Category Archives: Personal Expenses

How to Save Money on Groceries

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I remember a day when a 2 Liter of Pepsi was 99 cents, and you could get a gallon of milk for just a buck or two. These days, prices haven’t just increase, they’ve increased big time.

So it comes as no surprise that a family once able to stock the fridge and cabinets with food might now be struggling just to keep a few shelves full. The average family now pays over $1,000 for groceries per month, and it seems like costs are only continuing to rise.

So today, to help you fix that dent in your wallet and keep the fridge full of not junk, but healthy food, we’re going to talk about how to save money on groceries without going on a starvation diet.

  1. Coupons
    You might have seen the new show that’s all the rage lately – Extreme Couponing, which presents case studies and personal stories of renegade shoppers that have become so good at using coupons that they often walk out of the grocery paying less than 1% of retail cost.

    Now, I don’t expect you to become a crazy couponer, but just using coupons period will show you how to save money on groceries instantly. Start getting the Sunday paper, and clip coupons. Also, keep the circulars and browse them for good deals. It’s instant cash back in your wallet.

  2. Buying in Bulk
    I realize that buying in bulk can be costly, but one of the tricks people use when showing others how to save money on groceries is buying what’s on sale now, and stocking up. It’s counter-intuitive because logic tells you to only buy what you need, but if you get in the habit of buying lots of what’s on sale, then your average bill will slowly decrease until you’re paying less than ever.
  3. Not Shopping Hungry

    I realize this isn’t a trick, but it’s important that you show up to the grocery with a full belly so that you don’t get suckered into buying things that you don’t need. When you’re full, you move fast and avoid distraction. When you’re hungry, even the boxes look good.

  4. Use a List

    When you go grocery shopping without a list, you end up walking through the store and waiting for something to stick out and say “buy me.” The problem with that is that like shopping hungry, you get sucked into endcaps and displays that trick you into spending more than you want to. This is why they put the milk in the back!

  5. Buy Store Brands

    Many store brands are just as good as the original, and if you really want to know how to save money on groceries than you can start here and save as much as 50% right off the bat.

The trick to saving money on groceries is in buying smart, and paying attention to store patterns. If you learn how to master the coupon, bulk, and store brand game, then you’ll win every time.

How to Save Money with Coupons

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Recently there’s a new show on TLC that has been driving men and women crazy with excitement. It has to do with something they call “extreme couponing,” and it appears to be a way to walk out of the grocery store with hundreds of dollars worth of items, for a fraction of retail cost.

And while many people probably don’t have the time and energy to devote themselves to a lifestyle of extreme coupon clipping, there is something to be said for using coupons as a way to save money. Taking even a casual approach could lead to savings of 20-40% savings per month, and that adds up fast!

Analyzing the best tips from the experts, I’d like to present the best tips for how to save money with coupons.

  1. Sunday Paper

    Much of the week’s specials and deals will be announced in the Sunday newspaper. This is also where the best coupons arrive. If you really want to save money with coupons, then it starts with actually having them. The Sunday paper is where you start.

    The Sunday paper also contains advertisements of sales and specials, and even if you don’t find any coupons, you can see where you should visit for the best deals.

  2. Take Advantage of Coupon Matching

    Many stores will offer to double or match coupons that you bring from the paper. If your current grocery store is missing this fantastic option, then look around until you find one that does. Even if you have to drive an extra twenty minutes, it’s well worth the extra time to save $100 in groceries per week.

  3. Buy in Bulk

    The best couponers make their best gains by buying as many sale items as they can and then storing them for later. Though this doesn’t work with produce and dairy, it works with things like toiletries and boxed items. Buy as much as you can afford, and save so you don’t have to buy it next time.

  4. Coupon Clipping Services

    If you search the web, you’ll find a host of coupon clipping services that allow you to buy coupons for use in your local grocery. You can search for products you buy regularly, and buy as many coupons as you need. They usually cost between 10% and 20% of the money they save.

  5. Organization

    The most important tip from extreme couponers to learn how to save money with coupons is to be organized. Get a coupon book that you can use to store and organize coupons. Use this to make your grocery lists so that you set out to get exactly what you need. It also helps to know how much of each item you want, and where you can go to get the best deal.

The trick for learning how to save money with coupons is by getting active and paying attention to the way groceries price and sell items. If you learn the game, then you can win every time.

Is Internet Phone Service Cost Efficient?

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With the introduction of home computers and the internet, it was only a matter of time before companies developed internet phone service. Providers such as Magic Jack and Vonage have really taken off in the last couple of years with their low monthly and yearly plans. These plans include unlimited long distance. People jumped on these when they first appeared on the scene.

Once the customers installed and started using these services, it quickly became apparent to many of them why they maybe were not such a bargain after all. There were complaints of echoes on the line, or just not being heard, or able to hear the caller on the other end. For some customers, these services were little more than glorified walkie talkies. But people continued to use them because, in spite of all the technical issues, the price was still much better than anything the local or national phone services could offer.

