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.

I want help wherever I can find it during the current recession. Food, housewares, toiletries and entertainment expenses are all areas where coupons are vital to my cost-cutting methods. If I can look in the newspaper, in the mail or go online and find the coupons that meet my needs, I am all over it. I’ve even relied upon instant payday loans and installment loans. But with Web sites like MySavings.com, Freebies.com, HeyItsFree.net, HeyItsFree.com and many more, you can find freebies of all types, shapes and sizes.

Millions of shoppers (myself included) are game to take advantage of deals like this. MySavings.com realizes this, and they’ve made their Web site not only a coupon depository, but a community where savers can share their experiences on forums and chat rooms. This helps newbies to find savings tips and offers that will help themselves and their families.

I mentioned the freebies, right?

Let’s take a look at some of the free samples on MySavings.com as a write this story. If I were having trouble with heartburn, I could get my hands on a free sample of Prilosec OTC. I don’t need that right now, but I have two young children. Eventually, these children will become teenagers, so I’m sure my stomach will need pharmaceutical assistance by then. I’m already going gray (you may not notice, but I know it’s there), so tasteful hair coloring may be in my future. That’s where a free box of Clairol Beautiful Collection Advanced Gray Solution could come in handy. Sure, I know that’s not a male-oriented brand, but hells bells, if I want luxuriously beautiful hair, I’m going for it!

Scanning down the column, I see a free 20-piece starter pack of Nicorette gum. I am not nor have I ever been a smoker. I will never start, either. So I’ll save this for my parents, who both smoke. Perhaps this can put them on the right path to quit, because I want my kids to have grandma and grandpa in their lives for some time. On a related note, if my parents are taken by lung cancer, there are free samples of guacamole and paper towels for the post funeral reception…

What a concept

MySavings.com describes itself as follows:

We provide a comprehensive directory of brand name free samples, printable grocery coupons, online coupons, free stuff and freebies, and other discounts and deals so that consumers can save money on products they already buy and sample and discuss which products are right for them and their family.

Visitors of MySavings.com can pick their free samples from a database that is touted as being the largest on the World Wide Web. As a community, members have the power to rate and review specific samples and deals for the purposes of steering community traffic toward the best deals. This makes MySavings a “try before you buy” paradise that no brick-and-mortar store can match. Who among us hasn’t purchased a new product, then found after using a little of it that it doesn’t work the way you want it to? Certain things can’t be returned to the store after they’re opened, so you’re out of luck in those situations.

But not with MySavings.com. New free product samples are added every day, including those for health and beauty products, food, cosmetics, make-up, perfume, baby products and much more. And you don’t have to pay anything, not even shipping and handling!

What are you waiting for?

I’m going to shop for free deals on MySavings.com, HeyItsFree.net, HeyItsFree.com and sites like them right away. If you need help saving money during this recession, do the same!

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Erin Chase's cheeseburgers and salad dinner cost her $4.19.

Can you feed a family of four dinner for five dollars or less? Erin Chase believes you can. In fact, she says on her web site: “I cannot make a meal that costs more than $5. Even if I try. My brain will no longer allow it.”

Rachael Ray featured Chase on her program The Rachael Ray Show, and Chase’s blog that shares tips on coupon clipping and eating healthy has skyrocketed in popularity.

Coupons are the key

On 5dollardinners.com, Chase says her $5 dinners would not be possible without coupons. She recommends that you only buy meat on sale. She uses ecoupons but also clips coupons out of newspapers. She reminds readers that she lives in the Midwest, where grocery prices are generally lower than the rest the country.

She has more than 200 recipes posted on her blog, and she says she values health just  much as frugality. Despite her one-income household, she never needs short-term loans to afford groceries.

More benefits of Five Dollar Dinners

Besides saving money and being healthy, Chase is enthusiastic about teaching her two young sons good eating habits. She always uses her grocery store club card, and she recommends that readers come up with their own dinner dollar amount based on their family size and the prices at their local grocery store.

Recipes

Chase has traditional, simple meals such as $5 Tacos and Fish ‘n’ Chips. She has some pretty creative ideas for meals on there, too. Although the site is called $5 Dinners, there are breakfast recipes such as Banana Stuffed French Toast, Breakfast Tacos and Bacon and Tomato Omelets.

Dinner recipes include ideas such as Blueberry Wild Rice and Butternut Squash, Mango Avacado Soup, Lasagne Roll Ups, “Cheater” Chicken Divan and Bacon Wrapped Pork Roast. I am a little skeptical about the healthy aspect of that last one, but she includes the prices of her ingredients in the recipes, so I know it was a $5 Dinner.

Whether you shop for clothes, food, or same day payday loans, clipping coupons and comparing sale prices in newspaper advertisements and other places can save you money on your spending costs, put a savings in your wallet, and help you keep true to your budget.

