1.  TAKEOUT COFFEE

No knock on Starbucks or Dunkin, but for a quick cup of coffee in the car or at work, it’s a lot cheaper to brew your own.  Get a coffee maker and buy some high-quality ground coffee, plus a couple of travel mugs from the dollar store.  After a few months, the setup will pay for itself and you’ll reap savings after that.  Learn more about the Latte Factor.

2.  ATM FEES

With a little advance planning, you can completely avoid these.  You can go to a bank-owned ATM and also, you can check your bank’s website to find out which other ATM’s won’t charge you fees.  Also investigate whether certain convenience stores or other retail outlets have fee-free ATM’s.  Also, you can use your check card for almost anything now, even dollar menu items at fast-food restaurants, so you probably don’t need to carry much cash anyway.

3.  BOTTLED WATER

Come on…do you really need this?  Much bottled water is only purified tap water to begin with.  And you’re already paying taxes for your own local water.  If you don’t like the taste of your tap water, buy a filter to attach to your kitchen and/or bathroom faucets - or get a water-filtering pitcher.  Get refillable plastic bottles and watch your savings pour in.  Learn more on why Aquafina is a rip off.

4.  CONVENIENCE FOODS

Yes, we know - you’re busy, oh so busy.  It’s tempting to grab already-assembled sandwiches and prepackaged cheese and crackers.  But those daily convenience store runs are costing you time and money.  Hit up your local supermarket once a week for quick, easy food items such as bread, cold cuts, cheese slices, apples, etc. and throw some plastic storage bags into your basket as well.  Packing your own lunches will be a snap.

5.  CAR MAINTENANCE

No, you don’t need to go to your dealer for most types of maintenance and repairs.  The exception would be covered warranty work and recalls - but for everything else, shop around.  Usually a reputable, independently owned garage will fix your car for less.

6.  BOOKS

Go to the library; it’s an amazing treasure trove not only for books, but also music and movies.  You can find your nearest branch at PublicLibraries.com or by Googling  the word "library" and your zip code to display the results on a map.  If you want to be nice and support your locally owned, independent bookstore, go there and buy the things you can’t find at the library, such as gift items or very specialized books and magazines.

7.  MUSIC

Are you still buying CD’s?  There’s not much reason to do that anymore, unless you really love cover art and lyric sheets (and yes, some folks do.)  Buy songs individually at 99 cents or so, from iTunes or Amazon.  For the iTunes store, you’ll need to download free software at Apple.com.  Amazon’s Music Store

8.  HOME PHONE

Even if you normally use your cell, a land line is a useful backup and also is a better choice for making 911 calls because emergency centers will get your location more easily.  Just don’t overpay for the land line.  Shop around, and ask your phone company for a package deal; you could pay as little as $10-15 per month for a land line with unlimited calling if you also get high-speed internet and/or cable TV with the same company.

9.  GAMBLING

The seductive clang-clang of the casinos draws you in, and you walk out poorer.  Remember, the house always wins in the end.  If you really enjoy gambling as entertainment, fine, but decide on your budget before you walk in - $25, $50, or whatever you really can afford to part with.  Las Vegas Entertainment book can also help you save money when going to Vegas.

10.  CLOTHING

It sure feels good to own the same brand of designer jeans Jennifer Aniston wears - but are you a multi-millionaire like she is? If not, skip the celebrity wear and go for some sharp designer knockoffs.  Try Target at www.target.com or H&M at www.hm.com.  Both stores carry lines from famous designers.  Look for a special line of Jimmy Choo shoes at H&M later this year. 

11.  NEW GADGETS

It’s fun to be the first person on your block with the latest, coolest cell phone or some other gadget.  But you pay dearly for the privilege.  Wait at least six months and you’ll likely see lower prices for the same products.

12.  NEW CARS

Do you absolutely, positively need a brand new car?  Consider the fact that new cars instantly lose a lot of value the moment you drive them off the dealer’s lot.   Nobody says you have to buy a junker - just consider opting for a slightly used set of wheels and you’ll save a lot.