The good news is that improvements were made over time to the internet phone services. While all the bugs aren’t worked out, there are now enough positive responses to make it seem a worthwhile venture. There are still some disadvantages, the biggest one being that if you lose internet for any reason, your phone service will go with it. However, in this day and age of cell phones, most people usually have a backup in case this happens.

Even with the drawbacks of internet phone services, there is still the price to consider. For just a fraction of the cost of landline phone companies, you can have free unlimited long distance as well as free local calls. Caller ID and voice mail is included in your monthly or yearly rate. So, as the costs of your non internet phone service providers continue to climb, you are saving a huge amount of money by using services such as Vonage or Magic Jack. For a lot of people, as long as the service works most of the time, they feel the savings are well worth any aggravation.

If you are someone who has a great longtime relationship with the local phone company, it’s still worth it to at least look into the internet phone services. You might be shocked at the amount of money you will save for the same service you get now. There are probably many ways you could spend all that extra money you will have left over at the end of the month.

Save Money on Gas

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The United States Energy Information Administration has reported that in 2010, the average price per gallon of gas was $2.78, and in 2011, is expected to reach almost a dollar more at $3.70 per gallon.

For people that still remember paying 99 cents per gallon back in the nineties, this is a big shocker, and a sign that things are changing and changing fast. Learning to save money on gas is no longer just an option, but a necessary way of life.

But how do you do it, especially as gas prices continue to rise? We’ll show you how in the next few steps.

  1. Drive Less

    Yes, it’s obvious, but almost so obvious that people don’t think about it. Consider grabbing a bicycle for short rides to the store or walking children to school instead of driving them (if you can).

  2. Ride on Two Wheels

    Motorcycles and scooters get great gas mileage, so if you’ve ever had the thought of buying one then now is the perfect time to do so. You can often find a new or used motorcycle for less than $10,000.

  3. Trade in for a Hybrid

    If your car is killing you on gas, then consider trading it in for a hybrid. This is tough to do if your car is new or you owe more than it’s worth, but if you crunch the numbers, it might make sense to make the change so you can save money on gas.

  4. Buy Low

    Treat gas prices like the stock market, and try to stock up on fuel when it drops. Buy gas cans and fill them up too. It never hurts to have an abundance of gas if you can buy low and use high.

  5. Pay Cash

    Many gas stations offer discounts for paying at the pump with cash. If you find one that does, get in the habit of carrying around some spare cash explicitly for this purpose.

  6. Specialty Cards

    Some gas stations offer discounts for paying with their credit cards or their special members cards. The trick here is to make sure you pay it off as soon as you can so that the bills don’t pile up on you.

  7. Rideshare

    On Craiglist you will find plenty of people looking to bring an extra person on board to help save money on gas. If you don’t trust Craigslist, it wouldn’t hurt to ask a co-worker, friend, or neighbor to go 50/50 with you on daily commutes or long trips.

  8. Public Transportation

    Many cities have bus routes and train routes that ride through most of the major areas. If you’re having a hard time paying for gas, then looking into this option will help you get around without filling up the tank.

  9. Cheap Gas Websites

    There are nearly a dozen websites and mobile applications that post regular updates on where you can find the cheapest gas in your area. Use these and you’ll save money on gas every time you fill up.

Finding the Best Deal for Air Flight Tickets

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When you are trying to find the best deal for air flight tickets, you may wish someone else could just do it FOR you. Don’t despair though.There are some ideas to make this ordeal a bit easier for you.

Planning a trip, whether for business or pleasure, can be a tiring experience. One of the first things you will want to get out of the way is finding the best deal for air flight tickets. Once that is done, it sometimes feels like you can just sit back and relax. There are just so many airlines to choose from that it can make you crazy sifting through them all to find the best fare.

Now, that you are despairing again, you need to know that it isn’t quite as bad as all that. If you have a travel agent, start by calling her. If you don’t already have a special one, try calling a few different agencies to see what sort of specials they may have going on. It may really surprise you at how much money you can save by going through a good travel agency. Doing things this way also takes off a lot stress from you.

Looking to the internet for information is an excellent way to find the best deal for air flight tickets. All of the airlines have websites created just for people like you. There is a wealth of information on these websites. This is where you can find all the regular fares, bargain fares, arrival and departure dates and times to various cities, and anything else you want to know. It also enables you to compare prices, which helps you make the best choice for you.

Patience is the key to getting the best deal for your money. The phone calls and the internet search is going to take a lot of your time. You need to know that before you even start the process. Maybe do a bit of meditation beforehand to prepare yourself.

However, once you have found that perfect air flight ticket price, you can sit back and enjoy the planning of the rest of the trip. Yes, you will need to do the packing, book the hotel room, and get your house ready for your absence, but the worst part is over. You have found the affordable fare for your trip, and all is right in your world.

