Penny Pinchers

Stay Tuned for the Big Comeback

2013-04-08T20:35:00.004-05:00

We are in the process of redesigning and relaunching The Penny Pinchers, and it's going to be extremely cool. Please stay tuned and thank you for your patience!

The new site will be going live on April 27, 2013.

See you soon!

Saving Money with Your Smart Phone: Ibotta

2013-02-15T18:00:00.000-06:00

Our favorite app this week is Ibotta. Check out this cool video tutorial on how to use this app to earn and save more money. Then, let us know what you think in the comments!

Making Money With Your Smart Phone: Check Points

2013-02-08T08:30:00.000-06:00

This week we are bringing you a popular YouTube video explaining how to make money with the popular Check Points app. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Budgeting for Your Pet

2013-01-28T15:00:00.000-06:00

In the advent of adding a new miniature canine to our household (also known as a puppy), and while I am going through a divorce, it became incredibly apparent that budgeting for the care and wellbeing of my furry friends had to be done quickly, cheaply and efficiently. Because of that, I found a few tips along the way to help me successfully budget for my pets (all seven of them -- five cats and two dogs). And if you follow my simple plan to the letter, you'll be well on your way to successfully budgeting for your pet(s) too.

Caring for your animal

Think of feeding your pet the same way that you would think about feeing yourself. Garbage in, garbage out. The higher quality food you give your pet, the healthier and happier they will be for many years to come. And while higher quality pet foods can seem more expensive upfront, your pet actually requires less of it, and will have fewer vet visits -- at least, that has been my experience.

Bring your pet to the vet

I know how much vet visits can cost, and I know that you are grimacing right now in the face of that revelation. However, since all of our animals live indoors, I don't have to worry about more than routine vet visits -- for the most part. I am setting aside enough money each month to care for our pets in the event of an emergency, and am calling it the "emergency pet fund".

I take advantage of monthly low cost vaccination clinics and knock out two or three animals at a time, each quarter, so that they are always up to date on vaccinations and heart-worm prevention. Staggering my pets this way keeps them all healthy, happy and up to date -- without blowing my budget. This makes it easier to pay for and plan for.

Use your local humane society

When it came down to potty training our newest addition, I took advantage of the resources from our local humane society -- where we rescued our latest family member. In my experience, local shelters and humane societies partner up with trainers and a variety of other reputable animal loving resources to provide some great training tips, tools and referrals at no (or very low) cost. This helps me keep my dogs active and social…and trained -- an absolute must. Of course, we make a point to reinforce training at home by walking our dogs daily and by making sure they have a five to 10 minute training session per day.

Caring for pets -- even seven of them -- doesn't have to break the bank. Just like taking care of yourself, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Do some homework on free and low cost resources in your local area to make sure your furry friends are happy, healthy and cared for in all the years to come.

Make Money With Your Smart Phone: Juno Wallet

2013-01-25T14:00:00.000-06:00

Turn simple tasks into gift cards and rewards like I do, using Juno Wallet. It’s simple. In fact, it’s so simple, there is a video on how to earn cash with this app.

Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Are you leaving money on the table?

2013-01-22T17:51:00.000-06:00

If I had to guess, I’d say you probably are -- heck, most people do. I know that (at one point) I left a whole lot of money on the table…but I fixed that. Today, I have monetized my life to include rewards and cash back on everything I buy, and today I’m going to share some of my favorite ways to do that with you today. Ready? It’s a lot easier than you might think.

Tip 1: Sign up for Ebates (it’s free)

This easy to use portal has changed my life. They are linked to literally thousands of stores, offer printable grocery coupons and even have a kick butt referral program. If you haven’t signed up, you’re leaving money on the table. I have earned over $1,400 in cash back savings since singing up with them, and continue to earn more all the time.

My only remaining question to you is: What would you do with an extra $1,400?

Tip 2: Use Saving Star

I am a CVS junkie (and a Walgreens junkie). The programs and rewards I earn just for on stocking up on makeup, toiletries and groceries from these stores is immense, and I eat up savings. However, I found a way to save even more at my favorite stores above and beyond their reward programs. Visit www.savingstar.com and sign up…then select the coupons you want to use (virtually) and the savings is automatically put into your account, which you can cash out after reaching $5.00.

Tip 3: Use Receipt Hog

This market research company pays you for copies of your receipts from local grocery and convenience stores….and I think it’s brilliant. I stack up my receipts and turn them into cold, hard cash. And yes, it really is that simple. The only drawback is that this app is only available to iPhone users at the moment, but the app for Droid users is in development.

And while these are simple ways to save, they are also quite effective. Start now, save more, earn more.

Ways to Make Money With Your Smart Phone: Receipt Hog

2013-01-11T18:00:00.000-06:00

This year, Penny Pinchers isn’t just going to focus on bringing you new ways to save and shop smart, we are also going to talk about increasing your income. Why? Because a penny earned is…well…a penny earned. And we are going to show you different ways to make pennies -- in addition to pinching them.

