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Money Saving Book Review & Giveaway! http://areviewandgiveaway.com/?cat=3
thesavinghabit | September 16, 2010 at 6:55 pm | Tags: bills, budget, budgeting, coupons, Free stuff, giveaway, save money, Shopping | Categories: Budget, Coupons, Free Stuff, Giveaway, Money, Save Money, Saving Habit, Saving on Food | URL: http://wp.me/pTMt1-2Z

Review by A REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

Wow! You saved how much? is a book for anyone interested in saving money with coupons. If you already use coupons there is still information in this book that is worth the price of the e-book. The author Renita R. Perrone is a stay at home mom who home schools her two children. She started couponing in order to save her family money after she quit her job that paid more than her husbands salary. They had to learn to make ends meet just to pay their mortgage. Sound familiar to anyone? It's becoming a common story lately.

Renita routinely saves over $500 a month using coupons and she lives in an area that doesn't double coupons. That has always been my frustration with coupons. The area I live in doesn't double, most stores don't accept other stores coupons or printed coupons. I live in an area with large families so you'd think that the stores would be a little more coupon friendly than they are.

The other problem I have had with coupons is that I've never had a consistent system that made sense to me. Renita walks you through that problem in an easy to understand, simple way. If you have had trouble in that area then this is a book for you. She lays it out step by step and includes tips and tricks to stay organized and get the most from your coupons. I loved the easy style in which she wrote this book. You feel like she's sitting next to you and you are just having a casual friendly conversation about coupons.

There are two ways you can get this book. You can order her E-book for $4.95 or you can order a printed book from Create-a-Space for $7.95.

Giveaway: One reader will win an E-book copy of Wow! You Saved How Much?

Open to Everyone

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Giveaway will end September 20th at 11:59 EST. Winner will be selected by random.org. Please make sure you have an email connected to each of your entries either by profile or in the comments so that I can contact you if you win. Winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.

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I bought my own copy of this e-book and was so excited about it I contact Renita to ask if she would like to do a giveaway. I received no monetary compensation to write this review.

I know many of you just LOVE to go thrift store shopping and yard/garage sale shopping. I honestly have to say that I don't really enjoy it. I remember as a kid being taken around to all these "junk" stores and yard sales waiting for my parents to go through everything, which seemed to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r! We also went to auctions quite regularly. However, shortly after my oldest daughter was born, my husband and I started going around to yard sales frequently. We had decided to start selling on internet auction sites, and had to get our inventory somewhere! We actually managed to make a pretty good income for quite a while by selling used books. Even though we no longer sell online, doing this has really helped me to learn the benefit of shopping thrift stores and yard sales. It's not the easiest method of shopping. You have to plan enough time to really look through everything, as some of the best bargains are not easy to find. But, we've managed to find name-brand clothing that still had the original sales tags on them, hard-to-find books, as well as many other things of value to us. I have also seen used furniture in terrific condition for far better prices than elsewhere. We've purchased nearly complete sets of dishes, bakeware, etc. for a fraction of the cost.

I also know many people who live in areas where yard sales can make a great deal of money. They will stock up on items they get free or nearly free at the grocery store (toothpaste, shampoos, bandages, and other non-perishables) and resell them at their yard sale and make a good amount of money on it. Personally, hosting a yard sale is also a torturous event for me, so I prefer to donate the items and use them as a tax deduction!

So, if you don't currently check out your local thrift stores, I encourage you to do so. Usually the money goes toward a good cause as well (Salvation Army, Goodwill, various hospitals, etc). Just be sure to plan it when you'll have a little time to browse so you won't get frustrated!

I'm excited to tell you that my book is now available as an e-book! So, you can save money while you learn to save even more money by purchasing an e-book instead of a traditionally bound book! For more information, please click here. http://wowyousavedhowmuch.com/GET_YOUR_E-BOOK_.html

Recently I wrote an article about bartering, and had a nice response from it. One reader in particular contacted me to let me know that he has some produce he would love to barter or sell. He lives in the Pembroke Pines, FL area and has the following items available at the moment: green, red, orange bell peppers; several different types of tomatoes, green onions, cayenne peppers, jalapeno peppers, green beans, red cabbage, eggplant, broccoli, and collard greens. If interested, please contact me and I'll get you in touch with him. You can reach me via my website http://wowyousavedhowmuch.com/Home_Page.php (please scroll to the bottom and use the "contact me" link.)

