Tag: Saving Money

Orlando, Washington, Charlotte, New York, and Atlanta.

You probably know a lot about these cities, individually. But with that single sentence, you’re most likely wondering “Why the grouping?”

The simple answer: Couponing!

In a CNBC article, it showed that these five cities are the top when it comes to frugal living. And frugal it is, what with each person saving more than $200. New Yorkers who used coupons top the list in amount saved, at a whopping $476!

This shows just how they’re worth every second you download or cut them out.

And this how to coupon for beginners guide we’ve come up with will show you how it’s done. Time to get all those pennies and dollars saved!

1. How to Coupon for Beginners Starts with Knowing Where to Start

First things first: Know where you can get those coupons.

You don’t have to look hard and long, seeing as there are just so many sites you can obtain them from. After all, the value of distributed consumer packed goods coupons total to a $470 billion in the U.S. alone!

Just do a quick Google search using the keyword “coupons” and you’ll get 141 million results in less than a second. That’s how popular these money-savers are, and how easy you’ll find them to access.

Going traditional is a great way to start though. Start with your newspapers and magazines. These are some of the best sources of coupons. Especially the papers with the most extensive circulation or coverage.

From here, you can go around and ask your non-coupon-using family and friends for their copies of the papers and mags. So long as they’ll just put these up for recycling after reading, they’ll be more than happy for you to put them to better use.

And there’s the World Wide Web of course. Just check out these Enfamil coupons Walmart accepts. With that $5 discount for a price of less than $5, that makes it almost free. Who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that?

Here’s a how to coupon for beginners reminder though:

If the store you want to use the coupons for don’t have at least five products you’re looking for, save the coupons for next time. It’ll be just a bother, not to mention waste of time, effort, and gas if you can only get a couple of products in one go.

2. Start Organizing

All those cut outs can quickly turn into a disastrous mess. So, before you start cutting them into itsy bitsy pieces, get yourself an organizing kit. It can be envelopes, folders, or binders.

The important thing is, organize them depending on how you usually work things out. For instance, it’s a good idea to color code them based on their use.

Check out this more in-depth how to coupon for beginners tip on color-coding:

• Use a green folder or binder for discount coupons on vegetables and other produce
• Red for meat and poultry
• White for household cleaning solutions, detergents, dishwashers, etc.
• Yellow for tools and DIY supplies

These are just examples, but feel free to use them or base your own strategies on them. They’ll all boil down to helping you save time and energy once you’re at the store.

3. Compare Discount Rates

Just because you’ll already get discounts from them doesn’t mean they’ll all give you the same amount of savings. You still have to do a bit of research to figure out which coupons offer the biggest money-saving deal.

So, take the time to compare the deals each coupon offers. Also, make sure to check out the stores themselves carrying the products you want to get.

This way, you can find out if the store has its own promotion. And if it has a better deal, then you can save up the coupon for your next hugely-discounted shopping expedition.

4. Matchmaking Time

Here’s a must-remember how to coupon for beginners trick: Learn the art and science of coupon matchups!

Sometimes, there are items you can use multiple coupons on. By matching these up, you’re on your way to getting even more savings. A few examples of stores that allow this coupon matchmaking technique are Walmart, While Foods, Walgreens, Target, and Rite Aid among many others.

Since you’re most likely doing your shopping in one go, it’s best you plan for the matchups a few days before. It takes time to determine which coupons match with what, but the huge savings you’ll get is definitely worth the time.

5. Focus on Your Needs

Coupons are definitely some of the most ingenious money-saving inventions for consumers. However, incorrect use can lead to you spending more than your initial goal.

As a newcomer to the world of couponing, a problem you most likely will encounter is sorting through all the rubble of coupons you may not need. Especially those that will make you spend more despite your goal of actually pinching pennies.

So, a how to coupon for beginners you should never forget is to prioritize clipping for items you have the greatest need for. And it starts with figuring out what exactly you need right away.

