tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34681717360044031362024-02-19T11:33:46.462-05:00The Thrift WorldThis isn't an experiment. This is my world.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-37482755782745079802014-09-21T17:07:00.001-04:002014-12-26T10:18:42.857-05:00The Pigskin & a Rocks Glass: how to watch football without cable<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
POST UPDATE: In the new NFL mobile update, the app will now show the game sidways across the tv screen, making the game impossible to watch in this fashion (unless you like to turn your tv on its side). However, my husband and I, using <u>much</u> effort, position our iPhones across from eachother, streaming the game on one phone and then using the other phone to utilize the camera app to mirror the game and connect that stream to the tv. Yes, it is a ridiculous, but we will do most anything to avoid paying for cable. And that's why I have a blog.<br />
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Finally there is a way I can get my football fix and still cut out the one-game-in-town over-the-top cable company. It's called NFL mobile with Verizon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkT5LSVUwQRHdvRgmXmXrZOdy-IZ9cKcvzq1KggQ-S8bhmxyhAvKoTzAQBuzWgcLJ5fdkhowILjjtA-aQXAl2q3mQhxXQOBNwjPrAXAf9mYq7aj7dXf_rObNnVAV6CSAAUh1-E49tcIc/s1600/better+cell+phone+reception.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkT5LSVUwQRHdvRgmXmXrZOdy-IZ9cKcvzq1KggQ-S8bhmxyhAvKoTzAQBuzWgcLJ5fdkhowILjjtA-aQXAl2q3mQhxXQOBNwjPrAXAf9mYq7aj7dXf_rObNnVAV6CSAAUh1-E49tcIc/s1600/better+cell+phone+reception.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a>I'm not going to say it's 1080p, more like 720p on our tv, or even that there are no interruptions (30 minute timeout, low battery warnings) but it gets you football for $2.99 a week. We hooked up a lightning to A/V cable to our iphone to our tv so we could stream the game on the big screen. The catch is you have to use the app with your data plan, which means no wifi. Sounds like a handy trick to get Verizon users to upgrade. Well, okay, yeah we did that. </div>
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Well, how much data does a game use on NFL Mobile? We used up 1.25 gigabytes to watch one full length game, and we hit pause at halftime. 2 extra gb will cost you $10/month with Verizon, so depending on your data usage, this may or may not work for you. For us, we can make it work.</div>
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For us, we only have a couple bars of 3g at our house, so it took some finagling to get the game to stream without frequent pauses. After doing some research online, we unplugged our router to minimize interference, looped the phone outside, stood it on a watering pot to be higher off the ground, and then the real kicker, we put the phone in a rocks glass to catch and hold the signal. The rocks glass did the trick and we were able to watch a clean streaming game with minimal stops.</div>
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On top of that, the Eagles are 3-0 this season. That has nothing to do with thriftiness, but it has everything to do with happiness. I love football season.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-78174526052382561562014-06-23T15:57:00.003-04:002014-06-24T10:36:52.496-04:00Forget the hassle of couponing, reap the benefits instead!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As a blogger who claims to be all about being thrifty, I have a confession: I'm not a couponer. In fact, I really dislike coupons. Here are a few reasons why.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Coupons can make you spend more money.</span></b><br />
Oh, you have $10 off $30? Well instead of just spending $7, all of a sudden there is a pressure to spend $30 just so you can save $10. Sound familiar? We can often forget the reason companies create coupons is because they want you to buy more, not less.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Coupons are really annoying to keep track of.</b></span><br />
Something I have done regularly is clip a bunch of coupons and then show up at the store with my product only to realize the coupon is at home. Other times I get home to realize I forgot I had coupon for that. Then there are the really annoying times I don't read the fine print carefully enough and the cashier rejects my coupon! Gah! I hate couponing!!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Coupons entice you to buy a specific product that you often don't want. </span></b><br />
What you want is coupons for what you want to buy. Well there is a solution!<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Use coupon apps (they are my new best friend)</span></u>. My favorite two are <a href="http://www.retailmenot.com/mobile/?networkType=search&keyword=retailmenot%20app&network=g&matchtype=e&content=&search=1&creative=34883327254&placement=&adpos=1t1&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Mobile_App&utm_content=RMN_App&utm_term=retailmenot%20app&SID=20762edd-4460-42f9-ae1b-9030e1792c8e&ch=cpc_t&gclid=CjgKEAjwoJ-dBRDbjfKN7IzN0FsSJAAP0G_Da8-AUUV0AyKfVok5ilBHK3xsA3EC_I9aLmQnb0k3EPD_BwE" target="_blank">Retailmenot</a> for my smartphone and <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/honey/bmnlcjabgnpnenekpadlanbbkooimhnj?utm_source=plus" target="_blank">Honey</a> for my Chrome web browser. Here's how they work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VRR4SpyhUoFMg8kl7YMWntF-400m-uGbQMdbVshUsiWQibR3u4cbesxYEy0NwV0Q5qrCtDh1RILxnCLT8WJeVkDuoANiC8hZ1A0rbe508Yhgt69OgCV67EE0vqQV0tMXfTW1Wb7HXa8/s1600/retailmenot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VRR4SpyhUoFMg8kl7YMWntF-400m-uGbQMdbVshUsiWQibR3u4cbesxYEy0NwV0Q5qrCtDh1RILxnCLT8WJeVkDuoANiC8hZ1A0rbe508Yhgt69OgCV67EE0vqQV0tMXfTW1Wb7HXa8/s1600/retailmenot.png" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
