Simple Toilet Repairs that Leave You Flushed with Success

by Coupon Shoebox · 1 comment

If you have a bathroom, you have a toilet. Repairs are an unavoidable reality with any toilet, but fortunately, most of them are very easy to manage on your own. Here are two simple toilet repairs that you can do on your own or with a friend.

Stop a Running Toilet

Your toilet just doesn’t stop running. It can be a slow drip or a constant trickle, but the repair will be basically the same.

Your first step is to lift the tank lid and see if the problem stems from the float being poorly placed.
If you release the chain connecting the float arm from the stopper valve and the leak stops, adjust the arm so that it no longer pulls on the stopper when the toilet is done filling.

If the toilet continues to run even with the stopper in place you will need to replace the valve. These are easily available at any hardware store for a couple of dollars and are pretty self explanatory.

Turn off the water leading to the toilet.
Flush the toilet and use a rag to remove any remaining water.
Disconnect the chain from the float arm and measure the length.
Remove the existing flapper and take it to a hardware store.
Purchase the identical flapper.
Install the flapper valve, ensuring that the chain is the proper length.
Restore the water flowing to the toilet

Replacing the Wax Seal

There are only two reasons you will need to replace a wax seal on a toilet. Either you are putting in a new toilet or the toilet is leaking near the bottom. This may be accompanied by a bad smell coming from the area.

You will need a new wax seal, a tarp, a putty knife, an adjustable wrench, new bolts and washers, a few old rags and some warm, soapy water and some old newspapers. Having a friend to help is theoretically optional, but highly recommended – toilets are heavy.

Shut off the water to the toilet
Flush the toilet and use a rag to remove any remaining water.
Disconnect the hardware holding the toilet to the floor. If the bolts have rusted and can’t be turned you may need to use a hacksaw to cut them.
Here is the hard part. Lift the toilet up and off the drain and lay it on the tarp.
Use the putty knife to remove the old wax seal. It is likely to look disgusting. Place it on the old newspaper and toss it in the trash.
Clean the place where the old seal sat. You want to remove as much of the old wax as possible as well as any adhesives that remain from the previous installation.
Using the directions on the new seal’s box, place the seal over the drain hole where it belongs and install the new hardware.
Carefully place the toilet over the new hardware as evenly as possible. You want the toilet to be level when it is in place.
Secure the toilet to the ground firmly, but don’t be over enthusiastic. Excessive tightening of bolts can crack the ceramic of the toilet’s base.

Toilet repairs really don’t take much skill, relatively speaking. With some elbow grease and an extra pair of hands, you can take care of most of the toilet problems you might ever encounter.

20 Foods That You Can Make Yourself

by Miranda Marquit · 12 comments

One of the cornerstones of a frugal lifestyle is “do it yourself.” The truth is that we spend a great of money buying foods that we can actually make ourselves. These store-bought items often cost more than it would if you took the time to make it yourself. Indeed, one of the reasons our grandparents (and even some of our parents) were able to get by on one income was do to the practice of having someone prepare a lot of the food, rather than buy so much processed stuff from the grocery store. You know you can make bread on your own, but you might be surprised at what else you can make yourself.

If you have a little time, and if you are feeling adventurous, you can make a number of tasty foods in your own home. Some items can even be canned or bottled as food storage for use later. Here are 20 foods that you can make yourself, with links to the recipes online:

Pasta Sauce: A staple at my house, it’s something I enjoy, and you can make as many varieties as you like, including Alfredo.
Pesto: I love a good pesto sauce, which can add variety to your meals.
Gravy: I was surprised when I found out that many people buy gravy in cans or powder packets. I’ve always made my own.
Applesauce: Bonus points if you grow your own apples. You can bottle it for use in the winter.
Salsa: No need to buy in a jar. Make your own and bottle it! For a fun twist, make mango salsa or peach salsa. You can make salsa with ingredient from your own garden.
Mayonnaise: Make your own sandwich spread, rather than relying on store bought methods. You might even end up with a healthier mayonnaise.
Jelly: My mom made all sorts of jellies and jams while we were growing up — including crab apple jelly. Another popular alternative is freezer jam.
Peanut Butter: I was totally floored to learn that you could make your own peanut butter. Make your own bread and jam, and you are truly making everything for your kids’ sandwiches.
Pancake Mix: Create a delicious breakfast using homemade pancake mix.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is going to be sugary, no matter where you get it. But you can spend less and make it yourself.
Potato Chips: Snack right with chips you’ve made yourself. I like to add pepper, or cheese powder, or other flavors on occasions to mix it up.
Bagels: Create an array of great bagels using different recipes.
English Muffins: I love English muffins, but good ones can be expensive at the store. I love that I can make my own now.
Vanilla Extract: I use vanilla a lot, so being able to make my own extract is a definite plus.
Guacamole: My husband likes my guacamole better than what we get at the store, and I like that it costs less! A healthy dip or sandwich spread.
Pickles: I don’t like pickles, but my husband does. And we can use our own cucumbers.
Root Beer: This is a little more complex than some of the other recipes, but if you have the time, and the adventurous spirit, you can make a delicious beverage for everyone to enjoy.
Hummus: This Middle Eastern dip is a fun way to add variety to your meals and parties.
Dog Treats: If one of the members of your family is a canine, you can make dog treats without buying them. Your furry friend will love them, and you can save money.

