Happy Thanksgiving

Today I want to wish each and everyone of my readers a Happy and safe Thanksgiving. I am going to share one of my favorite recipes with you for leftover turkey.

Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
This tasty turkey casserole recipe is made with leftover turkey, leftover stuffing and gravy, and a little cranberry sauce for topping.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
4 cups prepared turkey stuffing
2 cups cooked cut up or sliced turkey
1 3/4 to 2 cups prepared turkey gravy
1/3 cup jellied or whole cranberry sauce, cubed
Preparation:
Butter bottom and sides of 2-quart baking dish. Arrange half of the stuffing in bottom of dish. Add half of the turkey then half of the gravy. Repeat layers. Top with cubes of cranberry sauce. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
Serves 4.

Tips To Stay Safe On Black Friday

Last week we discussed having a plan for Black Friday. If you have never gone shopping on this day you are in for a shock. There will be hundreds if not thousands of people after the same items as you are. People can become angry and things can get out of hand very quickly. Here are some tips to keep you safe while shopping on Black Friday.

People can get angry and rude very quick. If they see you picking up the last of an item they may become angry and rude towards you. Don't get into a confrontation with them. You don't know these people or know what they could be capable of doing. People have been hurt shopping on Black Friday. People have gotten involved in physical confrontations over toys. It's best to just get away from the situation. Find a store employee if someone won't leave you alone.

Don't bring much cash on Black Friday. Crooks will be out looking for people to steal from. Don't leave your purse in a shopping cart while you turn to get something. Chances are it will be gone when you turn back around. Keep a hand on your purse at all times. Better yet get a fanny pack to wear. Also, cash can get lost. You can drop it while digging in your purse or pocket for your keys. Use your bank card whenever possible.

Use common sense when shopping this Friday. There is no item however great the deal worth you getting hurt or worse. Don't go stampeding into the store when the door is opened. People can get trampled on. You want to get the deals, but do so safely, and remember you could always stay home and shop online.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Online

With Black Friday just a week away I wanted to remind those who were not going out to the stores that they can still take advantage of the great deals online. Several stores will be having the same items on their websites that they do in the stores on Black Friday.

The stores offering the sales online often begin at midnight. The others will wait until the same time the sale begins in the store. If there is something you want it is a good idea to be on the site and already registered before the sale begins. On Black Friday the web servers will be very busy and the sites will be super slow. Have patience and you will get your items.

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Black Friday. This is when the rest of the online stores will have sales. Even some of the stores that offered their Black Friday deals online will participate on Cyber Monday.

Before you place your order check and see if you can find any coupon codes to help save on shipping costs, or even offer a discount on the items you are purchasing. If you do a search for Cyber Monday you will find sites listing the deals you can find. Also, the sites that list Black Friday deals usually post whether the store will be offering the deals online as well.

Black Friday Plan of Attack Part 2

Earlier in the week we talked about leaving your manners at the entrance if you are planning on shopping this Black Friday. Today I am going to share some tips to help you make the most of your shopping experience.

First tip I am going to share is to take helpers. Several stores have customers line up next to the item they want. You can't be more than one place at a time so you need some reliable helpers. These helpers need to understand they may have to be assertive to get the items. It is handy if you each have a cell phone to keep in touch.

Second tip is to leave the buggy behind. You may have your hands full, but at least you will get your items. Maneuvering a shopping cart is next to impossible with the crowds. You will be stuck waiting and miss out on the items you wanted. You could leave someone behind with a cart so you can empty your hands occasionally.

Third and this is very important, leave small children at home. Black Friday is no place for little ones. Things can turn ugly on Black Friday with people pushing and shoving, You do not want something to happen to your child. It is also easier if you are not worried about keeping an eye on a child that day. You will be busy looking for the items you want. Besides little kids might be afraid of all the commotion.

The last tips I am going to offer is to know what you are after. Several sites have the Black Friday ads already posted. Look through them and make a list of the items you want. This will help you plan how many helpers you are going to need. Some stores offer a map to let you know where the big ticket items like electronics are going to be located.

If this sounds like too much of a hassle for you don't worry, several of the major stores will be having sales online on Black Friday. Be sure to check for coupon codes.

Plan of Attack for Black Friday Shopping Part 1

If you have never been shopping on Black Friday you are going to be shocked at how many people will be out that day. People take shopping on Black Friday very serious. They plan for weeks ahead of time an attack plan to get all the items on their shopping list. This week I will be sharing my secrets and help you plan your Black Friday shopping attack plan.

First if you are going to shop on Black Friday you have to leave most of your manners at the front door. People are rude on Black Friday. They will be pushing and shoving. There are so many of each item and everyone wants to make sure they get what they came for. People will take things right out of your shopping cart if you don't keep an eye on it at all times.

Black Friday shopping is not for the weak of heart. If you let it the crowds, lines, and rude people could really damper your holiday spirit. You have to put all those feelings aside and concentrate on the main goal, getting the items on your list.

You have to be assertive. Don't let people push you out of the way. If you can't do this you better take along some friends who can. There are lots of great deals to be had on Black Friday. It's just a matter of who planned ahead. They will be the ones scoring the deals.

Our next post will focus on tips for your Black Friday attack plan. If you plan on being out that day, you better start your plan now, or-plan on staying home and shopping online.

Photo created by Robert Linder

Where to Find This Year's Hottest Holiday Toys

The holiday shopping season is upon us. If you have kids you have been hearing I want this, I want that for the last few weeks. Now all you have to do is find those hot toys your kids are wanting. Finding the hottest toys of the holiday season can be a challenge to say the least. Many of us remember when Tickle Me Elmo was all the rage.

Some parents give up on finding the year's hottest toys before they even start their shopping. They automatically assume they won't be able to find them. This is not always true. Most of the time with a little extra work you can find the toy your child wants for Christmas.

Begin by calling your local stores. Ask them when the toy is due in the store. Find out when the toy will be placed on the shelves. Some stores will be more than willing to share this information. Sometimes a store might be kind enough to hold an item for you. With the more popular toys they are usually first come first serve. Be there when the store opens and you might have a better chance of getting the toy you are searching for.

Next look online. The internet gives you access to thousands of stores. Sure you will have to pay shipping, but you won't have to tread all over town looking either. Sometimes the toy will be more expensive online. Especially if the item is really popular. You have to decide if you want to pay the higher price or wait until after the holiday season is over. For example, this year the Zhu-Zhu is one of the year's hottest toys. You cannot find one anywhere. If you look online they are way overpriced.

In the store they go for $8.00. I have seen them going for well over $60.00 online. Now I have to decide if I want to pay that and make my child happy, or hope they will be happy with their other gifts that they don't notice the missing Zhu-Zhu pet.

If you are looking online, check for coupon codes to help save with the costs. Don't give up on finding the year's hottest toys. Just keep looking both online and in brick and mortar stores.

Happy Veterans Day

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of the men and women who have or are currently serving in any branch of the service. You are all truly heroes for giving your all to protect us.
Thank you!

Save Time and Money by Shopping Online This Holiday Season

If you don't enjoy standing in long lines or being pushed by rude customers maybe you should consider doing your holiday shopping online. Shopping online can save you time, frustration, and money.