Every Friday, we are going to write a blog about different ways to make money that you can integrate into your everyday life. First steps? Making a little extra cash with your smart phone; and this week, we are going to talk about a nifty little app called Receipt Hog.

Side note: Right now, this app is exclusive to iPhone users (sorry Droid-ians)…but they are expanding to new platforms every day…so even if you aren’t lucky enough to download this app today, that doesn’t mean it won’t be available tomorrow. Check the website for more details.

Now that we have THAT out of the way…

Here is how it works:

Before Receipt Hog, my receipts would go into the wormhole (aka my purse) to be abused, battered and come out virtually unrecognizable. Now, I stack receipts neatly on my desk and set aside about 10 minutes per week to snap and earn.

· Step 1: Lay the receipt on a flat surface.

· Step 2: Open the Receipt Hog app.

· Step 3: Snap a photo.

· Step 4: Get rewarded.

Redemption system:

You can donate your money to charity (pretty cool).

You can earn cash back via PayPal (even cooler).

You can trade in your coins for goods (also very cool).

Me? I opt for the cold, hard cash.

Here is what you can expect:

Of course, I’m waiting for the 4,500 coins to get the best value -- aka most for my time.

And while this handy little app won’t make you a millionaire, you can (depending on how many times you visit stores like gas stations, grocery stores, Wal-mart, Target, CVS and Walgreens) earn a steady $30 every couple of months (more than $180) per year. And if you’re pinching YOUR pennies, that makes a difference.

So now that you know: What do YOU think about Receipt Hog?

Join Us on The 52-week Spending Challenge

2013-01-08T13:38:00.000-06:00

Wait! Don’t go! This is not some post that is going to drone on and on (and on) about how much you should save and when you should save it. No. This is a savings game…and I’d invite you all to play it with me.

Here is how it works:

Easy…right?

Here is how I am working this challenge: I am jump-starting weeks 1 to 7, and putting $28 in my Smarty Pig account (an account requiring a $25 opening deposit). Then, from there, I am going to take the prescribed schedule, beginning from week two. I will update you weekly on MY progress via the Penny Pinchers Facebook fan page and Twitter page (follow us). In turn, I’d like you to update ME weekly on yours.

Fair enough? The winner gets the biggest savings account by December! Try it and see if you can resolve to save more in 2013, going on this bit by bit path. I'll see you on the other side...each week...every Tuesday.

Ready? Set? GO!

This Week's TOP Saveology Deals

2013-01-07T09:54:00.003-06:00

You asked for them...we give them to you!

Best Deals of the Week!

2013-01-04T14:36:00.001-06:00

Best of the Best Deals to Ring in the New Year!

2012-12-30T23:29:00.000-06:00

Here are some great ways to ring in your New Year with BIG savings. :) If there are any we missed, please email us at admin@thepennypinchertips.com

The Best of the Best Post Holiday Gift Card Steals

2012-12-27T15:17:00.001-06:00

How I Save (And Earn) With E-bates

2012-12-26T15:00:00.000-06:00

Honestly, I don’t know what the holdup is for most folks when it comes to joining E-bates. It’s free, it’s beneficial and it’s really easy! Here’s the skinny on how I make some fat cash each year simply by shopping at all my favorite places using an easy-to-use portal.

How I saved about $50 on a garage door opener…with installation

I was in the market for an automatic garage door opener. I went to E-bates and saw that if I clicked through to them using my (again) FREE account, I would earn 9.0% cash back on my entire purchase. The grand total of my purchase was $268 -- and some change…with installation and free shipping. Let’s do some math:

$268 x 9% = $24.12

I also used my Shop Your Way rewards card (also 100 percent FREE) to save an additional $25.

Total savings: $49.12

How I saved $148 on a dishwasher

Earlier this year, I was in the market for a new dishwasher. I found one for round about $400…with a 12% cash back offer from E-bates when I shopped through an appliance website they were partnered with (also giving free shipping). I also got a $100 cash back rebate from the manufacturer.

Again…more math:

$400 x 12% = $48

Cash back rebate = $100

Total savings: $148

How I saved $300 on groceries

E-bates also offers me FREE printable grocery coupons, which I use religiously to help me save over $300 a year on everything I buy. It works. It’s brilliant. It’s easy.

How I earned $1,500 through referrals

When I find something that is really cool (and that really works), I tell people about it. And I try to tell as many people as I can about E-bates. And one of the biggest benefits to this online portal is that E-bates PAYS me to refer new shoppers to their site. And when that member makes his or her first purchase, I’m rewarded with $5 referral fee…plus bonuses. Last year, thanks to my big mouth, I earned $1,500 in referrals from E-bates, or a cool $125 a month for doing absolutely nothing. Why? Because E-bates makes it easy. You can Tweet your referral link, put your link on Facebook and even blog about it (like I’m doing right now) in addition to E-bates automatically telling your friends every time you earn cash back AND every time you get paid across your social networks. (Kind of a no-brainer, if you ask me.)

