Are You Ready for The End of the Year? 4 Things to Do Now

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

The end of the year is approaching, and that means that now is a great time to prepare for what’s next. Looking ahead, you can find a number of great deals, low prices and seasonal sales. Here are 4 things to do as we move into the last part of the year:

1. Get Ready to Save On Heating Costs

Now is a great time to have your furnace looked at and serviced. A well-maintained furnace can save you money all winter. While you’re at it, check for air leaks in your home. You can also plan to seal off windows, and use weather stripping on doors. You can also beef up your insulation. There are still some energy efficiency tax credits available for 2011, so you could get a tax break for your efforts.

2. Consider Your Tax Efficiency

Not only are there energy efficiency tax credits available, but there are other ways to reduce your tax bill. This last part of the year is a great time to consider your taxes, and what might be of use to you to do. Think about credits you might be eligible, and make plans to take advantage of deductions. Consider selling investments at a loss, charitable tax deductions and other deductions that might come in handy for you as the year draws to a close. Get these tax breaks in now, before the end of year.

3. Start Thinking About the Holidays

From Christmas gifts to holiday travel, now is the time to start thinking about what’s next. You can start your Christmas budget so that you aren’t scrambling for more money later. Now is also a good time to book holiday travel. You can get better deals by booking in advance. Some sites, like Orbitz, will guarantee you the lowest fare on some flights, so even if the price drops later, you will still get the best deal. The closer you get to the holidays, though, the more expensive travel will be. If you know you will be going somewhere for the holidays, make plans now.

4. Seasonal Sales

Now is the time to take advantage of seasonal sales. You can save money on landscaping items like trees, shrubs and even sod. It’s also a good time to get patio furniture, lawnmowers and camping gear. All things summer are likely to be on sale right now from clothing to swim stuff to outdoor games. If you have been waiting, now is the time to buy. Look for the best deals can save a great deal of money as you head into the end of the year.

Bottom Line

Now is a great time to get your finances in order. You have the rest of the year to take advantage of great savings, and even squeeze in some tax breaks. Take a few minutes to analyze what you might need for the rest of the year, and figure out how you can use sales, tax breaks and more to your advantage. Then, make a plan and stick to it.

Stay Frugal and Healthy While You Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’ has become a mantra — not only for the environmentally conscious but for the frugal-minded. Once you’re of the mindset that we can reuse that which already exists, rather than create more, it’s easy to see things every day that seem to be logical candidates for re-purposing. While that way of thinking is precisely the message that environmentalists and frugal living proponents want people to have, there are some serious considerations to take into account when reusing certain items for food storage and preparation.

Here are some general issues about reusing items for food storage and preparation of which you should be aware:

Plastic

Reusing certain plastics for the purpose of food storage and preparation is a topic of considerable debate. I’ll provide information about the issue while leaving the conclusions to you. Here’s the concern:

In general, plastic is both recycleable and reusable — but not all plastics are created equal. The recycle symbol on plastic items with a number contained within the triangle made of arrows indicates the type of plastic of which the container is made. It is thought by some that reuse of certain types of plastic containers for food storage and preparation can cause health risks.

Plastic #1, or polyethylene terephthalate, (PET) is used primarily for water, soda and juice bottles. It’s considered safe for one-time storage and consumption of these beverages but some contend that it should not be reused because it may leach carcinogenic substances as it degrades with reuse.

As I mentioned, there are conflicting opinions on this topic. The FDA flat-out denies that there’s a risk with any plastic approved for use with food. They say, “The FDA has determined that PET meets standards for food-contact materials established by federal regulations and therefore permits the use of PET in food and beverage packaging for both single use and repeated use. The FDA has evaluated test data that simulate long-term storage and that support repeated use.”

This is not to say that drinking out of all plastic containers is potentially unsafe. Safer types of plastic include #2, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), #4, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and #5, polypropylene (PP).

Whenever you choose to drink out of a reused bottle, bear in mind that they’re difficult to thoroughly clean and dry, creating an environment ripe for bacterial growth. Use extra care in washing them between uses.

