Money Saving Tips

Vacation on the Cheap With 4 Easy Tips

July 26, 2011 By Tracy Leave a Comment

A guest post by Jennifer at 919 Marketing

photo credit focushpp.com

Family vacations are often one of the first things to get cut when a budget gets trimmed, but if you use some creative planning you and your family can still enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation on a reasonable amount of money.

I recently went on a mini vacation to the beach with a group of friends to celebrate a close friend’s birthday. She’s my best friend and I knew that she was excited to go all out and celebrate with a great group of people so I made the mental note that the weekend was probably going to cost me. When I got home, I braced myself for the worst and tallied up all my expenses.

Surprise! The final bill was actually much LOWER than I thought. In fact, I had been saving for a while for the mini-vacation and had budgeted almost twice what I spent! At that point I got an ice cream sandwich from the freezer because I felt like I deserved a treat for being so frugal. As I sat there looking at the numbers and enjoying my treat, I realized my savings were because of the way that we organized the vacation in the first place. My friends all saved money as well. So, I thought I would share of few of the things we did to save money. It might work for you as well.

1. Stay local

This is easier for some people who live near the ocean, a national park or another type of vacation spot but you’d be surprised how many great vacation spots you’re near, no matter where you live! The key is to find a place that you can drive to. Not only do you avoid the headache of battling with an airport, but you can save money on travel expenses.

2. Skip the hotel if you can

In my case, we were lucky enough to be able to take over a beach house belonging to the birthday girl’s family for the weekend, which eliminated the cost of a hotel. If you know people who are renting out their house or need a house sitter for a few days, that can be a great opportunity to take a mini vacation. Staying with friends, if it’s possible, is also a great way to save money as well as visit with people. Just remember that you must be extra respectful to your surroundings because someone else lives there (and it never hurts to leave a thank you note.)

3. “10 to a room, 2 to a towel”

This is something my mom taught me that basically means house as many people as you can, in as little space as you can. When she was growing up her family would travel to the Jersey shore every summer (this was before Snooki and The Situation.) They would just pile the whole family in one room, and they had a big family. The point was, they weren’t going to spend much time in the room anyway so why waste the money on multiple rooms? Having a big family reunion and all staying in one house might seem like a headache but it’s also a fantastic way to make memories with the people you love, and to save a little money. It’s up to you, but “10 to a room” might be a little too crowded, and you might want to bring your own towels!

4. Cook your own food

Going out to eat can be an expensive venture, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Cooking dinners for your family or packing sandwich supplies for lunches is a huge money saver. We cooked most of the meals for our group of 11 people and spent less than $100 for two day’s worth of meals! That’s what I call a bargain.

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Entertainment, Featured, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: captions, cheap, cheap vacation, enjoy, expensive, family vacations, Jersey Shore, mini trip, mini vacations, money, save money, tips, vacation, vacation bargain, vacation spots, vacations

4 Free Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer

July 5, 2011 By ehardy Leave a Comment

photo credit: Fruganation

Summer. Even though it consists of bbq’s, school being out, vacations, warm summer nights…it also brings with her hot and humid days. To keep you from having a total meltdown, here are a four free ways to beat the summer heat.

Cool off in the Water
Instead of heading to your local swimming pool, save the money on the pool pass and head to the nearest {free!} natural river, creek, or lake. Not only can you enjoy a picnic while admiring the nature around you, but you can cool off as well. And if you have a couple tubes, grab some friends and plan to spend a day tubing down a river. Some State Parks don’t charge a fee for picnicking or swimming in their lake or river.
Cool off while Reading
Most local libraries offer kids reading program with little prizes as incentives for reading so many books or books of a certain genre. Spend some time inside enjoying the air conditioning as you read your way through an adventure…possibly winning a free kid’s frosty as well!
Cool off eating a Snow Cone
Grab some some shaved ice –from either your refrigerator that processes the ice cubes, or throw the ice cubes into a blender–and make this recipe for some homemade summery coolness. It’s sweet and cool; the perfect combination for a hot summer afternoon.
Cool off with Water Balloons
Nothing really cools you off like being hit unexpectedly with a water balloon. Grab any old balloons–there’s no need to buy the ones that are “specifically made” for water balloons–fill them with water, and start a water balloon fight with some friends….not the people walking unknowingly under your water balloon! Maybe combine it with a game of Capture the Flag to make it more interesting.

With the heat and the humidity, you need ways to stay cool and not spend all of your hard-earned money doing it. Hopefully these tips will give a few ways to beat the summer heat for free!

