Best Money Saving Articles Online

Tips To Secure Great Hotel Rates

Sep 25, 2009 Save Money

Now days it is so easy to get a great hotel rate. I mean with the economy the way it is hotels are slashing prices. I am writing today to tell you exactly how to take advantage of these offers. There are different ways to plan, shop and even the room type you book can save you money. I will tell you exactly how to save on your great hotel rate in this article

The best thing you can do is plan ahead and stay during the week. Monday through Thursday nights are usually very cheap because fewer people travel. If you can book somewhere between 2 and 4 months before you go you will also save a lot of money. This is because the hotels don’t forecast the demand real good for their rooms.

When you are deciding where to shop you need to look for two things. You need to find a website that is prepaid, because they give the biggest discounts, and then you also want a site that has a low price guarantee. Then if the rate does go down, you can ask that the website refund you the difference.

You can always save a bunch of money on the room type non refundable. This is the room that you cannot change or cancel. If you don’t go you will not receive a refund. Usually these room types can save you around 20% off of the standard room rate. Just be very careful booking these, if anything happens you will not receive a refund.

You can get a great hotel rate very easily at this point in time. Just remember shop early, book non refundable, and travel during the week. The website you want to use is that of which is prepaid and has a low price guarantee. Once you are done with that you will have saved about 40% off the standard weekend rate at a hotel.

Tags: business, Condo, discounts, finance, Finances, hotel, money, real estate, Save Money, Saving Money, travel, vacation

Are You Looking to Trim the Fat? Applying for Low Car Insurance Quotes Can Help

Sep 25, 2009 More Saving

Right now just like many folks around the world I am going through some financial hard times. Because of the downturn in the economy and cutbacks right now my occupation is cut down to four days a week for the next six months, which is a 20% cut in pay. I doubt that my meager savings will help carry me through until my hours pick up again, so I have to go over my household budget and try to trim out any fat that I see. Since the premiums that I’m paying right now are kind of on the high side, I think that the place that will start first is by searching out a whole bunch of different automobile insurance businesses and getting quotes from them all.

It used to be a real bother, and a time-consuming ordeal when you wanted to get a bunch different quotes from car insurance businesses. That’s probably why I stuck with that other company for so long despite the ever-increasing rates. Because I was lazy and in the habit of it I ended up paying a large amount of extra dollars in premiums that I didn’t need to be paying. There are plenty of car insurance businesses online these days that it makes it easy to obtain multiple quotes and make sure that you have a comprehensive plan for a price that you can afford.

There are many websites out there that offer searchable databases that prospective customers can use. All it takes is for you to enter some information about yourself and your vehicles and in no time at all you can have several different auto insurance quotes from multiple providers all around the country. Some are from the well-known, national companies, of course, but others are from places that I never would have learned about on my own. Since some of these smaller companies are actually able to offer more competitive car insurance quotes than the major carriers, I’m pretty sure that I’ll get a better deal out of this whole process — which of course is precisely what I’m after.

Now that I have gotten several vehicle insurance quotes that I can afford, all I have to do is contact the businesses and find out the details on each policy. I need to find out what the declarations are for each policy. IE; deductibles, and coverages, as well as whether I will be able to sign on for a month to month plan or if it has to be a long-term contract. In addition, I would like to find out if I can get more discounts for being a good driver, not receiving any tickets, having a late-model vehicle, etc. Those extras can really add up to significant savings, so it’s definitely worthwhile to at least ask.

Anyway, I realize that getting my monthly vehicle insurance premiums lowered is just the beginning when it comes to lowering my overall personal expenses, but we all need to begin somewhere.After I find a lower vehicle insurance rate from these quotes, I can move onto tackling some of the other things in my budget.

Tags: autos, budgeting, Car Insurance, cars, Finances, home and family, insurance, More Saving, personal finance, self-help, vehicles

How to Lower Your Electric Bill With Energy Efficient Lighting

Sep 19, 2009 Save Money

Are you looking for a bright idea to save money, save energy, and join the green revolution? Then look no further than your nearest light fixture!

Its probably still using the traditional incandescent bulbs invented over 100 years ago by Edison. Unfortunately, those bulbs are only using 10% of the energy consumed for lighting. That’s right … 90% of the energy consumed is wasted!

It’s time to step up to the future. Compact fluorescent bulbs and light at meeting diode bulbs are superior in almost every way. They are more efficient by a long margin and therefore save you money while reducing carbon emissions.

Here are some of the benefits and attributes of compact fluorescent light bulbs:

1. Anywhere a standard bulb will fit, works for these new compact for fluorescent bulbs

2. They are suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

3. You can find these bulbs in all familiar shapes — candelabra, vanity, globe, floodlight, and standard.

4. These bulbs can also be found at various brightnesses and colors including natural daylight and incandescent glow.

5. CFLs use approximately 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

6. You pay a bit more for compact fluorescent bulbs initially but they last much longer (up to 10 times).

7. These bulbs are manufactured by the biggest companies in the business including Sylvania, Westinghouse, Phillips and GE.

