Free Advice and Tips on How to Save Money

The Price of Beauty

January 17th, 2012

jrimler

How to save on Cosmetics

Makeup that works wonders is hard to find, but finding great makeup that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg is even harder. If you see most of your paycheck flying out of your hands and into the pockets of Mac, Sephora and the like, then it might be time to trim down the cost.

Do You Really Need It?

There’s a big difference between wanting and needing. Sure, smoky eye shadow and red lipstick might be so in this season, but probably won’t be the next. However, if you’re running low on mascara that you use every day, then you have a good reason to buy another one. If you’re impulsive (like me), the trick to avoid splurging is to stay away from the stores until you really need something.

Find a Cheaper Version of Your Favorite Product

I understand the deep love one can hold for a department brand lipstick or eye shadow, but this love does not come cheap! High-end cosmetics can get very expensive, so try to find a cheaper drugstore version of your favorite makeup products. That peach blush you spotted at the drugstore may turn out to be the same quality as the one you pay over $20 for.

Ask & You Shall Receive

Department stores and makeup brands will give out free samples just for walking buy or sitting through a makeover. Using trial sizes of products for a few days can help you decide if you really want to spend money on the full-size version.

http://www.cutlivingcosts.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png

http://www.cutlivingcosts.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png

http://www.cutlivingcosts.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png

http://www.cutlivingcosts.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

Pump Up Your Bank Account

January 17th, 2012

jrimler

How to Save Money on Gas

It takes money to make money. When referring to gas, it takes gas to get to work to make the money. Unless you live close enough to walk or bike, there is no way around spending hefty amounts of your dollars on gas for your car. Or is there? The following are a few tips that can save you some green at the pumps.

1. Carpool

Get together with a group of coworkers and plan out a schedule for carpooling. Not only are you each saving on gas expenses, but there is less wear and tear on your car since you are using it less.

2. Slow down!

Driving at a slower rate has been proved to reduce your cars gas usage. Not only will you be saving on gas expenses but you will be avoiding costly speed tickets.

3. Public transportation

Many cities offer public transportation routes and services tailored to the working professionals in areas of high 9-5 congestion. Maps and route information are usually available on city sites along with monthly pass discounts.

4. Walk

If you can’t walk to work, then walk everywhere else. At work, skip the lunch outings and eat in. At home, walk to the store and your local pit stops. Not only are you saving gas money, but you are saving yourself calories as well.

5. Use technology

In today’s tech day-and-age, there are apps for everything. In this case, there are gas apps that help locate the nearest gas stations with the best prices. These apps also allow you to compare between stations to get the better deal. With you’re texting, take a second to check the cheapest gas prices on your app.

Cut Your Spending, Not Your Appetite

January 17th, 2012

jrimler

How to Save at the Grocery Store

Whether you are vegan or a junk food aficionado, you make weekly, if not daily, trips to the grocery store to stock up on the necessities. Each trip can be a chance for you to either blow the bank or be a smart shopper. With the following trips, the latter will be the most common occurrence.

1. Forget brand loyalties: Although you may be partial to a specific brand, don’t be afraid to look around. Grocery stores typically carry their own brand which is almost always the cheapest — and tastes just as good as the brand-name items!

2. Double check your receipts: As you are checking out, pay close attention to the screen to make sure your products are ringing up at the right price and then check your receipt afterwards to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Every penny counts.

3. Stick to your list: Make a list of the products you need for the time being or for a specific meal and stick to it. If you don’t stray from your list then there will be no room for you to spend more than you anticipated.

4. Buy in bulk: Warehouse shopping may be a bit intimidating but once you get past the huge carts and large items there is a chance for big savings. With many products coming in packs of more than one, you are paying less per unit than you would if you only purchased one unit at a regular store.

*Tip for bulk shopping – buy your non-perishables at warehouses as they can sit on your shelves longer while you consume them.

5. Eat, then shop: A surefire way to stock up on unnecessary extras is to shop for groceries on an empty stomach. In essence, you are shopping with your eyes and not your head. Shopping on a full tummy may also prevent you from purchasing snacks that your wallet and waistline might not necessarily need at the moment.

Style on a Budget

January 17th, 2012

jrimler

Ways to Save Money on a Winter Wardrobe

Winter is an extreme season, and due to its harsh conditions it can get extremely expensive too (even if you live in the warm south). However, keeping cozy while still keeping your wallet full IS possible:

Buy Winter Clothes Before Winter: In the summertime, clothing stores have great deals on winter garb. Even now, the fashion industry is already prepping for spring, so you’ll find great deals on winter wear at all your favorite stores.
Out With the Old, in With the New: Consignment stores often buy gently used items from customers, allowing you to trade in and trade up. You’ll most likely receive store credit, but these shops have great finds at great prices. Anybody with a passion for fashion can benefit from this.
Consider your climate: If you live in Florida, California, Texas and the like, you won’t need a down coat and full face mask. Just stock up on a few warm sweaters and light coats to lighten the cost.
Make Your Clothes More Versatile: Wear your summertime clothes all year round! Items like tank tops and t-shirts can keep you warm by layering under a long sleeved top.
Mix & Match: Stock up on basics like leggings and cotton long sleeve shirts in solid, versatile colors to wear and pair all winter long. Stores like Old Navy and T.J. Maxx carry oh-so-cute basics at great prices.

Easy Ways to Cut Spending

January 13th, 2012

Deal Finder

Okay okay, we know cutting spending is much easier said than done, but we have some tips on how to get there that may have not come to mind immediately. They may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how underused and effectual these tips really are!

Log Your Weekly Expenses: We’re talking ALL expenses; Starbucks, cocktails, cable bill, groceries and so on. Logging expenses also inadvertently gets you to spend as little money as possible anywhere we go because you have your expenses laid out in front of you at all times. After you’ve done this for a week….

Analyze Your Results: Pay attention to what you’re buying. Do you have a high cable bill but don’t watch a lot of TV, or have high grocery bills but lots of unused groceries? Make sure your spending is going somewhere that you get leverage from, whether it’s something you need or something you want. There’s always trimming that can be done!

With that extra money that you’re able to cut out, put it in savings. Adding savings here and there will rack up fast, too, so you might be tempted to touch it. Keep this word in mind: WILLPOWER. Give yourself a minimum of 6 months to dig into it; after a while, you’ll be surprised at how much you have to play with.

The Price of Beauty

Pump Up Your Bank Account

Cut Your Spending, Not Your Appetite

Style on a Budget

Easy Ways to Cut Spending

Featured Video

Pages

Resourceful Links

Save On Technical Support

Archives

Sign Up Here