Cheap carpet tiles

June 9th, 2009

There are times when just a few inexpensive adjustments can make all the difference in a room. My daughter and her husband were tired of throwing their money away on rent, but they could not afford a very big home. Our son-in-law is quite handy with fixing things and so is my husband. We told them that if they wanted to invest in a fixer upper we would help them get it into shape. As long as the house had a solid foundation and support walls we could restore the rest as a family project. I love to paint and stain so I told them I would help also.

They began looking in different areas for a lower price house. They found a house that was on a large lot at the end of a dead end road. The lot butted up against a small city park. The house had sat empty for three years after the elderly woman that lived in it was moved to a nursing home. She had recently passed away and so it was now for sale. She had a niece and nephew that were settling her estate and they were in a hurry to sell the house to get things settled. There was a lot of furniture and other things in the house. They wanted to sell everything as it was. Because it the elderly woman was not able to do a great deal of cleaning and with it sitting empty so long it needed a great deal of cleaning. The price was a steal so the kids bought it and we went to help them get it into shape. We agreed that the first thing we needed to do was move everything out so we could see what we were working with. In the corner of the living room were several boxes of discount carpet tiles that she must have purchased and never got around to installing. The carpet in the living room was old and worn. We thought we could pull it up and lay down the discount carpet tiles. They were a neutral color and they were clean and new. We began pulling up the old carpet and the pad. There was a wood floor underneath; however it was not in very good shape in the center of the room; however the edges were perfect. We decided to leave the wood exposed around the parameter of the room and lay the discount carpet tiles in the rest of the room. By doing this we had enough to do the dining room also. The discount carpet tiles were made of Berber and fit together very well. Once we were done you could not tell that they were individual squares.

We put fresh coats of paint on all the walls and sanded and painted the kitchen cabinets. We reupholstered several of the furniture pieces that had come with the house. There were several neat items that they kept and the rest we put on a garage sale. The house is shaping up nicely and the kids know that they will make a huge profit on it when it comes time for them to move on.

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Cheap car insurance

June 6th, 2009

Have you ever noticed how people will pick and choose what they are going to spend top dollar for and what they are going to scrimp on? We are all different in what we are going to pay for and what we are not. I tend to be this way with grocery items. I do not care what brand name the item is as long as it is a good value. I have never been so impressed with one brand or another that I need to buy one over the other.

There are other things that I have tried to save on, but have found that the cheapest is not always the best. We were looking for better rates on our car insurance. We felt that the amount we were paying was too high. We found cheap car insurance through an internet quote. The savings were substantial. We were careful to enter all the information requested on the forms for the quote so that we would maintain the same coverage. Even though the company for the cheap car insurance did not want to send it out prior to us signing up, we did get a full copy of the general policy. There were some things that we were giving up going with the cheap car insurance, but it seemed worth it. The main thing we were letting go of was a free rental car in case our car was in for repairs. We reasoned that we have an extra vehicle that we use for recreational purposes, so we could use that one if one of the vehicles we use daily is in the shop.

We were all set to sign up for the cheap car insurance when we were contacted by the company and were told that they rate would be higher than we were originally quoted. The initial quote was for the three vehicles that we wanted to insure, however our driving history was not taken into account. I had received a speeding ticket thirty-two months prior to the quote and my husband had received on eight months prior to the quote. The speeding tickets remain on your record for three years and affected the premium by over six hundred dollars a year. Two things really surprised me. One was the fact that the two tickets had that large of an affect and two that the company would send out papers to sign us up and give us a quote prior to having our driving history in front of them. This experience taught us to ask many more questions when being given a quote. The main question to ask is if the cheap car insurance quote is specifically for your driving record and your automobiles or if is a general listing based on the automobile only.

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Buy now, pay later

June 4th, 2009

When you listen to the news and hear the stock market reports as well as the economist reports it sounds like no one is buying anything. Yet you also hear stories about the huge credit card debts many people have. More and more people are finding that it is very easy to get credit, however it is much more difficult to pay off the bills if you let them accumulate and have to pay interest on top of the charges. We will use our credit cars to earn points as well as for convenience, however we always pay the balance at the end of each billing period.

