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15 Great Money Saving Tips You Can Actually Use

3rd September, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Everybody wants to save money today, that’s no secret. Here are some great tips that have been gathered to help you save money, solve common problems for less and get what you need without paying for what you don’t.

Things That Last Longer:

1 – Rechargeable Batteries AA for your digital camera etc.. Many cameras don’t even work with regular alkaline batteries, and they are only good for one use then you throw them away. A set of 4 rechargeable batteries can be found online for around $10 and last a long time, so don’t pay $40 for them at the store.

2 – Nonstick Cookware: Testing has shown that the “Circulon Elite” brand outlasts others, so if you must buy new make sure you take a look at them. If you already have some, DO NOT use non-stick cooking spray or it will cook into the surface and make it tacky and hard to clean! It’s already non-stick so you’re just wasting the “Pam” anyway.

3- Sheets: Sometimes they need replacing or you need another set. Take a look at the “JCPenny Home Collection” and their 300 thread count sheets to be more specific. They are reported to not shrink and fade and 300 thread count is the perfect balance between lower cost and softer feel.

4- Clothing: You want a gentle stain remover and detergent, and “Tide Total Care” has shown to be both; helping clothing look newer for longer.

5- Towels: When your towels need replacing, “Canopy Bath Towels” at Walmart looked good even after 25 washes. At only about $35 for a 6 piece set they are a great value.

6- If it’s broke, fix it: “Gorilla Super Glue” can bond to metal, stone, wood, ceramics, glass and more! Exercise caution to not glue things to your skin and never get your fingers near your eyes when using any “Super” glue.

Quick Spill Cleanups:

7- Computer Desk: Spill resistant or waterproof keyboards can save your day, and money! “Seal Shield Seal Flex” keyboards can go directly into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

8- Carpet Stains: If you have a puppy or young children then this is for you. The “Woolite Pod” gets out stains quick and easy can can even put the fluff back into matted up carpet. Always make sure to soak up as much of the spill as possible before using any cleaner.

9- Carpet Cleaning: For years people have rented ‘Bissell Deep Cleaner” steam cleaners to clean their carpets themselves. When you move out of your apartment, rent a steamer for fairly cheap at most large grocery stores and make sure you get back your security deposit.

10- On The Go: The “Tide to Go” pen can save day if you end up wearing some of your lunch before going to that big meeting at work and save your white shirt from a stain that you might not be able to get out later.

Living eco-friendly:

11- Painting Stinks: Use paints with no Volatile Organic Compounds VOC’s when possible, it’s better for your family and the Earth.

12- Grow Your Own: With vegetable prices rising start your own small garden in your yard. Pick plants that yield a lot of what you like tomatoes, zucchini, beans, peppers and save money on groceries.

13- Weed Killer: “Preen” vegetable garden weed-preventer has a safe organic formula that stops weeds from growing in your garden. Alternatively you can pull them out by hand, it’s cheaper and guaranteed eco-friendly.

14- Bottled Water: Don’t buy it. Get a “Brita” or “Pur” faucet-mounted water filter and fill up 1 gallon jugs to be placed in the fridge. Tap water isn’t cold enough for me and this is a great solution. Help keep millions of water bottles out of the landfill, it’s an enormous trash generator that people largely ignore. One faucet-mounted filter can replace 750 sixteen ounce single serving water bottles!

15- Repair It: Broken electronics do not belong in the trash, they contain PCB’s (Printed Circuit Boards) that have mercury in them which is hazardous waste and is not allowed in your household trash. You can probably repair your digital camera for $100 or less instead of throwing it away and spending $400 on a new one or $200 on one that isn’t as good as the one you threw away.

You may not be able to save thousands with these tips, but every bit helps. There are so many more that are not listed, be sure to look for more problem solving and money saving ideas coming soon!

5 Money Saving Tips Anyone Can Use

30th August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Everyone has heard the talk about debt consolidation loans and other “debt solutions” but here are 5 truly easy tips that anyone can use to save money and get on track to a healthy financial standing.

1) Take Lunch to Work:

Bringing a lunch instead of buying it will not only save money it is usually a much healthier option also. A bag lunch can be made for a fraction of the cost of buying a meal and without having to leave for lunch you will also save money on gas. Estimated savings from sacking the sandwich is $1,300 per year.

