I love Target so this deal is extra sweet to me. Head on over to Facebook, like Target, then get your coupon for a $10 gift card when you spend $50! Hurry! This deal expires on 12/3!!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Free $10 Target Gift Card When You spend $50!
I love Target so this deal is extra sweet to me. Head on over to Facebook, like Target, then get your coupon for a $10 gift card when you spend $50! Hurry! This deal expires on 12/3!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
10 Ways To Save Money On Laundry
Laundry is a chore that must be done on a fairly regular basis. Although I hate doing laundry as much as the next person I have found solutions that make doing laundry a little bit easier (a.k.a. cheaper)! The average person probably doesn't even think twice about the price they pay to do their laundry, I know that I didn't. After evaluating my expenses at the end of last year I found some ways to cut dollars out of the laundry bill.
1. STOP washing everything in warm water. Liquid detergents today are specially formulated to dissolve in cold water; I don't know about the powder kind. And please don't spend extra dollars on the "cold water" bottles. All liquid detergents can now dissolve properly in cold water. The only things I continue to wash in warm/hot water are towels and bedding. By cutting out your heating expenses for warm water your savings can really add up.
2. Don't fill the detergent cap all the way full. If you look on your detergent cap you will notice little lines that mark the proper amount of detergent for small, medium, and large loads (some caps just regular and large load lines). The line for large loads is generally in the middle of the cap. Companies do this to trick you into thinking you need more detergent than you do. Start filling your detergent up to the appropriate lines on the cap and cut your detergent consumption in half. Of course, if you have really dirty clothes you may still want to fill the cap above the top line. If you have soft water you can cut your bill even more by only filling to the first line. Soft water allows the detergent to go further.
3. Reevaluate your detergent. Buying HE detergent in some cases is more expensive. The fact of the matter is that most detergents can run in an HE washer even if they don't say HE on the bottle. You may just have to make some adjustments such as using less detergent, which will also save you money.
4. Stop using pricy laundry boosters. Oxy laundry boosters as well as little packs (that to me look like dishwasher detergent) added to the laundry supposedly help get your laundry cleaner while getting out tough stains. I don't know if these actually work or if I just think that they work, but chances are that you already have a much cheaper solution in your pantry. Baking Soda will do the trick! Just add a little bit to your clothes and watch your clothes become whiter or brighter, and fresher over time.
5. You don't need all that fabric softener. If you are adding liquid fabric softener to your wash as well as a dryer sheet in the dryer STOP. They both do the same trick! To reduce both static clean and get fabrics softer use dryer sheets. If you are planning on hanging up laundry use the liquid. Using both is unnecessary and just eating away your money.
6. Hang dry your laundry. Not everyone can do this or has the desire to do this, but it really will save you money. Hang clothes inside during winter months and outside during warmer months. This not only helps you save money on your energy bill, but this is also a greener alternative to drying clothes in a dryer.
7. Only run large loads. Try to pick a day every week or every other week to do laundry. Doing several small loads instead of a few big loads ends up costing you more in the long run.
8. Try to dry consecutive loads. If you dry loads one after the other your dryer doesn't need to heat up again, therefore your clothes will dry in less time. This one is pretty self-explanatory.
9. Stop brand loyalty. I love Tide. It's my favorite brand of all time. However when I clip coupons I've found that I can get other brands for around $8 cheaper than Tide! After trying these brands I've realized that they clean just as well as Tide. My recommendation is to shop the sales and clip your coupons. Detergent coupons are readily available every week and sometimes, when matched with a good sale you can get FREE detergent!!!
10. Only wash dirty clothes. This is another "duh" item, but many people don't actually know what dirty is. If you only wear clothes for a few hours (and you didn't sweat in them or get something on them) then they aren't dirty. Sometimes you can even wear sweaters or pants several times before they need to be washed. Towels can be used multiple times, not just once, and PJ's can be worn for almost a week before they start to get that dirty look/smell.
1. STOP washing everything in warm water. Liquid detergents today are specially formulated to dissolve in cold water; I don't know about the powder kind. And please don't spend extra dollars on the "cold water" bottles. All liquid detergents can now dissolve properly in cold water. The only things I continue to wash in warm/hot water are towels and bedding. By cutting out your heating expenses for warm water your savings can really add up.
