Do you remember the last time that you walked into a library? A lot of us have not seen the inside of one since we worked on our last school paper! During these harsh economic times, it is becoming a popular hangout- for multiple reasons.
The following is a list of services available at most libraries today, typically for FREE, but at times for a minimal nominal fee (i.e. $1 or $2):
Read books, magazines and newspapers, especially when you are trying to get a copy of an older book that has been out of print for some time.
Internet access to check your email, job hunt or simply browse the internet.
Day passes to local attractions such as zoos, aquariums, museums, etc.
Check out media materials like audio books and DVD's.
Kid activities like storytelling and arts and crafts.
Reading clubs where you can meet people whom you share similar interests with.
Seminars in home buying or purchase of electronics (i.e. television, appliance).
Health screenings like blood pressure, and programs about weight loss and exercise.
Review the many job postings employers place at the libraries.
Workshops like resume writing, computer training and job fairs.
Play chess, backgammon or put a puzzle together.
Print documents, resumes or directions.
If you enjoy peace and quiet, or simply want to get away from a noisy house and relax, the library is a great alternate solution.
Please do not forget to speak with your librarian about any ideas or suggestions that you may have as they consider guests their customers, and want to help.
You have the day off and feel like watching a movie that was recently playing in the big screen- what are your options when you are on a budget? You could go to a matinee, but even for a party of 2 you are looking at around $12; you could purchase an OnDemand movie starting at $4.99; or you can venture out to your local supermarket (i.e. Shop Rite), large chain store (i.e. WalMart), pharmacy (i.e. Walgreens), or popular fast food restaurant (i.e. McDonald's), where you will find DVD rental kiosks for $1 a day- no subscriptions or memberships required!
Check out our top contenders and there websites for your closest location and available selections:
If you are in a very tight financial situation pinching pennies- you can't go wrong! You may want to keep in mind travel cost when deciding where to get yours at. Typically, your grocery store is close enough that you drive by on a daily basis.
Let me know what you think and if you have a personal preference!
You can earn FREE deals by using your Facebook account. Many manufacturers are now using the Like feature as a promotional tool; that means Like there product, then select the tab to fill out your information. A few weeks later, your FREE product will be in your mailbox!
Some of the current offers.....
Folgers is offering free special roast coffee samples.
Eucerin will send you there Daily Skin Balance lotion.
Nothing beats a FREE deal. If you are like most of us, you need your cup of joe to get you going in the morning, but what better way to get your day started than with a FREE cup of Seattle's Best Coffee, compliments of Burger King every Friday in November during breakfast hours. And why not end the day with a FREE Orange 'N Creme Swirl from our friends at Taco Bell.
With the holidays around the corner, you could easily go over your new budget- but you don't have to! Stay on track and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones thanks to the miracles of internet shopping. It does not only simplify life (no more standing in long lines!), it also allows us for us to stick to our budgets easier (i.e. if you see that your order total is higher than what you can afford, you can easily delete or substitute items); most importantly, it allows you to search for additional savings.
Whether you are looking to buy a new outfit, a gift card, or even dancing lessons; do not forget to visit my top sites to search for your discount codes before placing that order!
For decades in the USA we have been paying for our TV shows via a monthly subscription with our local cable or satellite provider. Nowadays you can even view some TV shows via your cell phone- for a price! Regardless of how much competition there may be, on the low end, packages start around $30, but add fees for remote(s), box(es), and premium channels; before taxes, the average household is actually spending between $65 and $100 a month. That is a pretty penny for entertainment in your own house! Especially, when you are struggling as is to make that mortgage or rent payment. Thankfully, it is the 21st century and we have more options, FREE options! Chances are your internet subscription is lower than your cable bill. There is no reason you should be paying over $20 a month if any at all. If your neighbors are kind enough to have an unsecured connection, and your computer is only a few years old, you can tap into there wireless connection. My top choices for free (and download free) internet TV are....
hulu.com::Ever since we had to cancel cable at our house, hulu.com is all we watch. It allows us to not only catch up with today's new shows, but those from the past like The A-Team and Who's The Boss. Great memories!
crackle.com Somewhat alike hulu.com, but with a larger library of movies. Also, each of there selections are supposed to be ironic (i.e. make you crackle).
