Tuesday, February 28
Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on water heating costs
Now is a good time to check to see if you can save money on your water heating costs. Try this simple test -- feel the outside of your hot water tank. If you feel warmth coming from the heater, you're losing energy from the unit. Something as simple as a blanket wrap on your hot water heater can provide insulation and save money year-round, but especially in colder months. (Note: if you have a gas unit, be especially careful of the placement of the blanket so that you do not create a fire hazard by allowing the blanket near the pilot light, but most units are made to keep this from being a danger.)
Saturday, February 25
Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on soaps?
Antibacterial liquid hand soaps have been very popular. And antibacterial is a good thing, right? After all, we want to kill bacteria ...
Not necessarily a good thing, no. Good old fashioned soap and warm water, washing hands for 30 seconds or more, being careful of between fingers, under nails, etc. will give you clean hands. Antibacterial soap isn't necessarily better at cleaning your hands or killing bacteria, but its overuse DOES potentially set us up for creating super-bacteria, and no one wants that.
So your grandma had it right. Just use soap and warm/hot water and wash thoroughly, and your hands will be clean!
And liquid soaps? In general they are more than 90% water. If you are paying $1 for 8 ounces of soap, compare that to the equivalent cost of paying $10 for an 8-ounce bar of solid soap, and that's about the value you are receiving. At our house, we've gone back to the old-fashioned soap dish (find one that doesn't let your soap sit in water) and bar soap. We save a lot on soap, and get to use a pretty dish. Before you replace with a new bar, soak your soap dish in water overnight, and all the residue should come off easily.
And if you MUST have liquid soaps? You can save a lot of money by buying the dispensers that make "foaming" soap and refilling them yourself. They use only about 10-30% liquid soap and the rest clean water.
But give bar soaps a try again. You may wonder why you ever switched to liquid in the first place.
Not necessarily a good thing, no. Good old fashioned soap and warm water, washing hands for 30 seconds or more, being careful of between fingers, under nails, etc. will give you clean hands. Antibacterial soap isn't necessarily better at cleaning your hands or killing bacteria, but its overuse DOES potentially set us up for creating super-bacteria, and no one wants that.
So your grandma had it right. Just use soap and warm/hot water and wash thoroughly, and your hands will be clean!
And liquid soaps? In general they are more than 90% water. If you are paying $1 for 8 ounces of soap, compare that to the equivalent cost of paying $10 for an 8-ounce bar of solid soap, and that's about the value you are receiving. At our house, we've gone back to the old-fashioned soap dish (find one that doesn't let your soap sit in water) and bar soap. We save a lot on soap, and get to use a pretty dish. Before you replace with a new bar, soak your soap dish in water overnight, and all the residue should come off easily.
And if you MUST have liquid soaps? You can save a lot of money by buying the dispensers that make "foaming" soap and refilling them yourself. They use only about 10-30% liquid soap and the rest clean water.
But give bar soaps a try again. You may wonder why you ever switched to liquid in the first place.
Wednesday, February 22
The tradition of candy at Easter time
One of the most well known parts of the Easter holiday is the Easter bunny. This is one of the most retold tales of any holiday, and is put right next to Santa Claus by most children in the list of most recognized holiday characters of all time. There is also just as much emphasis placed on the things that children love about this holiday, which are things like candy. Candy and Easter are known to go together, and they candy itself has been one of the most popular parts of the Easter holiday, especially here in the United States.
It is not well known exactly what year the tradition of candy at Easter began, however, for as long as many of us can remember, they have been partners, and you simply cannot have one without the other. In fact, another staple of the Easter holiday would not even be there without the candy at all, and that would be the well known treat made of chocolate known as the chocolate Easter bunny. They may all come in different shapes and sizes, but they all must resemble a rabbit, and they must be made of chocolate candy, whether that is milk chocolate, or white chocolate. There are also other candies that are popular at this time of the year, namely marshmallow peeps, and the famous Cadbury eggs. These eggs are made from chocolate as well, and are filled with either peanut butter, caramel, or Cadbury cräme.
Not only are these candies popular to eat, but they are also a part of another tradition that most of us could not see ourselves celebrating Easter without, and that would have to be the gift baskets for Easter. These are typically filled to the brim with candy like chocolate and jelly beans or they can also be filled with small toys or books that children can enjoy. There are also gift baskets for Easter that can be put together beforehand and they include all different kinds of things sometimes even a wider assortment that ones that you would be able to put together on your own. Many of us with all of our busy schedules are not always able to make these kinds of gifts ourselves and we must take the convenience where we can find it.
For many of us without all of these candies and chocolate it simply would not be Easter as we know it and celebrate it here in the United States. It is not likely that the traditions which have been instilled in us since childhood are going to go away anytime soon because of the fact that they hold many happy memories for us and that would have to include the candy as well. Candy was often something that many of us were not allowed to have very often simply because it is thought to be bad for our health as well as our teeth and Easter is one of the only times of the year that we were allowed to eat it without worry.
It is not well known exactly what year the tradition of candy at Easter began, however, for as long as many of us can remember, they have been partners, and you simply cannot have one without the other. In fact, another staple of the Easter holiday would not even be there without the candy at all, and that would be the well known treat made of chocolate known as the chocolate Easter bunny. They may all come in different shapes and sizes, but they all must resemble a rabbit, and they must be made of chocolate candy, whether that is milk chocolate, or white chocolate. There are also other candies that are popular at this time of the year, namely marshmallow peeps, and the famous Cadbury eggs. These eggs are made from chocolate as well, and are filled with either peanut butter, caramel, or Cadbury cräme.
Not only are these candies popular to eat, but they are also a part of another tradition that most of us could not see ourselves celebrating Easter without, and that would have to be the gift baskets for Easter. These are typically filled to the brim with candy like chocolate and jelly beans or they can also be filled with small toys or books that children can enjoy. There are also gift baskets for Easter that can be put together beforehand and they include all different kinds of things sometimes even a wider assortment that ones that you would be able to put together on your own. Many of us with all of our busy schedules are not always able to make these kinds of gifts ourselves and we must take the convenience where we can find it.
For many of us without all of these candies and chocolate it simply would not be Easter as we know it and celebrate it here in the United States. It is not likely that the traditions which have been instilled in us since childhood are going to go away anytime soon because of the fact that they hold many happy memories for us and that would have to include the candy as well. Candy was often something that many of us were not allowed to have very often simply because it is thought to be bad for our health as well as our teeth and Easter is one of the only times of the year that we were allowed to eat it without worry.
Sunday, February 19
Save money with duty-free shopping?
Travelers often discover amazing bargains on gold or jewelry, items handmade by local artisans, and things normally heavily taxed by the US government. A limited amount of these can be brought home by those traveling abroad without payment of extra monies.
How much can you save with duty-free shopping, and is it worth it? If you’re going to be traveling, should you be thinking about what you can bring back, how much of it, and plan to save money by avoiding payment of duties on imports?
It used to be a major benefit to many who traveled, but several changes have taken place, so now we have to say “it depends”.
Some of the things travelers most commonly look to save money on are jewelry, electronics, liquor, perfumes, cigarettes, and designer replica items.
Jewelry might be the best remaining bargain among these, for most people. However, just because something is reported to be of great value and you are told you are getting a bargain, it may not be so. It can be difficult to have items properly appraised in some countries, so you may be taking a big risk in buying high-end items like diamonds. However, lesser stones and gold can very often be had for much less than similar items in the States, so they can represent a very good deal. One other thing to consider though: prices vary greatly from one town to another, even within the same country. In order to learn where the best bargains can be found, you might want to ask cruise line employees or others who may be in the know. They may be able to give you the best advice about which ports to shop.
Many travelers are interested in buying knock-off handbags or other designer items. However, you should be aware that these are illegal and can be confiscated by US customs. And if you believe you are buying authentic items at a deep discount, pay close attention! It’s a matter of buyer beware and there are many counterfeits out there.
Electronics are another popular category. Again, watch out for counterfeits are possible. Even if the item is genuine, you may find that if there are any problems, the warranty is too expensive or almost impossible to enforce. They can be a great bargain in some Asian countries, though, so if you do decide to take a chance on overseas electronics, do yourself a favor and check prices in the US before you go so you’ll be in a better position to recognize whether they are worth the risk and if you are really saving money.
Liquor is another item that used to be popular to buy duty-free, but may not be such a bargain. Since the airlines have increased restrictions and fees, it will cost you more to get it back home if you are flying, and may not be worth the added cost. You might find it cheaper at a discount place near your home. However, for those who are driving and can transport the bottles themselves, the costs can still be a bargain.
Overall, travelers often find that many categories of goods purchased overseas may be somewhat less expensive, but are also often of inferior quality. If the difference is slight, buyers may choose to overlook defects, especially if they can save a large amount. But be savvy and check prices before you travel, since very often goods turn out to be no less expensive than the same items on sale in domestic outlets.
Perhaps the safest way to approach vacation shopping in the same way we recommend people shop for antiques. We always caution them (unless they are resellers and know the market) not to buy things simply because they believe an item is “worth more” and represents an investment, but rather to choose pieces based on the value they put on it themselves. Do you love it enough that you want to buy it anyway?
