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: ∞ Air conditioners: Demand is low during the cooler weather, so retailers put their A/Cs on sale in December, January and February. However, some stores only carry air conditioners... Continue Reading →
Are “deal-a-day” sites a good deal?
I recently began subscribing to several “Deal-a-day” sites and even purchased a few deals – getting $10 off a $20 purchase to Office Max and $20 off a $40 purchase to Body Shop. I regularly shop at Office Max and love their Max Perks program and the Body Shop Groupon made two holiday gifts more... Continue Reading →
Homemade vegetable wash: Worth it?
For years we have bought a special produce cleaner to wash our fruits and vegetables. We have tried several brands, but none are cheap. I happened to be watching an episode of the new talk show “The Chew” at work the other day. One of their hosts mentioned her own homemade fruit and vegetable wash.... Continue Reading →
Surf, shop, and share to earn rewards and prizes!
There are two basic components to living on a tight budget: spending less and earning more. I have written many posts on how to spend less. However, there are ways to earn more as well: ∞ Sell items you are done with or don’t need (Ebay, yard sales, consignment shops) or donate them and keep your... Continue Reading →
Sports freebies for kids
Many professional and amateur sports teams offer kids’ clubs to help get kids interested in their teams and to promote athletics and fitness. These clubs often offer free tickets, souvenirs, and other related items. To find one in your area, Google your favorite sports’ team’s name and “kids’ club” to see what is available. Or... Continue Reading →
Get rewarded for shopping – updated!
I love stores that offer rewards for shopping there. Years ago rewards cards were always punch cards that you would get a stamp or punch on and when you filled your card, you got a reward. Now stores have gotten more savvy and often have cards that are swiped and you can track your rewards... Continue Reading →
First canning experiment: Apple butter
For years I have wanted to try canning. My husband wasn't so excited, but went along with it. He has experimented with many spaghetti sauce recipes and has a great refried beans recipe. We always thought it would be great to be able to can them to give to others or to store for later.... Continue Reading →
Items you don’t always (and in some cases shouldn’t) have to pay for
There are some things that are downright silly to pay for and others that you try to get free as much as possible. Here are a few items to avoid paying for if you can! ∞ Books: For books for myself I go to the library and use swap sites (see my post "My favorite find... Continue Reading →
Holiday gifts, Part 4 — Gifts that support charities
If you are still looking for that perfect gift, why not choose something that also gives back to charity. Here are some great articles to help you with your choice: “Holiday Gifts That Give Back” from Real Simple. “11 Holiday Gift Programs That Benefit Nonprofits and Make the World A Better Place: 2011 Edition” “Gifts that... Continue Reading →
Holiday gifts, Part 3 — Home/Handmade
In high school I started a holiday tradition of making handmade gifts for my stepmom’s relatives. I, of course, didn’t have a lot of money, but I loved crafts. By making gifts I was able to do something thoughtful for my loved ones and it fit within my budget. Some projects I have made over... Continue Reading →