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Save A Buck
Related Links:
I believe just about everyone - including all those exalted
billionaires, millionaires (although a million just ain't what it used to be) and other assorted, sundry folks who consider
themselves wealthy - likes to save a buck or two when they can. This page might just have some frugal
suggestions, or ideas, that will be useful to almost anyone who wants to save a buck.
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AIRLINE TICKETS
If you book a flight far in advance of your departure date, monitor the
price of your exact flight. If the price happens to fall below what you paid prior to your departure, contact the airline
and ask for a refund on the difference you paid.
BUYING IN BULK
Buying in bulk is a great way to save money and save on extra trips to
the store. When there's extra trips, you always buy more than what you went for. Great Bulk items are toilet paper,
paper towels, kleenex, laundry detergent etc.
CAR RENTAL
You'll pay an airport surcharge of up to $25 if you rent a car at the airport. But you can skip that extra
charge, and get a lower daily rate by choosing a rental place a few miles away. Take a cab or bus to a rental place and you
can save $12 or more a day. For a two-week vacation that's a savings of a $168!
CELL PHONES
Dropped Calls
Experiencing dropped calls on your cell phone? There's no need to get a new phone -- even if your phone
is a few years old. Take your phone to your service provider and request a software upgrade. Typically, the service is free.
Dropped calls can occur when the software version is up-graded on the cell phone towers but not on your cell phone.
CLEANING DISINFECTANT
Cleaning Disinfectant : Vinegar (either
white or cider) is the best disinfectant around. It beats anything man made and is certainly healthier and cheaper, use vinegar
all around the house to disinfect and clean many surfaces, although don't use this on furniture made with fabric.
You can use vinegar straight or equal parts vinegar and water.
CLOGGED DRAINS
To keep drains running free and easy, and to prevent the high cost of
plumber fees; don't wait until the problem is there, prevent it by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, followed with
1/2 cup white vinegar. This solution will foam, (this is supposed to happen). Cover the drain and leave for 30 minutes. FLush
with cool water. Do this once a month for pennies, to save hundreds down the line!
COMPETITOR ADVERTISING
Many stores have a policy to match their competitor's prices. If
you see something in the newspaper that you want, but don't want to travel to that particular store to get it, cut the advertisement
out and take it to your local store.
CREDIT CARDS
Instead of using an airline credit card that accumulates mileage, use
a cash-back Rewards card. The miles accrued on a credit card often have blackout dates and deadlines. Instead, earn money
from your cash-back card and use the money to invest or buy the ticket after shopping for the lowest price.
CREDIT SCORE
What does your credit score have to do with getting a good deal on insurance?
More than you might think. Insurance companies frequently check your credit score to determine how much they should
charge you for insurance. Consider it one more reason to stay on top of your credit.
DEBT
Good Debt:
Some of your debt might be considered an investment. You’re probably thinking,
“How can anything as bad as debt be considered an investment!” If the debt was incurred to purchase something
that will appreciate in value and can contribute to your overall financial health, then it’s very possible that debt
is a good one. For example, a home purchase can be considered to be a good debt.
Bad Debt:
Just
like there is good debt, there are some bad debts too. When you use debt to finance things that can be consumed, you aren’t
accumulating good debt. This is the kind of debt that creates an unhealthy financial situation. Credit card debt is often
considered bad debt because of the nature of items that credit cards are used to purchase. You should never accumulate debt
to purchase everyday items like clothes or food. If you use a credit card for these types of purchases, you should pay the
balance in full each month.
Even debt used to finance a vacation is bad debt. Even though it might help you feel better
and be more productive once you return, a vacation does not appreciate in value. Don’t use debt to pay for a vacation
and especially don’t use it to pay for a vacation you can’t afford.
Putting It Into Practice:
Good debt is obtained through making wise decisions about your future, not for the sole purpose of having good
debt. For example, you might make the decision to obtain your
Master’s degree to increase your earning potential.
Taking out a student loan, if you have no other way of financing your education, is a valid reason for taking on additional
debt.
