Rosé Number 5 and a Pink Crab

Summer Stack Bracelets

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 20:35:00 +0000

Limited Edition Summer Stack Bracelets now available in my Etsy shop!

ABC's Revenge Series Finale Prediction

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 08 May 2015 14:38:00 +0000

I'm a latecomer to this addictive prime time soap but I have enjoyed catching up the last few weeks. The characters of Emily and Victoria are very captivating and played to perfection by the beautiful and talented Emily VanCamp and Madeleine Stowe. Not to mention the brilliant supporting cast of characters!

Now much has been made about the title being "two graves". I'm not even going to begin to speculate who gets the axe, it just better not be Jack! Or Nolan!

My only prediction for the finale is an interesting plot twist I thought might have some legs. What if Victoria has been enacting her own revenge this entire time and David was actually her "Daniel"? I wouldn't put it past the writers to do this type of complete 180 because, let's face it, it would be an epic plot twist!

What do you think? Would they? Could they? How will it end???

Find out Sunday at 10pm/9pm central on ABC

Influenster Voxbox Carefree Liners

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 19:02:00 +0000

Just received my complimentary voxbox from Influenster containing Carefree liners. I'll be testing them out this week and writing my review for their website. Have you joined Influenster yet? It's completely free and you get to try new and popular products!

"I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes."

My Ipanema Wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 17:55:00 +0000

Ipanema

Spring is here and summer is not far behind. It is officially time to start dusting off those flip flops. I must admit that I am a flip flop addict. I simply cannot resist purchasing them if I see a cute pair. They are so versatile especially when you live in a warmer climate. Ipanema is one company that offers a nice range of styles and they have no shortage of cute. I've compiled my wishlist below.

1. Jewel II
This style can easily be taken from day to night. It comes in a variety of colors (5 in all)
and retails for £25. I love the added touch of jewels. The coral and gold just screams summer to me. I'm sure you'll find a combination for your summer adventures too.

2. Ipanema Heart II

Black is the most versatile and this style is the perfect blend of edgy and cute. The large heart detail gives you a bit more coverage than your average flip flop but they are still fun enough to wear while bearing some leg. They retail for £20 and come in four different colors. These would be my go-to flip flops for everyday.

3. Ipanema Lovely II

Finally for that pop of color we all crave during the summer months we have the Ipanema Lovely II. This one is perfect for lounging on the beach or strolling the shops along the shore. It retails for £17 and comes in 6 fashions colors. I like the orange and pink combination below.

Now that I've shared my wish list, what would be your picks? Head to Ipanema and check out all of their designs to find your favorites. In addition to women's styles, you can also shop for the kids and men in your life. They are quite affordable compared to other brands. You will not be disappointed!

EtailPR

Benefits of Ginger Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 22:45:00 +0000

Did you know that Ginger tea can help your digestion, ease menstrual cramps and lower inflammation? Neither did I!

I actually came across some awesome pins on this very subject today because I had some ginger tea in my cupboard and wanted to get the scoop on the benefits of it. I was slightly bloated too and since the packet stated it helped with digestion I gave it a go and it really helped. I also had a mild headache going on and it eased that pain as well.

The tea I had was Yogi ginger tea. I've also read ginger and lemon is an awesome combination and Yogi teas offers this combination. So long story short, if you're shopping for tea give ginger a try!

Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:02:00 +0000

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and for 15 years Yoplait has sponsored the Save Lids to Save Lives program. They have donated millions of dollars to help fight breast cancer and the good news is everyone can participate.

Go here and find out how today!

Here are some lids you can pick up today: Right now at Publix, the Light with Granola variety of Yoplait Yogurt is BOGO. Promotion Dates are October 5 - October 25. It's that simple! With each lid you redeem you are helping women and families in your community.

Thank you to MyBlogSpark for helping spread the word!

“Disclosure: The information has been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 31 May 2012 23:08:00 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips. They came in my Spring beauty VoxBox from Influenster. What really impressed me about these strips is that they are not stickers. They are actually real nail polish that you stick on. The best part is there is no dry time!

