Spending Less 101

10 Ways To Save Money Buying A Used Car

John — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:15:43 +0000

Buying a used car can be a substantial investment, with considerable costs involved. In tough economic times saving every penny counts; plus why would you pay more than you have too.

Here are a few quick tips when buying a used car.

1. Financing – Keeping your loan term to the shortest amount of time will save you money in the long run. Generally, it is wise to keep the term within 36 months if possible.

2. Loan – Obtain a loan for a used car via a third party lender. Generally used car dealers will charge higher rates or tack on additional fees, plus it puts you in a weaker position when negotiating the cars price. If you are in the military or work for the government, there are lending institutions which provide good rates to government personnel, which are unavailable to the general public.

3. Private sale – Generally you can obtain a used car for a lower price from a private seller. The vehicle may not have a warranty and almost never comes with a guarantee. However, since there is no middle man in the transaction, both the buyer and seller of the used car come out better in the long run.

4. Inspection – Have a friend who is a good mechanic? Have them inspect the used car for less. Throw a few dollars his way and skip the expensive used car inspections. Additionally, you will be building a relationship which might come in handy in the future.

5. Car Fax Reports – If you search online numerous websites list discount coupons for car fax reports for your used car. The discount rate isn’t much, but every penny counts!

6. Wear and Tear Items – Most used cars have worn out parts: tires, brakes, cracked glass, broken/burnt out bulbs and exhaust leaks. Check the car over rigorously as these items add up. Additionally, make sure all items needed to pass inspection are in good condition; or have the seller knock off a few dollars to compensate. Also, used cars with broken inspection items are harder to sell, so the owner may come down in price.

7. Change your own oil – Changing your own oil can save you money, especially if you use synthetic.

8. Application Fees – When obtaining a loan for a used car normally there is an application free. See if the loan officer will waive the fee. Tell the loan officer you just had a kid and times are tuff. Heck, flirt with the person; you might be surprised how far you can get.

9. Ladies bring a guy – While this will sound sexist, it is strongly advised that ladies bring a guy when buying a used car. Some individuals are of the opinion women are not knowledgeable about cars, and will try to push you into a bad deal. Having a guy with you, even if they are just a friend or relative will help to eliminate that problem. Additionally, having two sets of eyes is always better than one.

10. Buy out of state – Some states do not require you to pay tax up font when purchasing a used car. Buying out of state can save you money initially; additionally your state of residence might have a lower tax rate.In fact there is a good resouce for locating out of state cars LocalCarHub.com.

11. Bonus – Know what you are buying. Do the research; learn what similar cars are selling for. Check the blue book value of the car.

Enjoy your used car.
By John Rover

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Ways To Save Money And Manage Personal Finances

John — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:15:44 +0000

In today’s declining economy, financial problems are becoming increasingly common. Every time you go to the grocery store, the price of at least one thing you buy has gone up in price since last week. Almost daily the price of gas increases. So what can you do when you are continually forced to spend more and more, but your income stays the same? How can you take control of your personal finances, save money and get ahead? First, you must be aware of where your money is going. Many people don’t realize this and without knowing it are spending what adds up to be a significant amount each month on little things. If you don’t normally ask for a receipt, start doing it now. Write down everything you are spending. Include cups of coffee, magazines, sodas, snacks and money spent eating out. Don’t omit anything. If you don’t know exactly where your money is going, you can’t make any affective changes, save money or take control of your finances. Second, make a budget. Put all of your expenses into one of three categories: needs, fun money and savings. Everything you need to have obviously goes in the needs category. Be honest! Only put it here if you really need it. This includes things like rent or house payments, gas, childcare (for when you are at work, not at a movie) and food. From your fun money come things you enjoy having but can live without, like gifts, eating out, cable t.v. and toys for your kids. Finally, there is your savings. Maybe you aren’t saving anything yet or aren’t saving enough. 65% of all people living in the United States aren’t saving enough for retirement. Maybe you have a lot of credit card debt and can’t think about retirement until you’ve paid that off. Don’t despair! Keep reading to find out how you can pay off your debt, save money and take control of your personal finances. Third, you have to be willing to make changes for your own good and the good of your family. Look closely at where your money is going and see what you can cut back on. Do you buy a $3 cup of coffee each morning? This adds up to $60 a month. Make your own. Start taking your lunch to work. Don’t buy the most expensive gifts. This article covers very briefly the basics of balancing your money. For details visit my blog by clicking here because there is so much more information vital for balancing your money, controlling your personal finances and becoming financially secure than I am able to put in this article. It describes in depth each of the three categories: needs, fun money and savings, as well as the percentages of how much you should be spending on each category. It tells you exactly how to get out of debt, no matter how much you have, and how to best plan your retirement. My blog also offers a variety of ways to save money.

