Leather is considered a luxury material and, as such, can be a costly investment. Because there are so many types and grades of leather, whether you’re shopping for clothing, footwear, accessories, luggage, handbags or furniture, it’s important to know what you’re looking at to ensure you get the quality you want at a fair price.

Leather facts

Leather is the skin of an animal that’s been prepared in order to preserve it and to make it supple. That being said, all leather is not created equal. The most common leathers are made of, in descending order of popularity, cow, sheep, goat, and pig. The fact that an item is made of leather, however, does not ensure that it’s a quality piece. Many factors go into determining high quality, valuable and durable leather goods.

Determining leather quality

Leather is graded according to its quality; better quality being more valuable.

  • Grade 1 (aka full-grain) leather is extremely smooth, supple, clear of defects and consistent in color.
  • Grade 2 leather has slight imperfections and a less-consistent color.
  • Grade 3 leather is blotchy, has inconsistent color and feels stiff due to the coatings applied to hide its numerous imperfections.

Finishing
In the finishing process, leather can be treated with one of the following:

  • Aniline dye is sheer and penetrates the leather. allowing its natural beauty and character show through.
  • Surface dye is a topical coating which covers the leather’s natural appearance.

Trust your senses to determine quality leather

You can tell a lot about a leather piece’s quality by experiencing it in person.

  • Look – Even stitching, consistent color and few blemishes indicate quality. Pay specific attention to the edges of a leather piece. If the leather in the middle appears blue the piece (for cost-cutting reasons) has been only partially tanned and will be susceptible to cracking and fading when exposed to sunlight.
  • Smell – You pick up on the unmistakable scent of leather.
  • Feel – Quality leather will be smooth to the touch, supple and flexible.

Leather terminology

Because leather is a luxury material, it is highly sought-after. Manufacturers recognize that using the word, “leather,” imbues a product with a certain cache and quality, whether it actually deserves it or not. Understanding leather terminology will help you know precisely what you’re buying.

Split leather is  made by splitting a piece of leather into two layers. This is a means to produce a more economical (and lower quality) leather.

  • Top grain – This first layer is sanded down and chemically processed, resulting in a leather that’s less breathable with a “plastic” feel.
  • Split grain – This remaining layer is often made into suede or embossed to look like a full grain leather, while being thinner and less durable than the real thing.

It’s important to recognize that the term “genuine leather” provides no guarantee as to the quality of the leather used – only that it is some kind of leather.

Also note that some manufacturers advertise their product is made “with” full-grain leather. Again, this only really says that some of the leather is full-grain.

Make the most of your leather investment

You needn’t pay full retail price for leather. Consider semi-annual sales and buying “last season’s” goods at discount retailers. After Christmas is an ideal time to purchase leather goods. As for resale value, high quality leather holds its value, so you can recoup a good part of your leather investments on Etsy and eBay should you tire of them while they’re still gently used.

As long as you know that what you’re buying is worth the money, leather pays off in quality, durability and satisfaction.

Some of the problems you might be having with money management might be stemming from your mindset. There are times when we get caught in a mindset, and it’s hard to break out of it. Unfortunately, these mindsets can be damaging to your finances. Before you let another month go by, wondering where your money has gone, identify and change the 4 following money mindsets:

#1: More Money Will Solve Your Problems

One of the biggest money mindsets that you probably need to change is the idea that more money will solve your financial problems. In a lot of cases, people think that just having a bigger income will solve their woes, fixing their budget problems.

The reality is that, while having more money can ease some situations, it’s often a matter of management. Many people, once they have more money, immediately begin spending in a way that keeps up with the new income. If you don’t track your income, and if you are in the habit of spending more than you earn, more money isn’t going to solve your problem.

Stop thinking about how you wish that you had more money so that all your financial problems would disappear. Instead, take a look at your current financial habits, and make changes to the way you handle money. Once you stop blaming all of your financial issues on a lack of money, you can start making positive changes.

#2: Credit = Your Available Cash

Too many people view credit cards as available cash. They think of it as their money. The truth is that your available credit is not your money. It’s the credit issuer’s money. When you spend that money, you are borrowing. There is no getting around that fact. Rather than viewing that money as available cash, base your spending plan on your actual income. You can use credit cards, but it’s important to remember that it’s never your money, and that you need to pay the balance in full each month.

