Savvy Shopper | Savvy Shopping

Savvy shopping - entertainment options

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Tue, 29 May 2012 06:21:00 +0000

Are you considering a cable, satellite, streaming, or other television service? The increasing number of choices available offer more chances to tailor your channel lineup and features to your own tastes, and save money at the same time, but it can also be confusing for customers to navigate the maze of options. Satellite providers may be one of the the only choices in some markets that aren't within the coverage of a cable service provider. Still, with competition stiff even in most rural markets, customers are left with a dizzying range of choices.

The two main factors that usually first come to mind when you begin comparing providers are channel options and price. It is often a good idea to also consider things like available technology, features, and reliability.

In deciding what kind of channel options fit your viewing style, ask yourself which networks are your favorites. What is most important to you, and what else is a must-have? Are sports your top consideration? Is local channel access important to you? Do you usually spend your TV time watching movies? How about documentaries? Which specialty channels most interest you - history, sci-fi, children's programming, nature, home improvement, and so on.

If you have favorite networks, you may or may not find a package that offers ALL of your favorites. Often there are similar competing networks that may fill the void for ones you would like but can't have when choosing a particular provider. Look for those before you write off what might otherwise be a particularly good deal.

Many providers offer packages designed with particular viewing styles in mind. If you love sports, you may find a package that offers a wide assortment of sports options, as well as a decent variety of supplemental channels that would fit your needs perfectly. Similar packages are often available to fit other tastes as well.

If you are at all interested in accessing local news and weather, as well as network programming, be sure the service you are considering offer the local networks, as not all of them do. If you don't, you may find yourself with a digital antennae attached to your set, fiddling around and trying to pick up digital signals, not to mention having to switch between your paid service and antennae every time you want to change the channel.

Price is a consideration as well, and we won't try to advise there. Be sure to check for current specials, and read all the fine print. What is most cost effective changes with time and between markets, and will depend on how much you are willing to pay and what you want to watch. But if one of the networks you are considering offers freebies thrown in (say special sports events) that you might pay for otherwise, remember to calculate the savings as part of your overall bill.

Finally, don't overlook available technology, which can have an effect on picture quality, speed of transmission, reliability of service, and special features. For example, we found offers for a DVR that can be programmed to record even while away from home using a mobile ap (in case you forget to program it to record your favorite program, or you end up being gone longer than you expected). Such features offer great convenience and flexibility. Reliability and speed can be an issue in some locations. Your best advice probably comes from neighbors who already use the service you are interested in, and can let you know of loading issues, any effects of weather on the system, and how quickly the local technicians respond in case there are any problems. Personally all of my internet and television services are currently run through satellite, and I've been pleased with the overall performance of my providers, but I have spoken with others who lose their connection each time it rains.

If you look at your options with these things in mind, you will be well-equipped to choose a service that meets your needs for a price you can afford.

Selecting car dealerships in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sun, 13 May 2012 03:49:00 +0000

We recently discussing searching for cars online in the UK, focusing on finding information about the cars themselves. Before buying a used car, buyers will certainly be wise to make sure the vehicle in question is free from hidden problems and potential pitfalls. However, that is only one side of the equation. The dealership selling the vehicle is a partner with the buyer in the purchase, and deserves careful selection as well. Potential car buyers in the UK can also access sites that helps them compare dealerships. Judge Service offers access to a searchable compilation of actual customer reviews of dealerships throughout the UK.

You may select reviews by make of car, location of dealership, or dealer group. Reviews that fit your selection are displayed with their full text, along with star rating, customer name, date posted, dealership name, web address, and contact information. The reviews range from simple recommendations to in-depth descriptions of strengths and weaknesses of the dealership. There is a separate area for service reviews of each dealership as well.

While visiting the site, be sure to check out the blog. There are interesting tips for car buyers as well as dealerships. While we found it focused slightly more on the dealer, there are also tips for buyers wanting to haggle to save money on a new car, what to look for in a used car, and more. Although I don't necessarily agree with the advice of purchasing a vehicle with a powerful diesel engine if you plan long trips, the advice to search for details in the body that might indicate a previous accident is something that is often overlooked and useful information. The advice given to dealers actually makes me appreciate the site even more, since it includes such suggestions as the value of knowing your customer's complaints (constructive criticism is often the most helpful).

Buying a car ... online?