Gina Clark writes on financial issues. Click here to learn additional ways to save money and manage your personal finances.

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Saving Money While Shopping For Baby Clothes

John — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:33:48 +0000

Most young parents have experienced the dilemma of shopping for baby clothes. It’s not an easy thing to do, after all. The process goes well beyond choosing blue for boy and pink for girl. One has to ask questions like: where do I shop? What should I look for? Is baby fashion supposed to be this expensive or are there more affordable options with which to dress up my child? Do retailers – most of whom make baby clothes shopping sound so complicated – offer discount coupons for their products? Fret no more, young parent. If you need advice and suggestions on shopping frugally and wisely for baby clothes, this article is for you.

1) Don’t buy too much. Come up with a budget, and impose controls on your shopping. Your child will grow up real quick anyway. There’s no need to please his or her vanity. Besides, family and friends are bound to donate clothes for your baby, too. Don’t succumb to the vast baby items that are available in your local department store or online, no matter how cute and can’t-miss they seem, because it’s not like your boy or girl is going to remain that size for a very long time.

2) Consider factors such as security and comfort for your baby. Usually, cotton is the best material, since it will feel soft and gentle and natural against a child’s skin. Outfits that mix cotton and polyester, while not as soft, might also work as they don’t tend to shrink once washed. The best option is to look for cotton clothes that are one size too big for your baby. To minimize hazards, avoid clothes that have cords, tight elastic bands, or buttons in them; you don’t want to wake up with Junior suddenly getting snarled into dangerous knots. And you also never know what your child is capable of choking on. If possible, also buy baby wear that is flame-retardant.

3) Clothing sizes differ from brand to brand. If you’re going to shop online, make sure that the clothes will actually fit your baby. That’s common sense. Visit trusted suppliers like Leaps and Bounds, Kid Surplus, and Baby Center Store for guidance and practical advice on shopping for your baby or child. Remember also to take advantage of the stores’ online deals; use Leaps and Bounds promotion codes, Kid Surplus promotional codes, and Baby Center coupon codes to save money on your baby clothes purchases.

4) Don’t rule out second-hand shops, online auctions, or consignment clothing stores. Contrary to what you may think, it is very practical to look for baby outfits that have been used before. It’s not like babies will wear out their clothes in the first place, because they outgrow what they wear so quickly. Thus, most second-hand clothing for young babies, toddlers, and children are still almost in brand new condition. You’ll even be surprised to find how many designer brands you’ll find at the charity or second-hand shop; some will even have tags on them. If you still want to buy new baby clothing while trying to save a fortune, remember at least to use discount coupons.

David Stack is a web developer who offers money saving opportunities by listing promo codes and discounts. You can view his list of coupons from various stores on his site: http://www.couponsaver.org.

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What Kind Of Home Improvement Can I Do With Bad Credit?

John — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:32:41 +0000

When someone needs to make home improvements and does not have the cash needed to pay for them, the usual solution is a home improvement loan. However, having bad credit may be an obstacle to obtaining high amount loans. Therefore, many people wonder what kind of home improvement can be done when the home improvement loan applicant has bad credit. The answer to this question is not simple because there are too many variables involved.

There are different kinds of home improvement loans and therefore, the type of loan will determine the amount of money you can obtain and consequently the type of improvements that you can afford. Also, the financial and credit situation of the applicant can also modify the final loan amount that the lender will be willing to offer. And last, but not least, whether the applicant can offer any kind of guarantee for repayment other than equity will also determine the loan amount and type of improvement that can be made.