Checking out the newspaper sales sections to save money

You want to save money on items you need, and in today’s economic crunch, every penny counts. Check out your newspaper and often you’ll regularly see a section insert, or inserts for coupons. Most often these are for groceries, but sometimes the Sunday sales section of the newspaper not only has items such as clothes on sale for a certain percentage off, occasionally you can find coupons that will save you money on select items. Just like you’d shop around for the best type of loan, whether it’s a faxless payday loan or a fast, easy, and secure installment loan, you can get great bargains on many things.

How often do you compare Sales Ads?

Usually on Sundays and Wednesdays in your local paper, you’ll find coupons and sales ads from a variety of shops and stores that want you to come in to their establishment to get you to buy their wares. It’s important to look at each store’s ad to compare the percentage off the item you are looking to buy, just as it is important to find the right kind of loan you need, like a quick payday loan or an online installment loan. Comparing the prices of items via the newspaper ads can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Clip coupons to save on your grocery bills and other items

Not only should you check-out the percent-off that some of those competing ads show, but it is important to clip coupons on grocery and other items which will also save money on items you might frequently or occasionally buy. Use these clipped coupons carefully and in conjunction with discounted or percentage-off sale items you saw in the sales section of the newspaper.

Just like finding and carefully using a same day payday loan, or safe installment loan, clipping the coupons you’ve decided to use will help you in many ways, especially saving you money.

You can find coupons, sales, and payday or installment loans online

Just like in a newspaper or often in a magazine, you can also find bargains, sales, and coupons in reputable places online. Looking for an instant payday loan, or safe installment loan, or checking around for coupons and sales online or in a newspaper saves you money and doesn’t have to be an extensive chore. Sometimes if you go to your favorite store’s own site, you’ll find out what they have on sale there too, as well as what coupons they might have.

You can either get a coupon code or download a ready-to-use coupon.

These coupons can easily be printed out on inexpensive paper and use them just as you would coupons from the newspaper or magazine. You could even make your payday loan go further with coupons. Put several on one piece of paper to also save you money. And that way you’re saving not only money but going greener environmentally too!

During difficult economic times, it’s important to tighten the belt wherever possible. For consumers like you and me, this means looking at our most common expenses and seeing how we can cut back to more manageable spending levels.

One of the most basic expenses that most everyone has is grocery store bills. We all have to eat, don’t we? Unfortunately, everything is more expensive as inflation increases and crop production is more expensive. For part one in this 10-part series on how to survive the recession, here are a few helpful hints that should make your tale of the register less painful.

The list you’ll need to follow…

1. Be Prepared. Take a look at the inside of your refrigerator and see what you need. Make a list, clip coupons (or find them online) for what you’ve written down and stick to that list. If you know what you generally need far in advance and coupon Web sites don’t have what you’re looking for, you can sometimes buy valuable coupons in bulk via eBay. Moreover, if your local store doubles coupons or has a club card, be sure to take advantage of the savings. Finally, read labels to see that you’re getting the most for your money.
2. Eat before you go. If you don’t do this, you’re more likely to be tempted by impulse food buys that stray from your shopping list.
3. Be brand smart. National brands are certainly more visible and sexy. However, generic brands often have the exact same ingredients and taste just as good. Don’t fall prey to advertising hype; commercials aren’t a part of a balanced diet.
4. Pay close attention to displays. Check out the book “The Science of Shopping” by Paco Underhill. After just a few minutes of reading, you’ll learn that successful retailers arrange items to maximize sales. They want you to buy their higher-priced premium items, so they’ll be much easier to see than the low-priced generic substitutes. You’ll see this on aisle shelves, island and end caps. Don’t even THINK about buying things from end caps or islands… those are almost always higher-priced impulse items. Look high and low on the shelves, away from convenient eye level. That’s where the cheaper generics are hidden. Sometimes you’ll even be able to find good buys in clearance bins hidden at the very back of the store. Don’t miss these!
5. Pay attention at checkout. I know it’s fun to read what’s on the magazine rack, but you need to watch as each item is scanned. You want to make sure the proper price scans for each and every item. Grocery stores are usually pretty good about keeping their computers up to date, but mistakes will inevitably occur. If you see something scans overpriced, tell the checker right away. People behind you in line may grumble and pout, but this is about saving you money. They’ll do the same thing when they’re checking out, so what are they complaining about?

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A time to be thankful!

The economy may be struggling, but there are still plenty of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving like friends, family, and instant payday loans. It’s easy to focus on all the things in life that bring you trouble. The economy, the stock market, money, food prices, and the holiday season are all causes of stress right now, and rightfully so. That’s why there’s a day set aside every year for people to take a step back and think about what is good in their lives—Thanksgiving. There are a ton of things you can worry about this time of year, but there are also a number of things that you probably take for granted that you should be thankful for. So be thankful!