In the same way, you should probably consider your vacation shopping not as a means to “save money” by getting things cheaper, but instead consider each item based on its real worth to you. You are much more likely to be satisfied in the end if you purchase a piece of jewelry you would not part with for any price (whether it represents a profit or not) just because you absolutely LOVE it, and it is a memento of a special vacation.
How much can you save with duty-free shopping, and is it worth it? If you’re going to be traveling, should you be thinking about what you can bring back, how much of it, and plan to save money by avoiding payment of duties on imports?
It used to be a major benefit to many who traveled, but several changes have taken place, so now we have to say “it depends”.
Some of the things travelers most commonly look to save money on are jewelry, electronics, liquor, perfumes, cigarettes, and designer replica items.
Jewelry might be the best remaining bargain among these, for most people. However, just because something is reported to be of great value and you are told you are getting a bargain, it may not be so. It can be difficult to have items properly appraised in some countries, so you may be taking a big risk in buying high-end items like diamonds. However, lesser stones and gold can very often be had for much less than similar items in the States, so they can represent a very good deal. One other thing to consider though: prices vary greatly from one town to another, even within the same country. In order to learn where the best bargains can be found, you might want to ask cruise line employees or others who may be in the know. They may be able to give you the best advice about which ports to shop.
Many travelers are interested in buying knock-off handbags or other designer items. However, you should be aware that these are illegal and can be confiscated by US customs. And if you believe you are buying authentic items at a deep discount, pay close attention! It’s a matter of buyer beware and there are many counterfeits out there.
Electronics are another popular category. Again, watch out for counterfeits are possible. Even if the item is genuine, you may find that if there are any problems, the warranty is too expensive or almost impossible to enforce. They can be a great bargain in some Asian countries, though, so if you do decide to take a chance on overseas electronics, do yourself a favor and check prices in the US before you go so you’ll be in a better position to recognize whether they are worth the risk and if you are really saving money.
Liquor is another item that used to be popular to buy duty-free, but may not be such a bargain. Since the airlines have increased restrictions and fees, it will cost you more to get it back home if you are flying, and may not be worth the added cost. You might find it cheaper at a discount place near your home. However, for those who are driving and can transport the bottles themselves, the costs can still be a bargain.
Overall, travelers often find that many categories of goods purchased overseas may be somewhat less expensive, but are also often of inferior quality. If the difference is slight, buyers may choose to overlook defects, especially if they can save a large amount. But be savvy and check prices before you travel, since very often goods turn out to be no less expensive than the same items on sale in domestic outlets.
Perhaps the safest way to approach vacation shopping in the same way we recommend people shop for antiques. We always caution them (unless they are resellers and know the market) not to buy things simply because they believe an item is “worth more” and represents an investment, but rather to choose pieces based on the value they put on it themselves. Do you love it enough that you want to buy it anyway?
In the same way, you should probably consider your vacation shopping not as a means to “save money” by getting things cheaper, but instead consider each item based on its real worth to you. You are much more likely to be satisfied in the end if you purchase a piece of jewelry you would not part with for any price (whether it represents a profit or not) just because you absolutely LOVE it, and it is a memento of a special vacation.
Monday, February 13
Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on eating out
Most people save money eating out by cutting back on their trips to restaurants. They may leave off the appetizer, avoid alcoholic beverages, but for the most part, they pay full price for whatever they choose to order.
There are other ways though. I talked recently about a coupon book I used to buy in northwest Florida. There are similar books available in most places, and they usually have a good assortment of buy-1-get-1-free offers, which lowers the price of eating out by 50%. Groupon.com is another popular option, which only offers a selected option each day, but if it is something you'd like to try, you can often save well over 50% (in the case of Groupon, not only restaurants but a wide variety of establishments from entertainment, spas, adventures, gourmet desserts, and just about anything else you can think of). Another option is Restaurant.com, which commonly offers $25 dining certificates for $10 (minimum purchase is $35, so in that case you'd be spending $20 on a $35 dinner) ... BUT ... Restaurant.com also offers discounts from time to time as low as $2-4 per certificate, which would allow you to enjoy a $35 dinner for only $12. Restaurant.com certificates should be given to your server before ordering, since sometimes restaurants drop out of the program and you don't want to be hit with an unexpected bill.
I have used all of these methods before, and been very satisfied with them. You can save a lot of money eating out (and sometimes with other businesses as well), and it's a great way to try new places (which is what they offers are designed for).
There are other ways though. I talked recently about a coupon book I used to buy in northwest Florida. There are similar books available in most places, and they usually have a good assortment of buy-1-get-1-free offers, which lowers the price of eating out by 50%. Groupon.com is another popular option, which only offers a selected option each day, but if it is something you'd like to try, you can often save well over 50% (in the case of Groupon, not only restaurants but a wide variety of establishments from entertainment, spas, adventures, gourmet desserts, and just about anything else you can think of). Another option is Restaurant.com, which commonly offers $25 dining certificates for $10 (minimum purchase is $35, so in that case you'd be spending $20 on a $35 dinner) ... BUT ... Restaurant.com also offers discounts from time to time as low as $2-4 per certificate, which would allow you to enjoy a $35 dinner for only $12. Restaurant.com certificates should be given to your server before ordering, since sometimes restaurants drop out of the program and you don't want to be hit with an unexpected bill.
I have used all of these methods before, and been very satisfied with them. You can save a lot of money eating out (and sometimes with other businesses as well), and it's a great way to try new places (which is what they offers are designed for).
Wednesday, February 8
Reasons
Posted by Heriberto Fuentes
There are so many wireless internet providers in my area, I'm going to have a really hard time choosing one. My dad told me I had to cut back on my spending since he's paying most of my bills while I'm in college, so I've been looking into switching up, my utilities to see if I can shave some costs there. He suggested getting rid of texting on my phone but I don't think he understands how crucial text messagingis to my generation. He also said I should get a job but it would be impossible for me to carry on all of my classes as well as keep up with an outside job. I told him the best I can do is looking into working at the library on campus a couple days a week. I don't mean to sound ungrateful because I was so thankful my dad pays for everything but sometimes I just don't think he understands where all of these extra costs come from.
There are so many wireless internet providers in my area, I'm going to have a really hard time choosing one. My dad told me I had to cut back on my spending since he's paying most of my bills while I'm in college, so I've been looking into switching up, my utilities to see if I can shave some costs there. He suggested getting rid of texting on my phone but I don't think he understands how crucial text messagingis to my generation. He also said I should get a job but it would be impossible for me to carry on all of my classes as well as keep up with an outside job. I told him the best I can do is looking into working at the library on campus a couple days a week. I don't mean to sound ungrateful because I was so thankful my dad pays for everything but sometimes I just don't think he understands where all of these extra costs come from.
Monday, February 6
Save money on your grocery bill
- Don't shop on an empty stomach. This can be one of the best money-savers out there. When you're hungry, it's much easier to grab impulse items and your bill can easily go up by 20%
- Plan your meals. Decide what you plan to eat for the next two weeks, and don't forget to include leftovers in your plan. Compare what you will need with an inventory of your groceries on hand so you buy only what you'll need
- Check the grocery ads before you plan your meals. Mass-mailed coupons (or those clipped from your newspaper) are often not worth using, since they are often for more expensive and less nutritious products, but signing up for email specials from your favorite stores can get you some worthwhile discounts.
- Check generic products. In many cases, I've been pleasantly surprised by their quality, and there are certain things I will ONLY buy the store brand, since I've found it to be of better quality (HEB Orange juice and ketchup, Sam's choice chocolate chip cookies, etc.)
- Consider the nutritional value of your foods. Often "junk foods" are overpriced and don't add to your nutritional needs, although they will add to your waistline. Skipping foods like potato chips and soda in favor of fresh fruits and flavored teas can save you money and help your family get healthier.
- Buy produce in season. Strawberries that cost $1.50 in early summer can run as much as $4 during winter, and are less likely to be fresh. If you must have non-seasonal produce, compare the price of canned and frozen with fresh.
- Stock up on sales. Certain things you know you will use, and when they are offered as loss leaders you can really save. If you have a way to save the food long-term, go ahead and buy whatever you can use during the storage term. Some foods like flour can be purchased for about 80% less if you buy in bulk.
- Use less meat. Since meat is one of the most expensive foods, per pound, look for alternatives. Cutting down on meats will improve most people's diets as well. Consider eggs as a protein source, try a meatless meal at least once a week, and look into meals that use less meat per serving (such as homemade chili instead of steak or roast beef).
- Use up your leftovers. Many foods are suitable to be tossed into a container and frozen for use later. Mixed veggies can be frozen and made into stew, potatoes can serve as a thickener, etc. With many foods you can also prepare a single meal of leftovers and freeze it for later when you need a quick easy meal.
- Making foods from scratch. This can be a HUGE money-saver, and not as difficult as you might think. Start with just one recipe, like tomato sauce instead of a canned sauce, and work up from there. I've gotten to the point that I prefer to make many of my own bread and pastry products, and now I am experimenting with copycat recipes for restaurants so that I don't even need to go out and pay for those cravings.
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