Improvements With Unsecured Home Improvement Loans And Secured Ones

Unsecured home improvement loans are personal loans that are used for making home improvements. Since these loans carry no security the risk is high and so is the interest rate. But most importantly, the amount of money you can borrow by these means is also limited. Therefore, only minor home improvement like repainting, retiling, fixing pipes, roofs, etc. can be afforded with these loans.

However, with secured home improvement loans, the situation differs. These loans are guaranteed by equity and therefore, the amount you can obtain is determined by the amount of free equity on your property. Since these loans provide higher loan amounts usually measured in tens of thousands, it is possible to undertake bigger home improvement projects like adding a room to a house, carpeting all the property, replacing the whole electric, water or gas internal system, etc.

How Bad Credit And Harsh Financial Situations Affect What You Can Improve

Bad Credit will limit your ability to finance improvement projects. In order to get approved for a loan for home improvements you need a fair credit score and a suitable income for repaying the money you owe. Bad credit will determine the possibility of undertaking only small home improvement projects while you are struggling to recover your credit because no high amount loans will ever be available with bad credit unless you provide collateral or get the aid of a third party.

If you are desperately in need of making home improvements and you can not obtain the money by other means, you should consider the aid of another family member. Sometimes the head of the house makes wrong decisions and ends up with a bad credit score. However, other members of the household may be able to act as co-signors for the loan with a good credit record that will guarantee approval from the lenders due to a significant reduction of the risk involved in the transaction.

Devora Witts is a certified loan consultant with several years of experience in the credit area who instructs people regarding credit recovery and approval for personal loans, home loans, consolidation loans, car loans, student loans, unsecured loans and many other types of loans. If you want to understand Credit Debt Consolidation Loan and Bad Credit Student Loan Consolidation thoroughly you can visit her site http://www.badcreditloanservices.com. If the link doesn’t work, just copy and paste www.badcreditloanservices.com in your browser’s address bar.

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Saving Money on Energy

John — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:02:44 +0000

Ways Of Conserving Energy

Feed up with the rising cost of the energy we use in our homes, here are some things that you can do about it.

The first thing that you should do is to look for ways that you are wasting power . I’m not talking about flipping switches. The real truth is that the energy loss through old windows is a major portion of our energy loss in our homes today Now ask your self what can I do to stop the energy loss in my home?

Now if your house has the older single pane windows, you might consider replacing your windows.Although the installation can be a bit expensive, the money that you will be saving on your home energy bill will make up the difference in just a few years. Most people see a drastic reduction in the amount of fuel that they use when they make the switch. The same is also applies to your insulation. You may be losing a lot of your heat through the attic so make sure you have adequate insulation to keep the heat where it belongs.

If you look you will find other ways to save and reduce your home energy bills. For example, ceiling fans tend to run in most homes 24 hours a day. All ceiling fans do is move air and cost you money to run When not in room turn it off you will cut about $10 per month per fan off of your bill. You can also save by turning off a lot of your other electronic items in your home. Tvs,and your desktop computers including the monitor a long with any other electronic items. If you aren’t using them, turn them off.

It will take some effort on our part but if we work at it, we can really save a bundle on our power bill. As the price of power continues to rise and we feel the strain on our wallets, we will continue to look for ways to save money on our home power bill.A majority of things we can do to conserve energy takes almost no effort, but with all of us working together we can make a difference.

For other ways to save money on your home energy bills you have to visit:

http://solarenergypanel.net/

Dennis Killian
http://windturbinesforthehome.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Killian

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Saving Money On Phone Calls During Hard Times

John — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:57:55 +0000

Land line subscriptions, VoIP services and third party providers are all great ways to save on calling Ghana for a frequent caller. For someone only calling this beautifully Gothic country on occasion, the options listed above could actually end up being more costly than just picking up the phone and dialing the number which is rather costly in itself.

Using Pre-Paid Call Cards
Pre-paid calling cards can save the occasional caller a large quantity of cash in a short period of time. Provided in dollar denominations ranging from $5-$250 or more, it is no challenge to find a pre-paid long distance card that will offer the most savings for calls to Ghana. Knowing what time of day the calls are being made locally, approximately how long the calls will be and how many of them will need to be made are important factors when shopping for pre-paid long distance calling cards.

