Entries Tagged as 'Money Saving'

Save Money While Traveling

Travel saving tipsI always say, my main reason for wanting to be rich is so I can travel. Traveling is a passion, but even there I would like to save money if I can. Here are some ways to save money when traveling; many of which I live by when I travel:

  1. Drive there. If your holiday destination isn’t that far, drive to it. Not only will you enjoy the drive, you can stop where and when you want and enjoy great flexibility. When you arrive at your destination, you don’t need to hire a cab or bother about hotel transfers. Grab a map or your GPS and you’re ready to roll!  [Read more →]

Online Prices v/s In-Store Retail

retail or online purchaseThe Internet has introduced many things to modern society, but nothing has had more of an impact than the ability to shop online. With just a few keystrokes, a person can enter into a shopper’s paradise, purchasing things that they need or want, at any time of day. The convenience of online shopping has made it very desirable. This convenience has also made it very easy to make larger purchases.

The question of the day, however, is purchasing online always the best deal? The answer is yes and no.

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Couture on a Budget

couture labelsThe world of high fashion is a complicated place. Artistic creations boasting six-inch shoulder pads, aluminum petticoats and any number of other unconventional details dominate the runways of many top designers.

While the artsy end of the fashion spectrum might not appeal to those shopping for an everyday look, the designers behind these clothes are in high demand, with even casual shoppers yearning for the top brands.

Unfortunately, most designer clothing comes with price tags out of reach for the common shopper. For the industrious bargain hunter willing to put in just a little more effort, however, there are ways to either make it or fake it to score the name brand look.

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From Engagement to Wedding: Cut the Costs, Not the Joys

wedding engagementYou can have a memorable engagement and wedding without ending up in debt. With some sensible planning and firm resolve, you can have unforgettable events you’d love to tell your grandchildren in the future.

The great danger of overspending is always hanging above every couple in every engagement or wedding. Since you’re in love and your feelings are on a high, you’d feel you want all the nicest things in the world – no matter what the cost. And the morning after the wedding, you’ll realise you’ve made some of the biggest financial mistakes of your life.

Before you make any of those errors, here are some suggestions on major aspects of engagements and weddings that can help you avoid getting into any financial fix and still have a happy celebration.

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Get the Best Out of Your Credit Card

Regular readers know that I am wary of plastic and usually go around telling people (and readers) to eschew buying stuff on credit. While I stick to my position and reiterate that credit cards are just a way for financial institutions to make money, they can be quite useful if used the right way.

credit card safe useVery often, credit cards are just too convenient to avoid especially now during the shopping holiday season – for instance there is a really good deal you’re getting but you don’t have ready cash at that very time. And I have to grudgingly admit; credit cards can also mean savings in some cases. So here’s what you can do to get the best out of your credit card:

  1. Credit card companies offer many blandishments to lure you into using plastic. Find out about and utilize reward points, frequent flyer miles, sign up bonuses, and cash-backs that are offered by your credit card company. Sign up bonuses can offer between $50 and $250 and you can get between 1 and 5% cash back on purchases. [Read more →]

Top 10 Money Saving Mantras to Live By

Economizing is a smart way to live. It is not a confession that you have less – it is actually facilitating; ensuring that you have more! I live by some of these simple but smart rules which increase my resources and let me do more with my money:

  1. Energy saving is a mantra that I live by daily. I switch off lights and appliances when I leave a room. I cycle or walk wherever possible. When I drive, I try and see that I get the best out of my fuel. I try and save water, fuel and electricity wherever possible – I feel good about it, and save myself a lot of money.
  2. Shopping around to find the best bargains. If you don’t need something urgently, take your time looking online and elsewhere to find the best deals.
  3. Never buy on credit what I cannot afford. If I know that I will be able to pay the credit card bill when it arrives, I will buy it, else I will not. A simple rule that keeps me out of debt.
  4. Warehouse shopping may not be a glamorous way to shop but it is a smart way to shop, which saves me big bucks. [Read more →]

Top 10 Budget Beach Destinations

I tend to think of beach destinations as somewhere that the rich and beautiful hang out; ergo places that are out of reach for the more modestly able among us. But surely this shouldn’t be so? So I made it my business to find out more about budget beach destination – great destinations that are also easy on the pocket. Here’s what I found:

  1. The Dominican Republic is a more economical alternative to many other Caribbean destinations. For those who would like to be in Aruba or the Bahamas but cannot quite afford to be, this is the economical choice.
  2. Portugal is an option that will cost a lot lesser than fancier locations along the Riviera and so on. A picturesque coastline with the more popular beaches as well as more secluded ones, wine tasting, and great local cuisine make this an ideal beach destination.
  3. Merida in Mexico is a beach resort that offers a slice of real Mexican life. There is a rocking night life, beaches with cheap inns, great food and more. There in unique architecture to experience, trips to the mangroves, and even trips that you can take to some Mayan sites.
  4. San Francisco USA may be an expensive city to live in, but it can be inexpensive to visit. Not only are there the beaches, the city itself has much to offer in terms of architecture, free art galleries and so on.
  5. Greece is a holiday destination that offers beach splendor along with one of the most ancient and historically rich civilization. Recent economic problems in the country mean that there are some great deals to be had.  [Read more →]

Decorate Your Window on a Budget

Every home tells a story about its inhabitants and every décor reflects their personality. But every amazing decoration need not be a costly affair. A bit of creative thought, a knack for experimenting and the energy to follow up on your ideas can work wonders for your décor without straining your budget. This is true in case of your window treatment also. Every now and then we have the urge to change our decoration in favor of a fresh new look. But putting together this new look can be a bit heavy on the pockets unless we are careful enough to keep things under control. Listed below are a few cost-effective and easy ideas for a new appearance.

Keep it light and simple

One of the most fundamental things in a window treatment is the fabric. In fact it is the soul of any treatment process. Select light fabric with a fresh pattern and bright colors. Materials like cotton and linen are good options in such cases. They offer a variety of colors, patterns and are available at different ranges of budget.

Lend a frilled touch

Instead of using high-end embellishments to adorn your curtains, use attractive laces on the fabric. These are cheap and are available in a wide range of colors and styles. You can also mix and match more than one kind of lace to create a striking finish.

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Benefits of Buying an Electronic Cigarette Instead

Electronic cigarette sales are increasing every day and their increasing popularity is, in turn, promoting more and more interest in the product. Most smokers will now know someone who has tried an E Cig and many will have considered switching themselves. As an alternative to smoking, rather than a cessation aid, there are a number of benefits of changing over from traditional tobacco products. Financial benefits are often at the forefront of users minds but there are social and health benefits to consider as well.

Financial Benefits

Smokers tend to be very aware of the amount of money they spend on cigarettes each month and each year. With the cost of tobacco continually rising, the average pack-a-day smoker spends around 180 on cigarettes each month. When this sum is converted to the yearly figure of over two thousand pounds, it is clear why many people rely on financial motivation to change.

As electric cigarettes are reusable, the cost of using one is significantly lower than buying cigarettes. Whether you choose a disposable model or a rechargeable design you will save money in the long run with an electric cigarette.

Social Benefits

Many smokers are also now feeling the full effect of the smoking ban and are beginning to realise that the amount of stigma now attached to this habit is increasing. Pubs and clubs become less attractive when you contemplate leaving your party every once in a while to stand at the door or on the street to smoke.

An electric cigarette emits only a harmless water vapour that is not considered under the smoking ban so changing will allow you to use the product even in indoor public spaces. As they do not emit smoke, E cigarettes also do not emit the smell often associated with smoking so are much more acceptable even in people’s homes.

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Top Budget Vacation Tips

Vacations can be expensive – not only do you fork out for the actual travel to and from the destination, you need to pay to stay, eat, sightsee and travel once you reach your destination as well. So how can you travel but not end up busting your budget? Here are some budget vacation tips that will help you save dollars:

Bed and breakfast

The concept of a home stay or a bed and breakfast deal dovetails nicely with budget travel because these can be considerably cheaper than hotels and resorts. Plus you get to enjoy personal interaction with your host, and even get some local insight for free!

Go hiking or trekking

If you’re lucky you may have hiking or trekking trails close to where you live in which case this can work out to be really economical. Even otherwise hiking is a great idea because it lets you commune with nature, enjoy the outdoors and give your health a boost without spending much.

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