug TVs and computers to cut energy costs even more!
5. Online banking: pay your bills online with automatic drafts. This will save you stamps, time and effort with writing checks and no more late payment fees and interest!
6. Bank costs: no need to pay check account fees with many banks offering a no-fee account. Compare how much interest you are receiving to what other banks are offering. Link your checking account to a savings account to avoid insufficient funds fees.
Happy savings!
Thrifty
Sunday, December 30, 2007
New year's resolution
Health and fitness may be number 1 one most new year's resolution lists which is great. However, if your financial health is in poor shape, your health will suffer.
Easy ways to start saving on necessary expenses are:
1. Clips coupons: this need not be a time consuming process. Start by clipping coupons for the top 10 things you buys on a weekly or monthly basis. If you shop at BJ's, remember they take coupons as well. For bulk items (with multiple units in a banded pack) you can submit more than one coupon for an item.
2. Make sure to always use the coupon for Linens 'N Things, Bed, bath and beyond, Michaels or AC Moore's in the Sunday paper. Clip this and keep in your purse so you have it handy when needed. Remember thant Linens 'N Things and Bed, bath and beyond accept each other's coupons and are not too fussy about expiry dates. At Michaels you can give your name and address if you have forgotten your coupon at home.
3. Keep track of where your money is going. geezeo.com and wesabe.com are free sites you can use for this purpose.
4. Use fluorescent bulbs, unplug tvs and computers and wrap your hot water heater in a blanket to save on electricity bills. Insulating your home can cut utility bills by a third!
5. Find online coupon codes at http://www.couponcabin.com/ and http://www.cheapuncle.com/ before you make online purchases, for free shipping or additional discounts.
6. Save stamps, time and effort by paying bills online with automatic drafts. This will also avoid late payment fees and interest.
Easy ways to start saving on necessary expenses are:
1. Clips coupons: this need not be a time consuming process. Start by clipping coupons for the top 10 things you buys on a weekly or monthly basis. If you shop at BJ's, remember they take coupons as well. For bulk items (with multiple units in a banded pack) you can submit more than one coupon for an item.
2. Make sure to always use the coupon for Linens 'N Things, Bed, bath and beyond, Michaels or AC Moore's in the Sunday paper. Clip this and keep in your purse so you have it handy when needed. Remember thant Linens 'N Things and Bed, bath and beyond accept each other's coupons and are not too fussy about expiry dates. At Michaels you can give your name and address if you have forgotten your coupon at home.
3. Keep track of where your money is going. geezeo.com and wesabe.com are free sites you can use for this purpose.
4. Use fluorescent bulbs, unplug tvs and computers and wrap your hot water heater in a blanket to save on electricity bills. Insulating your home can cut utility bills by a third!
5. Find online coupon codes at http://www.couponcabin.com/ and http://www.cheapuncle.com/ before you make online purchases, for free shipping or additional discounts.
6. Save stamps, time and effort by paying bills online with automatic drafts. This will also avoid late payment fees and interest.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Returns, exchanges/swops
Merry Christmas to you all!
Today is probably the busiest day at stores for returns and exchanges. You may want to wait a day or two before doing this.
Local stores: Don't wait too long though as many stores have special holiday gift return periods that may offer you more flexible return and exchange policies, but only through that time frame, usually through early to mid January. Electronic items may have a restocking fee, so be aware of this. If the item is now on sale, you will be refunded the sale value of the item if you do not have a receipt.
Gift cards: For a $2 fee you can swap a gift card for one that you want - www.swapagift.com
You can also try to do this on www.craigs.list.com with someone local and not have to pay a fee.
E-gifts: The biggest issue with e-gift returns is that you will not be refunded shipping fees and will have to pay shipping fees for the new item, except if you are returning the item due to the retailers fault, for example the wrong item or size or the item arrived broken or damaged. While many online retailers allow 30 days for returns, some extend this period to accommodate the holiday season shoppers. amazon.com gives consumers up to January 31, 2008 for a full refund. (Items sold by Amazon.com and shipped between November 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007 may be returned until January 31, 2008 for a full refund, subject to our other returns restrictions). If an online retailer has a physical location, you may be able to take the item to the local store for a refund or exchange (less shipping fees).
