Summer is just around the corner and there are some incredible deals to be had. Here is a list of the best products to buy during June, July and August.
Televisions – You can find great deals on last year’s TV models because manufacturers release new ones in April and May. Remember to ask for accessories to be thrown in for free if you can’t negotiate for a low sale price.
Anything Wintery – Winter wear and equipment will be on sale to make room for summer toys, so look for great specials on anything wintery.
Tools – Early June means incredible sales on tools and other “fix-it” items for Father’s Day. Even if you’re not buying for a dad, you can still take advantage of the great deals.
Gym Memberships – You have high negotiating power in June for gym memberships because this is a slow month for new members. Check around and see if any of your local gyms are having sign up specials, and then see if they’ll throw in free training or another bonus to get you to sign up.
Dishware – Since June is part of wedding season, many stores will run sales on dishware and cutlery.
Computers – New models are coming out soon so last year’s models will be on sale throughout July. Stores will be anxious to get last year’s models out of inventory so use this to your advantage. Negotiate for free accessories to sweeten the deal.
Furniture – Out with the old, in with the new. Retailers are anxious to clear their sales floor and warehouses to make room for new additions, which means you can get an amazing deal on individual pieces or furniture sets.
Suits – Since purchasing a new suit is the last thing on someone’s mind in the middle of July, now is a great time to shop. Retailers will be fighting for your business, so use that to your advantage.
Swimwear – The best time to shop for swimwear is July because that is when the largest selection is available. Prices may not be as low as they will be come September, but there will still be summer sales and BOGO offers available from major retailers. Target is a great place to shop for swimwear if you like to get a new piece every year.
Patio Furniture – Retailers have the largest selection of patio furniture during the summer, but also hold a lot of sales. At the beginning of July, look for last year’s models on clearance to get a huge discount.
Grills and Barbecue Pits – Wait until after July 4 to get the best deal on barbecue pits and grills. Prices leading up to the 4th will be high, but items will be marked down after.
School Supplies – Pair store discounts with coupons to save the most money on school supplies.
Computers – Retailers hold back to school specials during August on desktops, laptops and tablets. Compare prices at retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club and Costco to find the best deal.
Outdoor Equipment and Toys – While kids are heading back to school, retailers are discounting outdoor toys and equipment like swing sets, playhouses and camping gear.
Clothing and Swimwear – Retailers will also have great back to school sales on clothing, the best deals until Black Friday. You can also find swimwear at a discount since summer is almost over.
Wine – Vineyards usually release new wines in the early fall. While they may not be much cheaper, it may be the only chance this year to get certain wines.
Linens – Sheets, comforters and other linens will be marked down for back to school shopping.
Tax-Free Weekend – Nineteen states and Washington D.C. hold a tax-free weekend during August: Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Look up the rules for your state because the eligible items will vary.
Memorial Day is the holiday that unofficially marks the start of summer for most people so get your summer started right by having a great Memorial Day weekend without spending a fortune.
Instead of traveling a long way, vacation locally. Beaches are a hot spot for Memorial Day weekend and are usually really crowded. Save your beach trip for a less popular weekend to save money and be able to enjoy the ocean. You’ll also save on traveling costs by staying close to home.
A summer barbecue is a must for a lot of people and fortunately they can be very frugal. Hot dogs and hamburgers are always a good choice for your guests and your budget. You can feed 100 people hotdogs for less than $30. BYOB is also traditional for a barbecue, saving you a few more dollars.
Another great way to save is to host a potluck instead of providing food for everyone. This frees up your budget for other things like games and decorations.
A pool party is a fun, inexpensive way to entertain a lot of people for Memorial Day. If you don’t know anyone with a pool, most city parks have a low-cost public pool available.
Memorial Day usually has really nice weather so take the opportunity to soak up the sunshine. Take a hike, go to the park or have a picnic. Outdoor activities are generally free so it fits in perfectly with a frugal lifestyle.
