Money Saving Tips for Back To School Shopping

Wow! Where did the summer go? It seems like school just got out a few weeks ago and now it’s already time to think about back-to-school shopping!

Don’t let that list and the upcoming hit to your budget get you down. There are plenty of ways to get cheap school supplies. Let’s look at our top tips for saving money on school supplies starting with the free ones!

1. Browse at Home First

How many promo pens and pencils do you have stuffed in a drawer someplace? Quite a few? There are the pens your kids can take to school! Plus, when they inevitably lose those pens, it won’t be as frustrating because they were free.

Some supplies don’t need to be rebought each year. Rummage around to find last year’s items like calculators, rulers, pencil bags or boxes, and backpacks. Dust them off and they’ll be as good as new to accompany your child to school!

2. Swapping Spree

Don’t stop by just inventorying your house. Get together with friends, neighbors, and other kids in your child’s class and have them do the same. It’s likely that you’ll have extras of something they are short on.

Families can swap their excess items to reduce waste and reduce their back-to-school shopping bills.

3. Make a List and Set a Budget

We’ve given you a couple of ideas of how to get stuff for free. Now it’s time to make a list of what else is necessary.

There will be lots of things your kids will want that aren’t absolutely necessary. Prioritize necessary items first and then add some of the wants that your kids have.

Take the opportunity to sit down with your kids and chat about the value of money. Show them the budget you have set to spend on school supplies and explain the limitations of what you can buy.

Inevitably, they will want more than just the basics but stick to your set budget. If they want anything extra, they can buy it themselves, or you both can get creative about reducing the amount you spend on the essentials. Keep reading for a few ways to do that.

4. Shop the Sales

Stores will offer ridiculous back-to-school shopping deals on certain items to get you in the store. For example, 10-cent crayons, 50-cent binders, etc. The point is to get you in the door because most people will get lazy and buy everything at one place.

Don’t do that if you want to save money.

Examine the ads before you go shopping and create a plan of attack. At each store, only buy the things on sale.

5. Shop on a Tax-Free Holiday

Raise your hand if you love paying taxes!

No one…okay.

Then don’t pay taxes on your school supplies by shopping on a tax-free holiday. Many states offer these around back-to-school time. Take advantage of this event for those big-ticket items like a new laptop, but buy all your supplies on the right day and you can save as much as 10% off your bill.

Keep in mind that these events usually apply for clothing and shoes and other items so be prepared for some serious savings.

6. Stay in the Zone and Buy Only the Things On Your List

Once you get in the store, there will be lots of banners, display stands, bright colors, and more vying for your attention. Their singular purpose is to get you to buy more than you planned on buying.

Put on your blinders and stick to your plan of attack. If you take your kids with you, be firm about only buying the things on your list.

You can choose to allow them one or two extra items or allow them to buy their own extras. Just make sure to tell them that before you walk into the store. If it sounds like you’re making exceptions, they’ll be incessant about everything they want.

7. Buy Quality Items

The whole point of this post is to save money on school supplies, but this is one spot where it makes sense to spend a little more.

Cheap items break easily and buying replacements usually ends up costing more in the long run. You’ll have to drive to the store again and won’t get to take advantage of the sales.

Invest in quality items, especially for things like backpacks that can be used for several years.

Of course, before sending your kids to school — label everything! That way, lost items are more likely to be found again.

Back-to-School Shopping…Go!

The little stuff like notebooks and colored pencils are easy to find at your local stores. But what about bigger ticket items like school furniture? Check out the amazing deals on school storage items here!

Celebrating The Country Opening Back Up, On a Budget

The COVID-19 pandemic meant that all of us were stuck home for the good part of last year. However, it was also a time that a lot of people saved money because there were fewer places to spend it. People stopped going on vacation, eating out, and spending money on other recreational activities.

With the country opening up again, the urge to spend crazy amounts of money may be strong. You’ve been stuck inside for so long that you want to enjoy this newfound freedom, right? Well luckily, you can do that while saving money too!

Here are a few tips that you can use to enjoy the country opening back up and still save money!

Budgeting 

Budgeting is an instrumental skill and, if done correctly, can help you get the most out of your income. Unfortunately, most people confuse budgeting and associate it negatively. They feel like budgeting means that they won’t be able to go out and have fun.

However, that’s simply not the case. If you budget your entertainment expenses, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself while maintaining a certain amount of your income as savings. The best thing about budgeting is that you need to know no real advanced techniques to start. 

