If you own a car you know how expensive it is to own one. Unfortunately, cars are a necessity for most of us, especially for folks in California where public transportation is very unreliable and limited. However, just because a car is a necessary expense does not mean that there aren't ways to save on car expenses. Key ways to save on car expenses are as follows:
Get your car maintenance done regularly. If you get you need to change your oil every 5000 miles get in changed every 5,000 miles don't wait until it's 7,000 or 8000 miles. Get things like your air filter changed per the owners manual don't wait until is completely inoperable before changing it. If you take care of your car your car will last longer and so you won't need to be buying a new car every 5 years instead it can last 10 or more years. Also, learn how to change your car oil will save you lots of money as well.
Rotate and balance tires - Add more life to your cars tires by having them rotated and balanced every year especially if you drive your car daily. Tires wear out your shock absorbers leading to more expenses. So, rotate and balance tires yearly.
Shop around for cheaper insurance. Geico.com, 21st Century.com and Wanessa insurance I've found provides very affordable insurance. But, shop around in your area to find the cheapest rates. You'll be amazed at how much it saves you. Also, raise your deductible can help you save on insurance costs.
Shop around for cheaper gas. Go to online to sites like Gasbuddy.com and GasPriceWatchers.com and so forth to find cheaper gas before you go out and buy gas. Also, many credit cards have gas rebates you can use those only if you pay them off immediately. Also, some grocery stores like Ralph's are giving 10cents rebates to it's card holders. Go to your local grocery store website to see if they offer any such deals.
Wash your own car. Stop paying car washes to wash your car. Admit it they never do a good job anyway. Wash it yourself.
Find ways to online to save on car expenses. You would be amazed at how many ways you can save on car expenses.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Save money while in school
Tuition, room and board is very costly. Many students are struggling to pay back student loans because they are unemployed or their current jobs do not pay well. While in school here are some ways to cut cost.
Rent Books - Never ever buy books. Rent them and shop around online for cheap book rental sites like: bookrenter.com, chegg.com, ecampus.com, etc.
Workstudy: Apply for work study when you do your FAFSA and find a job on campus at the library, cafeteria, departmental office, etc.
Scholarships: As your parents if their jobs offer scholarships to employees kids, go to Fastweb.com to search for scholarships. Contact local non profits and alumni associations and apply for scholarships.
Community College: Take some of your general education classes at local community college to save on tuition cost. In Los Angeles Area community colleges charge $20- $30 per unit which is lot cheaper than university costs.
Part-time job: If you can't get a work study job get a part time job like babysitting, housekeeping, catering, tutoring, etc. Go on craigslist.com, indeed.com or search online or the campus newspaper to find a job.
Rent Books - Never ever buy books. Rent them and shop around online for cheap book rental sites like: bookrenter.com, chegg.com, ecampus.com, etc.
Workstudy: Apply for work study when you do your FAFSA and find a job on campus at the library, cafeteria, departmental office, etc.
Scholarships: As your parents if their jobs offer scholarships to employees kids, go to Fastweb.com to search for scholarships. Contact local non profits and alumni associations and apply for scholarships.
Community College: Take some of your general education classes at local community college to save on tuition cost. In Los Angeles Area community colleges charge $20- $30 per unit which is lot cheaper than university costs.
Part-time job: If you can't get a work study job get a part time job like babysitting, housekeeping, catering, tutoring, etc. Go on craigslist.com, indeed.com or search online or the campus newspaper to find a job.
Easy Recipes under $5
A lot of people often find it hard to stop eating out. Instead they prefer to spend money on food when they can make it themselves and save a ton of money. Here is a recipe under $5.
Pecan crushed Tilapia with rice
1 lb of tilapia
1/2 cup of diced pecans
1 1/2 tbs flour
1egg
1 cup of rice
1 1/2 cups of water
Salt n Pepper to taste
2 tsp Butter
Combine pecan, flour and egg in food processor or blender. Set mixture aside. Season the tilapia with salt and pepper and dredge in pecan flour egg mixture. Heat frying pan with 1 tsp of butter and fry talapia 1-2 minutes on each side. Combine the rice, water, salt and remaining butter in medium sauce pan and let cook until rice is soft and tender.
Serves 2-3 cost $5
Pecan crushed Tilapia with rice
1 lb of tilapia
1/2 cup of diced pecans
1 1/2 tbs flour
1egg
1 cup of rice
1 1/2 cups of water
Salt n Pepper to taste
2 tsp Butter
Combine pecan, flour and egg in food processor or blender. Set mixture aside. Season the tilapia with salt and pepper and dredge in pecan flour egg mixture. Heat frying pan with 1 tsp of butter and fry talapia 1-2 minutes on each side. Combine the rice, water, salt and remaining butter in medium sauce pan and let cook until rice is soft and tender.