Well, I was hooked. I have since purchased 3 more! I've even done my toes with these. They last a really long time too. I went two weeks without chipping. I'm sure your results will vary but they come off with regular nail polish remover and are very simple to apply so if you're in the market for some new nail polish I urge you to try Sally Hansen Nail Strips instead! Learn more at www.sallyhansen.com. (Retail $9.99)

Influenster Spring Beauty VoxBox

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:27:00 +0000

I was so excited to receive the Spring Beauty VoxBox from Influenster this month and I wasn't disappointed! I received, a full sized bottle of Bath and Body Works Moonlight Path Fragrance (which is one of my faves!), Sally Hansen Nail Sheilds (which I have already tried and love!), Aveeno Body Wash, a SoyJoy Bar (they are actually good I promise!) Chapstick, Sheer Cover Concealer and Dr. Scholls for her Ball of Foot Cushions!

If you haven't joined Influenster yet, make sure to check it out! It is absolutley free to join (unlike some other sites that shall remain nameless) and every couple of months you might have the opportunity to try out some awesome new products. Did I mention it is FREE !? lol :)

How to Get Started in Product Sampling

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:44:00 +0000

Product Sampling 101

My friends ask me all the time, "How do you get so many products for free?" "Well..." I say "It's easier than you might think."

If you are willing to do a little bit of work and enjoy trying new things, there are several legitimate websites that specialize in connecting consumers to new products. These sites will send you products to try absolutely free. Here are a few I belong to; BzzAgent, Influenster, Vocalpoint and Smiley360. It can be hard to find these sites doing just a Google search but some good keywords to try would be "word of mouth marketing" or "new product samples"

Now, by a little bit of work, I really do mean little. After I get sent a product to try, the extent of my work will usually consist of answering a survey and/or writing a review expressing my honest opinion of the product (either good or bad) either on my own blog, a product website or on the site that sent me the product to sample. Many times, these activities are even optional.

So how do they choose which products to send you? Well, when you first sign up you fill out questionnaires that make up your profile. From that they choose which products to send you. And that's basically it. After that, checking your e-mail regularly will be the only thing left to do so you don't miss out on any opportunities.

Here is a list of some types of free name brand products I've been sent to try:

*Dog Food (Hill's Science Diet)

*Make up (L'Oreal, Cover Girl, Olay)

*Food products

*Hair Removal Products (Phillips Epilator)

*Cleaning Supplies (Gain, Scrubbing Bubbles, Febreze) and the list goes on...

Now while having a Blog, a Twitter or Facebook account is not necessary, it is recommended. (On a side note, Facebook is also a great place to find free samples for all sorts of products usually through promotions offered by the companies themselves)

So if you enjoy trying new products and like getting free stuff, try joining some of these fun websites. Like I said, there are no strings attached, just a willingness to try new things!

Have you found any other good websites other than the ones I've mentioned here? Share with me! Leave a comment below.

Brilliant Lenses Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:55:00 +0000

Brilliant Lenses is a premium eyeglass cleaner with SR-8 that adds a protective barrier to lenses. It claims to resist scratches and soiling from water, sweat, dust and dirt. It is also safe for all types of lenses.

I received a free Brilliant Lenses Cleaning Kit for review and I absolutely love it. It is small enough to fit in my purse and allows me to clean and protect my sunglasses on the go. The cleaning cloth is of very nice quality and rivals the one's that come with your most expensive designer sunglasses.

The solution has no smell and is not sticky. I'm really very happy with it and would purchase this in the future when I run out of my current supply. You can purchase a kit for yourself at GetCleanersOnline.com.

Follow Brilliant Lenses on Twitter or Friend them or Fan them on Facebook!

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

BOGO Jamba Juice Coupon!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:17:00 +0000

Click here to print a BOGO Jamba Juice coupon, good until 9/22!

