One of the most effective ways to increase the amount of money you have in the bank and to avoid running into debt is quite simply to spend less. Of course earning more would be nice too, but that’s often out of our control. Sending less on the other hand though is something you have complete control over and can choose to do very easily – at least in theory.

The problem is though of course that many of us are not really in control of our actions. While we might be able to basically decide whether we raise our hand or lower it, when it comes to bigger decisions we are often a slave to our emotions – and actually we often do not control those.

And this becomes a problem in many areas of our lives particularly when it comes to things like spending money.

Emotional Spending

The problem is that spending money can often be a lot like eating – it’s therapeutic. If you feel low or you feel bad, then you might well find yourself making an impulse purchase because your guard is down and then feeling better because you have something new and something nice to open. This then means that you quickly learn ‘buying things makes you feel better’ which ensures that you are likely to do it again, and again – each time strengthening that feeling.

At the same time we also buy for a range of other emotional reasons – we buy because we want to demonstrate our success and our status, or because we think whatever it is will make us more attractive or wealthier. And then we buy because we want to finish a collection, or because we are somehow sympathetic to the item.

And unfortunately shops understand all of this – and they design themselves perfectly to take advantage of those emotions – by making their items seem comforting, promising, limited or generally like the thing that’s missing from your life. And then they make it seem like the items aren’t going to be selling for long so that they can get you to make an impulse decision rather than waiting and using your head.

Overcoming Emotional Spending

So how can you overcome this emotional spending? Well there are a number of ways, but the quickest thing to change is to make sure you don’t buy anything impulsively and rather ensure that you go away, think about it and then come back to potentially make your purchase only if you still want it and it still make sense. Likewise you should make it more difficult for yourself to spend money impulsively – by moving money into another account, or leaving your debit card at home. Make a rule to only treat yourself say once a month, and then stick to that rule.

Then stop making buying into such a therapeutic process by quite simply ‘punishing’ yourself when you make a purchase. One good system is to have a ‘one in, one out’ policy that means you have to get rid of something in order to buy something new.

You should also make sure that you address the stress or dissatisfaction you have in other ways. For instance think about the things you can do when you get home that would be nice using what you already own – say reading a book you haven’t finished yet or having a nice bath. Likewise ask yourself if you can’t enjoy this product in another way – by waiting for it to come down in price, renting it or borrowing it off of someone. Note that a collection or selection of items in your home will look much more impressive if you have just a few things that you really want rather than a huge selection of everything you can find.

This guest post was written by Debbie Phillips; a content writer with TheCouponCupboard.com. You can also save some money by using her site to get some Free Stuff And Samples.

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“Penny auction sites aren’t like normal Internet auctions,” says technology expert, Sarah McDaniels. “Consumers should know that they can lose their money at these sites, whether they win an actual auction or not.”

According to McDaniels, auction sites like SkoreIt, Beezid and QuiBids require consumers to buy so-called bidpacks that provide them a set number of bids. When competing for an item, they must use a bid from their pack. Each time they do so, time is added to the auction, and the price ascends by a few cents.

“What most consumers don’t know is that they will lose all of their bids, regardless of who wins the auction,” McDaniels says. “So these penny auction sites make most of their money off of failed bidders and not off the actual merchandise they are selling at auction.”

The problem with commercials

McDaniels, who specializes in informative features centered on reviews and scams, says the growing prevalence of television advertising is putting less savvy consumers at risk, because they tend to trust what they see on T.V.

“Penny auction companies, such as SkoreIt and QuiBids are pouring a lot of money into television commercials; however, this doesn’t mean they are reputable, honest entities,” she says. “I just did a review on QuiBids, and I can tell you that there are a disturbing amount of online complaints, where current and former members are accusing the site of using bots to place fake bids in an attempt to keep auctions alive longer. Although there’s no way to know if the company is actually doing this, they aren’t policed by any third-party organization; so I’d advise consumers to be wary.”

What are the alternatives?

If surfers are looking for legitimate places to find bargains, McDaniels says they can use online marketplaces, such as iOffer, Bidz or a local coupon site, such as LivingSocial. That said, she says buyers should always beware.

“Although these sites don’t try to deceive customers like penny auction sites do; many have a bad reputation for not policing their vendors well enough,” she says. “So I advise consumers to only buy from reputable vendors that have good reputations.”

Ryan Lawrence is a freelance copywriter based in Boulder, Colorado. Special thanks to technology expert, Sarah McDaniels for sitting down for this interview.

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1. Shop For Sales
The first thing you need to do is one of the most obvious – check your sales ads each week. If you need a TV now, don’t just buy the first one you see. Wait a week or two and see what’s out there – it’ll be worth the extra $100.

2. Price-Match
Some stores used to, and many still do, offer a price match. For example, if you do not live near a store having a great sale, you can take their ad to a local store and still get the sale price. However you may want to find out if the stores do this for exact models or if they can will only be close to the models which are being shown in the sales ad (though this could also work in your favor, if that’s what you want).

3. Price Adjustments
Quite often when you buy a high end electronics item, you might notice the item you just bought for sale in the future! Now some stores, depending on their policy, will reimburse you the difference of your price to the sale price. However, you need to make sure you evaluate the policy of the store to see if this option is available and if it is, how long you have to find the sale price. If you know of a store that’s particularly generous, frequent them often, in case it’s ever an issue!

4. Rebates
Most people think the sale price of an item will be the bottom line, but you may not realize that you can still qualify for a rebate on the item. You may have to search out these items, but you will realize this item is well worth it when you get that check in the mail!

5. Charge Sparingly
You may be tempted to use a credit card for purchasing something, because it will seem more affordable that way. However, you should use this with caution, because you’re still spending the same amount PLUS INTEREST. The only time you should consider using a card is if you will definitely earn rewards and they will pay off eventually, or because you’re signing up for a store credit card that will give you an additional discount. If that’s the case, go for it, but pay it off IMMEDIATELY.

Michaela Osborn likes to write about electronics, cinema & saving money at Boatinsurance.org.

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Shop With Stores You Know and Trust

It can be easy to be tempted by a store that you’ve never heard of that has the latest and greatest toy for half price, but remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Instead, stick with stores you know and have come to trust. Many brick and mortar stores have online stores. Not only can you sometimes find great deals, but you still have the comfort of shopping in your own home.

Consider Virtual Debit Cards

Many banks now make it possible for shoppers to shop online without using their actual debit card number. This means that your bank account is protected against fraudulent activity. If your bank doesn’t offer this service, another option is to use a prepaid credit card. That way hackers have no way to access your bank account.

Use PayPal

Over the years PayPal has become a powerhouse with online shoppers and retailers. PayPal is the perfect option because it allows you to pay without giving your financial information and if there is a problem with the purchase, your can dispute it through PayPal to get your money back.

Look for Secure Sites

It may seem old school, but one of the easiest ways to know a site is secure is to look for a lock at the bottom of your browser window. This tells you that the page you are entering your payment information on is secure.

Never Send Your Information Through Email

Some stores ask for shoppers to email their orders to them. You should never under any circumstances give your financial information out through email. Email is not secure. If this is a company you know and trust, call the company instead.

While shopping online can be a great way to score holiday deals, it can also be risky. Thankfully, there are several things you can do keep yourself safe. Remember to shop with companies you know and trust. You should also use virtual debit cards or PayPal whenever possible. Last, but not least, only enter financial information on secure sites and never through email.

About the Author: Marcel Cliche knows what it is like to become a victim of identity theft. He is a full-time writer who specializes in personal finance, finding employment through finance staffing agencies, and budgeting.

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Start Early

One of the best ways for frugal parents to save both money and time on Christmas shopping is to start early. If you watch for sales throughout the year, rather than waiting until December, you will also save a bit of your sanity. By purchasing gifts in advance, it will save you from spending such a large chunk of change in such a small amount of time. If you are not sure what your children want for Christmas, purchase gifts that are always a safe bet. Things such as pajamas and bedding are usually universal gift ideas that can be bought ahead of time. On the other hand, if you do know what your children want for Christmas, you should keep an eye out for those things to go on sale during the year. Additionally, starting your shopping early will ensure you get the gifts you need. If you wait until December, the risk of items being sold out is much greater.

Create a List

Although it seems like a no-brainer, one of the best Christmas shopping tips for frugal parents is to make a list. Include on your list everyone you will be buying for, along with sizes, ideas, and a budget for each person. A list will make shopping a much more organized experience. If you know which stores carry the items on your list, jot down those as well. That will make it easy for you to find exactly what you are looking for when it comes time.

Watch Ads

By paying close attention to stores’ printed advertisements, you can find out when the gifts you need to purchase go on sale. Some stores offer sales such as “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” on certain items throughout the year, so really keep an eye out for those types of deals. It is always a great feeling to get two gifts for the price you probably would have paid for one. By watching advertisements, it also allows you to compare prices. You may find that one retailer sells certain items for much cheaper than the next.

Shop Online

Another way for frugal parents to get good deals on Christmas presents is to shop online. Many online retailers offer low prices on their merchandise in order to attract and gain customers. If you are worried about high shipping charges that are often associated with online shopping, you will be happy to know that many online retailers offer discounted shipping rates or even free shipping on certain purchases. Shopping online can not only save you money, but trips to the mall as well. Just think how nice it would be to avoid busy stores altogether during the holiday season.

Dollar Stores

Dollar stores are great places to find bargains on Christmas supplies. Items such as wrapping paper, bows, gift tags, tape, and tissue paper typically cost much less at dollar stores than they do at larger stores. You may also find good deals on stocking stuffers at dollar stores. They usually carry many small items that make excellent stocking stuffers. By making a quick trip to a dollar store, you could end up saving a lot of money on things you buy anyway.

All of these Christmas shopping tips are great for frugal parents. Once you see how easy it can be to save money during the holiday season, you will be happy you took the time to check them out.

Guest post from Adam. Adam shares a Macys promo code through FrugalDad.com.

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Shop With Stores You Know and Trust

It can be easy to be tempted by a store that you’ve never heard of that has the latest and greatest toy for half price, but remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Instead, stick with stores you know and have come to trust. Many brick and mortar stores have online stores. Not only can you sometimes find great deals, but you still have the comfort of shopping in your own home.

Consider Virtual Debit Cards

Many banks now make it possible for shoppers to shop online without using their actual debit card number. This means that your bank account is protected against fraudulent activity. If your bank doesn’t offer this service, another option is to use a prepaid credit card. That way hackers have no way to access your bank account.

Use PayPal

Over the years PayPal has become a powerhouse with online shoppers and retailers. PayPal is the perfect option because it allows you to pay without giving your financial information and if there is a problem with the purchase, your can dispute it through PayPal to get your money back.

Look for Secure Sites

It may seem old school, but one of the easiest ways to know a site is secure is to look for a lock at the bottom of your browser window. This tells you that the page you are entering your payment information on is secure.

Never Send Your Information Through Email

Some stores ask for shoppers to email their orders to them. You should never under any circumstances give your financial information out through email. Email is not secure. If this is a company you know and trust, call the company instead.

While shopping online can be a great way to score holiday deals, it can also be risky. Thankfully, there are several things you can do keep yourself safe. Remember to shop with companies you know and trust. You should also use virtual debit cards or PayPal whenever possible. Last, but not least, only enter financial information on secure sites and never through email.

About the Author: Marcel Cliche knows what it is like to become a victim of identity theft. He is a full-time writer who specializes in personal finance, finding employment through finance staffing agencies, and budgeting.

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1. Use the code VETERANSDAY during checkout to save an extra 5-15% off nearly everything online (valid on the 10th only) Shop Friday and Saturday to get hot prices on HDTVs, bedding, clothing, jewelry and more
2. Use the code HOLIDAY to get free shipping on orders over $49 during the 2-Day sale

These offers will be over before you know it, so check out the deals at Kmart.

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Black Friday is a post from Black Friday - The Official Black Friday Ads and Deals Blog - Your source for Black Friday Ads and Deals

No matter where you live, or in what kind of home you live in, clutter is a constant enemy of an orderly, and comfortable home. Clutter makes it difficult to find the things you need quickly. Clutter can impede movement around a space. And the negative psychological effects of clutter can also hurt your comfort levels, even if you don’t realize it. So, controlling clutter in your space is a vital component to being happy at home.

So, what if you could deal with clutter in a creative way, while saving money at the same time? Here are 5 ways to do just that, increasing your happiness as you decrease, or make smarter use of, your stuff.

1. Turn old magazines into artwork

Have you got a collection of magazines on your favorite subject piling up, taking up space and collecting dust? Why not make a project of taking your favorite images and text from each one, and turning it into a themed collage? Get a series of inexpensive frames, cut and paste, and present as something to adorn your walls.

The result; art on your walls themed around your interests, without having to pay out for mall art or prints. And you show off your personality in your own space while clearing it of paper that you don’t need. Remember to recycle the remnants!

2. Take  those extras you bought on sale, and get cooking!

Often when there’s a sale, we can’t resist buying those giant-sized tins, extra-big boxes, super containers. They were on sale! But, if they hang around without being used while taking up space in your cupboards, you haven’t really saved money at all. And the battle against clutter starts to go in the wrong direction, too.  So, do an inventory check of those items, and see if you can’t use them in a meal. Cooking at home is always a cheaper option, and using those extra items is a great way to create space.

3. Give to charity – and write it off!

Your household items that have fallen into disuse can equal cash! Well, cash in the form of a tax write off. And when they are donated to a worthy charity, the benefits of de-cluttering are extended to others too.

4. Discover eBay and Craigslist

“One man’s (or woman’s!) trash …” as they say. But, seriously. All that stuff that you’re looking to get rid of may be something that someone else will pay cold hard cash for. Find out who those people are through your friendly neighborhood online auction or marketplace for little or no money. Old toys, books, even old clothes taking up undo space in your closet can be converted to cash.

5.  De-clutter before a move, not after

If you find yourself in the position of having to move, and to pay movers to help, de-cluttering can significantly cut down on how long that process takes. And in the moving industry in particular, time really is money. The less time the mover spends moving your stuff, the less you pay. And the less stuff you have, means less time. You get the picture. So, before you call the movers, make sure and clear the decks to make their job easier. Your wallet will thank you.

De-cluttering isn’t just about fighting the forces of chaos in your home. It can also be about saving money, and sometimes even making money!

***

Cate Morgan-Harlow is a regular writer at the BuildDirect blog. BuildDirect is an online building materials company that specializes in laminate flooring, wood flooring and other high-quality products.

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Other deals during the Kohl’s Stack the Savings Sale include Bonus Buys (through 10/26) and Power Hour Specials on Oct. 21st and Oct. 22nd. If you have a Kohl’s Charge, you’re eligible for an extra 20% off all merchandise – even items on sale and clearance – with the code LOVE2SHOP when you use your card through 10/29.

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