In this day and age, computers are very close to being a necessity. Everything from social interaction to running entire businesses is done online now. Computers are more moderately priced due to the number of people buying them, however it is still an expense. Internet providers cost money as well. The last thing you need is to be inundated with advertisements for computer software to keep viruses at bay as well as many other services.
In truth, there is software that provides many services for the internet user, and it doesn’t cost a dime! Simply do a search for a FREE download of whatever service you are wanting. Anti malware and anti- spyware don’t have to cost an arm and a leg a year to have. There are many free versions of these, only differing in that the scans have to be manually run rather than automatically. As with anything you are downloading, check a reliable threat center report station (such as McAfee) to make sure the download is safe. Then find the version suitable for your computer and follow the downloading directions. It’s simple, and more importantly it is free!
By doing a little research, you can find many programs such as media players, photo editing, Skype (for audio/video chats with free Skype-to-Skype calls), and 3D maps of any location you want to go on Google Earth. Take a look at what you are interested in adding to your computer, and always check for a free version of the software in question.
Technology has come a long way…there’s no reason you have to be rich to enjoy the benefits.
By Angela Sangster, Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2011
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Saving money and managing your budget so that your family can have the best possible on what you earn is one of the most important parts of every day living. But what if something happened to you and your income was lost? What would your family do? Do you have life insurance? If so do you have enough and are you getting it at the best possible rate?
Life Insurance
One of the best ways there is that you can help your family to be prepared for the future is to get life insurance. Think about it. How would your family survive if something did happen to you? Would they be able to pay the bills and maintain the life style which you have provided for them? It will be a tough time for your family and they will certainly miss you. But, with a good life insurance policy at least your family won’t have to struggle with finances.
If nothing is more important to you than your family then getting sufficient life insurance may very will be the most important financial decision you ever make. Before you decide which insurance company to obtain your life insurance policy from I recommend that you read some life insurance articles to help you to learn as much as you can.
Before you make that final decision compare life insurance rates and deals among the top providers to be sure you get the best coverage for the best price. No one really wants to think about their eventual death, but wouldn’t it be nice to know that your family will be provided for if you could no longer be there?
If you do have life insurance I still say drag out your policy and look over it then call the provider and ask questions. Call around (or check online) and talk with other insurance companies, take notes and find the best real deal. Many people can save hundreds of dollars or more just by switching insurance companies or re-negotiating existing ones without losing one penny in benefits.
Life insurance can provide a better future for your family but get the best deal so you can have more money available to use now while you are still here to enjoy it!
By D. Slone Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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The month of November is upon us, with crisp autumn days and longer nights. Very soon, thoughts of Thanksgiving turkeys and family getting together will be on our minds…as well as the cost of putting all of that together!
Thanksgiving should be a time of enjoying family and friends without the worry of how much it is going to affect your bank account. Here are some ideas to keep the costs down while keeping everyone’s holiday spirits up.
1) Look for discounts on turkeys..some stores even offer free turkeys for buying a set amount of groceries from them. There are many promotional offers for free turkeys, so check around your area for any way to score one at no cost to you!
2) Buy a larger bird. As with most things, buying in bulk will save you money, and there are always plenty of leftover suggestions for turkey.
3) Decorate the table with outdoor foliage. Nature provides some of the most beautiful arrangements that are just waiting to be placed on your table. Get an array of autumn leaves and pine cones to strew on the table, with a small branch and leaf display in the center. Combine it with some hand-made decorations, and your table will look warm and inviting…without having to spend a small fortune.
4) Always check the local paper for coupons. This time of year means that many of the newspapers will have coupons for those items needed, and will bring a lot of savings to your Thanksgiving day.
5) Suggest potluck. This will cut down on the amount of work you have to do and will save you on having to buy all of the fixings for the meal yourself.
These are just a few suggestions for keeping the Thanksgiving holiday within a budget without taking away from the richness of family togetherness.
By Angela Sangster, SaveMoneySpot, copyright 2010
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Cooler
Buy yourself an insulated cooler (or dig that one out of the closet or garage) and you can save some serious money, especially during the summer months when we tend to travel more.