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 03:52:00 +0000

While there are online classified and other possible sources to search for vehicles on the internet, there are several major online avenues available for car buyers in the UK. These include Autotrader, Motors.co, and Trusted Dealers.

In comparing these three main sources, we found some important differences. Autotrader and Motors.co both offer a service allowing individuals to list cars. While there may be some attempt by the managing site to do a background check on the vehicles, not all vehicles are checked - and even if they are, that only refers to the car's history as far as having been scrapped, imported, etc.

On the other hand, we found Trusted Dealers to be unique in that it is a site owned by a network of auto dealers committed to upholding a set standard. With Trusted Dealers, EVERY car is background-checked to assure it has not been scrapped or reported as stolen, that the odometer reading is accurate, and that no outstanding debt is owed against it. Each car is also inspected for mechanical faults and any necessary repairs made.

When buying a car from an individual, the risk is on the buyer for all of these points. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people who will take advantage of buyers and sell them a car that can have hidden problems.

Because Trusted Dealers consists of automobile dealers, they offer benefits unique to dealerships that an individual is unable or unlikely to offer. Financing is available, or you can trade in your old car. New cars are offered as well. Warranties are included on every vehicle sold.

We do recommend a test drive of any vehicle you may be considering, and of course it may be prudent to have your own mechanic take a look and give a second opinion, but when deciding where to begin your search for a vehicle online, why not choose a site that takes much of the risk out of buying a used car?

Hooked

noreply@blogger.com (Inspired Ink) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:42:00 +0000

This guest post from Margaret Mills

Last fall I got hooked on what I believe has to be the best television show ever. One of my neighbors, tired of me complaining that I didn’t have anything to watch at night after the kids went to bed, loaned me the first season of mad Men on dvd. Just one episode and I was hooked! Fortunately she had the other three seasons on dvd as well so I was able to continue watching and catch up on the sage. I think I’m the only person in the world who loves the show but wasn’t upset with the year and a half hiatus. It gave me the chance to get caught up on all the drama with Don, Betty and the rest of the wonderful cast of characters. Because I wasn’t willing to wait for season five to end and come out on dvd, I went to http://www.ExpertSatellite.com/ and signed up for satellite television so I would not miss the first episode of season five on March 25th. I guess I could have gone to a friend’s house to watch it but then I wouldn’t have been able to give the episode my full attention!

New design trends - metal tiles

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:17:00 +0000

We love to find unique products to share with our readers, especially when they represent a good value. I just love the look of these stainless steel tiles! What really caught my eye is that they are available in such a wide variety of mosaic patterns, making them a great way to update your home and add value no matter what kind of decor you have.

It's hard to pick a favorite, but I found the pebble pattern stainless steel tile to be especially interesting. These can be especially appropriate in a rustic setting, or in a contemporary room abutting a Florida room, around a naturally-themed indoor hot tub, in a garden-themed bath or in a wide variety of settings. The marriage of a contemporary finish with pebble styling is very intriguing.

The variety of other metal tiles available open up even more design possibilities. The copper brick tile is another interesting example of a design that can be equally at home in rustic or contemporary settings, and can also successfully bridge that gap in a home that borrows elements from both. From a design standpoint, that makes these tiles very unique.

Of course, there are many other styles available as well, in a variety of shapes from squares to circles to brick patterns, and a variety of finishes including the ones mentioned above as well as marriages of metal and glass, or combinations of colors within a single design. The versatility is one of the things we love the new kinds of tiles on the market today, giving homeowners a way to update their homes and add solid value while following their own design choices. We're very glad to see such versatile and quality products on the market today -- no more are homeowners limited to choice of color only as in the ceramic tiles of previous generations.

Stainless steel - buyer beware!

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:38:00 +0000

I'm a big fan of stainless steel in the kitchen. HUGE fan! It's easy to clean, doesn't rust, doesn't infuse the food with dangerous chemicals, and just plain looks good.

However, we've been hearing more and more about inferior quality "stainless" flatware sets and other stainless items out there. These poor quality stainless items are manufactured without including nickel as a component, and as a result, tend to lose their shine and even begin to rust (sometimes after only a few uses).

Check the number on any stainless steel you plan to buy. You don't want to see 18/0. That would mean the item is 18% chromium, and zero nickel. Instead, look for items that include the marks 18/10 or 18/8, which would indicate 10% nickel or 8% nickel along with the 18% chromium. These items are much higher quality and should keep their shine, as well as being essentially rust-proof.