13 Ideas for Cheaper (and Better!) Living

by Miranda Marquit · 11 comments

We all know that small things that we do can, over time, add up to big savings. When you view frugality as a lifestyle, it becomes easier to find ways to save money every day. Here are 13 every day things you can do to save money and live more frugally:

Use public transportation: If you have public transportation, use that instead of driving yourself in to work. You can get good exercise on your way to and from the stops, boosting your health and reducing those costs — on top of saving money on gas.
Look for discounts: Clip coupons, find promo codes, and comparison shop, to get good discounts on a number of items that you normally buy.
Avoid buying things you don’t need or want: Periodically go through your home and see what you have. Before you buy something, make sure that you really need or want it. Double check to make sure you don’t already have it stashed away somewhere, and then really think about whether you will use. You can also declutter and simplify your life by refusing to bring unnecessary items into your home.
Use the library: Books, music, periodicals and movies can all be found at your local public library. A great way to entertain yourself without spending a lot of money.
Go online: You can find free TV shows online, and you can watch streaming movies for cheap. Get rid of the cable or satellite subscription and get your entertainment for a low cost online with services such as Netflix.
Switch to VoIP: If you’re getting high speed Internet for movies and TV anyway, get rid of your landline and use VoIP. You can get phone service for a low price, or you can use Skype and pay even less. I love Skype; it’s how I make international calls. Bonus: Get your friends and family on Skype, and you all talk for free.
Plan around leftovers: My husband and I make enough for two dinners, and have leftovers. If you are feeling really ambitious, you can cook extras and freeze them for later. Meal planning will help you grocery shop more effectively, and reduce the panicked run for takeout because you didn’t plan for dinner. You can plan healthier meals as well.
Stop using the dryer: Hang your clothes to dry. This can be done outside, or done using drying racks in your home. We have a large, seldom used bathroom downstairs near the laundry area just perfect for this purpose. You’ll save on utility costs, and your clothes will last longer.
Put change into a savings jar: Then every couple of months, take it to bank, invest it, or just use it for a “fun night”. This can help you get into the habit of saving, and provide you with a little extra.
Ask for stuff when you need it: Let people know when you are looking for something specific. You might end up getting something on second for free or really cheap, just by getting the word out.
Learn to change your own oil: It doesn’t take that long, and it’s not that hard. You can save a lot when you do this. Check with your city’s waste department to learn how to discard the oil. Many towns have free drop offs that will take care of the oil for you.
Plan family game nights: Instead of going out to dinner or the movies, consider having a family game night once a week. This is an inexpensive way to have a lot of fun, and spend quality time with your loved ones.
Bring your lunch: Prepare your own lunch for work, and prepare your children’s lunches for school. This will save on buying lunch. Many offices have fridges and microwaves, so it is possible to bring leftovers for lunch. I did this frequently when I had an office job, and still do it now that I work from home. We make enough for two dinners, and there is usually some left for a lunch — which I enjoy the third day. Plus, the food you bring is often healthier than what you buy.

What tips do you have for frugal living?

Comparison Shopping the Smart Way

by Miranda Marquit · 2 comments

When it comes to spending your hard earned cash, you want to know that you are getting the best deal. One way to do this is to comparison shop. In order to see that you are getting the best possible price, it means comparing the prices on similar items, so that you know which is really the best value. If you are ready to co some comparison shopping, here are some tips to help you do it the smart way:

Comparing Apples to Apples

The first thing you need to do is decide what you are looking for, and then compare items that are the same — or at least very similar. When comparing items, make sure they are similar in sizes, color, functionality and quality. Sometimes, at face value, it can seem as though you are getting a good deal. Until you find out that you didn’t get what you were actually looking for. Sometimes something is cheaper than its counterpart for a reason. Do a good job of comparing items that are truly similar in order to get an idea of true value.

