Certain times of the year are the best times to buy various things based on sales and availability. Here is your tip sheet for this month: ∞ Cars: September is when new cars begin arriving at the dealers. They will then discount their older models to make room for new inventory. RV deals are common... Continue Reading →
Making the most of your AAA membership
(updated 2/28/17) Most of us belong to Sam’s or Costco for bulk savings and have a AAA membership for emergency auto assistance. Each membership level has a variety of services including towing benefits, rental car benefits, locksmith service, maps, travel planners, and travel guides. But did you know that that a AAA membership has more than... Continue Reading →
Coupon “re”-organization
For the past many years I have organized my coupons in small vertical photo albums that hold three photos on each side (see my post “Organizing coupons” for details). This worked great because I could just slide my coupons in the slots and I could see six sections at once. I didn’t need to fold many (except... Continue Reading →
August is the time to buy… (2012 update)
There are certain times of the year that are best for purchasing various items, due to various factors. Here are a few to keep in mind for the last month of summer: ∞ Bottled water: With summer picnics and barbecues, stores often drop the price of bottled water. If you prefer bottle water, now is... Continue Reading →
Now is the time to… (pre-Fall 2012)
The summer has gone by quickly and school will be starting in just a few weeks! So this is the ideal time to do certain things in your home and for your family: ∞ Clean out your children’s clothing (and your own) to see what you need to purchase for the Fall. I always shop ahead... Continue Reading →
Is your CO detector really accurate?
A few years ago on the last day of a Yom Tov (Jewish holy day) our carbon monoxide detector went off. We opened all the windows until the detector stopped beeping. We then had to wait until after Yom Tov to call the fire department. The firefighters who came out could not figure out what had set it off... Continue Reading →
Scheduling visits and meals for others made easier!
One of the biggest timesavers for me when my dad was in the hospital was to create a CarePages website for him. I was able to post updates on how he was doing and then send them to anyone who wanted information. It was much easier than making a million phone calls a day, especially... Continue Reading →
What does an oil change cost?
(updated 3/16/17) I know I am very guilty about not changing my oil enough. I know that changing my oil as experts recommend (every 3 months or 3,000 miles) will help improve the condition of my car and prevent breakdowns. However, it seems as if time and money always keep me from doing it on... Continue Reading →
Are “dollar stores” really a good deal?
A few weeks ago I went to my local Dollar Tree for water bottles for camp. It seems we always lose a few right away and I like having a backup for everyone. I took a little extra time in my browsing to write down what items are good deals at a dollar store. You do have... Continue Reading →
Preparing for the inevitable (Family Control Journal cont’d)
As you have all read, my father passed away two few weeks ago. Unfortunately, he did not have a will or a medical directive, so we have been scrambling to take care of his financial affairs and had to make decisions at the hospital without knowing what he would have wanted. It has made losing... Continue Reading →
Surviving on a tight budget 