10 Secrets for Saving Money Each Time You Shop

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Do you save money when you shop? If you do, you already know the money-stretching secrets of savvy shoppers. If you don usually get a deal, here are ten insider tips that can help you save more money.



1. Eat with the seasons. We humans used to eat with the seasons out of necessity. Whatever food was in abundance, we ate. It pays to eat with the sales now because when produce is "in season", it usually is on sale. This means buying blueberries in July and apples and cranberries in autumn. The key is to plan meals with seasonal recipes.



2. Shop with the sales. Some items go on sale the same time each year. Car dealers are motivated to sell this year?s models in the last months of the year. The week after Christmas is the time to buy Christmas decorations. Winter clothes, towels and linens go on sale in January. School supplies are on sale in the weeks before school starts. Shop during those times to find deals.



3. Use coupons and make it fun. If your coupons come in the Sunday paper, try to get ten times the value of the paper in coupons. For example, if your Sunday paper costs $1.00, try to get $10.00 in savings each week. Over a year, youll save more than $500 dollars. Another great source of coupons is the Entertainment Coupon Book. This coupon book is available in most major cities and can save you money at local businesses, such as restaurants and dry cleaners. You can get this coupon book at www.entertainment.com.



4. Automatically find out about deals. Get a membership at BonusWire.com. Every week BonusWire.com sends you a list of companies who offer freebies, deals and bonuses. Find out more at www.bonuswire.com. Another handy website that will point you to deals is CoolSavings. They will send you coupons for brand name products such as Pampers and coupons to stores such as Petco. Sign up at www.coolsavings.com.



5. Before you buy online, do this. Are you shopping at a well-known website? Serious online savers search for "companyname coupons". For example, go to Google.com and search "Gap coupons" or "Amazon coupons".



6. Get a deal after the item has sold out. What happens when you have a store coupon for a GREAT deal but when you get there, the store is out of the item? A little-known secret is you may still get the item for the coupons price - simply ask the clerk for a "raincheck". A raincheck is a little form that extends your coupon for a week. This is only a possibility with store coupons, not manufacturers coupons. Also, the original coupon can not state: "While supplies last".



7. Pay cash whenever you can. Many of us carry credit card debt, which only makes us poorer. The benefits of paying with cash: 1. No interest 2. Some companies offer a discount for cash. For example, a furniture store may offer a 2% discount for cash. When you are buying a big-ticket item, ask if theres a discount for paying with cash.



8. Combine savings. Did you know sometimes you CAN combine savings? For example you may find products on sale AND use a coupon. Try that the next time you go to the grocery store. Heres another example, a store runs a special where they will pay the taxes PLUS you could pay cash and get the cash discount.



9. Try this last minute money saver. Before you make any large purchase, ask the salesclerk this question: ?Can you do better than that?? This question can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Just wait until the seller has told you the price and say, "Can you do better than that?? Another variation of this question is "Is that your best price?"



10. Get a deal AFTER you buy it. What if an item goes on sale after you bought it? Did you know some stores have a policy that gives you the sale price even if you bought a week earlier? This can apply to big-ticket items such as cameras, TVs and furniture. Its worth a phone call to the store to find out if theyll refund the difference.



By putting these money-saving tips into action, you can keep more of your hard earned money. You can save money with the savviest of shoppers.



Raynay Valles enjoys getting deals and working smart. Is working hard working for you? When you?ve had enough of working hard, learn about the Lazy Millionaires Club at http://www.LazyMillionairesClub.com

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10 Tips for Saving Money and Earning Interest

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Saving money and paying off debts can be difficult, but cutting back on day to day expenses makes the process easier. Implementing one or two ideas is all that?s needed to get you started on the path to better banking. And you?ll be rewarded with more money in your pocket at the end of the day. Here are a few simple tips that will help you get more of your money in the bank and working for you.

1. Avoid the lottery

Winning millions is a nice dream, but the chances are extremely slim. Instead of attempting to win the jackpot each week, invest that money and earn interest on it. Over 30 years you?ll have built up a sizable jackpot for yourself.

2. Review your vacations

Taking an extravagant vacation more than once a year starts to add up fast. Plan ahead, especially if you have many people going on vacation with you.

3. Old fashioned music

Music is everywhere, and convenient to purchase online. But you can easily spend a lot of money on songs you may not listen to regularly. Try listening to the radio, or if you want to stay digital, look into the multitude of free online radio stations broadcasting all your favorite genres and songs for free.

