Save Money

10 Of the Most Useful Shopping Hacks That Will Save You Money

November 11, 2015 by arizona

Isn’t it time that you saved money while shopping? No matter whether your goal is to pay off your debt, save money for a home or retirement, or take your ideal vacation, we would all like to keep more of our earnings.

While it can be hard to adjust your money habits, there are other ways to reign in savings while you shop.

[Read: Great Tips on How You Can Save Money on a Wedding]

Read on for some shopping hacks that will save you money.

1. Ask About Discounts

This shopping hack will save you money with no additional work. All you have to do is ask the manager if a better price is available. This can even work at the supermarket. If you notice a discounted product, ask about deals for bundles if you typically tend to buy in bulk. You can easily end up saving a lot of money this way.

2. Price Matches

Take advantage of the price match guarantees that many retailers offer. There are even price comparison apps that will help save you time, such as ShopSavvy and RadLaser. These apps can help you find the best price possible. If you shop at a store that offers price matching, all you have to do is show them the advertised lower price and viola – you have saved money without having to alter your shopping habits.

3. Get connected

This may be the easiest shopping hack that will save you money of all. Who isn’t on some form of social media these days? Connecting with your go-to brands via social media helps you stay current with their sales and promotions. Make sure to sign up for emails, as many companies offer exclusive coupons for subscribers only.

4. Get thrifty

Secondhand shops have helped me buy many products. As long as you are careful, the benefits of this shopping hack that will save you money outweigh the risks. I have used online secondhand shops to purchase dining sets, games, electronics, and more. Facebook “garage sale” groups, Craigslist, and Ebay are popular places to purchase gently used items online. In addition, upscale consignment shops are gaining popularity.

5. Time your shopping

Remember this important shopping hack that will save you money: shopping during low periods can score discounts on almost anything you can dream of.
Here are a few ways to help find best times to shop for specific goods:

Markdowns are often applied in the morning at grocery stores. Get there early.
Don’t get sucked in by holiday sales. If it seems too good to be legitimate, walk away. Often times, prices are marked up during the holidays to make the discount seem bigger than it actually is. Check the prices against pre-sale advertisements to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Patience, patience, patience. If you can wait until after the season ends to purchase a non-necessity, your wallet will thank you.

6. Clearance rack shopping

Growing up, my parents always made a beeline for the clearance rack first. Now I understand why. They already knew about this shopping hack that will save you money, and boy did it pay off in spades. While exceptions were occasionally made for necessities, they saved thousands throughout the years by sticking to clearance racks for clothes, home goods, and more.

7. Coupons

This shopping hack that will save you money is my favorite of all. If your coupon has expired, don’t just throw it away. Many times, stores will still accept them or exchange it for one that has not yet expired. If the clerk says they cannot do that, let them know you are prepared to walk away from buying the item. Often times, this is enough to get them to give you the discount.

8. Gentle threats

Have you recently called your insurance company or cable provider to ask for a discount lately? Taking the time to do this every quarter can save you tons of money. When you try this shopping hack that will save you money, make sure you remember to communicate gently so the representative is willing to offer assistance. You may wish to start with a compliment and by reminding the company of your loyalty to them. This small act can pay off in dividends.

9. Cash is king

This is best when purchasing a high-priced item like home goods. Offering to pay in cash lets the sales representative know you are serious. This is especially true with smaller companies, as they often are hit harder by credit card processing fees.

[Read: When Coupons Trick You into Spending More Money]

10. Generic brands are equivalent

Generic items are often equivalent to their brand name alternatives. This is especially true with medications, so long as the active ingredients are the same for each. You can save up to $1.50 per item this way.

Even if you only use a few of these hacks, it is possible to save more than you ever imagined possible.

Get Aggressive With Your Debt Busting

November 24, 2014 by arizona

There are a multitude of reasons to get aggressive when it comes to paying your debts. Some will be unique to those with certain financial situations but most reasons are applicable to those owing money. Debt to some extent is not a bad thing however you do not need to be restricting or changing the way you live.

When you have no hold from creditors you can decide how to make your excess income work for you. It will only be at this time that you can experience how good life is for those with financial freedom.

For those that are not debt free the following reasons make it clear why you should get debt busting and say goodbye to your debt for good:

1. A good Investment

The majority of credit cards balances will have interest high interest rates where as home or car loans tend to be a lot lower so it can be difficult knowing which investment vehicle is best for you. However by debt busting and taking care of the high interest debt first you will soon notice that you have more spare cash than before.