Selecting A Suitable Card
There are many calling cards available, designed for calls targeted towards specific countries. Available for purchase are cards that specifically offer minutes for calling Ghana, or cards that offer international dialing. Generally, a card that offers minutes for calling Ghana alone will offer a lower by-the-minute rate than a general international calling card.

Understand the TOS of Each Provider
It is important to remember that some calling cards do fall victim to peak and non-peak time fees as well. Some rates for some companies are higher during business hours than during evenings or weekends. Knowing that your call to Ghana must be made during business hours means shopping for a card that offers lower rates during those hours. Likewise, if your call is to be made late in the evening, you could save by purchasing a card tailored for such.

Paying For Convenience
These calling cards are also very convenient for someone who does not know what telephone may be at their access when the time comes to make the call to Ghana. Long distance calls from pay phones are pricey and timed, so if change runs short so will the call. This can be frustrating for both parties involved. International long distance rates on mobile phones can be outrageous without a long distance subscription. Pre-paid cards can reduce these charge – by using one in combination with a mobile phone, the customer is charged only air time.

Pre-paid long distance cards are very convenient and easy to find. There is a wide selection available for purchase at most major retailers, with options designed for calling every corner of the globe. By using these cards, consumers are sure to be able to reach whomever they need wherever they are for a reasonable cost.

DialToSave:
See The Best Deals on: Call Ghana On Our Best Rates. Connect With Your Loved Ones Today!
DialToSave brings you the best deals on Mobile Phones, Broadband and Call Rates: Cheap Calls to Ghana

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Andrew_Dalton

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How To Save Big Money On Your Heating Bill This Winter

John — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:45:46 +0000

Well it’s about that time of year again. The leaves are changing colors and fall is in the air. This also means cooler weather and higher heating bills to most. If you remember back the last few years everyone experienced some major increases in their heating bills through the entire winter. I can remember local TV newscasts interviewing people that were complaining about what seemed to be an almost 50% increase in heating costs over the previous years.

My usual heating bill was in the $200’s and then all of a sudden went to almost $500 per month. As it turned out, this was mostly due to price fluctuations determined by the world market similar to what we are continuing to experience at the gas pump (and it seems to be creeping back up there again at nearly $3 a gallon or more). Well, we can’t control the world markets and international shared demand, we can take some measures and steps that will help lower our heating costs each month and through the winter.

Did you know that the level of humidity in your house will effect how warm it really feels? Its just like with the weather outside. For instance, when you see on the news that it is 80 degrees with high humidity it can actually feel hotter than if it were 90 degrees with low humidity. This is where the term heat index comes from – this is the actual temperature with items like humidity, atmospheric pressure and wind taken into account. So, an easy way to save on heating costs is to boost the level of humidity in the house with a humidifier. It has been said that adding sufficient moisture content (humidity) to the air in ones house can easily take 10 to 30% off heating costs depending on the square footage and circulation in the house.

According to the experts at Anderson Heating and Air conditioning, another easy and effective method is proper routine maintenance. By having your heating system routinely checked the HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning) technician can quickly diagnose, repair and prevent loss of efficiency and costlier problems including complete replacement of the heating system. Most heating and air conditioning companies offer routine maintenance packages which are low cost and include discounts to any service work and parts. Routine maintenance will help ensure your heating system, whether it is gas, electric, etc…, is running at top efficiency and will save you money in the long run.

Another good idea if you haven’t done this already is to install programmable thermostats. This will help you know more exactly what the temperature is and what it is set to. You can also use these programmable thermostats to set your temperatures lower like 68 degrees so it’s still comfortable. By doing this you’ll save on your heating costs as it takes considerably less energy to maintain the temperature of 68 than maybe 70 or 72. The only drawback? You may need some extra blankets at night time.

If you work during the day and no one else is home it would be wise to purchase and install programmable thermostats so you can reduce the temperature, say to 60 degrees while you are away and to return to 68 or so degrees when you return. This little step can easily save 5 to 10% or more on your overall heating costs. And being this winter is predicted to be colder and heating costs will go up at least 10% any savings will definitely have a positive impact on your heating bills.

