Back to School Shopping: 10 Ways to Save Your Money

Posted on July 24, 2012 by M2 The Agency

First Financial gathers some easy tips and advice in order for you to save on back to school shopping:

Coupons and Coupon Codes: It’s all about the bargains. When shopping online, don’t forget about coupon codes that you can apply to your cart. Also, remember to look through newspapers and your junk mail to cut out coupons for various items that might be on your checklist.
Get Ahead: Most clearance items go on sale after the season has ended. Take advantage of this opportunity and buy items for the fall and winter even though it may be spring or summer, you’ll be able to save money and use it for the following year.
Use Your uChoose Rewards: All First Financial VISA® Platinum Cash Plus Credit Cardholders are eligible to earn uChoose Rewards on all purchases, which can be redeemable for merchandise, gift cards, and more. For more information login to your uChoose Rewards Account.
Outlet Shopping: Many people forget that large retailers have factory outlet stores. Outlets are great for special deals and markdowns on your favorite brands without paying full-retail price.
Leave the Kids at Home: Parents, you know all about the guilt-trip. Don’t be pressured to buy certain things and wind up spending more money than you have to!
Use Your Smartphone: They’re called “smart” for a reason. For example, the Google Shopper app enables you to scan an item’s barcode and then it shows the prices for the same product at different stores in your area so you can get the best bargain.
Utilize Social Media: While you’re poking around on Facebook and Twitter, make sure you “like” or follow your favorite stores and brands. They often post different deals, coupons, and promotions that are going on.
Sharing is Caring: Buy in bulk and split it amongst the kids, or save it for later on in the school year.
Don’t Forget About eBay and Amazon: Use these sites to your advantage; your kids don’t need the latest and newest technology, they need something that works and is fitting for them. Frequently, these sites will sell items new or barely used for a great price.
Maybe Hand-Me-Downs are Good: Do a little “summer cleaning” and go through your kids’ closets and see what could be passed on to another sibling.

If you need additional assistance paying for back to school supplies and clothing, First Financial offers one of the lowest credit card rates around. To learn more about First Financial’s VISA® Platinum Cash Plus Card and apply today, please visit our credit card page.

10 Ways to Pamper Yourself on a Budget

Posted on March 20, 2012 by M2 The Agency

In this guest post, Mary Harris – an Ocean County resident, co-owner of local natural products business Heaven & Earth LLC, professor at Monmouth University, and holistic nutrition student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, provides you with ways to pamper yourself on a budget.

She writes:
Believe it or not, money does not have to be an item of concern when it comes to pampering yourself. In fact, finding new ways to treat yourself right can be fun and rewarding and help reduce stress. You can even invite family and friends to take part in some of the pampering, if you want to. Here are my top ten tips for pampering yourself on a budget, with a healthy twist!

1. Enjoy a cup of hot tea– Tea is a worldly drink that, in my opinion, has the power to soothe the soul. Teas can be delicious and healthy to boot. Choose your flavor and style of tea (naturally decaffeinated, organic, loose, bagged, black, red, green), brew it in a tea kettle, pour it in a pretty cup, and take your time sipping your worries away.

2. Take a relaxing bath – The power of water is incredible, and baths are just one example. Light a couple of candles in a safe place and draw up a hot bath with your favorite natural soap or bath fizzy close at hand. (Pictured left, Heaven & Earth, LLC’s Lemon Rose Blossom Bath Fizzy).

3. Read a good book – A visit to the library or paperbackswap.com might be in order, because reading can be truly therapeutic and virtually cost-free if planned right. Find a quiet place to enjoy some time each day to read, even if it is just fifteen minutes at a time. Escape into Book Land.

4. Make a homemade facial mask – Healthy facial masks are inexpensive and easy to whip up. One of my favorite recipes for dry skin during the cold winter months is ½ an avocado mixed with ¼ cup of local, raw honey. Mash the ingredients together, mixing well, and apply to clean skin for ten-fifteen minutes and then rinse thoroughly. It is important to try to buy local, raw honey from a sustainable honeybee keeper since it is healthier for us and for our friends the honeybees.

5. Go on an antiquing adventure with a friend or two – Going antiquing or shopping at yard sales, flea markets, and second-hand shops can produce unique and economical décor and items for you and your space; not to mention, you get to meet interesting people who might be able to share a part of history with you.

6. Create the perfect playlist – Make yourself a relaxing, inspirational, and/or fun playlist just for you. Sites like Project Playlist and Spotify are great resources for music and creating customized playlists to enjoy legally and for free.

7. Buy yourself a journal – Find a journal that is a reflection of you. Keep it by your bed and free write happy thoughts, goals, beautiful quotes, and hopes and dreams in the morning when you wake up – and at night before you go to sleep, or whenever you feel motivated to do so.

8. Take pleasure in fruit and chocolate – Buy yourself some organic berries and dark chocolate, prepare them on a fancy plate with a sprig of fresh mint or chocolate drizzle for garnish. Take your time and savor every bite in a comforting space.

9. Sit in silence and just be – Sit or lay down in a comfortable space in silence to just exist, ponder, and focus on breathing and relaxing. Most people do not take time to themselves to try this exercise, but it is well worth it. Some people meditate during quiet moments like this as well.

10. Watch a movie marathon in your pajamas – Whether you rent movies from the library for free or have a Netflix subscription, a movie marathon in your coziest pajamas does not require much money or effort. This is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon or a day off from work.

Mary Harris is the Co-Owner of Heaven & Earth, LLC, a small company that creates natural homemade soaps and other natural products for mind, body and spirit. Mary is also a college professor at Monmouth University and is currently studying holistic nutrition and wellness. Mary resides in Bayville with her husband and three dogs. For more tips on living simply, sustainably, and healthfully, visit her blog.

5 Ways to Save Money on Gas This Summer

Posted on June 30, 2011 by M2 The Agency

Tips from Allen Gottfried, Director of Online Marketing at MB Motorsports

1. Keep your car properly maintained — (Correct Tire Pressure and a Clean Air Filter are great places to start).

2. Keep excess weight out of the car. Extra weight such as a full trunk with clothes in it or anything that makes the car heavier will decrease your mileage. (Looks like it’s time to clear out those beach chairs and that gym bag!)

3. Ease up on the acceleration. Sure you might beat the guy in the other lane off the line but quick acceleration will drastically decrease mileage – the same goes when you are passing someone.

4. Opening a window vs. putting the air conditioner on will cost you about the same. When you open the windows, the air goes in the car which creates drag which will ultimately reduce mileage. If even a percent difference, the difference in cost between putting the air conditioner on vs. opening a window is really next to nothing. You might as well be comfortable with the air conditioner on!

5. For pick-up truck drivers: To get better gas mileage, despite what you believe, don’t put the gate down – keep it up. Having the gate up creates better air flow as seen on an episode of Myth Busters.

MB Motorsports, a preferred car dealer of First Financial, offers quality used vehicles and service. With over combined 75 years in business, their staff knows cars. MB Motorsports is located at 1715 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. For more information on their services, visit www.mbmotorsports.com.