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January Joy: Try These Post-Holiday Strategies For Savings

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:54:28 +0000

Cold or dreary weather, holiday pounds to lose, post-Christmas doldrums…what is there to like about January? The savings. Smart Mr. Cheap Stuff readers know this month is an excellent time for finding bargains. If you’ve been following our previous advice then you’ve held off on your post-holiday shopping because there weren’t as many markdowns in late December. So bundle up and get ready to shop now! Try these seven strategies for January savings:

-Don’t re-gift it, re-sell it. If you received unwanted items for Christmas and you couldn’t return them, unload them on eBay or Craigslist and pocket some cash. Or donate the cash to a worthy charity and keep records for next year’s taxes.

-Try Target this month. They started a new sales promotion called The Great Save. It’s primarily an in-store event (although some items are also available online) and the idea is to feature various products priced as low as you would pay in a warehouse club such as Costco or BJ’s, but without membership fees or ID cards. The Great Save runs through February 21st at about 1,000 of Target’s 1,740 stores. All of the featured items are located in one central area of the store so they will be easy to find. Items range from bulk-packaged stuff such as paper towels, to designer brand fashion and accessories.

-Get crafty. All those holiday craft and decorating supplies are on clearance now at your favorite hobby and fabric stores. Stock up on fabrics, ribbon, silk flowers, baskets and more, plus wrapping supplies as well. Score big savings and store them away for next time. Or start some new craft projects to keep you busy during the winter.

-Snack up. Give yourself (or others) a gift of a delicious holiday basket or gourmet candy and other treats, marked down cheap. Try stores such as Crate and Barrel, Williams Sonoma, or Amazon.

-Fix it. With the holidays over you may have more time on your hands, especially if you live in a climate where it’s too cold to do much outside. Look for tools on clearance this month; try our online coupons for Tool King and Ace Hardware or visit your local Home Depot or Lowe’s, and catch up on all your home projects this winter.

-Scoop up holiday-packaged items. Things like body lotion, soap and candy are specially packaged in Christmas-themed boxes and wrappers; in January the prices are slashed just because of the holiday packaging even though they are the same products on the inside.

-Scent it. Prices are slashed at stores such as Bath and Body Works and Yankee Candle, so now is a great time to stock up on your favorite scents. Prices likely will be cheapest for holiday and winter scents such as bayberry.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

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January Joy: Try These Post-Holiday Strategies For Savings

Money-Saving Resolutions To Make For 2010

Jennifer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:23:30 +0000

According to several polls, saving money is one of the top ten most popular New Year’s resolutions. Have you made your financial resolutions for 2010 yet? If not, here are eight great ideas for you to save money this year.

Double Duty Resolutions
You can save money by carrying out some of the other most popular resolutions:

-Lose weight. Eat less, you’ll see lower grocery bills. Additionally, don’t eat out as much; home-cooked food is cheaper and healthier, and it’s easier to control portion sizes.

-Get organized. How often have you ended up buying an item all over again because you couldn’t find it in your house? Or paid late fees because you lost a bill? That’s happened to me. Develop a system to keep everything in its place. Try this site for lots of helpful free organizing tips.

Fly Lady

- Stop smoking. At around $4 a pack, a pack-a-day smoker would save $1460 in this year. Add to that, cheaper life insurance, better overall health and perhaps lower doctor bills. If you still can’t quit, at least consider switching to a generic brand, and save yourself over $350 a year.

-Get fit. It will cut your medical bills, and possibly other associated expenses. For example, if you’re in shape, you can walk more places instead of driving your car everywhere. You need not join an expensive gym; walking or running will get you in shape. If the weather’s bad, try mall walking. And you can equip your home gym for under $100, according to Consumer Reports:

Consumer Reports

Other Great Ways You Can Resolve to Save in the New Year

-Take up a new hobby or activity. A lot of folks head to the mall when bored, and end up spending money needlessly. If that happens to you, do something else cheap or free. Visit the library. See your friends or family. Head to a public park.

- Save on insurance. If you haven’t reviewed your policies in a while, you may be surprised at how much you can save. Check with your agent to see if you can scale back your coverage, or combine policies to get a discount. Make sure you’re getting all the savings you are entitled to, such as safe driving discounts.

-Manage your finances. You can try: www.mint.com, which tracks all of your accounts in one place and offers budgeting tips. If you prefer using spreadsheets, check out Microsoft Excel’s many free and excellent budget worksheets that are available as standard templates. I used one of them to create my monthly spending plan. (in Excel 2007, click “new” and then “budget” from the list of template types).