Retailmenot: I go to the store to buy stuff I was already planning to buy. I search my Retailmenot app that's always handy on my phone, and type in the name of the store I am in. Boom! It shows me coupons for the store, and I have found, the coupons are even better than what the store offers on their own apps! For instance, I was at Michael's buying a frame and promptly checked my store application in the coupon section and found nothing. Then I checked Retailmenot and clicked on a coupon to show the cashier and received 25% my sale item. I've also gotten a free regular size body wash at Bath and Body Works, and just yesterday I got 50% my highest priced item at Joanne Fabrics. This app also works with online purchases..and speaking of those...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsFio4C6Gl9SHdY2Mf5rKjlYuvIzX5-3Dhdw4rEsX9NbkZFVz1PZEmYs4AmpGiEUD6sOs1a-4i0HFTUijjzjQFaVicwB3MshiwNLYIo6v2_rbUj7cz2nsVkAr9tLw_Qx9-ZtSRdJWe2s/s1600/honey+app.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsFio4C6Gl9SHdY2Mf5rKjlYuvIzX5-3Dhdw4rEsX9NbkZFVz1PZEmYs4AmpGiEUD6sOs1a-4i0HFTUijjzjQFaVicwB3MshiwNLYIo6v2_rbUj7cz2nsVkAr9tLw_Qx9-ZtSRdJWe2s/s1600/honey+app.png" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
Honey Plugin for Chrome: What always irks me about online shopping is the check out portion, and dreaded promotional code line. This line indicates that there are promotional codes out there but I don't have them so I am losing out on savings!! Luckily, the Honey app will pop-up automatically (after installed) and ask me if it would like to search of savings. Yes, of course! As a result, it will do a web search and pull up any applicable coupons for the site. Great! Once again, you have the freedom to buy stuff you were already going to buy, but this time, you may get a sweet discount.<br />
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Coupons can be our friend if they don't talk us into buying more stuff. What we need is less stuff for less money. And that's why coupon apps are my best friend because they actually save me money in the long run. Yes, music to a thrifters' ears.</div>
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My husband Chris and I just took a 3 day, 2 night trip to New York City. I used my favorite new hotel-finding-toy <a href="http://google.com/hotels">google.com/hotels</a> where you can choose a location on the map, pick a radius, and it will show you all the hotels in the vicinity. Once you've identified your radius, n you can sort by price to get the best deal. This especially comes in handy when you have a husband who wants to stay in Manhattan and a wife who is horrified by high prices. The result was we choose a cozy bed and breakfast 100 or so blocks away from mid-town and just a couple blocks from a subway station. Savings: $100/night plus free breakfast. Yes, please, thank you.<br />
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At the end of our trip, we checked out of our hotel and noticed something less than excellent pop up on our credit card statement. We were sitting in a coffee shop before heading to the bus station and decided to review all our charges from the vacation. (Side note: I can't emphasize enough how important it is to review your finances because it keeps you more aware of your charges and spending habits. It also helps identify possible fraudulent charges or anything that looks outta whack. We use <a href="http://mint.com/">mint.com</a> so we can see all our finances in one place.) We had paid for our hotel several days in advance online, but we saw an additional $90 charge pop up from the hotel after we checked out. We racked our brains for a possible cause for the charge but couldn't come up with anything.</div>
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Chris promptly called the hotel for an explanation and no one answered. The next day he called again and left a message and he also wrote an email, which were all unanswered. At this point, I am very frustrated. Nothing pisses me off more than feeling like I got swindled! Luckily Chris knew what to do. He called the credit card company and explained the situation. He told them we attempted to contact the hotel with no response - we hadn't authorized any additional charges. The result? The credit company took the charge off. That's it! </div>
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Credit card companies always trust the consumer first, and the merchant second. After we filled the complaint the charge was completely removed from our responsibility. The credit card company will now contact the business and ask them to warrant the charges through documentation - if they can't then the money is ours to keep. We believe it was either an accidental charge or a shady hotel maneuver so we believe the money has found its rightful home. </div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-75579429725494929462014-05-06T10:03:00.001-04:002014-05-06T10:37:46.676-04:00Life Change to Thrifter Flame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been offline for a while, and there's a good reason for it. Since August I've gotten engaged, planned and implemented a large-scale celebration with food, alcohol, decorations, photography, favors (also known as a money pit [American terminology: wedding]), gone on a honeymoon, and moved to Virginia. Right now I'm on a journey of becoming acclimated with the area, meeting people who may become my friends, and trying to show potential employers that I am a seasoned and skilled professional over a large pool of other people, using only a couple pieces of paper. So, why did I turn back here?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0pbz98GU5O-GYHy9nmeYoTktIYG10EHjqfl4f9npDzgdwsFeeau9BSjRTFJHdTcOculZ8ZeufywQIhkfcQjqUeFdvI9RUywyTNS_X1MU-Fk__Das3pz2lo8LlJCu4YNXsHgJKQqAD2I/s1600/yard+sale+find.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0pbz98GU5O-GYHy9nmeYoTktIYG10EHjqfl4f9npDzgdwsFeeau9BSjRTFJHdTcOculZ8ZeufywQIhkfcQjqUeFdvI9RUywyTNS_X1MU-Fk__Das3pz2lo8LlJCu4YNXsHgJKQqAD2I/s1600/yard+sale+find.bmp" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>A couple days ago I attended a yard sale and bought a beautifully hand-made wall hanging that retails for $80 for just $2. It's scores like these that ignite my thrifter flame. Yes, it's a flame.</li>
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<li>Yesterday, I took my new-to-me car to the dealership for a minor issue. The gentlemen behind the counter first flirted, then buttered up, third attempted to sell me a pricey service plan. Why do I need a service plan when I have a full-fledged warranty? I don't, and it straight up pissed me off.</li>