Buying Online

One of the best ways to comparison shop is to use the Internet. We frequently find that we can get items for much less online. But you have to be careful; comparing apples to apples is harder when you are buying something sight unseen.

Looking online is a good way to help get a discount in town, if you don’t want to wait for shipping. More than once, we have seen a price online, and then called the brick and mortar version of the store to ask if they would honor the online price. In all cases that we have asked, the answer has been yes. Even if the answer is no, you lose nothing by asking. This type of price match can be a good way to help the local economy while getting a good deal.

When comparison shopping online, make sure you factor in shipping. In some cases, the shipping charges added to your low online price can result in a higher overall cost — especially if you pay a premium for faster shipping. Before you complete your purchase, make sure that you see the cost of shipping, and do a true comparison that includes the total cost of the item.

Use Consumer Resources and Aggregators

You can enhance your results in comparison shopping with help from other sources. My husband swears by Consumer Reports magazine. Before he gets anything, he looks at issues (he saves back issues), to see which items are of higher quality. You aren’t really saving money if that cheap item you bought breaks down in a few months and you have to buy a new one.

There are online shopping aggregators that can help you quickly compare prices from a variety of web sites, without having to visit a bunch of places in cyberspace. Use these aggregators to simplify things, and make quicker comparisons.

Is It Really Worth the Time?

As you go about comparison shopping, make sure that you are getting true value for your time. In some cases, it might not be worth it to check everywhere, or drive across town, just to save $3 on something. You might be better off to just pay an extra few dollars for the convenience of getting something at your favorite store, whether than burning the gas to go all over town to run your errands. Pick your battles, if you are short on time, and really get into the comparison on those products that are likely to yield the biggest savings.

This post has been included in the Festival of Frugality at Nerd Wallet. Visit the Festival for great tips on frugal living and saving money.

6 Ways to Increase the Coupons You Receive

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

One of the strategies many employ to save money is to clip coupons. But you don’t have to just rely on the Sunday paper and envelopes of them in the mail; if you know where to look, you can find coupons regularly — or even have them delivered to you more often. Here are 6 ways that you can increase the coupons that you receive:

1. Visit Store Web Sites

Many stores have their own web sites. This includes large chain stores and even some local stores. Even grocery stores have web sites that provide a place for coupons. Look around on your favorite store web sites for coupons, special promo codes and deals. While you are there, see if there is a way to sign up for special offers, coupons and sales. This can be a way to have savings from your favorite stores sent right to your inbox.

2. Visit Manufacturer Web Sites

Not only can you get coupons at your favorite store, but you can also find coupons for specific brands. If there is a brand that you like and buy regularly, consider visiting the manufacturer’s web site for coupons. You can also sign up to get special discounts on new products, if you are interested in trying new items from that manufacturer. You might even find a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item that you found on the store’s web site. If applicable, you can combine the offers for bigger savings.

3. Choose a Coupon Web Site

There are a number of coupon web sites out there, including CouponShoebox.com, Coupons.com, CouponSherpa.com and CouponMom.com. You can also find deals at places like Groupon.com. Use coupons and deal sites to find discounts. There are sites that allow you to sign up for email alerts for coupons on items of interest. You can identify your favorite stores, brands and items and received tailored alerts and coupons for exactly what you are looking for. Check back with these types of sites frequently, since there are often new deals and discounts. Again, you can combine offers for extra savings.

4. Sign Up For Store Loyalty Programs

It may seem like a pain, but you can get more coupons if you sign up for store loyalty programs. I belong to a store loyalty program, and every couple of months, I automatically receive coupons in the mail. These coupons are usually for things that I actually buy. As long as you don’t get too worried about the privacy implications of having a store loyalty program analyze your purchases, this can be a great way to automatically increase the number of coupons that you have access to.

5. Opt In Email Deals

One way to have more coupons and promo codes delivered to your email inbox is to sign up for email deals and newsletters. If you are concerned about having your inbox stuffed with junk email, you can set up a separate email account that you use for offers. Then, every few days you can look through your emails and print out the coupons, or use the promo codes, that you are most interested in.

6. Social Media Savings

There are a number of companies, stores and others that tweet coupons, codes and special sales to their follows. Find out if the stores and brands that you like tweet special codes. You can also follow coupon web sites for special savings tweets. You can also find special coupons and get deal notices when you sign up as a fan of some stores’ Facebook pages. Consider using social media to help you increase the number of coupons that you get.