One-Time-Use Items

There are food-related products undeniably intended for one-time use only. While they could conceivably be re-purposed, they should never be reused for food storage or preparation. These items include:

Plastic wrap
Foam meat trays
Convenience food dishes
Egg cartons

The USDA has determined that “Bacteria from foods that these packages once contained may remain on the packaging and thus be able to contaminate foods or even hands if reused.”

The following items cannot be adequately cleaned (and therefore shouldn’t be reused for food) due to their design (like rims under which bacteria can grow) or because they were not designed for specific types/temperatures of foods and may not stand up to high acid and/or hot foods:

Plastic utensils
Plastic cups
Containers from cottage cheese, sour cream, chip dip, margarine, milk…
Popsicle sticks
Wooden skewers
Kar lids with a non-cleanable liner, such as one made of waxed cardboard

Being environmentally and fiscally responsible is important, so long as your efforts to do the right thing don’t backfire, causing a risk to your health. Remember that because an item was once used for storage or preparation of food, it may be more appropriately re-purposed for something completely different.

How do you reduce, reuse and recycle in a healthy way?

Sneaky Labeling Can Lead to a Higher Bill at the Store

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

One of the things I’ve noticed lately while shopping is that stores are getting sneakier about their labeling. You might be surprised at how you are being nickeled and dimed into a higher bill. While a couple bucks doesn’t seem like a lot of money right now, it can sure add up over time. Two dollars a week basically amounts to $104 a year. Not a ton of money, but I bet you can think of a few things to do with that extra $104 a year. And, of course, you may be losing more than two bucks a week due to sneaky labeling. Here are some examples of ways that you might find yourself paying more for less at the store:

A Sale that Really Isn’t

Often, we look at the little tags on the store shelves to identify items that are on sale. Recently, as I did a little shopping for some food storage, I noticed that some items were tagged “save $1.50.” At first I thought that these items were on sale as well. But after looking closer, I found that it was a store brand being sold at regular price. The savings came in comparison to the name brand. I decided that I didn’t want to pay regular price; at some point that item will go on sale for real, and then I can stock up.

Comparing Unit Prices

One of the best things you can do is to compare the per-unit price. This is because we have been conditioned to assume that the big packages automatically provide the best value. However, this isn’t happening as much any more. In some cases, you might actually pay more per ounce for a larger package. Check the labels for the per-unit cost before buying — and realize that sometimes the unit prices aren’t uniform. You might find that one is in ounces, while the other is in pounds. Carrying a small calculator in your handbag can help you perform your own calculations to ensure that you are getting the best value.

Watch Out for Bulk Purchase Requirements

Many stores are moving to bulk requirements for special pricing on some items. For instance, if you see an ad for 10 boxes of fruit snacks for $10, you might save 33 cents on each box — if you buy all ten. In many cases, you can’t just five boxes for five dollars; you’d have to pay full price for each box, or $6.65. Make sure you understand the purchase requirements for bulk items before you start to load up. If you don’t all the items, you might have to pass, or pay more per unit.

Coupon Requirements

The current extreme couponing trend is resulting in many stores changing their policies regarding the acceptance of coupons. You might be limited to the number of coupons you can use, and some stores are no longer allowing the practice of coupon stacking. Make sure you double check coupon policies at the stores you frequent, since it might affect your ability to stockpile certain items.

Three Ideas for Paying Off Student Loans

by Tracy · 2 comments

The cost of student loans is rising, and the economic situation makes it difficult to find a job that pays well enough to begin paying them off. For many young graduates entering the work force, the ability to pay off student loans is one of the primary factors in deciding which job to accept. Some graduates are forced to take extreme measures to pay off their debt, such as moving back in with their parents or working a second job. However, these options are not available to everyone, or may simply be too painful. Luckily, there are several ways to pay back your student loans, as well as reduce, defer, or even eliminate them.

Joining the military provides many options for repaying your student loans. Depending on how qualified of a candidate you are, the military typically offers signing bonuses that you can use to lower your debt. Some signing bonuses are well into the tens of thousands of dollars, and can greatly reduce your student debt in one strike. Additionally, the military offers a regular paycheck which can go towards your student loans. The military also provides food, clothing, and shelter which can reduce your expenses, leaving you more money to pay off your debt. The military even has special incentive programs designed to forgive or pay off some of your student debt. The Army, Navy, and Air Force all have their own student loan repayment plans. Visit this website for more information and links.

