How to prepay your mortgage
I found this really useful tool this morning on how to prepay your mortgage. I love how simple this explains things and the video included.
My hubby & I have been prepaying on our mortgage for some time now. Our goal is to be completely debt free (including our home). This speeds things up a little for us. Visit the WikiHow site here.
Have a perscription- ways to save!
I thought that I would mention a few good deals going on right now if you have a medical prescription to fill. Any time I have one, I try to find a coupon for a gift card~ you should too.
If you have a Harris Teeter nearby they are giving away a $25 gift card with your first prescription & $10 off your grocery bill for every prescription through 9/30. With triple coupons this could go a mighty long way!
This last Sunday's paper also had a coupon inside the Target circular for a $10 prescription with any new or transferred prescription~ yippie, one of my favorite stores.
Rite Aid always has deals for a $25 or $30 gift card if you have an existing prescription transferred to one of their stores.
Certainly, if you have a recurring Rx and don't mind where you get it, try transferring your prescription to a new location each time you need it filled. You'll walk away with lots of gift cards. How exciting! I never wanted to be ill before but is it wrong to admit that deals like this make me want a prescription?!
Dollar Tree Online & Free Shipping!
I just read on Centsible Sawyer that the Dollar Tree is now offering products online & with free shipping for a limited time. Since I'm picky about my dollar stores and think that Dollar Tree is the best, I am super excited! You can find some excellent deals- I just love it.
Have you heard about Freepeats?
Are you in need of baby stuff or looking to get rid of yours? I received an email last night that Freepeats is finally coming to my area. The membership is absolutely free during the first month or so of every new city's launch so sign up & you'll be good for life.
Angie at Baby Cheapskate wants to help you find free baby, kid, and maternity stuff in your city! Read this morning's grand announcement here. Details are below:
Free Freepeats Houston membership through 8/31.
Money Saving Opportunity: Rebate Roundup (August '08)
Here are some of my favorite rebates running through the month of August (and corresponding coupons):
- Excedrin Back & Body (7/13 SS) (up to $4.99). Offer expires 8/3/08.
- BUNdinos from Michelina's (up to $2.99). Offer expires 8/30/08.
Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber Starter Kit (up to $5.69). Offer expires 9/14/08. Go here for a $2.75 internet printable coupon
These were posted last month & are still valid:
- Gerber Nuk 5 or 10oz. bottle (up to $5). Offer expires 9/10/08.
- Zout stain remover
- Land o Lakes Butter in 8 half sticks (up to $4.39). Offer expires 10/15/08
- Arm & Hammer plus oxi clean detergent (up to $13.99). This is a money back guarantee. Offer expires 9/1/08.
Frugal Find: Redbox Movies
Have you heard about RedBox yet? About one year ago, my hubbie and I ditched Blockbuster and the online DVD rental services for Redbox movies. Rentals are only $1 per night and these "boxes" are found at grocery stores and some fast food locations. What I love about Redbox is that DVDs can be retuned to any location. Also, if you enter your email address on the website, they'll even email you a code for a free rental every Monday! What's better than a cheap movie... a free one, of course!
You can search here for a location near you.
Do you Have an Emergency Fund?
A recent USA Today article polled nearly 2,000 adults asking if they had an emergency fund in case a major expense. 63% did but how long would it last...
3% said less than one month
20% said 1-2 months
27% said 3-4 months
11% said 5-6 months
40% said 6+ months
Where would you fall?
Back 2 School Savings Roundup
2-pocket folders - $0.05 each with in-ad coupon (Limit 5)
Money Saving Strategy: Comparing Unit Prices
If apples sell for $.89 per pound, you know that 5 pounds will cost $4.45 (5 pounds x 89 cents).
If potato salad sells at the deli counter for $2.59 per pound, you know that 2 pounds will cost $5.18 (2 x $2.59).