13.  EXTENDED WARRANTIES

Service warranties are big profit items for retailers but do little for consumers.  Most electronic items can be replaced for not much more than the cost of repairs and warranties, and most likely you’ll be able to upgrade the technology too.

14.  TRAFFIC TICKETS AND PARKING TICKETS

We all make the occasional mistakes.  But repeat violations add up to big bucks - and traffic violations could cost you more on your car insurance as well.  When you park, set a timer on your cell phone.  And don’t speed or drive recklessly.

15.  UNUSED GYM EQUIPMENT AND MEMBERSHIPS

So many people invest money to join a gym they never visit or workout equipment that gathers dust.  Don’t waste money on good intentions.  And if you really do decide to get fit, you can always start with something free, like walking or running.   Learn how to get a cheap P90x DVDs.

16.  FANCY HEALTH FOOD

Free-range chicken is nice, but not a necessity.  Ditto for a lot of food that is only sold in health food stores or labeled "all-natural".  Read labels and shop carefully; there are some plain old store brands that are just as healthy.  And buy produce in season at local farmer’s markets; you’ll find good prices.

17. GREETING CARDS

No need to pay $3-5 for a typical gift shop greeting card - design and print your own with your computer.  Or shop the dollar store.

18.  CREDIT CARD FEES

Consumers are getting some new protection from sneaky rate hikes and hidden fees, thanks to a bill signed into law by President Obama; details at WhiteHouse.gov

Still, you need to be responsible for your own finances.  Pay your bills on time.

19.  IMPULSE BUYING

We all fall victim to the desire for immediate gratification.  A carefully planned budget helps a lot.   Find out how to create a budget the painless way.  Allow yourself a set amount each week for minor impulse buys such as magazines or gum.

20.  FLORISTS

No knock on florists here, but for everyday flower purchases, try your local supermarket.  A dozen roses costs only $9.99 at my local supermarket (not on Valentine’s Day, of course.)  Also check out Proflowers.com coupons and promo codes.

21. SOFTWARE

Some of the free software out there is as good as any you would buy.  Check out Lifehacker’s  top free downloads for some great picks of free Windows and Mac software.

Photo Credit via Flickr

If you’re like me, when you hear the word "budget" you want to plug your ears and go "lalalalala" because the thought is just so dull, or possibly intimidating. So I learned the hard way what happens when you don’t bother to budget. I always thought of myself as frugal. I love bargain hunting and cheap deals that you can find on sites like this one. I know how to pay the lowest price. But until I sat down and put a spending plan on paper, I didn’t fully know where every penny of my money was being spent, and my wallet felt squeezed. So I knew it was time to buckle down.
 
I tried some popular software like Quicken and Microsoft Money. They’re fine products, but just too darn complicated if all you want to do is create a simple budget. Fancy financial software is fine for those who want spend the time to download every banking transaction, monitor investment portfolios, and create pretty charts and bar graphs. But it’s like buying a racing bike for a kid who’s still using training wheels. There also are sites such as Quicken online, or Mint.com, which pull in your bank account data, but I’m not comfortable with the security issue and anyway, it still won’t track the cash you spend out of pocket.
 
So after scouring the web, reading books, and playing with MS Office, I figured out a more painless approach to share with you. Here it is, step by step:
 
1. TRACK CASH SPENDING
 
Okay, this part will be a little tedious - but it’s not difficult, you only have to do it once (unless your circumstances change) and it’s absolutely necessary. You’ll be amazed to find out how much cash you spend every week, even if you think you’re being thrifty.
 
Get a small, pocket-sized, lined notebook, or you can buy pre-printed expense notebooks or forms from your local office supply store. Just make sure it’s something you can fit in your pocket or purse at all times, and attach a pen to it.  If it’s not a pre-printed form, then write down headings for "date", "description", and "amount".  Then, write down everything you spend for a month, yes even a pack of gum.  If you’re not patient enough to do a month, then do this for one week, as long as it’s a fairly typical week for you.

