Archive for November, 2009

Five Things to Know About Gift Cards

Five Things to Know About Gift Cards

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Nov 30 - We all love gift cards, they're easy to give and even easier to get. But, there's a cost to the convenience... fine print. Here's what you need to know to make your gift card buying experience a good one.

Way to Save #135: Don't Buy Softener Sheets

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Nov 30 - Don’t buy drier softening sheets. Instead, mix up a spray bottle with half water and half fabric softener. Spray a washcloth with the mixture and toss it in the dryer.

Way to Save #134: Buy Textbooks Online

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Nov 29 - Buy textbooks online, used or both. Used to be you were trapped paying outrageous prices to the monopoly known as the campus bookstore. Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, you can buy new and used textbooks online and save serious bucks. Do a search for “used text books.”

Way to Save #133: Local Scholarships

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Nov 28 - You can look at all the scholarship search websites and library books in the world and still miss college cash. Why? Because the $300 scholarship offered by your local Rotary Club isn’t in there. Neither is the local Elks club $250 essay contest or any number of other awards local civic, cultural and religious groups [...]

Saving on Holiday Shopping

Saving on Holiday Shopping

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Nov 27 - The average couple will spend $1500 on gifts this holiday season, but a smart shopper can lower that number.

Way to Save #132: FAFSA First

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Nov 27 - FAFSA stands for “free application for federal student aid,” and it’s basically a standardized form that will help you find out what kind and how much aid will be available to your student. Colleges and universities use it as a basis for the tuition packages they offer, and nearly every scholarship, work-study and other dispenser [...]

Way to Save #131: Get Money For Nothing

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Nov 26 - Billions of dollars of grants, scholarships, work-study programs and low cost loans are available every year. Don’t pay a company to find them for you, because there are places you can search for free. The Internet is a great resource for this. Websites to check out include www.fastweb.com and www.finaid.org, but there are many others. [...]

Way to Save #130: Free Cell Phones Aren't Free

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Nov 25 - Normally you’re better off getting a cheaper plan and buying your own cellular phone. Plans that include “free” phones often also come with long contracts and higher monthly costs.

Five Really Stupid Gift Ideas

Five Really Stupid Gift Ideas

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Nov 25 - Five of the stupidest gifts we've ever seen.

Way to Save #129: Save On Cellular

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Nov 24 - Cellular phones are convenient, but they can really fracture family finances. If you keep one for emergencies, consider a much less expensive pager instead. If you really need cellular, understand what you need it for before you buy it. For example, why pay for an unlimited national calling plan if you rarely leave your state? [...]