-Always shop with coupons. Before you buy anything online, check Mr. Cheap Stuff coupons and save at many popular online retailers.

http://www.mrcheapstuff.com/stores/

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Broke College Student? 25 Ways To Save Money In College

Jennifer — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:36:44 +0000

College is expensive but hopefully with these tips you can get the most bang for your buck. Feel free to leave a comment on your own college money savings tips.

1. Get a free checking and savings account. Many banks offer “student” accounts that don’t charge the fees that some other accounts have. Look for free online banking and bill paying.

2. Always keep your check register with you, to track your balance and make sure to avoid overdraft fees, which happen when you don’t have enough in the account to cover your checks. A lot of banks also offer mobile phone websites or apps, so you can bank from anywhere.

3. Empty your pockets and save that spare change. Count it yourself…come on, you’re in college…not as if you need to pay for those coin-counting machines.

4. Don’t drink. That’s a surefire way to flush your money down the drain.

5. If you decide to drink anyway, buy the cheap brands.

6. Take advantage of specials at college bars and dance clubs. If you don’t have to get up early for class the next day, you can to go out on a weeknight and enjoy lower prices then, too.

7. Other people’s parties – be there.

8. When you go out, don’t bring your whole wallet or purse. Ration out a small amount of cash to limit your spending.

9. Why buy new? Before you shell out for a textbook, borrow one if possible.

10. If you can’t borrow, buy used college textbooks. Try Amazon or Barnes and Noble online.

11. Cheap college food in two words: ramen noodles. If you can afford it, thrown in some vegetables and/or meat, and you have a complete meal.

12. Take advantage of your campus meal plan – eat at the college cafeteria, or if you have a declining cash balance plan, make sure you use up those dollars at approved dining locations; some schools don’t allow you to carry over dining dollars to the next year.

13. Save $2,000 during your college career by brewing your own coffee. Buy a decent coffee maker or ask for one for as a gift.

14. Skip the fast food and late night take-out. Keep healthy, affordable snacks in your dorm room or apartment – cheese, whole wheat bread, instant oatmeal, peanut butter and fruit are all good choices.

15. Avoid high-end gourmet markets; find out where the poor people shop, such as discount groceries. Don’t forget to clip coupons, too.??

16. For a date, kick your roommates out for the evening, and prepare a simple candlelight meal.

17. If you’re buying a computer, save by shopping the student specials; discounts, rebates and back to school specials. Apple Computer offers student discounts and rebates to students and teachers. And many schools negotiate special deals with manufacturers; check with your college store or the college IT department.

18. Forget about the TV; just watch cable television through your computer. Make sure your desktop or laptop has a DVD/CD player and you can also watch your favorite movies.

19. You also don’t need a stereo. Get a good set of computer speakers, preferably with a separate woofer to boost the bass. Then play away from your iTunes music library.

20. Why pay high movie ticket prices? Take advantage of your flexible schedule and hit the weekday matinee showings, which are cheaper. Also look for free movies on campus.

21. Offer your services as a tutor. Pick your best one or two subjects. Try posting your services on Craigslist.

22. It costs little or nothing to enjoy a picnic, a long walk, flying a kite, a pick up game of basketball, soccer or football, a card game or reading a good book which you can find in your college library.

23. Check your college paper and local websites for free upcoming events such as concerts, arts and crafts fairs, theater, festivals, art galleries, and museums.

24. Living on an upper floor will typically keep you warmer in the winter, but it’ll get hotter in the summer. If you go to school in a region where winters are longer then upper floors are smart, otherwise live low.

25. When it’s time to head home, check Amtrak or Greyhound for student discounts.

Dean writes:

Being broke in college brings back fond memories. It also makes me realize I’m getting older. Here are some of my personal favorite money saving tips from college

I never did this but I have heard of people scanning text books so they don’t have to buy them.
Always try to carry with you a nice reusable water bottle so you don’t get tempted to buy soft drinks or bottled water.
House or dorm parties are a lot cheaper than going to the club.
Try going to discounted college theater play or sports game for a cheap date.
Sport drinks are nice after working out but so is water. Buy a water filter and use it.
Your college ID probably gets your deals at restaurants so use them to cheap meals.

Photo Credit via Flickr

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Broke College Student? 25 Ways To Save Money In College

36 Ways To Get Healthy & Fatten Your Wallet

Jennifer — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:13:13 +0000

Bad health costs you your well-being and happiness, and shortens your life expectancy. But it also costs you money in health care expenses and medications. Here are three dozen top tips to save your life and your money.