There are many sources for coupons. Even if you don’t have the time to scour the Internet for coupons and discount codes, it is possible for you to have some deals sent to your inbox, reducing the amount of work you do, while increasing your savings.

11 Ways to Save Money on Travel this Summer

by Miranda Marquit · 5 comments

For me, summer time is travel time. I don’t need to go on some long vacation; I just need to get out of the house every now and again. A mini-vacation, or a staycation, can be a great way to save money on travel costs. You are close to home, and a shorter vacation means lower costs. Budget vacationing is fun, and a good way to have some family fun while living a frugal lifestyle. Here are 11 ways you can save money on travel this summer:

Look for discounts: The first thing to do is to look for discounts. You can get discounted gift cards to help cover some travel costs, including hotels, restaurants and even some airlines. Check for discounts on the sites and buy direct, or find coupon codes. Don’t forget to look for discounts based on age, groups and student status.
Public transportation: If you are planning to see the sites in a city, check into the public transportation. It can be cheaper than rental cars, and certainly cheaper than taxis. Many cities in the U.S. and Europe offer special passes for three days for a week. Consider how you can get the true flavor of a city by mingling with its masses.
Do your laundry: If you plan to stay for more than a few days, plan to do your own laundry. This way, you can travel light. Some airlines now charge for any checked bag. While they have backed off a bit on charging for carry-ons as well, it probably won’t be long. The less you can pack, the better.
Get the smallest rental car: If you decide that rental car is more convenient than public transportation, or if you plan to drive around to different towns for a couple of days, get the smallest rental car you can. This will not only cost you less up front, but save you money on gas.
Cook for yourself: Consider a hotel with a small kitchen. If you cook a few meals on your own, with inexpensive items bought at the local grocery, you can save money over eating out the whole trip. If you are going on a shorter trip, pack a five-day cooler with essentials. We often make our own picnic lunches when we go on mini-vacations, rather than buying food at a local restaurant.
Buy lunch: If you do want to eat out, consider buying lunch instead of dinner. It costs less than dinner does. Then make your own dinners.
Avoid tourist “hot spots”: One of the best things I did when I was younger was to go on a foreign exchange, and make friends with locals who could show me the real life in a large European city. This holds true in America as well. Instead of seeking out the places where tourists congregate, look for places with more local flair. Everything is cheaper in more local hangouts as well.
Opt for more stops: It might be kind of a pain, but if you are willing to deal with a layover or two, you can save money on your airfare. Non-stop flights often cost more.
Go off peak: Some travel sites, hotels and airlines will show you days that have lower rates. Whether it’s going during the week, or choosing to take your trip at an “unusual” time of the year, you can save money by going during off peak times. This includes off peak times of day, like red eye flights.
Look for inexpensive attractions: You can save on entertainment even when traveling. Look for inexpensive attractions, whether its Shakespeare in the Park (free in New York’s Central Park), free admission day at the museum or a concert at the local university.
Currency exchange: If you are traveling out of the country (even just to Canada or Mexico), consider the fees that come with exchanging currencies. It can add to the expense. Compare that with the fees charged by your credit card company. In some cases, it’s cheaper to use your credit card than to have cash exchanged. Use online sources to local the least expensive places to exchange money.

Using Your Coupons: Is It Really a Good Deal?

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

It is true that using coupons can save you a great deal of money. If you use your coupons effectively, it is possible for you to save hundreds — even thousands — of dollars over time. However, it is important to be careful when clipping coupons, since you might not always be getting the best deal. You want to read the fine print and make sure that there aren’t minimum purchase requirements. Another concerns is the size of the product, or a specific version or flavor of the product. When you take this into consideration, it might be that the coupon doesn’t actually offer the kind of deal you think it does.

Not only that, but you also need to be wary of name brand coupons. You might be “saving” some money on items bought with the coupons, but many name brands, even on discount, are more expensive than their generic counterparts.

Advertisements for New Products

In many cases, coupons are used as advertisements for new products. Many brands issue coupons for new items offered for sale. These items might be offered for $1.50 or more off when you use a coupon. The idea, of course, is that you go and buy the product with the coupon. In some cases, the product might actually not be a good deal when you buy it this way. This is because many name brand products are priced higher. If you get $1.50 off a product that is normally $6.00, you pay $4.50. But what if you can get a generic brand comparative product for $3.75? You’re not ahead, even when you use a coupon.

