ir0cko/Flickr
Do you remember Cori’s comment about saving $5,000 on a salary of $22,000 that she left on Yazmin’s book review two weeks ago?
Um, more details please! Cori emailed me on how one little sticky note saved her big time. Here is her story.
So my little post-it note that I carted around with me while living on $22k/year just laid out the details of exactly how much I could spend each day on certain things (not including the rent/bills), just the stuff where you have choices. So if I wanted to get a shirt dry-cleaned, I had to save up a weeks worth of daily dry-cleaning $.I didn’t allow myself to go over budget and I kept all the leftover money in a savings account.
It took a lot of discipline, a lot of bus rides (over cab rides), and a lot of saying “no” to things like mani/pedis/sushi/drinks out, etc. But I managed to make it happen. A little cheesy, but to my 23-year old mind, it worked for me at the time. San Francisco is an expensive place to live, but I was happy living on less there. And you just get creative with your entertainment options.
And with my $5k I saved I took a month off work and went to Costa Rica and took a yoga teacher training course. Thankfully now, I own my own event planning company and no longer have to survive on $22k/year, but the lessons I learned were invaluable.
I had my original post-it stashed in my desk, but one of my kids got off with it. But here’s my best relocation of what it said…
Cori’s Daily Spending
Food: $10
Dry Cleaning: $2
Transportation: $3
Entertainment: $2
Drugstore Stuff(shampoo, makeup): $1
House Stuff (cleaning supplies): $1
Cori, the simplicity of your system and your dedication to it is inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing how you saved money. I hope it helps someone else. Got an interesting success or failure story? Email me at julia@bargainbabe.com and the best will appear on the blog.
Kmart has donated a ton of camping gear for my latest reader giveaway. Camping is one of my favorite frugal vacations – did you know there are many places you can camp for free?!
To win, do two things. Join my BargainBabe.com Facebook page and leave a comment answering this question: How do you get ready for the great outdoors?
The contest ends Tuesday, July 27 at 9 a.m. PST.
One winner will take home:
- A $50 Kmart gift card
- A Northwest Territory 18×10 Dome tent, above, that sleeps 8 and has a rear storage locker with flap (orig. $230)
- Two Northwest Territory Big Boy Mesh Chairs, which each have two drink holders (orig. $27 each)
- Two Northwest Territory Hot Hood Sleeping Bags, which each come with a fleece pillow (orig. $25 each)
- A 4D LED Rugged Rechargeable Battery Lantern, right, that has a “lifetime” bulb that never needs to be replaced. The lantern has three settings and includes a 6V XPS rechargeable cartridge, 120v adapter for home, and a 12v adapter for car or boat (orig. $40)
- A Coleman Perfectflow portable grill with a 11,000-BTU tube burner and a 200-square inch cooking surface (orig. $70)
The camping gear will be shipped directly to the winner. Colors may vary.
shawncampbell/Flickr
Reader Mena has a dilemma. Please help her if you can! She writes:
HI do you have any information on at home face moisturizers? something for oily skin? Eco friendly? Please reply……
Mena, I have bought good moisturizers from the Body Shop, which is against animal testing. Also, check out my review of Return to Beauty, a really awesome book full of homemade beauty recipes.
What do you suggest?
- Victoria’s Secrets swimsuit sale has clearance suits an extra 20% off. Expires Thursday, July 22, 2010.
- Get a free sample of Special K’s protein meal bar. Will likely run out in a few hours.
- Snag $10 off $40 at Walgreens.com with this Walgreens coupon, good through Saturday, July 24, 2010. Get 33% off gift photo orders at Walgreens, with some exceptions, like regular photos. Expires Saturday, July 24, 2010.
- Restaurant.com is 70% off through Thursday, July 22, 2010.
- Do you watch a lot of summer movies? Buy a monthly $15 subscription through Fandango and Weekly Cinemas and get three tickets each month! “Inception” and “Despicable Me” are on my to watch list.
- Here is a quick roundup of back to school deals and freebies.
- About a dozen magazines are 50% off with this Amazon coupon code. Expires July 31, 2010.
- Get a free bagel at Einstein Brothers this Friday only.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
Computers are wonderful things when they work. When they don’t, the world comes crashing down. A lot of crashes are because of bugs. We’ve innocently downloaded malicious software, spy ware, or other nasty files onto our machine. Then minutes, days, or months later we realize our mistake and the pain kicks in.
If you don’t have anti-virus software, or aren’t happy with yours, check out the AVG Free anti-virus program. They also have an AVG LinkScanner for Mac. The free software has free 24/7 technical support, the capability to make sure your downloads are safe and it can detect rootkits hidden deep inside your operating system.
The Pro version of the AVG software is $35 or free when you buy a product through one of their partner sponsors. The idea is you buy something you want, like a Netflix subscription or a pair of Gap jeans, then get the software for free.
