Archive for 'Savings'
Sale Day Alert: Use Technology to Save Money
Posted on 29. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
What if you are in a big city where shops abound and you can’t keep tabs on all those sale days that you’re dying to take advantage of? How do you make sure that you don’t get left unnotified?
Here are two ways that can help you stay informed whenever your favorite stores announce sale or discount days:
Email Alerts
Stores are now learning to market their goods and services via email. You can opt for sale day alerts through typing in your e-mail to their sites’ email alert page.
SMS Alerts
A wide variety of shops are now getting more and more comfortable with the use of technology, specifically with the mobile technology on making their business grow. As a marketing tool, cellular phones are now used to alert customers of any announcements these technology savvy shops have to communicate. Usually, customers or clients are given certain keywords and numbers to get registered or to subscribe to any alerts.
RSS Feeds
Customers that are familiar with the Internet technology can also be notified of any rummage sales, garage sales or discount days using this web tool RSS. RSS stands for really simple syndication. It is the use of RSS readers or news aggregators to help people compile the list of websites they like to keep updated with.
How do you use RSS feeds to get sale alerts? Here are the steps to learn how to use the RSS technology.
1. Sign up for an RSS reader. RSS readers or news aggregators are like machines that will be your repository of the news feeds or alerting devices of all the websites you want to keep on reading without visiting those sites every so often. The most popular RSS readers are Bloglines and Google Reader.
2. Start collecting RSS feeds. There are a couple of ways to gather RSS feeds. Go to a website, specifically, your favorite shop’s website. Then, look for an orange block with white arcs inside, which is the universal symbol for RSS feeds. Click that graphic and you will be lead to a page to help you subscribe. Choose the reader which you use and that site’s feed will get added to your list of sites that you subscribe to on your RSS reader. Just repeat that procedure when you discover the other web sites that you want to be informed about whenever they get updated.
3. Read the feeds whenever updates are posted on your reader. That way you will only go to the site if there’s something new or if there’s a sale day that’s announced. Less hassle.
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Which Saves More? Prepaid or Postpaid?
Posted on 27. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Prepaid cell phone plans are practical because they don’t require credit checks. If you don’t use your cell phone on a frequent basis, then you can manage your spending by going for the prepaid services.
With pre-paid plans, you buy the minutes you use your phone in advance. When you replenish these minutes, you can either buy or not buy more. There is so many companies offering that service so choose the one that is right for you.
The best thing about pre-paid phone services is that there are no contracts for you to sign. There are no monthly bills for you to save up for when you get your paycheck. There are no long term commitments so you need not worry if you want to get out of the plan because there is no plan to begin with.
There are also no credit checks and no hidden fees. Plus, there is no age limit so anyone who wants to have the prepaid service can go and get one.
Prepaid cell phone prevents you or your loved ones from spending too much. With prepaid plans, you only pay for what you spend and can go for as long as you want to go. You call the shots.
Just like with prepaid calling cards, you get the phone activated and then pay for the minutes that you want to use in your account. While you are using the phone, the minutes are deducted from the prepaid account. If you are running low on your minutes, you can buy more minutes.
Prepaid plans are perfect if you don’t know exactly your usage budget. Those who have postpaid plans are those who have already paid for their minutes in advance. Now their concern is to spend that much in order to make their fee their money’s worth.
Problems with postpaid plans are that if you incur more than what you have paid for, you have to pay for the additional expenses. This is exactly the opposite of not using everything that you’ve paid for. If that is the case, you don’t see getting your money back.
Studies show that those who have postpaid plans are those who are constantly using their cell phones: businessmen, executives, doctors, lawyers. They can’t risk running low in minutes when they handling important calls.
If you want to save more, then you should go for prepaid. Just make sure that you get what you’ve paid for.
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Save Money On Energy Bills By Insulating
Posted on 25. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
It helps to be practical nowadays. Household don’t need additional costs in their expenses. Therefore, more and more households are opting for insulation to reduce their energy bills.
Heating and cooling your household takes up 50 to 70 percent of the total energy that is allocated for the usage of the entire home. By adding insulation, utility bills will be reduced. Also, if insulation has been installed properly, you will notice the dramatic reduction of energy costs.
Insulate various areas in your home. The priority in insulation is the attic. Include the access door which is located under the floor and above the heater. Then you should also double check the crawl spaces, as well as the edge of slabs.
Insulating walls that are already there may be limited but you have the option of remodeling these areas to make it accessible. Just make sure that the amount of insulation you apply here is recommended for the area that has been reconstructed.