Another great way to repay student loans is to become a teacher in certain areas or in certain subject matters. The Federal Government allows for the deferment or cancellation of student loans for some teachers. This is done to provide teachers with the incentive necessary to fill needed positions. Perkins, Stafford, and Douglas loans may all be canceled or deferred in this manner. If you are interested in these programs you should consult with your loan officer or a local school board. However, becoming a teacher may require you to get a degree, and therefore necessitate the taking out of more student loans. However, if you have a teaching certification, these options may excellent for you. More information can be found by visiting this website.

The Federal Government also allows graduates to apply for hardship programs. These hardship programs allow for you to defer paying your loans back, reduce the debt that you owe, and in rare circumstances eliminate them altogether. There are many different programs, all of which require you to be in a different set of circumstances. For example, there are programs which allow you to defer your loans when you become unemployed. There are also hardships programs for when you experience economic difficulty. However, these deferments don’t last forever. Most have a surprisingly short lifespan. In some cases you may end up owing more in the long term because of deferred interest. However, if you are truly in a bind, you may have no better options. More information about these and other Federal hardship programs can be found here.

Frugal Beauty: Tips from the Pros

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

In an effort to save money on looking and feeling their best, many people take the do-it-yourself approach to beauty. It’s a common thing to color your own hair, do your own manicures and pedicures, even facials and waxing. There are even undoubtedly some brave and frugal souls out there who cut their own hair. When it comes to beauty care, however, no one knows as much about beauty, inside and out, as those in the profession.

That’s why I asked the team of beauty professionals at Imagine Peace Studio in Glenwood, Illinois, for their best frugal beauty tips. Here’s what Team Imagine shared:

6 Inexpensive Beauty Tips from Salon Professionals

Water treatment: Our skin needs H2O! Drink lots of water and your skin will look more radiant and plump. Water gives your body the tools to purge and clean the pores.
Product purity: Avoid products with parabens and unnecessary fillers, such as wax products.
Brush with beauty: Brush your hair! Invest in a good boar bristle brush and treat yourself to a few moments a day to brush your hair. Gently pull the brush through your hair while running over your scalp to remove build up, and dry skin. It will also increase blood flow for a healthier head of hair.
Smooth skin: Treat yourself to a facial! Exfoliation, deep pore cleansing, moisture and massage will reveal fresh, healthy skin.
Healthy habits: Exercise, treat your body to healthy food and avoid empty calories!
Good company: Surround yourself with good people that bring out the best in you. It will make you feel beautiful on the inside and outside!

Team Imagine obviously believes that there’s a lot we can do to enhance our beauty on our own. What could be more frugal and basic than water, a hair brush, a pair of athletic shoes and good friends? Those are the major money-saving beauty necessities the ladies suggest and like most things, the simpler, the more economical they are.

As for beauty products, I’ve discovered that although high-quality products for hair, skin or nails cost more, they generally perform better and you use less, which makes the initial price less of an issue. Since with beauty products you generally get what you pay for, it’s actually a wiser choice to pay a bit more to get high quality products. Salons that sell professional beauty products sometimes have large sizes available for purchase that offer more economical per unit pricing than smaller sizes, too.

Beauty Salon Savings

You can also save when using the services of the beauty pros themselves. Keep these tips in mind to save when you go to your favorite salon for some primping and pampering:

Visit the salon’s website to look for coupons or specials that may be available.
Ask about quantity perks. For example, “Have your hair colored 11 times and the 12th time is free.”
Follow, ‘friend’ or ‘like’ your favorite salon on Facebook, Twitter and any other social media sites where they have a presence. Businesses frequently offer exclusive coupons and specials to their social media community.
Check out the daily deals on discount coupon sites like Groupon or Living Social. They frequently feature savings on salon services.