#3: You *Need* Something

It’s easy to fall into the “I need that” trap. The first part of the trap is mistaking wants for needs. For instance, it’s common to think that you *need* a smartphone, or a bigger TV, or a newer car. The reality is that many of the things we see as “needs” in the modern world are actually wants. Pay attention to the language you use, and be realistic about your needs and wants. Reduce the spending on things you think you need, and you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.

#4: It’s Too Hard to Get a Handle on Things

Many people think that finances are difficult — and that’s why they are bad with money. Once you discard this mindset and realize that you are capable of handling your finances, you can start making better decisions. First of all, it’s important to understand that education is essential. Take the time to learn about money, and how it works, and you’ll discover that a little knowledge goes a long well toward dispelling your harmful misconceptions about money.

School has started once again, and this year many newly-graduated students will form the freshman ranks of colleges and universities across the world. Being new to college life and campus living is a challenge that brings with it the opportunity for character building through establishing responsibility and maturity to live in the adult world. Of course, it also involves educational and career development. But what many new college students (and their parents) fail to realize is how crucial this time is to developing good financial habits. The financial decisions, whether large or small, made by college students (especially in their first year of ingraining habits) can have a tremendous affect on an adult’s life post-college and into their career.

Giving financial advice to college students doesn’t always go over well, especially when young adults have so many other things on their mind — the new social settling, navigating campus life, and passing their classes. Of course, some lessons have to be learned the hard way, but parents should still give their college student good advice and direction for avoiding common financial pitfalls. Here are a few common personal finance tips for new college students you can pass on to the students in your life.

Your education is money: use it wisely.
College is expensive, and it’s only getting more expensive. Students are usually forced to rely on financial support from family as well as grants, scholarships, and federal loans. However an education is financed, much of it is borrowed or gifted. It’s sad to say, but many young college students skip class and  needlessly fail entire courses because they fail to respect the financial obligation involved. Unlike high school, funded by tax payers (still not free, if you think about it!), every failed course costs money.  You pay for classes whether you pass or fail, and if you have to repeat them or pay for extensions due to laziness, it’s costing you, and will continue to cost you in the form of student loans for years to come, regardless of what you get out of it.  Personally, I’d rather be paying off student loans for an education I put to good use rather than for one I wasted.

Living off credit cards and loans will come back to bite you.
Student loans often exceed the amount of tuition. Although excess funds are encouraged to be used for school-related expenses such as textbooks and other materials, some students give into the temptation to spend them on luxuries, such as fancy laptops, tablets, and phones, or even cars. Although the ‘use’ of such things for college is used to legitimize the purchases, this is unnecessary debt. Using student loans exclusively for needs and rolling over or returning excess funding is a better way to emerge with a minimum amount of college debt.

Many college student also use credit cards (either their own or their parents’…shame on you!)  to fund not only school-related expenses, but daily living. Because full-time students are sometimes unable to work or only a few hours a week, living expenses can become difficult to fund. Some credit card debt may be inevitable, but caution is necessary, because credit card abuse could become a scar on your credit report for many years to come, and keep you from being able to purchase larger items, like a home.

Convenience is costly; shop frugally.
Campuses are designed to cater to the every need and want of its students and professionals, including on-campus toiletries, food, and other supplies. Books are one of the most costly necessary expenses, but can be purchases used or loaned instead of brand-new with a little extra effort. Shopping for household supplies and food at a department store instead of campus, where it is likely over-priced, may require a weekly trip, but will save tons of money throughout your campus stay.

Learning all the little ways to save money while a dependent college student will not only make a student’s loans and credit card debt more manageable after graduation; it establishes good financial habits that will impact the rest of financial life.

An important element of managing your finances is keeping tabs on how you handle borrowed money and repay debt. Your responsibility when it comes to these matters factors into lenders’ decisions about approving you for loans and credit. Building a strong reputation with lenders is the foundation of a healthy financial life. One of the indicators of how you handle credit is your credit score.

What IS a credit score?

Your credit score is a numerical representation of the degree of financial risk you represent to a lender. The score is calculated according to a formula, utilizing data contained in your credit report. You can – and should – review your credit report yearly; get your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. This is a means to monitor your financial standing with your lenders and make certain that the information it contains is correct. Should you find inaccurate information in your credit report, it is important to dispute the error so it can be rectified and your good standing can remain intact.