Sniff Sniff Hooray Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:18:00 +0000

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

If you love the fresh scent of Gain Laundry Detergent, there is good news for you! Gain now makes a dishwashing liquid! Sniff, Sniff Hooray! My BlogSpark and Proctor and Gamble were kind enough to send me a full size bottle of the new Gain and the scent is just like the laundry detergent and it cleans the dishes well too! One of my lucky readers will win a lovely "I heart Gain" T-Shirt and a $5 Walmart gift card to purchase the new Gain dishwashing liquid for themselves. Check out ilovegain.com or yoamogain.com for more info.
Here's what you'll get if you win: 1 Purple "I Heart Gain" T-shirt (It's super soft!) & a $5 Walmart Gift Card. Contest ends Sept 27th @ noon. US residents only please.
I'm going to make this giveaway super easy!
Here's how to enter:
1. Leave me a comment and tell me what dishwashing liquid you currently use and how likely you are to switch or at least try the new Gain. (mandatory)
2. Follow me on Twitter (1 extra entry)
3. Tweet the Giveaway (1 extra entry)
Leave me an extra comment for each entry and a link to your tweet, also don't forget your contact (email)...Good Luck!
* P&G provided me with the free Gain, t-shirt, and gift card through MyBlogSpark.

Pink Digital Photo Key Chain Review & Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
Giveaway Closed

I received a Pink Digital Photo Key Chain from wholesalekeychain.com recently and was pleasantly surprised at how many pictures this little device can hold! I have to be honest, when I agreed to receive the key chain for review I wasn't expecting much. I thought it would be a cheap little plastic device, but it is actually a perfect size and quite sturdy. The picture quality on the small screen is also quite nice for the size. I've added only 10 pics so far, but I can't wait to add more! If you have been thinking of purchasing something like this, wholesalekeychain.com's prices are quite reasonable and I think you will be quite pleased with your purchase if you choose the digital key chain. It is easy to use as it only uses its included USB cable for charging and picture transfer.
Here are some specs:

1.5 inch 128x128 LCD display;
4.8 MB internal memory which can store about 72 pictures;

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
Now for the fun part! I am excited to offer one lucky reader a Pink Digital Photo Key Chain of their very own! To enter the giveaway simply leave me a comment saying how likely you are to purchase these photo key chains as gifts for friends, also don't forget to leave me your contact info!
That's it! Once I pick a winner, wholesalekeychain.com will ship it out to the winner of my giveaway, contest will end on Oct 14th at Midnight, good luck!!!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Back-to-School Giveaway: Win a $25 Target Gift Card Prize Pack!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Giveaway Closed

It's that time of year again! The Back to School rush has begun and General Mills via MyBlogspark would like to provide one of my lucky readers with some relief from this often stress filled time!

If you are selected to be the winner of this fabulous giveaway you will receive a $25 Target Gift Card, 25 Bonus Box Tops Points and a prize pack that will include an Avery Binder, Betty Crocker Fruit Gushers Variety Pack, Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni, Hefty CinchSak Trash Bags, Honey Nut Cheerios, Juicy Juice 8-Pack Juice Boxes (flavors may vary), Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars, and a Welch´s Concord Grape Jelly!

Here's the deal, from Aug. 15-28, stop by your local Target® and receive double Bonus Box Tops instantly when you buy 5 or more participating General Mills, Avery, Hefty, Juicy Juice and Welch's Box Tops for Education® products and earn more for the participating school of your choice. With so many products to choose from, your family's favorites are sure to be on the list!

What items will you stock up on?

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave me a comment and tell me what will be on your shopping list for back to school at Target if you win the $25 gift card. (Mandatory)(1 Entry)
Follow my blog on Google (1 extra entry)
Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner (2 extra entries)
Subscribe to my blog via E-mail (5 extra entries)
Follow me on Twitter (2 extra entries)
Grab my blog button and place it on your blog's sidebar (10 extra entries)
Tweet my Giveaway with #myblogspark (5 extra entries)
Write a Blog Post Promoting my Giveaway (15 extra entries)

Please include all your methods of entry in your comments, if you tweet my giveaway, please leave me a link to the actual tweet, ditto for a blog post, and please leave me your email. Deadline to enter: Aug 20th at noon. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be contacted on Aug. 21st, good luck!!!

*I was provided with the gift card, information and giveaway by General Mills via MyBlogSpark

5 Surefire Ways to Trick Out Your Blog Posts

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:56:00 +0000

Ever feel like your blog posts are just too "blah"? You spend all that time typing and tweaking and then you just feel underwhelmed when you look at the screen? Just like everything else in life, our blog posts can benefit from a little accessorizing now and then. Here are 5 ways to make your posts stand out.