If you still want to take a vacation, consider going the week before or after Memorial Day to beat the rush and save money. Hotels aren’t as booked and beaches aren’t as packed.
Or instead of traveling at all, enjoy your three day weekend in the comforts of your own home. Rent some movies and enjoy quality time with your loved ones for little or no cost.
Now that summer is almost upon us, it’s time to think about what you’re going to do with your munchkins, especially if you’re a working parent. Summer camps are a great way to entertain your kids for parts of the summer, but they can be costly. Here is a guide to saving money on summer camps for your kids.
The first step is to look into the summer camps available to you and your kids. For day camps, it’s best to be close so you don’t have a long drive twice a day. If you’re looking for overnight camps, you can look further without worrying about spending your time and gas every day.
There are also full-day and half-day summer camps, as well as activity-specific (think soccer, cheerleading, art, etc.) or general camps with lots of different activities available. The type of camp you should choose depends on your child’s age and his or her interests, and your schedule.
You can also look into Vacation Bible School or other church-sponsored camps. These types of camps are usually very inexpensive and sometimes even free.
Google “[your city] summer camps” to find more local camps. You can also ask other parents what experiences they have. Schools will also send flyers out for school sponsored summer camps. If you have a local YMCA and/or community center, there will be an abundance of camps offered for your community.
The first few weeks in June are typically the busiest for summer camps. You have more negotiating power if you go for later time slots. If you’re going to enroll your child in camps throughout the summer, save the more expensive camps for later in July. Try negotiating or bartering with camp directors to get discounted admission.
Ask about sibling discounts if you have multiple children. You can also work with friends and see if you can get a group discount for a large group of kids.
Some camps also offer early bird discounts if you register and pay well in advance. Take advantage of these offerings by signing up early.
You can also volunteer at some camps, especially school or church-sponsored day camps. In return, your child will be given a heavily discounted or free admission.
Keep your eye on the daily deal sites and make sure your preferences are set to receive kid deals like summer camps. Groupon has already begun offering discounts on summer camps so expect more to come.
Another alternative to regular summer camp is to make your own. Collaborate with friends, family and other parents and take turns watching and entertaining the kids. You can find tons of great ideas online for games, activities, crafts and more.
Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away – do you know what you’re doing to celebrate your mom? Here are 7 ideas to show your mom just how much she means to you, without breaking your bank.
Instead of taking Mom out to an expensive lunch or dinner, cook for her. Whether you’re a complete novice or an amateur chef, this is a frugal alternative to eating out. There are many recipes available online if you need creative inspiration.
Skip the restaurants that will be packed and instead opt for a nice picnic in the park. You can be as simple or elaborate as you want. What’s important is spending time with Mom.
This is an often used gift from children, but when the excitement wears off, the chores don’t get done. Make Mom a coupon book and actually follow through.
Cut flowers are expensive, especially on a holiday like Mother’s Day. Instead, get her a potted flower or plant that will last much longer than a week, and cost much less, too.
Chances are you made some messes as a kid, and now is the time to repay Mom. Clean her house, wash and detail her car. This present won’t take you too long and will save you a bundle.
In addition to browsing Groupon and Living Social, Woot is a great place to find inexpensive gift items. Like Groupon, Woot has a time limit on most items so keep checking back until you find something perfect.
Sunday matinees are much less expensive than regular movie ticket prices so treat Mom to a day at the movies.
You can also rent some of her favorite movies and have a movie day at home. Get some popcorn and candy to complete your theater experience.
Now that your spring semester is almost over, it’s time to get ready to sell your textbooks. Here is your ultimate guide to getting the most cash for your textbooks.
First step, ask the professor if he or she is planning to switch to a new edition of your book. If your book is going to stick around for another semester or two, you have some time to shop around for the best buyback price.
If your current book is about to be outdated, you need to sell it ASAP – preferably before the summer session starts.