As funny as it may sound a nice cooler is actually an investment. You will also want to get a few of those reusable ice packs depending upon the size of your cooler. When we get ready to take a trip, even a short one we usually throw some drinks into the cooler along with some ice packs from the freezer.
Later on when we are out on the road and the kids start saying “I’m thirsty!” you can give them what you already have, chilled and in the cooler. No need to stop at a “convenience” store and pay those ridiculous prices ($1.89 for a cold drink?) and for those who have several children a stop for refreshments can be an expensive one.
Insulated Cooler
Of course you can also pack in some lunch meat, condiments or even candy bars. If you shop wisely you can be out on the road and have candy bars or other snacks, often at less than 20% of what it would cost in a “convenient” store. How did the world get to the point where people seem to be willing to pay more for a 20 ounce drink than they would for an entire 2 Liter or nearly a 6 pack; of the same exact brand and flavor to boot.
When you go to the grocery store and your are making plans for those dinners also consider family trips. It doesn’t just Think about how often you stop at a convenient store to get snacks and drinks. Or when you pay for your gasoline – do you also grab yourself a treat?
Take a few minutes of preparation and bring that stuff along with you in a nice insulated cooler or ice chest!
Written by D Slone, Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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Many times, money is wasted simply because we as consumers are careless about what we buy. Looking for products that are efficient and essentially pay for themselves will go a long way in saving many precious dollars.
Programmable thermostats are one product that over time pays for itself because you are able to program the exact temperature you want for your home. You can also time it to where it automatically goes down when the family leaves for the day. This will save you from forgetting about resetting the thermostat each time as well as saving money.
Space heaters are another item that can lower your heating bill. These are very efficient at heating a small area and in the long run will conserve the energy that the main heating unit is having to put out. I know when I had one, we would use it in the living room..and with closing off the rooms we weren’t using, it made my heat bill go down considerably.
Filtered water bottles or pitchers are another item that pays for itself. The filters themselves are anywhere from $10-$15 for the pitchers, and they last around four months. Much cheaper than buying bottled water all of the time..and much safer than drinking it straight from the tap.
There are many products, from battery chargers to high efficiency washing machines that can, with an initial investment, save your family a lot of money in the long run. Something as simple as changing your light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones can keep you from spending as much as an extra $100.00 a year…so check around and see what pays for itself!
By Angela Sangster, Copyright SaveMoneySpot, 2010.
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So much of what we get today…we are used to getting very quickly. Dinners are made microwave-ready so we can pop them in and out…with very little work or effort. Clothes are hurriedly tossed into a gas or electric dryer rather than the time it takes to hang them out on the line. Gas stations that are also convenience stores stock their shelves with food at twice the price…because it is easier to grab it from the same place you’re buying your gasoline rather than make the extra stop to the grocery store.
Time is often taken up with work, school, sports activities…all of these things are good. However, taking an hour or two each day to prepare for quick dinners or convenience items that can be packaged at home will go a long way in saving your family money. Buying meat in bulk and separating it into individually wrapped packaging doesn’t take long at all, and will make it easy to grab for quick defrosting and preparation. You can also take a couple or three days a month and prepare individual or “TV” dinners to be frozen for later use.
Other household duties can benefit from taking a little extra time as well. Rather than throw all the clothes that are washed into the laundry…try hanging some out on a clothesline when the weather permits. It will save on your weekly gas or electric consumption, and I’m sure most will agree that nothing smells better than clothes dried by the sun!
Taking some time can do more than save you money. It can bring more focus and perspective back to what you are working so hard for in the first place…which is time with the family. Make it something that is done together. Back in the “old days”, a lot of bonding between children and parents took place during daily chores. A lot of that stopped being necessary in the age of modern conveniences, and bringing at least a little of that back could have more than just financial benefits.
By Angela Sangster copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010
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When planning a family budget, one must take into account the “little things” that you are always going to need…and therefore always running out of. Things such as soap, shampoo, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish soap, and the like are necessities that always have to be considered.
To avoid running out of these essentials, buy the items in bulk as you are able to. Be sure and check the unit price if you are buying a large container of something to make sure it is really the better deal. This will save you extra trips to the store, and as a general rule, the more you buy the more you save.