1.    Smoking - Everyone knows that smoking is deadly, and expensive too. It also aggravates allergies, and costs you more in cleaning bills to get the smoke smell out of your clothes. Quitting smoking reduces your risk or cancer while helping improve your respiratory system and allergies. And think of all the money you’ll save on cigarettes.

2.    Drinking – Drinking takes a toll, not only on your budget but if you drink a lot, you could face a whole host of problems such as alcoholism, liver damage, chronic dehydration, a weak immune system, psychological problems and weight gain.

3.    Junk Food - An occasional treat is okay, but a regular diet of hamburgers, fries and milkshakes is a lot of empty calories. You’ll eat healthier and cheaper if you make a sandwich at home.

4.    Unsafe sex – Don’t put yourself at risk for AIDS and other diseases.

5.    Tanning - According to some reports, tanning can more than double your risk of getting skin cancer. Stick with bronzers and fake tanners, both of which are cheaper than tanning salon visits.

6.    Drug abuse – Drugs are expensive and wreck your health. Get help if you need to kick an addiction. Visit a health clinic if you don’t have money to get treatment.

7.    Too much coffee – Excess caffeine affects your digestion, hurts your teeth, and ability to sleep.

8.    Take vitamins – Ward off anemia with iron supplements, and avoid osteoporosis by taking calcium.

9.    Drink (tap) water – Skip the sodas and other bottled drinks, and enjoy more glasses of water. You’ll save money, your skin will glow, and you’ll feel more energetic.

10. Get a good night’s sleep – Did you know that0Alack of sleep heightens the risk for a variety of major illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity? And you need sufficient rest to recharge your immune system.

11. Exercise – Strengthen your heart and live longer with simple walking or running; you don’t need an expensive gym. If the weather’s bad, try one of the cable TV fitness shows or borrow workout videos for free from your local library.

12. Avoid secondhand smoke – Avoid smoky bars and restaurants. Encourage your family and friends to stop smoking; it’ll be healthier for both them and you.

13. An apple a day… We all know the old saying that "an apple a day keeps the doctor away."   There’s some truth to it: eating lots of fruits and vegetables boosts your immune system.&n bsp; Plus, apples are cheap and a great source of fiber.

14. Wear sunscreen – Decrease your risk of skin cancer by taking an extra minute to use sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin.

15. Wear comfortable shoes – Bad shoes can lead to chronic back and foot pain. If you’re fashion conscious, then at least don’t wear heels all day and night; wear comfy shoes for walking and change into your heels at work or for going out.

16. Stretch – Proper stretching reduces stress, improves posture and balance, and can lessen the risk of injuries. Just make sure you’re warmed up before you do it.

17. Floss – Flossing is a whole lot easier and cheaper than getting gum disease and cavities.

18. Stress control – Find healthy ways to relieve stress, such as exercising or dancing.

19. Adjust your posture – Avoid possible back pain and heed your mom’s advice to sit up straight. If you work at a desk all day, get up and stretch your back, neck, and shoulders occasionally.

20. Get some (healthy) sun – A little sunshine gives you vitamin D. Just make sure to wear sunscreen.

21. Meditate – No mantras needed – just close your eyes and breathe deeply in and out for a few minutes to relieve stress and help clear your mind.

22. Eat slower – Help avoid tummy troubles by taking your time at meals. Chew slowly and savor every bite; this will also help you avoid overeating.

23. Take a break – Get up and stretch your legs or take a walk to the lobby to get away from your computer, relax your eyes and muscles and get some perspective.

24. Wash your hands – Such an easy way to rid yourself of germs, especially during cold and flu season. When you’re not near water, carry a portable size of anti-bacterial gel to rub on your hands.

25. Get more fiber – Fiber’s benefits include lowering your cholesterol and helping your colon function properly. Plus, you’ll feel fuller and will be less likely to overeat.

26. Unworthy sponges – Sponges can harbor germs and bacteria if you don’t replace them.

27. Get tested – Make sure you get a yearly checkup including cancer screenings; get STD tests if you’re sexually active. Women, don’t forget mammograms.

28. Visit the dentist – Regular teeth cleanings and periodic X-rays are much cheaper and less painful than neglecting your mouth and having to get root canal or dentures.

29. Replace your cosmetics and skin creams – Sure, you don’t want use them up, but outdated products can cause acne or skin irritations. Also avoid eye irritations by replacing your mascara.

