Best Money Saving Articles Online

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

5 Ways To Stretch Out The Life Of Your Clothes In Order To Save During This Economy Crisis

Aug 19, 2009 Save Money

If you are like most people, you probably have invested quite a bit of money in your wardrobe. With clothes being a basic life necessity, it’s not surprising that we spend tons of cash getting and replacing them. But, what if you could help your clothes to last a lot longer? Imagine the saving! Cost-conscious people can do just that by being in the know about “wardrobe conservation”.

Replacing clothes can cost more, sometimes, than when you first bought them. So, it’s best that you do your best to help your clothes to be all that they can be for you and your family. You can develop a wardrobe conservation plan that could keep your clothes looking fabulous.

Here are 5 fantastic ways to really stretch out the life of your clothing. In making them last as long as possible, you and your family will be able to keep more money in those nicely laundered khakis! Try these economy crisis clothing remedies:

Make cold water you clothes’ friend. Hot water will cause fading over time. Hot water can also cause shrinking. An additional benefit of using less hot water is that you will also use less energy heating the water. So, you will save on clothes and energy! That’s a double value for saving, cost-cutting, and getting the max out of our clothes during this economy crisis.

For those that are worried about germs in their clothes, deal with that by adding a smidgen of vinegar to your laundry. It’s a natural clothes freshener and can keep odor and germs at bay. Not just a cover up like the national brands, it really kills the germs that cause the odor. You can buy for cheap a big jug of vinegar for less than $2.

Use a cloth for ironing so that you don’t put heat directly on your clothes. This is important because all of that heat can destroy your clothes, especially if you have the iron on the highest setting. Though, you should never really iron on the highest setting. It’s one of the easiest ways to burn your clothes. This could be an old sheet or you can buy for cheap some fabric for this purpose.

Keep laundering to a minimum. Over washing is sure to cause long term damage to your clothes. Whether it’s from fading, shrinking, fraying, or thinning, washing your clothes too much is sure to make them give out on you much too soon. Sometimes clothes don’t need “cleaning”, they simply need “freshening”. You can do this by taking the time to buy for cheap some of those $1 freshening sheets that you can put in your dresser and closet. Cut each sheet into 4 squares and put them in pockets of clothes that need a little freshening up.

Bring back undershirts! Buy for cheap a bunch of undershirts or camisoles from a consignment or thrift store. These items help to keep the underarm portion of your shirts in good shape, otherwise, you could potentially sweat so much in your shirts or have the pits packed with deodorant to the point that they get destroyed. In this economy crisis, do whatever you can to save your clothes and keep them usable!

Tags: Bargains, budget, cheap, clothes saving, Free, frugal, household tips, manage finances, Save Money, spend less

Long Live The Clothes In Your Life With These Economy Crisis Wardrobe Saving Tips

Aug 19, 2009 Save Money

If you are like most people, you probably have invested quite a bit of money in your wardrobe. With clothes being a basic life necessity, it’s not surprising that we spend tons of cash getting and replacing them. But, what if you could help your clothes to last a lot longer? Imagine the saving! Cost-conscious people can do just that by being in the know about “wardrobe conservation”.

But, despite the amount of money that you spend on clothing, if you are like most, you want to get a lot of use out of them. If you can extend the life of your clothes, then you can save money along the way because you won’t spend needlessly in replacements. The best way to get your clothes to live up to their full potential is to properly maintain them.

Make these clothes saving tips a part of your “wardrobe conservation” plan to keep from having to spend more money on clothes. With good maintenance habits and, even, a little energy conservation, you can get more for your money and max out your clothes use. Here’s how:

Keep all clothing away from hot water! Cold water keeps your clothing from fading better than hot or warm water. For some people, this will be a little tough because hot water is thought to be wonderful against germs in the wash. Washing your clothing in cold water will also help to reduce shrinkage in some clothing. Plus, you will save money by reducing the amount of energy that you need for washing your clothes. Not only could you see a major saving with having your clothes longer, but you may also enjoy a saving, cost-reduction with your energy bill!

For those that are worried about germs in their clothes, deal with that by adding a smidgen of vinegar to your laundry. It’s a natural clothes freshener and can keep odor and germs at bay. Not just a cover up like the national brands, it really kills the germs that cause the odor. You can buy for cheap a big jug of vinegar for less than $2.

Use a cloth for ironing so that you don’t put heat directly on your clothes. This is important because all of that heat can destroy your clothes, especially if you have the iron on the highest setting. Though, you should never really iron on the highest setting. It’s one of the easiest ways to burn your clothes. This could be an old sheet or you can buy for cheap some fabric for this purpose.