With the advancement of technology, there are so many free applications that you can download that let you create a budget and track your spending at the same time. But, of course, if you don’t want to use any of these applications, you can just as easily manage with a pen, paper, and a calculator. 

Be Analytical 

When you’re looking to spend money after the pandemic, it’s a good idea to be very analytical about your purchasing decision. Being analytical means that you have a set series of questions you ask yourself before purchasing. 

The primary question that you should ask before making a purchase is how much utility the new product will provide. After that, ask yourself whether you already have a similar product. By being analytical, not only will you be able to make the most out of your budget, but you’ll also get excellent products. 

Tracking Spending 

It seems like an obvious tip when you state it in writing, but you’d be surprised at how many people skip out on tracking their spending. Without keeping track, you put yourself at significant risk of going over the budget. 

The main reason why many people don’t keep track of their spending is that they don’t understand how. Staying on top of it with a pen and notebook is too troublesome. A much easier way to keep track of your spending is by downloading an app for your smartphone. 

There are so many different options that you can choose between. If you want all the fancy features, a paid application is the best option. Most free ones contain enough about them to help do the job. By tracking your spending, you’ll always be able to stay on top of the budget you set. 

Tracking your spending also has another advantage. Most applications allow you to store your spending data and analyze it later. That’ll allow you to identify patterns in your spending and then make the necessary changes. 

Maintain Savings Goals 

Even though everything’s opening up again, it’s essential to ensure that you still maintain certain saving goals. The pandemic has given you a chance to build up a certain amount of savings. Instead of blowing out all these savings, use them to plan towards a future. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself; set out a certain portion of your budget to entertain yourself, then set aside the other portion for your savings. There are two main types of goals that you can adopt, short-term or long-term. 

One option available to everyone for their savings needs is putting the money they’ve set aside in an IRA or a 529 savings plan. Even though they represent a certain amount of risk, they also represent an excellent opportunity for growth. With everything opening up, the economy is going to indicate significant growth in the short run. 

These long-term goals aren’t the only ones that you necessarily need to adopt. It’s even possible to take on smaller goals. For example, you can look forward to saving up to buy a new smartphone or maybe some designer clothes. Whatever your need may be, setting up saving goals is an excellent way to enjoy yourself while not fully losing control. 

Look for Ways to Treat Yourself 

One of the most effective ways to reign in yourself from overspending is by actually treating yourself. The desire to overspend after the pandemic primarily stems from the overall stress experienced during the lockdown. Therefore, by appropriately treating yourself, one can easily avoid the urge to overspend. 

While you were in lockdown, you likely managed to earn many loyalty credits on your reward programs. Now’s the time to use these loyalty credits and reward yourself. Use these points as much as you can to cover as much of the spending you can. 

That way, you’ll be able to treat yourself without having to spend too much money and deplete your savings too much. 

Invest in Yourself 

Instead of just trying to invest in yourself, another great option is to spend the money on stuff that would better yourself. For example, you could join a gym or a fitness program to help you get into the physique you desire. 

Or you could choose to invest in yourself by applying for specific online programs and certifications. By investing in yourself, you’ll put yourself in the best position to increase your earnings in the future. 

Resist the Urge to Spend Online

One of the worst habits that people developed during the pandemic is clicking on and buying stuff online. Its convenience is what makes the habit dangerous. Because it’s so easy and accessible to spend money online, people tend to do it recklessly without worrying. That means they can end up racking a huge credit bill without even realizing it. 

It’s essential to take a mindful approach when shopping online because if you don’t, you can easily overspend. Take a few minutes to ask yourself whether the product will provide you with a significant amount of utility before making your purchase. 

Streamline your Spending

There are many ways to streamline your spending to enjoy the benefits that modern-day technologies offer. For example, instead of spending significant amounts of money on a cable bill, you can choose to go with a Netflix or Amazon Prime subscription. 

Things like this can help you save a significant amount of money while living your best life!

While it’s important to treat yourself post-pandemic, those that aren’t careful can easily end up overspending and putting themselves in a bad position. By following these tips, consumers can ensure that they can spend in the best possible manner. As a result, you’ll save yourself from overspending post-pandemic with ease!

References:

https://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-2021/post-pandemic-spending-tips.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2021/03/19/covid-19-pandemic-100-things-were-going-do-when-its-over/4718619001/

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/08/how-to-resist-the-urge-to-splurge-in-a-post-pandemic-spending-spree.html

Save Money This Summer

Due to COVID-19 and quarantine, many people were able to save a lot of money on travel and other expenses. However, many other costly activities depleted our savings (such as the countless hours spent online shopping). As summer approaches, chances are your spending will increase due to extra utility bills, upcoming vacations, or other summer activities.

