Best Money Saving Articles Online

Welcome A New Baby and Better Ways For Saving Into Your Life During This Economy Crisis

Aug 26, 2009 Save Money

Babies are wonderful little treasures. Parents love them and feel great when they finally arrive, safely and healthy. But along with a new baby comes lots of things that need to be prepared and bought to care for this new little bundle of happiness. The costs of which can quickly mount up and put a bit of strain on a family’s already tight budget in this economy crisis.

Finding ways for saving, cost-cutting and making the most of every dollar can be just as fun as buying things outright. In fact, it can be more fun and even more satisfying knowing that you are not robbing your piggy bank in the process. With a new baby, there is always something to buy, and it is best not to spend all of your money upfront because there will inevitably be something that your baby will need later on.

The following tricks for saving, cost-reducing, and getting deals will help your family before and after baby is here. Babies will always need stuff, but you have to mind how you spend on those needs. If you get excessive with buying, you’ll end up paying for it later. Be realistic and spend like you have another 18 years to care for this new addition to your family:

Go all natural with nursing. This is the cheapest feeding option for your family’s budget and it could potentially save your family about a thousand dollars or more over this next year. It’s free to nurse and, if you are up to it, could be a godsend for your baby and your body!

When nursing is not an option, then you need to find ways to save on infant formula. Take the necessary steps for saving, cost-cutting, by registering with the various baby formula manufacturers. They want you to try their products and will send you plenty of samples and free cans for your time and feedback.

Baby nursery furniture doesn’t have to be a major financial investment. You will be able to find plenty of baby gear at your local thrift or consignment stores. These places will give you the chance to buy for cheap everything that you will need for baby from strollers to walkers to toys, and everything in between. But be careful to ensure that the items that you buy are not on the consumer recalled list.

Focus your attention on finding free stuff! Search online at websites that offer free classifieds and places for people to list their free items such as Craigslist and Freecycle. Babies are always outgrowing something and these sites are a fantastic place to look to get baby gear and supplies that others no longer need.

When it comes to baby diapers, start cheap and work your way up. Try out the cheaper diapers first to see if they work for you and your baby. If they do, then great! You will be able to buy for cheap all of the baby diapers that you need…and you will need a lot of them. However, if your child does have an allergic reaction (which he or she could have with any brand, cheap or not), then, try others until you find one that works. If it’s a national brand, then always ask the company for coupons, and canvass the internet on sites like EBay for people selling more coupons that you can buy for cheap.

Have a baby can be an expensive venture if you don’t do a little bit of research and try different money-saving tricks. Your baby is one of the most important things in your life. You are going to need money to care for him or her. So, spend wisely, buy for cheap, and always keep your eye out for bargains.

Tags: baby expenses, Bargains, Coupons, Free, frugal tips, Save Money, Shopping, spend less

How To Take Control Of Your Pest Control Costs During This Economy Crisis

Aug 25, 2009 Save Money

Bugs, rodents, and other animal creatures are very valuable for maintaining natural balance out in nature. That’s very good and, no doubt, if you are like most, you can greatly appreciate that. However, when these earthy things start to invade our homes and gardens, we are generally less than happy to receive them.

Financially, people are experiencing a major economy crisis. So, keeping the bugs away could potentially be an added expense that many families are not able to add in their lives right now. Thus, hiring a professional exterminator just won’t fit into their budgets. But, what can these people do to get a handle on the bugs when they start to invade their personal spaces?

In fact, here are some home “remedies” for taking care of pest control woes in and around your home and garden. Most of these frugal recipes use items that are common staples in the majority of households around the world. Try them to protect your home against some of our “natural” home enemies:

Keep those pesky ants away with a few sprinkles of cinnamon! They hate the smell and the taste. Cinnamon is great because you can buy for cheap lots of this spice at your local discount store. Some places carry it for less than 50-cents per jar!

Deer are nice when they are in the woods, not when they are in your garden looking for goodies to munch on. To deter Bambi and his buds, combine liquid detergent and a bit of Tabasco sauce. You can buy for cheap these ingredients at any supermarket or discount store. Just mix in a bottle and spray this hot repellent all over your prized garden. Apparently, they don’t like the taste and won’t munch your garden if they get a taste or a whiff of it. You will need to apply it after it rains to keep those deer away.

