The Branded Daily Digest

Tag: hacks

  • Easy Ways to Save Money on Necessities

    Easy Ways to Save Money on Necessities

    If you’ve read any money-saving blogs already, you know to cut out that daily Starbucks and any magazine subscriptions. However, you may now be so careful on spending that you are only left with the major must-haves in life. But don’t worry, there are tricks to save money on those, too.

    Here are easy ways to save money on necessities.

    Evaluate What’s Necessary

    There may be purchases you consider necessary, but you could do without, like cable TV or a monthly gym membership. Figure out what are “needs” and “wants” by doing the following exercise.

    • Put together an outline with all your monthly expenses. Include everything – from your grocery bills and mortgage payments to the membership to your local yoga studio.
    • Group the expenses into categories, from most to least needed.
    • From there, evaluate the different expenses. Ideally, you should cut out the least needed products and services. Next, examine the remaining expenses and find ways to save on those. Read on for ideas on how to do just that.

    Negotiate for Lower Prices

    Most people take the first price quotes they are handed. Instead, try to negotiate. Let’s use your cell phone or cable company as an example. 

    First, call competitors to get a variety of rates. 

    Then, call the company you currently use or want to use. Let them know the other price quotes you received and let them know you may move your business to one of these other companies. Very often, the provider will offer a new, lower rate to keep you as a customer.

    Examine Your Heating Bill and Home’s Insulation

    If it gets cold in winter, don’t simply crank up your heating.

    • First, put on warm clothes and layer up with extra blankets.
    • Then, if you still need to turn on the heat, take note of how effectively it’s working. You may be paying large sums of money to heat your home, only to have it drifting away. It may cost money to have insulation installed, but it will cost far less in the long run as you’ll be paying less in heating bills. Call a local home repair and insulation consultant; most will come out for free to do an inspection.

    Buy in Bulk

    Whenever possible, whether it’s nonperishable food items, toilet paper or socks, purchase items in bulk. It may seem crazy to buy 30 paper towel rolls at once, but if you’re going to use them eventually, you’re saving money in the long run.

    Use Coupons

    Many of us see a coupon for 75 cents off and think that it’s too much trouble to use. Think about it this way. If you use eight coupons per week that are worth 75 cents savings each, that’s over $300 saved per year!

    Use sites and apps to help you track and use coupons, like Push Pin and Grocery IQ. They let you build grocery lists, share them and utilize coupons for your grocery needs.

    Learn Budget Tricks to Grocery Saving

    Grocery stores are a marketing mind trap. From the placement of items on shelves to the positioning of expensive candy, find out how to hack the grocery store by reading our blog: 6 Ways to Save Big on Groceries (#3 Doubles Savings!)

    Cut Down on Shower Times to Save Money

    Bathing is a necessity, but showering for 30 minutes isn’t required to get clean. Cut down on showers to save easy money on your utility bills. Or earn more money from taking surveys for money.

    Take Care of Yourself

    Staying healthy doesn’t just feel good; being healthy saves you money. Getting sick can get expensive because of the doctor visits, medicine and time missed from work or school. Reduce your risk of getting sick and the costs that come with it by:

    • Washing your hands as often as possible, especially before handling food
    • Exercising regularly
    • Eating healthy and well-balanced meals
    • Taking a daily vitamin

    Look into Corporate and Member Discounts

    Many companies offer discounts to their employees or members. Your employer may offer you discounts on cell phone plans and gym memberships, things you’re spending on anyway.

    Another example is AAA. Being a member of AAA gets you discounts on everything from weekend trips to Disneyland tickets. Everyone needs vacation and getaway time; make sure to get yours at a discount.

    Select a Credit Card and Bank That Maximizes Your Money

    You have to spend money on necessities no matter what, so it’s important to select a bank and credit card that maximizes that money. Learn more about rewards credit cards in our blog: 3 Ways to Travel for Free (or Almost Free!)