Locate your book’s ISBN which is usually on the back, underneath the barcode. It helps differentiate your book from every other book, and from the other editions. This will make it so much easier to research your book online.
I hope that you’ve kept your textbook in good shape (book covers + no permanent markings for the future). If you have pencil markings, post-it notes or anything else hidden in your book, now is the time to take it out.
Figure out what condition your book is in. Most websites have standard descriptors: Like New, Good, Acceptable and Poor.
You will need to exercise your frugal skills here by comparing prices online. Start with Amazon, CampusBooks, BookByte and Half.com. Google “sell textbooks” and spend some time going through the search results and getting a list of prices.
Make note of the high offers, and consider whether the company offers a shipping credit or a prepaid shipping label. Also consider how the company is going to pay you: direct deposit, PayPal, a check, etc.
Once you’ve settled on a company, check out with them. They should give you directions for how to proceed.
If your book is hard cover, you should be safe wrapping it in parcel paper, no need for a box. If it’s a paperback or especially expensive, package as appropriate.
If you are paying shipping costs, you can send the book USPS Media Mail, which is super cheap.
Gardening is a great hobby for the frugal enthusiast because growing your own produce can also cut down your grocery bills. Here are 8 tips to save money on your garden this spring.
If you don’t already have a compost pile, you should start one. This will give you a great place to dump any leftover food, as well as give you healthy soil to use in your gardens. You can build one out of wood or make one out of a large trash can to keep your costs down, or simply cordon off a small area of your yard.
Shredded paper makes great mulch and costs a lot less than buying from a garden store. Use the leftovers from your home or office shredder or ask friends and family for their old newspapers.
Don’t buy seed pots from your garden store – instead, use egg cartons or yogurt cups to get your seeds growing.
When shopping for seeds, make sure to shop around. You should be able to find the best deals on seeds by comparing prices online. There are also some non-profit organizations that offer seed packets and other helpful resources with membership.
Investing in perennial plants instead of annuals means a larger upfront cost, but it also means less financial maintenance next year when you have to replace them.
There are tons of recipes online to make your own pesticide to repel bugs. You can even find organic recipes that will help protect your plants without causing harm.
Team up with a friend, family member or neighbor to share your harvests. You can both save money and enjoy fresh produce.
When deciding which plants to grow, think about your environment. If you’re in Texas, don’t plant items that are from tropical environments and expect to keep your water bill low. Native Texas plants are used to living through droughts and are much easier to maintain than their water-hogging cousins.
With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, you may be planning to throw a party. And with all parties, comes extra costs on food, entertainment and decorations. Here are 7 ways to save money when celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
Head over to your local Costco or Sam’s Club to get items in bulk. Paper plates, plastic ware, cups, napkins, etc. are all much cheaper if you buy from a warehouse store. You can also bulk buy food if you need to feed a lot of people.
Your local dollar store will no doubt have inexpensive party supplies that you can use to decorate for your Cinco de Mayo party. Get streamers in bright, bold colors. Pick up small party favors for much less than you’d find them at a party store.
Instead of buying a piñata this year, try your hand at making one. They are surprisingly easy to make, especially if you are a little bit crafty. Piñata Boy is a great resource for making your own piñata, but there are a lot of other websites with different instructions.
If you don’t have enough room at your home for the party, look to your local parks. Many parks will be perfect since this year’s Cinco de Mayo is on Saturday. You might have to get there early to reserve your spot, especially if you want to get a barbecue pit.
Food can get very expensive – and very quickly – if you’re not careful. Ask your friends and family to bring a dish so you can all share the food costs. This is also a great way to see what specialties everyone has.
If you don’t want to go the pot luck route or you’re providing the main course, tacos, fajitas, hot dogs and hamburgers are all low-cost choices that will be a hit. Think of other low-cost options that will fit your family and your budget.