The beauty professionals concur: it doesn’t have to cost a lot to look and feel beautiful. Take good care of yourself, use quality products and be on the lookout for savings opportunities. Those are the beauty secrets of the pros!

How do you stay frugal and beautiful?

Frugal Meal Planning: Food Storage Meals

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

One of the ways that you can improve your frugal meal planning is to consider what you already have in the house. Many people have some type of home food storage. While you don’t need to have a huge stockpile, it can be a good idea to save money by buying in bulk when certain items or on sale, or when you can get multiples with a coupon. However, you don’t want that food to go to waste by spoiling.

The most effective food storage is rotated through periodically. You can’t expect your food to last forever on that shelf, so it’s a good idea to use it on occasion. This is where your frugal meal planning can come in. Pick a week, and try to plan your meals around what you already have.

Going Through Your Food Storage

Every couple of months, my husband and I make an effort to clear out some of our food storage and eat it. This can be a very effective way to make sure you have room in your home for fresher items for food storage, as well save some money on one week’s worth of groceries.

Before you make your meal plan for the week, go through your pantry, your cupboards and your freezer. Look for foods that are close to expiration, or foods that you canned or bottled more than six to eight months ago. You don’t have to deplete your food storage to do this, but you should use items that won’t be good for much longer. That way they won’t go to waste.

Make a note of the food items that you can use before they go bad. Once you have those items identified, you can begin building your meal plan. Build your meal plan for the week around the items you want to use in your food storage. You may have to buy a few things at the store to round out your meals, but your grocery bill should be If you want to further increase your frugality, you can look to round out your food storage meals with items that you have coupons for, or that are on sale that week.

Replenishing Your Food Storage

Of course, once you have used up some of the items in your home food storage for a week’s worth of meals, you will need to replenish your stock. This doesn’t mean, though, that you go out at once and replace everything. That will defeat the purpose of saving money with your frugal food storage meal plan. Instead, build up your food storage slowly. Get items that are on sale, and look for good deals.

If you can get a good process going, rotating your food storage items through regularly, you should be able to have enough of a stockpile to making frugal meals from your food storage, as well as restock during sales. It can take a few months to get into the rhythm, but once you establish a pattern, it becomes easier to effectively use your food storage as part of your frugal meal planning.

What You Need to Know about Small Claims Court

by Tracy · 2 comments

What would you do if a business not only failed to deliver what they promised but also kept your money? What would your options be if a neighbor damaged your property and refused to pay up? Lawyers are expensive and court cases can take a lot of time and emotional energy. Luckily, small claims court is a relatively quick and inexpensive way to seek compensation.

A small claims court typically handles cases involving comparatively small amounts of money. These courts are only allowed to hear cases where the asserted damages are less than a certain monetary amount. While what is considered a small claim will vary from state to state, in almost all states small claims are under $25,000.

While almost every state has some sort of small claims court in operation, there are no equivalents at the federal level. This is because the Federal Government will not typically have jurisdiction in cases involving amounts of damages this small. Small claims courts are courts of law, unlike popular television programs such as Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown, which are courts of arbitration.

Small claims courts operate under different sets of rules than other courts. For example, they typically have lower standards of formality. Evidence rules are typically relaxed. Most small claims courts do not have juries, only judges who make a binding decision.

These differences exist because the prevailing thought is that individuals should be able to represent themselves in cases involving comparatively low sums of money to avoid the expense of having a lawyer represent them. This can reduce the cost of litigation by many thousands of dollars.

It also gives the opportunity for any wronged party to bring litigation, no matter how much they were damaged monetarily. Small claims courts also operate in a manner that allows legal cases to end within a much shorter time frame than other courts. Matters can be resolved in small claims courts in weeks or months, rather than the years that other courts can take. On a more practical side, small claims courts also free up other courts to pursue more complex and contentious litigation.

The process for filing a claim in small claims court is different in every jurisdiction. Most will require you to fill out a set of forms at the courthouse where you intend to file the claim. Most of the forms will be simple; however, you must be very careful, honest, and accurate with whatever you write down.