2) Freeze the Cards:

Overspending is a common problem and having a credit card handy can make it so easy to purchase unnecessary items on a whim. Instead of cutting up your credit cards that you may actually need at some point, simply put each one in a glass of water or plastic bag and throw it in the freezer. If you want to use it for a quick purchase you are forced to really consider whether it is worth thawing out the card to make the purchase.

3) Become Your Own Bank:

One of the single biggest ways to save money on credit card interest is to build your own line of credit for emergencies or other purchases through a savings account. By saving at least $500 you will have a cushion for unplanned car repairs or other situations that would otherwise require you to put it on a credit card. Saving money on interest payments can add up quickly over time just be sure to pay yourself back!

4) Don’t Make a Habit of Eating Out:

Make visiting the restaurant a special occasion that you do once or twice a week and plan for it in advance by adding it as a line item to your budget. Make note of your restaurant expenditures and you will be surprised how the meal, tip, and gas can add up to an expensive date.

5) Budgets with Cash

Using cash to pay for daily purchases makes you realize how much money you are actually spending. Some people refer to it as the “envelope system” which is when you carry enough cash to pay for the everyday items in your budget but no more. This will keep you from overspending because you literally do not give yourself access to additional funds. This idea has grown in popularity in recent years and continues to be a focus for many budget conscious people everywhere.

Everyone can make practical changes to move toward a balanced budget. For more money saving ideas visit the debt free Christian and get on the road toward debt free living today!

Money Saving Tips When Planning A Wedding

26th August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Wedding comes in all shapes and sizes these days and you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the wedding of your dreams. There are several small things you can remember when planning that will have a big impact on the overall budget.

• Consider the date and time of the wedding. The cost of the exact same site can vary greatly so choosing the right month can significantly reduce costs. Certain sites have peak months, days, and times in which their rates will be more. At some sites, Thursday night weddings or the Sunday before a holiday can dramatically reduce the price tag.

• Site choice is important. As mentioned above, there are certain peak times for locations so choosing a time that is off-season can drastically reduce costs.

• Take advantage of decorations already provided. Many sites already decorate for Christmas and leave it up through the New Year making this a great time to have a wedding because you don’t have to add many flowers.

• Consider your drink options. Either skip the champagne toast (it can be up to $16 per glass at certain sites) or if allowed bring your own champagne for guests. Also, eliminating alcohol all together can save tremendously on costs. If you want to offer alcohol but can’t afford the cost the site charges, ask if you can bring in your own. Even if there is a cork fee you will still save considerably. You can also offer a cash bar or provide drink “tickets” to guests that allow for one free drink and then they pay for the rest if the site will provide the services.

• Revisit the menu. Perhaps plan to offer a nice spread of hors d oeuvres instead of a full course meal. If planning a sit down meal, minimize the options guests have or choose a customized pasta bar that will be less expensive then meat entrees.

• Be smart when buying your dress. Opt for a dress that is embellished with glass beads instead of crystals. Also, if you are able to pay cash for your gown you can often get up to 20% on the price.

• Decrease the size of your bridal party. Even though most attendants pay for their own gown or tux, the bride and groom are still responsible for gifts, rehearsal dinner costs, and bouquets and boutonnières.

• Flower saving tips. If you know someone that can do your flowers, consider buying wholesale and let the put the flowers together. If you choose to use a florist, put the majority of your flower budget into arrangements that are most noticeable such as your bouquet and centerpieces.

The most important thing to do is set the budget before you begin the planning. Once you have the budget you have to stick with it. Try to stay within your budget by reworking various aspects of the ceremony when necessary. This will ensure that you aren’t dealing with unexpected bills and debt once you return from your honeymoon.

For additional wedding related tips visit: www.verysupersexylingerie.com

Money Saving Tips for your Boat

22nd August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

One area where you will really need to be cost savvy is when it comes to fuel. Fortunately fuel prices are on the decline, but they are still up there and it can really add up. There area a few precautions you can take to save whenever possible.

Make sure your hull is clean. A clean hull will help you save on fuel costs because it will affect your boats performance. If the hull is clean, your boat will handle better and navigate more smoothly through the water.

Check your propeller and routinely tune the engine of your boat. If the propeller is not the correct size for your boat, it can cause the boat engine to work overtime and use more fuel. A maintained engine will work to its maximum potential and saves you money on fuel as well.

