By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Craft service menu on a TV shoot. AverageJane/flickr
A friend of mine recently asked me, “So, where can I get free food?” Of course, this was just too good of a challenge for me to just let go.
The fact is that there are lots of ways to get free or deeply discounted food. I will start with deep discounts and work my way down to free.
- Grocery store clearance. Fresh & Easy grocery stores discount food on the day of expiration. They discount up to 75% off and place them in a clearance section of the store. More ways to save on groceries.
- Vendors at Farmer’s Markets offer deeply discounted fresh fruits and veggies in the last 15-30 minutes of the market.
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Last week, my sister was on spring break and we took full advantage of her school-free days. I had to work, but made time for several trips to museums, the library and the beach. I even learned one more way to get into museums for free – no sneaking in required! Is your spring break coming up? Check out my post about spring break ideas on a budget.
I had planned on taking my sister to the Los Angeles County Museum on its free admission day. Only problem is I got the dates mixed up. D’oh! We were already at the front of the line when I realize the mix up.
pelicanwind / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I received an email from a reader with a long list of senior discounts that I’m sharing below. Note that these discounts may be different depending on your location and I have not confirmed them. Nevertheless, it’s worth taking advantage of these as the savings will add up.
If you know of other senior discounts, share them with us in the comments. Got a great money saving tip? Email me!
MoneyBlogNewz / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
For someone on a budget, dollar stores can be a heaven sent, but there are some items that are not worth the four quarters. I recently read a story from Time Moneyland that delves into what to buy and what to avoid at dollar stores. (Julia is quoted!) Below I share items I’ve scored deals on and what I keep away from to avoid danger.
samyogaclass / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Spring is finally here and even if you’re on a budget, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on the spring trends. Follow my thrift tips below to update your wardrobe without going broke.
tanakawho / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Buying fresh flowers every few weeks can quickly add up. They can cost up to $10. If you buy them every week, that’s $520 a year. I like having flowers in my home because they liven up the place, but that’s a lot of money! You don’t have to have a green thumb to save money on flowers. I share my tips below.
- Buy flowers in season – Like produce, the best deals can be found on flowers that are readily available. FreshRoses.com is a site I like to check to find out what’s in season. Shopping for rare flowers will only jack up the price.
401K / Flickr
This post is brought to you by Bankers Life and Casualty Company.
Creating a financial budget that puts you first is essential for women who faced with the decision to help themselves or others would opt for the latter. Guilty.
Most of my life I’ve been told that a person’s budget is a reflection of their beliefs and morals and because of that I’ve struggled to put myself first. I’d be lying if I said I’ve figured out the perfect budget because there isn’t a one size fits all. What I’ve come up with is a budget that takes care of me first and also supports my beliefs. Here’s how I’ve allocated my money.
Would you let a stranger drive your car to make some extra cash? Rudolf Gumba / Flickr
This post is brought to you by hearing aids.
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
While listening to NPR yesterday, I learned more and more people are making extra money by letting complete strangers (Yikes!) drive their cars for a fee. The people who are renting out their cars are doing so through car-sharing start-ups.
A college age woman told NPR she makes an extra $150 a month. That’s $1,800 a year. Nice! Before you start making money off your ride, here are some things you need to know to protect yourself and your wheels.
stevendepolo / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Save money this month by only purchasing items you need from the best buys in March list below. I included items from the Consumer Reports‘ sales calendar plus others I’ve seen on sale around this time.
Gas grills – Their a bit cheaper because of the low temps, but the prices for these are on the rise as the days become warmer. Research last years models to avoid paying the steep prices on new models.
blur95 / Flickr
- This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I’m currently hooked on “2 Broke Girls,” a sitcom about two twenty-somethings struggling to make ends meet. It’s like “Sex in the City” with more snarky humor and financial struggles. Max (pictured left) has always been poor and Caroline (pictured right) lost her millions when her father was taken to prison for running a Ponzi scheme.
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.
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?”