Rather than spending top dollar at a grocery or convenience store, go to a dollar store for these items. Often you can buy the dollar store brand of a certain item for much less than the name brand. If you do insist on using a name brand, many dollar stores offer these as well. They are more expensive than the dollar store brand, however they are cheaper than a grocery store.
You also might consider making your own soaps and detergents. A simple laundry soap can be made from sodium carbonate (not to be confused with sodium BIcarbonate, or baking soda) sodium borate, or Borax and a gentle soap. One third of a bar of soap to one half cup each of the other two will create a very inexpensive and effective laundry detergent that costs less than half of what you would pay in a store.
With a few steps and some planning, you can avoid spending more than you have to on those “little things”.
By Angela Sangster, SaveMoneySpot 2010
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Well, you’ve done it. You’ve cut costs at home, the office and everywhere that it can possibly be trimmed…and you have actually saved enough for the family to go on vacation!
It is a thrill to be able to enjoy some extra money..and some time away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. However, don’t forget the good habits you have learned by keeping a budget and sticking to it. There are many ways you can save money while you are on vacation..and still enjoy the time you have.
If you are planning on traveling by plane, always comparison shop..and look for any deals that involve connecting flights. Sometimes it is a little extra time..but a lot of money can be saved if you are willing to take a connecting flight rather than fly straight through. Also remember to pack as little as possible…and the more bags you have, the more you will be charged.
If you plan on eating out, check some of the out of the way places…some of these are hidden treasures and can be a much better deal than the high priced restaurants. Lunch specials abound in many eating establishments, so consider having your big meal then.
Rather than going to expensive tourist attractions, just explore the town you are visiting. Often the places that you don’t hear about can offer more of the town’s culture and cost a lot less than the expensive tours. Walk through the neighborhoods and check out some local shops. Get a feel for where you have traveled to by really experiencing it.
Whether it’s an exotic vacation to a foreign country or a weekend at a B&B…it doesn’t have to take all of the extra money you have saved to have a great time!
By Angela Sangster Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010.
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It may be a bit of a lift to go to the mall and max out the credit card when you’ve had a bad day at work, or the kids have stressed you to your limit. However, shopping to relieve stress is a paradox. Sure, you might feel good when you make the purchase and take it home..but the amount of money you’re spending will come back to haunt you..and cause you even more stress.
Rather than going shopping when you are having a bad day…try taking a walk in the park. Look at the leaves just coming out on the trees if it is springtime..or the many colors they change to in the fall.
If it is inclement weather, try going to the library. It’s free, and there are many books, DVD’s and CD’s that are available for absolutely no charge (as long as you bring it back on time!)
If you enjoy doing things outdoors, I have found that a day of fishing brings me back to nature..and out of the stress-filled world of every day. If fishing isn’t your thing, try a nature walk. You would be amazed at the things you will see and hear that will take your mind off of what is going on to cause your stress.
Planting some flowers or growing a vegetable garden is another great way to relieve stress..and is practical as well, adding beauty and sustenance to your home. If you aren’t able to do this, consider scrapbooking or finally organizing that photo album you’ve been putting off.
Shopping will only make you feel better until the credit card bill comes..and then you’ve got twice the stress you had before. Appreciating some simpler pleasures will not only give you joy…it will give you peace when the bank statement arrives!.
By Angela Sangster, copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010?
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I was out shopping this morning, and I noticed that many of the Easter items were still on the shelves. I went right to them..because I know they are going to have up to 75% taken off of the original price! Sure, I won’t be able to use them until next year..but next year, they will be there, and I won’t be running around at the last minute, and paying full price.
This is something my family has done for as long as I can remember. Every year in the week after Christmas, my grandmother was snatching up Christmas decorations and holiday knickknacks, paying literally pennies for them.
Halloween is another good holiday to do this…check any of the stores the day after Halloween and you can find all the little creepies and crawlies you will need for next year’s Halloween party.
When the stores order these items for the holidays, they are often stuck with a surplus of holiday decor that they still need to sell. Since they are desperate to get rid of it, the prices are slashed up to 75% of what it cost originally. Not only will you get some of that pesky holiday shopping done and out of the way for the following year, you will be paying less than half of what you would have had to if you’d waited.
Now if I can only find a place to put a giant stuffed Easter rabbit and seventy five plastic eggs…….
By Angela Sangster Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010.
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