Savings Reminders for the New Year...

I have posted many of these tips before, however, with the new year and the challenging economy, I am posting these and more. As most of you already know (hint, hint, read my title :-)), I am a single mother. We do not get child support, or financial assistance. I also don't have family to help me though I am thankful for the many friends who have become family to us. Of course, they don't help us financially and that is exactly the way it should be. So, I have adopted many daily practices to save money and stretch a dollar. Especially as a new business owner, www.kathyscloset.biz, I need to watch every penny! So, here are some of the many money-saving tips you can also put into practice!

* Pack your own lunch and make your own coffee! The cost to eat out adds up! Also, those trips to Starbucks can break your budget. Just do it yourself. Prepare the night before so you are not in a rush the following morning.

* Do your own beauty stylings (if you can). I cut my own hair, and color it. I also cut my son's hair. I do my own manicures and pedicures. I can even do my own facials. It's not hard if you just spend a little time practicing. I save thousands per year doing this!!

* Give up the gym membership and use DVD's, home equipment, a buddy program, and the great outdoors! As a former trainer, I have kept up on my fitness with my own routine. It is so much easier to do in the privacy of my own home and a lot less expensive. Take brisk walks, ride your bike, get a work-out partner.

* Use coupons, especially on sites like www.southernsavers.com, that help you organize them by store. Keep them current and sorted. Know your favorite store's coupon policies. Take advantage of BOGO deals and double up the savings with coupon stacking (store coupon+manufacturer coupon+competitor coupon).

* Get rid of the landline and only use your cellphone!

*Check with your local cable company for "limited basic" which is about $13 per month. They don't tell you they have this option, but they do. It just gives you about 13 channels, but I don't care much for TV anyway. I use the my savings for a netflix membership at $8 per month. It is instant through our Wii game and has great shows you can also tailor to suit you and your family.

* Clean your own house! Having a maid is a luxury, especially now. I just do it myself and save the hundred dollars per visit.

* Buy your children's uniforms at garage sales and on eBay. I buy them in large quantities for a steal!

* Go to dealoz.com to check current prices on books, CDs, DVD;s and electronics. It will peruse the internet to find you the absolute best deal!

* Buy an older, fuel efficient car. If you can, pay for it all and don't finance it. I used to be a BMW girl. Not anymore! I love them, believe me! However, I love not having a car payment even better! Plus, I get great gas, low auto insurance and low maintenance costs!

* Watch your electric usage. Turn off lights, computers, TV's, etc. I also set the A/C to a higher temp, and the heat on a lower temp. Therefore, they don't come on as often. I save hundreds on my electric!

* Get regular oil changes, keep the tires inflated properly, and change your sparkplugs and filters as needed. Just some very inexpensive maintenance can save you hundreds in the long run!

* Check sites like retailmenot before you pay full price on items purchased online. From clothing to household items, etc., this site and other similar sites will give you promo codes to save on shipping, and the total cost.

* Use drugstore cosmetics. So many of them are made by the same exact manufacturers as the department store brands! The same with diapers!

* Buy larger portions and freeze them. I freeze things like milk, cheese, bread, vegetables, etc. Also, buy the "manager's special" on ground beef and meats in bulk. Get them home and package them into single serving portions and freeze them.

* ALWAYS check for the generic brand of drugs!!! Walmart has soooo many for just $4. Publix gives you antibiotics for free also. Krogers the same!

* Keep a drawer that is just for year-end tax items. Put all reciepts for healthcare, dental, home repair, childcare, mileage, charitable contributions, etc. into it. Make sure to deduct all that you are entitled to at the end of the year!

* Do your own lawncare! I didn't know a thing about lawns before I purchased my home. I quickly learned, and now boast one of the nicest lawns in my neighborhood. I fertilize regularly, and keep up with weeds and proper maintenance. I save hundreds per year doing this also!

Well, that is all for now! There is so much more, but this is a start! I am sure you can think of more ways to stretch a dollar. You may want to keep a journal for a month and log your spending. You would be so surprised to see the way you spend money! Happy New Year!!

