By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
A.M. Kuchling/flickr
The mighty rubber band. Such a simple design. How would we live without it?
Here are 10 of my favorite ways to use this little elastic wonder:
- Put around a can of paint to wipe the dripping paint off the brush. Wrap the band from the bottom of the can up and over the opened top. Swipe the edge of your brush on this band instead of the lip of the can. Makes for easier clean up and less likely to have your half used can get glued to itself during storage.
- Distinguish drinking glasses. We used to go through every water glass in the house each day. Now each person gets their own colored rubber band and wraps it around their drinking glass. You can even leave them on during dish washing, but I prefer to take them off.
I scored a free coffee for Valentine's Day! truth24times / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Now that the dust has settled after Valentine’s Day, I want to know how much you spent and what you received? The National Retail Federation reported that those celebrating would spend an average of $126.03. That’s a lot of money!
I definitely spent less, even with a birthday celebration following the next day. I spent about $30 for ingredients to make Valentine’s Day treats for 15 friends. I used those same ingredients to make my father’s cake!
Steve Rhodes / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I must confess I have no clue what teams are playing on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5), but what I do know is how to throw a party on a budget! Below I share suggestions to lower the costs of drinks, food, and decorations.
Food
- Prepare your food from scratch. It will take you longer, but it will taste better and save you money! Buying pre-made food from the grocery store is always more expensive. Make foods that can be prepped ahead of time or come in large batches so you can enjoy the game or commercials. Try this turkey chilli recipe. Make your own dips and salsas as well. (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
TFDuesing/flickr
If you want something you don’t have the money for, figure out how to make it. (I’ve already talked about getting things by swapping or repurposing).
Personally, I have found that learning to make something is the best way to go. I get what I need, and I know how to repair it. Here are my five favorite sites to go to when I want to learn new things:
- General instructions - Instructables - You can learn anything from how to carve a pumpkin to how to build your own computer to how to construct a rocket ship. Instructables has more pictures and instructions than videos. (more…)
EE Homepage / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Last year, my aunt underwent dental surgery that could have cost her thousands of dollars. The cheapest quote she got in the U.S. was $45,000. To get affordable health options, and save money, she sought out-of-country care. She told me she saved more than $20,000 when I told her about my dental emergency.
I was surprised to learn she’d had her teeth fixed because all I’d heard was that she’d gone on vacation to Mexico during the summer. I interrogated her over the phone.
“What did you get done?”
Learn to save money at Starbucks! kktryj / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It’s no secret that I love coffee. A while ago, I even revealed my coffee addiction was costing me major moolah because I was charging my purchase. I’ve reformed my ways since then. If you can’t give up the trips to Starbucks, I share five tips to saving money while still getting your fix.
Timberland Regional Library / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Last weekend I took my sister to volunteer at the library and dragged my feet to get there, but something happened that made the trip well worth it!
A few minutes after we arrived, my sister walked toward me with the biggest grin ever and a Rolling Stone with Justin Bieber on the cover. She handed it to me.
“What’s this for, Wendy?”
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
rachel_titiriga/flickr
I live in Southern California, the land of the lemon tree. With so many donations from friends, I have found tons of uses for the mighty little lemon.
Here are ten of my favorites:
- Lemon juice and salt on your copper bottom pans make an instant cleaning miracle. Just sprinkle the salt on the copper bottom, then squirt on some lemon juice and give a gentle scrub. Your copper will shine like the day it was made. This works on any copper surface, not just pot bottoms.
jypsygen / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
A while back, I wrote about the many uses of vinegar. Julia even gushed about vinegar in a video. More recently I haven’t been able to live without hydrogen peroxide. It all started after my dental emergency. Below I share 25 uses for the liquid in the brown bottle, H2O2. (It’s usually sold with a 3% active ingredient concentration.)
DISCLOSURE: I’m not attempting to give medical advice. You should consult your dentist or doctor before using hydrogen peroxide to treat ailments.
- My dentist suggested I soak my toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide between uses to keep it clean and prevent the transfer of germs. This is particularly helpful when you or someone in your family has a cold or the flu. I’ve been fighting a bug! (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Urban Woodstalker/flickr
Do you know the main idea that separates people who live over-budget from those who live under-budget?
People who go over-budget do so because they think they must have NEW stuff. This often translates into buying at the highest price. Go to the mall and buy a new shirt. Top dollar. Go to the car dealer and buy a new replacement part for your car. Super top dollar. Go to the bookstore and buy a just published book. Very expensive.
Some people feel that it is “bad” or “uncool” or “low class” to buy recycled, used, or discounted. Well, if you are super rich and have money to burn, then, be my guest and buy retail. I surely want to go to your yard sales and I certainly don’t want to try and balance your budget.
lululemon athletica / Flickr
This post is brought to you by CentrSource, where you will find great offers.
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I’m in the market for new workout clothes. The pairs of yoga pants I’ve had for more than five years are beginning to thin at the inner thigh. Since I practically live in workout clothes, I need them to stand up to constant wear. Here’s how I find workout clothes at affordable prices.
- Avoid name brand retailers- Stores like Nike and Adidas are so expensive. Even with discounts or coupons the prices are still high, at least for my price range. I do like to frequent these stores to see what’s new and gauge prices. (more…)
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Soft, soft cashmere - photo by Bobbi Burger Brunoehler
I just scored a cashmere sweater for 99 cents at the 99 cent store. Yep. A cashmere sweater for less than a dollar! This unbelievable discount got me thinking about my Bargain Hall of Fame.
I find bargains every day, but sometimes my finds are special. Here are my personal top 10 best buys:
- Brand new original Leatherman tool for $1.50. Retailed for $50 (but it is retired and you can’t even buy it anymore except as a collector’s item).
- Sewing machine (like new) for free on Freecycle. (more…)
Jasonwoodhead23/flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Per Southern California Gas Company, home heating is 65% of a residential gas bill during the winter months. (That’s what it said in my bill insert this month.) Wow! If that is true in Southern California, what is it in actual cold parts of the country?
With so much of your utility budget going toward keeping your home warm, anything that you can do to retain heat in your home or keep the heat from leaving is a money saver. Here are 5 tips that will help you to lower your heating bill:
Beth Rankin / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
If the holidays didn’t wreak havoc on your finances, you’re in for a good shopping season. Below I share four items to shop for in the month of January to save money.
Bedding and bathroom linens - This is the time of year I stock up on new bedroom and bathroom linens. Many stores will begin competing to sell you sheets, comforters, towels, and pillows during their so-called white sales. Expect prices to keep on dropping. I share tips to
angrywayne / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com reader Yazmin Cruz.
A recent story on holiday tipping from USA Today caught my attention because of the angry comments left by online readers. The uproar got me thinking about holiday tipping in a weak economy. Below I share four suggestions if you want to tip, but are strapped for money.
