Cut the paper and save the cash!

So I mentioned awhile back about how to get free magazine subscriptions using extra frequent flyer miles. Well, if you aren't getting your subscriptions for free and you are looking to save a little more money here's another idea!

Cancel your subscriptions! Radical idea, I know...but with everything available (including most of the publications for free viewing) online, why pay to have more paper shoved in your mailbox and gathering dust on your endtable? Just a thought...!

Leave the car behind!

And so begins another hectic week...! But if you don't already "go green" in your daily commute or running errands, consider the extra benefits to the following options:

* Ride a bike - it may take a bit longer, but you get the added "plus" of exercise!

* Carpool - what a great way to catch up with friends or colleagues while cutting your stress and gas budget!

* Use public transportation - You can read, enjoy some tunes or get ahead on some work before you hit the office!

* Finally, batch your errands - don't do a few here and there; wait and do them on one day or via the most efficient route to save time and gas!

So...save $, avoid wear and tear on your vehicle, help the environment, cut your stress, get exercise...all sounds good to me! Give it a try!

Pass it on...Please???

So I know you are all wondering how to celebrate my upcoming 100th blog post (which incidently will be on July 20th; but then who's counting?!) Well, since we've discussed avoiding spending money on cards (go with e-cards), minimizing gift-giving (and even I know this isn't a gift-worthy occasion! Drat!)and so on...could you perhaps pass along the blog address to your friends who you think would enjoy it? More followers provides incentive for hitting the next 100 posts! (And, yes, I know this was a lazy way out of a long post on a Sunday!) Thanks for reading!

Shop only as needed! (no, really!)

Alas...I am finding out I am not the only penny-pinching, cheap, budget guru (ah...make that goddess!) out there! That is a good thing as we never run out of suggestions for you! Another site that provides budget hints every Tuesday is "Zen Habits" - check it out at http://zenhabits.net

In their 07/08 "Cheapskate Guide," they gave some other good hints that we haven't covered before. These three are only some of those listed in the "guide," but they are geared toward shopping, so thought I'd pick these to post:

* Adopt a minimalist wardrobe - go with plain, solid colors and items that go with more than one or two others. Mix and match is the way to play it and keep your wardrobe costs down.

* Beware of online impulse buying...it is way too easy to click and spend these days! Buy only if you really need the item and if it is the least expensive way of purchasing it. Also remember, the price listed doesn't include your tax or delivery charges!

* Don't go "window-shopping!" Only go to the mall or department store, etc. when you know what you need. Go and get only that item and then leave...shopping as entertainment can be costly!

Beware shopaholicism (is that a word?)!!!!

Making Your Own Coffee...That's a Budget Wake-Up Call!

A lot of what I post here is based on personal experience and my own ideas. When I find them elsewhere, as with today's blog, I want to give credit where credit is due (oh, that's a good line on a budget blog!).

Yesterday I ran across a blog called "Dumb Little Man Tips For Life" which can be found at:

www.dumblittleman.com

It provides money-saving tips, as well as ways to increase your productivity and maintain (?) your sanity! Here a a few ideas from that blog for saving money - bear with me if I've covered any of them before, but I think most are new suggestions:

* Make your own coffee...a big savings, especially for us Starbucks addicts!

* Be aware of your bank balance and avoid overdraft fees...boy, can I relate to this one...a few close calls lately on that!

*Disconnect your land line if you can survive with only your cellphone(s). This represents a substantial savings per month.

* Use a water filter at home to bottle water to take to work, school or play - much cheaper in the long run!

* Keep up with maintenance on your vehicles...check air in tires, change oil and use the fuel grade recommended in the owner's manual.

* Go to matinees if you must go see a movie at the theater! (ok - it's a no brainer, but still...) And save on the high cost of snacks by sneaking a few along in purse or pocket.

* Plan vacation ahead of time...you can save a lot by booking in advance!

So...these are all over the place in terms of topics, but hope they are helpful!

Back to School Blues?

Yes, I know it is a little early to cover back-to-school shopping (although in Phoenix our kids go back at the beginning of August)! There is, however, a method to this madness. Before you go crazy at the last minute running out to buy clothes, shoes, dorm necessities, toiletries, and the inevitable cartload of classroom supplies, take a deep breath now and save some time and cash (and your sanity)!

Here are some suggestions:

* Take a couple of hours (well, with a girl, perhaps a couple of days!) and sort through closets and drawers to determine what clothes are still wearable for the coming year. If they still fit well (not too snug or short) AND (this is the biggie)your kid will still wear them this year without fear of becoming a social outcast, put them back in their place. If NOT, sort hand-me-downs for the next kid in line from donations. Take donations in now and get your tax receipts so you don't forget!

* Don't replace dress shoes if they still fit and can be cleaned up...they don't get as much wear and tear as tennis shoes and casual shoes. Those need to be replaced (and preferable broken in a few weeks before school starts). And, if like my kids, yours have a knack for putting new items in the closet with tags on and then forgetting about them all year...well, take them back to the appropriate stores and tell them they were a gift and you would like to return them (they were...a gift from you to your kids!)...take cash or store credit...either helps out the cause!

* Sort through the home office, kitchen junk drawer, kids' desks, etc. to see what supplies are really needed. Often I find a stash of paper, folders, printer ink, tape, pens, pencils, (...and the list goes on), hidden away that we never ended up using last year! Mark those off the shopping list before you go to buy supplies.

* Be sure to watch from now through Labor Day for the usual onslaught of coupons for supplies and sales for clothing. Compare prices before you go out and be in agreement with your kids in advance about what the budget is for school shopping and what will/will not be purchased ($200 shoes NOT, cool yet quirky t-shirt you wouldn't pick, POSSIBLY).

* The process is likely to be more enjoyable for all involved if you take one child shopping for clothes at a time if at all possible. It gives you quality time and prevents them from ganging up on you or getting tired of waiting while the other one is trying clothes on!

* If you are not sure what specific items are needed for your kid's classroom or for a dorm room, check the school websites or call in. Don't make assumptions that will cost extra money for no reason.

Any ideas you'd like to share? Post them here!

It's in the bag!

OK...a short grocery shopping AND environmental tip all rolled into one for today.
You all have seen, even if you don't use them, the cloth eco-friendly grocery bags being promoted at every store in town! But did you also know that you can save money at some stores by using these bags instead of their plastic or paper options? Fry's stores will take 5 cents off for every cloth bag you use (but remind the cashier - they occasionally forget!) when making a grocery purchase. Good for environment, good for your budget, easier to carry...what more could you ask?