Freebies

It seems I have picked a very good time to give money saving tips. After all, the media says we are either heading for or are in a recession, depending who you listen to. It's a good thing we are already putting into practice money saving ideas. Sounds like we will definitly need them. So let's move on to another way to save.

One of my favorite things is to get free things that I like and will use. One way to do this is to join MyPoints.com. It costs nothing to join and all you have to do is click on the ads. Usually there are about 3 aday. Each click is worth 5 points. When you get a certain amount of points you then turn them in for gift cards. I am waiting for my $25 Subway card to arrive in the mail. How much your gift card is worth is based on how many points you earn. You can shop through my points on line as well to earn even more points.

I have had gift cards from Target, Starbucks, and now Subway. There are many to choose from. I am hoping to find another website similar to this. If any of you know of one I would love to hear about it. Meanwhile, happy clicking and may you enjoy your rewards soon. Happy Savings, Lisa :)

Your Local Library

Many of you may be wondering why I am writing about libraries on a blog about saving money. But do you really know what is inside a library? It is not a dusty building full of boring books. That is what many people think. I believe this is left over from days when you HAD to go to the library to research and study. Back when librarians were exremely strict and hushed you all the time. Well, things have changed. It is still respectful to keep your voice low as people will be studying, but wait until you see the changes!
Libraries are a wonderful place to go for FREE things. Did you know you can check out the newest dvd's, cd's, bestseller books, books on cd, use the internet, get magazines, find out about free entertainment in your city, get bus schedules or in some libraries, even check out artwork? This is just a partial list. Are you intrigued yet? I hope so.
I love to read, but rarely purchase a book. I don't have to. I have a library card. I keep my eye out for the latest best sellers or anything that looks good and then order it online. The same goes for dvd's and cd's. The sooner you know the release date the better to be on top of the waiting list. How much do you spend at video stores or for cable tv? You may find you can live without these by making use of library resources.
Do you dislike reading but like a good story? Why not try a book on cd? Pop it in your car cd player as you commute and it helps make road rage disappear. You can learn a new language, a new hobby, or hear a new story all while driving along. You may find you are looking forward to sitting in traffic so you can finish listening to a chapter!
Do you subscribe to magazines and then just toss them when you are done? Why not check them out from the library? Not only does it save you money, but you are not helping to not fill up our landfills as well.
The Library is also a wonderful place for children. The picture book selection is huge. You can find out what book is your child's favorite and then purchase it rather than just guess what they might like. They also have children's reading programs, art projects, entertainment and more. If your child feels at home in a library at an early age, hopefully when he or she is older they will keep on using it and feel comfortable to use it to study!
Have I mentioned I love coupons? LOL! Well, your library subscribes to many newspapers with coupon inserts. It can't hurt to ask if they will save them for you, or at least let you go though them. They usually throw this part of the paper out.
So come on, what's stopping you, check out your local library today and watch your savings continue to grow! Happy savings, Lisa:)

Banks

Now that you are well on your way to having extra money in your pockets, you may be wondering where to store it so you don't just run out and spend it again! Banks are a great option, whether it is a piggy bank or a financial institution, or both.

Let's start with piggy banks. Of course we have all seen the cute little ceramic pig. But banks come in many varities. Pick one that suits your personality. I use one that counts the coins digitally so I will not be tempted to take any of my savings out. Mine is exactly like the one above. It gives me satisfaction to put the coins in and watch the total grow. You want a bank that is not easy to open if you are the type who will be tempted to withdraw your money before meeting your goal.

Now , let's talk about financial institutions. Let's say your goal is to save $50 in a month from coupons, and sales. If you are just going to go out and squander it, there really was no point in saving it in the first place. You should set yourself a goal of perhaps getting to spend 1/2 or 1/3 of your savings for a special treat. The rest can go into opening a savings account. They will pay interest, and that again is FREE money. It's not much but over time does add up. When you get more advanced and want to invest you will have the money to do so. Each easy little step adds up to more money and bigger payoffs for you.