2. Save Money

By debt busting and reducing the amount of debt you have you are in turn reducing the interest that you will have to pay thus saving money. No matter how small the saving is, it is still a saving that can be put to any use you so choose.

3. Managing Your Finances will be Easier

As you reduce your debt you will notice that managing your finances becomes a lot easier too. No longer will you be having to spend time deciding which bills to pay and which can wait, good debt busting will mean that you have enough to make ends meet hopefully with a little spare to save or treat yourself with.

4. More Options

When you have really mastered debt busting and you are no longer swamped with debts and how to handle them, you will see that there are a lot of financial options open to you, such as with more money in your pocket you may want to invest, stash a little away for emergencies, take a holiday or even make a start at saving for your retirement.

5. Say Goodbye to Stress

Debt and financial issues will have a bearing on all areas of your life including your physical and mental well – being and areas of your personal life as with little money it is difficult to socialize without constantly worrying about the cost. By debt busting and becoming debt free you will be amazed at the peace of mind and transformation it can make to your daily life. You will more than likely find that your confidence increases and you have a more positive outlook for your future and on the whole you are far happier without the constant money worries bringing you down.

6. Freedom with your Finances

Debt busting not only brings about a release of stress from your life but also knowing that you have no debts outstanding and no one will be worrying you for money will allow you to really make changes in your life. Whatever dreams you have you will now feel able to explore them and what may have seemed impossible such as changing jobs, moving, starting a business are no longer just distant fantasies because when you have financial security anything becomes possible.

7. Help Others

Now that debt busting has meant you have your financial affairs in order you can help those around you if you so choose. Without the burden of debt you can help family, friends and charities and hopefully some of your good values will set an example to the other people in your life and they will take onboard these ideas too.

8. Security

Although we do not like to think of the possibility that we could be involved suddenly in an unforeseen accident, this could happen. It is obvious that should this occur you will feel so much better knowing that you are not leaving your family in debt and better still you could be leaving them with a financial cushion to help them through the first few months without you and your income.

9. Brighter Future

Debt and debt busting are not the only things you will encounter on the road called life, debt is one of the things that can be avoided or at least minimized. By limiting debt you can work towards financial freedom and when all of your debts are paid off or under control you have the time and money to concentrate on living the rest of your life.

Not all debt is bad, some is essential such as the mortgage on your home; however by debt busting and ensuring you make wise financial choices you do not need to feel financial restricted as you move forward through life.

Plan Ahead and Save Money during the Holidays

December 5, 2013 by arizona

I love giving gifts. I can have all of my Christmas shopping finished well before October because I see things everywhere that would make those I love happy. You would think this would save money during the holidays but you would be wrong. I get caught up in the fun and frenzy of sales and shiny new things and end up buying twice or three times what I can afford, just to “add that something special.” You may be the same, or you may just be struggling to get what you need without having to mortgage the dog, either way after some financial disasters of my own I have put together some tips for us all to save our wallets and our sanity.

Money Saving Websites

Group Couponing – I was so resistant to these it made my friends crazy. They were eating out and getting all sorts of perks for such deep discounts they thought I was foolish to not join in. I was. It was a manicure/pedicure that finally won me over and I have never looked back. Sites like LivingSocial.com, Groupon.com and EverSave.com are offering prices you can’t even imagine on quality products and services. Vacations both near and far, pub crawls, kayak trips and painting classes for the adventurous, bowling parties and movie tickets for families, wine tastings, dining and theater nights for couples, it’s all out there right along with electronics, household items, purses and more. Using this as a resource for gift giving can save money during the holidays and give you some unique gift ideas.
Discounted Gift Cards – There are two great ways to leverage sites like PlasticJungle.com to save money during the holidays. You can purchase gift cards for favorite restaurants and stores at a discounted rate and give those cards directly as gifts, or you can purchase the cards to use for your own holiday shopping. The depth of the discount depends on the demand for the card so look around for places you know you will find useful gifts and try to get the best deal possible. You can also trade cards you have but will never use for something better suited to your needs.

Used – Like New but Money Saving

Second hand shops can be wonderful ways to save money during the holidays. You can find excellent jewelry and electronics for pricing you’ll never find retail and in some stores you’ll even find they progressively lower prices as time passes. If the pricing structure isn’t listed on the item it’s okay to ask if they have a mark down schedule and try to be the first to get to the item when it reaches your ideal price. Books can be a great used gift as well, many people who are true book lovers prefer the look and feel of an old, well-loved book to that of a new one. I once had a professor who requested any time he was given a gift it be an inexpensive, used book, preferably inscribed to a previous owner with a new inscription to him below it. This may not be for everyone but the more sentimental of your social circle would likely be touched at such a gift.