Serves 2-3 cost $5
Ways to save water
We waste a lot of water in the US. We need to find ways to conserve water before it is dried out. Water is needed for our livelihood so we must make it a priority. Besides conserving water also means lower water bills. Here's some ways how we can save on water:
Don't run the dishwasher or washing machine unless it's a full load! Get the most out of that water by making sure you really have a full load.
Don't flush the toilet every time you pee. Some people have a phobia about this, but the toilet is the #1 culprit of water waste in the home.
Consider upgrading to a dishwasher. Energy Star rated dishwashers are much cleaner and more efficient than hand washing.
Don't run the dishwasher or washing machine unless it's a full load! Get the most out of that water by making sure you really have a full load.
Water your grass/plants in the morning so the water doesn't evaporate right away.
Don't flush the toilet every time you pee. Some people have a phobia about this, but the toilet is the #1 culprit of water waste in the home.
Limit your shower time -- and your kids. Limiting your kids (and you) to ten minutes instead of 30 minutes will drastically slash your water bill.
Reconsider installing that new pool. n the average, pools use 18,000 - 20,000 gallons to fill it. Warm weather can evaporate several inches of water in dry climates each day, resulting in hundreds of lost gallons! Make sure your pool is completely sealed off and free of cracks and leaks to save this valuable water.
Calculate your water footprint to see how much water you waste. These results might get you motivated!
Don't use soaps that take extra water to rinse off. These chemical agents can be harmful to the human body. Opt for more earth friendly soap, cleaners and detergents.
Ways to Save on Gas
Admit it! Gas prices are way too high, today. Here are some ways to save on gas:
Shop Around - Before you buy gas shop around for cheap deals. Go to sites like GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch.com to compare prices of gas stations in your area.
Fill up when half full - The more gas you have in your car the less air there is in the tank and gasoline evaporates rapidly.
Fill up in the morning - Most gas stations have their in the ground so the cooler the temperature the denser the gas. Warmer gas expands so you get less gas.
Use low Octane gas - As long as your car manuel suggest that you can use low octane gas like the number 87 use it. Why pay more using buying premium gas.
Stop Speeding - Why are you in such a rush? Slowing down will save you a lot on gas.
Empty Car Trunk - A heavy car using a lot more gas than an empty one. Empty out all the junk you have sitting in the back of your car.
Inflate tires - MSN.com states that by inflating your tires to the proper tire pressure will save you 3.3% on gas mileage.
Shop Around - Before you buy gas shop around for cheap deals. Go to sites like GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch.com to compare prices of gas stations in your area.
Fill up when half full - The more gas you have in your car the less air there is in the tank and gasoline evaporates rapidly.
Fill up in the morning - Most gas stations have their in the ground so the cooler the temperature the denser the gas. Warmer gas expands so you get less gas.
Use low Octane gas - As long as your car manuel suggest that you can use low octane gas like the number 87 use it. Why pay more using buying premium gas.
Stop Speeding - Why are you in such a rush? Slowing down will save you a lot on gas.
Empty Car Trunk - A heavy car using a lot more gas than an empty one. Empty out all the junk you have sitting in the back of your car.
Inflate tires - MSN.com states that by inflating your tires to the proper tire pressure will save you 3.3% on gas mileage.
Affordable places to eat in Los Angeles
There are many affordable dining establishments in your area. You just need to do a search and also ask friends or co-workers for suggestions. Here's a list of common affordable places:
Inn & Out
Juicy Burger
El Pollo Loco
El Torito
Panda Express
Wing Stop
Roscoe Chicken and Waffles
Johnny's Pastrami
Mom's Tamales
Zankou Chicken
Quiznos
Just Google these places for addresses and locations.
Inn & Out
Juicy Burger
El Pollo Loco
El Torito
Panda Express
Wing Stop
Roscoe Chicken and Waffles
Johnny's Pastrami
Mom's Tamales
Zankou Chicken
Quiznos
Just Google these places for addresses and locations.
Cheap things to do when you are bored
Read - Read a book, magazine, blog, catch up emails etc
Write a blog - Log on to Word Press or Google and write a blog.
Write a letter - Write a letter to someone telling them how much you care and love them.
Wash your car - Stop spending money at a car wash, instead wash your own car.
Take a walk - Get some exercise in and walk around the block or at local park.
Walk your dog - Get some exercise in and walk your dog or neighbors dog.
Learn how to sew or knit - Learn it maybe you can turn it into a career.
Clean out your closet - Clean it out and give or sell things you don't use or want.
Have a potluck and invite friends over - Have a game or movie night invite friends.
Learn a new language - Stop putting it off and learn a new language.
Visit local free museums and libraries - support local libraries and museums.
Babysit or senior sit - Help a single mom out or visit a senior center and read to seniors.
Volunteer - Tutor, pass out food, flyers, sit, talk on phone at a local non profit.
