Posted on 10/21/2012 5:28:24 AM PDT by RKBA Democrat
When it comes to ways to save money, ideas abound. You can try old standbys like limiting your cable TV and cell phone plans, or clipping grocery coupons. But for an even greater dent, look for items you can get for free - that's right, no cost. There are actually many valuable, necessary goods and services available gratis, but you have to know where and when to pounce. Here are several you might not have been aware of:
1. Batteries. Batteries can take a significant bite out of your checking account year-round, but especially during the holiday gift-giving season. However, just by signing up for email updates from your preferred office supply company, you'll often get notifications as to when these are available for free. Generally, you pay the upfront cost, then get 100% of it back in rewards certificates good for future purchases. Considering the high cost of most batteries, it's well worth it to stock up when you see these deals. Using this strategy, you'll never run out of them and you'll never have to pay. 2. Antivirus Software. There are two no-cost ways to protect your computer from online threats. First, you can often get all the protection you need by choosing one of the free antivirus software programs, such as AVG. I've used this free software for years and never had a problem - and I do a lot of online shopping for a reselling business that I run. If you feel better with the protection of a "paid" program, sign up for email alerts from a deal-of-the-day website like FatWallet.com. You're sure to find plenty of antivirus programs available for free after a mail-in rebate.
3. Tax Preparation. Click over to the IRS website for an extended list of tax preparation companies that will calculate your return for free. Some have limits on adjusted gross income eligibility, but others do not. Online, there are also several free tax-prep software programs and professional services, such as H&R Block. In short, if you look into it, you can often satisfy Uncle Sam at no cost to you - whatever you owe notwithstanding, of course. 4. Credit Report. In this day of identity theft and financial misappropriation, it's critical to know exactly where your credit stands. And the Internet is rife with paid services offering to pull your report for you. But did you know that you are entitled to see your report once per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies free of charge? Just visit AnnualCreditReport.com. If you plan it out, you can pull an up-to-date report every four months from either Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax. With this in hand, read carefully for errors or red flags, and report them promptly. You can also find free ways to improve your credit score. Along with safeguarding your personal information, this is about all the protection you need against identity theft. And it's 100% free. 5. Extended Warranties. This caveat isn't exactly about getting them for free - it's more akin to "don't buy them at all." Many extended warranties are a complete waste of money. First, they overlap with the manufacturer's warranty, which means you pay for a term of coverage that you would've had at no cost without the extended warranty. Plus, studies have shown that the probability of a product breaking down during the insured time frame is minimal at best. And this is why the profit margin on the warranty itself is actually greater than on the product. 6. Activation Fees. In this day and age, companies will attempt to get money from you in any way they can - hence, activation fees. These are trumped-up charges put forth by the company in an attempt to get more for their services. If you play your cards right, however, they can be eliminated. Be it Internet, cable TV, or cell phone, if you tell the provider that paying an activation fee is a dealbreaker and you're ready to walk, you can get this fee waived 9 times out of 10. Final Thoughts
While some of these perks involve a little research and effort, others involve simply knowing where to go and what to look for. In the end, it really just comes down to how much you care where you're spending your hard-earned dollar. But I can tell you this: Those who take a more active role in the managing of their money are the ones who'll have much more of it left over. What else can get for free - and what are the best techniques?
See tagline.
Oh yeah, without a doubt. Sales tax as well. My oldest son lives in Sabine County in Deep East Texas. The majority of residents there cross the bridge and do their shopping in Sabine Parish because everything is a lot cheaper in Louisiana. It goes deeper than the percentage you pay at the register. All of the built in taxes are also lower, which lowers the price even before the consumer sales tax is rung up. Several residents of Sabine County have a nice side business buying cartons of cigarettes to resell in Texas.
Those who believe they’re actually saving money by moving to a state with no income tax are deluding themselves. Texas is in full blown development mode at the moment, and that isn’t cheap. The state isn’t swimming in cash because the tax burden is low. Hidden and low are not synonymous.
Or,better still,move to a state with no income tax *or* sales tax.Like New Hampshire! I'm heading these soon,that's for sure.
12. Lulz
I've always used my sleeve.Easier *and* cheaper!
Your husband must have one huge set of stones on him...!
“Or,better still,move to a state with no income tax *or* sales tax.Like New Hampshire! I’m heading these soon,that’s for sure.”
The property taxes will eat you alive. I think the idea there is to have a very modest house.
I recommend buying an extended warranty for laptop computers. I didnt do this on my last one and had to pay $120 to get the keyboard replaced because two keys had popped off.
I've already investigated that.Property taxes on similar houses are somewhat higher than Mass but the absence of the other taxes makes it a net plus for most...and by a huge margin in my case.
another way to save tops (blouses/good t’s) is to wear them inside out when doing anything that could cause damage.
1. Craigslist “Free” ads.
Not only have I obtained a 37” Sony HDTV (Last CRT model..Had been looking at them for sale around 200 bones).... a nice cherry coffee table and three expensive Persian area rugs...I have saved more than that in dump fees, gas, and time putting unwanted items in the “Free” section.
I do live fairly close to the affluent northside of Atlanta...so ours has nice stuff. But there are also items like firewood on there daily, along with thousands of things people need they pay good money.
2.I cook alot on a smoker. I buy zero charcoal. I collect red oak pallets people were gonna throw away and burn them into coals. And make stuff out of some.
3. Goodwill and thrift stores.
4. I clean out rental houses for my landlord. On top of my bartered rent plus average 30-50+ bones for the metal scrap...I get first dibs on everything left..from furniture to funnels to insecticide.