4. Working out

Gym memberships are expensive, and you must be honest about its worth. If you?re not getting any value out of it, take a walk outside; explore your neighborhood or a local park.

5. Luxury drinks

When winding down in the evening, a glass of wine feels like it helps. But even if you limit the wine to just 2 nights a week, make sure the cost over a year is worth the feeling.

6. Pack a lunch

Eating out is expensive, and your local sandwich deli is charging twice as much as it costs to make a sandwich at home. You?ll also be eating healthier and saving money at the same time.

7. Watch the home improvements

Improving your home is a favorite activity of many home owners, but expenses add up fast. So unless you?re adding considerable value to your home, your time and money may be better spent on gardening or growing your own healthy foods.

8. Credit cards

Credit cards make impulse buying easier. Watch what you spend your money on, especially if there are fees associated with charging big ticket items to your card.

9. Give up coffee

For a cup of coffee every day before work, you could easily spend more than $800 a year. Try a less expensive beverage, or look to alternatives for that morning caffeine rush.

10. Cut back on TV

If you don?t watch TV very much, there?s no need to pay for it. A monthly cable bill for more than what you need is not necessary. Especially with a solid internet connection, there are plenty of other ways to relax, both online and offline.

Copyright ? 2007

Sterling State Bank provides personal and business banking solutions in Minnesota that meet all your financial needs.

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0% APR Credit Card Offers: Saving Money

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In todays economic situation, almost all items and services are getting more and more expensive everyday. This is why people go to any lengths just to save money. Some people try to save money by purchasing cheaper goods and some try to save on utility expenses, like electricity, gas, and water.

Credit cards are one of the most popular ways to purchase goods and services. It can even be used to pay for your utility bills. With a credit card, you don have to carry a lot of cash in your wallet to purchase the things you need in your everyday life. With a single swipe of the credit card, you automatically purchase the items you need.

However, credit cards also have its disadvantages. With a credit card, people tend to lose control in spending their money. People tend to spend more than they can afford. This is why credit cards are only recommended for people who know how to manage their money.

But, more and more people today are applying for a credit card as a way to purchase the items they need even if they still don have the cash for it.

There are available banks and lending companies that offer 0 percent APR credit cards. You now wonder what 0% APR credit cards are and what it can do to benefit you.

APR or Annual Percentage Rate is used by credit card companies to calculate the total cost of borrowing. The APR is used by credit card companies to make it easier for them to compare loan options and also to compare lenders.

Today, there are a lot of credit card companies that offer 0% APR on their credit cards. So, you now ask, "Whats in it for me?" Since the APR determines how much you have to pay on interest, a no interest credit is obviously the best. A credit card with 0% APR means that you don have to pay for interest, you only have to pay the amount you borrowed with no additional fees.

For you or someone who is looking for a way to save money on credit cards, this offer can be very attractive and you would try and apply for it immediately after the bank offers this kind of credit card to you. However, before you make any decisions, you have to consider a few things first.

First of all, 0% APR credit cards are only available on a limited time only. Sometimes, these offers last for only 6 months to a year. People who are unaware of these things tend to pay more than they have to because of not considering that this offer is only introductory and they find themselves using the credit card way past the introductory period.

For this, you have to find out how long the 0% APR promo will last and also how much the interest rate will be after the introductory period expires. There are times that interest rates can go from 0 to 20% in a single billing period.

0% APR credit cards are great for making balance transfers. A balance transfer is what people do to carry out payments from one card to another. It is a great way to pay off your debt from another credit card. For example, if you have a remaining balance from one credit card with 20% monthly interest rate, you can manage this debt more effectively by transferring it to a card that has 0% interest. This means that you will pay off the debt instead of paying off the interest rate.

Before you do this, however, you need to make sure that you can pay off the debt during the 0% introductory period. Always remember that interest rate can really go up after the 0% interest rate introductory period expires.

About the Author:

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. Checkout his information on credit card offers or business and college student credit card offers today.

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10 Inside Tips to Saving Money and Making the Most of Your Retail Shopping Experience

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In addition to running my regular consulting business, I also work part-time as an Ad Set Supervisor for a national retail store. During this time I have learned many of the ins and outs of the retail business and how to get the most bang for my buying dollar. If you follow these same ten tips I guarantee that you too will save more money. Following are ten of the best inside tips Ive learned about the retail world since becoming part of it.