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<li>Today I woke up and read an article in Real Simple magazine on tactics for hosting a decent yard sale: how to draw in spectators and manipulate them with small talk so they a) buy things and b)do not haggle or low-ball your prices. Side note: Maybe these people deserve to be manipulated anyway? I mean low-ballers...at a yard sale? There's not respect in that. You're already at a YARD SALE. Honestly, you're just cheap.</li>
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<li>Today, I bought a <a href="https://www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/963d1fa5-18e3-4e48-a8b0-fdd8f6f8c021" target="_blank">Groupon</a> for a local restaurant I've been wanting to check out. $30 for $60 in food with a $10 discount bringing the grand damn total to $20. I haven't Grouponed in a while, but they are perfect for exploring a new town OR rediscovering your current town. </li>
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Yes, you could say all of this has led me here, back to this place. Something close to my heart. And maybe I've felt ashamed to show my face because, as you can imagine, I've spent a good deal of cash in the last 6 months with my life changes, following American culture and all. But, I did make cuts when I could, but this - here- is still apart of me. And there is no separation.</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-29002396639482751172013-08-27T21:26:00.001-04:002014-09-21T21:08:42.628-04:00Everbuying.com review: beware<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a blogger, I often do reviews. I'll review products, websites, or reward programs. Most of the time, I think its something my readers should know about, so I write on it. Other times, very few times, a company will contact me and ask me to review whatever they're selling. If it's relevant to this blog, I will say yes. I've already said yes to a sunglasses company, and a special company promotion, and in response, I do my best to give a fair and accurate view of what I'm reviewing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently received an email from a woman named Eva who said she was a manager at <b>Everbuying.com</b> and she asked if I would review her site in exchange for a "donation". I told her that the site looked relevant to being thrifty, but I couldn't review something I had never tried. I told her I wanted a credit to the website so I could use the site and then write about my experience. This was her response:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hi </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Angela,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At present, we can't provide any products or credit. Is that Okay with you we send you the article then you just post it. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have a team of copywriters who specialize in writing articles on various topics and would like to write an original article for you to use on your website – this article will not be used anywhere else on the Internet. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, what do you think about it ? "</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4uEYTcBUd02WkooniNNHlujtKgHq6pyKVtTdmJNNaEj-jLn-Laa338eFLYg8NG9sHevQprkfp05Ryq50yLwPgHXbeGmT37i-QVcG5re0YALwRe_CiFOi84SgOBH37PC0B_P7gmfWhs0/s1600/everbuying.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4uEYTcBUd02WkooniNNHlujtKgHq6pyKVtTdmJNNaEj-jLn-Laa338eFLYg8NG9sHevQprkfp05Ryq50yLwPgHXbeGmT37i-QVcG5re0YALwRe_CiFOi84SgOBH37PC0B_P7gmfWhs0/s1600/everbuying.com.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>My question is: what is this company hiding?</u> Why can't I experience and review their site like a normal blogger/advertiser relationship? I don't know. I do know that if you google "everybuying.com scam" quite a few hits come up. I also know you or I can't trust any positive review anywhere on the internet about this company, because it was likely submitted by the website's very own writers. Obviously I can't endorse a website that would chose such a dishonest method of self-promotion, and I would advise anyone to stay away from it. It can't be trusted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I often get asked if I make money on my blog. The answer is basically no. I've gotten paid in very, very small monetary payments from google ad words that pay pennies on the post. I mostly get paid in happiness when someone offers a comment, but pretty much, that's it. When I do get offered a free product or gift card, I like to be able to take up the project and use the kickback as my reward. But let me be clear - I am not a sellout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will not be dishonest. I will never say something that I believe is untrue. And I will never post an article written by a company to make them more money. This is my </span>commitment<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to you. Another semi-</span>commitment/honest fact:<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I may try to brainwash you into sending me all the money you save through my helpful tips. Whatever, I'm just trying to be honest.</span></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-24831561391969448422013-08-23T21:13:00.003-04:002013-08-23T21:41:42.411-04:00How to get more for your money<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you didn't already think that I'm cheap, this post will likely solidify that for you.<br />
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I have this trick that I employ at coffee shops and ice cream shops. I imagine it will work in other settings as well. First, the coffee shop technique.<br />
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I frequent a coffee shop (I'm actually there now) and despite the fact that their free coffee punch card requires 12 drinks before you get a freebie, and despite the fact that I order a $4+ drink every single time I go there, the permitted free coffee, is a simple cafe or decaf, beans seeped in water. Yep, coffee...plain coffee. This really irks me, and I recognize its due to my 1st world entitlement issues, but nevertheless, I use that fire to get more for my money.<br />