If you find that you have held onto something past the return date, you can try to sell it on amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller/sell-your-stuff.html/ref=ret_hp_si You should also try www.craigslist.com for this.
Remember too that if you are in the stores anyway, you could buy some seasonal items on sale for next Christmas! It's never too early to start saving, but rememer your budget.
Happy saving!
Thrifty
Today is probably the busiest day at stores for returns and exchanges. You may want to wait a day or two before doing this.
Local stores: Don't wait too long though as many stores have special holiday gift return periods that may offer you more flexible return and exchange policies, but only through that time frame, usually through early to mid January. Electronic items may have a restocking fee, so be aware of this. If the item is now on sale, you will be refunded the sale value of the item if you do not have a receipt.
Gift cards: For a $2 fee you can swap a gift card for one that you want - www.swapagift.com
You can also try to do this on www.craigs.list.com with someone local and not have to pay a fee.
E-gifts: The biggest issue with e-gift returns is that you will not be refunded shipping fees and will have to pay shipping fees for the new item, except if you are returning the item due to the retailers fault, for example the wrong item or size or the item arrived broken or damaged. While many online retailers allow 30 days for returns, some extend this period to accommodate the holiday season shoppers. amazon.com gives consumers up to January 31, 2008 for a full refund. (Items sold by Amazon.com and shipped between November 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007 may be returned until January 31, 2008 for a full refund, subject to our other returns restrictions). If an online retailer has a physical location, you may be able to take the item to the local store for a refund or exchange (less shipping fees).
If you find that you have held onto something past the return date, you can try to sell it on amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller/sell-your-stuff.html/ref=ret_hp_si You should also try www.craigslist.com for this.
Remember too that if you are in the stores anyway, you could buy some seasonal items on sale for next Christmas! It's never too early to start saving, but rememer your budget.
Happy saving!
Thrifty
Thursday, December 20, 2007
In the spirit of the season....
Good morning... today I thought of showing you a link to giving something to the underprivileged kids of the world.
http://laptop.org/en/vision/mission/ (or http://www.9thwonders.com/index.php for the TV show Heroes fans) will show you a truly altruistic idea to provide underpriviledged children with a laptop. 'One laptop per child' gives you the opportunity to pay $200.00 which buys you 2 laptops, one for your own child (or niece, nephew, grandchild) and one for a child in a developing country!
Happy giving!
Thrifty
http://laptop.org/en/vision/mission/ (or http://www.9thwonders.com/index.php for the TV show Heroes fans) will show you a truly altruistic idea to provide underpriviledged children with a laptop. 'One laptop per child' gives you the opportunity to pay $200.00 which buys you 2 laptops, one for your own child (or niece, nephew, grandchild) and one for a child in a developing country!
Happy giving!
Thrifty
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sports fans
Hello again
With less than a week to Christmas I have two more gift ideas for people who may have everything AND are sports fans!
www.fansedge.com has all the gear for sports fans from NFL to NASCAR! They have good deals on close out items at times. www.amazon.com sells some of their goodies too and you could qualify for free shipping if you're not set on getting it before the big day or for a different occasion!
Locally you can buy Ten which is a sweet red table wine by Duplin winery in honor of the Hurricanes' 10th anniversary. It sells for around $10 and can be found at retailers in the area (Kroger I know for sure!) as well as from www.duplinwinery.com Remember though that you'll pay shipping (which is $10.75 for one bottle and goes up by about $2.00 per bottle after that).
Happy Holidays!
Thrifty
With less than a week to Christmas I have two more gift ideas for people who may have everything AND are sports fans!
www.fansedge.com has all the gear for sports fans from NFL to NASCAR! They have good deals on close out items at times. www.amazon.com sells some of their goodies too and you could qualify for free shipping if you're not set on getting it before the big day or for a different occasion!
Locally you can buy Ten which is a sweet red table wine by Duplin winery in honor of the Hurricanes' 10th anniversary. It sells for around $10 and can be found at retailers in the area (Kroger I know for sure!) as well as from www.duplinwinery.com Remember though that you'll pay shipping (which is $10.75 for one bottle and goes up by about $2.00 per bottle after that).
Happy Holidays!
Thrifty
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
One week to go....
