Tag Archives: Saving Money

How to Save Big by Shopping Off-Season

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Looking to make your money go further? One of the smartest and simplest ways to save money is by shopping off-season. From clothing and outdoor gear to holiday décor and even travel, buying items when demand is low can lead to major savings.

When something is in-season, whether it’s winter coats or beach chairs, retailers know consumers are willing to pay more – so prices tend to stay high. But once the season ends, stores typically need to make room for new inventory. That’s when discounts, markdowns, and clearance sales often come into play.

By planning your purchases, you can avoid paying peak prices and take advantage of deeply discounted deals on quality items you’ll use in the future.

Common Items That Cost Less Off-Season

Here are a few examples of how off-season shopping can save you money:

  • Clothing: Buy winter coats and boots in late winter or early spring. Grab swimsuits and sandals in late summer. Retailers often mark these down by 50% or more once the season passes.
  • Holiday Decorations & Gifts: Shop for holiday lights, wrapping paper, and decorations after the holiday season ends. You’ll save big and be ready for the following year.
  • Grills & Patio Furniture: Prices for outdoor gear tend to drop dramatically in fall and winter. Buy during the off-season and you’ll be set for next summer without the high price tag.
  • Travel & Airfare: Consider booking trips during early spring and late fall. You’ll often find cheaper flights, accommodations, and fewer crowds.
  • Home Appliances & Tools: Air conditioners will go on sale in the fall, and snow blowers will be less expensive in the spring. Plan ahead and buy before the next peak appliance season hits.

Tips for Successful Off-Season Shopping

Ready to start saving? Use these tips to make off-season shopping work for you:

1. Make a Year-Round Shopping Calendar: Plan out when major seasonal items will go on sale and mark your calendar. Being strategic can really pay off.

2. Buy Ahead, Not on Impulse: Just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean you need it. Focus on what you’ll actually use in the future.

3. Size Up for Kids: When buying clothes for growing children, purchase next year’s sizes at end-of-season sales.

4. Store Items Properly: Keep your off-season purchases organized and stored well so they’re ready to go when you need them.

5. Stack Savings with Coupons or Rewards: Combine clearance prices with loyalty programs or cash back credit card rewards (like our uChoose Rewards program for First Financial Visa Cash Plus Cardholders), for even more savings.

Small Strategy, Big Savings

Off-season shopping is one of the easiest ways to cut costs without cutting corners. With a little planning and patience, you can stock up on high-quality items for a fraction of the cost and free up more room in your budget for the things that matter most.

At First Financial, we’re here to help you save smart all year long. Looking for more financial wellness tips? Check out some of our other posts on our First Scoop Blog!

Am I Subscribed to Too Much?

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From music and streaming platforms to meal kits and fitness apps, subscriptions are everywhere – and they can add up fast. What starts as a $5.99 per month deal, can quietly balloon into hundreds of dollars in recurring charges over time. Here’s how to take control of your subscriptions, make smarter choices, and maybe even keep more of your hard-earned money in your account.

Step 1: Take Inventory of All Your Subscriptions

The first step to fixing a problem is seeing it clearly. Make a list of every recurring subscription you’re currently paying for, including:

  • Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Spotify, etc.)
  • Software (Microsoft 365, Canva, Adobe, etc.)
  • Fitness or wellness apps
  • Online memberships or communities (Amazon Prime, etc.)
  • Meal delivery kits or subscription boxes
  • News, magazine, or content subscriptions (Kindle Unlimited, etc.)

Pro Tip: Check your bank statements and credit card transactions from the past 2–3 months to catch any others that you might have forgotten, or that you initially signed up for on a free trial and forgot to cancel after the trial period ended.

Step 2: Cancel What You Don’t Use Regularly

Now that you’ve got your list, ask yourself:

  • Have I used this in the past 30 days?
  • Is this subscription improving my life or making it easier for the money I am paying for it?
  • Do I have multiple services doing similar things?

You might be surprised at how many apps or services you’re subscribed to “just in case,” or haven’t actually opened and used in weeks. Be honest with yourself, if it’s not bringing consistent value to your life – cancel it.

Step 3: Consolidate or Share Subscriptions

Some services allow shared family plans or bundled options. Examples include:

  • Sharing streaming services among household members.
  • Bundling platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
  • Family plans for Apple, Spotify, or Google services.

Sharing or consolidating services can reduce your monthly costs without sacrificing access.

Step 4: Look for Discounts, Cash Back, or Annual Plans

Before renewing any subscription:

  • See if there’s a student, military, or family discount.
  • Look into cash back rewards or promotions through your credit card provider. (Side note that all First Financial Cash Plus Credit Cards come with uChoose Rewards, where you’ll receive 1% cash back on all of your purchases!).*
  • If you love the service, check if switching to an annual plan saves you more money in comparison to monthly billing.

Step 5: Build a Subscription Strategy

Once you’ve trimmed the fat, create a plan to help keep you on budget in the future:

  • Reevaluate subscriptions every 3–6 months.
  • Set spending limits for monthly recurring charges.
  • Use a free budgeting tool or app to track subscriptions and what you are spending each month in real time.