1. How to Get the Best Clearance Price in Stores
In most retail stores, clearance is marked down at the beginning of the month. And for stores that use the tiered clearance system, where items fall in price as the month progresses, you will find that the best time to get the lowest price for a clearance item is toward the end of the month.

2. Yellow Tag, Red Tag Clearance Method - When the Best Price Isnt Always the Final Clearance Price
Stores that use the yellow tag to red tag clearance method also use a tiered system to incrementally mark down items on clearance. Generally, items are placed on clearance at the beginning of the month and will be gradually marked down as the month progresses. Any remaining yellow-ticketed items are then red ticketed for final clearance at the beginning of the following month. Because this system is percentage based, when the yellow-ticketed price drops to its lowest percentage off usually 50% off the yellow-ticketed clearance price makes this the best item to buy. This way you can save as much as 80% off the regular price of an item. However, if you wait until the same item is red-ticketed for final clearance, you will pay a higher price and only receive about 50-60% off the regular price. This is a clearance strategy used by many major retailers.

3. Too Early/Too Late For a Great Sale Not Anymore
Most retail stores have an unpublished policy that allows customers to receive the sale price for an item either a day before or a day after the begin and end dates of an advertised sale. You just have to ask to receive the sale price.

4. Price Adjustment Too Late, Not Necessarily
Most retailers have a published policy allowing customers a specific timeframe to receive price adjustments and an unpublished policy that actually extends this timeframe anywhere from 7 to 14 days. Even if you are outside the official timeframe for a price change, make the request, as most stores will honor the adjustment based on the unpublished policy and because they wont risk losing a customer.

5. Buy One, Get One Free and Buy One, Get One Off Sales BOGO Great for the Retailer, Bad for the Customer
The national retail store I work at part-time as Ad-Set Supervisor usually has a Buy One, Get One Free, and Buy One, Get One Off Sale, also know as BOGOs, twice every sale cycle 12 weeks. It always amazes me how many people flock to the store for these sales because in the retail industry, these are known to be one of the worst sales for customers. How? By breaking the numbers down one can quickly see just what I mean. Lets say you need a pair of jeans and find that there is a BOGO sale at your favorite store offering you off the second purchase. If you paid $20.00 for the first pair and $10 for the second pair since it was off your total purchase amount on two pairs of jeans is $30.00, with an overall savings of $10.00 or 25%. But more than likely, these same jeans usually go on sale for 30 to 40% off during one of the stores regular sale events. That means if you had purchased these same jeans during a regular 30% off sale you would have paid $14.00 per pair or $28 for two pairs a savings of $12.00, or 30% off saving you an additional $2.00 than the BOGO Sale. At 40% off you would have paid $12.00 per pair or $24.00 for two pairs, or 40% off saving you an additional $6.00 than the BOGO Sale.

Buy One, Get One Free Sales are only good if you plan on purchasing two of the same items anyway. Otherwise, they force customers to purchase more than they had planned causing them to bring home two items they only wanted one of in the first place. A way around this dilemma is to shop with a friend or relative who intends to purchase the same type of item that you are going to purchase. Stores love these sales because it is a way of getting customers to spend more money, reduce store inventory quicker, and increase sales figures.

6. Shopping Day Savings Passes, Just Ask
Several national retail stores offer Shopping Day Savings Passes, coupons offering the customer anywhere from 10-20% off every purchase made throughout that day. These savings passes are available at customer service desks. All you need to do is ask. One large retailer that offers these passes is Macys.

7. Those People with the Scanners They Know More Than You Think
Ever go into a store and see some of the associates with a scanner scanning items? Well, more than likely those are Ad Setters responsible for placing sale signs for upcoming sale events. Almost every store has an Ad Set Crew. Some stores have the Ad Set Crew set ads for upcoming sales after store closing. Most, however, have the Crew start setting ads a few hours prior to closing. Shop during these hours and seek these people out. Why? They are the most knowledgeable about what store sales are the best for customers and when these sales are going to occur since they know about upcoming sales weeks in advance. If you are wondering if an item you are interested in purchasing is cheaper during the current sale or cheaper during an upcoming sale, they can usually scan it and tell you. I have helped countless customers save this way and then proceeded to tell them about the day prior, day later rule covered in tip number three. Most regular sales associates dont have this inside information about upcoming sales, nor do they have the ability to find out what upcoming sales prices are going to be on items - thats why you need to speak to an Ad Setter.