This week's money saving tip is about recycling. Or rather, "FREEcycling." You may or may not be aware that there are many "freecycle" groups on yahoo that you can join. The concept of these groups is to reduce waste to help our environment. In the process, you can help one another. I know many people donate their unwanted items to various thrift stores, which is wonderful. But, I know many who simply toss them in the trash. Instead, why not offer it to someone who might need or want it? Sometimes there are people who want even things we can't imagine anyone needing. Maybe they use spare parts from TV's, computers, bicycles, etc in order to make repairs. Or maybe they can use clothing that is stained for work or for rags to make rugs or quilts. Some people even use plastic grocery bags to make re-useable items. You really have no idea what others may want or need until you ask. In addition, you can receive some items you may need. When my youngest child was a baby, I received some things that were "wants" but not "needs" that made life easier, such as a baby walker and a double stroller.

To find a group in your area, click here http://www.freecycle.org/. Then try searching by your city and county names as there may be multiple groups available. Please be sure to pay attention to the group rules. Some groups require that you offer something before asking for something, and the rules may vary per group.

In addition, there are some groups that list free community events. I found one for Palm Beach County here. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PBCFreeBulletinBoard/ and one that encompasses the state of Florida here. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Community_Events_List_Florida/

There are also groups for online "garage sale" items. If you click here (http://groups.yahoo.com) for yahoo groups, you can search using your city or county followed by "yard sale" or "garage sale" and you might find some good groups to buy or sell your items.

You might also be interested in some "swap" sites for books, cd's, games, etc. Try SwapTree http://www.swaptree.com/WebFrmHowDoesThisWork.aspx or Paperback Swap http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php. I have not used these sites, but have read several good reviews on Paperback Swap.

Before we get into this week's deals, I noticed that the IHeartPublix blog has a great question & answer section regarding couponing. You can find that here. http://www.iheartpublix.com/index.php/2010/04/ask-i-heart-publix-2/

A few weeks ago I talked about being aware of what you are spending. This is an important first step toward getting on a budget. None of us like having to be on a budget. But, the reality is that we won't get anywhere, financially, until we learn to live on a budget.

Before my husband and I got married, we sat down to set up a budget for him. At that point he never really knew how much money he had or how much he was spending. And he used a "rounding off" method in his checkbook so it couldn't even be balanced! For an ex-banker, like myself, that was a nightmare! He was not very happy when he saw that he had less than $20 a month left over (maybe it was even less), but after a few months he started realizing that he was getting things paid off and it was actually easier to know exactly where he was at.

So, how do you set up a budget? It's really pretty simple. Start with making a list of your routine monthly bills. You should note when each bill is to be paid and approximately how much it usually is. Then take a look at your pay schedule to determine which bills have to be paid out of each paycheck. Obviously, if you get paid once a month this is easier because everything has to be paid out of that one paycheck. However, most people get paid at least twice per month. Once the basic bills are done, think about the expenses you have to pay less often than once a month - things such as haircuts, insurance, car maintenance, etc. Then average out how much to set aside each month. For example, if you car insurance is $300 every six months, then you need to set aside $50 a month so you will have the money when the bill arrives. Be sure to figure in expenses paid in cash as well, such as groceries, gas, etc.

Once this is all done, I strongly suggest using some form of the "envelope" system. If you are not familiar with the envelope system, the basic idea is that you would have an envelope for each budget category and actually put the budgeted amount of cash in the envelope until the bill is paid. However, few of us pay our bills in cash any more, and even fewer probably want to retain larger amounts of cash at home. Therefore there are several ways you can do this. Personally, many years ago we found a computer program called Money Matters, which has worked wonderfully for us. I'm not sure if you can even still purchase this program. Another option is to simply have a savings account and some form of a spreadsheet with the various categories listed out and use that as your savings ledger. Before the age of computers, I used to use accounting ledger paper (yes, I'm showing my age here! LOL). The key is to keep track of how much money you have available in each category at any given moment.