Some apps will even send you alerts when subscriptions renew or increase in cost, making it easier to stay in control of your money.

First Financial Can Help You Stay on Track

Subscriptions are convenient, but they shouldn’t quietly drain your wallet. With a little time and strategy, you can align your spending with what you actually use and thoroughly enjoy. Visit your local branch to learn more about how we can help you manage your finances confidence.

*APR varies up to 18% for the Visa® Signature Cash Plus Card when you open your account based on your credit worthiness. This APR is for purchases and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fees. Other fees that apply: Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fees of 3% or $10, whichever is greater; Late Payment Fee of $29, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $29. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa® Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan. Your First Financial Visa® Signature Cash Plus Credit Card will earn cash back based on your eligible purchase transactions. The cash back will be applied to your current credit card balance on a quarterly basis and be shown cumulatively on your billing statement. Unless you are participating in a limited time promotional offer, you will earn 1% cash back based upon eligible purchases each quarter. uChoose Rewards is a registered trademark of Fiserv Inc. Login to uChoose Rewards through Online Banking, by clicking on your Cash Plus Card account to view current offers.

Timeless Ways to Live Frugally

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Sure, we might be living in 2024 – however, there are ways to live economically that will never go out of style. Last month we gave you some frugal habits you might enjoy – but keep reading to find out even more simple, yet effective ways to live frugally.

Cook at Home with What You Have: Cooking at home instead of going out to eat or buying takeout, will undoubtedly save you money. Not to mention, it can become a fun family activity that’s inclusive of everyone in the household and something that you can all look forward to doing. It’s also a good idea to use simple recipes with fewer ingredients, as well as plan your meals around what you already have in your fridge, freezer, and pantry before going out to the store for additional ingredients. Use any refrigerated food that will go bad quicker, first. Waste not, want not!

Declutter and Organize: Getting rid of clothing items you no longer use and posting them on apps like Poshmark and Mercari, or books and furniture no longer needed and selling these items at a yard sale – can bring in a little bit of income that you can put into your savings account or use to pay a utility bill. In addition, organizing and going through what you already have may save you from purchasing a new item when you either can’t find the original – or think you don’t already have it.

Plant a Garden: With spring coming soon, it’s the perfect time to learn how to experiment with growing your own vegetables and herbs. If successful, you can go right into your backyard and pick your own – rather than purchase them at the grocery store. Not to mention, spending time outdoors in the fresh air and learning a new hobby can be therapeutic.

Canning: Learning how to can and preserve your own food in glass jars is another old-fashioned way to save money by making your own sustenance. This skill will allow you to store fruit, vegetables and make flavorful jams and sauces that could last you months at a time. Certain items like making your own jelly, can even be given as gifts. You’ll need to initially invest in some supplies, but over time the initial cost will make up for itself.

Buying Secondhand Clothes or Swapping: Checking out your local thrift store or an estate sale might score you some real bargains on quality pieces. Another idea to save money on clothing that won’t cost you a dime, is to trade or swap them out with a friend or family member. Find someone who is the same size, and borrow some new items for your wardrobe to expand it without having to buy anything new.

As you can see, these ways to live frugally will never expire. Your great-grandparents and your grandparents experienced them – as well as your ancestors before that. They’re proven to stand the test of time and can be passed down to future generations, which is a win-win in financial literacy for all.

For more money-saving tips and insights into managing your finances, don’t forget to check out our website and subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter.

Ways to Manage Price Inflation and Increasing Costs

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You’ve most likely noticed increasing prices as you check out at the grocery store and fill up your gas tank lately. Last month, consumer prices on goods took a huge jump and increased by 7% from the previous year. This is the highest inflation rate our country has seen in 40 years!

Here are some ways you can manage the current inflation environment and help your bottom line at the same time:

Shop Your Cabinets and Pantry First. Before you hit the store – check your cabinets, pantry, and shelves to see what non-perishable items you already have at home. This will allow you to see what you have already bought previously, shorten your grocery list, and save you some money on your food shopping bill. This also goes for checking toiletry items and cleaning supplies you already have at home, as well as look in your freezer too. It’s easy to forget what you may have already purchased and didn’t realize you had!

Meal Prep. Planning your meals ahead and making a grocery list based on the ingredients you’ll need for the week, will allow you to (hopefully) stick to the list in front of you and not buy extras. Try not to deviate from your list, oftentimes these additional purchases end up spoiling before you get a chance to use them and then end up in the garbage can.

Reduce Waste. This goes hand in hand with meal prepping. Plan out your meals and ingredients for the week ahead. Try to find recipes and ingredients that you can use in multiple meals. For example, say you purchase and cook a whole chicken on Sunday. Use the leftovers for lunches for the week ahead by making a grilled chicken salad on Monday, chicken noodle soup on Tuesday, and a chicken burrito bowl on Wednesday.

Try Using Store Brand Products. Most of the time, you’re going to pay more for a name brand product. While in the store, comparison shop. Typically, you’ll find that the generic store brand is cheaper and is essentially the same exact item.