Use Zemanta! Zemanta works alongside you as you write your blog post and automatically suggests pictures, links and keywords for you. It works on all blogging formats and it is awesome! You will wonder how you ever blogged without it, trust me.

Add a print friendly button. This can be especially helpful for list posts or deal bloggers that do weekly coupon matchups. Your reader can then easily print out your post. You can even give them the option to print to PDF.

Add social media share buttons. Sexy bookmark is very popular or you could use share this or even a Wibiya bar like I have on my blog. The options are endless really, just pick one you like. If you use blogger, you can now easily add share buttons by activating the feature in your post preferences.

Get your own personal blog signature! Go to My live Signature and pick a font you like, grab the code and install on your post footer!

Use Disqus for comments. Yes you can install it on blogger! It is a global commenting system that encourages more interaction between you and your readers. Sure beats the old boring commenting system huh?

Have fun adding these goodies if you haven't already! Have you found any other useful add-ons that make your blog posts anything but ordinary? Leave me a comment!

Subscribe to my blog if you like what you see!

WordPress VS Blogger: Part Deux

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:36:00 +0000

As you all know, I've been wrestling with the idea of switching from Blogger to Wordpress. I would like to thank everyone who commented on the previous post about this. Your comments and input have been invaluable.

Here is where things stand. My new wordpress blog is all ready to be launched on my new domain pinkcrabblog.com. But... I'm still wondering about feedburner. I need to do more research on what will happen to my subscribers. (feel free to chime in with any tips or personal experiences on that front) That is the part that still has me on the fence. I'd hate to lose all my subscribers. Seems like I'd be taking a step back instead of a step forward.

Off to read this tutorial on how to move to Wordpress and still keep my Google subscribers.

so, to be continued...

UPDATE: Successfully set up my WordPress last night. Woke up this morning and "poof!" it was gone! Soooo, I'm just gonna take it as a sign. I'm hosting this blogger blog on my new domain instead. I have no idea what the heck happened to WordPress. I must have done something wrong, oh well, no sweat.

I was going to have to learn a whole new way of editing my blog and it was kind of giving me a headache so, all's well that ends well. WordPress will just have to wait for now.

ProBlogger Day 8 - Interlinks Are Good

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:34:00 +0000

#31BBB Day 8

Day 8 already? I'm amazed I've actually kept up and have learned as much as I have. Today's task is to create a post that links to posts within your own blog. I do this on occasion so I was familiar with the concept.

So without further ado, here are some of my most handy dandy blog posts of the past:

Enjoy!

The Cheapest Days to Shop

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:05:00 +0000

Ever wondered what the cheapest days to shop were? Like, hmmm, should I buy my plane ticket on a Monday or a Thursday? Well, the answer is actually Wednesday!
Who knew right? I found a great web video highlighting the best days of the week to get certain things the cheapest.

Here's a quick list previewing the items:

Mondays - Cars
Tuesdays - Eating Out
Wednesdays - Flights
Thursdays - Gas before 10am and Clothes at night
Sunday - Groceries and Hotels (makes sense since coupons come out on Sundays)
Saturdays - Department Store Shopping

What do you think? Have you found these to be true?
Check out the full video where they explain the reasoning behind it all.

WordPress VS Blogger

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:03:00 +0000

Oy! My head is spinning. I've just read through page after page comparing the pros and cons of using WordPress over Blogger and vice versa. I've been considering switching to WordPress. I keep hearing how much better it is than Blogger. The consensus seems to be that WordPress is more "professional".

Here are the major pros for (self-hosted) WordPress I've found so far:

easier commenting platform
for more experienced bloggers, has better functionality, full control of your content
all those plug-ins!
better for SEO (although some people don't think so)

Here are the cons:

self hosting will cost some ($)
higher learning curve
~~switching could cause you to lose subscribers if you use feedburner~~ no longer an issue

Here are the pros for blogger:

FREE
so simple a child could use it
it's owned by google ~~(indexes quicker)~~ (maybe just a rumor?)
you can edit script/css and have your own template
~~javascript is supported so ads are ok~~ (only in issue in free version)

and the cons:

google owns your content (only if you don't have your own host?)
commenting can be a hassle for some

Have you made the switch? Did you run into any major problems?