Now, are you ready for the real secret??? STICK TO THE BUDGET! It's that simple. It's not easy, but it is a simple process. For an online tool to help you out, try Budget 5000. I have not tried this, but found it while searching for tools to help you out. It's a free service that looks pretty good. You can find it at http://www.budget5000.com/budgeting-successfully/

Good luck on your budgeting journey! You can do it!

In tough economies such as we are currently experiencing, a good way to save some money is to barter for services. Many years ago, people bartered for services far more than we do now. I remember watching TV shows, like "Little House On the Prairie" where the town doctor was overrun with chickens because that is how people would pay him!

My husband and I have been starting to do more bartering. He is a massage therapist and we have traded massage sessions for music lessons, and have some ideas about bartering for dental care and haircuts. There are so many ways to do this. Maybe you don't have what you consider to be a special skill. But we all have some abilities that others may want. Perhaps it is handyman work, cleaning houses, detailing cars, babysitting, bookkeeping, lawn care, etc. Or maybe you have a green thumb and love to garden. I know many people end up with more veggies than their family can use. Others would be thrilled to have home-grown produce!

Another idea I heard of some years back was group bartering. Instead of trading child care with the same person each time, a group of moms got together and set up "barter bucks." They each started off with a certain number of "barter bucks" and determined a set value for childcare. When they needed childcare they would find someone else in the group that they could "pay" to watch their kids. But, if you ran out of barter bucks, that meant you weren't doing your share and now couldn't ask one of them to do childcare for you until you had earned barter bucks by watching someone else's child(ren). This type of system could easily be set up among a group of people with varying talents/skills.

There are many options for bartering. It's all about thinking creatively, and being bold enough to ask someone if they would be willing to trade services. In some cases, you may be able to barter for the labor, but have to pay for materials. But oftentimes, labor is the most expensive part of any bill. So put on your thinking cap and find some ways you can barter for the services your family needs.

Off and on over the years, I've researched alternative cleaning solutions. There are so many cleaning products available, and I just can't see the need for different cleansers for everything. Not only can it become costly, but it also takes up valuable space. For some reason it seems that Florida homes do not have the storage/closet space that homes up north have. And, after having children, I was concerned about the safety of all these chemicals in the home. So, I began collecting "recipes" for cleaning supplies. I know that my grandmother's house was always clean and she never used any of these commercial cleaners that we have now. So, obviously there is another way!

Not only can these save you money, but they are more likely to be healthier for our families and our environment. Most of them only take a few minutes to prepare, and then you'll have them when you need them. Keep your spray bottles from when other cleaning supplies are used up, wash them out, and refill them with the homemade cleaner, using a permanent marker to write on the bottle so you know what's in there.

Here is a list of various cleaning "recipes" and the link to the recipe:

Carpet Freshener: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978094896 .

Oven Cleaner/Floor Cleaner/Window Cleaner: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978094914

Sink/Tub/Tile/Hard Surface Cleaner: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978094934

Laundry Detergent: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978094977

Hand Sanitizer Gel / Fabric Freshener: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978094994

I think you'll find these to be more affordable and effective.

Be Aware!

One of the biggest things you can do to save money is to be aware of what you are spending. This is also the first step in setting up a budget. You have to know what you are spending in order to see where you can cut back. Put your "spending cash" in an envelope and then write on the outside of the envelope the date, amount, and what you purchased each time you take money from the envelope. For now, focus on your unplanned spending - the times you stop and buy a cup of coffee or a soda, etc. Or, if it's a planned shopping trip, record the amount you spent on the unplanned purchases on that trip that were unnecessary purchases. At the end of the week, total up how much you have spent. You really should do this for at least 2-4 weeks to get a realistic picture of how you are spending your money.