Axe those aphids with a dose of the ultra effective mix that you can make for pennies on the dollar. Buy for cheap some liquid and canola oil. Mix it with water and spray everything that you don’t want aphids to destroy. These little pests die without causing further damage to your prized garden or plants. You can also take this as an opportunity to recycle by reusing an old spray bottle that you have from a finished bottle of cleanser. Just be sure to thoroughly clean and rinse before making this pest control brew.

Make mint your rodent deterrent of choice. For the small price of a peppermint seeds, which you can buy for cheap just about anywhere, you could keep mice and other rodents from invading your garden and home. Plant it around the perimeter of your home or in your garden to keep them away. Or, simply sprinkle some peppermint oil or peppermint leaves around the perimeter of your trash can and any other area that you want to be “rodent-free”.

Try your hand at these simply pest control tricks to minimize your extermination costs during this economy crisis. You may be surprised at the great results that you get!

Tags: cheap, Coupons, economize, frugal tips, garden, pest control, Save Money, savings, Shopping, spend less

The Internet Is A Family’s Friend For Saving, Cost-Comparing, and Making Ends Meet In This Economy Crisis

Aug 23, 2009 Save Money

This economy crisis has left most people with a bit upset, confused, and unfortunately, broke! For those that started out with a sizeable nest egg, then things aren’t too bad. For others, like the everyday Joe, it’s time to budget and stretch so that your families can make ends meet. But, even in the midst of all of the financial stress, there is something great that has come out of this economy crisis and that is that people are becoming more resourceful. One thing that makes that even more possible than before is the internet.

Our world has changed dramatically since the onset of the internet. While there is plenty of junk to see online, there is just as much, if not more, valuable information and deals that families can benefit from during this economy crisis. Not only does using the internet encourage resourcefulness, it’s a perfect place for finding freebies that can make life a little easier. Check out some of these great internet finds:

Connect with people that want to give stuff away for free online. Websites such as Craigslist and Freecycle, along with your local free newspaper classifieds make this possible in the information age. Not only can you look locally, you can look globally! There has to be some free thing out that your family could really use. Just look and find it!

More information than you could possibly ever read is available online. Unfortunately for some, this has meant the demise of many newspapers and magazines because people simply don’t need them. The internet is instant, so any breaking news will hit there long before it hits the newspapers. So, tons of people are saving because they simply no longer have use for magazine or newspaper subscriptions.

While it’s good to be able to buy for cheap a nice magazine, it’s not really necessary anymore. With the internet, you can see the pictures in a bigger format, you can save them electronically, and it’s just not worth carrying those bulky mags. With today’s hectic lifestyle and with a focus on this economy crisis, that $20 that you would have spent on a subscription could go for another more essential item. However, if you do still have some laying around, bundle them and post them on a free site. Someone else may be able to use them! The internet is also great for finding ways for recycling and reusing.

Get your information online and save a tree! With the internet you can get more organized for your regular grocery shopping also. Most supermarkets and retailers will have their circulars online for you to see what you can buy for cheap. Instead of writing things down, use a simple word processing program and create a document using the information that you can get right online. Copy and paste it into your document and you have all that you need to maximize your family’s saving. Cost-comparing strategies work better when you can see all of the competitor’s circulars also.

Find out about local events, yard and garage sales where you can buy for cheap. By doing a basic internet search, you could find all of the free events in your area. This can help with your family’s entertainment budget because you make your plans for family outings based on the information that you find. During this economy crisis, many have cut back on family fun, but with the internet that’s really not necessary because you can find tons of free and fun things to do that your whole family can enjoy! Of course, you will always enjoy saving, cost-cutting, and opportunities to buy for cheap with yard and garage sales. Find them online and make the most of your money!

Your local library is one of the be sources for saving of all because you can get a free internet account there! No need to pay for internet at home. Just go to the library, sign up, and find all that you need and then some. Saving, cost-cutting, and finding the best possible deals are all necessities during this economy crisis. Let the internet work to help you and your family!

Tags: buget, Coupons, Free Stuff, Freebies, frugal tips, internet, manage finances, Save Money, spend less

Ways For Newlyweds to Keep The Wedded Bliss Going While Saving, Cost-Cutting, and Making Ends Meet

Aug 21, 2009 Save Money

All of the wedding day excitement has come to an end and the two of you are left to do your best to make it. Being a newlywed is an amazing time in a person’s life. But along with all of the wonderful things that marriage brings comes the reality of the current economy crisis that can so quickly cause our financial profiles to change unexpectedly. Regardless of your status as newlyweds, you may need to be mindful of your spending and overall finances.