2. Don't fill the detergent cap all the way full. If you look on your detergent cap you will notice little lines that mark the proper amount of detergent for small, medium, and large loads (some caps just regular and large load lines). The line for large loads is generally in the middle of the cap. Companies do this to trick you into thinking you need more detergent than you do. Start filling your detergent up to the appropriate lines on the cap and cut your detergent consumption in half. Of course, if you have really dirty clothes you may still want to fill the cap above the top line. If you have soft water you can cut your bill even more by only filling to the first line. Soft water allows the detergent to go further.
3. Reevaluate your detergent. Buying HE detergent in some cases is more expensive. The fact of the matter is that most detergents can run in an HE washer even if they don't say HE on the bottle. You may just have to make some adjustments such as using less detergent, which will also save you money.
4. Stop using pricy laundry boosters. Oxy laundry boosters as well as little packs (that to me look like dishwasher detergent) added to the laundry supposedly help get your laundry cleaner while getting out tough stains. I don't know if these actually work or if I just think that they work, but chances are that you already have a much cheaper solution in your pantry. Baking Soda will do the trick! Just add a little bit to your clothes and watch your clothes become whiter or brighter, and fresher over time.
5. You don't need all that fabric softener. If you are adding liquid fabric softener to your wash as well as a dryer sheet in the dryer STOP. They both do the same trick! To reduce both static clean and get fabrics softer use dryer sheets. If you are planning on hanging up laundry use the liquid. Using both is unnecessary and just eating away your money.
6. Hang dry your laundry. Not everyone can do this or has the desire to do this, but it really will save you money. Hang clothes inside during winter months and outside during warmer months. This not only helps you save money on your energy bill, but this is also a greener alternative to drying clothes in a dryer.
7. Only run large loads. Try to pick a day every week or every other week to do laundry. Doing several small loads instead of a few big loads ends up costing you more in the long run.
8. Try to dry consecutive loads. If you dry loads one after the other your dryer doesn't need to heat up again, therefore your clothes will dry in less time. This one is pretty self-explanatory.
9. Stop brand loyalty. I love Tide. It's my favorite brand of all time. However when I clip coupons I've found that I can get other brands for around $8 cheaper than Tide! After trying these brands I've realized that they clean just as well as Tide. My recommendation is to shop the sales and clip your coupons. Detergent coupons are readily available every week and sometimes, when matched with a good sale you can get FREE detergent!!!
10. Only wash dirty clothes. This is another "duh" item, but many people don't actually know what dirty is. If you only wear clothes for a few hours (and you didn't sweat in them or get something on them) then they aren't dirty. Sometimes you can even wear sweaters or pants several times before they need to be washed. Towels can be used multiple times, not just once, and PJ's can be worn for almost a week before they start to get that dirty look/smell.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Feeding A Family of 4 for $2.23 PER MEAL!
I'm a college student, so I don't have a family to feed, but I do have roommates! I enjoy cooking. I enjoy cooking on the cheap even more! :) When I'm at my parent's house I get really excited to cook for them, or to even cook a ton of casseroles and freeze them for easy dinners for my mom. I recently came upon this blog that has been a tremendous help to me. She lists a cook book from where she gets her ideas and recipes, but she also tells you her own meals and secrets. Browse her website here and learn how to cook 46 meals for a family of 4 for under $96! http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2011/06/freezer-meals-on-cheap.html
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Less Extreme Ways to Winterize Your Home
Link to my last post about winterizing your home:
A few simple tips can save you almost 30% on your heating bill this winter!
1. Buy or make a draft snake (directions here: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/door-draft-stoppers-draft-snakes-460109). Most air escapes around doors and windows that let drafts through the cracks. To prevent this problem simply make a draft snake, or roll up a towel and place it at the bottom of the doors and windows. No cold air will get in and not hot air will get out.
2. Wear Layers! Buy dressing in warmer clothes inside your home you can turn your thermostat down around 5 degrees and save yourself some money!
3. Add extra quilts and blankets around your home. The blankets will keep you nice and toasty while reading a book, watching a movie, talking, or whatever and as an added bonus your home will seem more homey and inviting!
4. Drink hot cocoa, coffee, or tea. The warm drinks will raise your body temperature and actually make you feel warmer.
Stay warm while saving money!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Start Now to Shop Debt Free Next Holiday Season!