Read more about importing from blogger.
Ready to make the switch? Check out Blogging with Amy's Tutorial!

UPDATE: I've got my new domain name (pinkcrabblog.com) I've got my host (1&1) I've got a great tutorial on how to set up WordPress with my hosting company. I will update when I make the switch!

*note that free wordpress (wordpress.com) and self hosted wordpress (wordpress.org) are different.

*Read how it all turned out!

Adventures in Blog Stalking...

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:01:00 +0000

Day 4 of ProBlogger Challenge: Hmmm, ~~stalk~~ analyze a blog you say? Ok, well, after I figured out my niche, I perused my blogroll to see who would be my ~~victim~~, er, subject. I decided to stalk Mercedes of Common Sense with Money. Sorry Mercedes, lol!

Here's what I found out:

CSWM has much link love and a clean, well designed blog layout.
There isn't an overwhelming amount of advertising.
Topics covered are free samples, drug stores, grocery stores, freebies, budget recipes and printable coupons.

CSWM seems to be doing everything right. With well over 6 million hits and 100+ readers online at any one time, one could easily get discouraged at the seemingly impossible task of gaining that many readers, but I know that Mercedes must have worked very hard on her blog and that it hasn't come easily. My lesson, whenever I come across such a successful blogger is to take inspiration from that success. It shows that hard work and perseverance pay off and that women rock! If you set your mind to it, you can do it!

From this exercise I learned how I can differentiate myself from other frugal bloggers. Wish me luck on this continuing adventure (not stalking, blogging!).

So get to it #31DBBB ladies! Make your blogs shine!

Wordless Wednesday - My Orchid

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:27:00 +0000

7 Things To Get FREE Online

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:50:00 +0000

Who doesn't love free? I say "Free" makes the world go 'round! Well, maybe not, but go with me here...
Did you know there are many things you can find online for free (or practically free) that you would otherwise have to pay for? I've compiled a handy little list of a few of my favorites.

1. Free Ringtones from Myxer.com - I've used this site and it couldn't be simpler. Depending on your data plan you may be charged for downloading, but it is still better than paying upwards of $3.

2. Free Language Courses from LiveMocha.com- This one is on my list to try. I love the idea of not having to pay for a course and still being able to study a foreign language!

3. Free Financial Planner - Have you checked on what professional financial planners charge? Yeah, I think I will stick with Mint.com. They have a completely free financial planning system available on their site. Go Mint!

4. Free TV and Movies from Hulu.com - I've actually considered canceling my cable/satellite provider and using Hulu instead! But that would be crazy, right? ~sheepish grin~

5. Free Silver Jewelry from SilverJewelryClub.com - I've ordered from them in the past and the quality of the jewelry is very nice. You only pay for shipping which is $7, so it's not totally free but considering your buying jewelry, $7 is a great price for what you're getting.

6. Free Books with Kindle from Amazon - Yup, you don't have to actually buy a kindle to get all those great free titles. You can download, Kindle for your PC, Mac, ipad, iphone, android, or Blackberry.

7. Free Personal Organizer from Springpad - This is a great app you can download for your iphone, android phone or your computer. You can save anything you want to remember from any website. Recipes, books, ideas, you name it. It will even make grocery lists from recipes you save. How cool is that? Keep all the important things you want to remember organized in one place!

So there you have it. Enjoy!

*affiliate links included

Writing an Elevator Pitch - ProBlogger Challenge Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:49:00 +0000

TASK 1: Elevator Pitch

I loved brainstorming for this one. It really forced me to sit down and think about the true purpose of my blog. I tend to be a bit all over the place sometimes so this type of exercise was just what I needed! I focused on my blogging objective and went from there.

Here is what I came up with for my Short Pitch: The best deals, freebies and products that help women live and look better for less!

What do you think? I liked it so much I added it to my header!

Now for a broader mission statement. This one was a bit trickier. ADD kicked in and my brain didn't want to focus. BUT, I kept at it and here is what I got:

The Pink Crab Blog; Where the goal is to never pay retail again and keep more of your hard earned money. I want the pink crab to be a blog where reformed shop-oholics, such as myself, can come to find the resources they need to transform their shopping habits into healthy ones. No longer will we be slaves to the retail industry! At the pink crab, I want women to take control and learn how to stretch that dollar as far as it can go. Spending less does not have to mean getting by with less.