Shopping online allows you to take your time looking for the perfect gift. There will be nobody pushing you through the aisle. You can shop at any hour. If you have some time free during your lunch you can shop then. You don't have to worry about traffic or crowds.

Online stores want you to do your business with them. They are offering great holiday deals. You can also find practically anything you are looking for online. There are even sites that offer grocery shopping.

When shopping online you can find coupon codes to save on the cost and shipping. Sometimes these codes will offer deals like buy 1 get 1 free. Always check for a coupon before making your purchase.

On Black Friday several of the stores will be offering the same deals you would find in the actual store online. This means no crowds, no rude people, and no standing in the cold for hours. You will need to be online when the sale begins. You do have the chance of the stores server going down due to lots of people being on the site at the same time. However, stores are getting better prepared to handle the extra web traffic.

So if you dread holiday shopping because of long lines and crowds now you have another option.

Stores are Starting Black Friday Early

If you love getting the great deals on Black Friday, get ready because several stores are already starting the sales. Several stores are offering Black Friday deals to get customers in the stores earlier. This can be a great way of getting Christmas gifts without fighting the crowds.

Stores that are offering Black Friday deals now or this weekend include Wal-mart, Sears, Big lots, and Toy's R US. Some of the items on sale now are electronics like big screen TV's and computers.

If you avoid the Black Friday mad rush due to the crowds or the cold you might want to take advantage of the sales happening now. There shouldn't be as big of a crowd unless you are going after a big ticket item. Stores will have limited quantities. If you want a big screen or laptop your best bet is to arrive early. You could always call your store and see if some nice employee will tell you how many they have in stock.

Start shopping now and you can spread out the cost of Christmas shopping over November and December. Waiting until the last minute does not necessarily guarantee a better deal. Don't forget to check online for deals. Some of the stores are offering online deals that won't be available in the actual brick and mortar store. Check for coupon codes to help save on shipping and price.

Easy Ways To Save Money

Saving money does not have to be difficult. Everyday we have a chance to save money. You might not recognize these opportunities.

Think about your trip to the coffee shop each day. How much do you spend on your fancy drink? It's easy to spend $10.00 at the coffee shop. If you were to skip the coffee shop trip one or two days a week you would have an extra twenty dollars. Now what if you gave up trips to the coffee shop altogether, you could save quite a bit of money over the month.

Next think about when you stop to get gas. If you go in to pay there are plenty of items to tempt you to buy. Even if you just grab a soda each time that is at least a dollar. While you may say a dollar is not much, it adds up. Pay for your gas using your debit card and you will avoid buying anything you didn't really need anyway.

Save money by keeping all of your change. Find a container to keep the change. When the container is full, cash in your change. Several store offer a machine that will count your money and issue you cash or gift cards for the value of the change. Some of these machines charge a small fee. You can also roll the change into coin wrappers and trade it in at the bank. You would be surprised how fast spare change can add up.

Use coupons whenever possible. Get a Sunday paper and go through the coupons. See which coupons you can use. Don't buy something you won't use just because you have a coupon. Some stores do double and even triple coupons days. This cans ave you a lot of money. Also always check for coupon codes when you are shopping online. You can find codes for free shipping, and often a discount.

Think about all the places you spend money each day. Ask yourself if you really need to spend the money. Soon you will discover several ways you can save money.

Lower Your Heating Costs

With the cold weather settling in it is time to crank up the heaters. This could mean an extra monthly bill for some, or the added expense of filling your tank with oil or kerosene. If you are like me you are constantly looking for ways to lower your bills. Here are some tips for lowering your heating bills.

The first tip I am going to offer is to see if your state offers a program to help assist you with your heating bills. This program is usually called Li-heap. It is based off of your income. They raised the income limits last year so it is worth a shot checking into. They send funds directly to your heating company. They also have a program to help repair your furnace if something should break.

Next we are going to talk about turning the thermostat down a few degrees. If your household is like mine there is always someone cold. They are constantly turning up the thermostat. This results in higher heating costs. Put on an extra sweater or sweatshirt. Invest in some long underwear to wear underneath your clothing. Get a blanket that has sleeves. There are lots of manufacturers making these. They are usually made from soft fleece.

Another tips for lowering your heating costs is to close the vents in rooms that you don't use. There is no sense in heating a room that no one is going to be in. You can also get a space heater to use in the room you are in. They will cost less to operate than your furnace.

On bright sunny days open your curtains to let the sun warm your room. There is nothing better than free heat. Plus it will brighten your spirits on a cold winter day.

Photo created by David Lat

Ways to Save Money on Holiday Shopping

The holiday season will soon be upon us. That means plenty of gift giving opportunities. This also can mean a large financial expense. Here are some ways to ensure you are still not paying for this years gifts when Christmas comes around next year.

Earlier in the week we discussed making a list of all the people you need to buy a present for. This will make sure you don't forget anyone. The we talked about setting a budget. One of the biggest tips I can give you for saving money this holiday season is to stick to your budget.

If you want to save money on holiday gifts consider fighting the crowds on Black Friday. You can get some great deals on some of the years hottest gifts. Go through the ads and find which stores have items on your gift list.

Shop at bargain stores like the Dollar Store, Big Lots, Ollie's, etc. Whatever bargain stores you have in your area are sure to have great gift items. Bargain stores often buy closeouts from another high end store. You can get gifts for a fraction of their regular price.

Another way of saving money on holiday gifts is to make your own. Most people love homemade cookies and candies. You can put them in tins and baskets that can be reused for other purposes. This type of gift is also great for unexpected guests.

You can save money by shopping online too. Check for online coupons before you make your purchase. Lots of stores will be offering free shipping for the holidays.

You don't have to go into debt to have a happy holiday. The price of the gift is not what is important. Remember it's the thought that counts.

Start Planning your Holiday Gift Giving List

Christmas is two months away. While this may seem like a long time, it will be here before you know it. Start planning your list of who you need to buy gifts for now. Avoid rushing to finish your shopping at the last minute.

Begin by listing everyone you need to buy a holiday present for. Next you will want to set a price limit for each person. If you don't want your budget to go out the window, you have to be firm and stick to the price limit. No matter how much you think so and so would like that sweater, if you can't afford it, don't buy it.

Holiday debt haunts many families for years to come. Do you really want to be paying on this years holiday present two years from now? If you are exchanging gifts with friends and family, talk with them and set a price limit on the gifts. Most people are in the same boat with the tough economy, they will be glad to have a limit set.

After all the holidays are not about who can spend the most money. They are a time for friends and family to get together and have a good time.

Once you have set a budget for your holiday shopping write down a few ideas for each person. This will make shopping easier. Unless you enjoy wandering endlessly around the store trying to find a gift.

Starting your holiday gift giving list now will allow you time to shop without dealing with the holiday crowds. Also check online for sales. Be sure to look for online coupon codes before you make your purchase.

Photo created by xx lawrence

Ways To Save on the Vet Bills

The cost of medical care for your pet may shock you. Vet bills can easily run into the hundreds. A simple checkup can cost $100. There are ways of saving on your pet's vet bill. The most important advice I can give you is to have your pet see the vet regularly. The vet will be able to spot if something is wrong and catch it before there is an emergency.

