When A Deal Real Isn’t A Deal

Posted by on May 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment 

In a struggling economy, more and more people are looking for ways to save money.  Many stores, however, are taking advantage of this market and are trying to convince you that they are running sales and specials, that are really no bargain at all.  The only way to really spot this out is to know your prices.  If a price is genuinely lower and bumped up for the sole purpose of discounting it and still making close to the same profit, then really it is just a scam to get you to spend your money.  That is why it is very important to be a wise shopper.

TIPS TO SHOPPING WISELY:

  • Shop with a list.  This will keep you from being drawn to items that you don’t need just because they are “on sale”.
  • Be sure to use flyers from stores as well as the internet to shop around.  Many times when a certain store in your area has a product on sale, you will find that other stores in your area will reduce the price on that item even more.
  • Know the prices of the items that you regularly buy.  This can help you spot what is truly a good deal.
  • Consider buying items that you use a lot in bulk.  Some of these items can actually be purchased online and shipped to you for less.
  • Don’t impulse shop.  If you have a specific need, then look around before making a purchase, don’t fall into the trap of I need it right now.  This can allow you to fall victim to price gouging.
  • Don’t be afraid to wait.  Many times we just buy what we need because it is there, but it is truly best to buy everything when it is at its lowest possible price.
  • Ask around.  Many times when you are looking for a good deal on something, the people you know can be your biggest helpers.  So don’t be afraid to ask, they may just know a friend of a friend or a bargain basement store where you can get a better deal.

It is important to use all the resources available to get the best prices these days.  So don’t just buy the ads that the stores are running.  Do the comparison yourself and you will find this method can help you really save big.

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Some People Really Don’t Understand What Cutting Back Means

Posted by on September 18, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

I guess, with all the talk about money and finances in the forefront of everyone’s minds, you would think that more people would be taking action and cutting back and saving money now for the future.  This is really not the case because some people really don’t understand shopping wisely and saving money and all that stuff.  It seems pretty simple to me, maybe because I learned from my grandparents, who came from the Great Depression times and didn’t have much money even after they started a family.  Growing up I would hear my grandmother tell stories about wanting to buy a Christmas present for my aunt when she was a little girl and about how they could only afford a doll, but they couldn’t afford the clothes, so she made an outfit for the doll which was my aunt’s only Christmas gift.  I heard stories about adding water to stretch things and making lots of Koolaid to quench the thirst of friends who would come for a visit.  My grandparents now have money, but still do not spend.  My grandmother still recycles her tin foil and uses it again.  She shops a bargain whenever possible and will reuse items past the point of exhaustion.  Since they never really had money, when they did get it, they still continue to act as if they don’t.  This is how they were raised.  Many times when speaking to my grandmother and grandfather about my struggles with raising a family and about having no money, they share stories about wondering how they would pay for heating fuel and about the tough times.  I look at them now and hope that my future holds for me money in it, as they are a true testament to the power of pushing forward and going from have nots to haves.  A rags to riches story that even now, makes you think about how you are spending your money and what you are spending it on.  I am gradually learning how to cultivate my money and keep it going far past where it should.  I am cutting coupons and shopping sales, I am going to yard sales, I am cutting back.  My kids feel it and are hating it, but I can’t just blow money on their every desire, I keep trying to explain to them the difficult financial times that we are in, but I really don’t think they get it.  The time to cut back is now, so start making gifts for Christmas and thinking of ways to reduce costs where ever you can.  This is a time of “Economic Slowdown” so be ready because when things start to slow down, they eventually come to a stop.

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Bail Outs For The Big Guys – What About Us?

Posted by on September 16, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

Watching the View, I got to hear Whoopi Goldberg’s take on the current financial situation in the US and I found it extremely interesting her perspective on the whole thing.  The truth is she was talking about the government bail out of AGI.  Her point was, which I thought was a good one, was that the government gave $80 billion to AGI for the bail out because we American’s couldn’t pay what we owed, and now that AGI has that money, isn’t that in essence wiping clear the money that everyone owes AGI? Yet, we are not only responsible for our personal debts to AGI, but in addition to that, our government has in fact created a deficit that in turn we the people of this wonderful country are going to have to pay debt, so in essence we now have to pay this debt twice.  It was a really good point and one I thought was worth discussing since actions like this are taken to wipe away the debt for a large corporation or for our Federal Government, however, where is the help for the actual people who are falling deeper and deeper into debt by a government that does nothing but spend, and now even when they are out of money, they are printing more money with no backing to it to bail out large corporations.  I saw on a television show recently, a man suspected of terrorism, and when asked what he had against this country, he said “this is not a country, it’s a corporation.” I think perhaps he is right as a country does not just bail out failing companies and spend it’s peoples money on wars for the purpose of financial gain, it sounds more like a corporation to me, but maybe that is just my perspective on it?