2.  PICK YOUR BUDGET FORM

If you have Microsoft Excel, then I highly recommend doing your budget that way.  Just open Excel, click "new", and look through the list of template styles.  You’ll see a heading for "budget".  Click that, and you’ll see a choice of pre-programmed and designed budget forms.  Just use the one that you find easiest to look at and understand.  All you need to do is enter data and it will do the calculations for you.  Or, you can find downloadable Excel budget forms online.  You’ll find Mac versions at:  http://www.microsoft.com/mac/templates.mspx?ttid=3 and Windows versions at: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101172321033.aspx

If you prefer the pencil and paper method with a simple, printable form, try one of these:
http://www.betterbudgeting.com/budgetformsfree-basicbudgeting.htm or http://www.foxway.com/worksheet.html.

3.  FILL OUR YOUR BUDGET

Assemble the following: your cash spending records from step 1, your checkbook register or a recent bank statement, a current pay statement or other income records, and your current bill statements.  You’ll also need a pen or pencil, and a calculator.

Now, start entering figures in the appropriate boxes.  Some boxes will need to be subtotaled, i.e. if there’s an "entertainment" category, you’ll add up what you spent on movies, concerts, shows, etc.  If you only kept a week’s worth of cash expense records, you’ll need to multiply your numbers by 4.3 (number of weeks in a month), to obtain monthly figures.  And if any other income or expenses are not monthly, again, you’ll need to calculate a monthly figure.

One little trick: if you get paid every other week, then calculate your income as being two paychecks per month.  There are two months of the year when you will receive three paychecks - but those extra two pays will become an painless automatic savings and financial cushion for you.  Nice, huh?

4.  REVIEW YOUR BUDGET

Add up all expenses and subtract from your income, or if you’re using Excel, the program should do this automatically for you.  Now, what did you find?  Are your expenses exceeding your income?  Or are you cutting it too close for comfort?  If so, it’s time to make some changes.  Shop around for cheaper phone plans and car insurance.  Refinance your home loan if necessary.  Cut out the premium cable channels.  Eat out less.  Get a second job.  Get a roommate.  There are many, many ways to save money; check out the other useful articles on this site.

5.  CRACK DOWN ON CASH SPENDING

Once you’ve tweaked your budget and cut down your spending, figure out how much cash you need to carry around.  I’ve found the envelope system to be a foolproof easy method to keep cash spending in line.  Do this by reviewing your budget categories and seeing which categories are usually paid for in cash out of pocket.  Add up those numbers and determine a monthly cash amount, then divide by 4.3 for a weekly amount.  This is the amount you withdraw in cash each week.  Get a bunch of little envelopes and mark each envelope with the category and budgeted amount.  Apportion your weekly cash among those envelopes.  When you’ve spent all the money in the envelopes, that’s it, no more spending for the week.  If you carry a wallet and don’t have room for envelopes, you can use pieces of scrap paper as dividers; mark them with the categories and amounts, and put the paper dividers in your billfold.

Good luck - and remember to review and update your budget if you have changes to your expenses or income. 

Photo Credit via Flickr

April 15 is fast approaching - so make sure you squeeze every legal deduction from Uncle Sam.  Thanks to the complicated U.S. tax code, there are lots of little-known and unusual deductions that many of us qualify for.  Here are eight great ways to save on your 2008 tax bill.  And remember to visit IRS 1040 Central for more help, forms, and information.

1.  New home buyers in 2009 may qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, but in a special twist, they can speed the payoff by claiming the credit for this year’s purchase on 2008’s return - even if that means amending a 2008 return that has already been filed. The amended tax return will allow them to claim the homebuyer credit on the 2008 return without waiting until next year to claim it on the 2009 return.  Please note this credit only applies to homes bought in 2009.  There previously was a $7,500 tax credit offered for buying homes through last year, but that credit had to be eventually repaid; the new 2009 credit does not have to be repaid.

2.  Filers who live in states that have high sales taxes and no (or low) income taxes can choose to deduct their sales taxes instead of income taxes, if they itemize. This break was slated to expire, but was extended in a law which passed in October.

3.  If you own a home but don’t have enough deductions to itemize, there’s a new break for 2008.  You may now add up to $500 in property tax to your overall standard deduction; couples filing jointly can add $1,000.