Emergency vet costs can quickly turn into thousands of dollars. That money might have been saved if your pet had been regularly seeing the vet.

Another way of saving on vet costs is to see if your area has a veterinarian school. These schools will often have clinics where you can take your pet in for care at a reduced cost. The students have to learn how to do the procedures so the schools are willing to provide care for next to nothing. All of the students are completely supervised to ensure your pet's safety.

If your pet need medications don't always buy from your veterinarian. You can sometimes get these medications cheaper online. This is true for flea preventive medication as well. Medications you get at the vet will be priced higher because the vet is making profit from the sale.

Your pet must have proper medical care to keep them healthy and happy.
Photo created by L. M. Powell

Saving on Pet Supplies

Pet supplies can be very expensive. If you are looking to save money, but still give your pet the best care, I am going to share some tips to help you.

First off we will look at food for your pet. Most pet food companies offer coupons. If you visit the company site you can often printout coupons to help save on the cost of pet food. Also the Sunday paper is a great place to find coupons for pet food. Look for store sales.

If you have a cat you will need cat litter. If you look at the store you will find several different types of kitty litter. You can save money by going with the store brand. Don't worry about odor from using a generic brand of cat litter. Simply sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the litter pan before you fill it up. Then when you clean the box you can sprinkle a little more in.

You pet doesn't need twenty outfits. Sure it might be cute to see your doggy dressed up, but those outfits are expensive. The same goes for the other accessories you can get. While they might be cute, most likely your pet is not going to use them anyways.

Before you buy supplies recommended by the pet store it is a good idea to do your own research. They want to make a sale and will try to sell you plenty of items you don't need. Sometimes they might not be informed what your new pet needs and can sell you items that are actually dangerous for your pet.

You can save money on pet supplies. You just have to look for sales, use coupons, and avoid buying everything you see.
Photo created by John Nyberg

The Real Cost of Having a Pet

Everyone loves cute puppies and kittens. A large percent of families have a pet of some sorts. Too often though, the family does not take the time to research the costs associated with being a responsible pet owner.

There are numerous costs when you have a pet. First there is the cost of getting the pet. If you buy a puppy at the pet store you can spend several hundred dollars. Then you have to buy supplies for your new pet like food, bowls, leashes, cage(depending on animal you get), bedding, etc. These are not cheap and the cost can add up quickly.

Next there is the cost of vet care. Your pet will need care just like a child. There can be vaccinations to consider. Dogs and cats need to be spayed and neutered. These costs can add up to hundreds of dollars. You also need to consider the costs if your pet were to become sick. Emergency vet costs are extremely expensive.

So while it is great to have a pet you need to realize there is costs associated with owning one. Being prepared will help you deal with the costs. Later this week we will be discussing ways of saving money while still being a responsible pet owner.

Photo created by Benjamin Earwicker

Ways to Save on Your Cell Phone Bill

Last time we went over some ways of saving on your monthly phone bill. Today we are going to look at your cell phone bill. Cell phones are a great way of keeping in touch, but the costs can add up quickly.

First look at your plan. Are you using all of your minutes each month, or do you have a lot left over? If you never use all of your minutes consider switching to a plan that has fewer minutes and costs less. If you find you are going over your minutes and having to pay for extra each month it is time to move up to a plan that offers more monthly minutes. Some companies now offer an unlimited plan. This might be a better deal for you.

Look at the add-ons you have on your plan. Do you have texting and internet? Some plans combine these features and will cost less than paying for each one separately. Do you pay to download ringers and games from your cell phone company? This can be a huge expense. There are plenty of places you can download ringers and games for free.

You can lower your monthly cell phone bill you just have to take the time and look at your bill. See what extras you can combine, or what you can do without. Cell phone companies will try and tack on as much extras as they can. You have to pay close attention to your bill. If you see a mistake or a service you didn't agree to call the company right away and dispute the charges.

You would be surprised how many people never look at the bill thoroughly. They just see the amount due and that is it. You want to know where every penny of your money is going. Be sure to examine each bill carefully.

Photo created by Maira Kouvara

Ways to Lower your phone Bill

Does your phone bill seem to climb month after month? There are some things you can do to lower your monthly phone bill. Let's face it, we all need a phone to communicate. Whether it be a cell phone, or a land-line we depend on a phone to keep in touch.

Today we are going to look at ways to save on home phone. If you want to save money on your phone bill you need to know exactly what your being charged for. Get your bill out and look at the different charges.

Are you paying separately for things like caller id and voice mail? Most phone companies offer a bundled plan that includes several calling features for one price. Are you still paying for long distance, or do you have an unlimited plan.

Some phone companies now offer bundled packages that include internet and satellite service along with the phone. They offer these packages at a cheaper rate than if you were to get each individually.

Sometimes just calling your phone company and telling them you are considering canceling your service for a better deal elsewhere will be enough to get them to offer a better deal on your bill.

It can never hurt to try. We need to save money any place we can.

Photo created by Ivan Prole

Ways to Cut your Outdoor Water use

Even though we are enjoying the cooler Fall weather( depending on where you live) you may still be using your water hose outdoors. Using water outdoors can as much as double your water bill if you are not careful. Here are some tips to cut down costs on outdoor water usage.

1.Use mulch around your plants and trees- This will allow your plants to hold in the moisture longer. This will mean less watering.

2.Plant shrubs and flowers that do not require much watering- This will help cut outdoor watering costs.

3.Only water the grass when it truly needs it- If you can step on the grass and it springs right back up it doesn't need watering.

4.Water your lawn early in the day- This will ensure the water is not evaporated quickly by the heat of the day. It will also help prevent slugs and other lawn pests.

5.Check for leaks around outdoor pipes- Check around the hose connection and any other outdoor pipes for signs of leaks.

6.Don't waste water while washing your car. Use a bucket and sponge for cleaning your car, then only use the hose for rinsing. You can waste up to 150 gallons of water washing your car.

7.Keep a cover on your swimming pool when not in use- A cover will help prevent your pool water from evaporating in the summer's heat.

Ways to Save on your Water Bill

If your water bill is going up and up each month there are some simple things you can do to cut costs. These are all easy steps you can take to lower your monthly water bill. In tough economic times like we have today we need to do everything we can to save money.

1.Check for leaks- If you water bill suddenly starts going up check to make sure you don't have any leaks. If you are not able to do this consider hiring a plumber to check your pipes thoroughly. When checking pipes make sure to check all of the faucets in your house for leaks. The washer in your faucet could have become worn out. A drippy faucet can waste several hundred gallons of water a day depending on how big the drip is.

2.Install water saving shower head and faucets- When you shower you can use up to five gallons of water a minute. Using a water saving shower head can cut the water use in half or even more. Hey are very easy to install and will make a big difference on your water bill.

3.Consider a low flush toilet- Toilets today use far less water than they used to. If you cannot afford to replace your toilet right now there is still hope. Put a brick on the inside o the toilet tank. It will cut down on the water needed to fill the tank.

4.Turn the water off when brushing your teeth- Once you wet your toothbrush shut the water off. There is no reason to leave it running while you are brushing.