World's Best Websites! Or at least my favorite ones anyway! :-)

There are so many ways to save money. I guess I am always looking for the easiest way to do so of course. It helps to have websites available that make it so much easier. Plus, there are just websites I frequent for other information like medical info, consumer reviews on products, and the latest and best rates on financial concerns, etc. So, to make it easy for you too, I have compiled a list of my favorite ones. Here they are, and hope you can find some (or all) of them that are beneficial to you too! Have fun!

World’s best websites:

Coupons and savings
www.dealoz.com for finding best price on books, movies, CD’s
www.couponcabin.com for finding good internet coupons
www.smartsource.com for grocery coupons
www.redplum.com for grocery coupons
www.afullcup.com for grocery and retail coupons
www.southernsavers.com for grocery, retail, magazine, and all kinds of great coupons!
www.couponmom.com for grocery coupons
www.retailmenot.com for retail coupons

Free Stuff
www.teenfreeway.com for free samples and you don’t need to be a teen either!
www.psst.com for free items
www.freecycle.com to get free local things people are getting rid of

Automotive
www.tirerack.com for great deals on car tires shipped to your door
www.directtire.com tire deals too. Just have your local tire shop mount them and save tons!

Pets
www.1888petslife.com for great deal on pet meds. Just get a prescription from your vet and fax it in! Save hundreds per year!

Financial
www.bankrate.com for checking best current rates on loans, credit cards, etc., plus lots of money saving tips!
www.legalzoom.com to create a Will, Power of Attorney, Living Will, etc. I emphasize the need for this to everyone! Please don’t wait till the last minute to plan for your future and that of your family. Plus, this is a very affordable option.

Medical
www.webmd.com for excellent medical info
www.drweil.com another excellent source of medical info

Jobs
www.indeed.com Pulls local sources of available jobs based on advanced search techniques

For Selling and Buying
www.domesticsale.com free advertising classifieds
www.hoobly.com free advertising classifieds
www.oodle.com free classifieds
www.craigslist.com free local and national advertising. I buy a lot on here too. I also re-sell a lot!

Miscellaneous
inexpensive way to print photos, photo greeting cards, photo gifts, save videos, share slideshows, etc.
www.wikipedia.com online encyclopedia
www.tripod.com for creating free website. Lots of great templates and very user friendly!
www.findyourspot.com excellent relocation tool that finds the best place to live based on your desires (I can dream!)
www.answers.yahoo.com fantastic way to get answers from members on just about anything!
www.epinions.com for consumer reviews on most anything
www.blogspot.com to create a free blog (like this one)!

Happy Web Surfing!!

Some ways I save money...

So, people always ask me how I am able to save money and stretch a dollar so far? These days especially, that is a hot topic! Well, since I have been on my own since age 16, and had to learn the hard way, it's become a lifestyle for me. In fact, I don't even buy anything anymore unless it's on sale, or I can get a discount, or I have a coupon, etc. (you get the picture)! But, as far as things I do around the house on a daily basis to save money, and with my son? Well, here are a few things, and I'll be posting the best (most helpful) websites later:

Cut my hair and cut his hair
Color my hair (used to use Nice & Easy, but just switched to Loreal Excellence-works better and longer)!
Do my own manicures, and pedicures (including French)
Cut and maintain my own lawn and gardening, fertilizing, weeding, edging, etc.
Buy quite a bit at the Dollar Store (you would be surprised at the deals)!
Run my errands together to save gas
Keep my tires inflated well and the oil changed regularly
Buy prescriptions at WalMart for the $4 generic version and get antibiotics for free at Publix
Consistently look at the end tabs at places like Target, Walgreens, etc. There are some really great deals. Even grocery stores usually have a section of markdowns.
Do my own taxes (save you receipts in one place to make it easier at year-end)
Do my own small home repairs
Work-out at home with equipment, DVD's, and some learned techniques
Regularly review my home/auto insurance for the most competitive rate
Built my own website and maintain it
Check my favorite manufacturers website for promotions and deals and also become a member (when they keep your info private) to regularly get coupons mailed to you
Keep the air/heat at the bare minimums and use ceiling fans also
Use heat control curtains and close them when I am gone (I also recently had my windows tinted with solar film that blocks up to 65% of sun)
Change my home A/C filters regularly
Groom my own dog
Buy my dog's meds online (heart worm, flea/tick, etc). Saves tons of money!
Decorate, clean, and maintain my entire house
Pressure wash (small areas only) when needed
Use drink mixes and never buy sodas
Use my cellphone and not a land-line
Stockpile grocery/household items when they are 50% & use coupons too
Regularly go to garage sales to find items to re-sell (baby and kid items are always a hot ticket)!
Turn the water off in the shower when not needed during aspects of showering
Only eat out at places that offer BOGO deals or kids eat free deals
Go to the movies only before 5pm, and not too often
Buy the Sunday Paper from the biggest city near me (better coupons) and add to my coupon stash or give them away to friends in need
Turn off lights when not in use, and try to use artificial light sparingly
etc, etc, etc....

So, you may think some of those things are extreme, or time consuming, or not worth it. However, they become very worth it when you tally up how much you save each month, and can use that money for other needed things, and even a vacation fund! You would be amazed at how much you can teach yourself to do, if you only try!

Photo Album Coupon Book

I have finally finished my giant coupon book, and my smaller carry along. I made both out of photo albums and it was actually fun...and easy too! For the bigger one, I found one that holds 3 photos on each side, and also has room to write something next to it. I then divided my sections up by categories like Dairy, Cereals (Adult/Child), drinks, frozen, health & beauty, etc. You get the picture. I then made a smaller book out a 4x6 photo album that can be carried with you. Now, I separate the coupons I am going to use into that smaller holder so it is ready for my shopping trip. I first look at the local sales circulars to see what is on sale that I use (doesn't make sense to buy things you are not going to use just because they are on sale...unless you donate them to a good cause of course). After previewing sales, I take out the coupons that match what I need now that is on sale, and put it into my smaller holder. That is what I'll carry with me, but I always leave the bigger one in the car just in case there are coupons I end up needing.

Gotta love Publix and Harris Teeter. They are sooooo great with coupons. They will also both take the Piggly Wiggly $5.00 off of a $30.00 purchase coupons! Harris Teeters will double and sometimes even triple your coupons. You may not have much time to do this, however, if you look at it like money in your hands, you'll hate to pass up the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars continually!

Oh, on a final note, please be honest folks! I know a gal (not mentioning any names), who told me she shops at the Commissary and uses any coupons she has on hand, even if she knows she's not buying that item. She tells me they don't check your items so they just scan the coupons and take them. Another gal I know, repeatedly makes copies of one time only use coupons and even takes a stack of newspapers out of the machine on Sunday Morning, though she only pays for one. C'mon folks!! Don't know about you, but in my book that sounds pretty equal to stealing now doesn't it? Not nice. That kind of stuff is bad any way you look at it. Let's hope their kids aren't around to see them do it either. Hate to think of the example that creates for them. And really, dishonesty just comes back to you anyway in some form or another. OK, I'll get off that subject now.

You are going to save money and it's not hard to do at all. Hardest part is just getting started in the coupon and savings world. Once your there...you'll never want to go back!!

6 Months of no glamour shopping, and going strong!

My New Year's Resolution was to STOP shopping! Can you believe it? No fashion and beauty items for 1 year. It's been 6 months now, and I have kept to it. Although, every now and then I see someone wearing something I would LOVE to own. It takes every inch of my strength to not run out and purchase it. But, I found that I can do it! Plus, I have found so many things in my closets and cabinets that I forgot I owned! So, my year of no new clothes, shoes, purses, belts, make-up, jewelry, perfume, lotions, etc. is still going!

Now, I have become even more of a dollar stretcher. I am slowly becoming the Coupon Queen :-). Check out www.southernsavers.com. This is my year to save money (even more than usual). I would rather that the main love of my life, my son, have that little extra that I would have spent on my 15th pair of black pants! It's awesome!