Final math break

So let’s do just a little more math before we close up. This year alone, I banked $50 in savings on my garage door opener, $150 on my dishwasher, $300 on groceries, $1,500 in referrals and other cash back rewards for things like hygiene products, back to school shopping, and other household goods. Overall, in a single year, E-bates saves (and earns) me over $2,000 just for shopping where I want to shop and spending (only) what I want to spend. No gimmicks, no hassles, just easy, free shopping at all the sites you love anyway (even Target.com). So…why aren’t you a member yet? Click here, register and get to saving! Chop, chop!

Great Holiday Gift Card Deals

2012-12-19T16:38:00.002-06:00

ATTENTION BARGAIN SHOPPERS, HUNTERS OF DEALS AND THOSE OF YOU WHO JUST WANT TO SAVE A BUCK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON (OR EVEN POST AFTERMATH)....I did it for you. Here are some of the very best gift card deals on the web. Enjoy!

$12.50 for a Regal Entertainment Group Gift Card ($25 Value) - Exclusively For You! - Voucher Ready Instantly!

7.50 For A $15 Staples® Gift Card - Exclusively For You w/ Immediate Redemption!

Get $15 Saveology Dollars to use on already low-priced deals for $1.99

Grab some great deals on dining, drink, and fun everyday in Cincinnati!

$5 For A $10 iTunes Gift Card - Exclusively For You w/ Immeditate Redemption!

$27.99 1600TC Egyptian Comfort 6-PC Sheet Set-15 Colors-Shipping Included (129.99 Value)

$12.50 For A $25 Boston Market Gift Card - Exclusively For You!

$17 for TWO Gloss-N-Go Smile Brightening Glosses - Shipping Included ($116 Value)

$55 Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses + Complimentary Shipping ($150 Value)

$5 For A $10 iTunes Gift Card - Exclusively For You!

$19 for Choice of Via Veneto Sterling Silver Bead Bracelet - Shipping Included ($54 value)

$3 For A $15 iTunes Gift Card & Trial to Saveology Elite w/ Auto Renewal

Only $49 for Two 16" x 20" Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints - Shipping Included ($224 Value)

$5 For A $10 Boston Market Card - Exclusively For You w/ Immediate Redemption!

$2 Swarovski 2-Carat Total Stud Cubic Zirconia Earrings ($59 Value)

$7.50 for $15 Chili's Gift Card

$10 for $20 ExxonMobil Gift Card - Exclusively For You!

$7.50 For A $15 iTunes Gift Card - Exclusively For You!

5 Ways I Save Money as a Small Business Owner

2012-11-05T09:00:00.000-06:00

I run two online businesses and manage several websites. And with running my own businesses, I get some great perks. I have more control over my time, my money and where I work, but, being a small business owner also comes with its fair share of headaches and worries.

Along my travels, I have learned that handling finances as a business owner is incredibly different than handling finances as am employee, and because of this, I've found five ways to save.

No. 1: I plan for taxes. Because I am self-employed, taxes are not automatically deducted from my paycheck, and this was a huge change for me. I had to start setting money aside to pay my taxes, and I do this each quarter. I put my estimated taxes (which I overestimate for) in an online savings account until my bill is due. This way, I earn interest on what I'm going to wind up paying to Uncle Sam and have some extra money left over. Last year, I was able to save $1,950 on top of the interest I earned by overpaying into my tax savings account.

No. 2: I have multiple sources of income. When I started my online companies, I maintained a steady stream of income from my blogging and freelancing gigs. I knew that I needed a guaranteed income that was large enough to cover my regular expenses, without having to take away from my family for my startups. During this time, I sold some furniture on Craig's List, put some items up for auction on EBay using a wholesale distributor and took on a few extra freelancing projects. This helped give me the startup capital I needed to fund my ventures, without having to dip into my personal pocketbook.

No. 3: I paid down bills. When I started my ventures, I had some debt. I paid off my high interest rate bills first, and eventually eliminated my debt altogether. This saved me a lot of money in the end while improving my credit score -- something that helped me when I was working on funding my ventures.

No. 4: I plan for health insurance. Just like I was responsible for my own taxes as a business owner, I was equally responsible for my own health insurance. With my businesses, if I'm not healthy I'm not making money. To keep my costs down and health up, I shopped several individual health insurance plans and found one that is workable for around $200 a month in premiums.

No. 5: I planned on business insurance. I had to determine what type of insurance I needed and just how much coverage to get. Because my startups are online, my insurance requirements are minimal and count as a business expense. Nevertheless, I made sure to shop around and compare rates -- and took advantage of any discounts I was eligible for. My premiums are around $300 a month.