Perhaps you need children’s milk, such as Enfamil, for your kids. Or maybe you’re low on household supplies, like detergents, bath soaps, dishwashing liquids, etc. Whichever the case is, it’s a good idea to check your pantry and supply storage to find out what you’re lacking or low on supply in.

And from there, focus your coupon search on just these items.

6. Make a List

Making a “To-Do List” is crucial to productivity. It lets you organize and prioritize your tasks. Following this list then results not just in timely completion of your tasks, but better output too.

The same applies to couponing. When you create a list of items you need based on your needs’ urgency, you’ll have an easier time finding coupons and getting those that give you the greatest savings.

In addition, you can use the same list when you do the shopping itself, as it lets you avoid the pitfalls of the aisles. Not having a list puts you at risk of forgetting your main goal, not to mention the possibility of impulse buying.

So, before you head out to your next extreme couponing adventure, don’t forget this list. It can make a huge difference in your expedition’s success, as well as your wallet’s thickness.

Want More Money-Saving Tips?

Looking for more advice on thrifty living and saving money? We’ve got you covered!

Go and explore our blog site for more great life hacks to save money while still living comfortably.

When your loved one passes away, the funeral expenses generally start with a two thousand dollar service fee and go up from there to cost upwards of eight thousand dollars on average.

For that price tag, you get the removal and embalming of the remains, preparation, and dressing of the body, use of the facilities for a ceremony, use of a hearse or service van, printed memorial materials, a casket, and a funeral director to lead the proceedings.

While each of these items is considered part of the standard funeral package, not everyone can afford to spend that much. But, there are ways to cut costs and save. Read on to learn more.

1. Shop Around Online for Your Biggest Funeral Expenses

Companies make it easy to shop online and compare their prices for services like providing flowers, making printed materials for funerals, and more. Violet Florists, in particular, has a very easy-to-navigate website, https://www.violets-florist.com/florist-upper-east-side.

While funerals tend to happen quickly if you have the time to shop online you can reduce your stress and find multiple places to save money on your expenses. Just make sure you factor in the extra time it might take to have things shipped to you.

2. Don’t Embalm

While embalming a body has become the standard in the United States, around the world it isn’t common practice.

Many salespeople for funeral products will tell you that you need to embalm the body because otherwise there will be an odor and the decay process will begin. But in actuality, most modern funerals take place before these potential issues would become a real problem.

By choosing not to embalm a body, it won’t be preserved for the next hundred years, instead, it will decompose naturally and in a manner that is best for the environment.

3. Avoid Costly Upgrades

While things like gaskets on a casket or shiny finishes may sound nice, they really aren’t necessary to make the casket functional. Make sure when you are selecting items for the funeral, you pay for the costs you can’t do without first, like preparing the body.

Then you can think about how much you want to spend on preventing the elements from getting into the casket and making sure that it’s roomy. If you want to make sure you have a top of the line casket for your own funeral, consider setting up a living trust.

4. Consider Cremation

Cremation is another way to potentially save money on a funeral since it gives you the option of cremating the body before the service saving you the cost of dressing and making up the body.

Cremation also can save you money in the long run since you won’t need as large of a burial plot for the body. You can opt to spread the ashes in nature, store them in a decorative urn, or have them places in a large monumental memorial.

More Articles for Savings

Saving on funeral expenses is all about streamlining what is really necessary for the process and putting together a simple service.

For more savings tips for frugal living, check out our blog today.

In recent years, the popularity of organic food has increased dramatically. In fact, nearly half of all Americans care about organic food in their diets.

It’s for good reason, too: organic foods, which are free of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, don’t put toxic chemicals into our bloodstreams. And, they are often higher in nutritional value since the plant must defend and support itself without the assistance of harmful chemicals.

Okay, okay, you get it: organic is best. But it’s just so expensive, right?

Wrong. Read on to learn our top tips on how to eat organically for a price that won’t bust open your wallet.