Don’t let this put a damper on things. In fact, the best way to deal with this economy crisis is to beat it! To follow are a few simple tricks that you can do, together of course, for saving, cost-cutting, and getting a good financial start with your new life. Here’s how:

Waste not, want not. Energy is one of the most simple expenses that you can somewhat regulate in life. Use less, pay less. Use more, pay more. So, as the two of you come together in your new place make an effort not to waste so that you can save some cash.

From shorter showers to turning off the lights when a room is not being use, the two of you can realize a saving, cost-reduction, and a feeling that you are also helping the environment just by working out your “energy conservation plan”. These small changes can add up to a considerable savings over the long term. That money could be used to help stretch your budget a bit more.

Make cooking a definitive. This economy crisis is making cooking “the in thing” again as more and more people try to cut down on spending money eating out. For newlyweds, cooking together could be a wonderful way to connect as you work to integrate your new lives together with your other roles in life. You could save a tremendous amount and have a lot of fun along the way!

Coupons, online discounts, and those nifty circulars that come in the mail need to become your friends. With these handy little money-savers, you and your spouse will be able to do tons of great stuff, buy for cheap tons of stuff, and even get huge breaks should need an occasional dinner out together. From buy one, get one offers to free admission days to local attractions, coupons can make saving, cost-cutting and finding deals simple and fun!

Rent or mortgage are usually the two most costly monthly expense in a person’s life. Don’t let your savings or your budget get blown away by spending too much on rent. It’s just two of you and you may be able to save a considerable amount, every month, by choosing a living space that is maybe a little smaller or in a different area. Also, before you jump into a long term lease, consider something shorter and, even look into those great “free rent” deals. This first apartment together doesn’t have to be your final destination! It could just be a “stepping” stone toward your ultimate love nest.

Finally, try not to start completely from scratch with your furniture. Keep anything that can has “good bones” and can be recovered, repainted, or reused in another way. This will give you an opportunity for a huge saving. Costs can quickly mount when you are buying “brand new” stuff. Don’t feel like you have to. In fact, before you make any major purchases, take inventory of what you have. If you have excess, sell it on your own or go through a furniture consignment store. You may be able to get something “new” at a later time without spending any of your own hard earned cash. That’s enough to make any newlywed happy!

Tags: Bargains, Coupons, Free, live cheaply, Money Saving Ideas, newly weds, Save Money, spend less

Frugal Living is The Way to Saving Money

Aug 20, 2009 Save Money

There are so many tried and true ways to be frugal but few are as timeless as these below. If you want to save some money, read on to see if you can learn a thing or two.

Two windows is better than one, or so they say. Only this time, it’s true because if you open the two windows up, it’s cool enough to not need a/c, which is a huge money drain.

Free reading is everywhere. Even if you must have a magazine in your hands, there are many free ones for almost every industry. Usually, they give you a one year subscription at no cost and some will even let you renew for free.

Cell phones are so good now that you don’t really need a land line anymore. Some people say they need it for their fax machine but unless you always fax documents, going to fax services outside is much cheaper than maintaining an extra line.

Ebay is a great place to sell your junk but the listing fees are really expensive. If you wait until they have promotions, you can list your items for free without fear that the listing fees will eat up your profit.

Coupons are everywhere and you are crazy not to look before you buy online. Some give free shipping, some give bonuses and some even give deep discounts.

Those free printers can never be sold because there are so many free printer offers out there. If you want to save some money, keep them and just plug in a new one every time you run out of ink.

Save those shipping boxes when you order online. While most people will throw them away, you can really save money if you save them so you don’t have to buy them when you resell the item.

Buying forever stamps at Costco in bulk will actually save you some money. It may not be the most efficient but it will save money for sure.

Go to garage sales and see if you can find something that you can reuse. Someone else’s trash could become your treasure. I know someone who regularly does this and her house is beautiful.

Do your laundry when there’s a big load because it will cost you less money, not to mention less time as well. With less trips, you will waste less water, use less detergent and gain much needed time.

Tags: being frugal, economy, finance, frugal living, frugality, money, personal finance, Recession, save cash, Save Money, saving, spend less, tax

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 Have A Fantastic Family Camping Trip On A Budget In Spite of the Economy Crisis

Aug 17, 2009 Save Money

Summer is the perfect time to head out on a family camping trip. But, many families are trying to figure out how to squeeze in a good camping trip without doing major damage to their budgets and bank accounts during this economy crisis. There are definitely ways that families that are concerned about saving, cost-cutting, and getting more for less can enjoy a camping trip that they will remember for a lifetime. Here’s how:

Find supplies that you can buy for cheap at thrift shops, military surplus outlets, garage and yard sales. Make sure that whatever equipment that you get is safe and suitable, but at the same time, look for any opportunity that you can get for saving. Cost-conscious families that look for a bargain can usually find one.