Certain makes of boats require a specific fuel grade. It is important to use the specified grade in order for your boat to perform correctly. If you use a fuel grade that is too low for your boat, it may lead to the plugs fouling (this may be the case if your boat is not starting or running properly) or the engine stalling, both of which require more fuel to be burned.

Remove excess weight from your boat. If you are not using certain equipment, tools, extra coolers, or furniture take them off of the boat. The extra weight will cause the engine to work harder and in turn burn more fuel.

Ease into it when accelerating, and avoid idling whenever possible. Both of these will lead to burning more gas than necessary.

When you see a fueling station that offers gas at prices that seem too good to be true; don’t stop there, they probably are. The fuel may be watered down, and will lead to you spending more money in the end.

Following these simple fuel-saving tips will help you cut down on costs, and leave you with a little extra cash in your pocket for other boating necessities.

Money Saving Tips on Hiring Car Rental at Brisbane Airport

18th August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

If you are planning to visit Brisbane in Australia, you should be properly informed that Brisbane Airport is the only airport serving this place on the Gold Coast of Australia. Upon knowing this, you should then expect the idea that it is a very busy; in fact one of the busiest airport in the whole of the continent. Now, when you are travelling to this ideal place in Queensland, it is of great necessity to deal with a Brisbane Airport Car Rental. This is to make sure that you have dealt with one as soon as you land and before you go anywhere else in Brisbane.

The importance of renting a car all throughout your Brisbane holiday is of great importance and choosing one from those present in the airport holds special reasons and positive outcomes that many tourists have experienced in the past. When you have made up your mind about this matter, you should contemplate on some money saving tips on hiring car at Brisbane Airport.

Car rental car parks are present within the allotted area in the airport and car rental desks are situated on the right side upon reaching the arrival terminal. From there you can secure information about cars for rent. However, you can also prepare for this before your proposed travel by getting as much information as you can from online sources. This is the best way to get the best bargains on car rental rates. Another bargain that you can consider is with regards to bonuses such as damage waiver policies, which are offered by some car rental providers. Hiring a car at the airport means that you would actually use the car that is present at the airport by the time that you arrive, it is then ideal that you book online before you arrive so that you’re chosen car would be displayed there waiting for your arrival. In doing so, you would not be required to wait for the bus that you would take you to the car rental company to pick up your rented car.

It is also wise that you check the mileage policy of the company so as to avoid the payment of additional charges. Another tip is to check with your ticket agency if there are package deals available. Some companies offer options such as car hire package deals as part of their promotion in the highly competitive market that they are evolving in.

Money Saving Tips For Your Next Luxury Cruise

14th August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Vacations give you a splendid opportunity to step back from life’s unrelenting pace and smell the roses.

If your choice of vacation is a luxury cruise, you have probably found out the hard way that while the package may be affordable, hidden expenses can drive up the cost of your vacation significantly.

Don’t fret though.  You can still take a luxury cruise for your next vacation.  You just need to keep in mind a few money saving tips.

Plan ahead

What do you want to do next time?

If you plan to spend most of the day soaking up the sun on the deck, or going on excursions, or partying until the sun comes up why not book yourself a basic cabin?  If you don’t intend to spend much time in your cabin, go for the less costly option instead of spending more on the luxurious cabin you’re thinking of.  

Check the itinerary

Find out if there are any interesting spots in the ports that you dock in.  Go exploring with a group.  Or you can use the break and organize an onboard picnic.

An independent excursion provider may be able to give you a better value for your money compared to the trip the cruise operator is offering.  Compare both offers.  Note that excursions offered by cruise operators have a very decided advantage.  If you go on an excursion sponsored by the cruise operator and you get delayed, the ship won’t leave until you get back.  Other excursion providers cannot make that guarantee for you.

Transfers

Transfers are charged on a per person basis.  You may find that taking a cab can be more cost effective than paying for the transfers.  If you’re traveling with companions, you can also share the cost of the cab, driving the price per person lower.

Photos

Bring a digital camera and extra memory cards.  There will be lots of photo opportunities you will want to take advantage of.  You don’t have to have your picture taken by the ship photographer and you don’t have to buy the photos that are taken of you.  If you’re traveling with friends, take pictures of each other.  Or ask another guest to take a picture.

Drinks

Bottled water, sodas and alcoholic drinks can total quite a bit.  Drinks are rarely included in standard cruise fare so you’ll need to plan for that.  If you’re traveling with kids or if you like drink a lot of soda, find out if the ship has a soda package.  You can save quite a bit if you take advantage of this offer.