Another alternative is light-emitting diode bulbs:

1. Light emitting diode bulbs last approximately 100 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.

2. LEDs are 1000% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. That’s 10 times more efficient.

3. Because LEDs are so energy-efficient they are ideal for flashlights, camping lights, and other battery-powered lights.

4. They are also suitable for reading lights, nightlights, track lighting, refrigerator lights, spa or pool lights, or Christmas lights.

The difference it would make countrywide in our energy usage and carbon emissions, if we all switched to compact fluorescent or light admitting diodes would be profound. Not only that but our energy budgets would see big-time savings.

You can find CFLs or LEDs at your local retailer, or they can be purchased online at www.bulbs.com.

Al Arbuckel enjoys writing helpful and informative articles for the internet community about saving energy and money at home. If you appreciated this article you might also like reading about the energy saving opportunities with tankless gas hot water heaters and the propane water heater on websites he has developed.

Tags: Budgets, decorating, electrical, electronics, Family, Finances, home, home accessories, Home Appliances, home improvement, home repair, lighting, Save Money, technology

6 Ways To Improve Gas Mileage!

Sep 3, 2009 Save Money

Gas prices may have dropped from the crazy four-dollar-plus per gallon that it was last summer, but it still isn’t cheap. With prices hovering around three dollars per gallon, it still takes a huge bite out of the budget. Here are 6 steps you can take to get more for your money, and keep more money in your wallet - where it belongs!

1. Keep tires properly inflated. Improperly inflated tires are harder to spin and create extra drag. Check your tires frequently - it doesn’t cost anything! Not only will you save on gas, but you’ll be driving safer.

2. Have tires aligned. Poorly aligned tires also create drag, particularly on turns and while going uphill. Have your tires aligned at least every six to nine months.

3. Brakes. Have your brakes checked and aligned, at least every six to nine months. Inefficient, or poorly aligned brakes make braking less efficient and reduce overall mileage.

4. Make sure your engine is tuned. An improperly tuned engine can burn a LOT more gas than necessary. Have dirty or worn spark plugs replaced.

5. Limit idling. When you are idling, you are getting exactly zero miles per gallon. while it takes more gas to start your car than it does to idle, you can actually save gas by shutting off your engine if you are going to be idle more than 30 seconds.

6. Improve your driving habits. Learn to accelerate less, do your errands during off-peak times when there is less traffic, think ahead and combine trips whenever possible. Avoid congestion, and especially stop and go traffic.

There are many more ways to improve gas mileage. Visit sites like www.gasforlessmoney.com and start practicing some of these gas-saving tips. A gas mileage improvement of just 10% can translate into a $5-$10 savings at the pump!

The author is currently working through her Accelerated Nursing Degree.

Tags: autos, cars and trucks, driving, Finances, Gas Mileage, Gas Prices, personal finances, Save Money, travel, vacation

Easy Guide for Finding Cheap College Textbooks

Aug 21, 2009 Save Money

Even though everyone realizes the importance of college, we all know that it can get very expensive. Not only college tuitions are high these days, but the prices of textbooks are also outrageous.

An average student, who is not familiar with tricks of saving money on college expenses, spends nearly $900 a year on textbooks. The good news is that without much effort these expenses can be cut at least in half.

First of all, you should never buy new textbooks, unless, of course, your professor requires you to purchase a brand new edition. If you hate shopping online, you still can save 30-40% of your money if you buy used books in your college bookstore.

We all know that publishers like to throw new editions of their books at us at least every other year, so sometimes it is difficult to find a used book. If this is the case, go to Amazon or Half.com and you will usually find the same book cheaper. As if college tuitions were not high enough, colleges are known for overcharging students for textbooks.

Another thing a student can do is talking to the professor and asking whether he or she could use a previous edition of the book. New editions are usually not all that new, as far as the content goes and your professor should be aware of this. Most teachers are understanding and would nott have a problem with students saving some money on a book they might not ever read.

Sometimes you can find previous edition textbooks for 90% cheaper than the new one. Check Textbook.com or Amazon for great savings.

Students should also consider talking to people who took the classes before, so they could buy the textbooks from them. Many students would be happy to get the textbooks out of their hands and get some money for them.

Do not neglect these simple tips, because they can save you tons of money, which you can spend for other pleasant things, such as a night out with your classmates.

Tags: budgeting, business, Cheap Textbooks, Finances, frugal, frugal tips, Save Money, saving, Shopping

Refinance Your Car Loan And Start Saving Money

Aug 12, 2009 More Saving

With the economy in trouble, many people are trying to find ways to save money in the long run. What many people are unaware of is that getting a refinance car loan is possible and it can prove to be beneficial. Although some people are aware of the idea, they still might wonder how they can qualify.