Shop Seasonal

This one’s a no-brainer: if you’re interested in how to eat fresh, pesticide-free produce at a reasonable price, you must eat seasonally. Seasonal foods tend to be riper, sweeter, and higher in nutritional content.

Eating seasonally means buying strawberries and tomatoes in the summer when these fruits are in high production for local farmers. And it means winter squashes and Brussel sprouts in autumn when it’s high-time to harvest these delicious goods.

Buying strawberries in the dead of winter means the fruit won’t be as sweet and ripe, and it will likely have traveled farther from its origin. This means higher prices. Why? Because the store needs to pass on these added transportation and storage costs to someone…and that someone is you.

Store Selection is Key

If you want to eat cheap organic food, it’s crucial that you shop at the right places. Not all produce aisles are the same!

Some “big box” stores offer only a handful of organic options; this means the quality is limited and the prices are likely high. Scope out your local stores, and consider those that sell predominantly organic foods, or have large sections devoted to clean eats.

You’ll learn which stores have your favorite products, too. This might mean a bit more time on grocery shopping each week, but if you can save $10 on a package of organic, free-range chicken breasts, that’s well worth the time and gas to make the extra stop!

Also, consider your local Farmer’s market. This is a fun and healthy way to spend a weekend morning and allows you to interact directly with the farmer (no need for the middleman, i.e. grocery store.) It’s also a great way to chat with the grower about the health and quality of his or her organic crops.

Prioritize Like a Pro

If you’re experiencing organic food sticker shock, fret not: spend your money on the highest-priority food items. This includes meats and dairy, which nearly always have added antibiotics and hormones. Yuck.

Next in line is produce, fruits and veggies. Focus on buying those without protective skins or rinds. For example, a grape would be a better product to buy organically than an orange, since any pesticide residue will be removed when you peel the orange.

Finally, your hard-earned money should go to packaged foods last. Since packaged foods, like crackers and cookies, are so highly-processed, you’re already exposing yourself to added, undesirable ingredients. Which brings us to our next point…

Go Part-Time Vegan & Eat Whole Foods

It’s no surprise that some of the most expensive products you can buy at the store are meats, eggs, and dairy products. An organic, grass-fed steak can cost upwards of ten dollars. Simply put, putting meat on the table for most meals isn’t cheap.

Many nutritionists recommend going “part-time” vegan or vegetarian. This is the best of all worlds: you aren’t completely giving up meat or dairy, but you’re certainly cutting back. Some people choose to eat meat only for dinner, and others allow themselves meat or dairy every other day.

There are countless health benefits to this, too: by skipping out on meat, eggs, and dairy, you’re allowing yourself that much more in vegetables, grains and legumes, and fruits. Since these organic food options are cheaper than meat, you’re saving money, too.

And while we’re talking about it, remember that whole foods – unprocessed and often unpackaged – are always best. This is what our body evolved to eat, and whole foods are always preferable to packaged food items.

Plan Meals for the Week

In order to buy cheap organic food, we don’t recommend making a week’s worth of meal decisions while standing at the produce counter. To help with chemical free shopping, spend thirty minutes each week at home with a small notebook and do some meal-planning.

Consider the following when thinking about how to eat organically, in order to save the most cash:

• What’s about to expire? Do you have fresh, organic produce sitting on your counter, or in your fridge, that needs to be used up?
• What’s in your pantry? Are there canned or dry goods that you can toss into a pasta, soup, or use as a side dish?
• Do a bit of coupon-clipping. Check the local papers, social media, or phone apps to see what’s available. Yes, grocers do offer coupons for organic foods!
• Cook in bulk! Make a large meal and freeze smaller portions for next week’s lunches.

Believe us when we say this, spending a few minutes each week to plan meals will save you time and money in the weeks and months to follow. It means less meals out at restaurants, and fewer purchases of those high-dollar products that you might buy when dinner needs to be on the table in thirty minutes.