Being a business own is an exciting and empowering path, but it also had the potential to be a huge strain on my finances had I gone into it with my eyes shut. Because I planned ahead, and did ample amounts of research, I saved money in both the short and long term while realizing my entrepreneurial dreams.

More:
4 No Money Down Mortgages
6 Ways I'm Saving More Before the End of the Year
5 Facts About Home Equity

4 Ways My Teens (Almost) Got Scammed

2012-11-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Several times in the past year, my daughters have been on the verge of falling victim to scam artists. Some of these skilled con artists target teens. They identify and take advantage of young adults and their need to fit in. And they have done it all online. Thankfully, we caught these scam artists before my kids were taken to the cleaners.

Inexpensive Luxury Goods
The first scam I picked up on was when my daughter began telling me about advertisements for high ticket items like iPhones, designer clothes, handbags and other luxury goods offered at just a fraction of the retail price. My teens were approached via email advertisements too-good-to-be-true offers, that made me raise an eyebrow. I did a little research and found the scam at the bottom of my inquisitive well. It turns out that once you hand your money to the scam artist, you never receive the promised merchandise. And because these people fade away into the sea of online faces, the incidents never get reported.

Information Farming
The next scam I found was one ripe for identity theft. My kids kept getting pop-up windows asking for verification of account information, social security numbers, credit card information and scads of other personal data. I also caught wind of a few false employment opportunities sent to my kids, requiring them to give up personal information, as well as false credit card application forms. Sadly, one I caught was too late, and wound up on my 18-year-old's credit report. Now, we are in the process of cleaning that up.

Contests
My daughters love contests. Sadly, however, this can also be -- and has been for us -- another recourse for scammers. Many of them I found were on YouTube. My daughter would comment and post personal information to try and win something. Only trouble was, the information she was putting out there was in a public format. When I realized what was going on, I made her take the posts down.

Scholarships and Grants
When my daughters were looking into college last fall, they were hit with numerous scams, even some masquerading as the FAFSA website. These scams wanted them to pay money for scholarship and grant opportunities that were offered (legitimately) online for free. Thankfully, they brought this to my attention and we avoided the subsequent financial fallout.

The Bottom Line
I made a point of teaching my children that whenever anything looks too good to be true, it probably is. Once I caught wind of the first few scams, I went over with my daughters, the types of information that scammers are looking for, and then I made my children aware of any potential scams, as well as making sure they understood to Google and research emails and opportunities when clicking and posting anything online. For me, the bottom line with online scams is that it's always better to be safe than sorry. And now, they know that as well.

More:
4 No Money Down Mortgages
6 Ways I'm Saving More Before the End of the Year
5 Facts About Home Equity

5 Money Tips I Took from the Amish

2012-10-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

I believe that self-sufficiency saves money. And, in my never ending quest to save more of my money every day, I started studying the Amish -- because there is no culture quite as self-sufficient as they are in modern days. From my studies, I adopted some simple approaches to business and personal finance that have helped me save even more, through common sense and self-sufficiency.

Money Saving Tips I Took from the Amish
Amish people live a very different lifestyle than you and I do. Their culture encourages simplicity, sharing and community; cornerstones of effective personal finance.

No. 1: I Pursue Simplicity
From the Amish, I learned that simple solutions to common problems are usually cheaper and more effective than complex solutions. I applied this to the cost of ownership. For example, buying a Mercedes might feed my ego, but the cost of maintenance and upkeep on a luxury vehicle were (for me) excessive. This is one reason I chose to drive a Hyndai.

No. 2: I Embrace My Community
I learned that utilizing family (and community) reduces costs for large and small projects alike. Instead of hiring a contractor to lay some flagstone in my garden, I asked some of my neighbors for help. In return, I helped them lay flagstone for a new patio they were building on the side of the house. Not only did this save money, but it helped me build a stronger sense of community with my neighbors and was great exercise to boot.

No. 3: I Maximize All of My Resources
I am a firm believer in reducing, reusing and recycling. I am also a firm believer in repurposing. To that end, I am the queen of hand me down items and giving things away for free. And my generosity has paid off, because when I need something, there is always someone I can go to who will provide me with whatever I need for free, or for a reduced cost.

No. 4: I Believe in Doing It Myself
Over the years, I have learned that DIY projects save my money and help me build new skills -- something the Amish do quite well. I do most of my own home repairs and improvements, I cook my meals at home instead of dining out and I avoid paying someone else to do something I can do for myself.

No. 5: I Avoid Taking on Debt
Debt can be an effective tool when it comes to leveraging my cash, but it can also quickly become a costly trap. The Amish avoid debt, and so do I. I only have one credit card, and I pay that card off at the end of each grace period -- so that I don't have to worry about interest.
The Amish live a life of simplicity, and that leads to smart money choices. Having taken my cues from the Amish way of life, I estimate that I have saved over $3,500 a year, making a simple life (for me) one that pays off.