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Entertainment, Featured, Financial Tips and Tricks, Holiday Spending, Money Management, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: beat the heat, beating the summer heat, four way to beat summer heat, free, free activities, free summer activities, free summer fun, free things to do, summer, Summer Fun, summer heat, summertime

Smartphones – The True Cost Of Owning One

June 24, 2011 By Tracy 1 Comment

assorted smart phones iphone blackberry droid

photo credit cameraphonesplaza.com

I saw a statistic recently that surprised me. According to this news release nearly 1/3 of Americans own smartphones such as iPhone, Blackberry or an Android phone. Projections estimate that 1 in 2 Americans could own a Smartphone by the end of 2011.

With all those smart (yet media- hungry) phones out there , I can’t help but wonder what this is doing to the budget bottom lines of the average American consumer? Phones that use media and data always come with an extra cost.

I did a little bit of digging and found out that the average smartphone today will cost the consumer between $150 and $300 (usually with a 2 year contract). Data plans to support those phones typically run in the neighborhood of $25-$40 extra each month. What that means, is for most people, it will run $800 or more over two years to have a smart phone over a basic feature phone. If you add the cost of adding “apps” to that phone (We covered some of the best free apps for iPhone, Android and Blackberry here) over two years, chances are it’s going to be much higher.

With all that being said, I have no question that for some people, owning a smartphone is a worthwhile expenditure. Those who travel frequently or need to work on the go will undoubtedly benefit from the convenience and productivity. BUT, for those who own them simply for the fun of it, can you truly afford that expense?

I gave up my smart phone for over 18 months to save money. I wasn’t happy about it, but it was more important for me to be able to purchase a house. When I did elect to go back to my smartphone, it was because I received a small unexpected windfall that covered the purchase of the phone and roughly the first year of upgraded service up-front. With that paid for, the cost for me is minimal over the life of the phone and totally worth it.

The key, as with any expense you add to your budget, is to determine if it’s truly a “need” or a “want”. Believe me when I say, I didn’t WANT to give up my smartphone for the 18 months that I did, but I was aware that my financial goals were more important. With those goals in mind, it was a luxury that I was willing to do without temporarily.

I’m curious to hear your thoughts…..do you consider your smartphone a “must-have” or is it something you could do without to make a difference in your budget?

Filed Under: Entertainment, Featured, Money Saving Tips, Shopping Tagged With: android phone, Blackberry, cost of Android phone, cost of blackberry, cost of iPhone, cost of smartphone, iphone, smartphone

Car Shopping: Choosing the Right Car Part One

June 13, 2011 By Tracy 1 Comment

photo credit thebuzzmedia.com

Recently, my wife and I began what will most likely be an interesting, frustrating and partially fun process – shopping for a car, while looking for a new apartment. Fun you say? Sounds more like a hammer to my big toe. You are probably right, but I am trying to look at the Bright side.

We are still newly married so everything is a new experience and with each one we learn about each other, and we grow together more, (even through the arguments.) Now that I have gushed about my married life, and how in love we are as a couple, it’s time to get down to business.

Step one of this process is picking the right car. Step two is shopping for that car. (Step three and four will be shopping for and finding the right apartment, but those are different posts to come later!). Today we will take a look at step one; how to pick the right car. [Read more...]

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Moving? How to Save Money on Moving Costs

June 3, 2011 By ehardy 1 Comment

photo credit movingcomp.com

These days many people are relocating for jobs, moving into smaller homes or moving into rental properties as a way to save money on housing. Moving is rarely (if ever!) a pleasant experience due to the hassle, time and money it takes to move your entire household from one location to another. Moving can get very expensive very quickly, so it is important to cut costs where you can.

My parents have owned a moving and storage business for 15 years and I spent many summers packing houses and moving furniture. Over the years I have found that there are several areas that people can cut moving costs that they may not have considered.

Boxes – If you are paying a professional moving service, save costs by packing the house yourself. In need of boxes? Many moving companies retain used boxes from previous moves and will be happy to sell them to you at a reduced price (a great way to go green!). If you choose to pack the house on your own, make sure EVERYTHING is packed up. I can’t tell you how many houses I have gone in that claimed to be “packed” and found rooms full of items waiting to be put in boxes. This will most definitely add time and supplies to your bill, so make sure you have everything ready beforehand.
Barter, Haggle, Trade – If you choose to go with a local or independently owned moving service see what you can do to get down the price of your move. EVERYTHING is negotiable, especially in this economy. You may be surprised how willing some owners are to work with you to accommodate your financial situation. You may also be able to trade an item(s) for a portion of the moving cost. I have acquired a car and several pieces of furniture through this process. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Featured, Financial Tips and Tricks, Housing, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: DIY moving tips, how to save money moving, how to save on moving costs, moving budget, moving on a budget, moving tips, relocating on a budget

5 Rules for Creating the Perfect Staycation

June 2, 2011 By ehardy Leave a Comment

man and woman reading books in kiddie pool

photo credit thenewecologist.com

The staycation is becoming a popular alternative to expensive family vacations this summer. Personally, I think this is a great idea. While vacations are nice, they are often stressful and expensive. What better way to use your time away from the office than to reconnect with those you love and get a little R and R?