That’s why we wanted to give you 10 money-saving tips that will guarantee that you save a lot during the summer, while not missing out on any fun.

So, without further ado, let’s begin!


10 Money-Saving Tips For Summer

  1. Buy Your Groceries In Bulk
    This is one of the most useful tips that you can follow during the summer. Many people tend to just buy what they need at the moment and head home. However, buying your groceries this way dramatically increases your spending.

That’s why it’s always better to buy your groceries in bulk. Simply make a list of the things you’ll need for the next week or month. Then, head over to the store and buy in bulk. Buying bulk quantities is cheaper, and this will save you gas money since you won’t have to go to the store as much!

  1. Use Your Bike For Your Daily Errands
    Buying groceries is just one errand among many. There are many tasks that you will have to perform daily such as visiting your office, going out to eat, or going out to buy other essential stuff. Simply using your bike to go to places can save you a lot of money on gas, and it’s also more environmentally friendly.

Even though it tends to get hot in the summer, you can get a lot of vitamin D while out in the sun. Biking is also a great way to get your daily exercise in. Just ensure that you are wearing your helmet and other safety equipment!

  1. Start Gardening
    There are so many amazing benefits of gardening, such as saving money! A nice garden is pleasant to the eyes, but you can also grow fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer season. You can grow many vegetables such as cucumbers, beans, squashes, tomatoes, and peppers in the summer. So, you won’t need to splurge on crazy grocery store prices that tend to run high in the summer!

To save money through gardening, all you have to do is to make small investments in the seeds and plants that you want to grow. And of course, you will have to give a lot of care to your garden. But in the end, it will be worth it.

  1. Turn Off Your Air Conditioner
    Many people end up spending a significant amount of money in the summer on their utility bills when they can easily save all of that. Now, this doesn’t mean that you will have to sit in the heat this summer. Instead, you just have to know when to use your air conditioner and when not to. There will be some instances when you will have to use your air conditioner, but it doesn’t have to be on 24/7.

For instance, if the temperature at night is cooler, you can just leave your window open before you sleep. You can also maximize the cooling effect by installing exhaust fans in your home. Having a good ventilation system will eliminate the need for an air conditioner in many cases and will help you get a good sleep.

  1. Spend Time Outside
    Summertime is a good opportunity to spend time outdoors. Spending some time outside is one of the best ways to save your money on those pesky utility bills during summer. You can get some much-needed fresh air when you are outside playing a sport or just walking around your neighborhood.

If the area you live in tends to get really hot, you can wake up early in the morning to enjoy some time outdoors. Temperatures are usually cool earlier in the day, and there’s a lot you can do at this time! Whether it’s hiking, running, swimming, barbequing, camping, or walking your dog, it’s always good to spend time outside in summer.

  1. Cook Outdoors
    Another way to save money is to take your cooking outside. When you cook in the summers, heat tends to build up in your home and has nowhere to go to especially when you have a poor ventilation system. This can make your house warmer and cause your energy bills to rise.

That’s why you should take your stove or grill outside when you want to cook. This will not only save you a lot of money on utility bills, but it will also be more fun to cook outside.

  1. Clean Your AC filters
    Many people tend to overlook this important money-saving strategy. To put it simply, maintenance is essential if you want to save costs on repairs or replacements. A dirty air conditioner filter increases your cooling costs, restricts airflow, and undermines the efficiency of your air conditioner. A dirty air conditioner filter means a higher run time and thus a higher utility bill.

So, you should take the time to clean dirty air conditioner filters. Filters are also cheaply available in the market, and you can replace them if you want.

  1. Block The Heat Source
    Another simple strategy to save money and improve your summer experience is to block heat sources. This will save your money on utility bills and will reduce the sweltering heat in your home.

Close all the curtains or buy sunshades for your windows. Also, ensure that you are blocking all the other heat sources, such as glass panels, on your door.

  1. Air Dry Your Clothes
    One of the benefits of summer is that you don’t have to use your dryer to dry your laundry. This can save you a lot in terms of energy costs!

Simply start hanging your laundry outside with the help of a clothesline. The sun’s scorching heat will do the rest for you. This will not only dry your clothes but will also kill bacteria.

  1. Opt For A Staycation
    One of the best ways to save money this summer is by going for a staycation instead of a usual vacation. Even if you normally don’t find your area particularly interesting, it may still have a lot to offer if you look around.