As a guide, you can check out insulation books or go online for a visual manual of where to insulate and the recommended R-values of a particular area in the household. Know that these changes in each household. In order for you to get the recommended R-value in the area you are residing, it is best that you call your electric company or your gas company. They will gladly recommend which R-value is appropriate with your zip code and your area.
Did you know that the greatest savings of energy are results of insulation installations? You can add more to your savings by adding insulation to your household. Some homeowners have theirs installed in a comfortable manner for their convenience. This is because too much insulation in a particular area can reduce the insulation’s effectiveness. If this happens, the whole point of it all will just be wasted.
Many households confirm that insulation increases their energy savings as much as 10 percent. This can be done by plugging air leaks to the insulation leaks. These are also found in outlets, electrical switches, pipes and bathtub and shower stalls. These are greater than the obvious insulations but by taking care of these, you are sure to have better insulation and more savings.
So why spend when you can save money in the first place? Just be sure that you are insulating those areas the right way though.
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Toiletries to Save Money
Posted on 21. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Toiletries cost money. In fact, if you look at your bills from your grocery shopping, you will notice that the total costs of toiletries consume a majority of the budget. Therefore, in order for you to save shopping money, you must learn how to save toiletries or at least reduce your consumption of toiletries.
1. If you like a particular product and enjoy the quality, try to use it efficiently. Don’t waste too much of it because if you do, you will have to go back to the store and get more.
2. Budget your toiletries as if you are also budgeting money. You should only use a certain amount in a day.
You can also learn the tips and tricks in getting toiletries at cheaper prices. Here are some tips on how you can do this:
1. Check your stores and compare the prices of the items you usually use like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, make-up.
2. Sometimes drug stores have products for half-price. They also have those buy 1 and get 1 free promos. Be updated on sales in groceries and drug stores by reading their flyers.
4. Check the dollar store offers limited supplies of toiletries. They come in bulk but getting these may help you save more than buying the products individually. Most of these stores don’t have the same products available all throughout the year. That’s why it’s smart that you stock up.
5. Whenever you encounter a really great buy, like 50% off, then go for it. If you have money to spare, then stock up. Get those products you’re sure you will be using all throughout this month and the next.
If you are one of those shoppers who get free gifts’ with a particular amount of purchases, then you must make the most out of the offer before it expires completely.
The key to saving money from shopping for toiletries is that you should know which product to get. In doing so, you already have a particular budget in your head and on how much you are to spend for toiletries. You can also try out other products from time to time, but do your very best to stick within your price range.
Sometimes, whenever groceries and drug stores have sales, we are like kids in candy store. Regain composure and get those products that you need and will be sure to have great use for. This article did mention that it’s wise to stock up but it’s also practical to be mindful of your expenditures.
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Track Utility Bills for Home Use
Posted on 19. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
You don’t need an expert to track your utility bills. You can do this yourself. After all, it is your home so it only makes sense that you are aware of what goes on especially when it comes to bills.
A lot of us need bill tracking in order to manage the calculation of the total-costs. By taking the time to track utility bills, we can avoid the trouble of energy management complications.
Houses and public schools have the most need to track utility bills. These establishments need the straightforward tracking of their utility bills so that they can manage the costs well.
Normally, tracking utility bills for the home needs to check all the energy outsources in every utility in the household. The bills must also be verified. This can be done by tracking the costs of the energy that was consumed, as well as the saving reports.
By sifting through this paperwork and extensively tracking the figures, the homeowner will be able to save time in figuring out what the problem is in case he or she encounters complications in energy management. This is whenever the energy company has a different record of usage compared to what he or she has in his records.
You must be very wary of inconsistency in costs. You, as homeowner, should have firsthand knowledge of the costs of an estimated calculation, meaning you have an idea on how much you will be paying if you consume a certain amount of energy. This estimation must be accurate and consistent based on the records that you have had in the past. You can get this information by tracking your utility bills.
It’s true that you can’t control what you see but if you mastered the art of being efficient when it comes to energy, then you can clearly see the total picture of how much energy you are consuming and how much you are paying for it. If you want to be efficient in energy, then you have to lower your consumption in order for the costs to be reduced.
Organize your home utility bills and track the hierarchy depending on the consumption and the cost. If there are commodities of any level, take note of that. Keep the records of your bills for future reference just in case the situation calls that you have to present these paperwork and rebut the records the establishments has on your consumption.
