Category Archives: Saving Money

5 Ways Technology Can Save You Money

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Overhead view marble counter top with male hand holding cup of coffee with computer keyboard, cell phone, reading glasses, and bagel on plate. Work at home concept.

In this world of instant gratification, technological advancements sure can make life easier. If you use technology correctly, it can also save you a lot of money. Here are some ways technology can save you more than a few bucks.

Smartphone apps

There are a ton of apps available that can save you money. There are apps that will help you monitor your budget, find travel discounts, find the cheapest gas prices, as well as loyalty apps that will help you earn rewards for what you spend. Do a search for these topics in your phone’s app store and start saving!

Doing everything online

All the best deals are online. If you spend time in line at the store buying birthday presents, you’re wasting time, and time is money, so you’re also wasting money. Shop online. If you’re driving to your bank to deposit a check, you’re wasting gas and gas costs money, so you’re again wasting money. Deposit that check with your mobile banking app. If you’re mailing in a check to pay a bill, you’re spending money on checks and postage and that’s also wasting money. Pay that bill online!

Get rid of that landline

We all remember that phone on the wall in the kitchen that had the super long cord that would allow you to talk and walk to the other side of the house. These days, landlines aren’t as popular. Some people like the security and reliability they provide, but they are probably few and far between. But if you’re looking to save a few bucks on something you’re probably not using as much as your cell phone, it may be time to disconnect.

Get a smart thermostat

Some of the more advanced thermostats know when the house is empty and will adjust your heating or AC accordingly. Thanks to GPS, they also can see when you’re heading home and re-adjust the temperature for your arrival. This may sound a little creepy, but it’s also super cool and cost effective.

Cut those cable cords

If you’re still paying for cable or satellite tv, you may as well go outside and light your wallet on fire. With all of the available streaming options out there these days, you can almost get the exact same channels for half the price.

 

3 Tips for Saving Money During Cold and Flu Season

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A young woman lying on her couchEven if we wash our hands and try our hardest to stay healthy, the reality is that winter and cold and flu season are upon us and often can’t be avoided. Even if you’re not feeling well you don’t have to let your wallet feel the pain too. Here are three tips to help save a few bucks when you’re dealing with a cold.

Buy generics

You may lean toward buying the name brand, and more expensive, over-the-counter cold and flu medicines thinking they will work better. Before you do, compare the ingredients with that of the store brand products. More often than not, you will find that they are identical and the generic brand can save you a great deal.

Try home remedies

When your symptoms first show up and before you rush to the pharmacy, be patient and try the remedies you learned from mom. Sometimes a sore throat can be caused by the change in seasons so first try vitamins, hot tea with honey, or gargling with salt water. You may be able to nip it in the bud before it gets worse and you end up at the doctor.

Clip coupons

Remember the last time you checked out at the pharmacy and received a long sheet of coupons along with your receipt? It may seem annoying at the time, but hold on to them for the future. Saving even the smallest amount when you’re not feeling well can make your illness seem just a little bit better.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com

Save Money on Mobile Phone Costs

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cell phone charging in your hand

Roughly 70% of U.S. adults have smartphones and many of those have had the same plan for more than 2 years. If you are looking to change your plan in hopes of saving some money, you have quite a bit to learn. Plans have changed significantly and big competitors have surfaced on the scene. Nearly every service is offering free talk and text with the focus solely on data. Here are some tips that can help you save money on mobile costs.

Know your needs

Before you can accurately compare the plans, you have to understand just what you need or you risk overspending on an unnecessary plan. With talk and text being free with most plans, your needs could be better defined as data needs. You know what your current data plan is, but don’t think you have to get the same next time if it’s not working for you. Examine your usage from recent bills, because chances are you are using quite a bit less than you think.

Understand unlimited data

Having unlimited data is a rather pricey option, and for most users it is excessive, given the abundance of free Wi-Fi. However, for those who require data on the go, you need to investigate what ‘unlimited’ means on each plan. Many providers have been known to throttle unlimited users to discourage use. For those who are able to bounce between Wi-Fi for their data fix, this should not be a concern.

Know all the options

There are many more players in the field than there used to be. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile are still the big dogs, but many smaller service providers are piggybacking on their systems at a fraction of the costs. Services like Ting allow you to create your own plan from scratch and only pay for what you use. Even Google has joined the mobile game offering Project FI, which has the added benefit of being used internationally with no extra cost.

Be wary of add-on plans

Adding monthly cellular services to your plan for other devices can add up fast. Many plans charge a service fee of $15 to $30 per device on top of the data the new device uses. Family plans are available with and without contracts from many carriers with a number of discounts. Some even offer you the chance to choose whether you want to share data or provide an allotment based on each member’s usage habits.

Know before you go – do your research, be prepared, and look for ways to save money.

Article Source: Tyler Atwell for CUInsight.com

5 Tips to Lowering Your Energy Bill this Winter

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Close up of home heating thermostat with partial utility bill on wall.

It may officially be a couple weeks away, but winter is coming – and with it come extra expenses on keeping warm. A large part of the country will be experiencing lower than average temperatures this winter, but we can all save money by taking the time now to prepare and weatherproof. Consider these tips to maximize your savings before the snow starts falling.

Keep it cool.

When you get home, leave the sweater on, grab a blanket or light a fire in the fireplace to save some real money. You can save 5% on heating costs for every degree you drop your thermostat in the 60-70 degree range, according to the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center.

