Best Money Saving Tips Contest

[#1]

We save by:

1. Printing & cutting online grocery coupons & newspaper coupons -- we use them at grocery stores, Target, Walmart & pharmacies. Only use coupons for items you will definitely use -- don't buy it just because it's on sale. If the generic is cheaper, then purchase it instead.
2. Sign up for on all name brand merchants websites(ie. Gap, Children's Place, Ann Taylor, Nine West, Victoria's Secret, etc.) -- they constantly alert you to sales & special coupon codes or printable coupons (or they mail them to you).
3. Use only credit cards that offer rewards points or gift cards.  We use an American Express card for all of our monthly bills and pay it off at the end of the month -- we usually get a $25 gift card to one of our favorite restaurants each month by doing this.
4. Compare items from retail stores with their online store (sometimes they offer deeper discounts online -- but if they don't offer free shipping, then it may not be worth it).  Always check for online codes before checkout (RetailMeNot.com -- is about the best).
5. Keep original receipts (even for online purchases for 30 days) -- don't be afraid to ask or check merchant's terms for Price Adjustments -- it varies from store to store (7 - 30 days from original purchase date).  You can save a ton of money -- like the boots that I just purchased that went on sale again a week later
6. Scope out the best prices for gas on your way to and from work (it may be cheaper by your work than getting it at home).
7. Download the Upromise toolbar -- it can save you more money than you think.
8. Eat out as little as possible -- if we do eat out, this is where are "freebie" gift cards from our credit cards come in handy.
9. Buy memberships to zoos, aquariums & museums -- they're usually tax write-offs and usually pay for themselves by the 2nd or 3rd visit.
10. Never pay full-price for movie tickets -- buy a few movie tickets through Costco, Entertainment Book, or on campus (they're usually 30% cheaper) and use them throughout the year (some may have block-out dates, but read the fine print).
11. Subscribe to basic cable/satellite TV & pay a few dollars more to Netflix or Blockbuster.com and rent movies online (you don't have to worry about turning them back in late, late fees, or wasting gas driving all over town trying to get to one).
12. Periodically check mortgage rates and see if it's a good time to refinance -- maybe shorten the term of your mortgage and the interest rate. 
13. Do you really use all those minutes on your cell phone?  If you're no longer in a contract, see about downgrading to a cheaper plan -- it can save you lots in a year.
14. If you're buying a new car, shop at the same time for car insurance -- we saved $500 in a year by doing this.  And buy a car that's fuel efficient -- even if it's an SUV -- pay a little extra for a reliable fuel efficient car -- it's less repairs and less on gas.

[#2]

My savings tips: (especially for parents)

• Shop through Upomise! not only to get the college savings but to take advantage of great website coupon links!
• Add the Upromise Guest shopping link in the signature of your personal & work emails
• Online shopping, I do the majority of my shopping online. I compare prices throughout the web & then I search for additional coupon codes (many sites let you use more than 1) I use www.jumpondeals.com most often or I will do a google search for "Toys R Us coupon codes" for example.
• EBAY is a great place to save money also. If you are familiar with what you are looking for, try misspelling a word to swoop in on a deal that no one else will notice.
• Activate your Upromise coupons, Use your manufacturers coupons in the store & then watch the Upomise coupons add to your acount balance.
• If you have small children, Use Pampers Rewards. The codes are on all Pampers products & add up in your account to purchase gift cards, toys, etc...
• Save your Beech nut baby food labels, once you get 48 mail them in for a coupon book.
• Also Pepsi & Coke rewards points.. they work the same as Pampers
• Watch for Rebates... Rite Aid does rebates for free merchandise every week & they send you a check that you could use in the store to pay for your next round of free with rebate supplies.
• Take advantage of the free samples from Walmart.com..  most of them come with coupons too.
• Certain Surveys are great too, some pay cash, some give gift cards, or coupons.
• For Holiday Gift Giving, homemade or handcrafted items are great!! Baked goods packaged in tins or make your own gift basket. The dollar store has some great baskets for that.
• Save old wipes containers to organize the kids crayons & markers.
• Use your babyfood jars to organize craft supplies, or nails, screws.. rubber bands.