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I currently have a free coffee on my account, in fact I acquire them quite often. Yes, there is one thing I am NOT thrifty about, and its coffee. Anyways, so I approach the counter and give the cafe my customer name. They say - oh, it looks like you have a free coffee. And I say coyly, yeah but I can't use it for my mocha (frowny face). Tip: only use this trick when you don't recognize the person behind the counter, or if its a barista who is into customer appreciation or something. Then the barista, male or female, will reply, oh don't worry about that - I can do that for you. (Yeah, I kinda thought you could).<br />
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Next, when I go to ice cream shops, I offer a challenge to the person who is making my blizzard/freeze/flurry/whatever. I always ask for a small Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Flurry. Now usually you have to pay an additional cost for "extra stuff". I really got a kick out of it the first time I saw "extra stuff" on the menu, but hey, it's really a thing.<br />
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So I order my flurry, and I say, so... how much stuff do you really put in them? Is it just like a little or is it a lot - like a good flurry? (This works best by the way on a guy). To which he feels this pressure - like I'm giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his manhood. He can make me a kick ass flurry, which is a little bad-ass because there's probably a measurement, or something he really should be following. But no, he always takes the dare. He replies, oh yeah don't worry - I'll hook you up. Valah! Extra stuff, no extra cash.<br />
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At this point you're probably shaking your head a little, maybe you're embarrassed by my actions that are unequivocally born from a place of being a complete tight-wad . But honestly, this is who I am. And this is why I write.<br />
<br />
......<br />
<br />
For more coffee money-saving tips, be sure to check out my <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/search/label/coffee" target="_blank">coffee category</a>.</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-84926460512836185012013-08-16T22:48:00.000-04:002013-08-16T22:48:02.790-04:00Bizarre Scams: International Hot School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I think of scammers, I imagine a group of people who live out in the woods, wear dark clothing, and spend hours daily interacting on craigslist. While my description is likely 100% accurate for at least one group of friends, the reality is, scamming comes in many different forms. Since the unemployment rate is so high in the U.S., I imagine some folks probably hop on the trend, as way to creatively make some cash...this seems like the likely explanation for the story you're about to read.<div>
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I received a first hand bizarre account of how a friend of mine almost got scammed through a woman she met at a yoga conference. She wanted me to share her story with you.</div>
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This story is written by Jessica Walsh, owner and blogger at <a href="http://www.yogidance.com/" target="_blank">YogiDance</a>.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I recently was almost the victim of a scam. There are many
of them out there, and I’ve heard stories, but never experienced it until last
week. Let me start at the Yoga Journal Conference
in NYC. I met a seemingly nice woman there who I chatted with for a short time.
I exchanged information with her since I visit the city fairly frequently and
thought we could get together next time I was there. I thought it was cool to
meet someone who seemed so nice, and only thought good things; not associating
people who go to yoga events with trying to scam you. Well, I was wrong! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
About
a month later I was in the area and we met up for lunch. We had a nice
conversation, she told me about herself and I told her about me. I went on
about my business and career goals. This is when she told me that in a few
hours she was going to this event called, Superstar Machine. Where successful
career and business people help you achieve your goals and give you advice.
“It’s by invitation only,” she told me, and I thought, wow this is really cool.
What a great opportunity that would be. Unfortunately I had to get home and was
not able to go with her. I was bummed, but said maybe next time I could come to
it, because it’s monthly.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We caught up after a few weeks with a phone call. I
was telling her what was going on in my life, and shared a situation I was
having with a guy I was interested in. “What do you think I should do?” I asked
her. “I think you should come on International Hot School!” She exclaimed. I
never heard of it before and she told me that it is a monthly conference call,
like a talk show type thing where you get advice to help with your “man woes”
and it totally transformed her relationship with her boyfriend. I’m always
interested in improving how I handle my relationships and thought it would be
interesting to check out. She said she’d see if she could get me on the call
because you have to be invited. Low and behold, I was invited to join the call
one night. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I called in, and was joined by this girl and her friend who were,
“super hotties” and they told me and whoever else was on the call how great it
is and how much better your life will be and guys will just be so attracted to
you, and you learn how not to be a “crazy bitch.” That’s about when I realized
that she was selling to me. Which I thought, okay this is a little strange but
I’ll just go with it. I thought this girl was my friend and I wanted to keep it
that way. After they hyped it up, and sold it completely over the top for a
good half hour, we finally get “International” on the call, the man who gives
advice to these women, supposedly. They cut us off early and we go into the
“party room” another line where they try to really sell it to us. That’s when
they finally say that it’s $100 a month.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I immediately start thinking about how
I’m going to tell her nicely that I’m not interested. They go on and on about
how it’s such a great energy, and no more crazy bitch and the most over the top
stuff, but really targeting women’s weaknesses and being super manipulative.