Want to know more? Virus expert Steve Armstrong, who is not affiliated with AVG, talks about how the mean people who write virus’ are getting more clever and better at spreading bugs. Armstrong says going forward there are going to be more virus’ aimed at collecting sensitive data (like your credit card number) through social media sites.
This is paid content. Interested in an ad? Read my Advertise page.
Illustration by OConnorCartopons.com
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Reader Meghan is the winner of my review copy of Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet. Meghan was one of the few readers that revealed why she was going green. In her comment she said she is doing it to keep the earth healthy for future generations to enjoy. She writes:
What an awesome giveaway. I am going green b/c I realize how important it is for us to leave the earth in good “health” for future generations…like my kids!
Meghan, I love that you’ll be passing on all this knowledge to your kids. I hope the book helps you by providing practical tips you and your family can start doing in your daily lives to lower your utility bills and carbon footprint.
If you missed my review of the book, author Elizabeth Rogers’ book is a comprehensive guide that helps you go green and save green. In the book, Rogers gives the dollar amount saved for every green change. For example, packing a waste-free lunch for your kids can save you up to $400 per year or more for a two-child family.
If you didn’t win my review copy and would like to read more about the savings and green changes Rogers recommends, Amazon has it for $10.08.
If you put July 22-24, 2010 on your calender to get a free taste of McDonald’s new smoothie, I hope you wrote it in pencil. The deal has been canceled for fears of running out of smoothies and engaging freebie lovers. Click on the link for more details.
Katie Tegtmeyer/Flickr
I’m taking the rest of the week off and Monday to move to the biggest little state in the union. Yep, I’m headed for Rhode Island. I never thought I’d live on the East Coast again, but my life has changed dramatically in the past 12 months. I’m taking advantage of my very portable job – I can work anywhere there is a high-speed Internet connection – to be closer to someone I love.
I will still write BargainBabe.com, with fantastic contributions from Yazmin and Bobbi, and blog for WalletPop.com (check daily for new coupons). What will change is my perspective. I expect to write more about stews and comfort food in the winter, for example, and pay closer attention to mitten sales.
I’m going to need your help getting through the summer, too. I’ve never lived in anything but a mega city, and I’m worried living in my new, smallish town is going to be a shock – culturally and financially.
Adjusting means getting to know my local thrift stores, finding the nearest farmer’s market, looking for a discount movie theater, bookmarking the bus and train schedule, and applying for a library card.
What do you look for in a new place to adjust and save money?
If you’d like to watch a news video from the 1980s about my soon-to-be home state, click below. The theme song is catchy. Rhode Island! Rhode Island!
Expires today! Get a free lunch at Panda Express today only! Expires Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
Staples has two coupons for $5 off $30 and $50 off a new computer.
Get a free coffee at Borders when you download their eBook readers to your smartphone or laptop.
Expires today! Get a free movie rental from a Blockbuster Kiosk when you rent one. Expires July 14, 2010.
Check back every hour or so for new coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
dalbera/Flickr
A reader named Pauline wrote in with this question.
Dear Julia: I’m trying to find a lower cost for our Internet service which is through ATT and keeps going up. Currently it’s $28.00. I don’t need to fastest thing know to man. Any suggestions??? Thanks for your great informative blog. Sincerely Pauline
What do you suggest Pauline does?
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Being green is not only good for the planet but your wallet as well. That’s the premise behind Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet by Elizabeth Rogers. She describes green changes that will decrease your carbon footprint and lists the dollar amount each one will potentially save you.
Like many people, Rogers thought it was expensive to go green. Then she realized she was wrong and decided to write a guide to help people identify how to save money by being eco-friendly. She writes:
In my own experience, I’ve noticed that becoming greener has made my life richer and healthier, and, paradoxically, less expensive. This was a revelation. Like most people, I thought going green would put a serious strain on my finances. But I found, in reality, there’s no need to compromise ecological principles in order to save cash. And, perhaps surprisingly, you don’t need to give up comfort, convenience, or style in order to tread more lightly on the earth.
The biggest money-savings are for people who own their own homes. Changes like lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater from 140 degrees F to 120 degrees F can save up to $70 per year for an electric water heater, and up to $40 or more per year for a gas water heater. As an apartment dweller, my utility bill is included in my rent so I won’t see any savings for changing to energy-efficient ways. Everyone can save up to $200 per year if they replace standard household cleaning products with home remedies.
Shift Your Habit is more like a guide that can easily be skimmed to find specific information rather than a long drawn sermon that preaches about the benefits of green living. The book is laid out in an easy-to-read format as each chapter has a theme, tables, and charts for quick access and understanding. One cool chart is titled Vintage Baby and lists price comparisons on new and used “must-have” baby furniture.
One of my favorite features in the book is titled Swift Shifts. These are stories about families and individuals who have made changes in their daily lives and have noticed a difference in their checkbook. The testimonials are written in the first person and really help drive home the fact that anyone can afford to be an environmentalist.