Don’t wash your clothes too frequently. If you wash your clothes too frequently, you are almost guaranteed to have torn edges, holes or thinning, and definitely fading. Save on water and on detergent by washing when things are really dirty. Some items of clothing may only need an occasional wash, like denim, unless you are working and playing hard in them. To keep them fresh, get some of those dryer sheets that you can buy for cheap. Don’t use the entire sheet, instead divide it into 4 equal strips or squares. If you only need to freshen a few clothes, then use one square. Plus you can also keep some squares in your dresser drawers.

Bring back undershirts! Buy for cheap a bunch of undershirts or camisoles from a consignment or thrift store. These items help to keep the underarm portion of your shirts in good shape, otherwise, you could potentially sweat so much in your shirts or have the pits packed with deodorant to the point that they get destroyed. In this economy crisis, do whatever you can to save your clothes and keep them usable!

Tags: a, b, Bargains, budget, c, cheap, clothes saving, f, Family, finance, Free, frugal, h, household tips, l, manage finances, o, r, s, Save Money, spend less, u, w, women's issues

How To Get Cheap And Reliable Babysitting During This Economy Crisis

Jul 9, 2009 Save Money

For some families, after they have paid their mortgage or rent, their next most costly expense is childcare. During this economy crisis, many families are trying to pare down their overall living expenses in order to make ends meet. It is not always as simple as clipping coupons or getting a great sale when it comes to trying to reduce the amount that they spend on childcare. So, families need to find alternative ways to get cheap and reliable babysitting for their children during this economy crisis without blowing their “new” family budgets.

If you would like to greatly decrease your childcare costs, you may want to try one of these two ways which could significantly lower your babysitting expenses during this economy crisis:

1. Work out your own babysitting “program” with 2 or 3 families. Your family is not the only one that needs a little help during this economy crisis. Develop a babysitting swapping program with a few close families that you know and you will almost immediately see a family financial saving. Cost-conscious families can team up and share the babysitting load. The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child. well, a few families may not be a village, but you probably have a lot that you can each offer the other children and families in the babysitting group that you develop.

Pretty much, you just set up a schedule that works for everyone, which would allow for people to have special nights out, daily afterschool care, or full weekend coverage. Plan on a quarterly basis to keep it flexible, open, and fair. It would be even better if you make a pact to offer special activities, low or no cost, for the children, such as learning certain skills or participating in certain free community programs when they are in each family’s care. That will keep the kids from being bored and the families from feeling overwhelmed.

2. Find a family member to live in. If you have the space and a family member that needs a place to stay and a few dollars, this option may work for you. Many families benefit from “live-in” childcare or nannies, especially when it is a relative that you can trust and feel comfortable with. Many times, the relative will babysit your children in exchange for a free place to live. You may pay the relative a few dollars if you feel it necessary, but for many, just having a place to stay, especially if they are college students or trying to save money for their own home or a move, this arrange could work out well.

The cost of weekly childcare at a professional day care center can run a family upwards of $300-400 per child. Just by having a live-in childcare arrangement in place, a family realizes a huge saving. Cost-reduction for live-in childcare could be as much as 75% or about $200 savings per week. It’s definitely worth it for everyone involved. The children get the attention and love of a family member, you get peace of mind that your child is safe, and the relative gets to save a few dollars which could really help them to manage their own costs of living.

While these two strategies may not work for everyone, those that could possibly benefit from a chance to save will appreciate them during this economy crisis. If they can work for you, try them, sit back and enjoy the opportunity for saving!

Tags: baby sitting, budget, cheap, Children, frugal, money, parenting, Recession, Save Money, spend less, tips

The Benefits of Collision & Comp Auto Insurance Coverage

Jul 1, 2009 More Saving

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Excluding basic liability coverage the most carried types of car insurance coverage are Comprehensive and Collision coverage. In this article we will explain what is included in each type of coverage and what there differences are. So, when it’s time to get free insurance quotes you’ll be ready.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your car as the result of your auto colliding with an object, such as a tree or another car. This is relatively expensive coverage. Remember, this coverage is optional and not required by law. However, collision insurance might be required by your lending institution or lessor.

If your vehicle is older and worth less than $2000, you should consider not opting for this coverage since you are more likely to spend more on your premium than you would get if your filed a collision claim. The cost of repairs can easily exceed the total worth of your vehicle and the insurance company will pay you what it is worth rather than fixing it minus your deductible.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision) Coverage

It can also be known as other than collision coverage and it pays for almost all other damages to your vehicle. Coverages include vandalism, theft, hitting of animals, fire, severe weather and floods. It will also cover damage to your windshield or windows. It doesn’t cost as much as collision coverage and is also optional and not required by law, although it may also be required by your financing or leasing company.

