Frugal Tidbits

Buying Outdated Items

2010-02-06T02:03:00.000-08:00

You will find that certain times of the year, yield great deals if you can buy out of season. Another item that is always getting outdated are computers. The price is always dropping and the new and improved models come out. What about the VHS tapes, a giveaway nowadays and yet you can view the older movies at a fraction of the cost of buying a DVD. A few more ways to stretch your hard earned dollars!

After Tax Dollars

2010-02-05T03:10:00.001-08:00

Take a look at the gross amount on your paycheque and then your net amount that you get to cash. What is wrong with that picture?

Bank Charges

2010-02-02T02:09:00.000-08:00

Avoid them as much as possible. Money saved is worth more than money earned!

Pop Bottles

2010-02-01T22:50:00.001-08:00

Refundable in many places and if you collect them, and cash them in, you have tax free money!

Shopping On Sale

2010-01-31T15:55:00.000-08:00

I walk through the store and pretty much know my prices. I see some things on sale and stock up while i notice other items a higher than normal price so i just walk on by. Stock up when you see on sale items. Also, you might find a really good deal on a lost leader that stores publish to get you to visit. There strategy is to give you a super deal on one item and make up the difference when you buy other items at a higher cost while you are shopping. It doesn't make much sense time or money to drive to a store for just one item unless you are buying a higher priced ticket item in the first place.

Entertainment

2010-01-30T22:12:00.000-08:00

Depending on your choice of entertainment, you can save a lot of money in this area and still have fun! Libraries are a great way to go! Buying some used movies at the used shop is good and then you have the movie after you have watched it. Take a walk, go on a photo shoot hiking.

Cut the Number of Trips You Make

2010-01-29T02:45:00.001-08:00

I had a neighbor who i think made a single trip and back to each store out there! Try and create a list of what you need and then in a single trip, go and get all the items on your list at once. Save gas and time!

Long Distance Plans

2010-01-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

Search for the best long distance plan that you can find will save you many $$$s!

Try a Whole New Lifestyle

2010-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought of just packing it in and travelling full time? Work here and there along the way and roam the earth? People are doing it and loving it. Sometimes a whole new adventure in life is an opportunity to try something different. Something to think about.

Paying Bills

2010-01-26T14:52:00.001-08:00

Go to recieving them online to save a bit in some cases. Pay on time to avoid late charges. Pay an annual bill up front to save on interest charges. If you go away on a long trip, pay your bills in advance with a lump sum which drives your account into a credit while you are gone and then you don't have to worry about paying bills while you are away.

Accomodations

2010-01-25T15:14:00.000-08:00

Starting out? Try and rent part of your dwelling so that your renters pay the mortgage. Maybe have an upstairs and a suite downstairs? That frees up your cash to pay off your dwelling much sooner.

Empties

2010-01-24T18:49:00.000-08:00

Take back your empty pop cans and bottles for a refund where they have recycling warehouses for that. Help recycle and earn a bit as well.

Barter

2010-01-23T11:10:00.001-08:00

Trade services for services. Trade something for something else.

Power of a Dollar

2010-01-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

Take a look at a dollar in your hand. Now what was it worth originally before deductions? Maybe you earned a $1.50 to get that $1.00. So let's use a 50% deduction rate... Now when you go to the store, add 50% to the price of everything. Including meals too! So now you have to make your money work harder to create the best value. A new lamp costs $50, the same one used in a garage sale may be asking $25 and you walk away with it for $15! So that now gives you after tax dollars of $35 to continue to stretch and save further! Suppose you take that $35 and put it in a special separate account to watch it grow? And instead of buying that $5 super duper burger, buy hamburger and buns and fixings and enjoy them all week instead of a one time meal! The power of a dollar! (And some ambition to make this a fun game will go a long ways!)

Smart Money vs Dumb Money

2010-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

I heard of one guy who had $5 in his pocket and stated that if he never spent it, he would always have it! Smart money is a dollar stretching, getting the most for the buck. Dumb money disappears fast on an unthinking emotional moment. Smart money would buy a 2 litre of pop for $1 where dumb money would buy a cup of pop for $3!

Bus Rider

2010-01-20T02:43:00.000-08:00

Is a bus pass worth the number of trips that you take? Would a book of tickets save you money vs paying a cash fare? Do you keep a money jar so that you don't have to pay more than the exact fare since you do not have the right amount with you? Keep an extra ticket or two tucked away in your wallet or purse.

Compare with the Competition and Generic Products

2010-01-19T00:05:00.001-08:00

Always see what the size of the competition offers. Sometimes a generic brand can be very good and sometimes a generic brand can be terrible and not worth a penny for the product.

Food Preparation For the Week

2010-01-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

One way to really organize is to create all your meals on the weekend, freeze them so that they are ready throughout the week. You are less likely to eat out if you know that it only takes a few minutes to prepare.

Coupon Shopping and Bulk Buying

2010-01-17T14:31:00.000-08:00

Finding coupons can save you dollars. When you are at the item, check the products beside as well as sometimes, it still is cheaper to buy a competitor's product at the regular price that the one with the coupon. Also, try and buy in bulk if you can. If you know your prices really well, you can sail through the aisles and bypass some items to buy others at better prices as well. Supermarket prices seem to vary weekly and if you know your prices well, you can walk by the high price cycle and buy on the low or find a competitor's product that is the better buy for that trip.

Garage Sales - Haggling Anyone?

2010-01-16T02:42:00.000-08:00

I had a lady whose culture is known for haggling over a price come with me to go garage sale hunting. She advised to see if you can get the item for 50% off, then see what price the vendor gives you for a counter offer. He might come all the way down or might come down a long way off the asking price. He might be someone who has a bunch of goods, but all of them are way overpriced.

Buy in Bulk!

2010-01-15T01:57:00.001-08:00

Buying in bulk usually saves more money! You need a bit of space to store your items. Sometimes you can find some good sales and by the time you run down, another sale comes along!

Resisting the Urge!

2010-01-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Ever have the urge to just go out and blow money on something? It takes a bit of discipline not to in some cases. In others, you really can't afford to do it anyways and it is living a dream. Unplanned spending can set you back fast!

Anytime is Snack Time

2010-01-13T02:35:00.000-08:00

Always carry some carry me over snacks with you. They can get you through that extra hour til your arrive home and keep you from having to eat out. Same with a drink. Those eating out costs can sure pinch one's lifestyle!

Buying Used - Another BiG Way to Save $$$

2010-01-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

Consider buying a used item as opposed to a new one. You should pay between 25% to 50% of the retail price. You might not want to consider buying shoes and mattresses that have belonged to someone else. Everything else should be open game. No sales taxes to pay, use your after tax dollars to now be able to stretch them much further. It is funny, but if you keep your eyes open, you can also find many freebies out there as well. One man's junk is another man's treasure as they say! It is amazing what people will give away or throw away!

After Tax Dollars

2010-01-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

Keep in mind that everything you buy, is with "after tax" dollars that you worked hard to earn! That makes you think about spending when you mark up the product in your mind by 40% depending on your tax rate where you live.