In order to have an effective staycation, there are 5 cardinal rules that must be followed:

Let everyone know you are on “vacation”. This means no email, don’t answer the house phone and limit personal use of the cell phone.
Eat like your on vacation. Meal planning can be stressful and time-consuming. If you are saving money by staying at home, eat out a few nights during your “stay-cation” or have “vacation” meals at home instead of your old standbys. This is a great opportunity to try out some new recipes or restaurants in your area. Dining out doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you take advantage of specials and coupons available in your area. Hit us restaurants.com for some great local deals!
Get out of the house. Vacations are all about exploring and trying new things. There are probably tons of parks, museums, festivals, etc. in your area that you have yet to discover. Plan out places to visit during your staycation and discover something new about your town/city.
Avoid “chores”. Many will be attempted to tackle household projects that need to be done or catch up on daily chores. In order to feel that you are getting a “break” from the pressures of everyday life, save those things for later and enjoy some well-deserved time off.
Start something new. Vacations are a great time to start a new book, begin an exercise program or finally get the chance to try a new hobby.

What rules/tips do you have for creating the perfect staycation?

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Entertainment, Featured, Financial Tips and Tricks, Holiday Spending, Money Saving Tips, Saving Tagged With: alternative vacations, frugal vacations, how to save money on vacations, saving money with a staycation, summer vacation

The Frugal Guide to Wedding Season

June 1, 2011 By ehardy Leave a Comment

photo credit weddingandflowers.info

Spring and summer are prime time to celebrate the happy nuptials of friends and family. While weddings are a joyous occasion and a chance to share in a special moment with those you love, they can often come with a high price tag. This is especially true if the wedding is out-of-state or involves travel time. It can be a struggle to find room in the budget for such an event and is often a source of stress for those who want to make an appearance. If you are struggling over the decision to attend or not to attend based on budget constraints, here are a few frugal ideas that may help ease the burden on your wallet.

Find alternative transportation or see if you can carpool to the event with other guests who live close to you. Since most wedding dates are planned far in advance, you should have time to capitalize on some great deals and discounts on air, train or car travel.
Give an alternative gift as a wedding present. If you find that you are strapped for cash and don’t want to skimp on a gift for the happy couple try giving them an alternative gift. Offer to watch their pets or water their plants during the honeymoon, help coordinate rides for guests or relatives to and from the airport or offer any special skills you have that may be of service on the wedding day.
Need a new outfit? Borrow from a friend or hit up second-hand stores for great deals on formal and semi-formal wear.
If children are not allowed at the event form a group of parents attending the wedding and split the cost of a babysitter for the evening.

Weddings are a special moment in the lives of friends and family and should be celebrated without worrying about the financial aspects of attending the event. What tips and tricks have helped you save money when attending special events?

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Featured, Financial Tips and Tricks, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: attending a wedding on a budget, how to celebrate special events without going into debt, how to save on special events, saving money on travel, wedding on a budget, wedding season

Spring Savings Tips

May 17, 2011 By Tracy Leave a Comment

photo credit elated.com

Walking my dog this weekend, I finally spotted enough sites around our neighborhood to be convinced spring has arrived.

Yes, I know the calendar listed the first official day of spring as March 20^th, but that’s not always the best way to confirm the season. I’m finally seeing the finches and other birds at the feeders. I’ve also spotted a Mother Goose leading her goslings through the park. And on this walk, my dog Fluffy, is channeling her inner hunter and chasing rabbits. But I’ve also spotted a few other signs of spring, and that has me thinking of a few springtime ideas for saving money.