30. Buy generic – Unless your doctor says otherwise, avoid brand names and save money with generic medications.

31. Get a flu shot – If you work in a crowded environment, are a senior citizen, or have certain health conditions, it’s important to protect yourself. Check with your doctor, employer, or county health department to see if you’re eligible for a free shot.

32. Never share toothbrushes, razors or other personal items – Don’t risk infections; keep your personal care items to yourself.

33. Save for health care – Even saving just $25 per month will be enough to cover some co-pays and deductibles for your health coverage.

34. Know your health history – Tell doctors and other health professionals about your health conditions, health history and genetic factors so they can treat you effectively and avoid unnecessary treatments.

35. Learn to cook – Restaurant food is expensive, and usually not as healthy. You don’t need to make anything fancy; salads and sandwiches are quick and easy choices.

36. Get a partner – Find a friend to share your healthy eating or exercise goals; you’ll motivate each other to be more successful.

Two Dozen Easy Ways To Save Money On Gas

Jennifer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:41:57 +0000

1. The obvious one: drive less by walking, carpooling, bicycling or taking public transit. Google Maps has an excellent map that makes using mass transit simple and easy.

2. If you have to drive, see if you can combine trips, e.g. run your errands on the way home from work. You can also time your trips during off-peak times to avoid traffic to help you save time and money.

3. Get the junk from the trunk – your vehicle uses more gas with the extra weight. Clean out the car and take out all the stuff you don’t need.

4. Check and maintain proper tire inflation according to manufacturer specifications. A tire pressure gauge only costs a few bucks but will save you a lot of money if you maintain the right tire pressure.

5. Plan your trip for best combination of: shortest distance and minimum traffic congestion. It could be worth a slightly longer route, though, if the shortest route is heavily jammed. Go to Google Maps, input your location and click the box for "Traffic" to see current traffic conditions.

6. Go with the flow – although you want to avoid traffic jams, a freely moving flow of traffic on a highway is better for you gas-wise than an empty road. That’s because the traffic flow creates an aerodynamic wind current.

7. Choose the smoothest roads for the least rolling resistance and less gas usage.

8. Go with good weather, when you can. Driving in rain and snow increases your vehicle’s aerodynamic resistance and lowers your mileage.

9. Close your sunroof at higher speeds. Certain styles of sunroofs, when open, greatly increase drag.

10. Also, at higher speeds, keep your windows closed to reduce drag. Even running your air conditioner (windows closed) may be more fuel-efficient than open windows at 55 mph.

11. Know fuel efficient braking techniques – coast in neutral when you can, to slow down before you brake. But only do this when it’s safe, depending on traffic conditions.

12. When you can, avoid braking at all, by adjusting your speed to follow the traffic flow and take advantage of green lights. Again, you’ll have to adapt to traffic conditions and safety.

13. Barefootin’ – believe it or not, you can save gas by removing your shoes and driving in socks or bare feet. This increases your sensitivity to use the accelerator and brakes at maximum efficiency.

14. Avoid parallel parking in tight spots – all the back-and-forth and maneuvering will use up extra gas. Park a little farther away in an easier spot.

15. In a multi-vehicle household, choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle as often as you can.

16. With an automatic transmission, use "overdrive" or "economy" mode to save fuel; these settings shift the transmission into high gear sooner.

17. In winter, clean snow and ice off your car to reduce wind resistance (as well as improving safety and visibility).

18. In summer, keep air-conditioning use to a minimum. Parking in the shade will help reduce the need for a/c. It also helps to tint your windows to keep your car interior cooler.

19. Maintain appropriate following distance; if you follow too closely, you’ll have to hit the brakes hard to stop. That’s less fuel-efficient and potentially unsafe.

20. Don’t speed. Going fast uses more gas.

21. Avoid roof racks, since they increase drag. For bicycles, get a rear-mounted carrier.

22. Save gas by minimizing use of accessories such as dvd players, interior lights, etc.

23. If you use toll roads and bridge, get EZ Pass, so you won’t burn up gas sitting in tollbooth traffic.

24. Finally, if you own an old gas guzzler, see if you should trade it in for a more fuel efficient model. Check if you qualify for the government’s new "Cash for Clunkers" program. http://www.cars.gov/ This program has been extremely popular and may run out of funding, so act soon.

The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500, and generally depends on the type of vehicle you purchase and the difference in fuel economy between the purchased vehicle and the trade-in vehicle.