When considering collision and comprehensive coverage, you should consider your deductible. A deductible is an amount of money you agree to pay as part of a claim before the insurer is committed to pay the rest of the claim. For example, if you carried collision coverage with a $200 deductible and you had a $500 loss, you would have to pay $200 and the insurance company would have to pay the remaining $300.

Basically, deductibles reduce your premiums because you agree to deduct a set amount from the claim your insurer otherwise would have to pay. Insurance companies offer deductibles because they reduce the number of small claims, which are costly for them to handle.

If you buy a new car and take out a loan the lending company will most likely require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage as part of your car insurance. The reason for this is because your vehicle is collateral for the money you borrowed and if they need to repossess your vehicle they need to make sure it will be worth what you borrowed.

If you are required or choose to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage, the easiest way to get cheap car insurance is to request the highest deductible you can afford. Remember, you will be required to pay that deductible amount if you file a claim that is your fault before the insurance company will pay for the rest of the damages.

Tags: auto, Auto Insurance, automobile, autos, car, Car Insurance, cars, consumer, finance, frugal, insurance, Insurance Quotes, More Saving, Shopper, tips

Celebrate The New Year Like A Frugal Fashionista

Jun 22, 2009 Save Money

You can cause a stir this new year without causing too much of a commotion with your wallet by making your New Year affair a cheaper, but still fun, event. While it may seem unrealistic that you could actually save money and yet party through the night, truth is, you really can if you follow these simple tips:

Make your party a “no alcohol” zone. You will save a mint by simply cutting out the alcohol. Not only will you benefit from the financial saving, but your guests could have a safer, more positive New Year celebration experience. Who says you need booze to have a good time? Instead of the hard stuff, consider fruity drink mixes that you can use with seltzer that you can buy for cheap.

Check local thrift stores for party supplies before going to a retailer. Many times, people have items left over after their affairs and simply donate them to make space. Their leftover party supplies can be a treasure that could save you lots of money.

Go for the unconventional. Instead of buying lots of paper hats make your own! Use old wrapping paper and small lengths of cardboard from something like a cereal box. Then, fashion the cardboard into a cone shape and cover it with the wrapping paper. Use string, ribbons, or newspaper to create a tie to keep it on.

Have everyone bring a dish! Instead of putting out your own money for the food, let everyone chip in with their own special dishes. For people that are not “chefs”, have them bring the simple stuff like paper goods and condiments. If you would like to help your guests save, encourage them to do a little research for some frugal recipes that you can all enjoy! By not having to worry about the food, you will not only save your cash, but you will save your sanity because that will be one less thing on your to-do list.

Being a frugal fashionista can be a good thing and it will prove to be a fantastic way to kick off your new year. When you look back on how you saved this holiday season, you and your bank account will have a real reason to celebrate!

Tags: Bargains, budget, cheap, economize, Free, frugal, holiday's, New Year, Recession, Save Money, spend less

How To Buy For Cheap The School Supplies That Your Kids Need

Jun 20, 2009 Save Money

No matter where your child is educated, at home or in a city classroom, school supplies will be a necessity. During an economy crisis, it can be a bit daunting thinking about the costs of all of those pencils, porfolios, crayons, and such. For parents that want to take a saving, cost-cutting approach to buying school supplies in this economy crisis, here are a few strategies that will help you to buy for cheap all the supplies that your kids will need:

Keep That School List - From year to year, your child’s school will provide parents with a list of the school supplies that they will need. Most schools leave these posted on their website through the year. This is usually a basic list that stays the exact same every year. Therefore, you know what to buy and don’t have to wait until it’s back to school time. You can pick up stuff during the year and you could possibly get much better prices on those supplies. At the end of each year, get with other parents and see if you can set up a trade for items that their kids may not need for the upcoming year. You could all save lots of money this way!

Bulk up during the Supply Sales - A few weeks before it’s officially “back to school” time, major discounters like Wal-mart and Kmart will offer school supplies at amazingly low prices. From 5-cent folders to 10-cent Crayola crayons, parents can expect to buy for cheap just about all of the school supplies that they could possibly need. During this economy crisis, any frugal fashionista knows that when the sales are in abundance, you should bulk up on those supplies. Some consumers experience savings of up to 75% off of the regular price! Imagine buying enough for the entire year and still have some left over for the next school term. So, you can buy for cheap without breaking the bank during these school supply sales extravaganzas!