More stainless steel info here.

Another quick way to check? See if a magnet sticks to it. Stainless steel that contains nickel will not be magnetic, but the cheaper series made without nickel will attract a magnet.

Are you throwing away money on car insurance?

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:47:00 +0000

We all like to save money in every way possible, right? Sometimes we tend to think of certain costs as fixed -- the mortgage, the internet fee, insurance ... But that's not usually the case. Even if you have to wait until your renewal to actually save money on car insurance, it pays to make sure you're getting the best value for your money.

The factor that usually has the biggest impact on insurance costs is the company that insures you. First, seek out an agent or online company that offers multiple car insurance quotes from a variety of insurers. Don't just choose the lowest one though; this is only the first step. But you can probably remove the companies with the highest premiums from your considerations once you are sure the quotes are for equivalent coverage. Once you have several likely possibilities, it's time to start looking into the details.

First, contact the agent with your current insurance company. Find out if there will be any renewal discount as a loyalty reward from your insurer, or if there will be any increase in premium at renewal. Don't just compare the new quotes you receive to your last year's premium, since it may go either up or down. While you're at it, it's a good idea to find out if the companies you are considering offer renewal discounts for future years, as this could factor into your decision if they turn out to be substantial.

If you have a home or other insurance policies, this is where you can start to save even more. Find out whether your current company or any of the ones you are considering offer discounts for customers holding other policies. I save several hundred dollars per year off already low premiums by carrying multiple vehicles as well as my homeowner's insurance through a single provider.

Next ask about cash discounts. These can appear in more than one form. My insurance company offers a cash discount of around $100 per year per policy, but if you don't pay cash they charge a monthly fee of a little over $3 for processing. That means my actual discount for paying cash as opposed to making monthly payments is around $130 (premiums are paid off in ten months).

Find out if there are any other discounts available, such as those offered for anti-theft or safety devices, credit for driver's courses, discounts for automatic payment drafts if you are making payments, or membership discounts (these are sometimes available for all kinds of groups, so just ask if any are offered and see if you fit the profile).

And if you put very few miles on your car, you may be able to lower your costs even more. There is a unique new program being offered for safe low-mileage drivers. In some cases, you may be able to save a significant amount using one of these pay-as-you-drive car insurance policies.

With all of those adjustments in mind, you may find that a company that appeared to be more expensive up front is actually the better value.

Finally, it's time to see if you can save money on the coverage itself. This is where you will need to decide whether you can afford to go with a higher deductible or lower limits of coverage. There is no one-size fits all answer to this part of the equation. You need to decide how much you are able to cover yourself in the event of an accident, and how much liability coverage you need. But if you've done your homework up to this point, you should be able to arrive at the best price possible to suit your needs. Once you've made these final decisions, it doesn't hurt to quickly re-check the other companies you had considered to see if they offer better value for the levels you select, if they are not the same as the initial quotes.

Good luck getting a great deal on your car insurance!

Savvy shopping abroad

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:51:00 +0000

If you are starting to plan your upcoming vacation, you're certainly seeking out attractions and activities at your selected destination. Guide books and travel websites are great resources. However, you might also benefit by local input. If you are traveling to a place where your language is not spoken, this can be even more helpful. Before you set out on your trip, consider contacting someone who provides translation services in London, Hong Kong, Tibet or wherever you may be visiting. Often you can hire someone who will serve not only as an interpreter, but also as tour guide and provide guidance during shopping or whatever else you may need.

For many travelers, shopping abroad is a favorite diversion. In many cases, travelers can find great bargains on all kinds of goods. One of the best ways to find outstanding savings is to know the area you plan to visit. What is it famous for? Are there items that are produced locally? Is it the home of a designer's production facility? Does the region produce any special agricultural product? Do local artisans produce and sell goods there? Even such details as political environment can have an effect. When the Eastern countries opened to Western tourism, a market was created for a wide selection of family heirlooms and antiques and many travelers sought out these items as a result.

In some countries you may have an added advantage, if you are a Westerner. Certain articles you may consider as common sometimes attract a lot of interest, particularly in third world countries that have a good opinion of the United States. Baseball caps, t-shirts, and other items with logos of interest might be worth a premium in those countries, and vendors may be more interested in bartering an exchange of goods instead of currency.