Music is a central part of a good Cinco de Mayo party, but bands and DJs can get very expensive. Instead of hiring one, be your own DJ. Make a mix yourself and play it on your home stereo or take it with you and play on your iHome. Even if you have to buy a music player, it’s a lot cheaper than paying a DJ or a band.
College students are usually broke so they sometimes get creative when it comes to their food budget. Here are 6 ways to eat well on a college student’s budget.
There are many websites where you can find recipes that are cheap, but still healthy and filling. One of my favorites is $5 Dinners. The recipes are creative and fun, but also very frugal at under $5 each.
Eating like a college student doesn’t mean you’re stuck with pizza and Ramen noodles.
Once you’ve got your recipes, plan your meals accordingly. You’ll have to spend a little more time choosing which items to buy and when, because of sales and coupons, but the extra money saved is worth the effort.
Produce is significantly cheaper when it is in season. Yesterday I was able to get a large pack of strawberries for only $1. That same pack costs over $4 in December. If you aren’t sure when your favorite items are in season, visit our Best Time to Buy guides.
Find out the best time to go grocery shopping for your area. HEB stores in Texas run a Meal Deal every week, and if you go on Wednesdays, you get two deals. If you buy their main course item (steak, fajitas, turkey breast, etc.), you get other items free, like salad, cheese, and dressing.
Time it right. There are also certain times of the day that you are more likely to find sale items. Just ask the manager when they typically put out specials and mark down items.
As always, take advantage of the coupon game. Clipping coupons has gotten so easy because of the Internet – most of it is done online. There are tons of coupon websites, like Coupons.com and Coupon Mom.
Most grocery stores also have their own coupons so make sure to look out for those. You can typically pair a manufacturer’s coupon with a store coupon to save even more.
An article about a college student’s budget wouldn’t be complete without tips to buy beer frugally. While you typically can’t find coupons for alcohol, at least in Texas, you can still save money by switching to cheaper brands. If you can brand hop, only buy what is on sale to maximize your savings.
Managing money is hard work and even the most financially savvy people make mistakes sometimes. Here are five money mistakes you can easily avoid.
No matter how much you earn, if you are spending more than you bring in, you are making a money mistake. Cutting back expenses is easier than trying to make more money in this economy.
Sticking to a budget can be tough, but it’s an important method for keeping your financial life healthy and happy. If you aren’t sure how to create a budget, here is a free download of a basic budget to get you started.
Saving money is becoming more and more important with the unstable economy. Funding your retirement account is essential so you can actually retire and live comfortably. Automatically send a small portion of your paycheck to your savings account to make it hassle-free.
If you are only concerned about the next few months, you won’t be prepared for large things that come up. Certain expenses are recurring and can be planned for, like insurance renewal or buying a new car – these things are just a matter of time, so don’t wait for them to start preparing.
Having an emergency fund is one of the smartest money moves you can make to prepare for the unexpected. Generally you need at least one month’s salary, but it’s safe to save three to six months or more to be ready for the worst.
Keep in mind that an emergency fund is not the same as a savings account.
No one wants to be known as a miser to their friends and loved ones. But desperate times calls for desperate measures. The state of the economy necessitates that you save on each and every penny that you possibly can. Also, avoiding unnecessary expenses using credit cards, the bills of which you cannot repay on time, ensures that your free credit scores are in good condition. At the same time you also save money. The next time you are out with friends or you are planning a date, try following these 3 simple tips for saving on some serious amounts of money.
Are you planning on taking your special someone out on a date to a restaurant of your choice? Try and take him/her out for lunch instead of dinner. Most restaurants and food joints have inflated prices for the dinner menu that is on offer. Eating out for lunch will help you save on that extra expenditure that you would have incurred by having dinner. This way you can save on some money while enjoying a good time with your date and tasting your favorite recipes and dishes.