Make vs. Buy

Think carefully about the organic “snack” foods that you enjoy. Do you find yourself buying organic seasoned kale chips, organic whole wheat bread, or an organic salad dressing?

These are, unfortunately, still considered processed foods. By making these simple items instead of buying them, you’re cutting out processed ingredients, reducing packaging waste, and, yes, even saving money. A sweet potato is less than a dollar, whereas a bag of organic sweet potato chips might cost five times that.

Making your own “chips” (kale, apple, sweet potato, etc.) is as easy as slicing and baking until crisp. Salad dressings can be whipped up using your own vinegar and oil, and even a fresh bread can be easily made with a few ingredients and a dutch oven.

Waste Nothing

Many organic eaters care greatly about the environment and attempt to reduce their impact on their local and global surroundings. A great way to do this? Composting.

Think of all those food scraps that you toss away on a regular basis: apple cores, banana peels, corn husks, and tomato stems. Did you know that all of that can be “recycled” and broken down into new soil?

Some cities and communities offer cash rewards and incentives to households who either recycle and/or compost their food waste. Check out your local extension office or city government websites to see if you can get cash or rewards for your smart habits. The environment will thank you, too!

One form of “reward” for composting? If you’re part of a compost pickup program, you may get finished compost in return! Perfect to fertilize your own organic garden, which brings us to our next tip…

How to Eat Organically? Grow Your Own!

Don’t be daunted by the prospect of starting your own mini-garden. For those looking at how to eat organically, sometimes this is the cheapest (and most fun!) option available.

Organic seed packets, available online or at any hardware store, are no more than a few dollars and often contain 25+ seeds. Depending on the productivity of your plants, this can save hundreds or thousands of dollars over the course of a few years.

Learn your local agricultural zone and, as mentioned above, plant seasonally (e.g. berries and zucchini in the summer months.) If you have a “bumper crop” (lucky you!) then freeze or can the extra produce. This is a great way to enjoy cheap organic food any time of the year.

And remember, the key to organic gardening is to use no fertilizer/pesticide, or only organic fertilizer/pesticide. This means getting creative with products like neem oil (a naturally-derived pesticide) and natural fertilizers, like fish emulsion.

It’s No Mystery!

Many health-wise consumers are scared to “go organic” because they assume it’s more hassle and more money. Not true: by following some (or all!) of the tips we’ve included above, anyone can learn how to eat organically without breaking the bank.

For more fun and useful advice about living on a budget and making smart money decisions, check out the rest of our blog!

As you gear up for your big day, everyone keeps telling you that the photography services you choose are more important than anything else you purchase for your wedding.

They are completely right.

Your photographer — even more than the wedding decor, venue or dress you choose — can make your wedding day look like a storybook one for all the world to see. And as the years go by, the pictures are all you’ll have to help you to remember the details of your big day.

But how can you hire a photographer without going broke?

Everything about a wedding is ludicrously expensive, but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you still need to hire a wedding photographer, here’s a rundown on how to secure affordable wedding photography services.

Let’s get started!

Set a Budget and Negotiate for Affordable Wedding Photography

Before you begin your wedding photography search, you need to develop a budget for your photographer.

If your budget is a bit tight, you may want to search for a photography student or a newer professional photographer.

Then, it’s time to negotiate.

A photographer will likely be open to negotiating with you if you book him or her on a day besides Saturday or if you book off-season.

Of course, you’re fooling yourself if you think you can convince a top-notch photography professional to charge $1,000 for your wedding photos when he or she normally charges $5,000.

To make negotiations work best for you, it’s critical that you find a professional who is as close as possible to your photography budget from the beginning.

And don’t forget to compare various photographers’ costs and packages to make sure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

You should be able to find a photographer’s rates on his or her website. For instance, a company called Professional Portrait Photography clearly spells out rates and pricing on its website. This website also provides galleries of photos so that you can see examples of the photographer’s previous work before you decide to purchase the company’s services.