Thanks for letting me share!!!!

[#3]

Hi, here's a very specific money saver- if you live near a Chili's restaurant and have an urge for some corn ships and salsa, DON'T pay 3.99 for a bag of Tostitos and another 2.99 for a jar of salsa at the grocery store of gas station. Go to the takeout at Chili's and get a big bag of their warm and great corn chips (you get MORE than you would in a grocery size bag) PLUS a container of salsa (a good cup and a half) for 2.99 plus your local tax, if any. (At least that's the price in Connecticut). Great for when the teenagers have friends over, a couple of these are better and cheaper than grocery store alternatives. Or for sneaking in to the movies, you might have to have an extra bag to divvy the chips up!

[#4]

to Sq101 (or is it Sg101)

Memberships to zoos and aquariums and museums are NOT tax deductible. However, people who buy "benefactor" or any higher level of membership beyond the standard individual/family type at such a place can usually write off a portion, because that extra amount is considered a gift-the institution will tell you how much the deductible/gift portion is.. Memberships are NOT gifts, there is a quid pro quo- admission to the place, which normally has an admission price.

[#5]

Save on your holiday shopping by shopping on ebay.  I told all my friends and family that I was saving money and saving the environment.  I'm buying all of my gifts on ebay through the Upromise toolbar of course.  I am also only buying pre owned or used items.  I find that I'm saving more than 50% off what I would have paid retail for the items, they are in great condition, and I am spending a lot more time getting meaningful gifts for people. My friends and family are in total support because they know times are rough and I think they are really looking forward to seeing what great finds I've come up with. 

[#6]

I am a stay at home mom with 4 little ones at home so I am alway trying to save money and time. 

-I do most all of my shopping online. (through Upromsie)

-I never buy anything that is not on sale.

-I always try to get either free or discount shipping.

-I shop on ebay and amazon a lot and set a limit to what I am willing to spend.

-I always sign up for coupons.

-On black friday I stayed local and only went to 2 stores.

-My kids and I always make some of our christmas presents, and for crafting supplies I go to Joanne's, Michael's and the dollar store.  And use lots of coupons.

-I keep my eyes open throughout the year and if I see something that I think someone might like for Christmas for a good deal I buy it and put it away until that Christmas.

-I buy my gift wrap at the dollar store.

-I make my own chritmas cards.

-I use swaptree.com to swap for things that I want.

-I buy clearance items after the holidays.

-I belong to BJ's club so that I can get my gas for a much cheaper price a well as my food and necessities in bulk using coupons of course.

-My husband and I group trips to the store together so that we can reduce the amount of gas that we use.

-My kids and I make a lot of our ornaments.

-I waited for tickets to go on sale to see the Nutcracker ballet with my kids this year.

[#7]

Since Upromise is education oriented and about getting a college
education, I would like to share a lesson I taught in my
high school math class.  You need to figure "REAL" cost of spending
that dollar now versus delayed gratification.  I constantly run into
past students that say "thank you" over and over for this simple
tip which is hard to internalize. 

If you use a compound interest calculator such as

http://www.moneychimp.com/calculator/compound_interest_calculator.htm

Current Principal: 0.00
Annual Additon:   12.00 (or a dollar each month)
Years to grow:    18yrs for a new baby education fund
Interest Rate:     5%   Average rate
Compounded daily 365  (the way most bank accounts work)
Future Value; 350.32

So is saving that $1.00 worth $350 to you.  Each savings
really adds up when compounded over time.

Of course, it works in the opposite

Try the debt calcualor on this same web site
Current Debt: 1,000 on your credit card
Interest Rate: 18.5%
Your Monthly Payment: $20  Months to Pay 94 and Total Interest $861
Your Monthly Payment: $21  Months to Pay 84 and Total Interest $762
Your Monthly Payment: $25  Months to Pay 62 and Total Interest $527

In general, Every dollar I pay on principal on my home mortgage reduces
my interst due by almost another dollar especially at the first of the
loan.  So since I have debt, I say to myself every time I buy
something is it worth twice that amount.