While your credit score is not contained in your credit report, it is influenced by the information it contains. You can obtain your credit score from the same reporting agency from which you receive your credit report; often, however, a nominal fee is required to obtain it. The higher your credit score, the better, as it indicates you offer a lower risk of defaulting on a loan or paying late. Those with higher credit scores are more likely to be approved loans and credit and often receive lower interest rates on borrowed money.

You’ve no doubt heard of a FICO Score; this is a credit score calculated by Fair Isaac Corporation, the largest and most widely-known of several companies providing software for determining credit scores. Your FICO credit score will fall between their parameters of 300-850. Other agencies may score differently so it’s important to understand the range of the particular source of the score you receive.

What makes up a credit score?

In calculating your credit score, five particular factors are examined:

  1. Payment history (determines 35% of your score) – A strong history of paying your debts on time indicates you take your financial responsibilities seriously.
  2. Amounts owed (determines 30% of your score) – The amount you’ve borrowed and responsibly repay in relation to your total credit limit is a strong indicator of your ability to manage your credit.
  3. Length of credit history (determines 15% of your score) – How long your credit accounts have been established and how long it’s been since you used them will indicate the history of your credit utilization.
  4. New credit (determines 10% of your score) – Since the age of an account is taken into consideration, it’s best not to open a lot of new accounts at once.
  5. Types of credit used (determines 10% of your score) – Having a various kinds of credit indicates that you have experience handling more than just one type, providing a wider view into your credit management abilities.

What factors affect a credit score?

Simply put, paying all your bills on time, borrowing with discretion, and maintaining long and successful financial relationships with lenders will lead your credit score in an upward direction. Failure to do so will result in a lower score. It is possible to raise a lower credit score by establishing or reestablishing good repayment habits. It will take time and tenacity, but it can be done in the long run.

Responsible use of credit allows you the ability to borrow money when you need to. It’s important to monitor and actively take steps to improve your credit score. Your financial reputation depends upon it.

We all know that preparing an impressive resume is an important step to landing your dream job and staying competitive for promotions and new positions.  In addition to listing previous work experience in detail, as well as any other achievements acquired, many people include a skills section to list abilities they may not have used in a work setting, but contribute to their appearance as a desirable employee. This sometimes includes hobbies. 

It is becoming increasingly popular to list certain hobbies as part of your skills on resumes and online profiles. While golf, bridge, poker, and chess are among the most commonly listed, some are starting to list  fringe hobbies such as online gaming and fantasy sports leagues.  The applicable skills acquired from socially-oriented games or those that involve mathematics and reasoning are easy to deduce, but how do you determine which hobbies will paint you in a positive light, which have no effect but clutter on your resume, and which could ruin your chances of getting hired? Here are a few tips in case you’re wondering.

Don’t Ruin the First Impression
The impression you give through your resume can make or break your chances of being considered for a job even before you meet for an interview. While honesty is important when relating your work history and education (which can be verified), you don’t need to share too much personal information on a resume…save that for your dating profile. In some cases, too much information about yourself (your personality, preferences, some of your hobbies, your political views), whether or not it reflects your job skills, can immediately leave the impression you’re (1) unprofessional, (2) a risk,  or (3) a basket case.

With this in mind, some of your hobbies won’t relate to your hire-ability, but some might. Don’t be afraid to list a hobby that is a noteworthy example of key skills you’re demonstrating for the job you want. Don’t just list the hobby; list the applicable skills this hobby has given you that relate to work skills, in general (including working well in team settings), as well as specific abilities that make you more qualified for the job than anyone else.  Keep in mind that, even if you’ve gained work-related skills from some of your hobbies, they might not be appropriate for your resume. Always consider your audience. Will they know what the hobby is? How does it make you look, from their point of view? e-

Avoid a Cluttered Resume
Resumes aren’t meant to be biographies. They’re designed to give a brief overview of your experience, skills, and potential as an employee. Don’t feel bad if you don’t have a lot of job experience. Fully explain what skills and experience you have, but don’t fill your page(s) up with useless clutter just to make it look like you’ve done a lot. Succinct resumes don’t have to be bland, either. Use exact words, proper grammar, and maintain a confident and positive tone throughout to make your resume stand out above the rest.

Your Are What You Do for Fun
Hobbies really do say a lot about the kind of person you are, specifically your dedication and proficiency. If you’ve had a noteworthy hobby for a long duration of time, it shows you’re able to commit to something and stick with it. Furthermore, if you excel at it, it shows you give 100% of your effort and have a personal drive for excellence. Furthermore, social hobbies that require networking demonstrate people skills that are useful in management and human relations.