I like to shop, a lot over the Holidays. I'm sure the rest of you do as well. It is a very common thing for families to go into debt, either major or minor, in order to give gifts that is just money being dumped down the drain. At my local bank they have a Holiday Spending Program (Christmas Club Account) that I would like to tell you all about. A Christmas Club account is offered through many banks and credit unions as a way for people to save for the Holidays. Withdraws are not allowed and you can have money automatically deposited every week, biweekly, or monthly. Look at this scenario; if you manage to save $20 a week towards your CCA (think of making coffee at home instead of buying or packing a lunch a few times a week instead of eating out) from January 1st to October 31st you will have saved around $1,000! Some banks and credit unions offer interest on your money and others do not.
Even if your bank does not offer a CCA you can still make it a goal to save every week. Have "x" amount of money set aside in your savings account or start a "Christmas Fund Jar" where you save your cash every week and watch your money add up! The extra cash, even if it is only a few hundred dollars will come in handy for the Christmas season and make getting those after-Christmas bills a little less depressing.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Cheap Ways to Winterize Your Home
Heating a house or an apartment is a costly expense, especially for us college students. Last winter I lived without much heat. Here's how I did it.
1. Turn your heat off, or to 50 degrees. Yes, that low or off. It might be brutal, but it's possible. My landlord requires that the heat needs to be on at least 50 degrees or I would keep it off.
2. Use a spaceheater to heat the rooms that you will spend the most time in. In my apartment it is the living room. That is where my roommates and I congregate to do homework, watch tv, talk, etc. We leave a little spaceheater on when we get extra cold. Usually we just bundle up in sweaters and blankets and keep cozy that way.
3. Bubble wrap your windows. Buy some cheap bubble wrap at your local hardware store, dampen the windows and stick the bubble wrap, bubble side down onto the window. This acts like a double pane window and actually insulates your windows. For added warmth then tape plastic wrap over it to keep out all drafts.
4. Cook in the oven, then leave the door open for the heat to escape. This one is pretty self-explanatory.
5. Sleep in socks, hoodies, pants, extra blankets, and a heated blanket. The heated blanket will keep you just warm enough to sleep while using less electricity.
These measures are for the extreme money savers. However it is possible. I'll add less extreme weatherization tips later. :)
1. Turn your heat off, or to 50 degrees. Yes, that low or off. It might be brutal, but it's possible. My landlord requires that the heat needs to be on at least 50 degrees or I would keep it off.
2. Use a spaceheater to heat the rooms that you will spend the most time in. In my apartment it is the living room. That is where my roommates and I congregate to do homework, watch tv, talk, etc. We leave a little spaceheater on when we get extra cold. Usually we just bundle up in sweaters and blankets and keep cozy that way.
3. Bubble wrap your windows. Buy some cheap bubble wrap at your local hardware store, dampen the windows and stick the bubble wrap, bubble side down onto the window. This acts like a double pane window and actually insulates your windows. For added warmth then tape plastic wrap over it to keep out all drafts.
4. Cook in the oven, then leave the door open for the heat to escape. This one is pretty self-explanatory.
5. Sleep in socks, hoodies, pants, extra blankets, and a heated blanket. The heated blanket will keep you just warm enough to sleep while using less electricity.
These measures are for the extreme money savers. However it is possible. I'll add less extreme weatherization tips later. :)
Saving Money: Renting Movies
I enjoy a good movie from time to time just like everyone else, however movie rental fees can add up over time, and I'm not big into RedBox or Netflix anymore.
Redbox really angers me. First of all they raised their prices in my area. Not by much, but still WHY? It isn't like they have a ton of overhead or anything. Second, they have hardly any selection and their movies have been getting progressively worse over the past year.
Netflix is great, I really like it. However, I don't want to wait around for a few days to get my DVD and I hate that you can only get one DVD of a TV series at a time. I do, however love that I can stream Netflix on my Wii. I use that feature A LOT!
Since Blockbuster has brought back the 99 cent rental I have visited them on occasion, but I hate having to watch a movie within a few hours of getting it. I like the option of having the movie in my hand for a few days and actually watching the movie when I feel like I am in the mood, I'm pretty picky and demanding.
Then, I thought of a brilliant idea. I own a ton of movies, my friends own a ton of movies.... why can't we "rent" from each other?!
Here is what you do. It's pretty simple.