So, set a few goals. Is it that your savings stay in a piggy bank for a much needed vacation. Or, perhaps some goes in the piggy and some goes for a night out with your honey. Or maybe your goal is to put it all in a financial institution while you learn about investing. It's all up to you. Have fun and happy savings. Lisa

Shop the Sales

Now that you are successfully using your coupons, lets talk about shopping the sales. Honestly, it doesn't take much effort to find where the best prices are on any product. Where to start? How about your mailbox? How many times do you throw away all the "junk mail" without looking at it? Every week I get ads from my local grocery stores, restaurants, car washes, etc. Do you need all of them? Of course not. Just do a quick look through and toss out what you know you won't use.
Lets start with grocery ads, Look and see who is offering the best prices on items that you would normally buy. Do you have a coupon for it? Even better! Stock up when prices are low. Each store usually has their weekly specials. If it is an item you use, buy as many as they allow. Is it worth it to go to more than one store a week? Sure, if the savings are significant and you don't have to drive too far. Remember, you don't want to make it a hardship or you won't do it. Give yourself incentives. It can be immediate, such as stopping for a treat ( iced coffee for me) or the satisfaction you will feel as you drop the extra savings into your bank.
My dad used to tease me about my "general store". It is a cupboard where I store all my extra toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, lotions etc. When a guest comes to stay I am prepared. Most of my extra items cost me less than $.50 or were free. All from using coupons and shopping sales. My "general store" is stocked with quality items. I don't just buy something because it is inexpensive. It has to be a brand I like.
Shopping sales means saving on small items and big ticket items as well. We will get into that another day. Just remember to save your receipts. You want to keep track of just how much you are saving, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Happy shopping, Lisa

Coupons, Coupons, Coupons

Have I mentioned that I love coupons? I mean think about it. They are free to use, save you money and easy to come by. What more can you ask?? And if you use a grocery store where they double the coupons you will find yourself saving a good deal of money immediately. Don't we all like instant gratification? Of course we do.
Okay, how to start you might ask? First you will need to find a coupon holder. This can be as easy as using an envelope, or buying a coupon holder at the dollar store. Usually I think these are kind of "old lady" looking, so I prefer to make my own. If you like what you carry your coupons in, you are more likely to remember to use it. Personalize it and make it fun. I found the perfect size waterproof pouch, that is small enough to throw in a tote bag or large purse. I used index cards from the dollar store to divide it into sections with different headings, based on how my local grocery store is laid out. For instance, I have cards marked beverages, baby food, pet food, canned goods, dairy, frozen foods etc. I have pictures of family in mine, recipes I want to try, funny cartoons, and a small pair of scissors. I leave it in the car and it is always available to me when I make a quick dash to the store. Organization is the key.
Now that you have your holder start cutting coupons, They are in the Sunday papers, online (such as coupons.com), in magazines, or on products already purchased, You will start to find new sources all the time. Ask your friends and family if you can go through their Sunday paper inserts when they are done, as this is your best source. Many coupons are for a dollar and doubled means saving $2. Believe me, it adds up. Look for products that you already use, and it's a good way to try a brand that you are not familiar with if the savings are right.
Easy, so far? Of course it is. The fun part is to see the savings on the bottom of your weekly shopping receipt. It will usually show what you saved by buying products on sale (more on that later), and how much you saved by using coupons. It really is rewarding to see how much money can be saved by this simple technique that many people do not take advantage of.
My niece was very proud the first time she went shopping with coupons and saved more than she thought was possible. She posted the receipt on her refrigerator to show her husband and to remind herself of her accomplishment. She was quite pleased with herself, and found it to be easy and fun. Her goal each week is to save more than the week before. So it becomes more a game than a chore and there is more money in her pocket (actually her bank, but more on that later).
Attitude makes a huge difference in something being a chore or something being fun. So start having some fun and clip those coupons. So ladies, and gents start clipping your way to saving money. More to come and best of luck, Lisa

Pennies add up

I originally thought about doing this blog while helping my newly married nephew and his wife. I was trying to teach them the art of saving money while not giving up the things they felt they could not live without. They are 19 and 21 and have a one year old son, so as you can imagine money is tight.
Nobody likes to be put on a budget. In fact the very word budget scares people off. People immediately think of sacrificing, doing without, being denied of pleasure. Well, I have good news!! This does not have to be the case. Think of it more as a challenge, getting ahead, or being creative.
I will offer suggestions and it is up to you to use as many or as few as you want. If you even use one suggestion you will save a few pennies here and there. I would also love to hear what you do to save money as well. The more tips the better.
My goal is not to make you a millionaire. You need to learn investing for that. My goal is to teach you to save the pennies to invest!! So come back often and check out my site. Lets have some fun, meet some goals and save some money. Best of Luck, Lisa