The book is packed with practical tips that long-time environmentalist may know, but I had a couple “aha” moments when I asked myself why I hadn’t thought of the change before. If you have an aquarium, instead of pouring the old water down the drain, it can be used to feed your plants because it contains high levels of nitrogen and other nutrients that help plants grow. This adds up to a $15 per year savings on fertilizer costs.
If you would like to win my review copy of Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet, leave a comment by Friday, July 16 at 9 a.m. explaining your reason for going green. If you can’t wait, purchase it on Amazon for $10.08.
wohnai/Flickr
Ends Thursday! Get a free Starbucks coffee at Barnes & Noble cafes when you download the book chains iPhone app and download an ebook.
Are you in college or grad school? Amazon is offering free Amazon Prime memberships (worth $79) to students, even if you just take one class. Prime members get free 2-day shipping, including on textbooks (hint hint). Awesome deal!
Ends Thursday! Restaurant.com certificates are 70% off through Thursday, July 15, 2010.
Here are three Borders coupons for 33-50% off.
Check out all the deals and coupons on my WalletPop blog.
Vancouverfilmschool/Flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.com.
I love theater and I go as often as I can. I’m not sitting in the high priced seats, but I’ve learned to get great tickets at equally great discounts. I like to sit in the front row of the cheapest seats. If I can’t get the front row, then I get the back row because I can stand up or sit on something if there is a head in my way. I’ve found that the cheapest seats (especially in a small venue) are almost as good as the most expensive seats. I always make sure that everyone in my party has their own pair of binoculars so you can really see up close.
Here are some other ways to see fabulous theater at bargainista prices:
- Wait until the last minute and then use discount ticket sites such as tkts for New York and Goldstar for Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, DC Metro, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Orange County, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle. Note, Goldstar was a Frugal Festival sponsor.
- Volunteer or work at the theater. I’ve always thought working as an usher at a very good theater was just the coolest job. The pay isn’t great, but you get to see some of the best actors in action.
- Group ticket sales. For some theaters, a group is as few as 10 people. Groups get excellent discounts and sometimes the person who organizes it gets a free ticket.
- See theater that is less well known. TheaterExtras is a seat-filling audience development organization that gives complimentary tickets in New York and Los Angeles to its members. For the price of a Broadway ticket, you can get practically free tickets all year. There are also special savings for members of a theatrical union, student or senior citizen. Indicate that I referred you (bobbisbargains) and I’ll get a little credit as well.
- Check to see if your city is part of the Artsopolis Network, which provides listings of free local events and discount tickets. Some of the cities that are included are Boston, Phoenix, Nashville, Flint, Grand Forks and Philadelphia. Sorry New York and Los Angeles – no site for you, but you have plenty of other cool sites.
No matter how you do it, go to the theater and support the arts. Do you know of other ways to get great deals on theater and entertainment venues? (more…)
Me and a scruffy stuffed bear at a restaurant in Breckenridge, CO.
I recently returned from an intense two-day Savvy Blogging Summit in Breckenridge, CO where I met dozens of other bloggers and learned how to be a better blogger. My to do list has 56 items on it so I’ll just share a few changes I want to make.
- tell more stories, including reader successes and failures (email me yours!)
- make technical changes to improve site speed and usability
- share more of my own financial challenges, changes, and decisions (hence my post on nontraditional banks)
- create new tabs for popular topics like groceries and freebies
- expand my presence on Facebook and on Twitter (see poll below)
What changes would you like to see on BargainBabe.com?
[poll id="63"]
A bank vole captured by blackclough/Flickr
I recently switched banks for a higher interest rate on my checking account. My new bank is nontraditional so I had to consider what behaviors would let me take advantage of the account fully.
1. My bank does not have their own ATMs. However, all my ATM fees are refunded to me on a monthly schedule. As crazy as it seems, this is probably cheaper for the bank than maintaining thousands of ATMs across the country. I try to use the ATM only once a month so I don’t rack up a lot of fees, even though they are reimbursed, because I figure the bank factors the expense into other services.
2. My bank does not have traditional branches so I do not have access to bank tellers to make large cash withdrawals or deposits. This is rare for me, but uncomfortable if it comes up. The branches accept check deposits or I can mail in deposits.
3. The branches are few and far between so I do the vast majority of my banking online, through the mail, or over the phone. The bank website is great, I can request free deposit envelopes through the mail, and the US-based phone service is excellent.
4. I have free checking as long as I have a debit card for the account. This is my first debit card ever and I usually use it for small purchases. It does not feel as safe as using a credit card, however. I think that is just me.
5. My other bank services are free as long as I have a brokerage account, which I use to fund my ROTH-IRA. I like having my checking, savings, and IRA all through the same bank, though I’m worried it makes me more vulnerable if my identity is ever stolen.
All told, I’ve had to adapt my banking habits slightly to take advantage of my new nontraditional bank. But I think I made the right decision because I pay no monthly bank fees and my interest rate is higher that my previous bank. Knowing this, would you bank with a nontraditional bank?
