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5 Ways To Save Money On Household Essentials

If you’re in charge of the household budget, you may be constantly on the lookout for ways to cut back on the essential products you buy the most, not to mention big-ticket items that you purchase only infrequently. And whether you’re purchasing toilet paper, frozen pizza, or electronics, there are all kinds of ways to cut costs if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. Luckily, there are also tools and strategies that will help to streamline the process. Here are just a few money-saving tips that should truncate your spending.

Join a coupon club. If you simply don’t have the time to engage in hours of extreme couponing as though it were a full-time job, then you can get a little relief and a lot of savings by joining a local coupon club. Each member splits tasks like checking circulars, searching for manufacturer coupons online, and matching up deals for increased savings. You’ll realize the same savings as extreme couponers with only a fraction of the effort.

Double dip. One great way to save that many people overlook is through double dipping on coupons and discounts. For example, if you have a store coupon for an item that you purchase frequently, you might also look online for a manufacturer coupon that allows you to increase your savings. And if you manage to use them when the item is already on sale, you might end up walking away with a steal. It is for this reason that many couponers stockpile non-perishable items; they simply might not find such a good deal down the road.

February 17, 2013

Shopping

Tips For Avoiding A Lemon When Shopping For A Used Car

If you’re someone who is serious about being financially responsible and you listen to the advice of finance experts like Dave Ramsey, then you are probably someone who is a bigger fan of used cars than new ones. After all, a new car can depreciate as much as 20 percent within your first year of owning it. Plus, paying a monthly note while still being responsible for the car’s upkeep can be a bit taxing on your budget.

Still, it doesn’t make sense to spend a few thousand dollars on a used car if you’re only going to have to pour a few thousand dollars more into it due to the fact that you purchased a lemon. That’s what we’re here to help you to avoid. Below, we have three tips that are sure to keep you from getting a used car that will put a sour expression on your face.

“Website Shop” Around

When you’re online shopping, especially when you’re shopping for a used vehicle, you don’t want to do it impulsively. From Cars.com to Craigslist.org (and oh so many websites in between), there are a wealth of used automobiles at your disposal. As you’re perusing, just make sure you have a good idea of the make and model that you’d like along with the amount of money that you have to work with. For instance, say that you want a 2001 Honda Accord. If you’re patient, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll find several within a fairly wide price range.

February 5, 2013

Shopping

5 Things You Should Always Negotiate

People today don’t seem to have the haggling skills of past generations. More and more consumers are content to pay sticker price or MSRP on everything they buy. Perhaps it’s lazy shopping, or maybe shyness is plaguing our society. Whatever the case may be, it’s time you started learning to negotiate for your purchases again. There are 5 things in particular that you should always negotiate.

The Price of a Car

More negotiations happen at car dealerships every day than at any other kind of business. Cars are very expensive, and a purchase like this is an investment of thousands of dollars and years of monthly payments. Salespeople at the car dealership will typically offer flexibility in payment plans, but don’t forget to negotiate the total price of the car. Your salesperson would rather trim the price of a car on the lot than risk missing out on a sale.

Mortgage Rates

If you ever find yourself on the real estate market, looking for a new home, be sure to take some extra time to find the best rates on a mortgage. If you have a good credit rating, you should be able to haggle for a lower APR. You may also be able to negotiate the elimination of processing charges and closing fees. These may not seem significant compared to the price of a house, but there is a potential for several thousand dollars in savings if you negotiate with mortgage lenders.

February 4, 2013

Shopping

5 Ways To Save Money On A New Computer

Shopping for a new computer can be a mind-boggling process. Technology advances so quickly that you’ll have a whole new vocabulary to learn if you’ve been off the market for more than a year. Yesterday’s ultimate laptop is today’s paper weight. On top of every other concern, computers are expensive–serious investments for most of us. If you’re on the market for a new personal computer, follow these guidelines to save money and get the best computer for your dollar.

Buy Only What You Need
When shopping for a new computer, the most important question to ask yourself is often the most neglected: What will you be using the computer for? If your computing needs are limited to surfing the internet, reading and writing emails, checking Facebook and writing the occasional paper, almost any computer made in the last 10 years will suit you just fine. Users whose computing delves into areas like graphic design, gaming, and other more advanced pursuits need more equipment. Take stock of what you need from your computer before you start shopping.

February 1, 2013

Shopping

5 Things To Consider Before Buying A Used Car

If you’re thinking about getting a new car but you want to make sure to stay out of debt, a lot of financial experts say that the best route to go is to actually purchase a used model. One reason is because new cars depreciate in value the moment you drive them off of the car lot, but another thing to consider is that if you finance a vehicle, you will have to make payments on a monthly basis. Over time, that can become a bit of a financial burden. Yet, when it comes to a used car, to know that you have a mode of transportation that is bought and paid for, that can definitely give you some peace of mind.

When you’re getting a car that has been driven before, there are some things to think about before making a final purchase, though. That’s what this article is about: Providing you with five things to consider before buying a used car:

Check out the car’s rental history. We’ve all heard the saying: Looks can be deceiving. Whether you’re getting a car from a used car dealer or a private owner, just because it’s clean and shiny, that doesn’t automatically mean that it’s in tip-top condition. So, make sure to check out its history on a website like Carfax for information such as if it’s been in an accident and what its insurance records may be.

January 16, 2013

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