More:
5 Things Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Locking a Mortgage Rate
Home Decorating on a Dime
I Paid Off $45,000 in Debt in 12 Months

Why a Wal-Mart Employee Strike Won’t Hurt My Black Friday Shopping

2012-10-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Employees at 28 Walmarts in 12 different cities walked out of work Tuesday, but the buck may not stop there. An impending employee strike might have things may mean that things will get a whole lot worse for the biggest retailer in the U.S. on Black Friday.
The United Food and Commercial Workers' Making Change At Wal-Mart, the group behind the protesters, is alleging unfair labor practices by the big box titan, and they have warned that the campaign will come to a head on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. And since Wal-Mart is where I do much of my holiday purchases, and since my daughter is an employee of this particular wholesaling mega mart, this strike could affect us both.

What this means for me
Crossing picket lines and protesters on the busiest shopping day of the year is not my idea of a good time. On the flip side, I have (for a long time) done much of my Black Friday shopping online, and am an outspoken proponent of Cyber Monday. On the flip side, I also do much of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart, thanks to their liberal coupon policies, and an employee strike could mean my taking my money elsewhere, and an overly crowded market, depending on how many employees at my local Wal-Mart participate in this strike.

What this means for my daughter (a Wal-Mart employee)
My 18-year-old daughter works in the stocking department of Wal-Mart and has no intention of striking. However, as she is already scheduled to work on Black Friday, other employees she works with are planning to walk out of work. Ultimately, this means that she will be crossing picket lines in the demonstration in order to get to her station and that she will be bombarded with even more work, as she will be one of a handful of stockers on staff that day.

Wal-Mart Is Combating the Strike
To combat the potentially catastrophic effects of a Black Friday strike, my local Wal-Mart (and stores around the country) have aggressively increased their seasonal hiring practices. However, my local Wal-Mart hasn't seen much of an increase in the way of willing workers.

The Bottom Line
Yet, my daughter and I fail to see the problem that workers have with this store. Wal-Mart provided my daughter with a job, benefits and a little over a minimum wage salary to help her save for college. She has no complaints about her working environment and understands that the type of work she does only qualifies for a minimum wage salary; she doesn't agree with the union attempting to impose its views on an employer that has been nothing but good to her. So, for her, a strike isn't in the cards, but that doesn't mean it won't affect her, and me by proxy.

More:
5 Things Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Locking a Mortgage Rate
Home Decorating on a Dime
I Paid Off $45,000 in Debt in 12 Months

5 Ways I Save Money on Home Repairs

2012-10-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my time in real estate, I have a pretty good sense of knowing when I'm getting ripped off on home repairs. However, not everyone knows how to find a reputable contractor, how to get an idea of how much materials cost and how much time you may potentially be investing in DIY projects. That is, until you take a look at my five tips to save money on home repairs.

1. Create a realistic budget. I scour the web and put together a comprehensive list of home repairs or improvements I want. I transfer these to a spreadsheet. Then, I go on the hunt for the materials I need for each project. From here, I call up a few contractors, get at least three quotes and work those bids against one another to (ultimately) get me the lowest price on projects I don't want to tackle. Then, I tack on about 10 to 20 percent extra to my budget to cover any unexpected surprises.

2. Shop the home improvement store sales. I could probably live at Lowe's and Home Depot. Since I have home improvement stores near my home, I am usually guilty of wandering the isles and making notes of projects, costs and do it yourself classes just about every weekend. However, when I see something on clearance that is a phenomenal price, I won't shy away from buying some materials and storing them for a project later. If I don't use them, I sell them on Ebay and still make a little profit on the side.

3. Search for manufacturer rebates. I hunt for rebates like some people hunt for deer. I have found rebates and incentives from manufacturers both online and off, and whenever I am completing a project, I make sure I cash in on my maximum rebate amount. If there isn't a manufacturer rebate, I shop for materials using rebate portals like Ebates or Fat Wallet, and still earn cash back on my purchase -- anywhere from 2 to 16 percent of the total.

4. Use salvaged materials. I have spent a lot of quality time getting many items from my local Habitat for Humanity for a variety of my household projects. I have also found my share of nifty (and thrifty) items I can repurpose at thrift stores and garage sales.

5. Find out if you qualify for tax credits. Before I set my heart on a project, I check the IRS website to see if the home improvement or remodeling project I want to do qualifies for a tax credit or deduction. Then, I play with different figures to find out how much those tax savings offset my total costs of repairs for the year, and make a decision on whether or not that project is worth it right now, or, if I should hold off and do something else.

More:
5 Things Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Locking a Mortgage Rate
Home Decorating on a Dime
I Paid Off $45,000 in Debt in 12 Months

6 Ways I Save Big on Little Things

2012-10-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

In today's turbulent economic climate, most people I know are looking for new and improved ways to save a buck or two; including yours truly. My pursuit of significant savings includes saving money on little, everyday buys -- because I know that all savings add up quickly. I spend smart and I shop smarter, using six simple tricks.