Finally they say that they have to discuss whether or not we’re the right fit
to join International Hot School and they will let us know tomorrow, then we
have one day (or something like that) to join. She calls me the next day so
excited to tell me that I got in. Wow, I was so surprised, obviously not. I
politely told her, “I am on a budget and do not have the money for that right
now, but thanks so much for thinking of me and sharing it with me. Maybe in the
future I’ll consider it.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Well, she wasn’t hearing it, so she got her other
friend on the phone and she was supposed to take my payment. I reiterated that
I’m not able to do it right now, and they then told me it was lame that I
couldn’t afford it. To which I thought was rude. She said it would bring me
money to do this, and would be so great for my life and career. Then I asked,
is there a website for this? Do you have online resources? No to both. I told
them that I wasn’t comfortable giving my credit card info over the phone. She
was like, I understand that. I continued to say that I would expect to see a
website, so there’s some credibility and I just don’t think this is something I
can do, sorry. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Then their whole nice attitude quickly changed and they were
like, uh I guess this isn’t right for you. Well, good luck out there! So we
hung up and I was really surprised at the whole thing and not sure what to
think of it all. Then half hour later this girl, who I thought was my friend
calls me. I answer and she says, “what happened on that call? You were acting
really lame!” I thought, what is she trying to do, this is so strange. I said I
was sorry and I just didn’t feel comfortable doing it. “Don’t be sorry for me,
I’m sorry for you! You are going to have such a hard time. Good luck out there.
Bye.” That was that, and I was glad it was over! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I just couldn’t believe what
lengths this girl went to to try to sell this to me. They mentioned that the
Superstar Machine is run by this same “International” guy, so she was trying it
right from the start. It was really a shame to know that these women are
perfectly fine with exploiting other women’s weaknesses and I just had to share
my experience. I hope that no one else falls for this, and if you hear of
either of these things, RUN!! </blockquote>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-56907912095422526302013-06-20T10:41:00.001-04:002013-06-20T13:09:55.965-04:00Your cell phone bill is How Much? Let's save some money folks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Words you will never hear me say: "I have the best cell phone plan". Words you will hear me say: "I have the best cell phone plan deal".<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb20Fg3KvxUzxKgOU_FzbR6syYi6aAUG_L_36JTS6-8PV405lpc2FR4X9VP32_4ceBQILiN5X3kKxD6EcBXFSHWYLSz-3kGENZobjgiD7DXaytIbey54JjDk0Vbe_NcW5BB3exzEXtiZ4/s1600/t-mobile-android-rm-eng.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb20Fg3KvxUzxKgOU_FzbR6syYi6aAUG_L_36JTS6-8PV405lpc2FR4X9VP32_4ceBQILiN5X3kKxD6EcBXFSHWYLSz-3kGENZobjgiD7DXaytIbey54JjDk0Vbe_NcW5BB3exzEXtiZ4/s200/t-mobile-android-rm-eng.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://9to5google.com/2012/04/24/t-mobile-wants-unlocked-galaxy-nexus-users-statement/" target="_blank">Photo Link</a></td></tr>
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Friends often chide me for choosing T-mobile. Yes, my service is sometimes spotty. Yes, I sometimes drop calls. But yes, I pay half the price that all my friends do, and yes I will be staying with T-mobile. For the few times that difference shows up, I would rather stick with my plan and save.</div>
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For some of you that might seem like a ridiculous move. In our culture, its often the norm to use products that come with the works, and the most convenience packed in. The problem is, those services are very expensive. Convenience comes with a price, and frankly, its not in my budget. And it doesn't have to be in yours either.</div>
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Currently my cell phone bill is $38/month including 2 gigs of 4g data. Friends on the main cell phone providers are easily paying double that for the same services. It bewilders me that people will pay $30/month for data alone on some plans. Is it really worth it? Or rather, can you really afford it?</div>
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Being thrifty is all about saying "I don't absolutely need that upgrade". It would be nice if we all had infinite dollars to buy the nicest things all the time, but there wouldn't be blogs like this if that were true for everybody (sad thought, right?). Cuts need to be made somewhere, and I always say the best place to make cuts is in your recurring payments: cell phone plan, <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2011/10/find-thrifty-phone-accessories.html" target="_blank">cable bills</a>, insurance costs, etc. If you can free up your monthly income, that just means you have money free for whatever comes up.</div>
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Besides choosing T-mobile (no, sadly, I am not getting any kickbacks for this post), <u>here are general ways you can save on your cell phone expenses</u>:</div>