Food Costs

The price of turkey per pound is also up this year

Everyone knows that prices are on the rise. This includes the price of food. Because Thanksgiving is a holiday based around food, Thanksgiving can get pretty pricey. The average cost for a Thanksgiving meal for ten people is $44.61, which is up almost two and a half dollars from last year. If you have a family with more than ten people, you can expect your cost to be even higher. The price of turkey per pound is also up this year. Maybe this sounds a little overwhelming to you, especially if you haven’t done your Thanksgiving shopping yet. However, as previously mentioned, there are a lot of things to be thankful for. This year you should be thankful for coupons, grocery store sales, and your wonderful idea to have a Thanksgiving Day potluck. If you cut coupons, look for specials, and get your family members to bring food dishes to the celebration, you can cut back significantly on costs. So be thankful!

Winter Expenses

Not only are food costs on the rise, other things like heat, electricity, and energy related expenses also get higher in the winter. When it’s cold outside, it’s tempting to crank the heat up indoors. That’s not the best idea if you’re trying to cut costs. However, it’s normal to actually turn the heat on in the winter, which can still make your bill higher. Your electricity bill will probably higher than usual during the winter months too because it’s darker outside and you need lights on more often. Added costs and more expensive bills can be stressful, but remember this: you have a place to eat and lights to turn on. Some people don’t have refuge from the freezing cold and harsh elements during the winter months. So be thankful!

A Time to Give Thanks – Instant Payday Loans

It’s always easy to focus on the negative or the things that aren’t going quite right, but this time of year is set aside to be thankful for what you do have. This time of year is meant to focus on friends and family—oh, and food! So this Thanksgiving, take a few moments to sit back and reflect on the good things in your life. Don’t forget about all your other responsibilities, but don’t stress out about them either. If you’re struggling with food costs or winter expenses, you still have something to be thankful for. Instant payday loans are available to help you cover costs, so be thankful!

"Ladies, lets face it. Most of us don't know a lick about cars."

Persuasive mechanics can make getting car repairs an absolute nightmare, but a cash advance and automobile advice are the tools you need to make your trip to the auto shop affordable. Sitting in the driver’s seat and playing with a ruby red Barbie Ferrari are the only experiences most women have with cars. Many mechanics take advantage of the fact that women know nothing about what’s under the hood. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but in general, women are clueless when it comes to cars, and mechanics use this to try to get as much money out of women as possible.

Avoid Spending Too Much

As they say, admitting you have a problem is always the first step. So now that we’ve admitted we know nothing about cars, we can equip ourselves with the proper knowledge to do battle with that sneaky mechanic. According to a Yahoo! feature, there are five key steps you can take to prevent spending too much money at the auto repair shop:

1: Research. You should research what your car really needs. There’s no point in going in for a scheduled service if your car doesn’t need to be serviced yet. There are many online resources that can give you specifics on the services your car requires. These online resources also include manufacturers’ websites.

2: Use Coupons. Scour your local newspaper for coupons. If you find a coupon for your auto shop, that’s great. If you find a competitor’s coupon, you should call your auto shop to see if they will honor it. You will find that most auto shops honor competitor coupons; they want your business and are willing to give you a discount to earn it.

3. Find references. This goes hand-in-hand with doing research. If you don’t know where to start, have a quick conversation with your friends, family, neighbors, or insurance company to find out who the best mechanics or auto shops are. By getting references you can find decent mechanics in your area. Plus, if you mention to your mechanic that you were referred by someone, the mechanic will be more straight-up with you in order to maintain his reputation. The mechanic knows if he tries to rip you off, chances are he’ll lose your business and the business of the person that referred you.

4. Too good to be true. If you haven’t learned by now, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Often times you can find incredible deals, but these deals are more like lures so that the mechanics can try to “up-sell” you once you get in the shop. It’s almost like a bait-and-switch marketing tactic. Don’t fall for their gimmicks.

5. Stand up for yourself. The mechanic will try to sell you as many additional parts and services as possible. Mechanics make a lot of money on the “extras”, and don’t like taking no for an answer. They will try to persuade you into spending more money in the shop than is necessary. So stand firm because not everything the mechanic tells you is for the benefit of your car.

Almost Hassle-Free

Now that you know how to handle yourself in the auto shop, getting your car fixed will be much less of a hassle, and it’s less likely that the mechanic will take advantage you. However, paying for car repairs is still a hassle, especially if it’s not a scheduled tune-up. If you have emergency car repairs that need immediate attention, a cash advance can help cover the costs until you get your next paycheck. Now that you know about a cash advance and how to stand up to your mechanic, car repairs can be almost hassle-free.