Your trade-in vehicle must:

have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date you trade it in
have a "new" combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less
be in drivable condition
be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in

Photo credit via Flickr

21 Ways To Stop Wasting Money

Jennifer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:51:57 +0000

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

How To Create A Budget The Painless Way

Jennifer — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:32:22 +0000

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

Saving Money on Easter: A Guide to Cheaper Clothes, Candy and Decorations

Jennifer — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:17:30 +0000

Easter comes at a fun time of year – it means springtime, lighter clothes, festive flowers and delicious candy. But it can burn a hole in your wallet faster than a speeding rabbit, unless you know how to save money. Here’s a guide to enjoying an Easter that’s just as much fun but costs fewer dollars.

1. Elegant outfits and hats are a tradition at many churches for Easter. But it’s hard to justify spending that much money for an outfit you’ll only wear once. Consider your future needs. If you attend church or other dressy occasions on a regular basis, then it might be worth buying a new suit or hat. Otherwise, your local thrift shop, consignment store, Goodwill or Salvation Army will be an excellent source of cheap Easter fashion. Just enter "thrift store" and your zip code into Google to get a list of local places.

2. Cheaper Easter baskets: Again, thrift stores, or dollar stores. Dollar stores also have a wide variety of candy and the fake green grass to put inside the baskets. You also can try shopping the sales at various drugstore chains.

3. Make your own: instead of storebought basket items, bake cookies or make fudge to put in the basket. Wrap them in festively colored plastic wrap.

3. Toys/Kid’s Gifts: Along with the previously mentioned thrift and dollar stores, try yard sales, garage sales, church rummage sales, and Craigslist. There is one more Saturday before Easter and that could be a perfect time to snap up some cute and cheap stuffed animals and toys at a local yard sale.

4. Read It: Books are nice gifts any time of the year, but for Easter, check out your local library book sale, used book shops, or yard sales for themed books. For an adult, a Bible or religious book about Easter might be nice, or a book about gardening or flowers. For kids, maybe a children’s Easter book, or some books about baby animals would be good.

5. Beach it: If you live in an area where it is getting warm enough
to go to the park or beach by Easter, then assorted sand toys and beach balls are always a fun gift and may be cheaper than fancy chocolates.

6. Small favors: Check party stores for party favors and novelty items
you can buy on sale or in bulk. Some stores have big grab bags of marked down and discontinued toys and favors for a few dollars each.

7. Eggs-tra savings: Of course, your hardboiled, colored Easter eggs are perfectly edible once the shells come off. So, keep them refrigerated as much as possible, and after you show them off in a basket, remove the eggs and make some egg salad. It’s a nutritious and cheap dish.

Photo Credit via Flickr

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Saving Money on Easter: A Guide to Cheaper Clothes, Candy and Decorations

6 Ways To Get Cheap Glasses & Contacts

Jennifer — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:43:04 +0000

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

10 Money Saving Gadgets Under $50 Bucks

Jennifer — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:02:07 +0000

Love gadgets? Good. There are some that actually save you money without costing much upfront. I get a little frustrated when I look for information about saving money and get suggestions about buying new washers, gas-efficient cars, and such. That’s fine, but how often do you need a new washer? Here are ten inexpensive gadgets that you can probably use- and afford – right now.

1. Programmable Coffee Maker:

Example: Braun KF590 Impressions Digital 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
Price: about $50

It really amazes me how many people spend extra time and money to buy their morning coffee at convenience stores or at Starbucks. It’s so much easier and faster to make your coffee at home. With a programmable unit, you set it up the night before, and you wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Have a couple of lidded travel mugs on hand (can be found at dollar or discount stores). Pour the coffee into the mug, add cream and sugar if you like, and head out the door. I do like that Starbucks taste, so I buy their coffee in bags at the supermarket or at their stores. Tip: if you buy bagged whole bean coffee at a Starbucks store, they will grind it for free, AND you get a free cup of brewed coffee to drink while you’re there. Make sure to ask for it.

A pound of ground coffee ($10) lasts me about a month, for brewing one large mug (16 oz.) five days per week, so that’s 50 cents each time. Assuming your coffee maker lasts five years, the price divides up to about 5 cents per use. So for a total of 55 cents, you get a great mug of coffee, saving you from $1-3 each time compared to buying coffee out (depending where you go). If you save $2 each time, you’ll break even in only six months. I love my Braun coffee maker and it’s been very reliable.