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1. Choose a less popular or local plan. I once had a cell phone rep say to me "those no name brands can't compete with us, so they choose to give you the world in minutes and data usage". Yes, thank you, and I'm happy to take the world and run with it.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyOefN2xufGXz-ZMJukovZQWihBffac2sGrsS0oHRIUq56bznqT0ObiWqLxjDWnuybJKGpmqTLzc6hf7yFrqoTs7YFZ5hIq31QqrswVr2eKh9o7C0a5PE31yNRLj5hweHsN9NJVBl700/s1600/t-mobile_CES_2013-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyOefN2xufGXz-ZMJukovZQWihBffac2sGrsS0oHRIUq56bznqT0ObiWqLxjDWnuybJKGpmqTLzc6hf7yFrqoTs7YFZ5hIq31QqrswVr2eKh9o7C0a5PE31yNRLj5hweHsN9NJVBl700/s320/t-mobile_CES_2013-18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-57576182-85/three-t-mobile-phones-worth-waiting-for-roundup/" target="_blank">Photo Link</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. Consider losing your contract. If your cell company offers the choice, do some research. This means <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2011/08/salesmen-its-all-about-numbers.html" target="_blank">buying phones on craigslist or ebay</a>, but trust me, you can get a much better deal than you're getting from your service provider anyway.</div>
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3. <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2011/10/find-thrifty-phone-accessories.html" target="_blank">Buy your cell phone cases, screen covers, chargers, etc online</a>. Do not buy it from your service provider, where you are paying like 5x's more than you have to. Do your research.</div>
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4. Join a family plan. And by the way, they don't actually have to be your family. You can join a family plan with friends, neighbors, boyfriend/girlfriends, or people on the street (not recommended). This means you share the cost of the minutes/texts/data and then you just add lines.</div>
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5. Think about forgoing your data plan. :loud gasp:</div>
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Take a second and see how much you pay for your cell phone on a yearly basis. If you feel comfortable paying that each year, then great. If it makes you uneasy, I'd encourage you to consider what conveniences you actually need and which ones you can go without.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-69681821282290649182013-05-19T22:12:00.003-04:002013-05-19T22:13:15.612-04:00Subway breakfast review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Friday I picked up my free breakfast meal from Subway and brought it the office. I got the bacon, egg, and cheese on flat bread adding spinach, red pepper and tomato; it came with a free small coffee. Normally the combo is $3, which is a pretty good deal in my book, but today it was free because I reserved my free breakfast with their promotion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK3iMZTvRzcB3lfuoxJmKfHWLrR5aqpmygiCebP2EjfrgSbLEWuefj3uU-nP0Pr7RQaWZ4V92e6yaV3gwzaUSE3fhd_J_iDNkBiaR_ynQR_ScPzXu-J67n0ppWwX5K-ky9powvU2CoeE/s1600/subway+breakfast+sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDK3iMZTvRzcB3lfuoxJmKfHWLrR5aqpmygiCebP2EjfrgSbLEWuefj3uU-nP0Pr7RQaWZ4V92e6yaV3gwzaUSE3fhd_J_iDNkBiaR_ynQR_ScPzXu-J67n0ppWwX5K-ky9powvU2CoeE/s320/subway+breakfast+sandwich.jpg" width="320" /></a>My breakfast experience: I thought the flat bread sandwich was tasty and healthy, especially once I added some veggies. I appreciated the Subway coffee to-go-cup because it wasn't styrofoam and it didn't use a sleeve. Sleeved coffee is just the darnedest thing to fit in a car cup holder. I just hate it. Instead the coffee cup was made of a thicker cardboard that was well insulated, fitting very conveniently in my vehicle - so props on that.<br />
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What I don't like about the Subway breakfast is the wait in line. Call me antsy, but I'm normally in a rush, especially at breakfast. It's difficult for me to have enough time to get out of my car, and tell the person what I'd like in my meal, grab my own coffee and then hop back in my car. If it's a morning before work, I will pretty much never have time to go through this process unless it's my day off, but that's just my personality.But despite my my constant state of rush and tardiness, this $3 combo is a still good deal.<br />
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Speaking of good deals, I've been CLEANING UP at yard sales lately, purchasing outdoor yard equipment. Check back for my next post on The Thrift World for more word on that. Until next time...</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-77079314743738222942013-05-16T19:46:00.000-04:002013-05-16T19:50:44.421-04:00Get a free Subway breakfast! Plus, win a gift card!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I try not to make freebie posts a main part of The Thrift World because many of them require you to jump through hoops, such as registering for unwanted deals or services, or pay a hidden fee. Not so with Subway's free breakfast promotion.<br />
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This is how it works, customers can register to pick up their breakfast now through May 18th and then pick up their free breakfast until May 19th. You do need to provide an email address, but otherwise there are no hidden fees.</div>
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<a href="http://www.getyourfreebreakfast.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8Ulfh6mMrQaCiDMSqLIRnfPRe2tbIrTxSWMqBW2fdDMEkrGRaMhFZVwT1t_q3w7mWHNBWYS59IyiZCPgCOTND7BZ8PCuR44DDhZsWhuBGYSvXb87WS1PaPnwaY_z8xCrdIVvH0Uxh2s/s400/subway+free+breakfast.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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To get the deal, go to their website <a href="http://www.getyourfreebreakfast.com/">www.getyourfreebreakfast.com</a>, choose a conveniently located store, pick when you want to go get it, and choose your sandwich. Boom, you're registered! I was pleased to see you also get a free small coffee...I mean, you can't argue with this stuff. I am registered to get my breakfast tomorrow morning, and I will do a short follow-up post about the experience.</div>