5.Only wash clothes and dishes when you have a full load- You are wasting many gallons of water when you are only washing partial loads of clothes and dishes day after day. Instead wait until you have a full load.

By following these tips you will be able to save money on your monthly water bill. Next time we will discuss ways of saving water outdoors.

Save Money, Use a Free Anti-virus on Your Computer

You have to have some form of anti-virus protection on your computer or it will become infected with viruses, trojans, and other harmful programs that will you ready to pull your hair out. Anti-virus programs can cost a couple hundred dollars. There is no need to pay that much for one when you can protect your computer for free.

There are several free anti-virus programs that you can use to keep your computer free of programs wanting to cause your system harm. We are going to go over a few of these great free anti-virus programs today.

1. AVG- AVG is one of the more known free anti-virus programs. It will keep your computer running virus free and won't cost you one cent. The downside tot his program is some users find it hogs to much of your computer's resources. It seems to vary by computer. I have successfully ran AVG for years on one of my computers.

2. PC-Tools- Another great free anti-virus program is PC-Tools. It will protect your computer from viruses, trojans, and worms. This is a newer free anti-virus program. I have tried it out on two of my home computers and had no problems at all.

3. Microsoft Security Essentials- This is a completely new program. It was just released last week. I am currently running this program now. So far I am thrilled with the results. This free anti-virus program does not hog your computer resources. I can tell no difference when it is running in the background. It will protect your computer from any security threats for free.

As you can see there are several options for protecting your computer that won't cost you a dime. As long as you keep your anti-virus updated regularly there is no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on an anti-virus program.

Do You have a Rainy Day Fund

Times are tough there is no arguing that fact, but there are still opportunities to save money for unexpected expenses. People often refer to this as their rainy day fund. It is important to have a rainy day fund. What would you do if your car suddenly broke down tomorrow? Would you have the funds to have it repaired?

You never know when an emergency will arise. Planning ahead for these unexpected costs can save you from worry when the time comes. Here are some tips for adding to your rainy day fund.
* Skip the take out- instead put that money into your emergency fund. You figure you would spend $20 on take out. That can add up very quickly if you like to eat out often.

* Rent a DVD from the library- DVD rentals can run up to $5. Renting from your local library will be free. If you like to rent several movies at one time think about all the money you will be able to put into your rainy day fund. The same can apply for renting books instead of buying them.

Skip the trip to Starbucks- Those coffee shop lattes are extremely expensive, but oh so addicting. Even if you can't give up your daily trip to Starbucks completely you can skip a day or two each week.

Take the money you save by using coupons and add it to your fund- Even if it is just change that can add up fast. anytime you use a coupon take the difference between what the item originally cost and what you paid and add it to your rainy day funds.

As you can see these are simple tips, but they can save you a good bit of money. We cannot control when an emergency is going to occur, but we can be prepared financially.

Ways to Save at the Grocery Store

In these tough economic times everyone is looking to cut costs at every corner. A trip to the grocery store can run you a quick 200 bucks if you don't watch. There are some simple tips that can help you save on your grocery budget.

1. Make a list. The list is to help you remember what you need. if you stick to only the items on your list you will save money. Stores know that if they set up displays of items on sale people will buy them whether they need the item or not. Some people cannot pass up a sale.

2. Avoid impulse buys. If you see something you want don't buy it on this shopping trip. Go home and think about it for a few days. if you still think you have to have the item then go back and get it. Impulse purchase can set you back hundreds of dollars.

3. Don't go shopping hungry. If your stomach is growling while you are trying to shop you will spend more buying items you didn't need. Everything will look tempting to you when you are hungry. Eat before you visit the grocery store.

4. Plan your meals by what's on sale. Look through the sales ads and see what is on sale that you can make meals out of. Check your coupons to see if you cans ave even more money on the sale items.

5. Coupons, coupons, coupons. Keep your coupons organized into easy to find categories. Plan your coupons with the weekly sales and items on your shopping list. Check for stores that offer double coupons.

By following these simple tips you will save money on your grocery store visit.

Photo created by sanja gjenero

Save Money on Your Energy Bills this Winter

As someone who lives in a house warmed with gas heat I can personally vouch for the fact that your energy bills can be absolutely ridiculous in the winter. It seems like every winter I end up spending more to heat my house than I do for all of my other utilities combined! That's why, before we're up to our necks in snow, I wanted to offer up these quick tips to keep your energy bills something slightly less than astronomical:

1) Insulate your attic and basement. It's a hassle, and the initial investment can be a killer, but in the long term these parts of your house aren't doing anything but sucking heat. Insulating them will go a long way toward helping you save money on energy bills.

2) How well insulated are your windows? As I'm sitting here in my little cubby between two windows I'm feeling a slight draft roll over my already cold fingers. Needless to say, that's probably not helping my energy bills any!

3) Buy some sweaters. It sounds harsh, but it's true. Trying to keep your house at a balmy 80 degrees Farenheit when it's below zero outside is going to be murder on your energy bills. Drop the thermostat and pick up some sweats. Your checkbook will thank you.

Save Money on Going Out-Invest in Netflix

I don't often jump up and down advertising a service here, because...well, because I really, really hate it when bloggers are sitting there advertising to me! In this case, however, I'm forced to make an exception. Why? Because I love Netflix. I firmly believe that Netflix may very well be the best $20 I spend in a month. And because I love Netflix I want to quite firmly advocate the potential entertainment and savings options Netflix offers.

For those of you who haven't already discovered the wonder of Netflix, it's an online video rental service that quite literally delivers new movies to your door. You pay a set fee each month to be able to rent (X) number of movies at a time. You keep them as long as you want, and when you're done with them you just stick them in their little pre-paid envelope and drop them back in your mailbox. They travel via overnight mail to the nearest Netflix office location, and within two or three days of returning your last set of movies you have new ones sitting there waiting for you. No late fees, you don't pay for movies lost in the mail, and while you may occasionally get stuck on a waiting list for a new release you usually have almost instant access to today's hottest hits.

Of course, that's not why I love Netflix.

My favorite part of Netflix is their new "Watch Now" feature. They have hundreds of movies that you can stream directly from their website to your computer without having to pay rental fees the way you do with Amazon's Video on Demand. Just click "Watch Now" and you're in business. It's awesome! And since you get a free trial you can take all of their services fora test drive before handing over your credit card info, and you can cancel any time directly from the website.

Thanks to Netflix I almost never buy movies and very rarely pay to rent them, and the amount of time I spend in a movie theatre is whittled to almost nothing because I can get on the list to receive a copy of the DVD months before it's released. I save money, and I'm entertained. There is no down side.

How much should you give up to save a buck?

It's impossible to over-emphasize the importance of tracking your spending to keep your fiscal affairs in line, but today I'm going to walk away from the usual lecture on saving your money and eliminating any unnecessary purchases (you've already heard it all anyway) and pose another question to you: How much should you actually give up in the interest of saving money? How many of those "unnecessary expenditures" can you reasonably be expected to live without? And how far is too far?

What do you think?

Owed to a Nightengale

They just get cleverer and cleverer! See, even our forefathers weren't exempt from robbing Peter to pay Paul. Have a great weekend, everybody!