2. Programmable Thermostat

Example: Lux TX9100E 7 Day Programmable Thermostat
Price: about $55

Save money on heating and cooling with a programmable thermostat. They provide very precise temperature control and can be programmed to automatically lower your air conditioning and/or heat use while you’re not home. You can save up to 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills. So, if your electric bill is $100 per month, and you save 10% per month ($10), this product pays for itself in only 5 months. This Lux unit comes recommended by a leading consumer magazine. Okay, it’s five bucks above the $50 limit I mentioned, but well worth it.

3. At-Home Exercise Videos

Example: The Firm: Pump, Jump and Jab
Price: $14.95

Gym memberships typically cost about $50 month. You can cut the cost down to zero just by running and walking instead, but if that bores you, or the weather is bad, you can get in shape equally well at home with exercise videos. I used videos to get back in shape after I had my son. It was great since I didn’t have to leave home and think about child care, and I could fit it into my schedule. I used The Firm videos; they are challenging and really tone you up. If you love to dance, the Zumba videos are fun. If you’re not sure which videos to get, pay a visit to your local library and borrow some to try out before you buy. If you buy three videos and rotate using them, they pay for themselves in only one month, compared to a gym membership.

4. Tap Water Filter

Example: Brita Disposable Faucet Filtration System
Price: about $45

Why spend money on bottled water? I bought this Brita faucet-mount water filter. No tools required; it was quick and easy to install on my kitchen faucet, and believe me, I’m not handy. This model is disposable and lasts up to a full year with no filters to change. It has an electronic indicator that tells you when it’s time for a replacement. The tap water in my house is pretty funky-tasting and this filter does a great job of cleaning things up. Pays for itself in about 6 months if you have been using bottled water every day.

5. Solar Holiday Lights
Price: $39.99 on sale

Now that the holidays are over, pick up some energy efficient solar-powered outdoor holiday lights; they’re on sale. They they charge up during the day from the sun’s power, turn on automatically in the evening, and stay on most of the night. No electricity required!

6. High-Efficiency Showerhead
Example: Delta 75152 Water Amplifying Adjustable Showerhead
Price: $25

High efficiency showerheads save money by reducing the amount of water that needs to flow through your hot water heater. An average American household can save as much as 15,000 gallons of water per year by installing high-efficiency shower heads. And you save the energy costs which would be required to heat the water.

This Delta model is a water-saving 1.85 gallons per minute, but is designed to feel like the standard 2.5 gallons per minute. So you save water and energy. Break even: about 10 months.

7. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Example: GE 97659 13-Watt (60 Watt equivalent) Energy Smart Soft White Spiral T3 Light Bulb 6-Pack
Price: $3.24 each ($19.41 for a 6-pack)
Time Until Break Even: 4 months

CFLs can easily save $100 a year. Just replace a regular bulb with a CFL, and you’ll save about a dollar per bulb every two months or so. GE makes them in "soft-white" so you’ll get pleasant lighting that is more similar to regular bulbs instead of a harsh fluorescent look.

8. Solar Powered Pocket Calculator
Example: Aurora HC127 Dual Power Executive Foldable Style 8 Digit Hardcase Calculator
Price: $6.99

Figure out unit prices, calculate tips, balance your checkbook…there are numerous tasks for this nice, simple little gadget and it will likely pay for itself after just a couple of uses.

This model has extra big number eight-digits and display with an adjustable angle, so even the most nearsighted should have no trouble. Plus it’s in a folding hard case, nice for your pocket, purse or briefcase. Dimensions: 4-3/5"W x 2-2/5"D x 3/5"H.

9. Portable Flash Drive
Example: Kingston Data Traveler 1 GB
Price: $8.02
Time Until Break Even: 1 month

I love my flash drive. You can back up important files, so you save money on not having to buy and burn CD’s for backup. It’s amazing how cheap flash drives are these days – just $8 bucks for a gig, wow. Only a couple years ago, they cost several times more.

10. Battery Charger
Example: Rayovac Universal Battery Charger for Rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-Volt Batteries
Price: $19.27
Time Until Break Even: 1-6 months

Got kids with battery-powered toys? Got home gadgets? Chances are you’re going through lots of batteries. I have one of those closet stickup lights that I swear needs new batteries almost every week. Time to get myself some rechargeable batteries and use this gadget to keep them juiced.

10 Simple Ways to Go Green & Save Money

Dean — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:29:10 +0000

After a long period of thought, have you finally decided to go green and save the environment? But when you look at the options, you suddenly find that ways to environment friendliness are expensive. Are there ways to go green and save money at the same time? Indeed, there are several simple, yet powerful ways to achieve this goal.

