Tips for Avoiding Black Friday Budget Busters

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Hard to believe another holiday season is upon us but amidst the family fun and holiday celebrations is some serious business. You have worked hard all year to establish a budget, eliminate debt, and get your financial life in order. Don’t underestimate the power of the holiday shopping season. Black Friday is historically the biggest [...]

Why Excess Spending May Not Be Entirely Your Fault

Shoppers beware! Retailers may be a big factor in your overspending at the store. Of course all retailers have the goal of making a sale but their subtle ways of getting you to spend more are resistible if you know what to look for. Here are some of the things retailers do to keep you [...]

Can You Really Find a Bargain for a Buck?

Even people trying to live more frugally will often ignore a dollar store. Mostly, this snub is out of fear of items lacking quality. But the truth is there are some really great bargains to be found at the dollar store if you know what to look for when you go. Saving on items you [...]

8 Things You Are Better Off Buying Used

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As we work to keep saving our pennies and avoid burdening our lives with more debt, it pays to consider new ways to purchase things we need. We’ve learned that a quick trip to the dollar store can save more money than shopping at more expensive retail stores and we’ve learned what bargains can be [...]

Think Before You Buy: Why Waiting Periods Make Sense

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Deciding what when where and how to spend your hard earned money is not an easy decision for most average Americans, especially if you are looking at large ticket items.  The definition of a large purchase is different for everyone.  If you are a millionaire, which most of us are not, spending $5,000 on a [...]

How To Ask For and Get Discounts on Anything

Many people never even consider haggling down the price of merchandise they want to purchase. It seems a normal practice in open-air markets while on vacation or when you find something you like at a yard sale but for the most part, people don’t ask for discount for three reasons: they are afraid of the [...]

10 Places to Look When Cutting Expenses

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It’s hip to be cheap these days.  With the downturn in the economy, the old fashioned virtue of frugality is making a roaring comeback.  While most people are penny pinching, no one wants to live a completely spartan lifestyle.  There are ways to cut back on expenses without eliminating the joy of living.  1. Save [...]