So once you learn this frame of mind, you can apply it to anything.
For example, as retired couple we are sandwiched between our young
adult children (Denver) and our aging parents and extended family
(Oklahoma City).  Flying is expensive but need to figure out
how to get the best value for my dollars. We were able
to book non/stop flights with Christmas with both on Southwest.

Albuquerque to Denver $69.00
Denver to Oklahoma City $98.00
Oklahoma City to Denver $143.00
Denver to Albuquerque   $80.00
             Total      $400.00

The same flight from Albuquerque to Oklahoma City was $415.00 with
one stop in Dallas. Also, this gives us twice the number of frequent
flier credits.  So now we have enough for a free flight for our
other young adult child and our 12 month old granddaugher to visit us
in the spring. They have few vacation days so they have to book on prime flight times so the flight coupon is worth $616 from Pittsburgh to Albuquerque round trip.

So saving money is not about not having fun now.  It's about pricing the
fun to see if it is worth the REAL cost of spending that dollar now or
later.  With a little creativity you can get most items within your
price range you are willing to pay or not pay.

[#8]

I'm sure most of my ideas are found in others posts given the timing of my post..but I figured it is worth a shot

-- Given is sign up for upromise

--get the Sunday paper. Ask friends/family to give you the coupons they did not clip ( my mother saves the ones she doesn't want for me)

--buy items that are on sale and you have a coupon for (esp. during the triple coupon weeks) and if buying baby formula use a check from the formula company in addition to the store checkout coupon...and use your upromise credit card to pay for the food only if you have purchased items that will qualify you for the 10% back... otherwise right now I'm using one of my other cards with 5% cash back for all food shopping through the end of the year

-- ALWAYS ask for the checkout/register coupons at the food store (sometimes the cashiers forget to give me mine...)

-- take advantage of pretax flexible spending accounts for dependant care and healthcare

-- get a flu shot so you will reduce your chances of getting the flu (and needing to spend money on rememdies) since most health insurance companies cover the flu shot 100%

-- take a multivitamin everyday so you reduce your chances of getting a cold/sick

-- buy bread when its on sale with a coupon and freeze it

-- do not have any shame when it comes to baby formula. I literally purchased all the 20% bonus cans of Enfamil at Target (okay several target stores in the Bucks County area..)

-- take advantage of your food store's baby club if you have a young one... it oftentimes is cheaper than a warehouse club

[#9]

Here are my eBay tips:

1. Got to your local grocery store that participates in fuel savings programs and buy an eBay gift card. (Best to buy them when the store is offering double fuel savings!)

2. Purchase the gift card with your credit/debit card that offers rewards for purchases.

3. Logon to UPromise and click on the link to eBay.

4. Purchase and item using Buy It Now.

5. Use part of the giftcard and pay the rest through Paypal with a registered credit card.

6. You will have earned fuel, college savings and credit card rewards on the products you have purchased.

[#10]

I know it is probably too late for the contest, but I had to share.  My husband and I did the desert island diet whenever we bought our first house.  Over a period of a couple of months we saved hundreds with this diet.  So, you are wondering how to save money using a diet?

Well the desert island diet works if you are like most people who have a pantry and freezer full of food.  Most of us stock up on items and we still go shopping regularly because we don't want what we have at home.  The desert island diet only allows you to by staple items at the store: milk, eggs, bread, etc.  Those things that go bad and are important to most meals.  So, what you do is force yourself to use the items you have.  We were able to do this for almost two months!  We had a lot of meat in the freezer and plenty of other items in our pantry.  I was able to get creative and try different recipes. 

If you are someone who can't help yourself when you go to the store, and you always walk out with more than you needed - then you can even stop at the local gas station to get the milk and eggs.  You may pay more there, but you will save by not buying all those other things at the store!