Don’t Forget About The Office Supply & Drug Stores - You will be able to buy for cheap lots of supplies such as pens, rulers, and paper during certain sale seasons. They are great to shop at because they are seldom very crowded, so you can avoid the lines and still get the things that your kids needs at a saving. Cost-cutters and any frugal fashionista will love the chance to buy for cheap and save on school supplies!

Seize The End of Season Deals- At the end of the back to school buying rush, there is always a lull when stores do their best to sell off the extras. One of the most costly items for a young child is usually the backpack. Children often want a popular cartoon character or style. No need to fret. You can get those styles at the end of the back to school season at discounts as high as 90%. How wonderful is it to buy a $20 backpack for $2! Plus, it is always good to purchase more than one backpack for your child because they sometimes tear from handling through the school term. If this happens, you won’t have to spend the $20 that it will cost to replace it if you have purchased a discounted model in advance.

Remember to visit your local thrift store - Whether you are into recycling and re-using just love a good deal, even the pickiest frugal fashionista will find lots of saving opportunities at their local thrift store or Goodwill. From binders to folders and backpacks, you can find someone else’s excess and get it for next to nothing!

The key to back to school supply buying success is planning. With a little resourcefulness, your children can have all that they need without it costing your family an enormous amount of money. Follow these tips if you really want to plan to save!

Tags: a, b, Bargains, budget, c, cheap, Children, e, economize, f, Family, finance, Finances, Free, frugal, h, k, p, r, Recession, s, Save Money, School Supplies, spend less

3 Easy Strategies For Saving On Summer Camp In This Economy Crisis

Jun 18, 2009 Save Money

Families all over are starting to prepare for summer and all the financial strains that go along with it, including summer camp. During this economy crisis, many families are making the decision as to whether or not their children will be attending summer camp this year. The cost of summer camp can really eat away at a family’s budget, especially if they have multiple children that want to attend camp. That being said, the truth is that there are ways for families to have their summer camp fun and still save a few pennies in the process. Try these 3 tips that can help your family make summer camp a reality for your kids:

Use your skills to make summer camp happen! Bartering has been done down through the ages, but more recently, it has experienced a resurgence because of the economy crisis. If you have some good skills, either mechanical, handyman skills, or even technical skills, a local summer camp may be willing to offer you a free pass for your kids if you perform certain services and tasks for their camp. You could also offer your business space as potential advertising for the camp. They would not only be able to get more campers from the advertising space, but your child may be able to go for free if you are able to successfully barter. It’s worth asking!

Earn a few extra dollars by selling bottles and other items to recycling companies or by having a garage sale. This is an activity that everyone in the family can get in on to help earn money for summer camp. Just make an effort, as a family to be on the look out for cans and other recyclables, and of course, save your own recyclables. Find your local recycling center and get the money for your work!

Any frugal fashionista and her family know that they have some things that others are willing to buy. Plan to have a family or even multi-family yard or garage sale. By giving people a chance to buy for cheap, your family will earn the money that you need to pay for summer camp, and you could potentially have more left over!

Consider a community day camp instead of a private, expensive residential camp. Many communities and community recreation centers offer summer camp opportunities. They are one way that families can buy for cheap a spot in a fun summer camp. These community day camps have a lot to offer including a broad variety of programs at a very huge saving. Cost-conscious families may not be able to afford an expensive overnight camp experience for the kids this year. Community day camp prices range from $35-150 per week per child. Overnight private camps usually start around $500 per week. It’s easy to see how families will save by choosing the day camp!

In addition to the community programs, organizations such as the Boy Scouts, YMCA, and Girl Scouts also offer summer camping experiencing for kids. Many times, those who are already participating in these organizations can get a great discount off of the regular pricing, and many offer scholarships and deep discounts for members of their organizations.

Tags: Bargains, budget, cheap, economize, Free, frugal, household, Save Money, spend less, Summer Camp

How Not To Let The Economy Crisis Spoil Your Summer Fun

Jun 17, 2009 Save Money

Summer’s coming…very quickly. Before parents know it, the kids will be out of school and ready to start exploring and getting their share of summer fun. During this economy crisis, many families will need to scale back or be a little more resourceful with how they spend their money to provide their children with a good summer and still make ends meet. For some, it may seem like an impossible task, but really it’s not. Here are 3 tips for families to use to get out while not causing too much of a strain to the family budget:

Get a membership and save tons of money! For medium or large families, which are usually those that have at least 3 or more kids, it could more feasible to buy for cheap an annual family membership to your favorite local attractions than to buy an individual day’s pass or ticket for everyone.