Feeling more like Christmas yet? The weather sure does feel like it! For the final countdown, here are a few stocking stuffer ideas or just to satisfy a sweet tooth!
Ever been to Trader Joe's on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary? If not, this is as good a time as any to go. There is one on E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill as well.
They have great prices on cookies and chocolates like: Almond snowmen cookies for $4.99 for a 13 oz box, Dark chocolate sea salt caramels for $4.99 for a 6.3 oz box and Dark chocolate grahams for $6.99 for a 12oz box amongst others. There are also bon bons and cherry filled chocolates.
They have good prices on wines, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, cheeses and many more. This is a store that has good prices on a daily basis. No coupons accepted cause they're not needed! There are some items like the cold cuts that cost more, but the quality is great! Most of their products have no trans fats and are made with good ingredients. Also the only store I know of that encourages you to bring your own bags! For more information, go to http://www.traderjoes.com/
Happy saving!
Thrifty
Ever been to Trader Joe's on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary? If not, this is as good a time as any to go. There is one on E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill as well.
They have great prices on cookies and chocolates like: Almond snowmen cookies for $4.99 for a 13 oz box, Dark chocolate sea salt caramels for $4.99 for a 6.3 oz box and Dark chocolate grahams for $6.99 for a 12oz box amongst others. There are also bon bons and cherry filled chocolates.
They have good prices on wines, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, cheeses and many more. This is a store that has good prices on a daily basis. No coupons accepted cause they're not needed! There are some items like the cold cuts that cost more, but the quality is great! Most of their products have no trans fats and are made with good ingredients. Also the only store I know of that encourages you to bring your own bags! For more information, go to http://www.traderjoes.com/
Happy saving!
Thrifty
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Free shipping
Hello
Get your online shopping done today as free shipping ends either today or tomorrow, depending on the retailer. Go to the website of the retailer you're interested in for details. To help you along, here are two deadlines.
Target has free shipping on select items on purchases of $50 or more until tomorrow, December 18, 2007.
Amazon's Free super saver shipping deadline is today if you want your package delivered by Christmas eve.
Kohl's cardholders can sign up online for emails on sales and specials. By doing this you will be eligible for one online purchase with free shipping!
Happy clicking!
Thrifty
Get your online shopping done today as free shipping ends either today or tomorrow, depending on the retailer. Go to the website of the retailer you're interested in for details. To help you along, here are two deadlines.
Target has free shipping on select items on purchases of $50 or more until tomorrow, December 18, 2007.
Amazon's Free super saver shipping deadline is today if you want your package delivered by Christmas eve.
Kohl's cardholders can sign up online for emails on sales and specials. By doing this you will be eligible for one online purchase with free shipping!
Happy clicking!
Thrifty
Thursday, December 13, 2007
$30 and under
Good morning
It's feeling more like winter today, so you may want to shop online from the comfort of your couch! Here are some gift ideas for everyone from a friend's baby to the hard to buy for guy in your life - for under $30.00.
Guys:
L.L. Bean Weather Station $30 (6 different colors)
Eddie Bauer Ice Scraper $14.50
Zibra open it! package opener $9.99 (walgreens.com)
Restaurant coupons: For example: Outback, Carrabbas $25 (or $50 if you're feeling generous!)
Meyamo customizable onesies, $26,95 honey-bunch.com
Robeez soft sole shoes, $27.95 robeez.com
Friends:
Lumiere Candle Holders, $3.95-5.95 cb2.com
Belvoir Fruit Farms Juice $7.50
Umbra's Photoforest Frame, $13
For anyone:
Brown Lab and Dachshund Soaps, $20 uncommongoods.com
Bluetooth, $19.99 Suncom stores in the Cary area (sale this weekend only)
Happy shopping!
Thrifty
It's feeling more like winter today, so you may want to shop online from the comfort of your couch! Here are some gift ideas for everyone from a friend's baby to the hard to buy for guy in your life - for under $30.00.
Guys:
L.L. Bean Weather Station $30 (6 different colors)
Eddie Bauer Ice Scraper $14.50
Zibra open it! package opener $9.99 (walgreens.com)
Restaurant coupons: For example: Outback, Carrabbas $25 (or $50 if you're feeling generous!)
