Seeking savings
That expensive computer might be your most effective money-saving device.
CNN Money says it best: “Frugality is in; bling is out.” Everyone has already started shying away from name-brands, heading to discount retailers and wholesale grocery stores, and eliminating non-essentials such as eating out and buying an RV.
If you’ve done all of these things but are still feeling a bit cash-strapped because you’re paying off personal loans or waiting for mortgage loan modification to go through, what can you do? Here are some ideas I came across to make savings and products go even further.
1. Double duty
A great way to make household products such as disposable dusting cloths, wipes and dryer sheets go twice as far is to cut them in half. At the time, tearing a dryer sheet and only using half of it may seem like a small thing, but think about it. They’ll last twice as long; you’ll only have to buy dryer sheets half as often.
If you do this with other household products that you frequently use, the savings will really add up. “Works for me Wednesday” blogger reports that when her family gets a package of bacon, she cuts it in half so the bacon pieces are half as long. She says it “tricks” them into thinking they’re eating four pieces of bacon instead of two.
2. Maximize your coupons
Another tip from a story at CNN Money recommends holding onto your coupons until an item goes on sale. Then, you get the benefit of the sale price plus the coupon savings.
Many people find they can end up getting things for free with this method.
3. Take advantage of technology
The Internet is becoming more and more of a haven for coupons, promotions and giveaways. There are web sites out there such as couponcravings.com, moneysavingmom.com and lifehacker.com that will alert you when they find opportunities to save money.
Of course there are also lots of web sites where you can find just about anything you’d want to purchase. Craigslist.com is the most popular. For children’s clothing, there’s handmedowns.com. Tons of savings are right at your fingertips.
Coupon clipping is a time honored tradition that can save a person, or family, hundreds of not thousands a year. Why should you pay full price when you can not do so? The value of thrift is seen as something to be ashamed of – it was amongst the virtues of antiquity. Who benefits from not clipping coupons and spending freely? Assuredly not the consumer, and certainly not the people who work in stores.
I wanted to let you and your readers know about a new website called DealBandy.com where users can request deals and coupons for specific products, services and stores. Other users are then paid commission to hunt down the best answer for the coupon or deal request. It’s a great way to both earn money and to save money.
My favorite of the all is using coupons, i save at least 10 % by using freebie coupons from site like swoopup.com, coupon.com, etc were we get great promotional offers and vouchers for free.