Frugality Archives - Page 2 of 28

We Purchased New Laminate Wood Flooring and Here’s Why

October 22, 2019 October 21, 2019

We have lived in our current home now since 2007. That’s just over 12 years and during that time we haven’t done much to the floors around here. We had new carpeting in our living room, dining room, and hallway when we first moved in and truthfully, they’ve been looking pretty worn and stained to the point where it was really bothering us. After all, it wasn’t the finest carpeting when we purchased it and it really didn’t owe us anything after 12+ years of use, did it? It was time for an update and we decided on new laminate wood flooring.

It was time to update our floors and after considering our return on investment, we purchased laminate wood flooring. Here's what went into our decision.

When you do any home improvement, you often hear the abbreviation ROI (return on investment) mentioned. That’s why when we decided to make a change we asked ourselves this question:

“What might be the ROI if we purchase new flooring and besides the beauty aspect, does new flooring mean an increase in the value of our home?”

Shopping

Your Holiday Shopping Season Starts Now

October 18, 2019 November 19, 2019

It’s here already! With Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples Day if you prefer) done, the holiday shopping season is here. Shoppers are preparing for the holiday season earlier and earlier every year and your challenge is not to get lost in the shuffle. It seems it was just a few days ago we were all sitting around the pool and enjoying summer and now, guess what? Halloween is just two weeks away and it’s almost November and the official shopping countdown has begun!

Believe it or not, the 2019 holiday shopping season has started! Here's the information you need to get the best deals on your gift shopping list.

If you haven’t given it any thought already, it’s good to think about it right now so you can officially kick your holiday plans into high gear. That’s because more consumers are expected to start their holiday shopping earlier this season, even moreso than in years’ past.

Cars, Insurance

How to Save on Car Insurance

October 8, 2019 October 7, 2019

There are certain things that almost everyone is forced to deal with that will cost you money and auto insurance is one of the big ones. It’s always good to save money when you can, but even better when you save on the big expenses in your budget. Today I’m going to talk about how to save on car insurance so you can keep more money in your wallet while still protecting yourself.

Car insurance is critical to have, but can cost a fortune. Here's how to save on car insurance while still keeping yourself protected.

I haven’t talked about it much over the past five years, but every year I am forced to deal with my own auto insurance by doing my homework to try to save as much as possible on it. I simply hate making the payment for it, but we don’t have much of a choice as to whether to buy it or not since it is required by law in 48 of the 50 states. Only the states of New Hampshire and Virginia are exceptions, but even they have some requirements.* But if skipping on auto insurance sounds like a bargain, it isn’t. It’s time now to revisit car insurance and take a good hard look at the ways to save!

Health

Can You Stop Prescription Price Greed Now?

October 1, 2019 September 30, 2019

As you may know, prescription prices pay a huge role in my budget and that’s a very important issue for me. Over the past two months, I participated in two separate important events that involve the prescription drug crisis in America. Today, I’d like to tell you about them.

Prescription prices in the U.S. are outrageous. But you can help me fight against big pharma greed. Learn more about what's going on and what you can do.

The first event was a panel discussion group that was put together by a legal firm to discuss a lawsuit filed on behalf of consumers against a major drug company. We discussed a company that is alleged to have paid off and conspired with a competitor to deter and delay the release of a generic version of one of their drugs and thus reaped millions of dollars because of it. (A confidentiality agreement won’t allow me to disclose the names of these two companies here right now.)

Entertainment

The Best Movies Are Free…Sometimes

September 27, 2019 September 26, 2019

My wife and I enjoy going to the movies. Frankly, who among us really doesn’t? I mean, it’s nice to get out and enjoy some escape away from the norm of the TV and even though a live play or concert is a treat, taking a home equity loan to enjoy those for me these days is cost prohibitive. I prefer the free or almost free entertainment available outdoors in the summertime anyway, but back to my point here: the movies. Especially free movies.

The best movies are free movies, when you can get them that way. Read on for how I've seen some free movies recently and perhaps you can, too.

Movie Night at the Local Cinema

Usually, for about $40 around these parts, with popcorn and a couple of small sodas in hand you can catch a new flick at a nearby theater in central NJ. I always get some kind of deal because that’s how I roll as a Super-Saving-Tips kinda guy if ever I decide to actually pay to see a movie. That’s done by taking advantage of senior discounts, two-fers, and all and any discounts available and there usually are discounts if you actually take the time to look. I’ll get back to that point in a moment.

Home

13 Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Live

September 20, 2019 September 20, 2019

I really don’t like to write long-winded posts about anything, even if I sometimes do just that. But, sometimes there are subjects that do require that kind of detail. Like, for example, the subject of picking where to live. Maybe you never actually had to pick a place to live, but these days it has become a much more common thing to have to do, and that’s especially true in retirement.

Choosing where to live is a major decision and there are many factors that you should consider. Here are 13 areas to examine to find your ideal location.

I’m sure that there are plenty of good and obvious reasons why you live where you live. In retirement, many need to live in a less expensive place or a place closer to family. For others, it may be that they always wanted to live in a mountain area or a beach environment. Those are all good reasons to consider and get advice about.

Food

Five Cheap Meals That Cost Under $2.50 Per Serving

September 13, 2019 September 13, 2019

Let’s get right to the point here. Is there anything that you spend more on every week than food? It’s the number one thing that we all spend money on every week and it involves a lot of thought and care if you want to have money left over for other things you must take care of. That’s why cheap meals are such a good idea no matter your budget. There’s no avoiding food forever, skipping it entirely for a while, or thinking of it as the very “last thing” you need to concern yourself about. If you do that and it works for you, write to me and let me learn something new please. Having said that…

One of the great ways to save on your food budget is cheap meals. Today I'm sharing five cheap meals you can make for under $2.50 per person.

Today I’d like to talk about some great meals that you (and even I) can plan and prepare that don’t break the bank or budget. Yes, these are meals you can plan, cook, and enjoy on the cheap. I have tried them all and although I don’t want to eat all of them over and over every week, they can be mixed in with other food choices and help really cut your food bills. So let’s get right to it and begin: my top five money-saving meals that cost under $2.50 each!

Cars, Food, Health

10 Must Buy Generics (And 5 Branded Items Worth the Price)

September 3, 2019 September 13, 2019

There is a challenge I go through every time I shop and it’s one that I am betting you think about, too. It’s the brand names versus the generics thing that is kind of the “Ali versus Frazier” matchup that we all go through regularly!

When it comes to saving, generics are a great way to reduce spending. Here are 10 generics you should buy, plus 5 branded items I believe are worth it.

There is often some fear in people when it comes to shopping and buying an item they may never have heard about or seen before, and that’s even truer when it comes to generics. Those are the items that are not national brands, but swear that they can still do the job to satisfy your needs and wants!

Loyalty usually is a great quality, but it can be costly when you shop. Sticking to just one brand rarely makes sense when the only meaningful difference between a national brand product and its generic version is the price.