Let's just look at one example. Say you know you purchase about three sodas per week at $1.50 each. That is $4.50 per week, which doesn't sound like that much. But let's expand that out a bit: That would be $19.50 per month, or $234.00 per year. If you do this for 20 years of your life, that is $4,680. It would actually be much higher than this because this doesn't even take inflation into consideration. I'd say that is probably a very conservative example of unplanned spending.

I do believe that having a certain amount of "spending" money is important. This is money that has been allotted for unplanned purchases. But, if you are on a tight budget, you may not be able to justify $4.50 per week just to purchase soda, as in this example. If it's really that important that you have that item, consider purchasing it in bulk and then have the discipline not to consume it more frequently than you were doing before. This will allow you to spend less and get more.

So, to determine how much "fat" you can trim from your budget, start off with this simple step to help you realize how much you are actually spending. Not only will this help you become aware of your spending, it will also help you to determine what is or is not a necessity. I think you will be surprised by the result.

This article is not going to be the typical money-saving article you are accustomed to seeing from me. This week has been very difficult for our family due to the tragic death of an amazing lady and friend who was killed in a car accident. She was only 31 years old and was one who impacted everyone who knew her in a positive way. When I received the call, my husband had left for work without his cell phone. All I could think of was, "Did I tell him I loved him before he left? Or was I too busy?" This loss has served to remind us of how much time we waste with our busy-ness. In lieu of this, I just couldn't bring myself to write about saving money, which seems so unimportant in the grand scheme of life.

So, today I encourage you to not waste your time. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you. Take the time to spend those precious moments listening to your children each day. Call or go see your parents, grandparents, and siblings and let them know you are not too busy for them. Time is one precious commodity we cannot regain.

Why not plan a family night each week. Plan a favorite meal for dinner and sit down together to eat. Take time during dinner to have each person tell each family member one thing they love about them. Then enjoy a movie or play a board game together. Depending on the ages of your kids, they may think it's silly at first, but over time they are likely to cherish the time they spend with you. If you don't have children, make arrangements to spend one evening a week with another family member or special friend. And, it may just end up saving you some money to plan a night at home rather than going out! But regardless, it will be a time you have spent wisely.

When was the last time you succumbed to a suggested purchase? What I mean is, when you go to a restaurant and order your meal, and your server says "Would you like ___ with that?" did you order it based on your server's suggestion?

Retailers train their employees to "up-sell" the customers. Fast food restaurants all offer some sort of meal combo, but even then will often ask you if you want dessert or some other item that is not included. If you order just the burger, they'll ask if you want a drink. A clothing store will often offer you coordinating accessories for the outfit you are purchasing. Most of us give in to these suggestions and make the purchase without even really thinking about it.

One way to save money is to learn to just say no!! The best way to do that is to be aware of the up-sell before it happens. Secondly, have your purchase planned ahead of time. Maybe you don't know exactly what you're going to buy, but you should have a price limit in mind and stick to it. Chances are you will already have accessories for that outfit in your closet and don't really need something new. Or, do you really need that super-sized value meal? Both your wallet and your waist will thank you to decline! %uF04A And, if you're eating inside the restaurant, most of them have free refills on drinks anyway! I've never understood why people order a large drink to go sit in a restaurant that offers free refills.

One thing that helps my family avoid temptation is to never leave the house unprepared. As a homeschooling family, we spend quite a bit of time on the road going to and from various activities. Rather than having to stop and buy drinks & snacks, we pack a lunch bag practically every where we go. I purchase acceptable snacks in bulk or on sale, and always pack extra water bottles so we don't end up having to purchase something along the way. Since getting young kids in and out of the car is time consuming, when we do have to stop it's always at a "convenience" store that has higher prices. By being prepared, we can avoid these financial pitfalls.