It is advisable to look up jurisdictional requirements before you do so. While states will allow you to file a claim in any small claims court within the state, others have more complex requirements. For example, you may only be able to file a claim in the county where you reside, where the defendant resides, where the action that caused you damage occurred, or some combination of those.

Matters can become even more complex when the person whom you are suing resides in a different state. This may lead to your case being handled in federal courts which can be very expensive and time consuming. You will need to weigh the time and money involved against how much you could possibly hope to gain before making the decision to go this route. Many attorneys offer free consultations that will help you understand your options and the costs involved. You can also call 211 in most areas to find out about any legal aid clinics in your community.

Save on Music with Subscription Radio

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Entertainment is one area in our budget where we can save big-time. It’s become more common — and much cheaper — to rent or download movies than to buy them, especially at the rate movies are consumed and their prices!

Now consider another source of entertainment: music. Music is available for the listening in so many places and in so many ways, purchasing music on a physical CD (or record, if you’re old school) is almost unheard of these days. Like watching movies, listening to music has become a little more complicated but much cheaper since the popular adoption of digital formats, which can turn your technology into your personal entertainment station. Let’s alleviate the complication by exloring the current state of music accessibility.

Accessing digital music

Of course, you can still purchase your music, if it’s important for you to own it: CDs are still available and iTunes, Amazon and eMusic sell individual song MP3 files for between $0.99 and $1.29 each. That file is the music you purchased and can be listened to from any device where the file is installed. A service called Bandcamp even offers cds or individual songs, direct from artists, at a very low set price, free or by giving the customer the option of paying what she thinks the music is worth.

If you don’t mind ‘renting’ your music, a subscription service is the way to get as much music as you want for only a few dollars a month. While it’s true that you must have the technology to listen to music over the internet, most computers or tablets have what’s necessary to access any music that’s available — and that is, quite literally, millions of songs. In other words, you have the power to listen from your computer or tablet to an unlimited number of songs, on demand, at minimal cost by subscribing to an Internet music service.

Substantial savings with subscription music services

Think about it: for the cost of a single CD ($5 to $10) per month, you can subscribe to an internet music service, such as Spotify, rdio, Napster and Rhapsody, enabling you to choose whatever music you desire, whenever you want. This music is streamed (delivered live) directly to your computer for immediate listening.

When you subscribe to an internet music service, you listen either through a downloadable or web-based music player on your desired device. Depending upon the service you choose, you can create play lists, play complete albums and have it find new music for you based upon your preferences. Some services also let you also stream (access live) or sync (store) music on your mobile phone for an additional cost.

Another benefit to subscription music is that it provides the opportunity to sample new music before you purchase it. Try it before you buy it and you won’t experience buyer’s remorse when you’ve shelled out ten bucks for a CD you don’t like! Also, consider all the music you’ve purchased on CD to which you no longer listen. With subscription music, a change in your musical taste doesn’t translate into dozens of now-worthless CDs cluttering your shelves.

Internet radio provides all the music anyone could want right on your computer or tablet, for the cost of just one CD or less than 10 single purchased MP3s per month. If you listen to music on any kind of a regular basis, Internet radio represents a big savings. More music for less money — sounds like another way technology can help us to save on everyday expenses.

Can subscription music save you entertainment dollars every month?

10 Ways to Save Money as a College Student

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

It’s that time of year again: Back to school. Many college students are headed back to campus — or going away to school for the first time. When you get to school, it becomes apparent that there are costs that you may not have anticipated. If you are looking for ways to save money as a college student, here are 10 suggestions:

Get the “right” kind of job: One of the smartest money moves you can make a college student is to get a job. If you get the right kind of job, you can save money, as well as make it. Get a job in student housing or as an apartment manager, and you could save money on your housing costs. Work in the university cafeteria, and you could walk away with a free meal each day. These are both strategies I used to save money while in college.
Get a roommate: A roommate can help you split housing costs, and you might even be able to work out a way to save on the grocery shopping if you take turns with meal prep. If you live on-campus, choosing a shared room is usually less expensive than a private room. I like my personal space, so this was never a strategy I employed, but working for University Housing meant a free private room for two years anyway.
Look for student specials and discounts: Many retailers and grocers in college towns offer them. Take advantage of student specials and discounts.
Clip coupons: Don’t forget to clip coupons. These can come in handy if a student discount isn’t available, and it can save you money.
Be smart about your phone use: Get a phone plan that meets your needs. If you can swing it to get a cheaper plan, consider using your computer as a phone. MagicJack is also a great option.
Use university resources: If you live off-campus and don’t get free Internet, you can use school resources. Many campuses have free Wi-Fi. Just bring your laptop on campus and use free Internet. And, if you can live without your own computer, you can avoid that big cost altogether by using a school computer lab. Many campuses even have a health clinic you can use instead of going to the doctor.
Don’t buy textbooks at the bookstore: Avoid buying textbooks at the bookstore. Instead, look for book exchanges, check Amazon, and buy used. You can even rent textbooks for much less. You can even get ebooks. There is no reason to pay out the nose for your textbooks.
Leave the car at your parents’: Cars are expensive, from maintenance to gas. Instead, use public transportation, or take your bike. Live close to campus so you can avoid the need for a car. You’ll be amazed at what you save.
Attend university events: College campuses are notorious for hosting events where you can get free food. Go to these events, and you could snag a free meal. You might also get other free swag, including bags and shirts. It’s a great way to save a little extra cash while meeting people.
Be realistic about your needs: Realize the difference between needs and wants. Understand that just because you can get a new bed set, there is no reason to. Take a look at what you have, and what you can bring with you. No need to buy a bunch of new stuff.

What is your best tip for saving money in college?

Sneaky Ways Grocery Stores Get You to Buy

by Tracy · 0 comments

We don’t tend to think of a grocery store in the same way that we would think of a department store or a shop at the mall because they are so necessary to our daily lives. However, grocery stores are money making operations just as any other type of store is. In order to make money, grocery stores try to trick their customers into spending as much money as possible. If you can learn these tricks, you can save yourself and your family some much needed money.

One of the most common ways that grocery stores trick you is by putting small, inexpensive items that are flashy at the register. That way while you’re waiting in-line you will notice them and hopefully make an impulse purchase. The reason that magazines are always by the register is so that you will read the headlines and get so hooked that you buy the magazine in order to read more. But you don’t need to find out all the latest celebrity gossip, and if you feel as though you do you can probably find it online for free.

Almost every grocery store puts the milk in the very back of the store, typically in the corner farthest from the entrance. Milk is one of the most frequently used groceries by most families. It also quickly expires.

The combination of frequent use and quick expiration means that you will have to buy milk almost every time you go grocery shopping. It also means that you will often have to go to the store simply to buy milk. Grocery stores put the milk in the back to force you to look at all of their other inventory on the way. Chances are that you will remember something else that you need or just something you want. You need to learn to focus on your goal of getting milk and ignore all of the tasty and useful distractions along the way.

Grocery stores put the most visually appealing products at a height that will be at eye-level for children. They do this because children are more likely to be convinced by a flashy appearance than adults will, and are also much less likely to be influenced by other factors such as price or quality.

This comes into play in many products. For example, if you want to buy plastic plates and are deciding which ones to purchase, your child may see ones with a popular cartoon character on them that are twice the price of plain ones. Naturally, your child will want the fancier plates.

Another reason that grocery stores put products that are likely to appeal to children where they can see them is that children are likely to make a fuss if they don’t get what they want and frustrate their parents into buying it for them. This is a difficult trick to get around unless you don’t have kids or don’t take them shopping with you. You are best served by explaining to them that they cannot have whatever they want, or for a quicker fix, put them in the cart so that they don’t see as many fancy boxes.

Grocery stores also will place items on end-caps and in their flyers so that customers will think that they must be on special, even if they aren’t. Don’t assume that words like “low price!” means that you need to pounce now before the deal goes away – it might very well be the every day price.

Buy what you need and don’t get tempted into spending extra by fancy displays and promises of bargains. Grocery stores have a regular sales cycle and it’s almost guaranteed that something that’s on sale today will go on sale again in the near future.

Have you noticed any tricks that your grocer uses to get you to buy more than you need?

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