1. Usable water is one of the most precious things on this planet. Judicious use of water goes a long way to protecting the environment and also serves to bring down your water bill. Simple steps like fixing pipe and faucet leaks, remembering to close taps tightly every time and not allowing the tap water to run continuously while brushing or lathering, etc… useful ways to save water.

2. Avoid using disposable razors and switch to safety razors. Apart from costing more, the plastic packing around disposable razors is a major threat to the environment. Also, disposable razors with all their extra packing take up more storage space in the house. Safety razors that require only replaceable blades are a more economical option. Multi-packs of razor blades come cheaply and with much less plastic wrapped around them.

3. As far as possible try to use energy efficient devices. For example switching from ordinary light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLBs can save an enormous amount of power and can serve to bring down your electricity bill quite drastically.

4. Another simple way to save the environment and save money is to cook food at home. People who eat at fast food joints not only damage the environment but also add to their monthly food bills. Buying groceries and vegetables from the store and then cooking your favorite dinner back home is the best option.

5. House insulation is an important contributor to unwarranted power consumption. In improperly insulted homes, both heating and cooling will take up more power compared to well-insulated homes. Having a correctly insulated home saves power and money.

6. As far as possible buy and use second-hand items. Furniture, toys, clothing and kitchenware are good examples of items that can be bought second-hand. This prolongs the journey of these items into the garbage bin. This option is both environment friendly as well as a great money saver.

7. Prudent use of your printer can go a long way to saving paper, ink and money. Before you choose to press the print button on your computer, please stop for a moment and think twice about the necessity of a hard-copy. And if you do decide to print out a document, try to use economy-mode. This saves paper, ink and makes sure that the cartridge doesn’t need refilling very often.

8. Stop buying bottled water. Invest in a nice water bottle and it will pay for itself quickly. Not buying bottled water means less plastic bottles and more money in your pocket.

9. Try to recycle items that are amenable to the process. This avoids garbage pile up and the need to buy new things very often.

10. Try to use a glass water bottle that be used again and again instead of using several disposable plastic water cups over the course of the day.

Got any more tips to go green while saving money? Let me know. Photo Credit

Attention UK readers

For all you UK readers looking for coupons I recommend checking out PromotionalCodes.org.uk. Not only do they have tons of updated coupons and promotional codes, they also have a great blog going with money saving ideas and frugal hacks. One of their popular coupons right now is their Comet promotion code. Please let me know if you can recommend any other great websites to share with our readers.

14 No-Brainer Things You Should Own to Save Money

Dean — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:26:54 +0000

Many people find it very difficult to save money. It is possible to save money and accumulate a nice nest egg. There are tons of ways that you can save money. The following are 14 simple things you can buy that will save you money in the long run. You can think of these things as investments and while you could invest your money is many other things the ROI of these items are pretty darn hard to beat.

1. Programmable Thermostat - Manual thermostats cost homes more money than programmable thermostats. When a person wants to heat or cool a room, they usually adjust the thermostat temperature beyond the level they want in hopes of making the house cool or warm more quickly. A programmable thermostat can help save and pay for itself in a few months.

2. Faucet Aerator - Faucet aerators are small devices you can place on the faucets in your house. They reduce the water flow coming out of the faucet by about half. Using faucet aerators will save a typical family of four about 280 gallons of water a month and pay for themselves in less than a year.

3. Low Flow Shower Heads – Replacing regular shower heads with low-flow shower heads can reduce your hot-water consumption while showering by as much as 30%. If you use the shower an average of 30 minutes a day, will save you about $100 a year in twofold savings. Check out Treehugger.com to learn more.

4. Compact Fluorescent Lights – Compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs cost more than regular incandescent light bulbs, but they use about 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than conventional ones.

5. LED Lights – Light-emitting diode (LED) holiday lights cost a bit more than standard holiday lights, but they use 80 – 90% less electricity than standard lights and last 5 times longer than standard lights. Because of the way they are made, they are also virtually indestructible. In the next couple of years you will see LED light bulbs prices drop and they will soon the light bulb of choice.

6. Sale Items – Anything that you use on a regular basis that goes on sale is worth buying and stockpiling. Following this strategy should get you a from an instant 20% to 50% return on the money you spend. Don’t go overboard, make sure you will be able to use the items you buy. In fact most people could eat for a couple of weeks by just eating out of their freezer and pantry.

7. Rechargeable Batteries – Batteries can cost a small fortune, especially if you regularly use electronic equipment that are “high drain” devices. While initially more expensive than regular alkaline batteries, purchasing Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries can save you a lot of money in the long run.