Take a look at your hobbies and consider whether you want to list them on your resume. Showcasing your skills and character through your hobbies might just be the key that gets you the job you’ve always wanted.

When personal computers first entered marketplace, they were novelties – considered to be very expensive toys or technological gadgets. While early computers may have been for a select few, they have now entered the realm of must-have appliances. Nowadays, 30+ years later, it’s safe to say that the majority of people in developed countries around the world not only use computers but own some incarnation of one. No longer considered optional equipment, computers are implicitly tied to our everyday life as a crucial part of our work, education, communication and entertainment alike.

Thankfully, as their popularity and importance has risen, computer prices have dropped. Consumers can enjoy more computing power (storage space, speed and memory) for less money. Technology marches onward, no matter how its common users utilize it. Even affordable computers are capable of performing significantly more than many people will ever need them to do; a fact that leads to some people have considerably more computer than they actually need. This begs the question: Are you paying more than necessary for the technology you need?

It all began with the desktop models – behemoths that took up the better part of a desk in a home office. Then came the laptops, which freed us from one place while offering all the features of the desktop. For most home computer users, while the size and mobile capability of the equipment changed, what they did on the computer did not: accessing the Internet, checking/sending email, keeping up with social media, playing games, word processing, Skyping with friends and family… The convenience of doing those tasks from anywhere on a laptop is positively liberating – and you may be convinced that you’ve found the best of both computer worlds. What if, however, you needed to replace your current laptop today? How – and what – would you choose from today’s marketplace that would allow you to do all that you want on your technology without buying too much computer or ultimately paying more than necessary. Enter the tablet.

Could a tablet be the only computer you need?

While laptops and tablets are different devices, they can perform many of the same functions. A tablet may serve the computing needs for certain light, basic computer users. Could a tablet be a viable and affordable option to buying a laptop?

What is a tablet?
Basically, a tablet is a lightweight device that uses a touchscreen instead of a separate viewing screen and keyboard like a laptop does. Popular tablets on the market include the iPad/iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy, Nexus and Microsoft Surface. Tablets also run a specially-designed operating system which is the key to why they’re ideal for “basic” computer functions: providing what you need and not a lot of “extras” you don’t.

Possible advantages of a tablet over a laptop

  • Simplified, streamlined computer experience – If your needs are basic, why deal with – and pay for – functionality and complicated processes you’ll never use?
  • Value – With a tablet, you’ll get a higher quality device for a price similar to that of a laptop.
  • Multitasker – Many tablets can be connected to a data plan via your mobile phone carrier to have Internet access on your device. They also can serve as a fine e-reader, negating the need for a separate purchase.
  • Less susceptible to viruses – A tablet’s operating system is less complicated than that of a laptop, creating less opportunity to be exposed to viruses.
  • Self-contained – A tablet has no external parts (like a mouse).

Depending upon your needs, a casual computer user could benefit in many ways from owning a tablet instead of a laptop.

It’s been an interesting few weeks. My husband got a new job, all the way across the country. So we’ve packed everything up and we’re moving. There are a lot of things to consider when you move, from making sure you have the insurance you need to being sure that the utilities are turned on in your new place.

Additionally, it often feels as though all you do is spend, spend, spend. There are a lot of costs when it comes to moving, from paying to transport your items, to the hotels you stay in along the way. It’s amazing how fast it adds up.

While it can be painfully expensive to move, there is a way to take some of the edge off. Interestingly enough, it has to do with the IRS. That’s right: The IRS can make your move a little more palatable. With the right approach, you can receive a tax deduction for your move. If you are starting over again in a new place, don’t forget to save your receipts and plan for a tax break.

Your Moving Tax Deduction

First of all, the tax deduction for moving is “above the line,” meaning that you don’t have to itemize to take it. You figure your tax deduction as part of the process of arriving at your adjusted gross income. This is very helpful for many people.

Not just anyone can claim this tax break, though. You need to meet three requirements in order to claim the tax deduction:

  1. Your move must be closely related to the time and place that you are starting a new job. In order to meet this requirement, you must move within one year of the first time you reported for work, and your new location must be closer to your new job than your old location.
  2. Your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job was. If you are starting a new job, and haven’t had an old job, you have to move to a home that is at least 50 miles away from the old home.
  3. There is a also a time test that requires that you work at least full-time for 39 weeks out of the 12 months following your arrival. There are some exceptions in special circumstances, but you need to make sure you can explain those to the IRS if you want to avoid problems.

