Can you spot the fake? fairfaxcounty / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Even if you’re not in the market for designer bags or clothes, knowing how to spot counterfeit merchandise is a must to avoid getting duped. This is especially true since common targets include cosmetics, perfumes, computer software, jewelry, and more! The latest issue of ShopSmart lists tips to learn how to spot a fake and what to do if you’re sold inauthentic merchandize. I summarize them below.
Ruth Flickr / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Bookworm? Buying books doesn’t have to land you in the poorhouse, learn where to buy cheap books to save money. (Money Crashers)
Are you a social butterfly? Our blogger friend, Kelly, shares eight ways to save money socially. (The Centsible Life)
If you’re apart of the sandwich generation, here’s how to stay financially fit. (Cash Money Life)
Ever wonder how much a mom’s work is worth? It’s priceless, but the market value has decreased. (MSN Money)
Who handles your home finances? Getting the right person to handle your finances can save you money. Find out who’s better at managing each financial task. (The Digerati Life)
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Want to save money on your phone service? Try Ooma. It was recently named the best home phone service by Consumer Reports. Ooma offers long-term savings without having to sacrifice on high-quality phone service or affordable add-on options.
Ooma allows you to take control of how you communicate! Stay in touch with friends and loved ones for free with crystal-clear audio, and home and mobile services.
Here’s how it works: Ooma uses broadband Internet (Voice over IP technology) to provide free home phone service with voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting. All you have to do is plug the device, which costs $199.99, into your high-speed Internet connection and then you plug your phone into the Ooma unit. You don’t even need a computer. Note that many VoIP services can’t be used for emergency calls, but with Ooma you can make an emergency call!
All you pay is roughly $3.50 a month for taxes and fees. For an average family spending $30-$40 a month on home phone service, Ooma can pay for itself within 7 to 10 months, and continue to save them money year after year.
Calls between Ooma phones are always free from anywhere in the world. For those who have family outside the U.S., users can purchase 500 international minutes for just $4.99, plus the $9.99/month fee – that’s a penny a minute!
With Ooma Premier, an optional level of service for $9.99/month, you’ll get more than 25 advanced features including a second line, three-way conferencing, blacklisting and call screening.
To save money on your mobile plan, just download the Ooma Mobile Application, which uses Wi-Fi or 3G connections on Droid phones, iPhone, iPad or the iPod Touch. You’ll save minutes on your calling plan and save up to 90 percent on international calls compared to mobile plans.
This is dedicated content. Want to reach tens of thousands of savvy spenders? Read our blog marketing page.
craig1black / Flickr
This post is brought to you by Verizon FiOS TV.
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Cell phones can come in handy, but can also be costly. Don’t fret. Like other utilities, cell phone bills can be shrunken down with a few tweaks. Below I share 11 tips to lower your cell phone bill.
Track your talk time – If you tend to go over your minutes, it’s time to set up alerts. You can check your minutes for free on most cell phones. You can also use OverMyMinutes.com, a free service that will send you an email or text message to let you know when you’re about to run out of minutes. All you have to do is sign up.
Avoid the extras – Stop purchasing ringtones and backgrounds. These are just a waste of money especially when your cell phone already comes with these. Paying a buck for these may sound cheap, but this expense can quickly add up.
TheKarenD / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Gas hike – $5 per gallon gas coming soon? Prepare for rising gas prices with these six tips. (MoneyCrashers)
Kids and money – Find out how to teach kids to manage money before they move out. (The Centisible Life)
Identity theft – Do you know your rights if your identity is stolen? Here’s what to do to get your credit back on track. (Time Moneyland)
Shopping addicts – Can’t stop shopping? You’re not alone. Deal with your compulsive shopping with these seven cures. (MSN Money)
This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.
A baby nursery for less than $260!
Remember my post from October about looking for a pregnant Halloween costume? Well, the time has *almost* come. Here are nine ways I’ve saved money in preparation for parenthood.
- We compared the prices of popular baby gear on Amazon, Babies R Us, and Target to make sure we got the best deal on a car seat and other items we wanted to buy new. You’d be surprised which retailer was the cheapest!
- I stalked craigslist, Freecycle, and my local Mommy & Me consignment store to furnish our nursery, pictured above, for less than $260. I can’t believe how much used baby stuff is free or extremely cheap. Here are more places to look to avoid paying retail for baby clothesand gear. (more…)
- TheGiantVermin / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
A while back Bargain Babe found out she can use in store Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons online to save money. In comments, readers shared tips to saving money at BBB that seemed to good to be true! I contacted the company to verify the suggestions.