I have found my second antique on the last one. When I downsized to the place I’m in now....in the porch storage I found a dirty, mouldy GK CHesterson 1909 desk...with glass inkwell. I’m typing on it now.
The latest one is a chest of drawers. Don’t know much about it other than it looks 1920’s and art decoish.
I know both are worth at least a stack as is. I could restore them. They will replace the ones sold by uncle in a sudden. unannounced yard sale that were 3 and 4th generation passed down the Carson family since Kit was alive. Each of us grandkids were supposed to pick them out and pass them down...these and a primitive walnut and mahogany buffet dying in a friends basement plus any future pieces will be passed down to mine.
Anyway.,..the cleaning out gig is a gold mine.
Title insurance - I have NEVER heard of a successful claim on title insurance. During the last decade thousands of home owners should have been able to claim on a faulty title policy. Never happens, AFAIK.
PMI - supposed to protect the bank when a borrower defaults. If so, then why do thousands of 1099-C go out every year from the LENDER, when in most cases any losses should have been covered by PMI?
As I was once told by the police, unless there has been a crime or damages, we couldn't bring charges against a perp. No loss to me personally, then no charges (credit card scam that was stopped).
So why does a borrower get hit with a 1099-C if there was no loss to the bank?
(I know, because the IRS lets them ...)
I like your blouse tip.
Here’s my tip for the ladies: wear an old t-shirt instead of a pj top, for two days: first day right side out, second day inside out. It may be hell on romance, but it 1) still works in the dark and 2) saves money on silly polyester pjs and laundry. Save the lingerie for weekends....
Buy the book, “Living Well on Practically Nothing” by Romney (probably a relative of Mitt’s) on half.com used.
Great book with lots of tips I never saw elsewhere.
Good questions all.
I have no idea on the answers.
LOL!
Truth is, I already had enough jewelry (back before disaster struck).
I asked for the table saw. For my birthday, he bought me a power drill and sander, files, and plaining tools. Love them!
When things were horribly tight, I was used to getting a new vacuum cleaner or bedding for Christmas.
2. Cultivate mostly perennial flowers that have obvious seed heads, like marigolds, echinacea, zinnias, etc. Each flower produces dozens of seeds. Pick the deadheads in autumn and process the best ones into next year's seeds -- or church bazaar packets, Christmas gift baggies, etc. Same goes for perennial herbs -- at the end of the season, hang up the remaining bunches to dry, tie them with a pretty ribbon and use them for holiday or hostess gifts.
3. Recycle old t-shirts or jersey clothing: Cut into strips. Can be braided and stitched, knitted or crocheted into rugs, place mats, hats, seat covers, tote bags etc. with the time you might ordinarily spend watching tv or playing computer games.
4. Save cardboard concentrated juice containers or oatmeal boxes. Buy paraffin wax in bulk, and a small pack of crayons; also some wick from a craft store. Melt wax in a double boiler. Drop a tiny piece of crayon into a batch to make colored wax. Pour your own candles in the containers, and peel the container off when the wax is set. Use some citrus zest, dried flower petals or herbs from your own garden in the wax for decoration and aroma. Makes nice gifts.
5. If there is a new building project nearby and the ground is torn up, ask the construction supervisor if you can pick up a few nice stones for your garden. I have made three stacked stone garden walls this way. If you go when no one is there, some busybody may call the police. Yes, this happened to me while picking up stones. I have also been turned down by supervisors; so it's best to ask.
6. In your coupon organizer, store a small calculator and the receipts for staples you buy often at your most frequented grocery providers. Then, when you are faced with a sale or a price per oz. in one of your stores, you can easily compare to what you can get in the other stores. My five stores are a chain grocery, a small local produce shop, a big-box wholesaler (BJs, Sam's Club or Costco), a discount specialty store (Trader Joe's or Aldi) and WalMart.
7. Buy baking soda in 5-lb bags at WalMart or a big-box wholesaler. It is useful as a non-toxic cleaner, scouring powder, carpet cleaner and musty-area deodorizer all over your house.
8. Buy white vinegar by the gallon, as above. Use alone or in combination with hot water and/or baking soda as an all-purpose cleaner and degreaser. Works great on windows.
9. For facial blemishes, crush a half a baby aspirin, mix with a little water or hydrogen peroxide and apply before bedtime, covered with a bandage. Takes the inflammation away overnight. A dab of honey also works instead of aspirin.
10. For young and middle-aged women who work or perform community functions outside the home:
Over time, acquire The Ten Basic Wardrobe Items, either from department store markdown sales, discount stores like Loehmann's, consignment shops or GoodWill. The most important considerations (in order) are excellent fit, good fabric, classic styling and lastly affordable care. Then you always have something to wear; and only need to change up a few accessories. If you find a great one that needs just a small alteration to be a perfect fit, it may be worth it. The Ten Basic Wardrobe Items:
• Black skirt
• Black dress slacks
• Business jacket in black or neutral gray, camel, ivory, gray-green or dark burgundy
• Well-fitting classic or boot-cut dark blue jeans
• Well-fitting khaki capris or walking shorts
• White well-fitting shirt with collar and sleeves
• White knitted dress T-shirt in good fiber like pima cotton, washable silk or rayon blend
• Black long-sleeved knit turtleneck or scoop neck T, in good fabric as above
• Neutral color belted trench coat with zip-out lining
• Gray or camel cardigan
I got my title ins to pay a huge water bill from the previous owner (happened in the 70's).
We quit eating out except for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
We make a menu for the week then make a shopping list from that. We also go in with a set amount and count down from there.
That said, we are lucky in this area to have a discount grocery where most items cost $3 or less (dented, near the sell=by date, off brands, etc.)
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