Getting a Truly Good Deal

Before you use coupons, make sure you are getting a truly good deal. My husband and I, for quite some time, bought items because there was a coupon for them. Instead of comparison shopping, we just clipped coupons and bought those items — sometimes even when we didn’t need them. Sometimes, we used coupons as an excuse to buy something. We wondered why we didn’t seem to actually save any money, even though we were using coupons.

When we finally sat down to figure it out, we realized that even though we were “saving” $1.00 on a tube of toothpaste, it still cost $1.50 more than another brand! We went through our coupons, and compared the after “savings” price to prices of comparable products. It became apparent that we could actually save more money if we stopped using some of the coupons, and instead actually looked at the prices. And, of course, we also realized that it was time to stop trying something out just because we had a coupon. We started looking for things we actually wanted to buy, rather than getting something because we had a coupon.

Once we stopped viewing coupons as the be all and end all, we started making smarter decisions and saving more money. A coupon can be a great money saving tool for living a frugal lifestyle. However, not all coupons lead to savings. Some merely convince you to spend more money. Before you use that coupon, do a little price comparison. Make sure you really are getting a good deal.

10 Easy Ways to Start Saving Money Now

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

We waste money on things every day. This waste can limit wealth potential and seriously hamper efforts to live a frugal lifestyle. Indeed, whether you are looking for ways to save on entertainment, or if you just want put a few more dollars in the retirement plan each month, you can find little ways to save. In fact, if you are serious about saving, here are 10 easy ways you can start saving money today:

Double check your employer match program for retirement savings: The employer match is making a comeback now that the economy is on the mend. That is free money in your retirement plan. Make sure you are taking advantage of the employer match.
Combine your telephone, Internet and TV services: It would be most cost-efficient to just watch TV on the Internet, and get VoIP for your phone, but if you aren’t comfortable with that, see if you can get a package. The rates are often lower when you combine. Start here to see if you can find a good broadband promotion.
Tri-line discount on insurance: The combination idea works for insurance premiums as well. Many companies will give you a discount if you get homeowners/renters, life, and auto insurance at once. I know I’m saving money each month with my insurance package.
Ask your credit card issuer for an interest rate reduction: If your account is in good standing, you might be able to get an interest rate reduction — just for asking. You can get a reduction of between 0.5% and 3%, depending on the policy of the issuer. It never hurts to ask.
Send away for those rebates: If you buy something that comes with a rebate, send away for it. Make sure you keep a copy for yourself, and date it. Use a calendar to mark when you can expect to get the money (6-8 weeks), and don’t be afraid to follow up. If you are really serious, and the rebate is big enough, consider sending it via registered mail to ensure that the retailer can’t claim that the rebate form was “lost.”
Double check the PMI: If you didn’t have a 20% down payment, you are probably paying for private mortgage insurance. However, if your home appreciates in value, and you have paid enough toward the principal, once you get a 20% cushion, that PMI can be removed. You can save money each month if you aren’t paying PMI premiums.
Re-evaluate your subscriptions: Honestly evaluate whether or not you are reading your magazine subscriptions, and whether you are really watching that much TV. Consider canceling subscriptions that you really aren’t using. Even Netflix could become a bad deal if you don’t use it. Check the Internet to see if you can find a better deal (free content or TV shows) online.
Consider rewards cards: If you frequent a store enough, consider signing up for rewards programs, or get a rewards credit card. This can result in coupons, special offers and even cash back. Just be sure that you aren’t buying useless items just to accumulate rewards points.
Maintain your car properly: Proper maintenance now can mean less expense down the road. Get a car with only one prior owner, and take good care of it. You will be surprised how much you save over the long haul. My husband and I bought a year-old lease return nearly eight years ago, and we have kept it in good shape. Our long-term costs on it have been lower than those of family members who bought cheaper cars, but haven’t been taking good care of them.
Increase your deductible: If you have a decent emergency fund accumulated, consider boosting your deductible. You can save on monthly insurance premiums if you are willing to pay a higher deductible. With the proper savings in place, adding $200 to $500 to your deductible shouldn’t be much of a problem. (Here are more ways to save on home and car insurance.)

Can you think of other easy ways to start saving money almost immediately?

Organizing Your Coupons

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

If you are a coupon clipper, you know that using coupons effectively requires planning and organization. This is especially true if you clip a great many coupons each week. You want to be able to quickly see what you have in terms of coupons — and when they expire — so that you can make your shopping list with the help of your coupons. This will prevent you from wasting your coupons. While you probably won’t use every coupon that you ever clip, you can increase the chances that you will make use of more coupons if you organize them.