Buy in Bulk. When you can and if you have the storage space, it’s usually cheaper to buy items in bulk. Think toiletries and household cleaning supplies, pasta, rice, cereal, etc. If you don’t have the space or need that much at the moment, see about splitting the items and costs with a friend or family member.

Cut Back on Meat. Meat tends to increase one’s grocery bill. Try going meatless once or twice a week if you can, and switch to less expensive protein alternatives on those days like beans, lentils, and cheese.

Save on Produce. Try to buy produce that’s in season, which will be cheaper – or buy from your local farm market. Also buying frozen fruit and vegetables will help you save money too.

Try to Save on Gas Prices. Can you carpool to the office or work from home at all? If not – look into signing up for a fuel rewards program, use a credit card that offers cash back on gas purchases, or download a comparison app to see which gas stations near you are the cheapest.

Share. Instead of making large purchases during these times, for items that you probably won’t use every day – see if you can share with or borrow from a friend or family member for expensive tools, appliances, or equipment.

While it may seem that prices and cost of living continues to increase, the suggestions above can certainly help you save some hard-earned money these days. Don’t forget to review this list before you visit the store next!

Article Source: The Penny Hoarder

3 Ways to Stop Overspending During These Times

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Given the current pandemic that continues, you’re most likely more mindful of your finances these days. Even if you have a budget set up, you may still find that money feels a little tight right now. The last thing you want to do in these current times, is rack up unnecessary debt or spend too much money. Here are 3 easy ways to stop overspending.

Cut back on takeout: It’s great to support local businesses right now, but don’t overdo it. Have you been consistently making trips to your favorite fast food drive thru or ordering takeout/delivery? If your takeout budget has increased, your grocery budget needs to decrease. Be mindful of what you are spending on food and if the takeout is taking over your budget.

Pay with cash: After you pay your bills for the month, try to use cash for anything else. Other than necessities that you may still want to purchase online for health and safety reasons, are you shopping online and using a card just to pass the time or buy items you don’t really need? Using cash may prevent you from adding that one extra item to your Amazon or other online shopping cart.

Make do with what you have: Delayed events are happening all over. Movies and concerts have either been pushed back or cancelled. As much as you might want to spend money you normally would spend on summer concert tickets on something else, keep it in your savings account. For now – watch a movie on Netflix you haven’t seen yet, or on your cable network’s free on demand movies. You can also login to YouTube and view a past live concert at no cost. There are many ways to improvise and save money!

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight.com

How to Stop Thinking Your Paycheck isn’t Enough

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Do you ever feel like your paycheck just isn’t enough to do everything you’d like to do? Maybe in some cases it may not be or you may have to find other ways to supplement your income, however most of the time – this feeling is a mindset that you can make positive changes to.

Here are five ways to change your thinking:

1. Stop comparing yourself to others. Social media is very good at allowing us to compare ourselves to other people. You see your friends posting a brand new car, going on lavish vacations, buying expensive shoes or clothes, and the list goes on. If you want what others have, you will always be disappointed. You also don’t know another person’s financial situation – maybe they put all those vacations on a credit card and will spend the next five years trying to pay it off. The bottom line is, stop looking at what others have and focus on all the good things in your life that you are grateful for.

2. Pushing your lifestyle ahead of schedule. What you can afford is different if you earn $20k a year, $100k a year, or $1 million a year – and for everything in between. If you make $50k a year but are trying to live a lifestyle of someone who makes $100k or more – your paycheck will never be enough and you will probably be in a great deal of debt. Change your mindset and live and spend within the means of your annual salary and your annual salary alone.

3. Take note of what you have, not what you’re lacking. If you make an espresso in a regular large coffee mug, it won’t look like a lot of coffee – right? The answer here is that it’s not about volume, but about contents. Don’t look at the glass as half empty, but instead half full. What are you thankful for? Try to appreciate what you do have rather than what you think you’re missing.

4. Cut off your spending on occasion. This idea is in relation to things that are not necessities. For example, think about any subscription services you pay for (cable, Netflix, gym, Amazon Prime, etc.) or extras that you might buy (coffee each morning on the way to work, snacks from the office vending machine everyday, and so forth). Do you “really” need these to survive? If you take a break from them do you miss them, or can you find other ways to satisfy these habits? This exercise will make you realize what are truly necessities and where you can scale back on your spending and save the money for something else more important.

5. Look for alternatives. There is probably a cheaper option out there for pretty much anything you want to do or purchase, you just have to do a little research. For example – do you really need brand name food? Opt for the store brand instead, you are guaranteed to save money and most times it is the exact same product. If you’re looking to cut your cable bill you might try using just Internet service and connecting through an online subscription like Hulu to save some money. The possibilities are endless, you just have to experiment and find what works for you.

The moral of the story here is that if you think your paycheck is never enough, it never will be. The goal is to change your mindset, save as much as you can, and research cheaper alternatives to getting what you want. You can do it!

Article Source: David Ning for Moneyning.com