It also amazes me how many people buy their lunch every day. Even people who work in an office with access to a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and toaster ovens will purchase lunch from a restaurant each day! It's common for some of these people to spend close to $10 per day on lunch, especially if you figure in a tip for delivery! Multiply that times five working days per week, and I could feed my entire family for almost a week for all three meals per day! In addition, by doing this, they are opening themselves up to the temptations of the "up-sell" each and every day. And yet they will talk about getting a second job before they will consider learning to live a more frugal lifestyle. Just pack lunch! Even purchasing lunch supplies from the grocery store at full price it would be less costly than that. Learn to watch for sales and save even more. All it takes is a small amount of time to prepare and you can save yourself a great deal of money.

In last week's article I mentioned the importance of stocking up when items are on sale in order to not have to pay full price in between sales. Obviously, the immediate savings on the price is of value. However, another very important reason for purchasing in this manner is to eliminate the need for shopping at multiple stores in order to get the best prices. When you are driving all over town for the best prices, you are spending money on gas, wear & tear on your vehicle and, of course, your valuable time. It is helpful to know which stores have the lowest prices for regular priced items, but don't assume that a discount store is going to be less costly than another store. Many discount stores, such as Walmart and Target, may have a lower regular price on the items you use, but generally I find that other stores have sales that are far better, especially when those sales are BOGO (buy one, get one free) sales. I usually only shop discount stores for items I rarely see on sale. And then when I go, I try to stock up enough that I won't have to go back more than once a month.

Many people ask me where I find coupons. There are many sources that I will list below:

-The Sunday Newspaper. Almost every week, aside from a holiday weekend, there will be coupon inserts in the paper. Call and check the pricing on home delivery of your local paper. Oftentimes, home delivery is less expensive than buying it in the store. Also check the dollar stores in your area as many will carry the Sunday paper throughout the week, and often for a discounted price. I also know of people who have arranged to go into stores early on Monday morning and get the coupon inserts from the remaining papers.

-Many manufacturer's will have printable coupons on their websites. If they don't, email them and ask them for coupons. Many times they will send you a nice batch of coupons in the mail!

-Look for "blinkies" in stores - these are the coupons that are in a dispenser on the store shelves next to the products

-Look in magazines. Walmart's All You Magazine is a great one for coupons - http://www.allyou.com/. A subscription rate is better than purchasing it at the store each month, but the coupons are not always the same. And many of these coupons are for health & beauty items so you may want to purchase a couple of issues before subscribing in case you find you don't use enough to make it worth it.

-Many mid-week papers have coupon inserts as well. Locally the "Forum" and "Jewish Journal" both have coupons and they come out on Wednesday. Both of these papers are free.

-Publix has several magazines that usually have coupons in them. I suggest subscribing to them (they are free) as the store copies don't always have the coupons.
Publix Greenwise - http://publix.com/wellness/greenwise/feature/Home.do
Publix FamilyStyle - http://publix.com/clubs/familystyle/Home.do
Publix Wine Guide - http://publix.com/clubs/wine/Home.do (I am not a wine drinker but sometimes there are coupons for cheese or other things that go good with wine)

In addition, if you qualify, sign up for the following:
Publix Baby Club - http://publix.com/clubs/baby/Home.do
Publix Preschool Pals - http://publix.com/preschool/NonMemberHome.do
These "clubs" offer coupons in the mail periodically.

Many stores will have extra coupon booklets that come out through the year. Always check their sales flyer areas to see if they have any available.

Fuel Economy

I know many of us would love to be able to replace our vehicles with hybrids or possibly even electric cars that are less expensive to operate. But let's face it - taking on a new car payment is daunting to most of us. But there are several affordable things we can do to get the optimal gas mileage from our vehicles.