Another way to drastically save is by sealing and weather stripping all doors and windows. Check all doors which go to outside for worn weather stripping and areas where there may be air coming in. Redo the weather stripping if needed and use the upper grade, thicker stripping available at Lowe’s and Home Depot. It may cost a little more, but it will definitely do a better job of sealing out the cold and keeping the warm air in. Next, check your windows. Seal any cracks and areas where you can feel a breeze coming through. If your windows are old or worn, it is best to replace with more energy efficient windows.

Another good idea is a heat tent which goes over attic entry doors and seals them. It is a proven fact that between 10 and 20% of lost energy and heat goes through improperly sealed attic doors. While you’re at it replace your air filters. Clean air filters will reduce the work load on your heating system and can easily save you 2 to 5% on your heating bill. If you do not have enough insulation in your attic and walls you can get a free blower with purchase of insulation from Lowe’s and Home Depot. It is probably best to have this professionally done for best results.

So, even though gas prices are high and may be going higher, the winter is supposed to be even colder and heating costs are predicted to go up you can still save on your heating costs. These ideas listed above should get you some significant savings this winter and make your winter heating bills a little bit more affordable regardless of how cold this winter turns out to be.

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, safety and money saving products for your auto please visit: http://www.mdwholesale.com or come read his enlightening blog at http://www.bestbraindrain.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Maillie

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Save Money Using Six Flags Coupon Codes

John — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:47:23 +0000

Six Flags is one of the largest entertainment theme parks that offer a unique experience to fun-seeking individuals and families. Established more than 45 years ago, these parks are a hot favorite among kids and families that want to make the most of their holiday or vacation. The parks offer a combination of roller coaster rides, games, live shows, play areas for children, and specially created events to offer a unique experience, seldom possible in the humdrum of city life. To make the most of this experience, it is advisable to use Six Flag coupon codes that allow one to save money and time.

Here Are Some Ways To Save Money By Buying 6 Flag Coupon Codes:

First, the tickets bought through the Six Flags website allow you the flexibility of getting your ticket immediately, as opposed to endlessly waiting in queues to buy the tickets. Additionally, the tickets, when purchased online, offer a number of discounts to the rides and events that are otherwise not possible to avail at the parks.

Second, there are times when families might want to visit the parks many times during a season. For this, instead of buying tickets to Six Flags multiple times, one can opt for a season pass. For a realistic sum, the season pass allows multiple entries to the theme park during the entire season. Individuals can even avail customized options and opt for those passes that allow them to enjoy select rides without having to wait in queues. If you plan to visit the rides in groups, you may even opt for group passes that allow bulk discounts.

Third, not everyone would want to go to a park during summers. There are those of us who would like to visit a theme park during the winters. Six flag coupon codes may be bought for such off-season trips that allow special discounts during these times. It adds up to the benefits that one accumulates by buying coupon codes online.

Purchasing the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom coupons can have benefits that are much beyond cost savings. For families, it means an enjoyable get-together that is otherwise difficult to organize. Not only do such get-togethers have immense sentimental value, they also offer families fond memories that last them a lifetime. Employees who have been working hard can be treated with a fun experience at these theme parks. Such treats are not only a refreshing break, they also act as a motivating factor for the employees to work harder for the employer.

6 flag coupon codes helps you to save your time as well as your money. If you are looking for six flags discovery kingdom coupons you can visit the-bus.net for great discounts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albertina_Belmont

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Digest for 06/08/09

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:06:46 +0000

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Crazy Savings: Saving Money on Pickles

John — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:09:29 +0000

I know this might seem kind of strange, but I thought I’d get back into blogging about saving money, and I am starting by passing on information on saving money on pickle.

Really, the only way to save money on pickles is to can your own, so here are some links on canning your own pickles:

Why pickles? It was the first thing that came to mind. More tomorrow.

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Making Your Own Bargains

John — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:31:25 +0000

Cutting coupons and being dililgent with tracking prices and readingt store ads in the newspaper are all good ways to getting bargains. I recently came across a group of people who made their own bargains. It was not their intent, but it did happen. Check it out…

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Digest for 06/01/09

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:08:40 +0000

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Free 1-Day Sam’s Membership

John — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:57:35 +0000

Here is a good money-saving item that came across my desk today. Buying in bulk makes sense. Sometimes, though, you can’t afford the fees for the wholesale clubs. Check out this coupon, which allows you to get into Sam’s and purchase items at club prices one time before 5/25.