Speaking of currency, conversion is of the greatest importance to understand. It is usually much simpler to exchange currency into the locally accepted denominations, but be sure to carry a conversion chart with you so that you know how much you are REALLY spending for something, as it can become confusing. It is usually simpler to have not only the 1:1 ratio written out, but also know how many of the local unit cost $1 (or whatever your native currency is), $5, $10, $20, and $100 so you can do a quick accuracy check. Multiples of ten are often the easiest way to make a mistake.

Cultural differences can help you strike a savvy bargain as well. In many Asian countries, haggling is expected. The majority of vendors will accept less than the stated price, and arriving at the final cost is an enjoyable process for many. In many cases you can offer half the asking price, and expect a counter-offer. Eventually, you will probably reach an agreement somewhere around two-thirds of the original price. Be careful not to insult the vendor during the process, however. Studying local customs such as the meaning of gestures, eye movements, and more can help you with this, in order to avoid making a blunder that costs you a purchase.

Another point to research is customs and import/export rules. Some countries will not allow certain things to leave their country (particularly items of great intrinsic value or historic artifacts), and others will not allow certain goods to enter. If you will be across multiple borders, be sure anything you purchase is legal to carry with you through the other countries. Such items as produce and animal products are among the most troublesome, but there can be many other restrictions besides these.

Don't overlook transportation costs. Always consider how much space you have in your luggage to transport items and what the cost will be for weight of items checked as baggage. It isn't a bargain if you get a $20 item for $2, but then have to spend $30 getting it back home.

Doing your homework in all of these areas will greatly increase your chances of finding a great shopping bargain in your travels, and make your travels go much more smoothly. Until next time, Bon Voyage!

Another way to indulge

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:26:00 +0000

We've talked a little bit about personal indulgences and little luxuries lately. What makes a delightful luxury in your life is uniquely you. One person may crave bling, and someone else may dream of comfy softness. And some indulgences pamper in more than one way.

Imagine waking up beautiful, with your makeup professionally applied. No need to trudge to the bathroom and "put on your face" ... your features are already professionally enhanced. Or how would you like to be able to leave work, make a quick stop by the gym for a workout, take a lap around the pool, and meet friends at the club afterward, looking flawless all the while? When you arrive home in the evening, tired, you can just sink into bed, and not having the nightly chore of removing your makeup.

You can experience this luxury with permanent makeup, which is professionally applied cosmetic enhancement. Just as you apply makeup every day, permanent makeup can mimic your own style and choice of tones. However, since the coloration will last for years or even decades, trendy shades should be avoided. The best choice is usually an application that looks natural, making you beautiful but appearing not to be made up at all.

There are several unexpected benefits from using permanent makeup. Considering eyeliner, for example -- not only does it take a steady hand to apply, but women virtually always stretch the delicate skin around their eyes every single time they apply it (not to mention the stretching and tugging that comes from removing eye makeup, no matter how gentle you try to be). The cumulative effect of all that pulling and stretching on the thin skin around the eyes is an increased tendency to wrinkle, and at a younger age. All of this can be avoided through the use of permanent makeup.

Women who are unable to wear makeup for various reasons can enjoy being beautiful with permanent makeup. If allergies to conventional cosmetics are a problem, this can be your solution. If you are unable to apply makeup yourself because of disabilities, or are beginning to have trouble with controlling the application, permanent makeup can offer you flawless and trouble-free enhancement. In cases of scarring or some imperfections caused by surgery, permanent makeup may provide a solution.

If you'd like to learn more, contact a professional makeup artist, like the ones at Permanent Makeup Barrie to learn whether permanent makeup is for you.

Here comes the Grad!

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:02:00 +0000

It's already March, so it will be here before you know it! Yes, once again an academic year comes to an end, and a fresh crop of graduates enter the world. This is such an important milestone in a person's life, you'll want to share the news with everyone who has been a part of your life and helped you become the person you are today. We really like these unique graduation announcements to help you spread the word about that special grad in your life (or to toot your own horn, if you're the graduate!).

We especially love the wide variety of styles available, making it easy to choose a style to suit your personal taste. (Well, let me rephrase that. The great selection will certainly allow you to put together a graduation announcement that suits you perfectly. It may actually not be that easy to choose because there are so many that you'll probably want to consider!)