Stackable coupons – Manufacturer’s coupons can be used in addition to any store coupons for the same item. If you have trouble, ask to speak to the store manger or call corporate. Note, Tammy said her local store refused to stack coupons.
Doubling up - While some stores allow you to apply multiple 20% off coupons to a single item, most allow only one coupon per item.
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
blentley / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Low-cost Champagne – Before buying the bubbly, you have to check out this guide to buying inexpensive champagne for New Year’s Eve. (Fabulous and Frugal)
Freebies – Leah Ingram has compiled a list of New Year’s Eve freebies. (Suddenly Frugal)
Free bites – Hungry? Learn how to score free meals. Give one of these 12 suggestions a try. (Money Crashers)
Health Insurance – Tips for choosing the right health insurance plan during open enrollment. (The Digerati Life)
Save money – Want to save money in 2012? Check out this advice on how to save $5,000 in 2012. (MSN Money)
This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.
Is it safe to buy appliances from an outlet? Credit: Editor B/Flickr
Jeannie is not sure she can trust an appliance outlet store. What do you think?
Dear Julia, Love your site. Question for you or the readers: we need a new dishwasher and Consumer Reports recommends 2 Whirlpool models in our price range. I did “Bargain Babe” due diligence in looking around for a great price and came across the Whirlpool Outlet store, which claims it has brand new products. But how do I know I can trust them?
Their site looks legit, but they’re based in the Midwest and we’re on the East Coast, so it makes me wonder if I’d be better off paying a little more and buying from a brick-and-mortar store, which feels so 1990s to me! Any advice you could offer would be great! Thanks, Jeannie
Jeannie, I would check a few things off my list before making a major purchase from an online retailer you are new to.
Get $10 back when you buy Raisin Bran! Credit: GoodNCrazy/Flickr
Linda read my shelf-clearing Raisin Bran escapade and sent in a hot tip!
Be sure & send in for the $10 gas card from Kellogg’s for the Raisin Bran cereal. Go to www.2.kelloggs.com/AARP/
rewards , then click on the rewards tab.All you need is 10 upc’s off of certain Kellogg’s cereals, including Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Crispix, Corn Flakes & more. You don’t even have to have the receipts. You are allowed 5 per household & you get it in a pre-paid Mastercard that can be used towards gas. Expires 12-31-11 Enjoy!!!!!!!!! Linda
I checked it out and this is a hot deal! The rules are quite simple:
Save $10 off $40 at Walgreens today only!
There are 48 coupons and freebies today, most of them Cyber Monday deals. Freebies are below the Cyber Monday deals. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates. Free to join! Don’t miss exclusive coupons we share on the BargainBabe.com Facebook page. “Like” us today!
CYBER MONDAY DEALS – VALID TODAY, NOV. 28 ONLY
Athleta - Save 30% off with Athleta promo code HUGECYBER. Online only. Get an extra 2% back when you shop through Ebates.
HOT! Amazon - The Amazon Cyber Monday
Banana Republic - Save 30% off with Banana Republic promo code HUGECYBER. Online only. Get an extra 2% back when you shop through Ebates.
This video uses adult language. Not recommended for youngsters!
Loud. Brash. Egotistical. That’s how I would describe Ramit Sethi, the New York Times best selling author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”
After the conference my friend, Jen from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, chatted me up on Skype.
Jen: Ok, I just watched the video…Funny, yes, but a TOTAL insult to frugal bloggers. So, was it funny in the context of his talk, or if you are a frugal blogger sitting there, would you still have been totally insulted?
Winner and runner-ups announced below!
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
The winner of “The Problem with Money? It’s Not About the Money!” by Jane Honeck is reader Kellee. She admits her rocky relationship with money comes from not being taught to manage money at an early age. She wrote:
I was never taught to prepare for the future. My mom lived from check to check, so do I. I need to get something started because I am already 10k in the hole from previous unemployment.
Kelle, I hope (more…)
Win this book!
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
The premise behind “The Problem with Money? It’s Not About the Money!” by Jane Honeck is that we all hold unconscious beliefs about money that strongly influence how we handle money. Honeck, who has 30 years of experience as a CPA, explores the negative beliefs that haven’t allowed your money grow.
The 123-page book is intended for