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To all my readers, today I am offering <b>your chance to win a $10 gift card to Subway</b>! Here's how to enter:</div>
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1) Like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thethriftworld" target="_blank">The Thrift World on Facebook</a> (1 entry)</div>
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2) Share my blog with your friends via any type of social media (1 additional entry)</div>
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3) Post a comment telling me what you did.</div>
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I will choose a winner at random using a random number generator. The winner will be announced Sunday, May 19th so be sure to check back! Good luck & thanks for playing!</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-44619623709014023712013-05-13T10:03:00.000-04:002013-05-13T11:15:58.638-04:00Don't yard sale that! Sell used items for more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's yard sale season again, arguably the best season there is. But don't put dollar price tags on all your stuff just yet. Your stuff has value, and if you're willing to do a little leg work, you could reap some cash from your unwanted goods.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>What to Sell:</u></span><br />
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<b>Electronics</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9miA9VaPG6G-Tx4c9L1oEirtwUQQ-C_7UR9DPKbMSUZXnIkv2rLkXyF2kQlDVChXfDNoKDPwfhFJEyyJDcgOqjjaz9Mhwz6T7rRw13Wqhb5y_pa63YIrrZQvDgTrC7KBRjY4e2rQw0sg/s1600/2012-10-30+16.10.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9miA9VaPG6G-Tx4c9L1oEirtwUQQ-C_7UR9DPKbMSUZXnIkv2rLkXyF2kQlDVChXfDNoKDPwfhFJEyyJDcgOqjjaz9Mhwz6T7rRw13Wqhb5y_pa63YIrrZQvDgTrC7KBRjY4e2rQw0sg/s400/2012-10-30+16.10.19.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sold this beat up glide chair <br />
quickly in a Facebook group</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Your 2-year old cell phone that is slightly beat up, your brand spankin' new phone you just cracked on the sidewalk, your netbook you've since replaced with something a bit snazzier, your 20 gb old school iPod: my advice is, don't take these items to the recycling center just yet. I urge you to spend 5 minutes on Craigslist, Amazon or Ebay looking up your device's value. Most people would never guess that people still pay for older electronics. I recently sold my 3-year old netbook (for which I paid $200) for $100 solid on a yard sale Facebook site. My boyfriend bought an iPhone 5 and dropped it, cracking the screen in every which direction. We sold it on Ebay for more than he paid for it. It might not make sense to you, but people want your old electronics because they have value.<br />
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<b>Home Goods</b><br />
No, I'm not talking about my favorite retail store, I'm talking about your extra coffee maker, microwave, toaster, home decor, old wheel barrel, grill, or other household items. Believe it or not, there IS a market for this stuff. Again, the first thing you need to do is check online before you take it to Goodwill. With home goods I've had a lot of success selling my items on Facebook group sites and Craigslist.<br />
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<b>Clothes</b><br />
I must admit I don't sell my clothes, but I still believe they have value. My friends and I have quarterly clothing swaps (no, I'm not joking). We gather at someone's house and everyone brings clothes they want to get rid of and we spread them out throughout the house by category: tops, pants, skirts, dresses. Then we eat some food, and go back to our piles and root through everyone's stuff. I've never left a clothing swap empty handed, and I always leave with stuff I like much more than the stuff I brought. Another option for folks who have name brand clothes in good condition: take it to your local consignment shop. Every consignment shop has different rules, so call ahead and ask before you stop in with all of you stuff. Sometimes they only take clothes during certain hours when specific staff are available.<br />
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<b>Textbooks</b><br />
If you are still in college or fresh out, your textbooks may have value. I've even had some success selling old editions for high prices. Amazon is your baby on this one. It's very simple to list a textbook on Amazon because you only have to list the condition and name your price. Sell it quick, and list it for less than other people's asking prices. Look to sell it in August or January for the best turnaround. Here are some other tips on textbooks: <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2010/08/how-to-save-major-cash-on-textbooks-not.html" target="_blank">How to Save Major Cash on Textbooks</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Where to Sell it:</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0sXXtNRBNF4GJutTtQVJI9FxkTTuq7MFCyzBuvrcQOW7sGHDWCNl__xC_d6AH0lYp16KaThheFC-NBH95hERV9peKhon6NZnXpPRyi5K71-2x_SojERXN4k0KGm7eVQnnwGxvqmMI0c/s1600/craiglist+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0sXXtNRBNF4GJutTtQVJI9FxkTTuq7MFCyzBuvrcQOW7sGHDWCNl__xC_d6AH0lYp16KaThheFC-NBH95hERV9peKhon6NZnXpPRyi5K71-2x_SojERXN4k0KGm7eVQnnwGxvqmMI0c/s200/craiglist+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Craigslist</b><br />
What to sell: Household goods, lower-priced electronics<br />