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Additional Writers Needed

John — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:40:36 +0000

I know that I have not posted much lately. I AM still interested in money-saving ideas and in helping others save money. Lord knows, we need money-saving tips more than ever, because of the economy. My life has been more hectic and I have started to focus on different things. I will continue to post here, whenever possible, however, I am looking for a partner, to help with the writing.

If you are interested in writing about saving money and you can provide me writing samples, and can convince me you are not going to just come in and post a bunch of ads, I am interested in talking with you. It’s an opportunity for you to showcase your writing skills on a blog that already has a following. Also, if your writing is good enough to build a larger audience, you will be able to have a share of the web site profits. Keep in mind that this position is initially unpaid.

If you are interested, drop me a line at john@spendingless101.com.

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Digest for 04/27/09

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:07:24 +0000

Free Glasses

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Free Glasses

John — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:07:14 +0000

Someone sent this one to me over the weekend. I have not have time to checked out so if you check it out and it’s not true, please let me know.

Target is doing a special promotion for their optical service. It could end any time but will definitely end no later than April 29th..

Children 12 and under can get a free pair of glasses.

They need to bring in a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor and Target will let the child pick from about 40 different frames. They will place their best lenses in the frames which are non-glare and scratch resistant and normally sell for $200.00. There are no income guidelines. Any child 12 or under is eligible.

You can find stores with optical departments at www.target.com to confirm they are participating before making a trip to their store.

Please pass this information on to anyone who can benefit from this promotional offer. If you know someone with lost or broken glasses please share this information with them ASAP, as the promotion could end at any time. They would like families to come in as soon as they can.

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Digest for 04/20/09

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:07:59 +0000

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Keeping your money in your wallet

John — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:00:11 +0000

I was talking with the father of one of my daughter’s friends recently. He mentioned that he shops on an as-needed basis. I thought about this in comparison to the way I shop, which is to load up on items at a bulk discount, so as to save money.

It appears that his approach is to make sure that he remains liquid. If you are really low on money, this approach will make sure you have money in your pocket at all times. You will always be able to buy gas to get to work, etc. The only problem is that things cost more, each time you make a purchase.

The way I make my purchases is to alot a certain amount of money for 2 weeks of groceries. It’s usually more than is needed, which means I am able to stock up on some things. I would prefer to have 4 weeks of groceries at the house than to have that money in my pocket.

You decide…and let me know how you handle the whole grocery thing.

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Today’s Freebie

John — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:05:29 +0000

Check out this link to Amazon.com for free MP3 downloads. I’ve found several sites around the Internet that allow free downloading of music. Pretty soon, all music will be FREE…

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It’s Time For Yard Work

John — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:41:21 +0000

It’s that time of year again and I am about to spend money to get my yard ready for the spring and summer seasons. Do I have to spend money? Probably not. These days, however, convenience has prevailed over keeping money in my wallet.

If you are ready to get your yard ready, but you feel compelled to do it cheaply…or free, here are some ideas that can get you going in the right direction:

Golf Shoes - Put on a pair of golf shoes and take a stroll around your yard for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you get into the corners and that you follow a pattern so you can hit every part of the yard. In the spring, you should core aerate your yard. If you don’t want to rent an aerator, golf shoes will do an OK job and won’t cost you any money.
Overseeding – I can’t help you with this one, other than to say that you should reduce the size of your yard by setting up a garden. This will reduce the amount of seed you need to purchase. You can also just skip overseeding and let your yard thicken naturally. This will take years, though so be prepared to have some patience while your neighbor spends hundreds of dollars to make you look bad.
Fertilizer – YES, you can make your own fertilizer. Instead of wasting two more sentences talking about something I know nothing about, here are some links where you can find out more:
Catch the Rain - If you want to water your yard and not have to pay a fortune, you can catch the rain water. This is something I am going to try this year. It’s somewhat difficult if you live in an area that has a lot of mosquitos because they breed in water. You can’t have an open-top rain catcher. Here are some links to some ways to make your own rain catcher.

I hope this information helps you save some money and get your yard ready for spring.

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