Clean your house - Face it your house is dirty clean it and don't hire anyone to do it
Organize - Organize your books, dvd or cd collection or sell them on Ebay, Amazon, Craigslist,etc.
Learn how to cook - Ever wanted to know how to make a certain dish go online for recipes.
Meditate - One of the best ways to relieve stress
Sleep - Most of us only get 4 to 5 hours of sleep. We need to sleep more.
Write a blog - Log on to Word Press or Google and write a blog.
Write a letter - Write a letter to someone telling them how much you care and love them.
Wash your car - Stop spending money at a car wash, instead wash your own car.
Take a walk - Get some exercise in and walk around the block or at local park.
Walk your dog - Get some exercise in and walk your dog or neighbors dog.
Learn how to sew or knit - Learn it maybe you can turn it into a career.
Clean out your closet - Clean it out and give or sell things you don't use or want.
Have a potluck and invite friends over - Have a game or movie night invite friends.
Learn a new language - Stop putting it off and learn a new language.
Visit local free museums and libraries - support local libraries and museums.
Babysit or senior sit - Help a single mom out or visit a senior center and read to seniors.
Volunteer - Tutor, pass out food, flyers, sit, talk on phone at a local non profit.
Clean your house - Face it your house is dirty clean it and don't hire anyone to do it
Organize - Organize your books, dvd or cd collection or sell them on Ebay, Amazon, Craigslist,etc.
Learn how to cook - Ever wanted to know how to make a certain dish go online for recipes.
Meditate - One of the best ways to relieve stress
Sleep - Most of us only get 4 to 5 hours of sleep. We need to sleep more.
Ways to increase income
Today, due to the hard economic times, we are forced to cut back and increase our income even if we don't want to.
Here is a list of ways to increase income thereby sustaining you during these hard times:
Rent a room: If you have an extra room that is unused rent it.
Recycle: Recycle all your bottles and cans. Ask neighbors, co-workers and family to give you their unwanted empty bottles and cans.
Get a part-time job: Get a part time job as a babysitter, tutor, housekeeper, lawnmower, etc to make extra money. Post an ad onwww.care.com or www.craigslist.com to publish your services.
Here is a list of ways to increase income thereby sustaining you during these hard times:
Rent a room: If you have an extra room that is unused rent it.
Recycle: Recycle all your bottles and cans. Ask neighbors, co-workers and family to give you their unwanted empty bottles and cans.
Get a part-time job: Get a part time job as a babysitter, tutor, housekeeper, lawnmower, etc to make extra money. Post an ad onwww.care.com or www.craigslist.com to publish your services.
Stop Spending: It's simple stop eating out, bring your lunch to work, stop buying clothes and shoes. etc. Just stop spending money for a month or two and you'll notice you save a lot of money thus increasing your income.
Garage sale: Have a garage sale and sell the stuff you have sitting in garage for years.
Sell items: If you have rare or unique item that you believe it worth a lot of money then sell it on Ebay, Craigslist or even a pawn shop.
Cancel Landline phone or cell phone: Nowadays, we only need to use one phone. So, why are you paying for two phones. Get rid or either or landline or your cell phone and watch your income grow.
Cancel cable: Or switch to basic cable or just stop watching TV. Instead spend time with family playing games, renting movies from library or reading
Garage sale: Have a garage sale and sell the stuff you have sitting in garage for years.
Sell items: If you have rare or unique item that you believe it worth a lot of money then sell it on Ebay, Craigslist or even a pawn shop.
Cancel Landline phone or cell phone: Nowadays, we only need to use one phone. So, why are you paying for two phones. Get rid or either or landline or your cell phone and watch your income grow.
Cancel cable: Or switch to basic cable or just stop watching TV. Instead spend time with family playing games, renting movies from library or reading
Finding cheap flights
Airline fares are becoming more and more outrageous. Therefore, you are forced to shop around cheaper airfares. Here's some websites that can help you shop around for cheaper deals:
http://mhlnk.com/54DD6A36
Cfares.com
Cheapair.com
Cheapfares.com
Cheapflights.com
Cheapoair.com
Cheaptickets.com
Expedia.com
Farecompare.com
Google.com/Flights
Hotwire.com
Kayak.com
Lowfares.com
Lowestfare.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
Travel.yahoo.com
Travelzoo.com
Tripmama.com
Note: Be flexible with your travel times/dates. Also, compare rates with other modes of transportation like driving yourself, taking the train, bus, etc.
http://mhlnk.com/54DD6A36
Cfares.com
Cheapair.com
Cheapfares.com
Cheapflights.com
Cheapoair.com
Cheaptickets.com
Expedia.com
Farecompare.com
Google.com/Flights
Hotwire.com
Kayak.com
Lowfares.com
Lowestfare.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
Travel.yahoo.com
Travelzoo.com
Tripmama.com
Note: Be flexible with your travel times/dates. Also, compare rates with other modes of transportation like driving yourself, taking the train, bus, etc.