Make to-do lists and to-have lists to ensure that you get all that you need for your trip. Planning ahead will allow you to buy for cheap the necessities and leave off the other stuff that may not fit into your budget. Remember, while ignorance can be bliss, it can also wreak havoc on your finances. Know what you need and stick to the list to avoid overspending.

Develop a plan for your gas purchases. When you set your route and determine your final destination, you can do some research to find the best places to buy for cheap the gas that you will need throughout your trip. Remember, not only will you need gas for your car, but some camping equipment requires gas to operate also.

Let gas be the only thing that you buy from convenience stores. Buying snacks and other necessities could end up breaking your budget into pieces. These stores often charge up to 4 times the normal price for just about anything. Buy for cheap your snacks and toiletries at discount stores, either before you leave or along the way. There seems to be a Wal-Mart everywhere!

You should buy for cheap all of your snacks and foods for the trip using coupons, in-store discounts, and “bogo” or “buy one, get one deals”. Kids love to snack and being out in the woods is prime time for gnashing. So, stock up and get the best deals possible by buying your snacks well in advance of your camping trip. Non-perishable treats that can fit into backpacks are best. Plus, you should always check the clearance section of your supermarket for deals on “scratch and dent” products that are still good, but are marked down because of their not so great appearance.

Use items that you can recycle for a real saving. Costs for bottled water and other drinks can run a family’s budget into the whole. So, instead of buying these items over and over, buy them once and try to buy for cheap when you do. Then, reuse the bottles and refill them. Not only will you have a financial saving, but you will also be teaching your children techniques that could save our planet from getting swallowed in garbage.

Camping trips can happen…even in this economy crisis. All that you have to do is to get your family researching, planning, making every effort to buy for cheap, and looking for every deal that they can get to keep your costs at a minimal for this camping trip. The kids will remember this trips for years to come and you will remember that it didn’t cost your family a busload of cash to make it a reality.

Tags: Camping, cheap vacation, family fun, Free, frugal tips, manage finances, Save Money, spend less

6 Ways To Enjoy Saving, Cost-Cutting, and Buying For Less On A Road Trip

Aug 17, 2009 Save Money

Road trips are great, but it’s the planning that can make the experience a little less desirable. With this economy crisis going on, families are limiting their traveling as a way of managing their expenses. However, with a little creativity and resourcefulness, road trips can still happen and be just as much fun!

The main thing that families need to do to avoid breaking their budget is to buy for cheap, well in advance. Those that are looking for a possible saving, cost-reductions, and opportunities to get things for a lot of less during this economy crisis may be surprised to find out that they can still have a fantastic road trip, but just have to do it more cheaply. Here are some tips that will help you to make your “budget-friendly” road trip a reality:

Snacks should be one of the first things on your planning list, and you should buy for cheap as much as possible. Do your best to catch as many sales as you can on basic, non-perishables like chips, cookies, and other fun treats. Always use coupons to get the best deals ever. You can even plan by looking up frugal recipes for trailmix that you can put together prior to departing.

While you won’t need a lot of toiletries, you should be well stocked before you start your trip. If you run out of something, don’t plan to buy it at any convenience or travel center. Small incidentals could cause your family to rack up big receipts, which could really destroy your trip budget.

Always be sure to know where regular stores such as Wal-Mart or a supermarket are located so that you can buy for cheap things that you need, when you need them. For years, people have known that the highway travel centers are big rip-offs and that they are not for “shopping”. $2 or $3 for a single roll of toilet paper is a little expensive when you buy for cheap a whole 4-pack for $1 at a regular discount store. So, make knowing where to shop a part of your plans in an effort to keep your family’s budget in tact.

Plan your meals carefully and use coupons or gift cards. Do a little bit of research and plan out every meal, as much as possible. This will allow your family to reap the benefits of being able to eat out on the cheap. Using coupons for national restaurants that you can get out of your Sunday newspaper or mailbox circulars.

You could also extend your saving, cost-cutting and buying for less strategy by searching online for coupons and gift cards that you can buy for cheap. EBay is a great site to try for those bargains. There you can expect to get a whole bunch of coupons for $1 or less that could potentially save you upwards of 80% off of the regular price for food and restaurants.