Although the practice is not encouraged, you can bring your own wine aboard.  You’ll be charged a corkage fee but this will still be less than if you bought the wine on board.

Phone and Internet Bills

Find out what the charges are for the use of the satellite phone on board.  You can activate roaming on your cell phone if this proves to be the cheaper option.  

Be aware that some ships charge by the kb while others charge by the time you spend online when surfing or emailing.

A cheaper alternative may be to wait until you get to port and send your emails from a café.  You can upload your pictures to free memory, send videos or just surf for a while.

Dining

Since meals are included in your cruise fee, eat at the designated dining room.  There are alternative restaurants you may choose to try but this would just be an added expense.  These restaurants will be a bit pricier than the usual so be prepared.

With a little planning and self restraint, your next cruise doesn’t have to burn a hole in your bank account.  Plan your cruise ahead and you’ll be sure to enjoy your vacation.

Auto & Car Insurance: Money-saving Tips

10th August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Many people lament the purchase of auto insurance. So we’re here to make it less painful. Check out these six money-saving tips and take the sting out of buying insurance.

Auto Insurance Quote

#1 Raise your deductible. It’s a gamble, sure. You’ll be responsible for a larger amount of the bill should you get into an accident. However, this is a guaranteed way to lower your annual insurance costs.

#2 Shop around. Staying with the same insurance company year after year may not be in your best interest. You can cancel or change your policy at any time you don’t need to wait for the policy to expire. So shop your insurance every six months and compare prices to ensure you are getting the best deal.

#3 Remove unneeded extras. Although knowing you have towing and rental car coverage may help you sleep at night, those add-ons are rarely used and not necessarily worth the cost. You pay between $10 and $30 a year over the life of your policy to cover towing. And in the unlikely situation that you need a tow, you’ll pay about $100. Likewise, a small economy car costs $20-$25 a day to rent and car rental tacks on another $20-$40 to your insurance bill each year. So you can sleep well knowing that you saved yourself some money.

#4 Protect your credit. More insurers have begun using credit-based insurance scores to determine what you pay for your policy. So paying the water bill on time will actually keep your insurance costs down.

#5 Research discounts. Cars with safety and anti-theft devices cost less to insure. You can also knock off a few bucks if you insure your car and home with the same company. People who abstain from alcohol, get good grades in school or take a driver education course are also rewarded with lower premiums.

#6 Get informed. The easiest way to save on any insurance is to research before you buy. And get recommendations from family and friends.

And now for the shameless plug: shope here to find quotes and matched with agents from your area!

Texas Auto Insurance

The Ultimate Money Saving Tip in Disney World!

6th August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

Brace yourself!!! No, it’s not really that serious, but it is exciting! Note that this tip could be adjusted based on your requirement but the general idea is the same. Well, here we go…

Before I go into my revolutionary article, I’m going to assume a couple of things just for the sake of argument and to better explain the tip:

You are staying at a Disney Resort. Disney World is not Disney World if you don’t stay on property. It is a completely different experience and definitely worth the money. Also, if you stay at a Disney Resort, you are permitted extra hours at the parks! You ONLY want to visit the 4 Theme Parks (There is SOOO much to do at Disney World and so little time!) You are staying in Orlando for 4 Days (let’s say Thursday – Sunday).

Now Brace yourself!!! (really…)

STEP 1: Purchase a vacation package with Disney world. Purchase a 4 Day / 3 Night stay at any resort and include the BASE ticket (no park hopper / no-expiration option). Also, include the basic dining package for each person. For the best rates, be sure to purchase your vacation during the wonderful weeks period. During this period, Disney offers discounted rates.

Walt Disney World has 3 classes in resorts: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. If you are traveling with kids, it may be a good idea to stay at a Value resort. They are geared towards kids and are much cheaper than the other resorts. The Moderate resorts are perfect for everyone! They are fanatically themed as well as affordable. I recommend staying at the Coronado Springs Resort. If you chose to stay at a Deluxe resort, you will be paying a lot more, however it would be extremely luxurious. I recommend Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is one of the cheaper Deluxe Resorts and probably the best! For more help in choosing a resort. The base ticket option allows you to only visit one park a day. However, since you are there for 4 days and there are 4 theme parks, there are enough things to see and do at each park for the whole day, this works out perfectly! The park hopper option allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. This only works well when you don’t have enough time to enjoy one park a day. The no-expiration ticket means that the ticket will never expire, however in this case, you plan to stay at Disney World for 4 days and use the 4 day tickets.

The only addition you will need to add to your BASE ticket is the Dining Plan. Disney World is the #1 vacation spot in the world! Food and drink is a necessity! Put them both together and you get: EXPENSIVE FOOD!! The Dining Plan will allow each person to have a snack, quick service meal (lunch), and a table service meal (dinner) each day at every park. STEP 2: Plan to arrive in Orlando (or near Disney World) on Wednesday night!

Be sure to have reservations at some regular motel just for the night. A simple Sleep Inn or Quality Inn usually works well for us! Make sure it is close to Disney World. Step 3: Thursday morning; get to your resort by 9 AM.

YES, you can check-in at 9 AM! If your room is available, you will be allowed to go. If your room is not available, the concierge will keep your luggage and put it in your room once it’s available.

Every day, Disney World selects one park to open 1 hour early and close up to 3 hours later only for resort guests. You can get this schedule when you check in. Be sure to visit the park with extended the hours!

You can hop on the Disney bus (free for resort guests) and go to a park. Step 4: Friday & Saturday; visit the park with extended hours. In the morning, it’s a good idea to ride the big rides because there is little to no wait. By mid afternoon, you should have most of the rides completed. Now would be a good time to go back to resort and relax. Remember, there is also so much to do at the resort! You can go back to the same park and enjoy more. Step 5: Sunday; you must check out in the morning, however you have the whole day to enjoy the final park. Concierge will hold your luggage for you until night time. After you are done, come back to the resort, grab your luggage and go stay at a regular hotel.

Step 6: On Monday morning, plan to go home. =(

Well, that concludes the ultimate money saving tip for your vacation at Disney World. What we’ve come to realize is that this concept is geared more toward families and those who have a limited spending limit. We hope that this article gave you some new ideas and helps you plan your next trip to Disney World.

Average Cost of Renters Insurance – And Money Saving Tips

2nd August, 2010 - Posted by admin - Comments Off

The average cost of renters insurance in the Houston, Texas area is $16 to $20 per month for about $10,000 of coverage. Knowing this now, can you really afford not to get a renters insurance policy?

What if there is a fire in your building? You will lose all your precious possessions and have no way to replace them if you don’t have a renters insurance policy. What if someone comes into your apartment and slips and hurts themselves then decides to sue you? Your renters insurance policy would cover that for you.

Talk to a local insurance agent who knows about renters insurance and can help you tailor the policy to fit your needs. You can get coverage that not only protects your precious things from loss from fire but you can protect yourself from vandals, wind, theft, liability and loss of use.

A replacement cost policy is recommended, rather than an actual cash value policy, so you get the amount that it would cost to buy the items you lost brand new. A replacement cost policy is slightly more expensive than an Actual-Cost-Value but is worth it to be able to purchase everything that you lost and should not affect your average cost of renters insurance to any great degree.

Document all your precious things on video or take pictures of everything, along with a written inventory, and put them in a safe place like a fire-proof locked box or safe deposit box so you have proof of things you own.

Flash floods are a fact of lief in Texas. Flood insurance is recommended also, especially in Houston, and not included in a standard renters insurance policy. You will need to add it. Since flood insurance usually becomes effective 30 days after you purchase it, you should not wait to get it.

If renters insurance is so inexpensive why do people go without it? Maybe because they don’t know any better. Maybe they think that nothing bad can happen to them. Who knows!

Don’t be one of them. Life is unfair and uncertain, you just never know what and when something might happen. Protect yourself and your precious things and get a renters insurance policy.

Money Saving Tips

If you are still trying to save money then ask your agent about any discounts their company offers. Perhaps you could combine your auto insurance with your average cost of renters insurance and pay a little less on your premiums.

Agree to pay a higher deductible, if you can afford it, to bring down the cost of your monthly premium. Another way you can save on your renters premium is not to have any pets

Also, try to find a low crime area to live in. Makes sense doesn’t it? A low crime area means there is less of a chance someone will break in and steal your precious things.

It’s important if you lease or rent your home to have the appropriate coverage necessary to protect your assets. It may be the only thing that stands between you and sleeping on the floor.