wwitv.com The beauty about wwitv.com (which stands for World Wide Internet TV) is the opportunity of watching live streaming TV not only across the USA but throughout the world! Say you grew up overseas or relocated from New York City to Kansas due to work, but miss your local station that you grew up with- you may be able to find it right online! Some of the options are prerecorded shows, but I like to stick to LIVE streaming video.
youtube.com Okay, so millions of users have been using youtube to share family videos or perhaps get there "5 minutes" (did you know that is how Justin Bieber was discovered??), but it is also a great place to catch up with some of your TV shows and movies. The downfall- with a maximum video length of 10 minutes, most shows will have to be watched in more than one clip.
So set aside the money you had been giving away to the cable company, and put it instead towards paying off those credit cards, starting (or adding) a rainy day fund, or simply put towards your retirement!
You want to start by planning ahead; check your mail for the weekly circular or go onto the stores website. You want to create your shopping list based solely on sales- guess what, not too much thinking and you have already saved at least 10%!
Next, check my favorite grocery coupons sites: www.smartsource.com, www.redplum.com and www.coupons.com. ONLY print coupons of items that you need. Yes, I know it sounds like common sense, but I hear of so many people printing all the items. Just remember, we are trying to reduce our expenses and printing costs us money.
Sometimes you get lucky and coupons you just printed are for items already on sale at your local supermarket. For example, imitation crab meat is on sale from its regular $3.50 per package to BOGO (buy one get one free); that is an automatic 50% savings of $3.50. You also found coupons online for $1 off each package. So for the 2 packages that I would typically pay $7.00 I am now getting at only $1.50!! That is 80% in savings!! Not all items will fall under this category but typically you can find great pantry staples like cereal, butter, coffee; stock up!
Now you are probably thinking "what if something I want is not on sale?" Great question! First, realize whether it is a real needOR whether it is a want. If you conclude that you still need it but it is not on sale, compare prices once at the store. Typically, store brands are manufactured at the same plant as the brands, just have different packaging. Do not be fooled by brands!
Also, lookout for store specials that are not advertised in the weekly flyer. These items are typically sectioned off because the packaging is dented, they need to be consumed within 24 hours, or products which are being discontinued , and you can get at up 50% off! Items that you may find vary anywhere from shampoo to bread.
Lastly, have a budget and know ahead of time how much your total bill will be. This way you will avoid throwing onto your cart non-essential items, but it also helps avoid the headache of checking your receipt while holding up the line in case something did not ring up correctly.
Once you start seeing that your bill comes up to $30 and you saved $28 it not only gets exciting, but you can turn it into a fun game and see how much you can save on your next trip. Make it fun!
With a college degree and over 10 years of experience in the financial industry, I too have been affected (just like everyone else) by the economy. Fortunately, I have been savvy enough to be able to apply my resourceful ways to work in my best interest and be able to pay for our mortgage and bills while only earning minimum wage.
While this life experience still continues to be a struggle, it has taught me and reminded me how much I enjoy helping others, so I decided to start my own blog in hope to inspire others!
Do you remember the last time that you walked into a library? A lot of us have not seen the inside of one since we worked on our last school paper! During these harsh economic times, it is becoming a popular hangout- for multiple reasons.
The following is a list of services available at most libraries today, typically for FREE, but at times for a minimal nominal fee (i.e. $1 or $2):
- Read books, magazines and newspapers, especially when you are trying to get a copy of an older book that has been out of print for some time.
- Internet access to check your email, job hunt or simply browse the internet.
- Day passes to local attractions such as zoos, aquariums, museums, etc.
- Check out media materials like audio books and DVD's.
- Kid activities like storytelling and arts and crafts.
- Reading clubs where you can meet people whom you share similar interests with.
- Seminars in home buying or purchase of electronics (i.e. television, appliance).
- Health screenings like blood pressure, and programs about weight loss and exercise.
- Review the many job postings employers place at the libraries.
- Workshops like resume writing, computer training and job fairs.
- Play chess, backgammon or put a puzzle together.
- Print documents, resumes or directions.
If you enjoy peace and quiet, or simply want to get away from a noisy house and relax, the library is a great alternate solution.Please do not forget to speak with your librarian about any ideas or suggestions that you may have as they consider guests their customers, and want to help.