Owed To A Nightingale




If we take a look back at the poets,
And the reasons they wrote all that verse
It's 'cos life sometimes gets so low it's
Got to get better not worse.

Keats as a bard was no rookie,
Yet was consumed by anguish and guilt
He owed lots of cash to a bookie
Was in it right up to the hilt.

So borrowed some cash from a friend
A young lady who happened his way.
Who said the money she would lend
But compound interest he'd have to repay

This young lady called Nightingale
I don't seem to recall her first name.
(And no relation to the one whom for Crimea set sail),
And went on to notice and fame.

But for now the money was lent,
And Keats soon paid from his purse.
Then for some time after he spent
Penning some appropriate verse.

This lady had lent him the money
Which helped him out of a fix.
So he wrote some verse which was funny,
Owed to a Nightingale - twelve pounds seven and six.




Copyright; Tom Gaunt
Email: tpgaunt@hotmail.com

Save Money with Bob Vila and Do-It-Yourself Concrete!

Earlier this week I talked about the importance of regular maintenance on your house and property for keeping home repair costs down. Sometimes, however, there are things that are going to need repair (or replacing altogether) and you're going to have to choose between calling ina professional and doing it yourself? Why not do a little bit of both by calling in the expert guidance of Bob Vila!

Maintenance Can Save You a Fortune in Home Repair

While talking to a colleague the other day I heard those words that make contractors shudder in their boots: "I don't bother with home maintenance, I just pay for repairs when things break." The thought of the amount of money you can spend on home repairs when you get right down to the nitty gritty is enough to leave you shuddering in your seat. Why, then, would you ignore the maintenance that could help prevent it?

Yes, maintenance on a house costs money. Yes, that's going to be hundreds of dollars out of your budget each and every month. But can that really compare to the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars you're going to have to pay to repair the damages that rain, wind, over-anxious toddlers and simple neglect can wreak on your house? Not to mention the inconvenience of having to live for months in the middle of a construction zone.

Is this type of short term gain, long term loss worth it? Absolutely not, especially not in today's budget conscious economy. Trust me on this one-when it comes to your house, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.

How to Save Money? I Don't Think So...

I saw this and it absolutely cracked me up the other day! This was a poem created by fellow blogger Gregory K. at GottaBook all about saving money (in the eyes of our children). Beware! Chuckles ahead!

HOW I SAVE MONEY

ByGregory K.

My parents always tell me “Saving money is the key!”

So I’ve figured out a lot of ways that saving works for me.

Today, in fact, I saved a dollar eight from being sad --

I used it for some candy, and I know that made it glad.

Last week, I saw some quarters in a fountain at the mall…

So I saved them all from drowning (then they bought a basketball).

My allowance funds get lonely, but I save them if I spend ‘em,

And I get them into registers where lots of bills befriend ‘em.

And just the other day I bought … well… I don’t know what you call it,

But I saved two twenty dollar bills from rotting in dad’s wallet.

I know a lot of other tricks, but I don’t want to bore you…

Instead just send me all your cash. I’ll gladly save it for you!

What "America's Cheapest Family" Had to Say About Saving Money

It being Tuesday my brain's still lagging a bit (Labor Day weekend can be a killer!) so while I woke up this morning bound and determined to find some deep and meaningful information to share with you, people of America, the bottom line is I sat down at my keyboard and had absolutely nothing! As I so often do when inspiration refuses to strike I went out browsing on the web, gave in to my need to start surfing through YouTube (there's a reason I have to work so hard to keep myself on track!) and stumbled across this! Featured by Fox news network, here's a sneak peek at a YouTube video featuring the family the press has dubbed "America's Cheapest" and how they're saving money on everything from Christmas to school lunches.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKJTxuzvkXw

(The embed code wasn't working as well as I wish it would when I posted this, but dear readers, feel free to pass it on!)

Can You REALLY Use Kool-Aid and Cola as Cleaning Supplies?

Like all good bloggers, I like to dedicate at least part of my week to scoping out what other money saving professionals out there have to say. You'd be amazed at the fun tips I learn scouting out blogs like SaveMoney.com and SaveMoneyBlog.net! For example, did you know that you could put Kool Aid brand lemonade in the dishwasher for a quick sparkle that can save you hundreds on fancy cleaning supplies? Or that you can clean rust off of metal by letting it soak in a puddle of Coca Cola?

I may never drink a can of Coke again.

Do either of these actually work? I've actually used the Coke thing in my bathroom and can vouch for the fact that it works great. (Ketchup too, although not quite as quickly.) You'll have to give it a try and let me know what you think!

Hey, those little comment boxes are there for a reason you know…J

How to Pay Off Your Debts

Do you know what the worst part of being in debt is? The feeling of overwhelming hopelessness that comes along with making payments month after month and watching while those totals don't seem to get any smaller!

I was very surprised when I was reading through a book on debt management one day and found out that paying as much as I could on each account each month was actually the most inefficient way to pay off my debts I could possibly have chosen. Instead of that, the book suggested making minimum payments on every account but one each month and funneling all of my extra money into that account. Once that debt was paid I'd take the amount I was paying on that, add it to the minimum payment I was making on the next one, pay that off and move all that money to the next…and the next…and the next.

That way I paid off my debts one at a time, but I got them out of the way a LOT faster.

To give you an example, let's say I was paying on two credit cards and a student loan, all of which had minimum payments of $10 a month but balances of $1,000 apiece. I had $150 to spend on those payments each month. Instead of paying $50 per account I paid $10 a month on my student loan and $10 a month on one credit card and $130 a month on the other card. At the end of 8 months (give or take) I had that card paid off and started paying $140 a month on the other card and $10 a month on the loan. When that was paid off I started paying $150 a month on my loan.

Voila! No more debt.

What are your best debt busting tips?

The Easiest Way to START Saving Money

When I was looking through all of the information available online about saving money I realized something. Almost all of them focus on saving money in the long term, with extra emphasis on how to start changing your spending habits immediately. The thing is, I know that's easier said than done. It can be hard to get used to saving money when it burns a hole in your pocket. That's why I wanted to share with you my best advice about the easiest way to start saving money.

Here's what you're going to need:

1) A box of sandwich bags (preferably Ziploc-it's just easier that way)
2) A big coffee can
3) A permanent marker

It's easier to save money when you have a specific goal in mind, so what I want you to do is choose three short term goals that you want to save money to achieve. These should be important to you, but short term enough that you're going to be able to reap the rewards in the near future.

Now, take three sandwich bags and write your goal on the outside, as well as how much money you need to save to accomplish that. Then, every week, I want you to put a dollar in each of those bags. You can always put more than a dollar if you have the money, but you should always add at least a dollar. These bags ARE NOT for spending cash, so don't get overly zealous. A dollar a week is better than tossing in ten, then cleaning out the entire thing the next time you have to buy dinner.

After you've achieved those goals, bump the amount of money you're saving a week up to five dollars per goal and choose three new goals. Then go for ten. Then fifteen. Then twenty. Before long you'll be up to making regular installments on your long term dreams, and you'll barely even notice it's happening.

Save Money on a Gym Membership

Whoever said that summer was the only time of year people really pushed themselves to get back into shape obviously didn't have school aged kids gearing up to go back to class! After an entire summer of having to beg, borrow and plead to get to do any physical activity that didn't involve a swimming pool or a playground, actually getting to spend more than ten minutes working out sounds great!