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How to Save Water to Protect the Earth and Your
Posted on 15. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
How to Save Water to Protect the Earth and Your Wallet Too
Water is a precious resource. For just a few hours without water, people can actually die. Water is also a paid utility if you use a lot, you pay more. Because of this, it is important to save water. Here are some ways to save water.
1. Switch the faucet or shower off when you aren’t actually using it. You don’t need the water running after you wet your toothbrush, or while you are soaping your body or shampooing your hair. During these moments when you’re not using the water, turn the tap off, it can save you a lot since showering and brushing are things you do everyday.
2. Install low-water flushing toilets that use only one to two gallons of water per flush. If you have an existing high-gallon toilet, you can put a plastic bottle filled with sand into the tank. This will help the tank fill up faster, and use up less water than it would when it is empty.
3. Rinse your shaver in a small basin instead of running water. Fill a small basin with water and dip your razor in it to rinse. It might not be advisable to rinse the razor in the sink itself since sinks are full of germs and take more time to fill.
4. Wash your clothes or dishes in big loads. Washing several small loads uses up so much water than washing in just one big load. This also helps you save time and electricity.
5. Instead of using a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalks, use a broom. Water may not be efficient to remove dust and dirt from your pavement. A broom will directly sweep away trash and you can easily dispose of it afterwards.
6. Check all your pipes, faucets, and toilets for leaks to prevent water being wasted. Even small drips of water from leaking pipes can amount to gallons of water being wasted in a year. Check your water system at least twice a year to prevent any leaks from happening or to quickly repair existing ones.
7. Instead of using the waste disposal system on your sink, make compost from your scrap foods. Sink disposals use a lot of water. Composts can help you save the environment as well.
Knowing how to save water can help you protect both the Earth and your wallet. Keep these things in mind to conserve this precious resource.
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Save on calls, save your budget
Posted on 14. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
It is hard coping with technology. New gadgets come up every day, leaving people bewildered on learning these technologies. Aside from these emerging gadgets, people have their own computers, PDAs, mobile phones and fax machines. It can be quite expensive too. Sometimes, simplicity is the key to keep up with technology. For those with a budget, here a few tips in saving money on phone calls:
PREPAID CARDS
Using prepaid cards can save you 60-80% off your long distance bills. You can purchase these cards according to your needs, preference, and location of your call. Prepaid card denominations range from $5-$20. You just need to factor in the location and duration of the call and you’re all set.
You can also use the prepaid card at home, at the office, even at the mall! One good thing about prepaid cards is that they are prepaid, which means that the call is paid for before you pick up the phone. You just need to purchase another one when the card has been used up. No more risks of figuring out how much your monthly chat with your best friend will cost.
Long distance rates are also quite expensive. By knowing the amount of prepaid use, the only thing that you need to worry about is the duration of the call.
INTERNET/PHONE BROADBAND PACKAGES
It is more expensive to own a separate phone and a computer with broadband connection (DSL). It will cost about $100 to maintain these gadgets. However, if you are on a tight budget, then you should go for internet/broadband packages.
Nowadays, more and more people prefer using the internet to make long distance calls. They connect the internet to their telephone lines through a home phone service. What this service does is that it converts your phone data into computer data. This converted data then travels through the internet lines, making communication faster. It is like receiving email seconds after it has been sent.
However, it also has its negative effects. Like new technologies, the internet/broadband packages still have a lot of errors in it. First, both parties need to have similar internet access to be able to make and receive a call. Second, the sound quality is similar to the early 90’s canned sound when people made long distance calls.
So which one do you prefer?
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Pumping more savings from gas consumption
Posted on 12. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Gas prices have soared to nearly all time highs and it isn’t exactly the fault of the consumer. When tracing why pump prices have escalated, you could determine that everything changed during the World Trade Center attacks and when the United States invaded Iraq. However, the thought of plunging oil prices has remained a thought despite the fact that Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. Oil markets have remained volatile largely due to the supposed volatility in supplies and oil-producing nations.
However, there are many ways to become slightly shielded on the effects of rising gas prices and help maintain a budget for the household. Here are some tips to save money on gas.
Minimize use of the car
As much as possible use the car only during long trips and travel by bus or foot if your destination is nearby. Not only will this method help save on money and gas but will also be beneficial for your health. Taking long walks helps develop your cardiovascular condition, while taking the bus is definitely cheaper compared to the amount of gas you’ll consume and the parking fees. In addition, teach your kids to commute in order to make them more familiar when going around the different places in your area and not rely too much on your presence if they need to go somewhere. Times have changed and people need a lot of streetsmarts in order to survive.