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Simpler May Just Be Better

Posted by on September 5, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

I agree that the financial situation is looking kind of grim, but is there really anything wrong with American’s cutting back on their lavish lifestyles a little bit.  Let’s face it our lavish lifestyles is what other countries can’t stand about us as we spend and spend to have the biggest and the best, while in other countries their people are lucky just to have clean drinking water.  Isn’t it really the truth? I mean if you were the one struggling to keep your family safe from the toxins in their all so necessary water supply, would you not be just a tad resentful looking at American’s complaining about their new plasma TV’s? And what about the poor in our own country, don’t you think that the homeless are a bit resentful as we complain about the price of things but we are still running to the mall to get our kids designer clothes.  I think that as American’s it is time to accept the fact that what they say about us is really true.  We spend money like it is water and most of us have been spending more than we have been making for a long time now.  I am from a simpler time I suppose and really don’t mind cutting back a little, actually I am somewhat grateful for the cut backs that I have been forced to make.  I think it makes me appreciate the fact that I live a relatively simple life, with very little debt and money owed.  Sure I am not saying that if I won the lottery tomorrow that I wouldn’t enjoy it, I surely would, however, I think that living a simple more primative life is more my style and it really does make me appreciate all the non-material things that I have in my life.  So what if I can’t eat out all the time or take my kids to the movies but once in a blue moon.  I guess we will just have to enjoy watching DVD’s, home cooked pop corn and a Saturday night family game of Clue or Monopoly.  A simpler life doesn’t have to be so bad, just look at saving money as a challenge that you are willing to accept.  There are things that you can do to not only save money, but also to help the environment, but the question truly is are you willing to give up your lavish lifestyles, or are you willing to go down with the ship? Consider this your thought for the day.

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Feeling The Crunch??

Posted by on July 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment 

If you are like most people you are probably starting to feel like the walls are closing in on you.  For so many people, who in the past have been making just enough money to keep their heads above water, the tide has shifted and the heads are not having any room to come up for air.  Well, everyone is feeling the pinch, some more than others, but instead of complaining about the issues, make a pact with yourself to take the necessary steps to give yourself some breathing room.

1. Watch your unnecessary spending.   So many of us spend without really thinking about it.  We are functioning on automatic pilot when we are out there in the world.  Sometimes just cutting out that extra cup of coffee and donut on your way to work in the morning can be enough to ease a little bit of the pressure.  Did you realize that if you buy one cup of coffee a day for a week that is the same amount of money that it would cost you to buy a coffee maker? Even with the price of coffee these days, you still save an enormous amount just by brewing your own.  Not only that but invest in a plastic travel mug and clean it out.  You will not only save on $$$ but also be helping out the environment.

2. You can do your own car repairs.  Did you know that many of the instructions for performing an oil change or changing out filters can be found right online? You can even find a diagram of your car’s engine, so that you will easily be able to locate filters in the car more easily. This will take a little extra time, but it is a wise investment that will not only save you money, but will also take up some time in which you might otherwise be spending money.

3. Cut out your home phone bill.  Did you realize that in addition to just functioning on cell phones, that you can also get cheap home phone service through your high speed internet connection? Not only that but you can reduce your bill from about $70.00 per month to about $20.00.  These online phone services don’t charge you for long distance fees, and you can sign up right online and choose your own phone number.  It is worth your time to look into this option.

4. If at all possible ride a bike to work or carpool.  This will save you on fuel expenses and let you use the fuel you are buying for recreational purposes.  Again another money saving tip that will also help the environment while also reducing the wear and tear on your car, which provides truly a double savings.

5. Save as much money as you can and put it aside.  Hanging on to your money is definitely the way to go.  Now more than ever, saving is important and needs to be looked at.  When the economy goes through a rough spot companies will be cutting back, so unless you are in the food or fuel industry, your job could become an extra expenditure that your company doesn’t need.  Being prepared by having a little nest egg tucked away just in case is definitely the way to go.

There are many things that we can do to help ourselves feel a little less out of control.  We may not be able to control the economy, but we can control how we spend our money.  We must use this ability to create a more powerful perspective on the situation.

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