Let’s say you’re analyzing your financial picture, trying to decide how to pay off your debts. It’s
usually a good idea to focus on paying off your bad debts first. Since they provide no value, they're more costly than your
good debts. You should pay off credit cards and auto loans before tackling mortgages or student loans.
Some people
consider using good debt to pay off bad debt, like getting a mortgage for $110,000 instead of $100,000 and using the extra
to pay off credit card balances. This
isn’t a good idea for several reasons. First, repaying debt with debt is never
a good idea. Second, it ends up taking longer to pay off the mortgage than it would have otherwise. Third, the higher mortgage
increases your monthly payments and the time it takes to build equity in your home. Use cash to repay debts, not more debt.
You must still be careful that you don’t take on too much debt, even if it’s good debt. If you’re
overloaded with debt, then it doesn’t matter whether the debt is good or bad, it still hurts your financial health.
Reducing Debt can help you come up with a plan to reduce your debt to a healthier, more manageable level.
Copyright NextEra Media. 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward this, in its entirety, to others.
DEODORANT STAINS
Remove Deodorant stains with a hand Steamer. They will evaporate instantly. No Steamer? No problem...Take a pair of pantyhose...
they work like an eraser jusr rub against the stain.
DILUTE WITH WATER
"Stretch" everything as much as you possibly can. For example, you can dilute these products with water, or cut them
in half and they will work just as well: toothpaste, shampoo, hair conditioner, dish detergent, dishwasher soap, and laundry
soap.
DOG SHAMPOO
Make your own dog shampoo - clean and deodorize your dog with baking
soda....
Dog shampoo should clean your dog, but it shouldn't clean out your wallet at the same time. For a low-cost dog
shampoo that really works, sprinkle baking soda onto your dog's coat; and rub it in with your hands. Then, follow up
with a good brushing--it'll leave your dog's coat shiny, clean and odor-free.
Baking soda neutralizes odors,
while its gritty texture grabs and removes stuck on dirt and oils.
Benefits of Shampooing with Baking Soda:
inexpensive, no harsh chemicals to irritate skin, fragrance-free, neutralizes odors, rather than covering them up, kills fleas
naturally.
FLOOR MATS
Floors mats are a great investment if you want to protect the appearance
and resale value of your car. You donīt need to buy expensive floor mats made just for that purpose. Pick up some inexpensive
carpet samples and use them instead.
GASOLINE
When you're finished pumping gas in your tank, turn the pump off and
then squeeze the pump handle. You'll get the extra little shot of gas that was left in the hose. You've already paid for it
so you might as well take it!
GIFTS
A gift doesn't always come with a price tag. Some of
the most special and precious gifts are a BIG 'ole bear hug, or a gift of service. Doing something for someone just out of
the blue may mean more then any material gift. A homemade card or made up poem of how you really feel can be very rewarding
to that person. Plus it's a gift that keeps on giving...
REFRIGERATORS
Cleaning behind your refrigerator will keep it running longer and more
efficiently. Another fridge cleaning tip: Make sure the unit is level. An unlevel refrigerator works harder than it needs
to and wastes energy.
RUBBER BANDS
Keep rubber bands in the fridge....they'll
last longer.
SAVE ON ENERGY & GAS BILLS
Using Glass Dishes Makes A Difference:
When baking, oven heat can be lowered 25° if you use glass or ceramic
baking dishes, they retain heat better than roasting pans. This helps save on your gas bill.
SPOILED FOOD
When you go away on vacation, place a baggie with a few ice cubes in
the freezer. If a power failure occurs while you are gone and the food thaws and then refreezes you will know about it when
you get home.
TRACING LOST ITEMS
Keep track of belongings that you may leave behind in your hotel. Many
hotels give away matchbooks. Just because you don't smoke does not mean that you cannot have a book. Take one from each
hotel you stay in during your trip. That way, if you leave something behind, you'll have the name and address of every place
you've been.
WEEDS
To Keep weeds or grass from growing in your patio or sidewalk cracks,
heat a gallon of water with a pound of salt. Stir well and pour between the cracks. This is cheaper and works just as well
as the name brands.
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