Regular maintenance of the car
While a car is a machine, it is also like a human that needs to be checked every few months. A car’s efficiency sharply drops when it running at optimum performance. Basic maintenance that could be done by the driver includes checking the tire pressure, oil level and water for the cooling system. You can easily determine if a car is in poor condition if it struggles in accelerating especially during the straights or easily overheats.
Use fuel-efficient cars
Nowadays speed has become a secondary or even tertiary consideration in purchasing a car, and now efficiency is the name of the game given the challenging times.
Ideally, a car that will be used as a daily should offer outstanding mileage in terms of miles per gallon. You have an option to use hybrids, but this technology still remains in the developmental stage and are considerably more expensive that gas-powered vehicles. There are gas-powered powered that run as much as 22-24 miles per gallon from notable car makers including Honda Motor Co, Toyota Motors Corp and General Motors.
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How to Save Money by Using Windmill Electricity
Posted on 09. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
With the rising prices of fossil fuels, industries that are dependent on burning oil and coal are also increasing the costs of their services. Among the most important industries affected by this inflation is power generation. Because of this people are looking for ways to cut down the need for conventional sources of electricity so that they can decrease or eliminate their electric bills and at the same time, prevent the Earth from further degeneration. One of the effective ways of doing this is using windmill electricity.
People have been using windmill power for centuries. In the past, windmills carried water and distributed it for irrigation. Nowadays, windmills are used to generate electricity. With the great progress in windmill technology, more homes now are capable of harnessing wind power to satisfy their electricity requirements.
With just around $8,500, people can actually have a windmill installed in their homes to take care of their electrical needs. With just a windmill that provides 10 watts of power, a regular household can supply itself with its own electricity. Within just eight years, this cost will have been paid up by the device. This definitely saves a home owner big money in the long run.
The big issue with windmill electricity, however, is that your house and your windmill should be located in a windy area. You need wind speeds of at least 10 miles per hour for the windmill to work properly and provide ample electricity for your home. If there isn’t wind as fast as that available, then your house would have to turn to conventional power. So it is only advisable to own a windmill if you are in an area with sufficient wind speeds.
The great thing, however, for those who indeed fulfill this important requirement of owning windmill electricity is that if winds are faster than required, the windmill can actually help the community where it is located. Excess power can be relegated to conventional lines, decreasing the load that power plants would have to cover. This amounts to a lot of savings in money and resources.
Windmill electricity is very much recommended for those who can afford them and those who can fulfill its requirements. If you are among those who are lucky enough to have the resources needed to maintain a windmill, then it might be good for you to own one. This way, you can save money and protect your planet at the same time.
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Limiting your costs when eating out
Posted on 07. May, 2009 by Mark Coleman.
Eating out is one of the most enjoyable activities families, couples and friends do. It is a way that everybody can bond with each other and eat a delicious meal. However, with the challenging economic times, people nowadays have to be smart about on how they spend their money and this includes being practical about eating out. Of course everybody wants to have a great time in a restaurant but there are ways to preserve the cheers while also preserving what’s left in your pocket.
If you want to save on eating out here are some tips to help you have a wonderful eating experience and save your money and be practical.
BE FAMILIAR WITH THE RESTAURANT
As much as possible eat at a restaurant where you have eaten once if you plan to bring your family along. Try to become familiar with what they serve especially their specialties. Certain restaurants have specialties and these will involve how they prepare food and what type of food they are serving. Order the ones that they are best known for spo as not to waste money on foods that aren’t as delicious as the others. If you are in a Chinese restaurant it is advisable to stick with the noodles and soups, while if you’re eating in an American restaurant, steaks and salads would be good to go.
LIMIT ORDERS AT FIRST
It is advisable to order dishes one or two at a time. Try to stick with the basic meal, in which you first order the appetizer and a main dish. If you’re eating with one or two people, don’t order in bulk, as there is no guarantee that you will finish everything. Just order the amount of food you think will be enough for all. Eating too much will only give you a stomach ache and the leftovers will just be wasted along with your money.
For dishes, go with lots of rice and a couple of main dishes. Rice is a good extender and its possibly one of the cheapest things on the menu. If you like to experiment, add some sauces in order to make different varieties. This will make it look like you’re having more than two dishes at the table, and will stop you from eating.
GO WITH WATER INSTEAD OF SODAS
Water is not only healthy but is also practical, considering that restaurants serve it for free. A good restaurant will likely serve water that has gone through a purification machine. Sodas are cool to drink but will make you feel full immediately. You went to a restaurant to eat food not consume softdrinks.