Are you and your friends planning to pay a visit to the movie theatre? Try and convince them to watch the matinee show instead of the night show of the movie. Most movie theatres charge extra for night show tickets owing to the fact that it is considered a premium screening. By convincing your friends to visit a cheaper multiplex and a matinee show you can save on a lot of money without missing out on your favorite movies.
Are you worried that you hang out with your friends too often? Is the weekly visit to the nightclubs or the regular visit to the bar crippling your finances. You can avoid these practices without crippling your social life. Try and organize gatherings at home with your friends. Ask everyone to chip in with food and beverage costs and you will soon find out that you can have fun without burning a hole through your pocket.
Hanging out with friends and going out on dates can be a costly affair. By learning to save on these activities you will find yourself at the receiving end of a fatter bank balance than usual.
Even though it’s barely spring, most of the U.S. is experiencing seasonably warm temperatures. It’s time to start thinking about surviving summer heat waves without spending a fortune.
Hopefully you have ceiling fans to help keep you cool, but if not, invest in a fan. You can pick up a box fan from Walmart or Amazon for around $20 that will help cool any room.
Take a cold shower to cool off. A cold shower means a lower electricity bill, and it also lowers your body temperature. If you can’t stand showering in cold water, lowering the hot water temperature will also help.
Trade in your synthetic fabrics for loose, natural blends like cotton, silk and linen. Wear shorts and tank tops when you can. Open shoes will also help keep you cool.
Thermal curtains also work for keeping you warm in the winter. They keep temperatures where they should be – inside and out. Thermal curtains will help keep your cold air inside during the summer and keep the hot sun on the outside.
Wait until dark to run appliances that give off heat like the dishwasher (also air dry!) and clothes dryer. If your TV gives off a lot of heat like mine does, turn a fan on it.
Eating juicy fruit will help you stay cool, like berries, grapes, oranges, pears, and pineapple. Likewise, make sure you drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated.
Aloe vera has a cooling effect. Even if you don’t have a sunburn, cover yourself in aloe vera to help stay cool during these warm summer months.
Send us your electricity bill so we can negotiate a lower rate for you. Enrolling with BillCutterz is risk-free – start saving money today.
Easter is just around the corner and whether you celebrate it for religious or family reasons, it’s a holiday that could use some money saving tips. Here’s 5 ways to save money on Easter.
Easter baskets were always my favorite part of Easter, but they can get a little pricey. Saving baskets, grass and plastic eggs and reusing them is the easiest way to save money. If you have to buy new this year, try dollar stores before heading to a grocery store or Walmart.
You can get inexpensive stuffed animals at Goodwill or thrift stores. Target’s One Spot also has tons of great items to stock Easter baskets.
Confetti eggs are also a fun Easter tradition. If your family eats a lot of eggs, it’s easy to stock up, but if not, you can buy a dozen confetti eggs for a couple dollars. This will keep your kids entertained for awhile, but comes with a mess to clean up.
Instead of buying dye, you can make your own with food coloring, vinegar and water. Decorating Easter eggs is an inexpensive, fun activity.
You can get together with friends to hold an Easter egg hunt or participate in one nearby. Most churches and community centers will host an egg hunt that is free to the public.
Right after Easter all leftover items will go on sale, so stock up for next year. You can get incredible discounts on everything from decorations to dyes to clothing and accessories.
Americans donate almost $300 billion to charities each year and that kind of money can go a long way to make a difference in our communities, country and world. But with the latest uproar about Kony 2012 and Invisible Children, Inc., it’s a good idea to properly vet any charities before cutting a check.
Decide what causes you’re passionate about and go from there. Do you like dogs? The environment? Education? There are many non-profit organizations for each of these causes and for many, many more. You don’t have to choose just one, but narrowing down the causes you’d like to support is a good start to choosing a charity, or two or three.
If you’re not sure where to begin, you can jump right into researching specific organizations.