Book Your Photographer Early

Some photographers will also offer you a discount for booking them early. So, try to find a photographer immediately after you’ve set your wedding date.

Even if a photographer doesn’t necessarily give you a discount, you may still receive a lower price than you would if you booked the photographer closer to your wedding day.

Here’s why.

Budding photographers have a tendency to increase their rates as their reputations grow each year. And even photographers who are established may raise their rates each year to stay ahead of inflation.

Therefore, if you know that you’ll be getting married a year now or a couple of years from now, it only makes sense to secure your photographer now and lock in today’s prices.

Another way to save on costs is to pay for your services upfront, which might lead to a nice discount.

Schedule Your Photographer Wisely

Let’s say that your photography package includes a total of eight hours of video and photography. Chances are that your wedding day will be a virtually all-day affair, so it may be in your best interest to choose the eight-hour period that you definitely want your photographer there with you.

For example, you might prefer to have your photographer there with you more when you’re getting ready at the start of the day. Then, you can have the photographer leave right after your cake cutting.

Sure, you might miss capturing a few awesome moments toward the end of the wedding reception. But you might also save hundreds of dollars in overtime charges, too.

Alternatively, you could have your photographer skip your pre-wedding festivities. Instead, your groomsmen and bridesmaids can take these photos with their digital cameras.

Remember, time is money in the wedding photography world. So, schedule your photographer wisely.

Ask about Referrals

Ask if your prospective photographer offers a referral program.

With such a program, you may receive a discount simply for referring your engaged friends or coworkers to the photographer either in person or through social media. Or instead of a discount, you may receive credits for purchasing photos or albums.

You could convince your friends to sign up with the photographer you’ve used by showing off your wedding photo proofs or posting your final photos online.

Bypass the Album

You may be tempted to have your photographer assemble a wedding album for you. This is an excellent idea if you’ve got the budget for it. If not, don’t worry — it’s not totally necessary.

Sure, your photographer has an excellent eye for selecting the best pictures. But you can also choose the pictures you like the most and put together your own physical or online album.

Besides saving money, the good thing about assembling your own album is that you get to fully control your album’s flow. Plus, you can effortlessly produce copies for friends and family members, too.

Speaking of copies, one of the best ways to save on photography costs is to stick with a digital package.

At the outset, purchasing digital rights to photos may seem more costly. However, once you’ve got a disc filled with your wedding photos, you can freely print off affordable ones for your family members elsewhere — even using your home printer.

You could even simply send your family the photos via email and have them print them off.

Either way, going digital is a smart way to save money on a wedding photographer.

How We Can Help

We offer a wide range of tips and advice for those interested in living frugally and earning money.

For example, in addition to learning affordable wedding photography tips, you can find out how to throw a wedding on a budget. You can also learn how to provide healthy yet cheap snacks for the kids, or how to maximize your tax refund to improve your financial situation each year.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you to save money and thus enjoy a better quality of life long term.

Engagement rings are expensive, and the fact that folks in the United States spend an average of $6,351 on them is proof!

Let’s consider the monthly average salary of people in the typical “marrying age” (between 25 and 34 years old), which is around $3,300. This means an average engagement ring costs about two months’ worth of salary!

In an ideal world, an engagement is something you’d want to spend money on. However, this precursor to marriage is only a small start of more wedding-related expenses to come.

That’s why engagement ring sales should make it in your list of prospects. After all, you’d want enough budget for the wedding itself, and the family you’ll soon build.

How exactly can you save money with these ring sales when it’s time to propose though?

Don’t worry. This guide we came up with will show you how to do that!

Why Go for Engagement Ring Sales in the First Place?

A recent Forbes article pointed out that engagement ring prices average $5,000. That’s $1,351 less than the average actual spending. But it’s still a hefty price.