Sorting Your Coupons

The first thing you need to do is come up with a sorting system for your coupons. Many people sort their coupons one of three ways:

Product Category: You can sort coupons by product category: Cereal, Produce, Snacks, Medication, Beauty, Household Items (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.), Cleaning Supplies, Personal Care (shaving cream, lotion, etc.) and other categories. Think about how you buy products, and what categories they fit into. Then, when you need something, you can go to that category and see if you have a coupon.
Expiration Date: If you are more concerned about using coupons before they expire, you can sort them by the month in which they expire, and even sort according to coupons that expire before the 15th of the month and those that expire after the 15th. This way, as an expiration date approaches, you can pull out your coupons and see what you should buy.
Alphabetically: Instead of sorting by category or expiration, you can also sort by the product name or brand.

How you sort your coupons is up to you, and what is likely to work best with the way you create a grocery list. You want a method that is convenient and easy for you to use.

Creating a Coupon Organizer

Once you have decided how to sort your coupons, it is time to organize your coupons. Create a coupon organizer, and you will be able to quickly access your coupons when you need them.

One of the easiest ways to sort coupons is to get an accordion wallet. Choose one that is fabric or plastic, for durability. It is small enough to keep on your person, so you always have it with you. Sort your coupons into different pockets. Leave the front pocket empty, and you can put the coupons you intend to use on your current trip in the front, making sure you don’t forget them.

You don’t have to carry all your coupons with you, though, if you plan your shopping trips and make a list with reference to your coupons. Keep your coupons organized using an index card box. Labels are easy to make, and you can file your coupons away. Every time you get ready to go to the store, make your shopping list, and refer to the coupons in the index box. Pull the coupons you will need and take them with you in your purse.

For the very serious, it is possible to create an entire coupon center by using a zippered organizer. There are usually pockets, paper (for shopping lists and notes) and tabbed divisions. You can create more pockets on the dividers if needed. These are also often large enough to hold a small pair of scissors (for clipping), a calculator and pens or pencils. Zip your coupon center binder up to prevent loss. You can also slip the organizer in your bag and take it along with you.

No matter how you do it, you should organize your coupons. It’s a great way to keep tabs on what you have in terms of coupons, and use them more effectively.

5 Seasonal Sale Items to Buy in April

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

If you are looking to save money on your purchases, one of the best ways to do is to shop seasonal sales. Understanding the sale cycle of the year can be extremely helpful when it comes to getting a good deal. So, if you are wondering what you should by in April, here are 5 seasonal sale items that you are more likely to save on this month:

1. Digital Cameras

April is a good time to go bargain hunting for digital cameras. They might be on sale for any number of reasons, but one of the main ones is clearance. Stores are gearing up for summer picture taking by getting in new stocks of cameras, and they are discounting older models. You can find some reasonably good bargains if you look for digital cameras right now.

2. Computers

We’ve always bought our computers in the spring, just before the new stocks come in. We don’t need to buy the latest version of a computer, since our needs aren’t terribly extravagant. We buy a new computer every three years or so (when mine is burned out from the workload), and we get one that came out six months earlier. It is always an major upgrade from what we already had, and more than sufficient for our needs. Plus, it’s on clearance in the spring, and we usually get a great deal.

3. Spring Clothing

In many cases, you can get spring clothing on sale in April as stores start getting ready for summer. Look for basic, evergreen styles on the clearance racks; these are spring clothes that have probably been in stock for more than a year. If you avoid the trendiest of clothes, you can make your wardrobe last a little longer. This is also a great time to pick over what’s left from winter. We saved more than 70% on an oversize coat that should fit my son great next winter.

4. Lawn Mowers

Many home improvement stores are clearing out their old stocks of lawn care equipment in anticipation of the summer. This is a good time to get lawn mowers on sale — before they are in higher demand as the weather gets nicer. If you are in the market for a lawn mower, you can shop around and find some great deals on last year’s models.

5. Travel Plans

As you probably know, travel prices go up as summer approaches. Summer is the peak vacation season, and it is no surprise that airlines, hotels and other related businesses charge more for their services. If you plan now, though, you can get discounts on advance reservations. You can save money by booking two or three months ahead of time. We save between $100 and $200 a ticket when we book our flights to see my husband’s family now, rather than waiting until closer to our travel date in July. You can also save when you combine travel offers, such as getting hotel and flight packages. Many discount travel sites offer price guarantees, refunding you money if your ticket price goes lower.

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