Ways to find coupons
Coupons: are everywhere these days. You no longer have to rely on your local sunday paper to supply you with coupons you can find them online in abundance. Below is a list of ways you can find coupons:
Online: Coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com, couponmom.com, valpak.com, couponcabin.com, are just a few sources to find grocery and other coupons. Just do an online Google search and you'll find a lot of coupons.
Magazines: The best magazine to find coupons is All You magazine. But, you can find coupons in any food magazine, sport magazines, fitness magazines or beauty magazines.
Newspapers: The traditional way to find coupons is by buying your local newspapers. Sunday papers are usually filled with coupons. You can go to couponmom.com to get discounts on local newspapers.
Grocery Store: Besides having the club cards you local grocery store sent out weekly flyers that have coupons.
Drug stores: CVS, Walgrees, Rite Aid and all the other major drug stores issues coupons in their weekly flyers.
Conferences/Seminars: Whenever you visit a local conference or seminar you will always see an attendant handing out coupons. If you don't see one then just ask the representatives. If they don't have it there they will mail or email one to you.
Call Manufacturer: If you have a favorite product and you cannot find a coupon then call the manufacturer and tell them how much you love their product and ask for them to send you a coupon.
Get on a List: Join the membership list or by registering on some company's website they'll often email you coupons.
http://mhlnk.com/54DD6A36
Online: Coupons.com, smartsource.com, redplum.com, couponmom.com, valpak.com, couponcabin.com, are just a few sources to find grocery and other coupons. Just do an online Google search and you'll find a lot of coupons.
Magazines: The best magazine to find coupons is All You magazine. But, you can find coupons in any food magazine, sport magazines, fitness magazines or beauty magazines.
Newspapers: The traditional way to find coupons is by buying your local newspapers. Sunday papers are usually filled with coupons. You can go to couponmom.com to get discounts on local newspapers.
Grocery Store: Besides having the club cards you local grocery store sent out weekly flyers that have coupons.
Drug stores: CVS, Walgrees, Rite Aid and all the other major drug stores issues coupons in their weekly flyers.
Conferences/Seminars: Whenever you visit a local conference or seminar you will always see an attendant handing out coupons. If you don't see one then just ask the representatives. If they don't have it there they will mail or email one to you.
Call Manufacturer: If you have a favorite product and you cannot find a coupon then call the manufacturer and tell them how much you love their product and ask for them to send you a coupon.
Get on a List: Join the membership list or by registering on some company's website they'll often email you coupons.
http://mhlnk.com/54DD6A36
Why Pay when you can get it for FREE!
There are plenty of freebies out there. You just have to search for it. Just by doing a little research you can find a lot giveaways, free samples, coupons and other discounts. So, why pay for something when you can get it for free? Here's some ways to get free stuff:
Freebies:
Freebies:
1. Just Ask for freebies: Just ask your grocer, retailer for a freebee you might just get it.
2. Get free samples: If you like a particular contact the manufacturer and as for free samples. Also, visit pharmacies and ask for free samples.
3. Craigslist: Craigslist is filled with things people give away for free daily.
4. Birthday list: Most retailers, stores, fast food places and restaurants have birthday list you can join to get a free meal on your birthday.
5. Search Online: Do a search online to find where you can get free stuff. Sites like http://www.thunderfap.com/ and http://www.totallyfreestuff.com/ always announce freebies.
6. Join Movie clubs: Buying joining or registering with movie clubs you can attend free screenings and sneak peaks of the latest movies.
7. Become a member: Membership does have it’s privilages. Sometimes if you are a member of company they issue free stuff. For example, Redbox often issue redbox codes for free movie rentals.
8. Complain: If you had bad service say for example when you went to a restaurant. Write to their corporate office about bad service you can almost always get a coupon or a free meal.
http://mhlnk.com/54DD6A36
20 things to Stop doing to save more money
Here are 20 simple things you can do today to save you more money. Use your saved money to pay down debt and save for retirement.
Here's the list:
Here's the list:
1. Stop buying bottled water
2. Stop buying paper towels
3. Stop buying dryer sheets
4. Stop using cold water in washer even for whites
5. Stop spending on gifts
6. Stop eating out
7. Stop buying coffee
8. Stop paying to get your nails done
9. Stop paying to get your hair done
10. Stop going to car washes.
11. Stop going to the grocery store without coupons
12. Stop driving to work
13. Stop your cable service
14. Stop using landline or cell phone
15. Stop paying late fees
16. Stop paying someone else to mow your lawn
17. Stop buying clothes and shoes
18. Stop using vending machines
19. Stop going to movies
20. Stop buying a new car
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