Do you want to show your school spirit, and have a graduation announcement to tuck in your scrapbook that goes with your cheer uniform or varsity colors? Check out the School Colors announcements. The Graduation Announcements for Girls series offers choices to showcase your personal style, whether funky, elegant or sophisticated, and in a range of colors. Many allow you to further personalize with a photo. Embellishments including bling, ribbons, and tassels. The Graduation Announcements for Boys series offers similar design variety, suiting everyone from guys pursuing graphic arts to young professionals. And if you'd prefer not to be locked into a stereotype, a Gender Neutral series is available as well.

There is even a full line of specialized graduation announcements designed especially for graduates completing law school, medical school, dental school, or nursing school.

With so many options to choose from, you'll be able to design and select the perfect graduation announcement to let the world know you've finally arrived ... and be sure to order extras as keepsakes for yourself and family as well.

Congratulations, Graduate!

Creating a dining room that will astound our guests

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:57:00 +0000

Guest post written by Amber Hall

We're going to be having some of our old college friends staying with us in town for a wedding very soon and I'm trying to do little things to fix up the house without spending much money. I want them to think that our house is really cute! It mostly is, but our dining room is kind of a mess and I want to do a bit of entertaining in there when they're here, so I'm working on finding a good dining room table.

When we first moved in we just bought a cheap dining table because that's all that we could afford. Now it's time for a major upgrade. When we were dining room table shopping a few weeks ago I saw some online info on Remodeling in Santa Fe and jotted it down. We're not able to remodel right now, but are planning on it very soon. So we're going to use that when that time comes.

I found a simple dining set that I think I can dress up with some really cute decorations. Now I just need to hurry up and do it before they arrive for the wedding.

Affordable luxury

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:26:00 +0000

While I'm all about saving money, sometimes it's the little things that make life so much more enjoyable. Finding ways to pamper yourself with luxury that doesn't break the budget is a wonderful way to indulge your senses.

I discovered my latest favorite indulgence by accident. I had used my old showerhead for about 8 years, and the arm that held the head in place had broken. The repair lasted only a short time, and the replacement bracket didn't fit the handle. After being repeatedly frustrated by the shower falling off, spraying in the wrong direction, and even hitting me in the head while I tried to shower, I decided enough was enough.

After comparing features and brands, I decided on the Hotel Spa multi-shower slide bar by Natural Essentials. No, I don't sell them, won't receive a commission if you buy one, and wasn't paid to publish a review. But I was pleased enough with the features to want to tell my readers about it. It has two shower heads, one mounted and one removeable. You can set it to flow through either of the two, or both together, and each has a range of settings. I like to set the upper one on high-pressure massage to do a thorough job of wetting and rinsing my hair while keeping the lower one on a rain-mist setting so the water keeps me warm. The lower head also mounts on a bar that makes it fully adjustable. You can raise or lower it, swing it out from the wall, rotate it, and basically direct the spray wherever you want. Those features alone sold me on it, but the fact that is is also well-constructed and the mounts, handle, bar, etc. are all made of stainless steel rather than plastic (the reason my old showerhead broke) made it a smart decision as well.

Now on to the money-saving part! (You didn't think I would spend the $50 or so retail, did you? Even though it's really a steal at that price, since it delivers features you would normally have to pay closer to $90-200 for.) I waited for a sale at Bed Bath and Beyond, which lowered the price from $50 to $40. At the same time, they had a coupon for 20% off, which was stackable with the sale price, so I got another $8 off, bringing the price to only $32. And the best part? I had a gift card given to me by a friend (who I think actually got the card free from a rewards program). My gift card was for $25, so I paid a grand total of $7 plus tax for my new combo shower head.

Installation was a breeze, and performance has been great. It meant a LOT to me to be able to step under that warm waterfall in a cold bathroom, and enjoy a hands-free shower with no mishaps. Ultimate luxury, and I paid only $7 for the privilege. That has been one of my favorite self-pampering purchases of all time.

(By the way, in case you ARE interested in ordering one, I was looking for stock photos and I happened across the price at QVC being the best price today, at just over $29. Most places list it for $50-55 plus shipping, so unless you have coupons and a gift card like I did for Bed Bath and Beyond, QVC might be your best bet. Just wanted to share. http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.V30246.desc.HotelSpa-Stainless-Steel-MultiShowerhead-w-22-Slide-Bar )

How do shoppers find products for sale?