4.  If you’re self-employed, you can contribute up to 20 percent of income from that job to a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan. You can even submit for an extension for filing and make the contribution for 2008 as late as Oct. 15.

5.  Start a traditional IRA by April 15 - up to $5,000 if you’re 49 or younger or up to $6,000 if you’re 50 or older as of Dec. 31 - and you can deduct the contribution from your 2008 income tax return.

6.  Deduct classroom supplies: Teachers in K-12 can deduct up to $250 in out-of-pocket spending for classroom supplies. This break had expired, but in a last-minute move, it was reinstated by Congress.

7.  Don’t forget you can deduct mileage allowances for driving your personal car for charitable work, moving or medical appointments.

8.  Check if you qualify to file for the recovery rebate credit.  The recovery rebate credit is a one-time benefit for people who didn’t receive the full economic stimulus payment last year and whose circumstances may have changed, making them eligible now for some or all of the unpaid portion.

You may be eligible if you are in one of the following categories:

-Individuals who did not receive an economic stimulus payment.
-Those who received less than the maximum economic stimulus payment in 2008 — $600 per taxpayer; $1,200 if married filing jointly — because their qualifying or gross income was either too high or too low.
-Families who gained an additional qualifying child in 2008.
-Individuals who could be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return in 2007, but who cannot be claimed as a dependent on another return in 2008.
- Individuals who did not have a valid Social Security number in 2007 but who did receive one in 2008.

You need to claim the recovery rebate credit on Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. The instructions for these forms will show you which lines to use. Unlike the economic stimulus payment, the recovery rebate credit will be included in your tax refund for 2008 and will not be issued as a separate payment.

The Recovery Rebate Credit Calculator will help you figure the amount you should claim on your 2008 tax return.

Photo Credit via Flickr

The only thing I hear on the news, by the water cooler and in line at Starbucks lately are taxes, stimulus plans and layoffs. Gone are the days of idle chit chat about the weather and how your boss wore an ugly tie. Things have taken a serious turn in our powerhouse economy. What are you and I to do, the average citizen of this great nation? Aside from checking Mr. Cheap Stuff for the best freebies and deals of the day you can get your own free stuff and discounts at home with little to no effort.

1. Check your weekly mailers and papers for coupons.

For the past year, they’ve been slipping in buy one get one free coupons or my favorite, just plain ol’ free coupons. My free coupons I’ve partaken on in 2009 alone, free bottles of Vitamin water (via Sunday paper coupon). Free packs of gum, Extra, Trident and Wrigley’s. My free Glade candle (via weekly mailer coupon) I’m burning right now as I write this! There is a pot of gold at the end of the coupon rainbow after all.

2. Online Surveys.

They’re tedious, they’re boring, they’re redundant, they pay off! Sometimes in a big way. Check your register receipt the next time you leave a store. 9 times out of 10 there’s an invitation for an on-line survey. For your time and feedback, they’ll either enter you in a monthly drawing to win a size able gift card or give you a dollar amount or percentage off on your next return purchase. My husband won a $100 Jack In The Box gift card which fed him many a lunch during his hectic electrician work schedule. My favorite discount offers are from Pets Mart and Bath & Body Works.

3. Join the club.

Different restaurants and eateries will give you a free meal or 2 for 1 just for signing up to receive their e-mail promotions. It’s also a great way to stay informed of weekly specials at your favorite places to dine. Anything to help me take the guess work out of what or where I’ll feed my family next is just a click of the mouse away.

4. Join a Marketing Research Company.

This is my absolute favorite and most profitable of all. Last year alone, between my husband and I, we’ve put over $2,500 tax free dollars in our pocket. Marketing research companies reward you generously for giving your opinion on various topics. It can be anywhere from bubble gum, razors, to breakfast food. Last month I sat on a discussion panel regarding family based reality TV shows featured on TLC. For 2 hours of my time, answers to specific questions and opinions I walked out with an envelope with $125 cash! The best way to find them is to Google, marketing research companies in a major metro near you.  They want information on not only you and your spouse but also your kids. One of the marketing research companies we belong to offers a referral program to have your friends sign up. Any age, income level, ethnic background, education level, etc. Giving my opinions and getting paid for it…all is right with the world!