If you have a car loan that you feel is costing a lot more than it should, or is costing more than you can afford, you should consider refinancing your car loan. The sooner you start to look into it the sooner you’ll be able to start saving money!

Chances are that when you first got your car loan you arranged everything through the dealer that sold you the car. If so, you most likely payed an interest surcharge, even though you probably qualified for a lower rate. So why not refinance and get the lower rate now?

What kind of savings can you expect? Most people that get a refinance car loan see savings anywhere from twenty to fifty dollars each month. This may be not a lot each month, but over the course of a year that will give you several hundred dollars that you can put to other uses.

Refinance car loans are not hard to get. You just have to fill out an application, and then once your application is approved your old loan will be paid off and you’ll have a new loan with a lower interest rate, and lower payments.

Keep in mind that if you are close to having your car paid off it probably isn’t worth it to refinance. You should still owe at least $7000 on your current loan to make it worth your time. The goal is to save money, do make sure to do your homework before applying for any loan.

Tags: auto, Auto Loan, car, Car Loan, finance, Finances, loan, money, More Saving

How Much Could You Save With A Car Loan Refinance?

Aug 11, 2009 More Saving

We all know that a lot of people are struggling right now with the economy being as rough as it is. But a lot of people don’t know that one easy way to save some money each month is to get a refinance car loan. And if they do know about, maybe they’re wondering if they can qualify or if they will save enough to make it worth it.

Anyone who feels as though they have a car loan that is costing too much should look into the idea. The sooner that you refinance your car loan, the more money you can save.

If you’re like most people, you probably just financed your car at the lot that you bought it from. If you did this you probably payed an extra interest surcharge and didn’t even know it. Chances are that you qualify for a lower rate, even several percentage points lower that what you originally got.

What kind of savings can you expect? Most people that get a refinance car loan see savings anywhere from twenty to fifty dollars each month. This may be not a lot each month, but over the course of a year that will give you several hundred dollars that you can put to other uses.

Thankfully, getting a refinance car loan does not take much time and effort to get. All you have to do is fill out an application (sometimes you can even do this online), and then a loan agent will process the application. If the agent let’s the application through your old loan will be paid off and you’ll have a new loan with a lower interest rate and payment.

Keep in mind that if you are close to having your car paid off it probably isn’t worth it to refinance. You should still owe at least $7000 on your current loan to make it worth your time. The goal is to save money, do make sure to do your homework before applying for any loan.

Tags: auto, Auto Loan, car, Car Loan, finance, Finances, loan, money, More Saving

Buying Cosmetics and Make Up Products for Less

Aug 10, 2009 Save Money

Who doesn’t want to try to save some money in this economy? Most of us are looking for any way possible to trim up our expenses a little bit. Makeup isn’t something that you want to have to cut out all together, but there are ways to save a little money on your favorite products. Bulk, discount and wholesale makeup options can be a good way to save you money and still get what you want.

Discount makeup is always an easy way to save money. Just because the makeup is discounted, doesn’t mean that the actual product isn’t just as good in quality. Outlet stores for cosmetic companies will offer their makeup at a discounted price. You can usually find at least a few makeup outlet stores in most outlet malls.

Outlet stores are usually at outlet malls, but if you don’t live near one, don’t despair. The internet can still help you get discount prices on the products you want. Sometimes the actual cosmetic store itself will offer discounts online for their products they are trying to move off of their shelves quickly. If you make a purchase online, the safest place to do it is from an accredited distributor. When it comes to discount cosmetics, there are a lot of companies that will sell you a knock off product at a lower price, but it won’t really be the product you think it is so the quality will suffer.

When you order online, there is no way to check or test the product you will be receiving. Really, any company could market their product as a wholesale product. If the deal seems too good to be true, it just might be so be smart about what you purchase.

Buying in bulk from a distributor is another way to save money. When you buy in bulk though, you usually end up with more makeup than you could possibly use. Even though makeup lasts a long time, it does have a shelf life. If you are worried that you won’t be able to use all of the products purchased in bulk, try to find a friend or two who enjoy the same product. This way you can go in on the purchase together and all benefit from the discount price.

If you want to cut back on the amount you spend on makeup, but you don’t want to give up your favorite makeup products, buying bulk, discount or wholesale makeup might be the answer.

Tags: beauty, Beauty Products, budget, cosmetics, Finances, fitness, health, Health Care, Makeup, money, Save Money, Saving Money, Shopping, women

Get A FAir Deal - Get Your Automobile Insurance Online

Aug 7, 2009 More Saving

Is it almost time to renew your car insurance? Do you, like 23% of car owners, just accept the quote and stay with your insurer? Does it matter to you that they increased your premium another five or 10 percentage points more than the previous year? Maybe it’s just not worth the hassle of all those phone calls to goodness knows where, thumbing through the yellow pages or wearing out your shoe-leather down town. In addition to this, Insurance companies offer the best rates to new customers, in order to gain their business. Clients that already exist usually stay anyway.