Gals:
Old Navy Sequined Flats, $9.49 oldnavy.com
Squeezable silicone bowls, $3.99 - $24,99 amazon.com
Sonia Kashuk Glitz and Glam Brush Set, $19.99 target.com
Target Faux crocodile satchel $24.99 target.com
Landsend cashmere scarves $29.95 (21 different colors) landsend.com
Shake 'N Take Personal Smoothie Maker, $29.95 sharperimage.com
Meyamo customizable onesies, $26,95 honey-bunch.com
Robeez soft sole shoes, $27.95 robeez.com
Friends:
Lumiere Candle Holders, $3.95-5.95 cb2.com
Belvoir Fruit Farms Juice $7.50
Umbra's Photoforest Frame, $13
For anyone:
Brown Lab and Dachshund Soaps, $20 uncommongoods.com
Bluetooth, $19.99 Suncom stores in the Cary area (sale this weekend only)
Happy shopping!
Thrifty
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Power saving lights
Good morning from a spring-like Apex. The warmer temperatures will go a long way to saving you on your heating bill this month. This is good considering the extra consumption with Christmas decorations!
Save even more by using Compact Fluorescent light bulbs if possible. They come in different colors now, including green and red for this season. So make a festive change to your outside lights. "If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars." http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
LED Christmas decorations are the new way to go. http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/led-christmas-lights.htm has information on these lights.
Happy saving on your electricity bills!
Thrifty
Save even more by using Compact Fluorescent light bulbs if possible. They come in different colors now, including green and red for this season. So make a festive change to your outside lights. "If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars." http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
LED Christmas decorations are the new way to go. http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/led-christmas-lights.htm has information on these lights.
Happy saving on your electricity bills!
Thrifty
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Take care of the pennies....
Ok, so the simple life is not for everyone. Your family has been spoilt by receiving gifts, gifts and more gifts!
With that in mind, the countdown to Christmas is well under way! 17 shopping days left including today. Simple life or not, you can still find ways to save on some shipping here and a discount there. If you're doing all or most of your shopping online, make sure you look for coupon codes for the various online retailers.
http://dealnews.com/coupons/ , http://www.give-aways.com/ and http://www.shopping-bargains.com/stores/ are a few of many sites that have links to discounts and/or coupon codes.
Some sites, like http://www.amazon.com/ give you free shipping for qualifying items and no coupon is needed. Make sure you select "Free super saver shipping" for each qualifying item before submitting your order.
Happy savings!
Thrifty
With that in mind, the countdown to Christmas is well under way! 17 shopping days left including today. Simple life or not, you can still find ways to save on some shipping here and a discount there. If you're doing all or most of your shopping online, make sure you look for coupon codes for the various online retailers.
http://dealnews.com/coupons/ , http://www.give-aways.com/ and http://www.shopping-bargains.com/stores/ are a few of many sites that have links to discounts and/or coupon codes.
Some sites, like http://www.amazon.com/ give you free shipping for qualifying items and no coupon is needed. Make sure you select "Free super saver shipping" for each qualifying item before submitting your order.
Happy savings!
Thrifty
Friday, December 7, 2007
The simple life....
Good morning to you all from a freezing cold Apex, NC
The best way to save of course is to make it a way of life. Simplying your lifestyle can save you thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in a year.
Take for example how to save one day's savings on take out food: Coffee $3.00 + Lunch $5.00 + Dinner $8.00 plus tax would add up to roughly $17. Let's say you do this for 200 days out of the year, = $3,400. That is just for one person. Now compare that to making your own coffee at home and having cereal/hot breakfast at home, pack a sandwich or have last night's left overs for lunch and cook dinner at home. If you are a couple, that's a saving of $6,800. That's money towards your retirement savings or to pay down debts AND have that much deserved cruise vacation!
Tips to start you on your way to simplifying can be found on http://freebies.about.com/cs/aboutsites/a/moneysavingtips.htm
Happy simplifying!
Thrifty
The best way to save of course is to make it a way of life. Simplying your lifestyle can save you thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars in a year.