You can deduct what the IRS terms “reasonable” moving expenses. This includes the cost of the moving truck or moving service, as well as the cost of hotels, tolls, and parking related to the move. You can’t ever deduct meals during your move.

It’s important to realize that if you are compensated for your move, you can’t deduct that amount. In our case, the move costs about $5,600. However, my husband’s new employer is paying for $3,000 of the move. That $3,000 paid by the employer isn’t tax-deductible. However, the $2,600 that we are responsible for is tax-deductible.

If you have any questions about taking this tax deduction, consult a knowledgeable tax professional.

The Best of Free Reading

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Magazine subscriptions and book club memberships can get expensive quickly. Even if you purchase e-books to save money on your new reading material, you won’t find many best seller titles for less than their paperback print versions. Consequently, if you do a lot of reading, you might be spending quite a bit to feed your mind. There’s nothing wrong with spending money on reading (there are plenty of worse things you could be wasting your money on), but if you’re a voracious reader, your appetite  might be overpowering your book budget. Thankfully, there are many ways to get your reading fix without having to pay a dime. Here are a few I’ve compiled.

Free E-books
Electronic books that can be instantly downloaded to your e-reader, tablet, or smart phone, are quickly becoming the most popular way to feed your inner book worm. What you might not know is that major booksellers such a Amazon and Barnes and Noble offer thousand of titles completely free. Sure, you won’t find best sellers on this list, but you’ll find plenty worth reading. It’s easy to spend an hour downloading dozens of free books to your account before you stop to realize you should probably read a few of them before acquiring any more. If you’re thirsty for more than major booksellers have to offer, search the Internet. The quality of these finds might not always be the highest caliber (virtually anyone can e-publish), but at the price, definitely worth a look.

Free Online Magazines
Many major magazines will allow you to view  the online versions of their publication for free. If you’d prefer the real thing, opt for trial offers, but avoid purchasing subscriptions from the original site, where they’ll be the most expensive. In my opinion, with the multitude of free magazines, articles, and blog sites online, there really isn’t a need to spend money on your coffee table reading.

The library
Yes, I know it sounds outdated, but the library is still one of the best places to read books for free. You’re on a stricter timescale, but just look at it as motivation to read faster! If you want books you can take home for good, look for a ‘free rack’ of books that are being phased out and haven’t sold. You’d be surprised at some of the finds.

Yard Sales/Craigslist
Yard sales are another great place to find giveaway books, which aren’t a hot item. Sellers are usually eager to get rid of them so they don’t have to box them back up. This carries over into sites like Craigslist and other online ‘yard sales.’  Just remember that if you have to travel to pick up ‘free’ books or pay to have them shipped, you might as well be buying them.

Your Friends
Lending books among friends isn’t just a way to save money; it’s a way to socialize and grow relationships as you exchange thoughts about your reading material. Some people are picky about lending their books out, so be sure you’re respectful of timelines and treat lent books kindly. Book swapping instead of lending is one way to avoid the dilemma of ownership rights, and also helps you get rid of unwanted books (and make room for new ones).

There are so many options for free reading in our society, it’s almost silly to spend money on books. In this way, reading is one of the cheapest and most educational forms of entertainment. So, before you press ‘buy now’, check out some of these ways to read for free.

I’m in the middle of a cross-country move, and one of the issues we are running into is insurance. You probably have a lot to think about when you move, and insurance is likely low on the list. However, it does need to be addressed.

This time, we are fortunate in that our insurance company is available in the new state. When we moved from Utah to New York more than 10 years ago, our auto insurance company wasn’t available, so we had to change companies altogether. When we moved back to Utah, we were happy to get back with the old insurance company.

I was a little concerned about moving to Pennsylvania, given the last time we moved East. However, after talking to my agent, I found out that I will be able to access the insurance company. We won’t have to change our coverage, and our premium will be similar to what we pay now. We will need a new insurance agent, though.

Insurance is Regulated By States

It’s important to understand that insurance is regulated mainly by the states. In order to operate in a state, an insurance company has to have all the proper paperwork. Additionally, insurance agents have to be properly licensed in a state. So, my Utah agent isn’t licensed for auto and homeowners/renters insurance in Pennsylvania. The good news is that my current agent was able to refer me to an agent in my new town, and this new agent has already contacted me.