A year ago we decided to buy a computer system for the house. The store we went to was offering a special buy now pay later campaign on a complete package that included a printer upgrade as well as a flat screen monitor upgrade. We decided that we would purchase the system, even though it was more money than we had originally intended to pay. With the buy now pay later promotion he you had twelve months to pay off the bill, without any interest accumulating. We decided we could afford the upgrades as long as we had the extended period to pay for it.

We made small monthly payments on the computer and at the end of the twelve months paid the rest off. We did not have to pay any interest. Two weeks ago our lawn mower broke down. The repairs would have cost us more than the lawnmower was worth. We looked at a few cheaper models of mowers. We mow over an acre of lawn so we need to have a machine that is dependable. We also looked at a brand name top of the line mower. It cost double of the cheaper brand, however the clerk assured us it would be the last mower we would ever need to buy. We had not planned on the mower breaking down so we had not saved for the expense. We had decided that we would take the money out of our savings account. The mower dealer told us that there was a special buy now pay later promotion on the lawn mower. The promotion included no money down, no payments and no interest for twelve months. We decided we might as well leave the money in our savings account earning interest and pay for the mower next year. As long as you pay the items off within the specified period of time the buy now pay later promotions are a great way to upgrade on what you want to purchase.

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Money Saving Grocery Shopping Tips

May 1st, 2009

Everything is getting more expensive today. From gas to groceries, our hard-earned dollars are challenged to stretch further. Now, we may be able to ride a bicycle around town if we can’t put gas in our cars. But, we have to eat. There’s no getting around that. So, we have to find ways to spend less on groceries while still getting the things that we need to feed ourselves and our families. Here are six money saving tips to try the next time you go grocery shopping.

  1. Clip coupons. They put those in the newspaper for a reason. If there are new items you want to try, use a coupon to get it at a discount. If you like it, you have saved some money. On the other hand, if you don’t take a liking to it, you didn’t pay full price. For me, coupons save an average of ten or more dollars per visit. That’s money in my pocket that I can put towards gas for the car.
  2. Buy more staples than prepared foods. It is easier to buy a box of macaroni and cheese, but is it more economical? A large box of macaroni and a block of cheese will make more servings for your family than one box of prepared macaroni and cheese. The next time you go shopping and pick up a box or bag of an already prepared item, ask yourself if you can make that at home for less. If you can, then put that item back in favor of less expensive staples.
  3. Buy in bulk. Consider the food items that you use most often. Cereals, meats, vegetables, condiments, juices, and paper products can be bought in bulk usually at a lower price at food warehouses like Costco, BJ’s, and Wal-Mart. If you have a coupon, you’ll save even more money.
  4. Don’t shop when you are hungry. This is a definite no-no. Shopping on an empty stomach means that you will pick up more things than you need. You are more likely to pick up that bag of chocolate chip cookies or that box of donuts when the growling gets underway.
  5. Take a grocery list with you. This is another protection against picking up things that are too costly. Check your cabinets and the fridge to see what you need and write them down. Remember, the goal is to stick to the list as much as possible.
  6. Shop at the same stores. This is more of a frustration reliever. In a new store, you spend most of your time looking for things and walking up and down every aisle, which oftentimes leads to forgetting an item or two. Going to the same store each time makes you more familiar with the prices so you can estimate your bill as you write your grocery list.

Rising prices don’t have to mean a lean dinner table. There are ways to make your food dollar go further and if you take the time to implement the ideas listed above as well as others of your own, you’ll see savings each and every time you shop.

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The Library is Your Friend

March 27th, 2008

Is there any better friend to the frugal person that the library? So many resources and programs are offered for all ages. The services are almost always free; well not exactly free, but funded by your tax dollars, regardless of whether you use the library or not.

Of course at the library you will find books of all kinds. You will also find movies, music, internet access, and much more. The library also offers classes for all ages. There are story times for young children, summer reading programs for school age children, and a vast array of programs for adults with interests in everything from reading fiction to doing family tree research. There truly is something for everyone at the local library.

Here are some tips to help you get the most from your local library.

1. Reserve your items before you go.
This is especially helpful if you have children. They can make it hard to browse. Reserve your items online, and they will be ready and waiting when you get there. In many cases this also allows you access to resources from other branches of the library. The library will transport your items to your local branch for pick up.

2. Check the library calendar.
There are many ongoing and one time programs offered. Free activities for the kids and for you? Can’t beat that!

3. Write the due date on your calendar.
Don’t cancel out the freeness of using the library by racking up a lot of late fees. Write the date items are due on your calendar.

4. Try it before you buy it.
If you are thinking of buying reference book, or maybe even a fictional title why not give it a trial run by borrowing it first from the library? Make sure it is worth your hard earned money.

The library is your friend. It is a wonderful resource for free entertainment and education. Go visit your friend frequently!

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Beat Rising Food Prices - Grow Your Own

March 21st, 2008

The cost of food is going up. There are several factors that are affecting prices, but regardless of the reasons, you will see the difference in your food budget. One way to lessen the impact is to grow your some of your own food.

You don’t have to have a lot of space to grow a garden. Popular methods, such as square foot gardening, allow you to grow your own food in small spaces. Get Rich Slowly has a nice introduction to this method along with a list of other resources. There is some initial expense with starting this type of garden, but if you plan to stay in the same place for awhile it will be worth the investment.

Even if you live in an apartment or other situation where you have no yard to work with, you can grow many things in containers as long as you have a sunny spot for them. If you have a balcony, that is perfect, but even a sunny window can be sufficient. West Virginia University provides a nice article to help you get started. There are also initial costs associated with this, but the containers are portable and will last forever. Consider using some recycled containers such as milk jugs, coffee cans, or ice cream buckets when possible.

Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
1. Grow what you like.
Tomatoes are a garden favorite, but why grow them if you don’t like them?

2. Herbs are practically black thumb proof.
If you are afraid you have a black thumb, start with growing herbs. Most herbs are very tolerant of a neglect. Many, like Rosemary, also make nice houseplants that can be kept year round.

3. Start small.
If you’ve never gardened before, don’t invest a lot of time and money the first year. Even the most experienced gardeners can be overwhelmed by a large garden. Start small, and if all goes well, add more next year.

4. A little here, and a little there.
Don’t ignore your garden. Giving it a quick check everyday, and watering and weeding as needed is much easier than going to your garden after a week and discovering the weeds have taken over.

Gardening can be an enjoyable and rewarding activity. It also can be a source of inexpensive (and organic if you choose) food. So go get some seeds, play in the dirt, and see what you can grow.

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Communicate with Your Creditors

March 14th, 2008

Communication is vital to keeping relationships healthy. Keeping both parties informed eliminates uncertainty and doubt in the relationship. It keeps you on the same page, and moving in the same direction. This is true not only in your personal relationships, but in your relationships with your creditors.

Your creditors will keep you informed. They will communicate with you when you’ve missed a payment. They are sure to tell you that there has been a change in terms. They will give you a pat on the back, in the form of a credit increase when they are happy with you. They will offer you access checks and other services to entice you to deepen your relationship with them. They sometimes will communicate with you too much, and just don’t take the hint you’re not interested.

Often though the conversation is a bit one sided, and with your creditors, that is fine if things are going well. If you are happy with the relationship as it is, you are keeping up your end by paying on time, and have no interest in their enticing offers, there is no need to respond to their multitude of communications. If you can’t make your payments, if you’ve missed a payment, or just aren’t happy with the interest rate or other terms make a phone call. In many cases you will be able to come up with a solution that is acceptable to you and to your creditor.

If you are struggling, you need to call your creditors, and make some arrangements. They want to know that you intend to pay them. They are willing to work with you, but they can’t if you don’t first communicate with them, or at least respond when they communicate with you. Opening up the line of communication can save you hundreds of dollars in interest and late fees. It also can help protect your credit rating.

Communication is important in any relationship. The relationship with your creditors is no different. Keep the relationship healthy by letting them know if you are having problems, and taking the opportunity to come up with a solution.

Posted in debt, debt handling, money, personal finance | 1 Comment »

Spring Break Without Breaking the Bank

March 5th, 2008

The days are getting longer. The daffodils are starting to come up, and soon it will be time for that annual American ritual; spring break. The kids will be home from school, and we all will have a touch of spring fever. Tired of winter, we will be ready for a change of pace. Many of us will hit the highways to head for some fun in the sun. Here are some ideas to keep spring break in the budget:

1. There is no place like home,
Spring break is a peak travel time. The airlines won’t be discounting their tickets. The gas stations will not be lowering prices either. Travel isn’t cheap. One way to address this is to stay home. Pretend to be a tourist in your own town. Take day trips to go see the sites, the museums, and other things that locals tend to take for granted.

2. Or those places close to home.
If you simply must have more sun than your home location provides, opt for destinations that are closer to home. Staying closer to home means less travel time and cost, and more time and money available to enjoy the destination.

3. If you go, go with friends or family.
Depending on the size of your family, you may be able to share transportation. You can share lodging in the form of cabins or rental houses, and depending on the situation you may be able to share childcare responsibilities so each couple can spend some time alone.

4. You can’t pack the kitchen sink, but you do want one.
Eating out for every meal is expensive! Look for places to stay that have a kitchen or a kitchenette. Cook most of your own meals. You might want opt for more convenience type meals while on vacation, but even those are much cheaper than dining out.

5. Enjoy the local cuisine, frugally.
Of course you probably will want to eat a few meals out. Make those meals less expensive by looking for deals at restaurant.com, in local coupon books, or keeping an eye out for specials such as kids eat free or early birds. In most cases it also is less expensive to eat out for lunch than dinner.

6. Look for free entertainment.
Check with local park systems, museums and other places for free or low cost attractions. Of course you will also want to search for coupons and specials at places that do charge. Don’t schedule every minute either. Just relaxing is an important part of spring break.

7. Sensible souvenirs.
If you want to buy souvenirs don’t just buy some piece of junk to say you bought something. Buy something you will use that reminds you of the vacation. One of my favorite souvenirs is a wind chime we bought in Florida. Seeing it always reminds me of the sun and the beach.

Spring is almost here, and with it spring break. Get out enjoy it, but do so without spending a fortune!

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Patience is a Frugal Virtue

February 25th, 2008

In this world geared to instant gratification, patience can be hard to come by. We have the world at our fingertips, and it tells us that we can have what we want now. In most cases exercising patience works to our benefit. Patience, after all, is a virtue, and this is especially true when it comes to our finances.

When I look back at our financial history I see many purchases that were made impulsively. Most of those impulsive buys were made with credit cards. Some of those items seemed like deals to good to pass on at the time. When we were unable to pay the balance of the credit card at the end of the month, the interest charges made those good deals quite expensive.

Some of our impulse purchases were things we convinced ourselves we deserved. We worked hard, and lived frugally most of the year. Didn’t we deserved that three day cruise that we got the good price on? The plain and simple fact was that these items were beyond our means.

Some of these impulse purchases were things we really did need, but maybe did not need right this minute. These purchases were not planned for, nor were they well researched. Taking the time to plan (and save) ahead, and to find the best deal could have saved us a lot of money.

Over the years we have learned to be patient when it comes to our finances and purchases. Things still come up, and we still are tempted to buy impulsively, but where we have exercised patience we have consistently seen three results.

The desire goes away.
Sometimes in the heat of a moment you can convince yourself that you really need something or that a particular item is too good of a deal to pass up. Waiting often shows you that you truly do not need the item, or that the deal really isn’t that good.

One example from our life is our computer. Our computer is old, and a few months ago I was really frustrated by it. I had myself convinced I needed a new one. I went to a local store, and started picking one out. Then I went home to think about it. I am still using the old one. A new one would be nice, but there really isn’t room in the budget, and this one really is adequate.

You find a better deal.
Knowing that you want (or need) to make a purchase, but choosing to wait gives you time to research, and find the best deal. Often, by waiting, we have found the items we were wanting to buy used at a fraction of the cost. In the best cases we have found free items to fit our needs on Freecycle or from acquaintances.

The latest example of this in our lives is bunk beds for the kids. We have four kids; two boys and two girls. They share rooms. We had one set of bunk beds. The youngest two were in a crib and toddler bed. Several months ago we realized that we were going to need another set of bunk beds soon. A few weeks ago my husband’s co-worker mentioned his daughter wanted to give away a set of bunk beds. Score! Now we have a second set, and only need to purchase mattresses.

You find an alternative.
Sometimes when there is a need or want patience breeds creativity, and you find another item that will serve the purpose for less money.

Recently, our microwave died. It was the third one in as many years. I really was ready to go out and buy another one, but wrote about my frustrations at another place. I was surprised by the responses I got from people who do without a microwave. They offered alternatives to some of my most common uses for our microwave. I decided to wait on that purchase. I have found that those alternatives really are almost as convenient, and have decided not to buy a microwave, for now anyway.

Patience really is a frugal virtue, and I hope that the examples above have helped show that. So, how do you develop patience in this world of instant gratification? Here are some things that have worked for us:

Look to the future.
Many times you can see upcoming needs. Prepare for them now by saving money and researching now.

Impose a waiting rule.
If you really want to buy something self impose a three day rule, or whatever time period you feel is sufficient.

Cash only.
Don’t carry your credit cards. Then you can only buy what you can pay for.

Make it a team effort.
If you are married, hopefully, this is something you and your spouse are doing together. If you are single you can partner up with a like minded friend or family to encourage each other in your frugal endeavors, or start a blog. It really does help keep you accountable.

Instant gratification may be the way of the world, but it really is not the best way for your finances. Patience is a frugal virtue. Developing and exercising patience will save you money, and help you to reach the financial goals that are most important to you.

Posted in credit card, debt, financial life, money, money skills, personal finance | 2 Comments »

Stop Wasting Food

February 14th, 2008

Food waste is a large problem in the developed world. Depending on the country and source of the statistics, it is estimated that one quarter to one half of food produced ends up in the trash. There are huge concerns about the environmental and moral implications of these figures, not to mention the economic impact of this waste. An interesting article on the topic can be found at CNN - All About: Food Waste.

Much of this waste occurs pre-consumer, but we, as consumers, certainly contribute to this problem. Throwing away food is essentially throwing away money. Can we really afford to do that? If you regularly find yourself throwing away food, it is time to take a look and find ways to stop this siphon of your budget. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Buy less
Maybe this seems obvious, but if you buy less you will have to use what you have, and you will be able to use it in a more timely manner.

Get Your Produce Ready
Fresh produce is so appealing in the store, and then it sits in your refrigerator drawer for a week, and it isn’t so appealing any more. Another week, and it is in the trash. Prevent this waste by cutting up the vegetables all at the same time. That way they are ready when you want a quick snack.

Eat Your Leftovers!
Take them to work. Eat them for dinner. Use them to make something else. If there are a lot of leftovers freeze them for a quick and easy meal later. Don’t throw them in the trash. Our favorite way to clean up the leftovers is to create a buffet from them. Everyone gets to pick what they want, and the leftovers disappear.

Get Chickens
You’ll never ever have to put food scraps in the trash again. They will eat every last shred of food, and give you fresh eggs in return. Maybe chickens aren’t practical for everyone, but how about the next one?

Make Compost
Meat or greasy foods aren’t good for your compost, but just about all other food scraps are.

Wasting food is a problem. There are concerns about its effect on the environment, and about the people that food could be feeding. Wasting food is also a drain on your finances. Cut back and use up what you have to save money, and maybe help to keep the planet a little cleaner too!

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