Car Wash- Last weekend in almost every shopping center around my house, there was a car wash, sponsored by a marching band, a church youth group, and a school class raising money for a summer camp. I’m sure many neighborhoods have similar sites. If the thought of washing your own car seems like too much work, and you don’t want to the local gas station or a professional to have it washed, stop by the charity car wash. You’ll drive away with a clean car and the feeling you did a good deed.
Garage Sale-A garage sale is a great way to save money if you’re shopping and make money if you’re trying to un-clutter your life. Two suggestions though. If you’re shopping, only buy what you need. No matter how good the deal, if you don’t really need it, you’ll be looking for a way to unload it. If you’re selling, remember the goal is to get rid of items. Be reasonable on the price. If you only have a few items to get rid of, you can always ask a neighbor who is having a garage sale if you could sell your items in their sale and give them a portion of the sale price for the trouble.
Charities Need Help-Speaking of un-cluttering. If organizing a garage sale sounds overwhelming, it’s a good time of year to donate items to charity. Donations routinely drop in the summer, so charities such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army need donations to fill their stores with new items. Also, many churches and other groups sponsor their own charity garage sales and are collecting items. Some groups will even pick up the items from your house.
Gardening-It isn’t news to anyone that food prices are going higher. It’s time to think about planting a garden, even if it’s a small one. Gardening is fun, relaxing and saves money on the grocery bill. There are sales on plants, seeds, planting soil and everything else you need for a garden right now.
Used Sports Gear-This is the time of year when many weekend athletes get moving again. If you need new gear, stop by the second hand sporting goods store before buying brand new gear. Many times, athletes want the newest gear even though their old gear is in fine shape, it’s just not new.

Any other money saving thoughts for spring you want to share? Give us a shout – out in the comments!

Filed Under: Featured, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: how to save money, money saving tips, Saving Money, tips for saving money

6 Benefits of Drinking More Water

May 12, 2011 By ehardy Leave a Comment

photo credit healthnowmedical.com

It is hard to find an argument for not drinking water on a daily basis. While we know we should, many of us do not get the amount of water that we need. This can be especially problematic when we substitute soda and juice as an alternative, which can increase monthly spending and have an impact on our health. Drinking more water has many advantages and is an easy change to implement into your daily routine. Plus, its free! Can’t argue with a free resource that has such an impact on our well-being. If you aren’t convinced, here are 6 great benefits of downing more H2O.

Drinking water helps to build muscle and lose weight. Forget fad diets and grad a water bottle if you need help shedding that last 5 pounds.
Hot outside? Water helps regulate your body temperature. Oh so important during the summer!
Drinking water has been proven to help your digestive system process foods and stay on track.
Want a good report from the dentist? Drinking water will help wash away sugars and the fluoride in tap water builds strong teeth.
Feeling weighed down by a weekend of dining out and drinking? Water will help your body flush those toxins.
If you need a pick-me-up, drinking water has been linked to increased focus. Pass on the coffee and hit the water fountain to get you through the workday.

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Featured, Money Management, Money Saving Tips, Saving Tagged With: benefits of drinking bottled water, budgeting tips, health benefits of water, healthy beverages, how to lose weight, how to save money on drinks, how to save money on health expenses, saving money on groceries, ways to stay focused at work

4 Great Frugal Gifts for High School and College Grads

May 7, 2011 By ehardy Leave a Comment

photo credit fungiftideas.org

If you are getting inundated with graduation announcements and are at a loss for what to get for a grad, here are some great frugal ideas that will allow you to celebrate their special moment and won’t break the bank.

High School Graduates

Towels – inexpensive and always in use. Find a fun print or a color that matches the personality of your grad for that “extra” touch.
Create your own gift basket filled with basic groceries or dorm necessities. These can be very inexpensive if you stick to the small stuff. Dollar stores have some great essentials that will allow you to stock up for a low price.
Even if you aren’t crafty, this one is a cinch. Grad a canvas bag and an iron-on patch with their future school logo/mascot and make them a custom tote bag.
Get them ready for the fall with notebooks, pens, highlighters, etc. This can be an inexpensive way to give a useful gift and save your grad some money come August.

College Graduates

Buy a new or used (or give your own copy) of your favorite book about “life” that you feel is inspirational during this transition. Include a personal inscription in the cover for a meaningful gift that they will cherish for years.
Check out your local craft store for an inexpensive diploma frame for your grad to display their hard-earned degree. Many of these stores have sales throughout the year (and coupons) so you can snag a great frame at a reduced price.
If you are looking for a small gift, try finding a graduation ornament online. You can use craft paint to put the year of their graduation on the ornament or write the year and the school on the back.
If you really want to give your college graduate a present, avoid such statements as “what can you do with that degree,” “do you have a job lined up,” or “now the fun is over and the real world starts.”

Filed Under: Cheap Living, Events, Featured, Financial Tips and Tricks, Money Saving Tips Tagged With: college graduation gifts, frugal gift giving, gifts for college graduates, graduation, high school graduation gifts, how to save money on gifts, tips for saving money on graduate gifts