Which one is the best buy? Unit pricing helps. (In this case, the unit price is the price per ounce)
To figure the unit price, divide the price by the number of units (in this example, it's the number of ounces):
The unit price for the 14-ounce box is 18 cents per ounce ($2.52 / 14).
The unit price for the 20-ounce box is 15 cents per ounce ($3.00 / 20).
The unit price for the 2-pound box is 16 cents per ounce (2 pounds = 32 ounces, $5.12 / 32).
Compare the unit price of each package. Which costs the least per unit?
How does the unit price of the boxed corned flakes compare with the unit price of the corn flakes sold in the bulk food section? In this example, the unit price shows that corn flakes from the bulk food section are the better buy.
Remember, the larger the package is not always the best buy. It pays to know the unit price.
Money Making Opportunity: Current Rebates (July '08)
I've never been a big fan of mail in rebates. It just seemed like they were more hassle than what they were worth. Some studies have estimated that only 10-40% of people even file for eligible rebates. Even better, a recent Star Tribune article suggested that some folks have gone through the effort to file for a rebate and never cash the check. Hmm? Sounds like we all need a bit of a reality check on how many hoops we are actually willing to jump through to snag a great deal.
- Noxzema shaver for free (up to $3). Offer expires 7/30/08.
- Gerber Nuk 5 or 10oz. bottle (up to $5). Offer expires 9/10/08.
- Zout stain remover . (click on the coupon tool bar to the right for a $0.75 off 1 coupon or $1/1 in the 5/18 SS)
- Land o Lakes Butter in 8 half sticks. (up to $4.39). Offer expires 10/15/08.
- Arm & Hammer plus oxi clean detergent (up to $13.99). This is a money back guarantee. Offer expires 9/1/08.
Money Saving Opportunity: Live Auctions
- Determine what kind of items you are interested in. There are storage auctions, surplus auctions, government auctions, private auctions, etc.
- Storage auctions are often held at storage facilities after a tenant fails to pay. Some auctioneers sell an entire storage unit, while others sell items one at a time. Often the auctioneer opens the storage door and the bidding begins. You are not allowed to open any boxes or rummage through the items so it's a bit of a treasure hunt. After you bid, you typically have a day or two to empty the unit out. Be sure to bring your own lock since the items are yours right after you win.
- Surplus auctions are typically held by government agencies like city offices and universities. When technology, government vehicles, or other items are being upgraded, the old stuff is auctioned off to the public.
- Private auctions are the most common. Private auctioneers may be hired to sell a personal estate, bulk items from department stores, etc.
2. Check the details of the auction
- A reserve price means that there is a minimum $ amount that the items must bring in while an absolute auction means the items will be sold no matter what the price.
- A buyers premium (typically 10% or higher) is often added to the purchase price. This covers the costs associated with the execution of the auction like advertising and staffing. For example, if you purchase something for $10 and there is a buyer's premium of 10%, you will pay $11 for the item. Keep this is mind, especially for larger purchases.
3. Research the auctions near you.
You can find local auctions in the classified section of your newspaper (often in the weekend editions). Many local auctions are also advertised on auctionzip.com. Type in your zip code to see what's nearby, but check back frequently since this changes often.
4. Be adventurous & find a great deal!
Don't be alarmed if you go to an auction and don't like it. As with everything else, every auction is unique and some are much better than others. Some auctioneers have a great personality, others are dry; some auctions seem to run smoothly, others poorly organized; some have many attendees, some fewer. Be adventurous and flexible & you'll be sure to snag a great deal.
If you've had great success at live auctions or have a comment after you try one, we'd love to hear about it...
My Incredible Grocery Store Savings! 6/21/08
I swore I would never be one of those people, the ones that post pictures of their weekly savings online. Well, man have I ever had an epiphany. There is just something that rises in you when you save so much money that you want to tell it to the world. Sometimes you just have to see something to believe it! So...... I got all this:
for only $2.70- yes, that's right $2.70!!!