    **Featured Image Credit Goes to: Startup Stock Photos**

  • Tips to Saving Thousands of Dollars

    Tips to Saving Thousands of Dollars

    $1,000 sounds like a lot of money, right? It’s months of groceries, a plane ticket or an obscene amount of McDonald’s ice cream cones. But think of it this way, saving just $83.33 extra per month adds up to $1,000 extra per year. And if you put even more away, then you’re well on your way to saving thousands of dollars a year. To make that money faster, here’s how to save $1,000 in record time:

    Cut TV time by half.

    According to the NY Daily News, Nielsen reports that the average American is watching 5 hours of television a day. I challenge you to do what I have myself: Cut down on that number by half, at least. Why?

    1. The more TV you watch, the more commercials you see.

      Advertisements expose you to products and services you then want to buy. The fewer commercials you watch, the less you’re exposed to want and purchase.

    2. TV = Energy costs.

      Powering your television requires electricity, which costs money. You’d be surprised how much a little energy conservation can help you in saving thousands of dollars a year.

    Try this: Turn off the TV for several extra hours each week and crack open a book or bring out a family board game instead.

    (There are many other benefits, as well. I’ve discovered that reading before bed gives my eyes a rest from bright screens, which helps me relax and fall asleep better.)

    Quit the bookstore.

    Perusing Barnes and Noble is fun but dangerous. With new books costing upwards of $18 to $30, buying even a few adds up to over $60 real fast. Instead of walking into temptation, hit the local library. Libraries provide vast amounts of books, CDs, audiobooks, DVDs and more for FREE. With so many options, you’re sure to find great material…without the credit card bill after.

    If you’d rather own the book, check out second-hand shops and Goodwills first. I’m often shocked at the level of selection and incredibly low prices.

    Switch to LED Bulbs.

    Using energy-efficient bulbs is not only eco-friendly, it’s bank account friendly. The less energy a light bulb takes, the less money it costs to keep it lit.

    Newer LED bulbs are more expensive initially, typically $5 to $9 dollars more than old-school CFLs, but save you money in the long run. Check out the data. LEDs:

    • Are good for 25,000 hours vs. the older CFL bulbs at 4,000 – 6,000 hours (meaning you have to purchase and replace 5 CFL bulbs across the lifespan of just one LED).
    • Essentially last 25 years.
    • They are healthier because they don’t contain mercury, while CFL bulbs often do.

    Limit your Redbox Renting & DVD Buying.

    Redbox appears cheap. At $1.50 a day for DVDs and $2 a day for Blu-Ray, it doesn’t sound like much, right? But the cost sneaks up. With so much on our plates, it’s easy to let several days pass before realizing The Lion King is still sitting in our DVD player.

    If you rent Blu-Ray, typically return within 3 days and rent once a month:

    $2 a day x 3 days = $6

    $6 fee x 12 times per year = $72 a year on Redbox fees

    As with the bookstore, check your local library for movies first and save that money.DVDs are wicked expensive. Plus, with so many streaming options, they’re easy to do without. Currently, subscribed to Netflix? Find a flick on there. Always make the most out of what you’re already paying for.

    Learn the top grocery store hacks.

    Grocery stores have been designed to trap you into spending your money. Here are 3 basic tips to hang onto yours:

    1. Always buy “off brands”.

      Safeway oats instead of Quaker. Kroger peanut butter instead of Skippy. According to Business Insider, the store brand grocery products are approximately 25% less expensive than the national brands. For example:

      Name Brand Products: $275 per month x 12 months per year = $3,300 a year
      Grocery Store Brands: (25% off Name Brand Price) $206.25 a month x 12 = $2,475 a year

      Savings per year: $825

      Wow. Save nearly $1,000 a year right there.

    2. Make a shopping list.

      When I sit down and make a grocery list, even just for 5 minutes, it makes me enter the grocery store with a purpose. As long as I stick to my list, I come out with groceries I truly need…instead of a freakish amount of sugar-coated cereals and circus cracker cookies.

    3. Grocery Shop on Wednesdays.

      Most grocery stores double up deals on Wednesdays, offering sale prices from the week before and the week to come.

     

    Learn more tricks for saving major dollars here and make more to save more money by taking high paying surveys online. Paid surveys are an easy way to make extra money. Sign up with Branded Surveys today!