So, what do ya think?

Update: (Reworked Mission Statement)

Lynda from Daily Window suggested I make the changes below. I love it, thanks Lynda!

With The Pink Crab Blog you'll never pay retail again. Transform your shopping habits into healthy ones with other reformed shop-oholics.

Spending less does not mean getting by with less. No longer be a slave to the retail industry! Take control and learn how to stretch that dollar as far as it can go!

Tagline: The best deals, freebies and products to help women live and look better for less!

Lynda suggested I change my tagline to "helping" instead of "that help", but I thought maybe "to help" sounded better? What do you think?

Here is my shiny new "About" page :)

I Joined the SITS ProBlogger Challenge!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:46:00 +0000

I joined the SITS ProBlogger Challenge! What the heck is SITS you ask? SITS stands for (The Secret to Success is Support) and it was created by the SITS girls, of course. You can find their community on Blog Frog and their blog here. The idea is for you to follow along in the community to the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog e-book by Darren of ProBlogger fame. When you sign up on the Blog Frog forum you get a special 25% discount to get the e-book, bringing the price down to $14.95. I'm going to try and follow along for now without getting the e-book, but I've heard nothing but raves about it so I will probably cave eventually.

Anyway, the challenge starts tomorrow and I'm super excited! I've been blogging on and off for about 2 years now and have had the usual ups and downs. I began my blog as a way to advertise my Etsy shop. Well, my Etsy shop is currently under heavy re-construnction so I changed the direction of my blog about a year ago and decided to focus on my favorite pastime which is shopping. More specifically bargain shopping as I am a recovering shop-oholic, wink-wink. I'm hoping to refine my blogging skills and get my blog on track to a better income stream than I have now. Like most bloggers, I struggle with what to write about. I'm hoping the challenge can help me with that. So I hope you will join me! Let's support each other and become better bloggers together!

If you are on twitter, follow us with the #31DBBB hashtag!

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5 Ways to Start Saving Money Now

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:20:00 +0000

I have been big on saving money this year and through some trial and error, these are the 5 best ways I have found to start seeing a meaningful increase in the amount of money you are able to save. These are all basic, no fuss, no muss methods. Nothing fancy, just common sense.

Drumroll please...

#1. Cut down on your credit card usage, way down. If you don't have the cash on hand to buy something, then don't. Use only one credit card every month and make sure to pay it off every month. This way you eliminate having to pay interest on purchases. If you are able to cut out credit cards altogether and function on a cash or debit/check card basis, all the better.

#2. If you shop online, sign up with cashback shopping sites like Ebates. You will receive a percentage back every time you shop and they are free to join. Pair that with sales and special coupon codes to maximize your savings.

#3. Clip coupons! I know, it can be time consuming but it is well worth that time. Read up on how to pair store and manufacturer coupons and then pair them with drugstore reward programs like Walgreens Register Rewards and CVS Extra Care Bucks to capitalize on your efforts. Download the Free Couponizers Smart Guide to Savings Ebook, it will teach you all about coupons.

#4. When planning a major purchase, like let's say a refrigerator, do your research. Don't settle on the first one you see at the home improvement store. Try the electronics stores or the warehouse stores, sometimes they will have better deals and different options as far as models go. Don't discount shopping on the store websites either because some stores often run online only specials, Best Buy comes to mind. Also research the brands, try to see which companies have the best reputation for refrigerators. Since appliances don't seem to last as long these days, you need all the help you can get when trying to find a good one.

#5. Buy only what you need. I know this should go without saying, but we all cave on this one. All it takes is one half yearly sale when the shoes you have been drooling over are miraculously 50% off and are calling out to you like a lost child looking for its mother. This is when will-power must take over! Resistance is not futile ladies, and your pocketbook will thank you.

So, in a nutshell, cut out credit cards, try cash back shopping, clip coupons, do your research and resist impulse buying and you'll be on your way to saving and keeping more of your hard earned money!

*affiliate links included in this post

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