8. Imperfections = Discounts, Even Packaging
Everyone probably knows about getting an additional discount on imperfect merchandise, but many dont know that imperfect packaging gets the same discounts. The store I work at, like most stores, has a policy that allows at least an additional 10-20% discount on damaged items. Even if the only damage is to an items packaging, we gladly give this discount when someone asks. As a result, I have learned to purposefully seek out items that have damaged packaging and to always ask for this extra discount. To date, I have always received it. Being willing to purchase items with damaged packaging creates a win-win situation for both customers and the store: the store gets rid of slightly blemished items and customers save money.

9. Forgot Your Extra Savings Coupon No Problem, Just Tell the Cashier
Many stores send out extra savings coupons to holders of their credit cards or loyal customers on their mailing list. Sometimes, however, customers get to the register only to realize that they forgot to bring their Extra Savings Coupon with them. If this happens to you, no problem, since most stores have a policy granting the discount to the customer anyway just by telling the cashier that you forgot your savings coupon.

10. The Clearance Merry-Go-Round
Most stores have what is called back stock. This usually refers to clearance items that have not sold during the previous seasons clearance sales. These items are placed in a designated area in the stockroom and then brought back out onto the sales floor during a stores next seasonal clearance event. For example, January and February are two good months to find last seasons bathing suits on clearance in many stores. May and June are good times to find heavy coats and leather jackets at rock-bottom prices. I know our store does this routinely, and have found this to be true for several other major retailers as well.

I hope you are able to save tons of money as I have by using these ten tips. Prior to working in retail I would have considered myself a frugal and smart shopper but have since become even better and saved more. By learning the ins-and-outs of the retail world and by using these tips, I now pay less for brand-new brand-name clothing, shoes, accessories, and home goods than I had previously paid at thrift stores and I hope you do too. Happy Shopping and Saving!

By Jona E. Kessans
Copyright 2005 Jona E. Kessans. All rights reserved.
Jona is an instructional designer, web and graphic designer, and technical and business writer. When she isnt working on client projects, she can be found updating her personal project, www.simpleandfrugal.com, a website dedicated to those seeking to simplify their lives.

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10 Tips for Using Less Gas and Saving More Money

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Copyright 2005 Danek Kaus

The hurricane that has devastated so many lives has created a huge spike in gasoline prices around the country, even in areas that are not directly affected by the crisis.

With this in mind, here are some ways that you can reduce your gas consumption, and thereby spend less money at the pump. At the same time, youll also be helping the environment by putting fewer emissions into the air.

1. Avoid idling as much as possible. Modern engines do not need to be warmed up. In fact, they warm up better by driving them slowly, under a light load. Instead of using the drive-up window at the local fast food joint, consider going inside instead. If you do use the pick-up window, turn off the engine while you are in line. It takes less gas to restart a warmed-up engine than it does to idle for 30 seconds or more.

2. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Dont stomp on the gas peddle when the light turns green. Try to anticipate traffic flow and drive accordingly, keeping safety in mind at all times.

3. Lighten the load. If you have a bunch of stuff in your car that you dont need with you, store it somewhere else. The more your car weighs, the more gas the engine must burn.

4. Combine trips. Try to run all your errands at one time. Planning ahead for what you need to buy and do can save a lot of trips and miles.

5. Check tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires create drag and reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 2%. Properly inflated are safer and they last longer.

6. Use the right gas. Check your owners manual for the right grade of gas for your car. It is a waste of money to use a higher grade then recommended.

7. Close the gas cap properly. Make sure the seal is tight. If you buy a replacement cap, make sure it is the right one for your make and model.

8. Change the air filter regularly. A clogged filter reduces mileage.

9. Change the spark plugs. Make sure to install new ones at the appropriate intervals to improve mileage.

10. Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle. If you have more than one vehicle, drive the one with the best mileage rating whenever possible.


I would like to close by asking everyone who reads this article to please give whatever you can to relief agencies such as The Red Cross and The Salvation Army, or one of many other worthy organizations that are working hard to bring aid and comfort to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Although it hurts to pay more at the pump, it cant compare with the agony that so many in the Gulf Coast are enduring.

Thank you.


About the author:
Danek S. Kaus is a freelance journalist who has published hundreds of articles on business, personal development and consumer issues. He is the co-author of the new book, Power Persuasion: Using Hypnotic Influence to Win in Life, Love and Business. For information, visit power-persuasion.com/bookWant more gas saving tips and other ideas on how to win in life? Read The Winners Edge at http:/winnersedge.blogspot.com




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