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:58:00 +0000

Today we’ll be looking at shopping from the opposite perspective – that of the internet marketer. When a company has a product or service to offer online, they are automatically in competition with the millions of other websites on the world wide web. If customers can’t find them, there is no way for them to make a sale, no matter how great their prices or how outstanding their products. We as consumers will enter a search term when we are ready to buy, and usually browse no more than the top two pages of search engine results – often no more than the first few websites that come up.

So how do companies offering products online manage to connect with shoppers? They must be able to drive their company’s website to the top of Google results (and other search engines). This is accomplished through search engine optimization marketing, or SEO marketing for short.

Among the most important factors in search engine optimization are quality backlinks – links to the company’s website from other places on the internet. So if you, as a consumer, find a great deal, and you post about it in a forum you visit, or within a blog post, you actually give a boost to the company you mention. The more people who mention them on the ‘net, or talk about them in social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc. the more the company can boost its ratings, helping other consumers find them as well. So when you post about great deals, you not only help your friends who read about it directly, you help others who may search for that item later, and their posts will help you in your searches as well.

Of course, savvy companies don’t rely completely on word of mouth. It’s a big world out there, and just about every business requires advertising or marketing of some sort. SEO services from professionals are available to help companies make sure that they are advertising for the right keywords -- words that buyers type in the search bar when they are seeking information or looking to buy, which brings serious consumers to the company willing to properly present themselves online.

Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on water heating costs

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:48:00 +0000

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.)

Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on soaps?

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 21:39:00 +0000

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.

The tradition of candy at Easter time

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:06:00 +0000

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.

Save money with duty-free shopping?

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:53:00 +0000

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.

Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on eating out

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:13:00 +0000

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).

Reasons

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:19:00 +0000

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.

Save money on your grocery bill

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:03:00 +0000

Grocery costs are probably one of the most significant expenses in our budget that is also very much under our control. But saving money on groceries doesn't have to mean eating lower quality food.

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.

Savvy shopping - quick tip - save on gym memberships!

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:58:00 +0000

Are you looking to join a gym to keep up on that New Year's Resolution to get in shape? If so, you are likely finding that the cost is around $35-50 per month, and you may be questioning if there is a way to save money on this expense.

There are several options that may be available to you. First, check the local colleges. You may be able to sign up for a community college exercise class for as little as $35 for the semester and have access to their gym all semester long.

You may be able to find an inexpensive program through community centers, local churches, or similar groups. You may be able to get a guest pass for a gym at a local hospital by volunteering for a few hours a month, or maybe you have a friend who lives in an apartment complex with a gym who would enjoy having a workout buddy. It's worth asking locals in an online community forum (try www.city-data.com/forum/) for opportunities specific to your area.

Coupon Savings Books -- see them in a new light!

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

I want to share with my readers today about a savvy shopping choice you may be overlooking. Coupon books.

I know, I can feel your pain. But please don't stop reading! You're going to want to hear this.

Children used to come to the door selling them, and to help them raise money, we always tried to buy the coupon books, cookie dough, or candles. We’d flip through our book, pull out a couple of coupons, then put it in a drawer, and forget about it until the coupons had all expired. Except for the fundraising part, it was wasted money.

But when my daughter sold the books to raise money for our school, I discovered I had it all wrong. This time I was determined not to “waste” the coupons, so I put the book in my purse. The next time we needed lunch on the go, I flipped to the book's fast food section. Right there, buy one-get one free at Chick-fil-a! The book “paid me” for 1/4 of its purchase price with that first coupon.

The following Sunday afternoon, she wanted to go out to lunch. Neither of us really knew where we wanted to go, so I flipped through the book. Hmmm … lunch special at a Mexican restaurant we’d never tried, buy 1-get 1 free. Trying a new place sounded like fun, so off we went. I would probably never have gone there if I hadn’t had that coupon, but I must say it became my all-time favorite Mexican restaurant! (Cazadores in Pensacola -- the flautas are to DIE for!) And I'd just saved enough to pay for the book. We were on a roll!

