Category: Frugality

Learn about a variety of ways to save money

Health, More, Personal Finance

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Are Not a Package Deal

Forever I have heard the saying of one of my favorites Ben Franklin that includes the phrase “healthy, wealthy, and wise”. OK, if going to bed early could really simply foster those things wouldn’t we all be heading to dreamland around 8 PM and basking in great health and wealth when we woke up each day?

For those seeking to be healthy, wealthy, and wise, the path isn't always easy. Here are some thoughts on getting there and current events.

But let’s be real for a second. First of all, almost all of us don’t go to bed early simply because we enjoy doing all the things that you can do in the evening like dining out, watching television, and, well, just doing the things we can’t do in the daytime because of work. So strike one right there. The days of going to bed at dusk ended when being a farmer was no longer the number one job anyone could have. No offense intended Ben, but health and wealth and wisdom don’t just come to those gentle souls automatically!

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Food

10 Do’s and Don’ts to Save Money on Groceries

My guess is that one of the best ways to save your hard-earned money every week is to save money on groceries! With good planning, and learning to follow and never deviate from that plan, saving on your grocery bill almost becomes a way of life.

While good planning is the key to save money on groceries, there are still things you can do to limit your spending while you're shopping at the store.

Because it is something you do so often, every week, it is a keystone to your budget. And you already know that it is so easy to blow it completely up if and when you stop paying attention to it. That’s the reason I want to highlight for you the do’s and don’ts that are really easy ways to limit your spending while you’re shopping at the store. Whether it’s avoiding the influence of the supermarket as they try to coax you into spending more, or by simply asking for what you want, these ways to save actually work!

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Food

How to Create a Better Grocery List to Save Money

There’s no escape from the fact that buying food is a big deal and a regular part of your life. It may be that you used to spend money dining out in restaurants or eating fast food lunches every day, but at some point, you simply must buy food at the supermarket and keep it on hand at home. And when you do that, you are usually spending a big wad of cash.

Creating a grocery list will save you money, but what you really want to do is slash your food bill and save thousands every year! Here's how!

If you are shopping for just you, it might not be any real issue, but if you have a family to shop for and especially with kids, BINGO! You have hit the mother lode of hunger with that one and that is why you need to know how to build a better grocery list!

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Home

A First Time Homebuyer Must-Know Guide

The American Dream of owning a home is still alive and going strong in 2020 despite the chaotic world we are currently living in. It’s always a bit intimidating whenever you buy a home, but even more so when it’s the very first time you are planning to do it. So here’s what a first time homebuyer needs to know.

If you're looking to buy a home for the first time, you'll definitely want to know about these programs to help educate you and save you money!

There’s a lot to think about when you are thinking about buying your first home and it’s normal to have a lot of questions. The idea of making the single largest purchase that you will ever make in your life is pretty scary. You might be wondering about the process from the beginning to closing and what it all means to your personal finances.

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Shopping

What is Bargain Hunting to You?

I write about savings on this blog because saving money is very important to my wife and me. I enjoy the challenges of bargain hunting and knowing and feeling that I got a very good deal, if not the best deal available. But I also know that not everyone views a bargain in terms of dollars and cents.

Remember this rule of thumb above all else:

“A bargain isn’t a bargain if you don’t need it and won’t use it!”

I’m sure if you check in your closets you will find some things you have purchased because it was such a deal, but has never, ever been used. These purchases will probably wind up as a bargain to someone else at your next yard sale.

Bargain hunting means different things to different people. Which do you value most...your time or your money? And how does that affect the way you shop?
Your satisfaction with a bargain may depend on what kind of shopper you are. Over my years in retail, I have found that people can be divided into a couple different types of shoppers. Continue reading“What is Bargain Hunting to You?”

Health, More

Editorial: On Being a Responsible Human

For over five months now we have been listening to all kinds of people explain what we should and shouldn’t do to contain a pandemic. When something like a worldwide disaster that is killing hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of people occurs like this, you’d think that everyone would be on the same page and do what we have to do to protect ourselves and our loved ones from it. You might think that, but it certainly is not true. At least it’s not here in the United States.

While it's always important to be a responsible human, never has that been more true than during a pandemic. We all need to work together now.

Maybe it’s because I am older than the average American or maybe it’s because I am just afraid that I will become sick and die horribly from this pandemic, or maybe it’s just that I am smarter that most people, but whatever it is, I find myself staggering around in disbelief about what I am seeing and hearing every day. I think five months is way too long to remain silent here in my little corner of the world about being a responsible human.

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Shopping

Sure Ways to Save Money Shopping Online

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I may be a senior, but I have learned many of the newest ways to save my money when I shop. I have moved from the art of tracking down and clipping paper coupons to all of the current ways to save money shopping online. If you’re not using them, you’re missing out on cold hard cash!

You can save money shopping online when you use cash back portals and other promos and offers. Use these five sites to maximize your savings.

The internet has completely revolutionized the way we shop and if anything, staying at home during this pandemic has made it even more important. So if you are going to save time and gas by shopping online, why not make it a trifecta of savings and also save on your actual spend? That’s why today I am talking about some surefire money savers for online shopping!

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Cars, Travel

How to Save Money on Your Summer 2020 Road Trip

Summer is here and that normally means summer vacation, right? This summer, however, is very different. COVID-19 has made everyone feel nervous about doing whatever it is we normally do and for older folks like me, even more so. But it is summertime and we all do want to try and get out of the house and have the chance to enjoy the weather. Perhaps even get to the beaches or parks or some other place where we can relax and try to resume some normalcy. When we do any traveling this summer, it will most likely be by driving our cars to our destination. Will that be expensive? Is it safe? What can you do to insure those things and save money on your summer road trip?

Many people are planning a road trip this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how to save money on your road trip and travel safely.

Driving Is Better?

According to sources like the AAA, driving is better and safer than flying this summer. During the time frame between now and Labor Day in September, people taking a “road trip” is expected to be up 72% from last year, with 62% of consumers planning to travel by car on their summer vacation. But one problem is that with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it can be overwhelming to figure out how to stay safe during your summer road trip and try to keep your road trip on the cheap.

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