1. Take your movies and write your name on them somewhere.
2. Make and inventory of your movies. I used Excel to make a nice list.
3. Trade lists with friends, family, co-workers, etc.
4. Highlight the movies on your friends list that you would like to watch and give the list back to them and vice versa.
5. Trade movies! Watch movies on your own time for FREE!
My mom actually does this with her co-workers and it is wonderful. We enjoy watching movies that we didn't own or may not have paid money to rent, and our movies that were just collecting dust get to be used more.
Redbox really angers me. First of all they raised their prices in my area. Not by much, but still WHY? It isn't like they have a ton of overhead or anything. Second, they have hardly any selection and their movies have been getting progressively worse over the past year.
Netflix is great, I really like it. However, I don't want to wait around for a few days to get my DVD and I hate that you can only get one DVD of a TV series at a time. I do, however love that I can stream Netflix on my Wii. I use that feature A LOT!
Since Blockbuster has brought back the 99 cent rental I have visited them on occasion, but I hate having to watch a movie within a few hours of getting it. I like the option of having the movie in my hand for a few days and actually watching the movie when I feel like I am in the mood, I'm pretty picky and demanding.
Then, I thought of a brilliant idea. I own a ton of movies, my friends own a ton of movies.... why can't we "rent" from each other?!
Here is what you do. It's pretty simple.
1. Take your movies and write your name on them somewhere.
2. Make and inventory of your movies. I used Excel to make a nice list.
3. Trade lists with friends, family, co-workers, etc.
4. Highlight the movies on your friends list that you would like to watch and give the list back to them and vice versa.
5. Trade movies! Watch movies on your own time for FREE!
My mom actually does this with her co-workers and it is wonderful. We enjoy watching movies that we didn't own or may not have paid money to rent, and our movies that were just collecting dust get to be used more.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Completing Christmas Shopping BEFORE Black Friday
Do you have a love/hate relationship with Black Friday shopping like I do? I love the savings that I can potentially get from shopping the sales, but I hate getting up early, waiting in lines, dealing with grouchy people, and possibly not getting what I want in a store. Not to mention the added burden of standing outside in freezing temps!
What if I told you that you could score the same or even better deals in the weeks from Halloween to Thanksgiving, without leaving your house? Do I have you reeled in yet? Well, if I do keep reading.
Most stores offer pretty substantial discounts between Halloween and Thanksgiving for a few reasons. First, these months tend to be slower months because people are gearing up for the Holiday season (Thanksgiving-New Years are HUGE months for retail stores). Second, because they know that few people know about or will take advantage of their great deals!
I have a few tips to help you save!
1. www.retailmenot.com
- This website is a life saver! In the search bar simply type in the website that you are purchasing from and they will find all kinds of coupon codes to use! I've gotten most of my Christmas shopping from 30-60%, plus free shipping by using this site!
2. Free Shipping!
- Most retailers will offer free shipping during this period of time. Target is one that has offered free shipping for a while to their redcard holders (More on that later). Take advantage of this. Even if stores are offering $0.99 shipping think of the gas money you will save! Not to mention the convenience of having somebody bring your purchases to your door!
3. Rewards Programs
- Most stores offer their card holders incentives around this time of the year. Target card holders get 5% off on all purchases made throughout the year, but during this time the free shipping is an incentive, not to mention exclusive emails about secret sales going on! Victoria's Secret sends out coupons along with Bath and Body Works, Lids, Finish Line, Famous Footwear, Toys R Us, etc.
4. Clearance
- In order to make room for holiday merchandise retailers will begin to clearance out their inventory. Snag up colognes and perfumes, bath sets, blankets, shoes, scarves, small appliances, pictures frames, etc. throughout the year to add to presents as "fluff". I gave my friend last year a present retailing at $75 that only cost me $7! I did this by purchasing small items from the beginning of the year at rock bottom prices!
5. Coupons
- This method seems strange to most, however retailers will offer coupons in their ads off of electronics, toys, etc. that can save hundreds on your Christmas bill!
6. Take advantage of Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals online!
- Even though this doesn't fall in the category of completing your shopping before Black Friday, you can still snag some good deals! Browse the internet and see what deals may be popping up around these times, grab a cup of coffee, your warmest pj's, and some leftover turkey and spend the day shopping while warm and at home!
I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving! I will be posting more money saving tips as time goes on!
Soak the red dot in vinegar
Soak the red dot in vinegar
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