Cash Back Credit Cards and Point System Charge Cards

You’re thinking I’m nuts, I can tell. Credit cards and saving money during the holidays are usually mutually exclusive but if you are managing your budget correctly and being honest with yourself about how much you can spend and when you can pay it off you can actually use your credit or charge card like a coupon.

Cash back credit cards. Purchase only what you would were you using cash and keep that cash aside along with your normal payment. Before the statement closing date, or on the due date pay both what you have newly purchased whether it has shown up on your statement yet or not and your regular payment. You have not added anything to your card but you are earning cash back on what you spent, usually somewhere between 1 and 5 percent of your total purchases. It will be as if you paid in cash, but showed them your credit card to receive a discount.
Point System Charge Cards. Charge cards differ from credit cards in that the balance must be paid in full every month. If you have one that offers points for every purchase think of it as a debit card use it for everything, even morning coffee but never more than you would cash. Pay completely and on time, every time or the system falls apart. At the end of the year you will find you’ve accumulated so many points you could do all of your holiday shopping completely free! I promise there’s no better way to save money during the holidays than shopping with free money.

Great Ways to Save Money during the Holidays

November 10, 2013 by arizona

If you are looking to regain your sanity this year, or you are feed up with the stress of the holiday season it might be time you evaluated how you prepare for this time of year.

Holiday times can be a stressful and expensive time of the year and if there are ways that this can be controlled then it will allow you to enjoy the time with friends and family more. The more organised that you are the more smoothly the run up to the holiday season will be. It will mean you are able to save money during the holidays and benefit from these as well:

Be more organised
Save money
Reduce the stress

The way to complete all these items is to become organised and plan for the holiday season, using these five tips will reduce the stress that you feel and will mean that you can enjoy the time feeling relaxed and stress free.

Budget

You need to know how much money that you have got saved up for the festivities that are coming.

Break down your budget into the different categories that you have got to purchase items in this will show you where you can save money during the holidays.

For example you might have these categories:

Gifts for close friends and family
Work colleagues gifts
Teachers gifts
Cards and gift wrap
Food for parties
Food for family
Clothes for the festive period
Travel and food expenses when purchasing the gifts
Decorations

Once you have worked out all the areas that you need to spend the money that you have got you can then start dividing the money into those categories, but it is important that you stick to your budget too.

Checklist

Once you are aware of the budgets that you have got to spend you need to start planning your purchases as well as getting your home ready for the season.

If you have the list prepared early it will give you time to spread the tasks out over a month or so and this will mean that you are able to get the jobs completed in a more timely manner and you won’t feel rushed, this will reduce your stress levels and save money during the holidays.

Break down tasks into manageable sizes and then schedule them into your diary. Make sure they are just as visible as any appointment that you have committed to, if you keep putting off the task then it will become more difficult to reduce the stress as the time that you have will be reduced.

As you purchase a gift, wrap the gift and label it, this will reduce the time needed; there is nothing worse than a mammoth wrapping session. The presents won’t get that individual touch, as you would with the first couple that you wrap.

Holiday Supplies

Knowing what items you have already have got at home will save you money and time purchasing duplicate supplies when they are not required. It will mean you are able to choose which decorations need replacing and which are perfectly acceptable for the following season.

Not only will you be saving on duplicate purchases, time and money. This will save money during the holidays.

De-Clutter

It is important that you make space for the holiday season in your home and this can mean de-cluttering. It is a good way to get rid of the items in your home that you no longer love, they can be broken and damaged and this just takes up space and can make cleaning up take longer.

If you have got clothes that you no longer wear, or that your children have grown out of then now will be the time that you need to get rid of these items. It is not just about throwing out the rubbish but sorting through the items that are taking up space in your home.

Make Money

It can be the time of the year when you are able to make some money from the items that you no longer need. It is possible to sell some of the good quality items that you have got. It will mean that you will have extra money to add to your budget so that you can make the festive season that bit easier on your wallet.

If you have a talent you might be able to make money selling what you have made or what you are able to offer another person. This will mean that you will be able to make more money for your family and whilst it can be a good way to boost your finances for this year it is never too early to start putting money aside for the festive season next year.

It is important that you take the time to plan and organise your home and the tasks that are always going to pop up and needing addressing, but what you need to remember is that if you are more organised it will help you in the long term.