The problem is, gyms are expensive. Really expensive. Almost (dare I say it?) ridiculously expensive. I was horrified when I went bargain hunting for a good, low priced gym. After about 3 days of searching I came to a very simple conclusion. I wasn't going to find one. If I was going to exercise without breaking the bank I was going to have to do it myself.

So I turned my home into an exercise center. I paid ten bucks for a jump rope and a sturdy kids' step stool, and I bought a set of hand weights. Oh, and some really cool music to put in my CD player. I then spent an hour a day in my living room lifting weights, jumping rope, jogging in place and doing sit-ups and push-ups until I thought my eyes would pop out. You know what? It worked. Total cost-under $100. And I can work out any time I want, as long as I want.
Next step-buying two or three workout tapes so I can add zumba and tai-bo to my week. I can't wait.

Thrift Store Shopping Tips to Keep Your Teen from Being Picked On

It's the age old battle between being price conscientious and your kids finding themselves the object of ridicule at school-whether or not you should do your school clothes shopping at a thrift store! It's a sad but true fact that many of today's fashion conscious pre-teens whose parents have more money than sense look down their noses at teens walking around in thrift store wear.

On the other hand, thrift store shopping is a great way to save big bucks on your kids' school clothes!

Here are two tips for thrift store shopping guaranteed to keep both you and your teen happy:

1) Check out the condition of the clothes. Nothing screams "thrift store" like faded fabrics, snagged seams and holes in the arms! On the other hand, many of the clothes donated to thrift stores are in great shape. Your teen's friends will never know the difference!

2) How old are the clothes? Today's department stores are "hip", and if your teen's clothes are dated they're bound to find themselves the victim of one joke or another. Consider style when you're buying. Not sure? Stick with timeless cuts and fabrics.

Save (More) on School Supplies

I can't emphasize enough-'tis the season to spend a fortune on school supplies! At Jack's Coupons we've had a lot of people touching base to see if we've got coupons for school supplies and coupon codes for major suppliers like WalMart and Target, as well as savings on the clothes that are on the "just gotta have" list for today's teens.


Geez, when I was a kid the only thing on the "gotta have" list was a decent pair of sneakers. I was walking through the mall the other day and took a look at what they're charging for clothes in the Junior's department. $80 for a blouse that's almost guaranteed to have pizza sauce on it by the end of the first week? Have they lost their minds?


Anyway, to step aside from my own personal rant for a second, let's talk about how to save (more) money on school supplies! Coupons and sales are a great place to start. Have you considered scouring your cupboards? If you've got small children you've probably got a healthy collection of crayons, pencils, glue sticks and notepaper lying around the house. You might half your child's supply list without even knowing it!


Next, let's talk clothes. Seriously. I know I've gone on about this before (if not here then somewhere else), but most parents spend a fortune in school clothes each year. What do your kids have leftover from last year that still fits? Did you grab anything off the clearance rack last winter? And what do they really need? Unless they've completely outgrown their winter clothes from the year before, three or four new shirts and pairs of pants will probably do it. Remember, you can always pick up more in bits and pieces as the year goes on.


We're just talking about how to save money today.

How to Use Coupons to Help Save You Money

Would you believe that right now, today, there are hundreds of people who spend hours a week clipping coupons and aren't saving themselves a dime? It's not because they don't have the shopping with coupons thing down, but because they don't know how to effectively shop with coupons.

And if that doesn't sound like the beginning of a bad infomercial I don't know what does.

It's like this. Every day retailers and service providers from around the country release coupons designed to knock 10-20% (or more) off their goods and services to nudge you into coming out and giving them a try. This is absolutely wonderful if you were planning on using their services in the first place, but what if you weren't? You'd be amazed at how easy it is to give in to the temptation to spend money you don't need to spend for stuff you never really wanted in the first place.

How is that saving you anything?

To really use coupons to save you money clip coupons, save the ones you really need and store them in an organizer that makes them easy to find and throw the rest away! I promise, when the time comes that same company will still be having an amazing sale, and you'll be able to take advantage of it knowing that your money's going to right place.

State Parks: The Real (Cheap) Cure for What Ails You

Hello, and welcome to the Friday edition of Jack's Back! Alright, so that sounds like a bad 80's flick. I'm in a mood today. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm…sitting at my window watching wistfully because I'm tied to a computer. All right, that's a little melodramatic. I mean really, who can complain about getting to blog and call it work? My friend's son does it and they call it goofing off. I try not to rub that in too hard…

Anyway, on to plans for the weekend. I'm taking the kids and heading up to Letchworth State Park this weekend to hike-and maybe even take a dip in the pool, if it's warm enough! State parks are a great way to slip in a fun filled family outing without having to break the bank to make it happen. They're free to the public, usually filled with lots of cool things for the kids to do and fraught with peril in at least one spot (you know the one-where the kid's going to go down the cliff if they keep hanging over the edge?) so no one can call it boring.

If you're looking for a cheap way to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend I strongly recommend typing "State Parks" into the Google search engine and see what you can find for your local area. Pack a picnic, grab the swim floaties if your kids aren't proficient swimmers and stick a glove, a bat and a ball in the trunk of your car. I promise you hours of enjoyment.

How to Save Money on Babysitters

If there's anything that absolutely bowls you over when you become a parent it's how much it costs to get a good babysitter these days. When my oldest was born we made the decision to put him into daycare when he was old enough so my wife and I could continue working. The amount of money they wanted to charge us for a single week of changing diapers and remembering to put him down for a nap every once in a while was mindboggling!

Whether you're looking for a full time daycare service or a part time sitter to help plug in the gaps between your work schedule and your partner's (or actually sneak in a night out without the kids!) you're going to find yourself paying for the privilege of having someone else take care of your children. Over the years I've managed to find some great ways to cut my babysitting costs. Here's what we've come up with:

1) If you're looking for full time day care go with an in-home service rather than an institution. The classes are smaller, the kids are in a home environment and the sitters are usually doing it because they really enjoy day care rather than marking time until their next paycheck.

2) Make friends with people who have kids. Not only is this more fun for all of you, since you can do activities together, but you can play musical babysitters when one of you needs someone to pinch hit-and when you're paying in favors rather than money it's more affordable for all of you.

3) Work opposite shifts, and telecommute as often as possible. Until kids are old enough to start school juggling them between you and your spouse is usually the best way to ensure high quality child care at minimum expense. All you have to do is plug in the gaps.

4) Join a babysitting co-op. See #2: This is a great way to get together with other parents and schedule regular nights out without having to pay a fortune.

5) Enjoy early bedtime. If you're used to going out every weekend, having kids can seem like culture shock. Instead of going out, wait until the kids go to bed and pick up some wine and take-out. Rent a new release (chances are you didn't catch it in the theatre anyway) and pop some popcorn. Turn up the radio and dance in your living room. Voila! A night out at half the expense.

Child care can be a major bite out of your budget each month, but with some careful planning you can still enjoy the benefits of being gainfully employed and actually having a life without completely breaking the bank.