Make a list of some popular destinations nearby and give them a visit. This could include zoos, museums, parks, or camping sites in your area. This summer will be a great opportunity for you to explore your area while also saving travel costs.

Summer is one of the best times of the year but also one of the most expensive. However, if you follow these tips and tricks, you can save a lot of cash this summer and make this season truly enjoyable for you and your family.

References:
https://biofriendlyplanet.com/green-alternatives/transportation/environmental-reasons-to-start-riding-your-bicycle-more/
https://gilmour.com/summer-vegetable-garden

Money saving tips and free activities for the spring and summer

In today’s post we are going to highlight some of the ways to save money this Spring and Summer. We will also be listing some free activities that are fun to do in the Spring and Summer as well!

Ride your bike: Bike riding is cheaper than paying for gas or for public transportation. It’s a bonus that it’s a great workout too!

Planting a Garden: You have to spend a little initially to buy gardening tools and seeds, but the return on your investment is huge! You’ll save money on groceries all summer long.

Cancel Your Gym Membership: If you’re a runner, walker or biker then the nice spring and summer months are the best time to cancel your gym membership. Exercising outside is enjoyable and saves you money!

Free Spring and Summer Activities:

  • Visit a public park
  • Go for a hike
  • Free concerts
  • Go to a beach (If you have one nearby)

We hope these suggestions and activities help you have an awesome Spring and Summer!

Saving more and spending less in 2021

If your New Years’ resolution was to save more money, then hopefully you’re off to a great start! However, If you’re struggling, here are some great suggestions on how to stay in the green this year.

Lower Your Utilities: Utility bills can start to add up in 2021. One way to reduce it is by replacing your light bulbs with LED bulbs. More on that here.

Buy Store Brand: Store brand products can potentially save you up to 30% off, and that is without using coupons. Pair those two together and you’ll be saving lots of money at the grocery store! It also helps when you buy in bulk. If you have the space, buying larger packages of goods or supplies can reduce the overall long term price.

Go Paperless: Lots of places where you may have bills offer a discount for you to pay online and receive paperless statements. With all the bills life throws at us, any additional discount helps.

Group Cell Phone Plan: Sharing a cell phone plan with roommates, friends or family can make everyone’s cell phone bill cheaper.

TV Re-evaluation: Maybe it’s time to take a look at those streaming packages and cable. Are you really using all those channels and providers? If not, see where you can downgrade or perhaps even cancel.

Hopefully these tips were helpful, and if you need a little extra cash we can help with that too! We offer installment loans. Installment loans are very simple. They are loans that are paid back conveniently in installments. Our loans may be paid back early at any time with no prepayment charges!

What makes us different than other companies, is that we have an easy applications, you receive quick results and you get your cash fast! Apply today, and feel free to chat with one of our live agents with any questions you may have. APPLY HERE

Help with paying your bills this winter

In the winter it can be tough to pay your bills. That’s why we offer installment loans. Installment loans are very simple. They are loans that are paid back conveniently in installments. Our loans may be paid back early at any time with no prepayment charges!

What makes us different than other companies, is that we have an easy applications, you receive quick results and you get your cash fast! Apply today, and feel free to chat with one of our live agents with any questions you may have. APPLY HERE

We also want to provide some ways for you to save money, so here are a few tips and tricks:

Warm clothes and warm blankets: Instead of cranking the heat all the way up, put it up a few degrees and then bundle up with a sweatshirt and a warm blanket! This keeps you warm, and may actually be even more comfortable.

Home cooked meals: Not only do home cooked meals save you money, but they can also help warm your house. When you open the oven the heat transfers into your home (much quicker than opening a door does in the summer). Here is a link to some winter recipes: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/top-20-winter-recipes

Lights: Turning your lights and electronics off can always be helpful, but it is even more important in the winter when other bills will be going up. At the end of the night do a quick sweep of your home and make sure everything is off!

Coupons and Sales: If you look hard enough, you can find a good holiday sale to save you some money! When it comes to gifts, another good way to save money is by making someone a gift rather than buying.

The Cash For Whatever Team

Saving money this Winter

In the winter it can be tough to pay your bills. That’s why we offer installment loans. Installment loans are very simple. They are loans that are paid back conveniently in installments. Our loans may be paid back early at any time with no prepayment charges!

What makes us different than other companies, is that we have an easy applications, you receive quick results and you get your cash fast! Apply today, and feel free to chat with one of our live agents with any questions you may have. APPLY HERE

We also want to provide some ways for you to save money, so here are a few tips and tricks:

Warm clothes and warm blankets: Instead of cranking the heat all the way up, put it up a few degrees and then bundle up with a sweatshirt and a warm blanket! This keeps you warm, and may actually be even more comfortable.

Home cooked meals: Not only do home cooked meals save you money, but they can also help warm your house. When you open the oven the heat transfers into your home (much quicker than opening a door does in the summer). Here is a link to some winter recipes: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/top-20-winter-recipes

Lights: Turning your lights and electronics off can always be helpful, but it is even more important in the winter when other bills will be going up. At the end of the night do a quick sweep of your home and make sure everything is off!

Coupons and Sales: If you look hard enough, you can find a good holiday sale to save you some money! When it comes to gifts, another good way to save money is by making someone a gift rather than buying.

We hope this helps you save money this Winter! Stay tuned for more fun and helpful blog posts soon!

Best Thanksgiving Dishes

Thanksgiving is widely regarded as one of everyone’s favorite holidays. There are many reasons why it is peoples’ favorites, including the day off from work, spending time with family, football all day long and of course… THE FOOD! In this article we will discuss some of the best/most delicious dishes that can be served on Thanksgiving.

TURKEY: This is the staple of the Thanksgiving meal. Everyone loves turkey, and here is a recipe for “The Perfect Roast Turkey” https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-turkey-recipe4-1943576

Macaroni & Cheese: Mac n Cheese doesn’t make it to everyone’s Thanksgiving, but when there it is one of the best options. Here is a good Macaroni & Cheese recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1952854

Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Most Thanksgiving meals include either yams, sweet potatoes or both! Here is an awesome recipe for “Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey & Cinnamon”: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/roasted-sweet-potatoes-with-honey-butter-recipe-1946538

Stuffing: You can’t go wrong with some good ole fashioned stuffing. This recipe is for your basic stuffing, which is sure to be a hit! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/basic-stuffing-3361773

Apple Pie: You can’t beat an apple pie for dessert. The worst part of the Thanksgiving meal is that you can’t eat the pie right away. Here is a great recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/apple-pie-recipe-2011423

Everyone has their own version of the Thanksgiving meal, but the previous items are some of the most common ones to be featured at everyone’s tables. We hope everyone has a happy & healthy Thanksgiving!

Here is a list of 50 recipes from Food Network: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/top-50-thanksgiving-recipes

October Holidays

October is here, and with it comes Fall, pumpkins, hot chocolate, Halloween and so much more! In this post, we will highlight some of the holidays you know in October, and maybe some of the ones you don’t as well!

October 1st: National Coffee Day The month of October starts off with a very important day, National Coffee Day! Maybe you need to wake up for the Fall season, and what better way to do that than with a nice cup of coffee!

October 4th: National Golf Lovers Day Depending on where you live, the golf season may be coming to a close. This is the perfect excuse to get out on the course one last time, before it is too cold!

October 12th: Columbus Day One of the few federal holidays of October is Columbus Day. The holiday is increasingly controversial due to the catastrophic impact of European settlement on native populations. Consequently, several states do not recognize the holiday and others celebrate it as Native American Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

October 21st: National Apple Day You know what they say, an apple a day, keeps the doctor away!

October 31st: Halloween This is the big one, the holiday that everyone looks forward to all year! It’s time to dress up, trick or treat and eat some candy! Happy Halloween!

Saving money this Fall

Fall is officially here, and we want to help you save some money! It is an interesting time of year, between back to school and the holidays. There may not be a lot going on, which give a lot of opportunities to save money. In this article we will share some tips and advice on how to save up a little extra cash for the holidays.

Create a budget: This is a great way to make sure that you not only don’t over spend, but you also save. Whether it’s groceries, going out to dinner, other forms of shopping or anything else, try to make a limit ahead of time and don’t spend over that amount!

Now is not the time: Now is not the time for big purchases. Wait until the Holiday’s come around and see how much excess money you have laying around. You know you’ll be spending on big meals and gifts in November/December, so for October it’s time to take a step back.

Take advantage of free entertainment: What do we mean by this? There are many activities you can do in the fall that don’t cost a cent! Drive around and look at the leaves changing, go for a nice hike or walk and maybe even rake some leaves and jump into them!

Open the windows: Fall is that in-between time when it may not be too hot or too cold. Don’t waste money on heat or air, and let the 60 degree weather into your homes for as long as you can!

Yard Work: Instead of paying a company to come rake your leaves, and cut your grass, do it yourself! This is also another fun activity that could involve the entire family.

These are all great suggestions, and now it’s up to you to carry them out and save!