Check for drafts.

The best way to lower your winter energy bill is to reseal your home to keep the cold out. By insulating windows, installing window coverings, and sealing drafts around chimneys, cabinets, and closets, you can find the largest return that doesn’t require any lifestyle changes.

Have your furnace inspected.

The last thing you want is for your heat to go out in the middle of the winter, though arguably you would save quite a bit of money. In most markets you can spend around $100 to get your system inspected by a professional who can identify any duct leaks, intake blockages, mechanical failings, electronic failings and more.

Harness the sun.

At night you should have your blinds and thick curtains closed to prevent the escape of heat, but in the mornings open them up to let in as much sunlight and free, natural heat as possible.

Watch your increased waste.

For most of us, winter means we are spending more time inside. We escape the cold weather with the assistance of our electronics. Though, you should be mindful of all of those idle gadgets as they could be eating up a significant amount of power. The EPA estimates that idle gadgets waste more than 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually, costing consumers $10 billion a year. Make sure you unplug every device that you aren’t actively using to keep the cost low.

Article Source: Tyler Atwell for CUInsight.com, https://www.cuinsight.com/5-tips-lowering-energy-bill-winter.html

 

Stop Wasting Time with These “Money Saving” Habits

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Red Old Style Alarm Clock. Isolated on White.

You have probably heard the age old cliché “time is money,” a few times in your life. That saying could not be any truer for money saving habits. There are many great money saving tips out there, but not all of them are worth your time. Here are a few serious time wasters you should avoid.

Clipping Physical Coupons

If you play the “grocery game” using coupons and find yourself compulsively looking at deal matching sites, as well as driving to different stores each week to score a coupon deal – you are wasting your time (and gas).

Digital coupons are much faster, though try not to look at deal matching sites daily – and if you have to, maybe only a few times a month. You can simply go to your local grocery store and browse their sale items to see if items you typically purchase are discounted, or look through their offers online before you go to the store – rather than driving all over town trying to score free items you may never even use.

Using Budgeting Apps

Get rid of any money saving app that takes too long to use daily. It’s not worth the frustration or wasted time. For budgeting to truly work for individuals, it must be simple and a daily habit. You will stay on budget if you can easily look at how much you planned to spend in a certain area, and how much you have already spent in that area. For example, if you know you have budgeted $350 for groceries for the month, you should be able to look quickly at your phone to see how you are sticking to that particular goal.

Making Your Own

A few years ago, there was a huge boom of money saving homemaker blogs. These popular blogs seemed to make everything from scratch and the owners boasted a frugal lifestyle. However, if it takes you almost 30 minutes each to make homemade tortillas and bagels, you are only really saving pennies for both items.

In some cases, making your own food or craft items from scratch just make sense. Calculate the savings versus time spent to see if your DIY project is really worth it. If something saves you $5 but takes you over an hour to do it, is it really worth it? Of course, if you love doing the DIY project, then the time was worth it. Know yourself and do what works for you.

Over Researching Everything

Research is valuable and you can save a lot of money with knowledge. However, don’t research something to death or waste time trying to save just a few dollars. If it takes you 30 minutes looking for a $5 Home Depot coupon code and trying to get codes to work, is that really worth your time or the minimal savings?  If you find a money saving coupon code online right away, then great. But if the process takes much longer than expected and isn’t really saving you that much anyway, it might be better to just order the item and spend the rest of your time wisely.

Article Source: Ashley Eneriz for Money Ning, http://moneyning.com/frugality/stop-wasting-time-with-these-money-saving-habits/

 

How to be a Savvy Online Shopper

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Mobile phone in hand

We all know that online shopping is extraordinarily convenient, and with the holiday season coming up – you might be thinking about it more and more. Whether you’re purchasing a gift for a family member, friend or just treating yourself – you can buy virtually anything from your computer or mobile device. The question is though, are you a savvy online shopper? Below are a few helpful tips for getting the most out of your money while making those mobile purchases.

Subscribe to email alerts – When you visit an online shop, you will often be asked to sign up for their recurring emails. Although no one likes a clogged inbox, take advantage of the discount offered for subscribing (which usually ranges from 10-20%). Email blasts are required to include an unsubscribe option, therefore after you use the promo code provided you can remove yourself from the list if you want to.

Check out online consignment stores and private shopping clubs – Groups like Zulily and Gilt Groupe are free to join and are great resources for finding high-end items at discounted prices. Local consignment stores often have an online shopping option, download the Poshmark app on your mobile phone to buy and sell items, and Facebook also supports many private shopping groups selling high-end items in your local area.

Download retailers’ mobile apps – Companies like 1-800 Contacts will offer customers a percentage off for downloading and ordering through their mobile app. Even a small amount off your purchase can help, and like the email blasts – after you take advantage of the offer provided you can always delete the app from your device if you decide to.

Discover a cheaper way to wander – Don’t automatically assume you can’t travel just because you are on a tight budget. Sign up for alerts from Airfarewatchdog. When you input your ideal travel destination, they will notify you of the best deals available. VRBO and Airbnb have a large selection of affordable accommodations for your next trip, and Living Social offers daily cost-effective updates on unique events, excursions, and experiences in your local area.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com, https://www.cuinsight.com/savvy-online-shopper.html