Save Money on Back to School Shopping

It's about that time again. The time when you peel your kids begrudgingly away from the friends and the video games they've spent their entire summer with a gear up with a list in one hand and a credit card in the other to do their school shopping. As a parent of three I know that school shopping can be almost ridiculously expensive, which is why I've devoted myself over the years to finding ways to cut costs (besides convincing my daughter she does not, in fact, need to spend $300 on a dress...).

First and foremost, do your school clothes shopping a season before. If your kids are past the age of outgrowing everything they own six months after you bought it this is a lot easier, since there's less guesswork involved, but you're usually pretty safe buying things a size or two large. That way you can hit the winter clearance sales, and all you need to do over the summer is pick up an outfit or two for them to start school in style.

There's not much you can do about the fact that your kids are going to need new shoes, but there are places you can go to get them much, much cheaper. Look for outlet stores like Shoe Factory instead of shopping at chain branches like Payless, and scout through the clearance section. Keep an eye out for who's having a sale, and if you get the chance ask a sales clerk if they still have anything left over from last season-when my son was younger I picked up a great pair of Lightning McQueen sneakers for less than $3 because they were outdated.

Finally, let's talk school supplies. I have 3 words for you: Early, Target, and WalMart. Don't wait until two weeks before school to do your kids' school shopping. WalMart and Target put all their school supplies on sale about 6 weeks before school starts, and you can find some great savings. I usually have my kids' school shopping done by the end of July, which saves money and stress as the first day rolls around.

See what you have that you can re-use from last year. New jackets, lunch boxes and backpacks are nice every year, but they're not a necessity. Spending a little extra for a backpack that will last them three or four years is a much better investment than dropping $20 a year on a character one that will be lucky to last until Christmas. I like Jansport myself-you spend $50-100 the first time, but they'll last forever.

The bottom line is that school shopping doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Try out some of these money saving tips and you'll be amazed to see just how far your budget can go!

**Feel free to comment below with your own money saving tips!**

How Often Should You Buy Your Girl Flowers?

One of the biggest attractions of Jack's Coupon Codes every year around Valentine's Day is our top of the line savings on flowers at Flowers.com and other online retailers. Every year I see hundreds of visitors hit these pages, and every year I have to laugh. Guys, I've got a tip for you. Buying your girl flowers at Valentine's Day isn't going to score you the bonus points you're hoping for. Why? It's trite. It's overdone. And you're doing it because you feel like you have to.

If you want to really bring a smile to her face, buy her flowers for no reason. Buy her sunny daisies when you know she's had a bad day and roses when you've missed her. Pick up cheap carnations just because. She'll be happy, and when she's happy, you're happy.

Video: Learn How to Save Money

I don't usually link videos on this Blogger, but I found a great video on YouTube the other day. It's easy to think about saving money when you've got a little bit in the bank, but it's a little harder when you're starting from scratch. This video shows the transformation of a young woman from an abused wife to a woman with savings an a future through IDA, a government program for low income families. Check it out.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4597355n

Use Your Kids' School Papers to Make a Fun, Cheap, Personalized Christmas Gift

In an earlier blog I talked about some cheap Christmas gifts you could make. Here's a great idea for all you parents out there. You know those school papers you always have piled up all over the place? Why not use those to make a scrapbook for the grandparents? It's a fun gift, gives you a chance to show off your kids artistic and academic talents and, when coupled with photos, keeps grandparents in the loop with what's been going on in your kids' lives. And who could ask for anything more than that!

Making Your Own Presents Makes for a Cheap Christmas

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? You know, the uneducated would think that it's way too early to start thinking about Christmas. Veteran shoppers know better. If you want to avoid the insanity of Christmas you need to start shopping and putting things together early. That goes double if you're planning on making your own Christmas presents, because not only are you going to be able to get supplies much cheaper now that you will in just a few months...you're also going to need lots of time to get things put together!

If you're looking for a cheap way to do Christmas, put some thought into homemade Christmas gifts. You probably have hundreds of photos stored away. What about a digital picture book? (If you're looking for a cheap way to do it without doing all the work yourself, Snapfish is great for low budget photo gifts.) You can also keep a blog of all the big events in your family's life for the past year and turn that into a book.

And what about tree ornaments? Gingerbread men are popular, cheap to make and always fun. Massage oils are easy to make, and a quick trip to the dollar store will yield lots of fun knick-knacks for gift baskets (complete with cookies). You're going to want to wait a few months to get started on the edibles, but there's no better time to start on things like scrapbooks than now.

Remember, it's never too early to start thinking about Christmas. Save yourself that December headache. You know you want to.

I Admit It-I'm Just a Geek!

If you couldn't tell from the name of this site, I like coupons. See Jack shop. See Jack shop online. See Jack save. I admit it, I'm a cheapskate. I hate paying full price for anything. That's why I launched Jack's coupon codes...I spend so much time hunting around for savings on things, I figured I'd make it easy for everyone else!

Now, along that same vein I have to admit I'm also a little bit of a geek. Have you ever read Will Wheaton's "Just a Geek"? That's me-cool in a nerdy kind of way. Or maybe that's nerdy in a cool kind of way. I mean, I've never been on Star Trek, but other than that? I can totally relate.

Anyway, as a geek I spend a lot of time online hunting around for good deals on electronics. Hey, my graphics card needs updated on at least a semi-regular basis. How else is everyone else in my house supposed to keep up with the latest and greatest in video games? Behold the beauty of NewEgg. Check it out!

And since we offer NewEgg coupon codes through the website I get to take advantage of my own "merchandise". It's a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Cheap, Family Friendly Summer Fun

You don't have to break your budget to have a great vacation. With summer vacation right on top of us we all want to spend our days touring the mountains and going to Disneyland. Unfortunately, with the economy being what it is it isn't always possible for our budgets to stretch that far!


The good news is, you can have some friendly summer vacation fun at home without spending a fortune. Pick up a movie from the movie store and pop some popcorn for a cheap movie theatre experience, and pack up the family for a day at the park and hiking instead of spending a week at the mountains or the beach. Make sure you're stocked up on plenty of outdoor activities like Frisbees and baseball bats for a little backyard fun-you can pick these up at your local dollar store.


Finally, what about scrapbooking? You probably have a ton of digital images stored away on your computer that you're not doing anything with at the moment. Pick up a cheap scrapbook frame, dig out old, unused newspapers, socks, buttons and various materials around the house and print out those pictures. Use all that to make a one of a kind scrapbook together that you're never going to forget.

Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

1) One of the biggest expenses you're ever going to have is your wedding. For some reason even people who are notoriously frugal spend a fortune on their wedding ceremony, which is a great deal when you can get it but can put a serious dent in your budget if you can't. Fortunately there are plenty of strategies and tips out there to help you save big on your wedding ceremony. If you're looking for a way to put a wedding together under budget take the time to check out some of these sites:

a) Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding. http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingplanningtools/tp/Costcutters.htm
b) Trendy Tips to Save Money on your Wedding Day. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/15/some-trendy-ways-to-save-on-your-special-day/
c) Ten Ways to Save on Your Wedding. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/top-10-ways-to-save-money-on-your-wedding-1.aspx
d) The Do It Yourself Weddings Guide. http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/

How Your Public Library Can Help Save You Money

Do you know, it's absolutely amazing what you can do with a public library these days. Today's library is completely outfitted to be, not just the dusty research center it used to be when we were kids, but a fully outfitted center of information and technology. The library next to my house has more computers than an IT department and has a huge assortment of online reading material powered by Google to make it more user friendly than your average university library center.