Take for example how to save one day's savings on take out food: Coffee $3.00 + Lunch $5.00 + Dinner $8.00 plus tax would add up to roughly $17. Let's say you do this for 200 days out of the year, = $3,400. That is just for one person. Now compare that to making your own coffee at home and having cereal/hot breakfast at home, pack a sandwich or have last night's left overs for lunch and cook dinner at home. If you are a couple, that's a saving of $6,800. That's money towards your retirement savings or to pay down debts AND have that much deserved cruise vacation!
Tips to start you on your way to simplifying can be found on http://freebies.about.com/cs/aboutsites/a/moneysavingtips.htm
Happy simplifying!
Thrifty
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Quiet date night
Anybody frazzled yet with all the holiday activities? How about a calmer night?
You can take your spouse to the movies... to save money go to the shows before 6pm (some venues are 5pm) and pay the matinee price. Or, if you're a member of a credit union, check with them about movie tickets. Coastal Federal Credit Union sells tickets to Consolidated Theaters and Carmike Cinemas for $5.50. These tickets can be used for certain night time movies. Usually these are used for movies out for longer than 2 weeks. Some movies don't have restrictions at all and you can use these from opening night. Check with the cinema or online.
Otherwise, pack a picnic basket, make a fire in the fireplace and have a wonderful picnic in the living room!
Enjoy!
Thrifty
You can take your spouse to the movies... to save money go to the shows before 6pm (some venues are 5pm) and pay the matinee price. Or, if you're a member of a credit union, check with them about movie tickets. Coastal Federal Credit Union sells tickets to Consolidated Theaters and Carmike Cinemas for $5.50. These tickets can be used for certain night time movies. Usually these are used for movies out for longer than 2 weeks. Some movies don't have restrictions at all and you can use these from opening night. Check with the cinema or online.
Otherwise, pack a picnic basket, make a fire in the fireplace and have a wonderful picnic in the living room!
Enjoy!
Thrifty
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
More about gifts.....
Good morning again
There is more to gift giving than going to the store and buying a gift, wrapping it and giving it.
Give your time: Offer to take down and pack up decorations, babysit or make dinner for a loved one. Take a friend out for lunch or pick up the tab for theater or movie tickets.
Make an album of candid camera shots or put them in a suitable frame as gifts. This is a great idea for a wedding anniversary gift to a spouse as well.
Make personalised recipe book for someone who loves to cook or a list of the top 100 movies and a gift certificate to a video rental store for a movie lover.
Personalize a store bought item (like a towel) by sewing on initials in a contrasting thread or iron-on lettering. Etch names or patterns onto glass items like vases or wine glasses.
For someone with a sweet tooth, baked items such as cookies, muffins or breads wrapped in a cloth napkin in a pretty basket is a gift with a difference. Baskets can be bought at craft stores on sale for song!
Happy saving!
Thrifty
There is more to gift giving than going to the store and buying a gift, wrapping it and giving it.
Give your time: Offer to take down and pack up decorations, babysit or make dinner for a loved one. Take a friend out for lunch or pick up the tab for theater or movie tickets.
Make an album of candid camera shots or put them in a suitable frame as gifts. This is a great idea for a wedding anniversary gift to a spouse as well.
Make personalised recipe book for someone who loves to cook or a list of the top 100 movies and a gift certificate to a video rental store for a movie lover.
Personalize a store bought item (like a towel) by sewing on initials in a contrasting thread or iron-on lettering. Etch names or patterns onto glass items like vases or wine glasses.
For someone with a sweet tooth, baked items such as cookies, muffins or breads wrapped in a cloth napkin in a pretty basket is a gift with a difference. Baskets can be bought at craft stores on sale for song!
Happy saving!
Thrifty
Monday, December 3, 2007
Gift Saving Tips
Good Monday Morning!
With gift giving time, sometimes it's hard to think of a gift for someone. At http://www.findgift.com/For-Who you can find gift ideas for all ages, male or female. Gifts range from under $10 to $100 or more.
Good deals can be found at bargain hunting sites like www.dealhack.com and www.refundcents.com.
Happy Saving!
Thrifty
With gift giving time, sometimes it's hard to think of a gift for someone. At http://www.findgift.com/For-Who you can find gift ideas for all ages, male or female. Gifts range from under $10 to $100 or more.
Good deals can be found at bargain hunting sites like www.dealhack.com and www.refundcents.com.
Happy Saving!
Thrifty
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