What about the internet? It really is worth giving it a try. Are you aware that if you shop around, you could save up to $100 or more on your auto insurance plus an additional discount for using the online service? It is estimated that more than 2.25 million car owners purchase their car insurance on line now. The internet is speedy and simple to use and internet sales are generally growing amazingly fast.

Car insurers really want your business; they will be extremely competitive with pricing in order to win you over. There are a large number of car insurance companies in the United States and the UK which makes the competition incredibly strong and fierce. This has helped to keep the prices at a pretty level rate. You can go to the individual insurers websites, comparison websites or use one that recommends specific insurers for different types of driver, whether they be the in the young, higher risk category or the experienced old driver with years of proven safe driving behind them. These websites will give you pretty much immediate results along with a huge amount of information and advice. You’ll be asked to fill in your relevant details, for example the number of years you’ve been driving, whether there are any convictions, number of years of “no claims” for your discount. The forms are very easy to fill out and answer, and any claims details that you might need to fill in can be found on your renewal notice.

Aside from your normal everyday car insurance, there are a lot of different categories of insurance that are coming into the market. Many companies are now offering the pay-as-you-go options and policies for multiple cars. Policies like these used to be difficult to get unless you were in the car dealing business. It certainly seems to be time to re-assess what’s available in the car insurance line and get yourself up to date on what’s on offer. To spending a little bit of time on the Internet could get you going in the right direction.

With the cost of repairs and materials rising, many insurance companies are starting to show signs that they aren’t going to be able to keep insurance prices low forever. There are a lot more claims these days. The average cost of accidental damage repair has risen, costing an additional 5% per year, despite the fact that there are fewer accidents. Personal injury claims are also on the rise and the cost of getting those cases settled is rising at approximately 12% per year. Don’t give your insurer the chance to use this as an excuse for a rising premium, get on line and get sorted!

Tags: business, Car Insurance, credit, Family, Finances, home and family, insurance, money, More Saving, personal finance, Social Issues, travel, travel and leisure, vehicles

Make Use of the Rivalry and Get Your Car Insurance On the Web

Jul 24, 2009 More Saving

Is your car insurance policy about due for a new renewal? Do you, like 23% of car owners, just accept the quote and stay with your insurer? Are you concerned with the fact that your insurance company raise your rates five or 10% more than what you paid last year? Maybe just think that it isn’t worth the hassle to do all the shopping around and researching through the maze of different companies that you can come across via the phone book or just driving around. You should know that many insurance companies will offer you really good rates in order to get your business. People who already signed up usually stay anyway.

Have you looked on the Internet?Searching the Web could really save you a lot. Are you aware that if you shop around, you could save up to $100 or more on your auto insurance plus an additional discount for using the online service? Current estimates state that more than 2 1/4 million people have made decisions to purchase their car insurance policies online. Because the Internet is fast and easy-to-use, sales for online car insurance policies are growing at an amazing rate.

Car insurance companies are really want to have your business, so they will become extremely competitive with their pricing in order to get you to sign on. There are around 100 of them in the UK and due to the strong competition in the industry; prices have held level for the past year or so. You can go to the individual insurers websites, comparison websites or use one that recommends specific insurers for different types of driver, whether they be the in the young, higher risk category or the experienced old driver with years of proven safe driving behind them. You will receive instant results and an unbelievable amount of advice and information. You’ll be asked to fill in your relevant details, for example the number of years you’ve been driving, whether there are any convictions, number of years of “no claims” for your discount. All easily answered and your no claims details should be on your renewal notice.

Aside from your normal everyday car insurance, there are a lot of different categories of insurance that are coming into the market. Their are pay as you go options and multi-car policies. Unless you were into the car trade business, policies like these used to be difficult to obtain. With all the changes on the market, it could be a really great time to reassess where you’re at, and find out what is available so that you can make sure you’re getting a good deal. A short time browsing the internet will get you thinking along the right lines.

With the rising costs of repairs and materials, insurers are beginning to show signs that they may not be able to continue to hold down prices for very much longer. Claims are always growing. Even though there hasn’t been as many accidents recorded, the cost of the accidental damage repairs has been costing an additional 5% per year because of these higher prices. Personal injury claims are also on the rise and the cost of getting those cases settled is rising at approximately 12% per year. Don’t let your current insurer use of these facts as an excuse to raise your premiums, get online and get a new quote fast.

Tags: business, Car Insurance, credit, Family, Finances, home and family, insurance, money, More Saving, personal finance, Social Issues, travel, travel and leisure, vehicles