This is great news for me, since it is making things easier. When you get ready to move states, it’s a good idea to look into the insurance situation ahead of time so that you know what needs to be done. That way, if you need to get insurance from a new company, you can start the process. (Be sure to comparison shop for insurance.)

I’m still going to do a quick comparison, but my new agent is probably who I’ll go with. He is putting together a quote, and I currently have a cash back program, and I’ve been told that it will seamlessly transfer. I like this, and a new insurer wouldn’t likely have the same program. So I’m happy that the new state allows me to stick with the same company, even though I need to switch agents.

Life Insurance

One of the exceptions is life insurance, though. While you might need to switch auto insurance, health insurance, and home/rental insurance providers, you probably won’t need to change life insurance providers. This is because life insurance is handled differently. We will keep everything the same for our life insurance policies. We just need to switch everything else.

Overall, getting insurance isn’t a huge deal when you move states. However, you will probably have to change things up in some way, unless your insurance agent is licensed in multiple states. But, since it can be expensive and time-consuming to get licensed, many insurance agents are reluctant to get multiple licenses. Just ask your current agent for help as you get ready to make your move.

New App Review: Savings Catcher

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

I’ve owned a smart phone for a few years now, but I’ve barely scratched the surface of its usefulness in saving me money. This year I finally went hard-core and added a budgeting app which allows me to key in receipts and update and view all my budget category balances on the go.  While this feature has created more spending visibility and allows me to feel more in control of my money, it doesn’t really save me money.  Just this week I was introduced to an app that will save me money at the place I shop the most — Wal-Mart. The retail giant has introduced a new app known as Savings Catcher, a completely new program that allows shoppers to enjoy the benefits of competitive sales ads without the leg work.  Here’s a little bit about how it works.

Savings Catcher Overview
The program, which is also available at walmart.com if you don’t own a smart phone, is actually a feature underneath the Wal-Mart app, which you might already have installed on your phone. Now, instead of presenting your sales ads at the register, you can simply scan the QR code on the bottom of your receipt. Wal-Mart will shop all the competitive ads (even online ads) in your area.  When you scan in  receipt, the app will tell you how many competitors were found. Within three days, you’ll receive an email notifying you if lower prices were found, and your savings. This money is applied to your account, which you can cash out at any time in the form of a gift card. If not, Wal-Mart will automatically transfer your refund to a card at the end of the year.

To streamline the process even more, you can sign up for e-receipts and access your receipts directly on your Wal-Mart app, where you can easily keep track of and enter them into Savings Catcher. All you need to get started is your walmart.com account information; if you don’t already have one, the app will prompt you to set one up.

So, let me get this straight. Wal-Mart will pay me the difference between its prices and a competitors? Yes! I have to admit, this motivated me to download the app as soon as I could. The maximum amount you can collect in one year’s time is $599.99 (under $600), and you can submit up to 7 receipts in one week (one per day). If you are someone who frequents this store for the majority of your shopping, this is a realistic savings goal! One idea is to allow the refunds to accumulate throughout the year and then cash them out for some extra Christmas shopping money, or an especially large purchase.

But Aren’t There Restrictions?
As with most offers, there are parameters for which ads and sales Savings Catcher will honor.  For instance, it won’t apply savings from ‘Buy One, Get One’ offers or ‘percentage off’ deals. It also recognizes and pulls sales ads only from major chain retailers, not ‘mom and pop’ stores. Categories covered in ad matching are currently limited to mostly groceries and consumables, but will include more in the future. If you have any questions, simply read the FAQ page provided on the app’s home page.

Can You Really Save Money?
I only downloaded the app a few days ago and started entering in receipts, so it hasn’t been long enough for me to tell for sure, but I’ve spoken with people who have saved at least a few dollars with their receipts. The more sale items you purchase, and the more you purchase, the greater potential for savings. There are a few ways you’ll save. First of all, if you’re like me, I don’t have the time to comparison shop, and I rarely manage to use coupons. Using this app will allow me to save money in the same way that people who ‘ad match’ do. If Wal-Mart wants to do the work for me, why not! Secondly, if you already ad match, you’ll save that much more, because you’ll cater your purchases to items you know you’ll get a refund on. Furthermore, you can still use your coupons to increase your savings. I’d recommend trying a coupon app, as well.

Whether you’re a serious couponer or simply enjoy utilizing your smart phone, this new app is shaping up to be a helpful savings tool.