8. Clothes Line or Clothes Rack – If you can line dry your clothes, purchasing a clothes line will save you more than $100 a year over using a dryer. Alternatively, purchasing a clothes rack or two for drying will save you the same amount. Most cost around $20 meaning that you will regain the cost in a few months.

9. Safe Deposit Box - This may not save you money on a yearly basis, but it will save you a lot of money if any type of accident, disaster or robbery takes place. It’ll save you a ton of grief in settling claims since you’ll have all the documentation to take care of anything that might arise. I also recommend scanning and storing documents online.

10. Water Filter – If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water and regularly buy bottled water, purchase a water filter to save you hundreds of dollars over time. A quality water filter will make your water just as pure as most bottled water and pay for itself within months in most cases.

11. Water Bottle – If your going to buy a water filter be sure to buy a couple of water bottles. You can buy a cheap one or spend the money and buy a quality water bottle. If your worried about the BPA plastic there are now a bunch of stylish BPA water bottles available.

12. Tire Gauge – This cheap little gadget can save you a bunch especially with the gas prices today. Next time you fill up gas check your tire pressure and fill them to the recommend psi. Your return on investment in buying a tire gauge could justified in its first use.

13. Water Heater Timer – A water heater is a major energy consuming appliance. Getting a timer will allow you to turn your water heater off and on only when you need it. Get one today and you will notice a difference in your electricity bill.

14. Ceiling Fan – If you use an air conditioner then getting a ceiling fan can keep you cool at a fraction of the price. I also recommend Vornado fans for those that don’t want to install a ceiling fan.

For those of you looking to learn more on how to save money on your electricity bill check out this awesome site by Micheal Bluejay aka Mr. Electricity.

Photo Credit

10 Ways To Save Money In Las Vegas

Dean — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:26:10 +0000

Las Vegas Strip at Night – Photo Credit

For most people a trip to Vegas is a once in a lifetime proposition. Face it, you are going to Vegas to gamble and have some fun. It doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg and with the following money saving tips you can now hit the card tables with a bigger bankroll.

1. Plan ahead – Plan your trip in advance. Most of the major air carriers offer steep discounts on fares that are bought weeks in advance of departure.

2. Book your room online – You can get a $500 room in Vegas for $50 if you do your homework. Casinos will offer cut rate prices on rooms, because they want you to gamble on their property and not elsewhere. A cheap room is an enticement to do so.

3. Plan your meals – Prime rib, steak and lobster dinners can be enjoyed for $10. Check your in room coupons. When you are out on The Strip keep your eyes open for the neon marquees. Most resorts have buffet specials. A healthy meal can be found. You might want to purchase a Las Vegas Entertainment Book before you leave for your vacation.

4. Take the time share tour - No, you don’t want to buy a time share but 1 ½ hours early in the morning won’t interrupt your vacation. This is the ideal place for free show tickets and free meals. If you do buy the time share you are at least guaranteed a free ride in a limo.

5. Sign up for the players card – If you are a slots player sign up with your favourite casino. Plug your player card in the casino slots for that extra $20 you’ll have to play with. Sign up usually includes a free meal and discounts for Vegas attractions or shows.

6. Free Wifi in Las Vegas – Need to go online? Save the $20 that most casinos charge for unreliable Internet use and use the free WiFi that is available at McCarran Airport while you wait for your flight connections or the limo to your casino. The Monorail is also WiFi friendly and is a great place to check your email as you ride in comfort from one end of The Strip to the other.

7. Pack less - You don’t need as much as you think in Vegas. Pack an extra bag instead and load up on souvenirs and clothing from the various outlet malls in town. Free shuttle service is provided.

8. Know your destination – Vegas cab drivers have been known to take circuitous detours. You can save ½ your cab fare if you know where you are going and recommend your preferred route to your driver.

9. Be seen – If you like to enjoy your drinks for free make sure that the hostesses can see you and don’t hop from card table to card table or from one slot machine to another. Tips will ensure that your hostess comes back with regularity, unless you prefer spending $14 for a Vodka and Red Bull.

10. Wear comfortable shoes – While this won’t save you money, The Strip is longer than you think and comfortable footwear will make you less tense when you find your poker table. Happy feet can lead to peace of mind and is one less thing for you to think about at the card tables.

These tips can save you up to $3000 for a week in Vegas. You will have already saved up to $1500 by the time you leave home. That’s money you can take to the bank!

This article was written by a Mr. Cheap Stuff contributor, have a tip or article you would like to submit, please contact me.