Hey bloggies, we’re back for episode #5!!!
Two Cent Tip # 1 is about saving…… You know I like to save, if there is a person in my relationship that is the saver it is totally me. I like to save to have a security to know that I don’t have to ever worry about paying a bill or missing out on a friend’s wedding or joy!
In order to make the most of your dollar,, you have to make the most of the things you spend your dollars on also. This might seem obvious when it comes to non-perishables… you wouldnt’ go out and buy a case of spaghetti if you had a case at home right? But how many times do you throw out extra food? Whether its leftover dinner or the ends of soap? If you are like me you lose chapsticks or dental floss 100 times a day and hope at the end of the day you can find it. If my hair-tie was not in my hair or wrapped around my wrist!
When I started this blog, I was really learning more about budgeting and I had never thought the lesson of scrimping and pinching was so relevant.
I guess I had a bit of a flash on our white tile in the bathroom, But I hope you can see that this Secret deodorant is 100% gone. Not broken off into the garbage,, not 1/3 in the garbage,,, not lost in my gym bag. GONE.. I made a conscious effort to use it till its last moment of life. As I got closer it reminded me daily that I need to start price shopping the ads and my coupons for replacement deodorant. I did the same thing with our toothpaste.. squeezing the very life out of that sucker till I got it all! I was very determined and used a chip-clip to hold it tight so my squeezing didnt create a mess in my bathroom! I had a picture of that one too but it got lost in cyberworld (arrgghh!). I promise I’ll get another one next time but it will be awhile!:)
The concept to saving,, is if you use all of the products you have then your not paying double for the products,, your not your own personal version of overstock.com, AND when you get close you can remind yourself to price shop for the best deal, using coupons, websites or circulars!
WHICH Leads me to Two CENT #2!!!!
Two Cent Tip #2 DO your Homework!
When you do purchase something outside of the ordinary (no I’m not talking about Q-tips or tissues!) or something you’ll only purchase once in the course of multiple years (ideally) you should do some homework. I used to say if you purchase anything over 75.00then if your in a debt-paying relationship you should discuss it with your other half,,,, some people have different numbers for the ‘limit’.
Regardless of your limits, if you spend this amount you need to do homework. You may say “why does it matter if I research microwaves or couches or televisions?” It matters when you buy a crappy one or a shotty one or one that does not function the way you want it to and your not only out money your dissatisfied. Not everyone has the CVS policy on returning makeup that looks terrible on you or causes an allergy. *disclaimer that policy may have changed but that’s how it was about a year ago or so!*.
ANYWHOOOO…
Step 1)Go to http://www.pricegrabber.com and that will start the ball rolling. It will give you EXPERT reviews (not just people who review things only that they hate which is common with other websites) and tell you what you need to know. You’ll learn what to compare and they can help you compare and contrast the different sites.
Step 2) Check your local circulars or ads, often times you can find better prices when you have to foot the gas and delivery bill (aka no shipping costs).
Step 3) Pound some pavement,,, or social/blog networks? Some people ask around to those in the know that they trust, some hit the pavement and actually go to the stores to see what the salespeople can do to help them wade through the information they did not understand before.
Step4) Finally,,, once you have done your homework you will know the details you need in order to buy the item you want,,, then you will also have an estimated price for what this ‘gem’ will cost you. Then OF COURSE you should make SURE it is in your household budget!!! Assuming that it is,, you THEN take all of your homework, and go to your local store that has salespeople who work on commission (sorry sales guys!), explain to them that you’d like to purchase your goods and give them the commission but that you need them to come to the price match that you found elsewhere. Without your homework and without your printouts you have nothing to stand on.
So your homework was not only helpful in getting you what you wanted before you realized what that was,,, it also helped you get the best deal for yourself!:)
PS… wanna see my new microwave:)
its stainless steel, its huge and it has a handle (which is important to me because I hate when those buttons stop working but my ability to pull a door open well,,, that won’t stop till I’m in my 70s or something!), and it was an excellent price and bf and I did our homework and it was awesome!