How to Use it: I LOVE craigslist, but it's important to stay safe. Never allow anyone into your home. Always meet in a public place. I'd also recommend reading my previous blog post: Craigslist: <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2010/10/craigslist-save-money-dont-get-scammed.html" target="_blank">How to not get scammed</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOW7k8DpcimHPRlFh9zbFOUGFATY8ayBhrB19ei5skURx63Jg098ICgmpSVJ3c_b_APphr2ML-J795e6WQTDFOUxRiShSGj8C5uJGEyRcNP4xo-ZTFSH2SbitTnixRM6SfAZAdo0Erg4/s1600/ebay+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOW7k8DpcimHPRlFh9zbFOUGFATY8ayBhrB19ei5skURx63Jg098ICgmpSVJ3c_b_APphr2ML-J795e6WQTDFOUxRiShSGj8C5uJGEyRcNP4xo-ZTFSH2SbitTnixRM6SfAZAdo0Erg4/s200/ebay+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b>Ebay</b><br />
What to sell: Nearly anything small in size (you don't want to ship a bookshelf), or things of high value. If you have electronics worth over $150, stick with Ebay for secure payments.<br />
How to Use it: The most valuable feature on Ebay is to see what items have sold for in the past. On the main page search bar click "advanced settings" then check the "completed listings" box and search again. Now you know what people will and have paid for your items. If you want to sell your item, price it lower than that price.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedm0s948Go_4H31GWEf4aVyyluQ4_zwRyolwNilThZpC7PAfxU8SIHlUCwiJxM_V3HG9tt208PL9k3G0u6ZU9YMy-aRq0GzKxsW6U1XlEMWYAcLvJtnYIc-vs3D3Iu25rCnohi4eG_Yc/s1600/amazon+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedm0s948Go_4H31GWEf4aVyyluQ4_zwRyolwNilThZpC7PAfxU8SIHlUCwiJxM_V3HG9tt208PL9k3G0u6ZU9YMy-aRq0GzKxsW6U1XlEMWYAcLvJtnYIc-vs3D3Iu25rCnohi4eG_Yc/s200/amazon+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b>Amazon</b><br />
What to sell: textbooks, electronics in good condition, smaller items in size.<br />
How to use it: Always do a quick search to see if your item is listed, and if it is, click the "sell on Amazon" icon on that product's page. If your item isn't selling on Amazon, try Ebay. Amazon is the easiest site to use but the fees are the highest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwNDLTuITwNcSduECMSSkVeKvE1OJK13PzFtbhEkoCbc_aRSgEwGWC_bi26Ac6sO_YSO7fV59Z2Usoyj7VkWgr2UX5bIqYju5Udr-hY6ZF5hfEhLQlytGINV5RlYhyphenhyphenrXjaAhcj9_CE6c/s1600/facebook+group+icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwNDLTuITwNcSduECMSSkVeKvE1OJK13PzFtbhEkoCbc_aRSgEwGWC_bi26Ac6sO_YSO7fV59Z2Usoyj7VkWgr2UX5bIqYju5Udr-hY6ZF5hfEhLQlytGINV5RlYhyphenhyphenrXjaAhcj9_CE6c/s200/facebook+group+icon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Facebook groups</b><br />
What to sell: household items, electronics<br />
How to use it: Log in to Facebook and then in the search bar type in your town or nearby city name + yard sale. In my town you can search "Berks County Yard Sales" and a couple groups come up. Read the site rules posted at the top, and then take photos of your items and post them on the site. Simple, easy, local.<br />
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Have you had luck reselling items? Please leave a comment & share your story with our thrifting community!</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-48002855163181996772013-04-26T10:28:00.003-04:002013-04-26T10:28:57.590-04:00Shopping homemade doesn't break the bank<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfcyBWkE8go7HIHQAc2yychHxNKY1OwWjSWL6KEEMjO8LEoKWRFbfKYlDrQUwECdq9LfQZ0QIKw_iXx-whibd_SW6l45dDOWmLE1GHUheyed46CInolCu8HrCWE_yJMzwY99gu56jJNQ/s1600/IMAG0399.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfcyBWkE8go7HIHQAc2yychHxNKY1OwWjSWL6KEEMjO8LEoKWRFbfKYlDrQUwECdq9LfQZ0QIKw_iXx-whibd_SW6l45dDOWmLE1GHUheyed46CInolCu8HrCWE_yJMzwY99gu56jJNQ/s400/IMAG0399.jpg" /></a><br />
It's a common misunderstanding that if its homemade, its expensive. That's just not the case anymore.<br /><br /> Ever since the era of the great recession & Pinterest, miniature craft shops have been popping up in the homes of mothers everywhere. And they know as well as we do, price matters... so if you look in the right places, you can find these amazing items for slammin' prices. One of the reasons I love shopping local/handmade is that your product is unique and sometimes you can even personalize it.<br /><br />Take this sign decor. I asked Kristin of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilredbrickhouse" target="_blank">Lil' Red Brick House</a> to make a sign for my boyfriend. It lists all the quirky names he has for his house in this subway style piece of art. Kristin asked me what style I'd like it in as well as what colors she should use. Oh, and what size do I want? Hey, when is the last time Walmart asked you those questions?<br /><br /> My sign looks authentic because it is authentic. Forget the machine made reproductions. Handmade art is the real thing and its done by people who would say they are wired to do it.<br /><br /> "I've always been a diy (do it yourself) girl," Kristin said. "Even when i was 5, I remember constructing barbie houses from leftover cardboard scraps. So, I would say it's just nature to me. "<br /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We don't even think about it sometimes but another benefit to being thrifty is it is (oftentimes) environmentally conscious. Like Kristin using scraps of wood for her projects, reusing an item cuts down on waste - the waste of creating a product that eventually ends up in a landfill and the waste the manufacturer creates to produce it. It's the same thing when you go to the <a href="http://youtu.be/QK8mJJJvaes" target="_blank">thrift stop</a> or buy something second hand. You are helping reduce waste.<br /><br /> "I really love the idea of being able to take wood that has been thrown out and able to recycle it into something great. