Granted, I am fortunate that I only have to worry about my needs/wants and my pay check is enough to cover enough so that I don’t live paycheck to paycheck. I realize some of the things I do just aren’t possible for everyone — you can just do the ones you can. So here are my tips on managing and saving money:
1. Use a free service, like Mint, to make a budget and savings goals.
2. Make sure you are using a credit card that gives you the most points (or miles) for your shopping habits.
3. Unless it is an emergency, don’t buy something you don’t have the money for. I pay off my credit cards every month so I don’t waste my money paying interest.
4. Check your debt. I had student loans to pay off and I was in the process of looking for a house. When I started my offer process, I realized that my student loan interest rate was 6% but I was able to get a mortgage at 2.3 something (I used a 30 year adjustable rate that I can re-lock in on any current rate at any time before my 5 years is up). It made more sense to pay off my loans and put a little less down on the house.
5. Coupons. You can print them from online. You can get them with the newspapers. You can trade them with people at work. I bring the coupons for things I don’t buy in and give them to co-workers who also do the same for me.
6. Create a junk e-mail address. Sign up for every restaurant, store, costumer loyalty program you can find. Then when you go out to eat or shopping check your junk mail to see if the places you are going have a coupon or deal out for you (ie: Outback gives free Bloomin’ Onions on Mondays when their Nascar driver finishes in the top 10. But you have to mention it to get it for free. The times I’ve gone, I’ve run around the restaurant telling everyone because it feels good to share in the luck).
7. Create separate bank accounts. I have a checking and savings at my local bank. My mortgage is through a bank that is a bit of a drive for me. I have a checking account there. All the money for my mortgage, savings towards paying homeowners insurance and HOA fees go in there. So when I’m budgeting my money, I don’t even think of that as money I have to work with. It is in a separate account.
8. You know those coupon books used for fund raisers for school? Buy them. Even if they cost $20 bucks. They more than pay for themselves (the one I got had so many free pizzas without having to purchase anything else that it was worth more than $20 in pizza alone).
9. You might already use groupon / living social / restaurant.com and the like, but have you considered using it for cities that you are traveling to?
10. Change and ones bank. Every Friday I take all the change out of my wallet and any ones. They go in my travel fund bank, which opens, but isn’t as easy as opening my wallet or a jar. I’m allowed to raid it for emergencies. Otherwise its spending money for when I travel (not meant to pay for travel/hotel, but rather fun, food, or souvenirs).
11. Computer needs repair? Don’t take it to Best Buy. Use the phone book (or the online version) and find a local guy who basically does it out of his house. Always cheaper, always better communication, and no waiting in lines.
12. Research generic brands. When does brand name matter, and when is the generic version made exactly the same, by the same manufacturing building, by the same brand name company.
13. Fashion? Zulily, Target, Marshall’s, and TJ Maxx, Random stuff: Check out woot.com
14. How much savings do you have? Check if you have enough to open an account that has a higher interest payment.
15. Have a lot of free time? If I did, I would spend time on those savings and coupon blogs. But, alas I don’t. You probably don’t either, but would be nice.
16. Combine BOGO offers with coupons. Publix will let you use a coupon that says “Buy 2 and get $x.XX off” with your free item as your second purchase for the coupon.
17. Fuel perks with your grocery store. Even better if you live up North and they let you double coupons.
18. Traveling? No one can drive you? Priceline a car rental. Spending $13 on a car rental that you can return at the airport will be cheaper than paying for a week of parking.
slavetothedetail: I think the phrase you’re looking for is “too many Chiefs, not enough Indians”. Teaching is the same. You need to be careful with the exercise. If you’re stressed out, your body won’t react in a positive way. Take care
I know the phrase, just didn't think it was very politically correct :P We still need to get coffee soon. When are you back at school? Are you still teaching in the same place?
5. The Hives (this really came down to: Would I travel to see this band? The answer for The Hives is unequivocably, YES.)
#18: 1st vocalist (M or F) you remember being a fan of
As a kid, probably Michael Jackson. It was the 80’s. Heck yeah, MJ.
#42: Top 3 instrumental songs
1. Clair de lune - Claude DeBussy
2. Leaving Earth - Clint Mansell (from Mass Effect 3 soundtrack; honorable mention to “I Was Lost Without You” by Sam Hulick from the same OST)…oh shoot maybe “Death Is the Road to Awe” from The Fountain. Damn. Oh whatever, #2 is Clint Mansell. Sorted.
3. Beethoven’s Opus 131. If you’ve watched A Late Quartet, you’d understand why.