Photo Credit via Flickr

If you have bad eyes like I do, it’s crucial to get quality glasses and contact lenses.  They can cost you a pretty penny, too - and many of us have little or no vision insurance coverage through work.  Here are some great tips and options to keep you seeing clearly for less.

1.  $39 DOLLAR GLASSES

Check out our own Mr. Cheap Stuff deals and coupons for this popular and well-reviewed online retailer.  As you can figure by the name, prices start at $39 for a pair of metal or plastic single-vision eyeglasses in a variety of styles for men and women.  Note we said "start at"; you’ll pay extra for things like bifocal or progressive lenses, anti-reflective coatings, tints and certain styles of frames.   But if you just need a simple pair of glasses for work, reading or driving, this is a great site.  I like the fact that you can print out an actual-size photo of your chosen frame, and also view the frame on men and women with different face shapes.  And they give you a 100% quality guarantee.  This company is based in New York and the glasses are U.S. made.

$39 Dollar Glasses

2.  ORDER AS PRESCRIBED

To order glasses online, you’ll need a copy of your prescription.  Did you know that in the U.S., there is a federal law that your prescription must be given to you at the end of your eye exam?  If you lost it, you can always call your eye doc for a copy.  And by the way, a contact lens prescription is NOT the same thing.  You’ll need a specific glasses prescription.

Now, how do you read the prescription to enter it correctly online?

The top row (O.D.) is the information for your right eye.
The second row (O.S.) is the information for your left eye.
Fill in each number as it appears in your written prescription.  You’ll see numbers labeled spherical, cylindrical and axis. 

If you wear bifocals or reading glasses, your doctor will also write in an "ADD" power either to the right of, or below, your prescription for each eye.  For example, your ADD power might be +1.  When you enter your order online, just enter each number in the appropriate dropdown boxes provided on the order page.

3.  KNOW HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF

To order glasses online, you’ll need to provide not only your prescription but also your pupillary distance (the distance between the centers of your eyes).
To measure your Pupillary Distance (PD):
Place a millimeter ruler on the bridge of your nose.  The ruler must be metric, not inches, in order to measure millimeters.  Have a friend face you about arms length away.  Have your friend measure the distance between the center of your pupils (the black dots in the middl e of your eyes).  Or you can do it yourself simply by looking in the mirror. If you need your glasses on to do this, you can draw dots on the lenses where your pupils are (using a magic marker or highlighter); then take the glasses off and measure the distance between them.

4.  GET CHEAPER CONTACTS ONLINE

Once again, Mr. Cheap Stuff comes through with some great discounts for you on contact lenses.

Vision Direct is a division of well-known retailer,  Drugstore.com.   Orders over $99 get free shipping, and they guarantee they will beat any competitor’s price by 105%.  They are based in Washington state.

1-800-Get-Lens guarantees you will receive the exact type and brand of contact lenses specified in your order, sealed in the manufacturers’ sterile packaging at 50% lower than your local opticians and 15% lower than the other reputable online vendors.

To order contact=2 0lenses online, you’ll need a current contact lens (not glasses) prescription, the box from your current contact lenses, and the name of your eye doctor.  Do not attempt to order contact lenses if you have not been already properly fitted for them.

Vision Direct Coupons
1800GetLens.com Coupons
Lens.com Coupons
AC Lens Coupons

5.  COMPARISON SHOP FOR LENSES

If you want to quickly compare prices for the same contact lenses, try Lens Pundit.  They display comparative prices from several companies including Lens.com and ACLens.com.  So you can find your price, then use the Mr. Cheap Stuff coupon links to save even more.

6.  CAN’T ORDER ONLINE?  GET LOCAL.

There may be some reasons that a few folks can’t order glasses online.  If you are very hard to fit for frames, or have a very unusual or strong prescription, or certain eye conditions, you may need to order glasses locally.  But before you head off to one of the major chains, try your local optician and ask if they offer any sorts of discounts.  Some of them will have a price matching policy or may discount your glasses if you also order contact lenses from them.  It never hurts to ask. 

Photo Credit via Flickr