No. 1: I Use Coupons Like a Pro
Coupons are a default, de facto, go-to savings vehicle for me. I do my homework on retailer's coupon policies so that I can take advantage of the best of the best. For example, if a store accepts manufacturer coupons and competitor's coupons, I double up. I use the manufacturer coupons and competitor coupons on a single item, giving me twice the savings compared to single coupons alone; and this has cut my grocery bill in half.

No. 2: I Double Up
I also make a point of integrating loyalty rewards coupons with online coupons. For instance, I love CVS; they give me deals with their rewards program, but I also double up my CVS savings benefits with Savings Star (a free virtual coupon site). I earn CVS bonus bucks, and virtual discounts from Savings Star, saving me over $60 a month on grocery items and toiletries.

No. 3: I am Never Afraid to Ask for Discounts
I take note of retailers offering price match guarantees, and retailers that give me an additional discount on top of that price match. I study ads, find the cheapest price of items, bring in a copy of the ad and get a price match plus an extra discount. This saves me 10 to 20 percent more than shopping using ads alone.

No. 4: I Get Price Adjusted
Eyeona is one of my favorite smart phone apps. After I snap a photo of my receipt, Eyeona automatically alerts me if an item I have already purchased goes on sale. If that item falls within the retailer guidelines to qualify for a price adjustment (usually between 15 to 30 days), I visit the merchant and collect the difference. This app has saved me over $89 a year.

No. 5: I Learned to Love Rebate Portals
Rebate portals like Ebates and Fat Wallet are excellent ways to save on small, household items -- and big items too. To earn cash back, I just click through from the portal to my favorite retailer and complete a transaction. I earn 2 to 12 percent cash back on my total purchases this way. Just last year, I earned over $1,300 in cash back, buying things I needed anyway.

No. 6: I Capitalize on Cash Back
I love cash back, and I've learned how to maximize it in some unique ways. I use my cash back rewards credit card to pay for everyday purchases. I pay that card off within the grace period (so that I avoid interest) using a cash back debit card and earn about five percent cash back each year, around $2,000.

If you follow my six elementary strategies, you will find that it's easy to save on everyday items -- as long you are genuinely serious about saving and providing you are ready to start a life of spending smart.

More:
5 Things Every Homebuyer Needs to Know About Locking a Mortgage Rate
Home Decorating on a Dime
I Paid Off $45,000 in Debt in 12 Months

How (And Why) My Friend is Renting My Good Credit

2012-10-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

One day, a good friend of mine came to me with a proposition. She asked me if she could "rent" my good credit so that she would be in a better position to finance a car about a year from now. Since the concept of renting credit was completely new to me, I did my homework before I said "Yes". I wanted to fully understand the process and make sure that my credit would remain protected, if I agreed to her request. And as it turns out, renting someone's credit isn't just safe for me, but it's also highly effective for her.

How does renting credit work?
In order for my friend to rent my credit, all I had to do was call my credit card company and add her as an "authorized user" to my account. After that, my history flowed directly onto her report, giving her FICO score a much needed boost.

Why rent credit?
In a nutshell, renting credit "tricks" the credit bureaus into believing that my good payment history is also her good payment history, adding a stellar line of credit to all three of her credit reports. And while improvement is usually on a case by case basis, credit renters typically see a rise in scores between 30 and 200 points. To date my friend's score has improved by 26 points over 30 days -- not too bad, if you ask me.

How long before it makes a difference?
Generally, users see the first signs of improvement in the first 30 days of being added to an account. Of course, the longer the renter remains as an authorized user on an account, the better their credit becomes.

What else should credit renters do?
Having improved my credit on my own, I have to say that renting credit alone isn't the only thing you should do. It took me two years of applying for secured cards, graduating to unsecured cards and building a solid repayment history before I saw significant improvement in my score. And, because I had been through it already, I advised my friend to do the same, in addition to renting my credit.

How much does renting credit?
Each agreement is different, and the agreements are completely up to the parties involved. In my case, my friend didn't receive her own card, or even access to the account. She has nothing to do with the balance or repayment process -- that all falls to me. She doesn't want access to my credit line, she only wants access to my credit history. However, other folks might do things differently, and may even charge someone a fee to rent their good credit. Regardless, it's a process that is working for her, and it might be one of the fastest ways to boost your credit that I've come across to date.

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5 Retirement Tips I'm Following

2012-10-15T17:41:00.003-05:00

David Ning, financial blogger and money guru, posted a piece in US News that all Americans need to read -- especially people in their 20's and 30's -- all about properly preparing for retirement. This financial guru gave me some rules to live by, and I'm applying all of his advice in five unique ways.

No. 1: Living Beneath Your Means
Ning talks about not worrying about the Joneses, because eventually, you will become the Joneses. I don't worry about what my friends or neighbors have in the way of technology, cars or home improvements. My personal financial life is just that, personal. Because of that, I live well beneath my means and don't compete with anyone. My mortgage is $100,000 less than most of my counterparts, I live frugally and I don't have a car payment. These things alone keep me financial ahead in the realm of savings.