There are many ways to research organizations and one of the best is Charity Navigator. It was chosen as the best charity review site by Kiplinger. You can search for by topic, like the Japan earthquake and tsunami, or by charity name. They also provide Top 10 lists, like “10 Highly-Rated Charities with Low Paid CEOs” or “10 Charities Expanding in a Hurry.” Guide Staris also another good charity reviewer.
Charity Navigator and Guide Star both make it easy for you. If you’re on your own, you should look at the organization’s Form 990 from the IRS – how they spend their money.
You can also google the charity’s name and see what headlines they’ve been making lately. Sometimes non-profits are also listed on Yelp.
Once you’ve read through an organization’s website and information, start talking to them. You should be able to easily find a phone number to contact someone at the organization. Frontline communication says a lot about an organization and how they work.
Something many people overlook is the value of time donation. Depending on the organization, it might be better for them if you donate your time instead of, or in addition to money. This works especially well for local charities that need help manning booths or walking dogs.
At the end of the day, choosing the right charity boils down to your personal values. Back up your instinct with research so you won’t be surprised down the road.
Gas prices are once again on the rise with today’s average at $3.772 across the country. Here are 5 easy ways to save money on gas.
This is an easy one – is your car efficient right now? I’m not talking about trading in your truck for a hybrid. I’m talking about maintenance. A car with regular oil changes and properly inflated tires gets better gas mileage. In addition, don’t carry around heavy items you don’t need.
Finding the best gas prices is easy if you have a smart phone. There are tons of apps available with local gas prices so you can find the cheapest fill-up. Gas Buddyis a personal favorite of mine because it has the biggest community, meaning it’s always pretty accurate.
Driving around town to save a few pennies doesn’t make sense, but this helps you plan ahead. If the gas station by your office is 10 cents lower than the one by your house, wait to fill up until you get to work.
Believe it or not, your driving habits have an effect on your fuel consumption. Don’t accelerate quickly or brake unnecessarily; coast when you can.
While idling for long periods of time uses up gas, turning off your car only benefits you if you’re sitting for more than a few minutes.
Traveling less is an easy way to use less gas, but sometimes you need to drive somewhere. In those cases, plan your trips effectively. Combine trips and compare traffic patterns to determine your best course.
Most major gas station chains and major credit card companies offer rewards like cash back or points when you buy gas. Take advantage of these if you are responsible with credit card debt to save as much money as you can.
There’s a little over a month left for this tax season and many of have already gotten or are expecting a tax refund. Usually I use my tax withholding as a forced savings account and use the refund to buy myself something nice, like a computer (last year) or a small vacation (2010). Instead of splurging, here are six ways to use your tax refund that will help your frugal lifestyle and budget in the long run.
One of the hardest things to do when you’re living on a budget is to not indulge yourself when you get a windfall like a tax refund. So take 10 percent of your refund and treat yourself to something you want. This way you still get to spoil yourself a little, but can spend most of your money on something more practical.
Since interest rates on investments aren’t very high these days, paying down your debt is a better financial move. Use your tax refund to pay down any debt you have, starting with high interest accounts first. Or, use the snowball method, which will eliminate smaller debts first.
If you don’t have an emergency fund, now is a great time to start. An emergency fund is more important than regular savings because this will help you get through any emergencies, like your car breaking down, and is only used for truly disastrous events.
Add your tax refund to your retirement savings, 401k or IRA, or whatever else you have. If you don’t have anything setup yet, start now. Even small additions in long term retirement savings can really add up, especially if you’re in your twenties or thirties.
Use your tax refund to prepay some of your bills, like insurance, or add it to a savings account for auto-withdrawal of your car payment; this is actually what I did this year, so it seems like I don’t have a car payment every month.
Get new glasses or go see the dentist you’ve been putting off. Use the money to invest in yourself and your overall health and appearance. Upgrade your wardrobe. Get new carpet. Buy a new vacuum cleaner. Get a new washer and dryer. All of these things will make your life easier every day. The trick is to ask yourself what you’ve been wanting and needing all year long that you have put off for financial reasons.
