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shopping tips

Shopping

The Difference Between Being Frugal And Being Cheap

are you frugal or cheapEverybody knows that buying things that are cheap is much better than buying things that are expensive, right? Well, not exactly. What you need to understand is that there is a difference between being frugal and being cheap.

The biggest problem that people have is they get these two definitions mixed up and it makes them look bad. You are being cheap when you spend very little but in doing so you sacrifice quality. You are being frugal when you are spending very little but you are getting good deals on exceptional products.   For example, if you search cheap London hotels, frugal folks will find great deals on really nice hotels.  Every one knows that traveling in Europe can be expensive, however, if you are willing to do a little leg work, you can really find some amazing deals online without having to sacrifice quality.   Alternatively, cheap customers will end up in a dumpy hotel that is uncomfortable and perhaps even unsanitary.   Frugal customers will have gone online to a website like Priceline.com or Travelstay.com and got a great room for the same price as the cheap customer, but will be staying in a comfortable, clean room.   So you see there is definitely a big difference between being cheap and being frugal.  Below are some more examples to drill home the point:

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Shopping

5 Smartphone Shopping Apps To Help You Save Money

how smartphone apps can save you money when you shopThanks to modern technology, there are now more ways to spend your money than ever before. Internet shopping is a massive industry, with e-commerce sites driving record sales numbers during all of the major holidays. When you watch television shows online, you’ll often be subject to interactive commercials, with one-click access to the purchase of the described item. Megastores like Wal-Mart and Costco are in towns great and small and regional retailers are still doing big business, regardless of the state of the economy. Thankfully, technology is also in place to help you save while you buy. If you have a Smartphone or tablet device, take advantage of these five shopping apps that will help you save money.

First off, check out the I Love Free Things app, which is a free thing itself. It doesn’t get cheaper than free, and with this app you’ll be able to track down any short term free deals in your area. You’ll start an account and enter in your location information, and it will give you a daily breakdown of the free promotions and samples nearby. Use it on a Smartphone and it will tap into your GPS, allowing you to find free stuff when you’re out and about in town as well.

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Shopping

5 Ways To Save Money On A New Wardrobe For Spring

ways to save money when you shop for your new Spring wardrobeCan you believe it? Spring is just around the corner. That means that it’s time to pack up our sweaters and scarves and start looking for a few new pieces to add to our “it’s getting warmer” wardrobe.

If you happen to be someone who is still recovering from all of the Christmas shopping that you did a few months back, you might have the kind of budget that speaks more to “window shopping” than actually spending any money. The good news is that we have a few simple ways that you can save on a new springtime wardrobe; ways that will keep money in your pocket, a smile on your face and you looking super cute.

Write down what you actually need. Shopping for clothes is a lot like shopping for food in the sense that you tend to make smarter financial decisions when you plan ahead. So, before you head out to the mall, jot down a list of things that you actually need. It will help to keep you focused while looking at all of the pretty new trends that are hanging in the storefront windows.

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Shopping

4 Tips To Saving With Coupons

easy ways to save money using couponsHave you ever used coupons as a way to save money? If not, then you are really missing out. The nice thing about coupons is that they can save you hundreds of dollars each month. What most people don’t realize is that coupons are not a sign of hard times, like most people think; they are actually used more and more by very wealthy individuals. It is because of this that you should consider using coupons to help you save money.

Below are 4 tips to saving money with coupons. Make sure you read them carefully and see how you can benefit from couponing like a pro.

4 Tips To Saving With Coupons

Look For Coupons Often – If you want to save with coupons, then you need to keep your eye out for them all the time. If you see one in a magazine, then cut it out. It doesn’t matter if you plan on using it in a month or two, if there is no expiration date, then cut it and hold onto it. You never know when you might need it.  You can also find coupons online and print them out.  A really unique coupon website isSave1.com, where they donate a meal to a hungry child every time you use a coupon on their site.

Don’t Shop Without Coupons – A lot of people only have coupon shopping trips where they use their coupons, don’t do this. Take your coupons with you each time you go to the store, just in case. You never know when one might come in handy.

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Shopping

5 Tips For Saving Money On A New Mattress

ways to save money on a mattressIf it’s time for you to get a new mattress, initially, you might not think that it’s that big of a deal. However, being that most of us spend approximately one-third of our lifetime in bed and being that sleep is what helps to rejuvenate our bodies, it is extremely important that you select a mattress that is just right. It needs to support your body, reduce body aches and cause you to wake up feeling well-rested.

For these reasons, it’s best to look at a mattress as an investment and yes, purchasing a really good one can easily run you around $1,000-2,000. However, we do have five tips that are sure to help you save money while making your selection.

Understand the differences in mattresses. One of the most important things that you can do before purchasing a mattress is to know the different kinds that are available to you. There are innerspring mattresses that help to provide good spinal alignment while you are sleeping. There are latex foam mattresses that are not only very resilient, but they are made with a breathable fabric so that it helps reduce the amount of heat build-up so that you can rest more comfortably. And, there are memory foam mattresses that contour to your body. Knowing the kind of mattress that you’d like to have will help you in figuring out what kind of price ranges you will have to choose from.

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