The Benefits of Buying in Bulk

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Buying different items in bulk amounts can be quite a money saver when it is done the right way. This works especially well for large families, but it can also be advantageous to couples and single individuals. People are paid at different times depending on where they work, and those who receive their pay every 2 weeks or once a month seem to manage their money better when they buy needed items in bulk.

Items such as toilet paper, paper towels, canned goods, boxed food, and other things that have long expiration dates, are all good things to purchase in bulk amounts. Once the paper goods are bought, you can put them away and not have to worry about replacing them for 2 weeks to a month. As for the canned and boxed goods, these usually have quite a long shelf life. These may start to build up after awhile, so be sure to sort them according to their expiration dates.

As for frozen foods, these can also be purchased in bulk depending on what sort of food it is. Buying frozen foods in bulk usually makes more sense for larger families, as you can be sure it won’t go to waste. However, it can be also put to cost saving use by smaller families as well. When you find a meat pack containing family favorites, buying more than one large package is a good idea. Frozen fruit can also be stocked for quite awhile as long as it is protected from freezer burn.

It is also possible to buy bread products in bulk. Fresh bread can be bought, frozen, and thawed out as needed. There is some bread that comes frozen. You can buy these in bulk amounts and store them to use as you need or want to.

Drink mixes such as Kool-Aid or Crystal Light can be bought in bulk and stored for months. These are much cheaper than sodas and can actually be much better for you if you are using the sugar free mixes. Different types of juices can be bought as either frozen or bottled, and will last for at least a month at a time.

As you slowly stock your pantry and freezer, you will start to see the money savings add up. This will become evident as you need to purchase less and less of certain items on each shopping trip. In order to do this type of shopping, consider getting a membership at a store such as Sam’s Club or Costco’s. Bulk shopping is a specialty at these stores.

How to Make Spare Change Count

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You most likely have come home at the end of the day to find you have amassed quite an impressive amount of change. This includes quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. Many people need to spend their pennies as well as count them. If that’s you, there is still a way that you can save this change and turn it into something impressive.

First of all, you will need to find a container for your change. If you want to keep them in separate denominations, you will need a container for each one. Some people keep a gallon jug on hand, as it has been found that when you fill one of these to the brim with quarters, you will have $1,000. That’s a pretty nice chunk of change, no matter how long it may take you to save it. Other containers that work are large mayonnaise jars, pickle jars, or large jelly jars. Anything that is somewhat large and has a lid will do.

Once you have your containers, you need to work on your mindset. Don’t think of your change as something that will buy you an extra soda. Start thinking of it as “not yours.” This means that when you get some change back from something, make up your mind that you are not allowed to spend it. The change no longer is yours to spend because it now belongs to the jar. As soon as you get home, take the change out of your pocket or purse and put it in the container. Before you know it, you will find that container is completely full.

It sometimes helps to have a goal that you are saving for. This will provide some willpower when you are tempted to spend some of those quarters. You simply think of what you are saving the money for and that temptation should fade away. If you are someone who has extremely low willpower, it may help to find a picture of your goal and attach it to the container. You will be able to see what you are saving that money for, which can make it easier to keep from spending any of the change.

Once you have your container full, pay a visit to the bank to get some coin rolls. It will be much easier to cash your change in if you have them all nicely rolled so that they can be counted as dollars. You collect your cash for the change and you’re on your way to that special goal.

Keep More Money in Your Pocket

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Money is a great thing and even better when it stays in our pocket. Keeping your finances under control isn’t easy especially with the economy the way it is currently. A few back to the basics ideas can really help with putting some money back into our financial pockets.

The two largest variable expenses are gas and food. Gas prices are at an all time high. It is important now, more than ever, to keep your car in good shape. Make sure you have given it a tune up, oil change, and the tires have been rotated. Experts say that 55-60 miles per hour is the best range for achieving better gas mileage. While this isn’t’ always possible, just keeping it in mind can assist in the gas bill. Also, this might be a fun experiment to try for a few days. Place a half filled cup of water in your cup holder with no lid. Driving with the cup prevents you from sudden bursts of speed. This alone can increase your gas mileage. As for cruising with the windows down and the A/C off, experts agree this is more myth than anything else. While turning off the air conditioner does save some on gas mileage, rolling down the windows disturbs the aerodynamics of the car. We suggest leaving the A/C on until you hit stopped traffic, then cut it of and get some fresh air.

As for food, well, we all probably eat out more than we should. My soft stop is Olive Garden’s Tuscan soup. But the next time you get the urge to visit your favorite restaurant, try this instead. Call your buddy over and look up copykat recipes online for some great eat-out recipes, for eating in. Not only does it usually cost less to make it at home, we are saving gas money, and best of all, we have another meal for lunch tomorrow.

Don’t forget, that the local grocery store still runs some great deals in the weekly paper. It’s probably been years since you picked one up and had a look at it, but you would be surprised how much money you can save just in meats alone. Pick up several of the really great deals and throw them in the freezer. When you’re savoring the flavors of a delicious steak three weeks from now, you’ll remember what a great deal you got on these babies.