There are a lot of benefits to becoming a senior, like being allowed to yell at kids for being on your lawn and wearing zebra stripes with lime green plaid. But above all, the discounts. There are so many financial benefits to being labeled a senior, and many of them come along with an AARP membership.
Assuming you’re fifty or more years old, you should sign up for AARP immediately. And if you’re not old enough, prepare to be jealous. You get discounts at almost every major retailer in the country. They have an entire website dedicated to AARP discounts.
Many restaurants offer early bird specials for seniors and all you have to do is ask. Even if you’re not quite old enough to be considered senior, if you bring it up, most servers will give you the discount.
Almost all movie theaters offer discounts for senior citizens and unlike a student discount, you don’t usually need to show an ID.
The National Park Service offers a lifetime passto those 62 and older at a mere $10. This also gives you discounts on certain amenities, like swimming and camping.
Amtrak offers a 15% discount for people who are 62 or older on continental U.S. train fares. If you’re 60+, you can also get a 10% discount on rides to Canada. Greyhound also offers a 5% discount on fares for those 62 and up. In addition, many airlines offer senior discounts and while they’re not always advertised, they can be given to you upon request.
Almost every major hotel chain offers a senior discount ranging from 10-15 percent. Some hotels require an AARP membership, but others don’t.
Gift Card Granny has put together a list of 136 senior discounts found at large retailers and restaurants around the U.S.
Whether you’re a frugal lifestyle enthusiast or your budget is a little tight, saving money is always a good thing. Here are seven ways to save money around your home.
Most of your monthly bills can be lowered by enrolling with BillCutterz. We negotiate large discounts with your service providers so you save money every month. To see how much money we might save you, try out our savings calculator.
You can cut down your water bill a lot by reducing consumption. Certain clothing items like jeans and sweaters can be worn a few times between washings. Insulate your water heater and pipes to minimize heat loss. Take shorter showers and turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Using less water is easy and can make a huge difference on your water bill.
Here are six ways to do less laundry that will save you money. You can also make your own laundry detergent.
Cutting down on energy consumption is also a good way to save money around your house. Ensure your home is properly insulated to get the most bang for your electricity buck. Windows and doors are notorious for leaking air in and out. Replace seals and caulk any cracks to ensure proper temperatures remain inside.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) where you can. They use 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last much longer. Some electricity companies are also running deals where you can get CFL bulbs at a huge discount.
Invest in energy-saving power strips that automatically turn off power to devices that aren’t turned on. This will keep your vampire electronics from sucking up any more of your money.
When batteries are too dead for your camera, put them in the TV remote, which requires a lot less juice. Rechargeable batteries are also reasonably priced these days and the savings quickly add up.
Vinegar is one of those magical products that have many different uses. Best of all, vinegar is super cheap and environmentally friendly. Here are 34 uses for vinegar around your home.
With the unusually warm weather, it’s beginning to feel a lot like spring even though it’s still February. If spring cleaning is on your mind, here are some tips to help you save money.
The first step to a yearly cleaning is to go through your things and figure out what you want to get rid of. If your goal is to live simpler, only keep items that you use regularly. Most people don’t need that second blender (some people don’t even need one) or that table saw. If a one-time project comes up, you can always borrow one from a friend.
Now that you know what you want to get rid of, sort through your items and determine their worth. Sell your valuable items on Craigslist, Amazon or eBay. Amazon Marketplace is a great place to sell books, video games, movies and electronics. Keep in mind that eBay and Amazon charge fees for selling and Craigslist doesn’t.
For items that aren’t worth selling, donate them to charity and take the tax write-off. It’s not something that will benefit you right now, but the deduction on next year’s taxes is always helpful.
Saving money on cleaning supplies is easier than you think. Home and bath manufacturers typically offer coupons throughout the year so finding some is pretty easy. Scour the web for coupons and pair them with store discounts to save even more. Keep an eye out for BOGO or other promotional offers that Target, Walmart or your local grocery store will have during this season.