No. 2: Mixing My Assets
I hired a financial planner to help me with this. While I know enough about the stock market to be dangerous, I don't know enough to be truly effective. For me, my decision to hire a pro paid off. The $200 I pay my financial planner has paid me back four times over in the amount of money he has been able to earn for me in compound interest on my mixture of investments. Over the past year alone, he has helped me earn over $5,000.

No. 3: Ignoring Fluctuations
Despite the fact that I have a competent financial planner on my side, that doesn't mean that I don't stay informed and watch market fluctuations. Initially, I would flip out whenever large fluctuations in the stock market, but my planner reminded me that my gains are a marathon, not a sprint. Between my Roth IRA, 401(k) and stock portfolio, I'm sitting on well over $62,000, and it's growing every day.

No. 4: Know that Money is Just a Tool
When I stopped living a life of excess, and realized that money was really just a tool; a means to an end and not a method to pacify my current want list, I was able to save more, cut out more and use my money more effectively. Today, I make $80,000 a year and live off of $40,000, saving, investing and donating the extra $40,000 as I see fit.

No. 5: Surrounding Myself With Like-Minded People
For me, this was an important rule, and one that holds true. When you hang out with spenders, you spend. When you hang out with savers, you save. My friends and I are the types of gals who enjoy a girls night in, a home cooked meal and a movie; far less expensive than a night out on the town. And while we do enjoy a night out on the town every once in a while, we don't overspend when we do. Truthfully, surrounding myself with like-minded people saves me at least $1,000 a year.

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Top 10 Mobile Apps for Bargain Hunters

2012-10-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

Top 10 Mobile Apps for Bargain Hunters

The best things in life are always free, but finding deals that are close to free is good too. I seize every opportunity to make the most out of bargains and deals and I use my smart phone to help me. In all of my hours with my phone grafted to my palm, I have been able to pick up a few tricks that have saved me a lot of money over the years, and I have found that there is (indeed) an app for that. If you want to maximize your dollars on the go, these 10 mobile apps will help you do just that, just like they have helped me.

No. 1: AppShopper
If you have an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone, (I do) you know that there is an app for just about everything under the sun and that bargain-hunting apps abound. All the same, you have to stay on top of new bargain hunting apps in order to maximize your money. This is where AppShopper comes in. This free app helps you find the lowest price on any other app on the market. And even though some daily deal and bargain hunting apps cost a few dollars, AppShopper alerts you whenever any of these apps are being offered free for a limited time.

No. 2: Appsfire
Apps Fire is the perfect alternative to AppShopper for Android users. However, instead of just keeping track of apps you search for specifically, you can browse apps other end users suggest, keeping you at the cutting edge of new technology and always in the know about the latest and greatest apps out there.

No. 3: Amazon App
This app comes in two flavors: one for the iPhone and another for the Android. Shop for popular Amazon products online at the touch of a button, and discover discounted deals on Amazon by taking a photo of any barcode, which will tell you immediately if Amazon sells it cheaper.

No. 4: Best Decision
Use this app to browse, search, scan, share and buy from local merchants with the click of a button. This handy iPhone app gives end users an organic, straightforward approach to bargain hunting. The app has a "concierge" feature that asks you questions about your shopping habits and then provides you with a list of recommendations based on your answers. From there, the app gives you the best prices on all the gear you want from stores near you.

No. 5: Red Laser
Red Laser is available for iPhone, Android and Windows phone users, and is incredibly easy to use, regardless of platform. Whenever you find yourself wondering whether or not you have found the best price on any item, load Red Laser, take a photo of the barcode and this handy app gives you a list of various retailers both online and offline with the best price.

No. 6: Groupon
The Groupon app gives you access to discounts from local businesses ranging from 50 to 90 percent off just about anything you can imagine. Scan, shop and buy virtual coupons and savings direct to any smartphone.

No. 7: Living Social
Living Social, Groupon's largest competitor, has not been outdone in the mobile savings arena by its predecessor. Like Groupon, Living Social acquires deep discounts from local businesses, giving you the option to search for deals based on location and save any deals or coupons you are interested in direct to any smart phone.

No. 8: Card Star
If your wallet is bursting at the seams with discount cards from merchants like CVS, Petco and Stop and Shop, it might be time to upgrade to Card Star. Card Star reads the bar codes on all of your loyalty cards and stores them in your smart phone. After you scan in your code, simply hand your phone to the cashier to scan and get your discounts.

No. 9: Gas Buddy
With gas prices soaring to new heights, finding cheap gas is a bargain hunters dream. Gas Buddy uses The GPS in your phone to pinpoint the cheapest gas nearby, guaranteeing that no price is over 24 hours old. Whenever you submit prices to Gas Buddy, you earn points towards nifty giveaways.

