Posts by Life or Debt
Way to Save #140: Buy Yesterday's Technology
Dec 05, 2009 - One of the fundamental ways to save money is to buy yesterday’s technology. An older computer may not play Solitaire at the speed of light, but it will probably be perfectly adequate for the tasks normal people use computers for. And it will cost a fraction of the price of the newest, fastest models. Buying [...]
Way to Save #139: Use Reusable Batteries
Dec 04, 2009 - Charge it! Batteries that is. Reusable batteries cost more to buy, but can pay for themselves easily.
Way to Save #138: Do-It-Yourself
Dec 03, 2009 - If you own a home, buy how-to books and stop calling repairmen for everything!
Way to Save #137: Clean Your Own Carpets
Dec 02, 2009 - A carpet-cleaning machine is a great neighborhood co-op tool. Share the cost (maybe you can find one at a yard sale) with your neighbors and everybody on the block saves $100 a year or more in carpet cleaning costs.
Way to Save #136: Repaint In White
Dec 01, 2009 - Painting is one of the few home improvements you can make that normally add more value to a home than it costs, assuming you do it yourself. White paint is usually cheaper, doesn’t fade, makes rooms look bigger and goes with more stuff.
Way to Save #135: Don't Buy Softener Sheets
Nov 30, 2009 - 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
Nov 29, 2009 - 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
Nov 28, 2009 - 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 [...]
Way to Save #132: FAFSA First
Nov 27, 2009 - 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
Nov 26, 2009 - 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
Nov 25, 2009 - 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.
Way to Save #129: Save On Cellular
Nov 24, 2009 - 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? [...]
Way to Save #128: Use Calling Cards
Nov 23, 2009 - If you travel, calling cards are important because they allow you to get the same rates from the road that you’re used to paying at home, at least theoretically. But the big three long distance carriers often have ridiculously high rates and fees for their cards. Before you enroll in any plan, be sure to [...]
Way to Save #126: Know The Phone Lingo
Nov 22, 2009 - It’s hard to shop smart for something when you don’t know what questions to ask. In long-distance land, there are three major ones. First, “What is your cost per minute?” Second, “What is your billing increment?” Billing increment is crucial if you make lots of calls, and especially lots of short calls. Billing increments for [...]
Way to Save #125: Shop Your Long Distance
Nov 21, 2009 - Internet sites like www.trac.org and www.abelltolls.com can help you find the best long distance calling plan for your needs. If you don’t have Internet access, go to the library. Remember: part of your monthly phone bill goes to pay for library Internet access, so use it! Even if you aren’t willing to go to the [...]