To save on energy costs, clean appliances like your refrigerator, air conditioner, dishwasher and even light fixtures. These are items we often forget, but they need to be cleaned to operate at maximum efficiency.
If you’re not someone who cleans regularly, the mess can quickly build up and make it harder to clean when you do get around to it. Start training yourself to clean for a few minutes each week and it won’t seem like a huge project to tackle in the spring.
Because of the nice weather (nice for February anyway) we’ve been having, I’m starting to get the spring break itch. I’m ready to take a nice break and hit the beach or go camping. Either way, saving money during spring break is a priority. Here are 7 ways to enjoy your spring break without spending a fortune.
First things first: scour group buying sites like Groupon and Living Social for deals and discounts. There are vacation packages, spa gift certificates, scuba diving classes and everything in between.
Airfare can get very pricey and gas costs are rising, so instead of looking for somewhere far, look locally for a fun spring break. Most people don’t explore their own cities very well, so take the time to see what your hometown has to offer.
While on vacation, eating out is a huge expense. To lower your budget, visit Restaurant.com and buy a few gift certificates. They have recurring deals where you can get a $25 certificate for only $2. Keep your eye out for their coupon codes to take advantage.
Supplement your Restaurant.com gift certificates with meals you prepare yourself. If you don’t have access to a kitchen, buying breakfast and lunch items at a grocery store will greatly reduce your food costs. Bagels, sandwiches and packaged foods don’t need preparation and will fit in with a frugal budget.
One of the best ways to save is to plan well. Going to a heavy tourist destination during spring break means local prices are inflated. Look for alternative locales that don’t lean heavily on tourist income during one season, like state or national parks, or areas that get business year-round.
Make sure to pickup any supplies like sun block and cameras before you leave. Pack extra clothing and underwear, and any other necessities. Remember to leave some room for souvenirs.
If there’s another family that you enjoy, consider planning a trip together. Carpooling and splitting a vacation house or a large hotel suite will help defray the costs for both of you.
Taking a cruise is one of the easiest vacations to take because most of the planning is done for you. There’s no worry about switching hotels or finding a rental car, but you still get to see different places. Here are six ways to book a cruise on the cheap.
Taking a cruise during off-season is going to get you the best overall rates because less people are going. You will also beat huge crowds and have more room to yourself on an otherwise full ship. Depending where you want to go, the seasons will vary. Most seasons include summer so booking a trip before or after summer is your best bet for a discounted fare.
Start planning early to get a head start on others. Book your September cruise to Alaska now. Alternatively, a last minute booking will get you a discount because cruise lines need more guests. You can use this opportunity to negotiate and get a better deal. This means you have to be ready at a moment’s notice, which doesn’t work for everyone.
If you don’t live near a port, you have to consider airfare. It may be best to find cheap airline tickets and plan your cruise around them instead of the other way around. Airline ticket prices tend to vary more than cruise fare and offer less wiggle room.
As always, take a look at group buying sites like Groupon and Living Social. They often post deals for cruises to various locations. There are usually stipulations and blackout dates, but if you aren’t picky about timing, this is a great way to get a very good price. There are also cruise-specific websites like Cruise.com, iCruise and Travel Zoo.
Sometimes you can find a great package deal from websites like Orbitz or Travelocity, but there are costs to using a third party site. Because you’re paying a middle man instead of the cruise line directly, you have to go through the middle man to remedy problems. It’s harder to get a refund or cancel when you book through Travelocity than if you dealt directly with the cruise line.
Call around and ask about special rates and discounts. They might say no, but they might say yes. You can also ask about other perks, like free breakfast or drink vouchers, upgrading to a larger room or something else non-monetary.
BillCutterz.com is a company that tries to help you save money. Find tips on family activities, saving money around the home and more on this blog.