How can libraries help save you money? First and foremost, let's talk computers and Internet (since it seems like that's what everybody's doing with them anyway). Many libraries now offer free Wi-Fi and plug-in ports for your power cords. Several people have suggested working at the library to cut down on the cost of both your Internet and electricity by taking advantage of their network and simply making sure your laptop is fully charged before you begin the long walk home.

There's also the matter of entertainment. Libraries have a huge assortment of books, movies and music they're willing to loan out for free, and these usually aren't your grandmother's multi-media. I'm actually usually pretty impressed with what my library has to offer. There are programs in everything from knitting to vegetarian cooking to yoga, not to mention reading and crafts programs for the kids.

And of course, there are books and videos you don't have to buy, including digital media. Libraries can go a long toward helping you save money, so take some time to see what yours has to offer today.

Start Saving Money on Gas-the Easy Way

Buying gas is no fun. Seriously. There's something that seems very wrong about having to spend hundreds of dollars a month just to be able to get around, and with rising fuel costs those are hundreds of dollars a month you may not have to spend. Since I'm heartily sick of the summer gas prices that are killing my wallet at the moment I went out and did a little digging to see what I could find. I was surprised at how many ways there are to help save you money on gas! (And no, I'm not just talking about that study that involves spending lots of time coasting and trying to maintain proper following distance in bumper to bumper interstate traffic. Those people had way too much time on their hands.)

Check these sites out for ways save on your transportation costs:

http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/slideshows/slideshow_pop.html?nm=save_on_transportation
http://www.opentravelinfo.com/travel-guide/uncategorized/how-to-save-money-on-gas-29-tips.html

Recycled Toilets-Urban Legend or Cold, Hard Fact?

Are you a Mythbusters fan? Some of the stuff they come up with on that show are enough to leave you flinching in sympathy for the poor television executives that have to peer over their shoulders. There are a few things in real life that can seem just a crazy…like the concept of using a recycled toilet as a planter to redecorate your front lawn without sending your expenses through the roof.

Can you say ewwww?

Apparently this fun urban legend is actually fact. I didn't take the time to do the research. Some things you just don't want to know, although I'd be willing to bet this was a custom that got started with dumping outdated household appliances out into the back yard and leaving them to gather dirt. Supposedly they go well with a ceramic "bathroom" décor in the front lawn, complete with bathtub and small ceramic lawn art. I was like-yikes.

That's just not something I'm going to be willing to do with my toilet when the day comes to give it a proper burial. When it's gone it's gone man. You've got to let it go.

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2008/08/26/recycled-toilets-and-other-strange-ways-to-save-money.aspx. \

Are Online Grocery Services Really Cheaper Than the Real Thing?

It seems like everyone is turning to the Internet for just about everything these days. There's a reason for that! When you have this huge global network of resources at your fingertips that can point you toward just about anything and save you money on absolutely everything it's very, very hard to remember why going to the library or your local hobby shop to pick something up sounded like a good idea in the first place. Ordering online isn't always the answer to your budgeting prayers, hwoev er. Sometimes you're going to pay more for convenience, which is what people are finding over and over again when they go grocery shopping online.

Surprised? Why would you be? Online grocery services have been around for centuries! All right, so maybe they didn't have the Internet to help them place their orders, but people could and did contact their local grocer to have their groceries delivered straight to their door! Now businesses like NetGrocer.com are taking that idea and running with it

Shopping online for groceries is certainly appealing. Who really wants to go to the grocery store when it's five o'clock and you've still got to cook dinner? How much easier would it be to place an order once a week and let the grocery store van deliver it right to your front stoop? Hey, restaurants have been doing it for years. Why not you?

Here's the catch: You're going to pay for that convenience. Yes, you might be able to get your groceries a little cheaper, and you'll be able to buy in bulk without having to pay for a Costco membership, but I have 2 words for you-shipping and handling. You have to pay to have those groceries delivered to your front doorstep, and that's probably going to eat into any savings you may have enjoyed otherwise.

Don't get me wrong. Online grocery services are a great idea, and there will probably come a day when they are more cost effective than the average supermarket courtesy of their supply chain. Until then, however, you're going to get what you pay for. If your budget is already stretched to the limit you might find that extra bit of tug is just a bit more than your budget can bear.

How to Save Your Emergency Fund, No Matter How Tight Money Happens to Be

One of the most important things you can do to make sure your financial future is protected is make sure you've got money in an emergency fund. After all, you never know when a pipe's going to break or someone's going to get sick, and you don't want to find yourself floundering for funds when the time comes! There are plenty of ways to save money (we'd be here all day if we started talking about them all!) so I'm attaching my own personal favorite links for saving money and making your dreams of an emergency fund a reality. You might be surprised at what they can do for you.

http://zenhabits.net/2007/07/21-strategies-for-creating-an-emergency-fund-and-why-its-critical/
http://beingfrugal.net/2007/12/18/how-to-save-an-emergency-fund-when-money-is-tight/
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/financial_literacy/July07_build_emergency_fund_a1.asp

Save Money: Don't Throw Out Your Change!

When you find change lying around the house, what do you do with it? Do you put it away carefully, or do you toss it aside somewhere? Do you even know where your change is? You might be surprised to find out that by not saving all your change you might actually be missing out on a great chance to save money…and hundreds of dollars that you could be putting into your bank account!

Remember when your mom used to tell you that every little bit counts? She was right! Pick a designated spot in your house to toss your change. Wait a few months, then count it. You can either count it and roll it yourself, take it to a Coinstar machine or take it to the bank. (Most banks have automated coin counting machines.)

Watch and be amazed!

Easy Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Do you ever feel like you're spending wayyyyy too much money on groceries these day? Most people are, which is something that takes a lot of us by surprise! Here are the hottest tips to save money on groceries the next time you run out for milk and eggs.

1) Make a list. This prevents walking up and down the aisles and randomly buying everything that looks appealing.

2) Use coupons. Yes, coupon clipping is a pain (and you have to remember not to buy things just because you have a coupon for it!) but you might be surprised at how much money you can save with a little prudent shopping.

3) Shop wholesale and discount clubs like BJ's or Costco, where you can save money by shopping in bulk

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4) Stock up on non-perishables like flour and sugar when they are on sale.

5) Plan your menu around your coupons and local sales rather than planning your meals and hoping you'll get a good deal.

Welcome to Jack's!

Welcome! I was going to start this blog off rolling with some major plans to help you save money and stretch your budget in today's floundering economy, but then I realized that before I could help you it would be good if I told you a little bit about who I am and what I'm doing! So, I'm Jack's Coupons. What I do is dig up fabulous coupons to sites all over the web to help people like you save money and stretch your budget farther. I can help you find cheap gifts, cheap vacations, cheap…well, just about anything! Come check me out at www.JacksCouponCodes.com and visit back here often for great tips on how to save money so you can afford just about anything!