An annual membership to your favorite attractions could save you a considerable amount of money. Most of them do not put a limit on the size of the family that will use them, so whether you have 3 kids or 13 children, your family would be covered. Many of these memberships allow for unlimited daily visits for the duration of the membership, which can be for one or two years. These programs also offer great incentives like free passes for other family or friends, coupons or discounts for other attractions, and free parking passes. Your upfront cost may be $50-150, but after a couple of visits, the membership will eventually pay for itself! Plus, this economy crisis is provoking more organizations to reduce these membership costs even more to get more people to purchase them. This is definitely the time to get it on the deals and your family could spend their summer coming and going to these places when you want.

Research and map out all of the free attractions in your area. Planning is key to having a fabulous time this summer. Gather as much information as you can by visiting the website for your chamber of commerce, local family or parent publications, and “free papers”. These are all great places to look to find out what’s going on in your area. Instead of just planning for a day or two, make a calendar for the entire summer. That way, you always know about the places to go and the things to do, even if your family does not make it to every event.

Do something to help others! During this economy crisis, there are definitely plenty of organizations that need help because of dwindling resources. You and your family could make helping an adventure and it won’t cost you any money. Instead of a donation, get your hands dirty and do something. Have the children decide which types of activities they would be interested in, such as visiting the elderly or working in the garden for a hospice. Then, plan your adventure accordingly.

When planning your summer volunteering adventure consider the distance of the facility from your home. It may be possible for your family to get a double dose of fun by including bike riding or using a scooter into your transportation plans for getting to the facility if it’s not too far away. This will help to save on gas expenses. During this economy crisis, your family could be a great comfort to an organization and to your inner-selves. Knowing that you took the time to be a help and that you may have saved some money along the way will make it all worth it. It will be a summer adventure that your family may not soon forget!

Tags: a, b, budget, c, cheap, Children, cut money, f, Family, finance, Free, frugal, h, i, p, r, Recession, Recreation Sports, s, Save Money, spend less, Summer Vacation, u

Don’t Let the Economy Crisis Keep You From Having A Wonderful Summer Gathering On The Cheap

Jun 14, 2009 Save Money

The summer is a perfect time for having a few friends over and passing the night away. This economy crisis has put a crimp in some people’s plans because they were so used to having big “to do’s” that costs lots of cash. But, for those that still would like to enjoy their friends without the expense, consider some ways to become more budget conscious and get into a mode of saving, cost-cutting, and buying as cheaply as possible.

If you still want to have a fantastic time, try these 3 fabulously frugal ways to have a fun event without breaking your budget:

Try to buy for cheap the decorative items that will make the night sparkle. Accentuate with candles that you can buy for cheap and fix up with little embellishments like sparkles, glitter, seashells, and pearls. Some of these items you may have sitting around your house or you can reuse from something else like bits of ribbon.

You can also save by getting a set of dishes that you can buy for cheap instead of spending money on paper products. Pick a set that can be coordinated with other pieces or mix and match a set from pieces that you find at the thrift store. The right color scheme could really make your table look fabulous!

You should also consider recycling some stuff that you have around the house to make decorative items like placemats. If you are not that “crafty”, you could also buy for cheap plenty of pretty placemats at your local dollar store. Just by using a pretty placemat, some cool candles, and nice plates, you can make a real fabulous impression on your guests without spending beyond your means.

Another way to have fun and yet save is to put those frugal recipes to good use. Don’t spend a ton of money on expensive foods. Find some frugal recipes either online or through your network of friends, and focus on the appearance of your food versus the cost of it. Plus, always use your coupons and shop for sale items that you can buy for cheap to even further reduce your costs.

You can spruce up frugal recipes by using the ingredients in a more decorative fashion. A cheap way to add color is with shredded carrots (one carrot can decorate numerous portions of a food), the olive slices, fruit slices (use whatever is in season and cheap) and sprigs of spinach (a bag might only cost you $1 on sale). Not only will your guests eat up the way that the food looks, they will love the taste as well.

Finally, pull out those old board games and a few decks of cards for some light and simple fun. You could even consider karaoke or using your iPod for the musical entertainment. The key to making things fun is to keep the atmosphere as comfortable as possible, and as cheap as possible for you.

Having a summer gathering on the cheap may take a little coordinating and planning, but the rewards will be enjoyed by all. Not only will your guests have a blast, but this little event could make this economy crisis less of a downer on your summer fun!

Tags: a, budget, c, cheap, drink", e, economize, entertaining, f, finance, food, food;drink, frugal, h, home & family, m, Money Saving Ideas, o, p, r, recession tips, s, Save Money, spending