1) Make sure the tires are properly inflated. According to Midas.com, gas mileage can increase by 3.3% with properly inflated tires. In addition, properly inflated tires are safer and will last longer, thus saving you more money. Other sources indicate that you should follow the vehicle's owner's handbook for the proper inflation. Sometimes the sticker on the door will also tell you what that should be.
2) Keep your vehicle properly aligned. When a vehicle pulls to one side, not only does it cause early wear on the tires, but it also creates more drag on the engine, thus using more fuel.
3) Clear out the trunk of unnecessary weight. Additional weight in the vehicle will cause more fuel consumption.
4) Remove roof racks that are not used regularly. Even an empty bicycle/cargo/ski rack will take away from the aerodynamics of the vehicle and increase fuel consumption.
5) Keep your car clean and waxed. A smooth surface offers less wind resistance and will aid in fuel economy.
6) Don't drive aggressively! Rapid speeding up and braking can cost you up to 33% increase in fuel consumption on the highway and up to 5% increase in town!
7) Routine vehicle maintenance: Change your oil according to your vehicle manufacturer's service schedule and use the correct grade of oil. This can improve gas mileage by up to 2%. Additional routine maintenance helps as well, making sure all filters are replaced regularly.
8) This one is challenging is Florida, but try to avoid purchasing gas during the heat of the day! Gas is more dense (more concentrated) when it is cooler, so you'll get more for your money.
9) Don't top off the tank! Excess gas evaporates so when the pump clicks off, remove the nozzle. However, before removing the nozzle, twist it slightly so it is upside down and tap it a few times. This will allow whatever gas is still in there to go into your tank instead of the person behind you. Plus it keeps it from running down the side of your car.
10) Make sure the gas cap is tightened. A loose gas cap will cause gas to evaporate. And, in many vehicles, it will cause your "check engine" light to come on, which might cost unnecessary repairs. If you lose your gas cap, it's suggested that you purchase a new one from the manufacturer to ensure a proper fit.
11) Last but not least, consider a gas rebate card. Many companies offer cash rebates on gas purchases. However, be sure the price at the pump will still make it a better deal. If that oil company has far higher prices than another station nearby, it may not be your best option.

For those who have been reading my blogs/articles for a while, you may have already read about stockpiling. However, since this is the core of saving at the grocery store, I felt it was important to say again. And, there are many new readers that may not have learned this yet. In addition, I would encourage everyone to look for freebie or cheap items that can be donated to the Haiti Relief efforts. So many organizations have drop off points for supplies, that it won't be hard to find where to take your donations.

Another terrific website I just found to help with affordable meals and meal planning is here. http://publixpennypincher.blogspot.com/2010/01/yummy-applesauce-pancakes.html

In today's economy, saving money wherever possible has become an essential for many people. Grocery prices continue to rise and yet incomes are not. However, good prices are available if you take a few minutes each week to plan your shopping.

In my experience, there are two main things you can do to really stretch your grocery budget.

1) Stock up on nonperishable items when they are on sale so you never have to pay full price for them. Sales are usually on an 8-12 week cycle, so purchase enough to get you through 12 weeks if possible so you are not paying full price in between sales
2) Save coupons and look for printable coupons to add to the sale prices to provide you an even bigger discount.

There are many more tips that help but focusing on those two is a great start.

One of the highest electrical costs is heating water for your water heater. One way to help cut costs is to shut your water heater off during the day while you are gone or purchase a timer for it.

If you live in a cold climate and your water heater is in the garage, you can purchase a specially made water heater blanket. Check your manufacturer specifications to make sure you get the right size, but this will help insulate your water heater to keep it from reducing temperatures more than desired. While doing a little research on water heater blankets, I found an interesting and informative article at The Dollar Stretcher http://www.stretcher.com/stories/970127c.cfm

When replacing your water heater, you may want to consider a tankless water heater. From what I've read about them so far, they only use energy when you actually want hot water. And they will produce hot water continuously on demand. And, of course, the added convenience of not requiring space for a tank, and not having to worry about a water leak causing damage to your home is a big plus!

According to the Home Safety Council, http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_baby_w001.asp, hot water burns like fire. You should set your home water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
An article in the Washington Post states that studies have shown that tap water at 140 degrees can burn skin in just seconds. At 120 degrees, burning can take up to five minutes. I've heard the argument that the water needs to be hot enough to kill bacteria. However, 120 degrees is sufficient for that as well.
You can read the full article here. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/02/08/ST2008020802205.html
So, dialing down the temperature of your hot water heater saves money and increases safety in your home.