Working our way through the coupon book, we discovered MANY new places with fantastic food, and got to try them at half price. We had new favorite places to go, and the one or two that didn’t measure up … well, at least we only paid half as much to find out. It solved the dilemma of “Where do we eat today?” and made me feel MUCH better about eating out … at half price it comes out to pretty close to the cost of cooking at home. That year my daughter was involved in so many activities, it was hard not to eat out a few times a week so it was a win/win situation.

Not only that, but there were other offerings in the book as well. We got half-price movies, half price mini-golf, and discovered new fun things to do in our community. I even got my oil changed at a discount. The book paid for itself many times over, and we had a much better knowledge of what was offered in our community. The merchants benefit as well by getting new patrons, since we enjoyed so many of the places we visited so much that we became regulars, and recommended them to our friends as well. And the fundraising really helped with her schooling. I made it a point to tell everyone we sold a book to my experiences, and remind them to USE the books, and we had return customers for years.

Now, a little about the particular book we used. Published by FundRays, Inc., it is used exclusively by schools and other local non-profit groups as a fundraising tool, for which they earn 50% of the sales price. Their area includes Escambia, Baldwin, Okaloosa, and Mobile counties in Florida and Alabama. New books are due to be released February 8^th and will include between 170-220 coupons (depending on which area) with most of them being buy 1-get one free. Some of the merchants are TGI Fridays, Red Lobster, Sonny’s BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Subway, Sonic, Marble Slab Creamery, Big Kahuna’s Water Park, as well as many local-only restaurants, golf, and more.

If you live in one of these counties, we would strongly urge you to find a local school to support by buying a book, and treat yourself to great savings as well as a fun incentive to visit many new places and discover new favorites as we have done. And if you live in another area, give the local coupon books there a try as well. Whatever you do, don’t put them away in a drawer and forget them. Take them out and USE them and you will find they are well worth the cost!

Fantastic Kitchen Finds

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:39:00 +0000

I can always find things I want for my kitchen, but my search this time was for the unique. With the holidays coming up, it's a good time to keep your eyes open for great gift ideas.

Bar-B-Q Brander - The picture says "Your name here" but it comes with a full set of letters, so actually you can write any message you want on it. It's probably not the best way to propose "Marry me, Marsha!" and I wouldn't exactly advise you to stamp "USDA Armadillo" on your steaks but it could be fun ...

Heart Wooden Spoon - OK, now this one is just plain sweet. I love it! I have a set of wooden and stainless steel utensils in a ceramic jar next to my stove, and I could SO see this nestled in among my other spoons. Much as I love wooden spoons, it's actually hard to find one with rounded enough edges AND a deep enough bowl to be useful at all, so I would really love to have this. I'm sure any other cook on your list that enjoys wooden spoons, either for cooking or decoration, would love it as well!

The two previous items were both found at FunSlurp.com along with lots of other fun kitchen items, ranging from fridge magnets that mimic iPhone ap buttons to dachshund salt and pepper shakers. (Warning, the site also features an array of gag gifts that might be rated PG-13 or so.)

From foodiggity.com we found these cool little guys. These would be great for the party of a kid who is into martial arts, or to serve for an open house at a martial arts school, or just to offer up something a little different that's sure to catch attention. Ninjabread men!

You might not think a can-opener is anything to get excited about, but I have to tell you, I was really excited when I saw this one. We had one just like it growing up, and every time we moved, my mother took it down and brought it with us to be installed in the new kitchen. Most of the things we had were inexpensive and not fancy at all, but this top of the line can-opener was worth it's weight in gold. If you've ever struggled with a difficult can-opener, you can appreciate how useful one that punches through the lid and holds it securely, and opens it on the first try, with an effortlessly turned crank is. When wall-mounted, it isn't much good on the huge 8-pound cans, but for anything smaller it's the best there is. We found this at The Vermont Country Store, and it is DEFINITELY going on my list ... I've been looking for one like this for years!

Oh, and one more item from FunSlurp we wanted to mention, just for the Savvy Shopper aspect ... Cool Beans Ice Cubes. Instead of wasting leftover coffee, pour it into these CoolBeans ice trays and make coffee-bean shaped frozen coffee, and later you can enjoy an iced java that rivals one of the expensive coffee-shop offerings, cooled with ice that won't water down your coffee. This one ranks as Savvy!