No. 10: Shop Kick
The free Shop kick app rewards you with points, just for walking in to participating stores, all the while helping you find cheapest prices on whatever your heart desires. Redeem your points for discounts at a variety of retailers including Old Navy, Target, Macy's, Best Buy and more.

Even More Mobile Bargain Hunting Apps on the Way
The great thing about shopping using mobile money saving apps is that there are new apps added every day, with new products, prices and programs, all designed to save you money. Stay connected and you can save even more.

More from this contributor:
6 Easy Steps to a Mortgage Refinance
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5 Crazy Ways I Save Money

2012-10-04T15:00:00.000-05:00

5 Crazy Ways I Save Money

I admit that, in the past, I have done some crazy things to save money. The way I see it is that if you don't try something new, you will never know if that method works. Through a little bit of trial and error I came up with five crazy ways to save money that will work for just about anyone, if you are willing to give them a shot.

No. 1: I Don't Flush My Money
Every time you flush your toilet, it's like flushing money away (pun intended.) According to the American Water Works Association, the average household goes through 350 gallons of water per day -- and a lot of that use originates in the bathroom; specifically the toilet. To curb this, I made a counterweight. I filled a plastic bottle full of sand and put it in my toilet tank to displace the water. Now, each flush saves about half a gallon to a gallon of water, and $300 a year off my water bill.

No. 2: Saving on Meat
I stock up on turkeys during the holidays (when it is the cheapest) and freeze them. After that, I make turkey several times a year. I cut it up for lunch meat, shred it for enchiladas, grind it to use in chili or spaghetti and stretch it out. Since meat can be safely frozen for up to six months, several turkeys find a temporary home in my standalone freezer. Of course, I do something that is a little less weird also, I stock up on meat that is on sale and store that in the freezer too.

No. 3: I Go For Half
I request appetizer or half portions of entrees (or split the food with whomever I'm with) and save up to 50 percent on the check, without coupons. If the restaurant I am at doesn't offer half portions, then I ask for a to-go box, immediately put half of my food in the box and save it for another meal. Not only does my wallet thank me for that, my waistline does too.

No. 4: I'm Saving on Tuition
My daughters cut out a full year of tuition in college by increasing their course load and taking classes year round, instead of just two semesters. They did have to get part time jobs (financial aid only covers two semesters) to pay for tuition, but overall, graduating in three years instead of four saves time and money. If you have the drive, ambition and capability, it's a great way to cut down the high costs of higher education.

No.5: I Charge Myself
I charge myself when it comes to doing everyday activities around the house and put that money in a jar. Everything has a dollar value attached to it from washing dishes to using the vacuum. I tuck away $1 or $5 for each activity in cash in my jar, count it up at the end of each week and then put it in my savings account. It sounds crazy, but it's a forced savings plan that works.

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How Your Mortgage Needs Change Over Your Lifetime

2012-10-03T15:00:00.000-05:00

How Your Mortgage Needs Change Over Your Lifetime

As a real estate agent, I learned quickly that a mortgage that worked for my younger clients didn't quit fit the bill for my older clients. Indeed, mortgage needs change over your lifetime, from your first home loan to your last one.

First home loan
Many of my younger clients were well-positioned to buy their first house. They had great credit and solid, stable incomes. The only problem is that many didn't have the necessary funds for a down payment and they were drowning in student loan debt. For them, FHA loans with down payments given as gifts from family members were a perfect fit. When it came to finding the right mortgage for the younger set, three types of mortgages worked quite well.

An FHA loan with a 3.5 percent down payment requirement -- often gifted by a family member.
A VA loan (for service members) with a zero down payment requirement.
A conventional loan with a 5 percent minimum down payment.

Experienced homeowners
The homeowners I worked with on a move up plan (those who had already bought and sold one or two homes), needed something a little different. In these cases, many of these homeowners had equity in their current properties, giving them funds at closing for a larger down payment on their next home. For these homeowners, a few different solutions were required, when what worked for my younger homeowners didn't quite fit:

Two loan packages with a home equity line of credit.
Traditional FHA loans, but with a higher down payment.
Conventional loans with a 20 percent down payment requirement.

Retirement age
Many of my clients in their 50s to late 60s chose to refinance 15-year mortgages and then put the savings from the refinance into their retirement accounts. It isn't only popular, but it makes good financial sense. The goal for these homeowners (especially when they were downsizing) was to own their homes free and clear by the time they did choose to retire. When I worked with downsizing retirees, we found a few solutions that worked perfectly:

Simple fixed rate FHA or conventional loans with low, fixed interest rates financed over 15 years.
Low, fixed rate conventional loans with high down payments from the sale of their larger home.

While no mortgage option offers a one-size-fits-all solution, creative financing with a mortgage makes a big difference in payments and your being better able to use your savings. After all, dumping everything you have in a mortgage makes no sense whatsoever.

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