Think about how you can use a lump $5,000 to make a down payment on a new house you’ll share with your would-be wife. Or how you can spend it on a one-of-a-kind honeymoon. You can even start a family with less student loan debts!

These show how many things you can do with the money you’ll save when you opt for more reasonably priced engagement rings. So, when the time comes to get on one knee and pop the question, you need to choose between being practical and having a status symbol.

Ring sales are your ticket to securing a rock for less. These deals give you access to more affordable options – including diamonds. All without suffering from the consequences of burning through two months’ worth of salary.

Now that you know you still have hope of getting your soon-to-be-spouse a diamond, next is to learn how to get it. So, without further ado, let’s start this money-saving list when buying engagement rings.

Be A Prince, But Don’t Spend Like Prince Harry

Did you know that experts believe Prince Harry proposed with a whopping $350,000-worth ring to Meghan Markle? Granted, the value has a lot to do with the ring boasting of two of Princess D’s diamonds. But all in all, that’s a price very few Americans can handle.

Yes, you want to be the prince charming your better half has ever dreamed of. At the same time, you also want to make sure you can still take care of the wedding and wedded-life finances.

As such, the first thing you should do is establish your finances. These should include the following:

• How much you can afford
• How much you’re willing to spend
• How much more you can set aside as some sort of leeway

From here, consider the types and styles of ring your budget can accommodate. Yes, you need to learn the basics of diamonds’ 4 Cs. But you also need to consider your would-be wife’s needs and preferences.

Keep in mind that women do their careful research when buying men’s jewelry after all. So, the same should go true when it’s your time to shine and buy that shiny rock.

The 4 Cs of Diamonds You Need to Know

According to GIA, the creator of the well-established diamond 4C quality standard, these Cs stand for the following:

1. Color
2. Clarity
3. Cut
4. Carat Weight

All these contribute to the final price of the rock. But shape, such as whether it’s round, cushion, oval, princess, or emerald, also affects the price.

For your reference, the five above-mentioned shapes or “cuts” make the cut (sorry) when it comes to the most popular. Knowing more about them can then help you determine which one best suits your soon-to-be-bride. After all, you can already incorporate her own style and preference in your buying decision.

Buying Rings without the Middle Man

Make no mistake – when you opt for engagement ring sales, you’ll get a genuine stone. So long as you do so from a trusted merchant, you can buy a huge diamond and pay much less.

How?

For starters, because reliable and trustworthy jewelers offering these deals have no use for middlemen. In other words, the rocks and rings go straight to them. It’s for this reason they can sell their genuine products for much less.

Imagine proposing with a big ring that you saved a month for but would’ve otherwise cost you two months’ worth of salary. You can rest easy knowing your savings can handle the wedding, all the while putting a huge smile on your partner’s face.

Online Engagement Rings That Save You Even More Money

You’ll find many online merchants selling reasonably priced engagement rings, but not all of them can help you further cut your expenses.

For instance, not all online ring sellers offer free shipping – anywhere in the country or even the world. Also, considering that you’d want insurance to cover your purchase, shipping rates alone can already make your final bill skyrocket.

You also need to consider the possibility of returning a ring. For instance, you made a mistake on the ring size, having bought a 7.5 when you should’ve chosen a 6. Some merchants may not allow returns, and even if they did, charge you for fees incurred.

Lastly, think about the guarantee. Imagine 10 years from now losing one of the ring’s accent gemstones. It’s a rare occurrence in high-quality engagement rings, but it’s still a possibility.

That’s why you want to work with a jeweler who offers lifetime guarantees. This way, your then-wife can have her engagement ring back in the same condition she received it from you.

Start Your Search for the Best Engagement Ring Now

As you can see, engagement ring sales can help you propose sooner than you would if you have to save for several months to buy a ring. So, start shopping now for these rings at reasonable prices!

Also, don’t forget to check out our budgeting tips and tricks! These will come handy when it’s time for the wedding and the family-building!