Being Savvy is a MUST when it comes to mortgages

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:33:00 +0000

Shopping for mortgages has changed in the current economy. With the rash of foreclosures over the past several years, it has become harder to qualify in many cases, especially if you have bad credit, but it is not impossible. What has really changed are the options now available and the different financial situations where they may make sense.

In situations where the family has entered a hardship, it may be possible to qualify for a loan modification in order to make payments fit within the family budget. While a modification is possible even after a foreclosure date has been set, it is wise to start shopping for options as soon as you realize that your current situation is going to put you further into debt, so as to preserve your credit rating as much as possible and lessen the chances of added amounts being rolled into a modified principle.

Other types of mortgages exist that can make financial sense in certain situations. The Federal Housing Administration offers an FHA Energy Efficiency Mortgage to low income families in order to make their homes more energy efficient.

The changing housing market has had an impact on the wisdom of taking out home equity loans. It used to be that standard advice suggested it made more sense to borrow against your home’s equity in order to pay off higher-interest loans. That still can be the case, but it also led to many homeowners owing more toward their mortgages than the value of their homes when the housing market declined. Rather than expecting home values to always increase (as we now have clearly seen that they don’t) it is perhaps safer to leave as large a margin as possible in order to protect the equity you do have in your home.

These are just a few of the situations and types of loans you may consider. Many other options exist, some of them tailored to particular financial situations which can make them a wise choice, while for others they may not be.

The bottom line … it pays to be savvy when shopping for mortgages. After all, your home is probably the largest single purchase you will ever make, and the factors that affect how you pay for it will add up many times over, and have a larger impact on your overall financial picture than almost anything else is likely to do.

Book your savings here ! Ten ways to save money on books

noreply@blogger.com (GoldenBlogger) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:32:00 +0000

When Austin Phelps said "Wear the old coat and buy the new book" he meant that books were even better to spend money on than coats, but we'd like to talk about some ways you might be able to have both the book AND the coat ...

Libraries. Don't overlook these sources of free books. You have to return them, but many books are only to be read and after that will only take up space on a bookshelf anyway. For the newest fiction, or how-to books that you won't keep needing, this can be your best source. If you are fortunate enough to be part of a large library system or one with a good inter-library network, take advantage of it. I miss southern California!

Alibris.com is one of our favorite online sources. Books from Alibris are often available for free shipping, though this does not extend to those listed on the site by affiliated sellers, and is only available at certain times and with a minimum purchase (usually $30-$50)

eBay.com and Half.com can be good sources. Both of these can be super-cheap. eBay has a certain risk as sometimes sellers don't follow though, but PayPal offers some protection if you use their services (assuming the seller still has the funds in their account). I do always like to warn people though, since I once paid for a book through eBay and never received it.

Amazon.com is another good source. Used sellers sometimes sell books for a few pennies, so that you are only paying shipping, and other books are often available at a discount. Another site that we found in this category is BestBargainBooks.com which lists many books for 1 cent, however you do pay full shipping charges on each book rather than getting a discount for multiple purchases.

Overstock stores (like Tuesday Morning). These have been a great source for me when I was not looking for a particular title but only looking for books in general. Can be especially good if you want to give books as gifts, since they are often coffee-table editions at great prices.

Charity stores. (Goodwill, and other stores people donate things to be resold for a charity) These are sometimes super-cheap, depending on the whims of the people who run them. I've gotten hardcover books for 10 cents, and been given some books. Often the price runs closer to $1-$2 for hardcovers, which is still worthwhile if you find something you are looking for.

Used bookstores. They tend to have a good selection, but they also have the best knowledge of what their books are worth. If you like Harlequin romance, you can usually find them super cheap, but if you're wanting hardcover art books, they're going to be asking probably up to 50% of the cover price.

Online reading sources. Depending on what you are interested in, many MANY older books are available online totally free. Try searching authors or keywords for books written in the early 1900's or before. (I must admit, when the whole e-book craze started, we expected ebooks to be much cheaper than printed volumes, but as of yet their prices are barely discounted and they don't seem to offer an exceptional value unless you want to have digital rather than paper copies.)

Rummage sales and yard sales. These are usually almost give-away sources for books, though what you might find varies a lot. Not necessarily a good source, but if you are browsing anyway, it's worth taking a look.

Online search. It's always worth putting in the exact title of the book in quotes and doing a search, and you might find a source that offers the book for less than the ones we've mentioned.

Good reading!!!