If you have AAA, let it work for you. AAA and other travel membership programs usually offer discounts on lodging, food, and other stuff that families will need during their road trip. Most of the time, all you have to do is flash your membership card and you can enjoy savings of up to 50% off at some places.

During your road trip, you may need to find a place to stay at some point. You could use travel sites such as Travelocity, CheapTickets.com, and Priceline for your lodging needs. Plan your route and you could save as much as 75% off of the regular rates by booking in advance through one of those sites. This economy crisis has lots of families trying to find ways to save, yet continue to have fun traveling together. Plan, research, and get creative with your coupon and membership discounts to enjoy a significant financial saving, even while you trek up and down the highway.

Tags: a, c, Car Trips, Children, cut costs, f, finance, k, m, manage finances, Money Saving Ideas, o, p, r, s, Save Money, spend less, t, travel, travel children

A Few Saving, Cost-Cutting Options Not to Knock When Planning A Romantic Getaway During This Economy Crisis

Aug 17, 2009 Save Money

Most couples are not immune from the economy crisis that is taking place in this world. With such a strong financial pull, many are finding that they don’t have the extra funds that they were used to having, and have had to cut back on some much needed romantic time as a result. If you find that you are in this situation, here are a few simple strategies for planning a romantic getaway that won’t cost you beyond your budget:

Sit through a time-share seminar for a free weekend trip. You don’t have to buy anything and you don’t have to spend a dime for a full weekend away. The one thing that you will have to do is give up about 2 hours to listen to someone try to sell you a condo or vacation villa. If you are not interested, that is fine. At the end of the session, you just consider it a done deal and enjoy your free stay away. You may even get a dinner out of the deal or tickets for attractions. The only thing better than being able to buy for cheap is to get something for free!

Use coupons and search out deals for attractions whenever possible. Many places will offer 2-for-1 deals, deeply discounted passes when you purchase well in advance, and even free passes that can come in combination packages from a number of different companies. For example, you may receive coupons for one attraction that will offer you a discounted dinner if you select from a partner restaurant in its network. You get the maximum saving, cost-reduction, with the most budget-friendly option which could include taking advantage of both offers. But, you will need to do the math to make sure that it’s a “real” deal for you.

Use those travel membership benefits to your advantage. If you belong to a road organization such as AAA, you often receive information on different travel deals. Plus, you are privy to additional discounts just by showing your membership card. For those that receive these deal alerts by email, set up a separate folder just for those deals that you can reference when you are ready to plan your romantic getaway. You can expect to receive information on deals ranging from half-price hotel stays to free car rentals and dinners. Stay abreast as to what is available and make your plans based on the best possible promotion.

Make it a staycation right at home. Keep your money in your pocket and stay in your own home, but send the kids and/or pets packing so that you and your partner can enjoy some quiet time alone. Get out and enjoy your town from a different perspective. Look for places that you can have a romantic dinner but be sure use coupons whenever possible so that you still have some saving. Cost-conscious couples can take advantage of all types of 2-for-1 offers, in your own home town!

Even if you are usually without pets and kids, a staycation can still be a lot of fun for you and your partner. Instead of thinking of it as a way of just “staying home”, spruce up the house, buy for cheap some new things to make your home even more beautiful for a romantic dinner or change your bedroom into an “exotic” place without a few items that you can buy for cheap from a party supply store. Don’t limit yourself just because you are home. You want to save, but you also want to have a good time!

Don’t knock buying flowers because you think they are expensive. You can buy for cheap enough flowers to shower your companion for a whole weekend just by going to your local stores like Wal-Mart or Aldi’s instead of buying them at a florist shop. A florist will charge you upwards of $50; whereas, you can buy for cheap enough bouquets to make that romantic weekend a total dream for less than $5 per bouquet.

Don’t forget about the cheap travel sites that offer great last-minute packages. With sites such as Travelocity, CheapTickets, or Priceline, you can expect to save as much as 60-75% off of the regular rates for rooms, flights, and cars! Many of these sites also offer additional deals on dinner and attractions that you can buy for cheap.

Your companion will be grateful for the chance to get a few moments with you knowing that your planning has allowed for you both to still enjoy a financial saving. This economy crisis doesn’t have to take the romance out of your life just because you are trying to stay within a budget. You can hold onto your budget and still reap the rewards of a romantic time with your companion.

Tags: Free, manage finances, romantic weekend, Save Money, spend less, travel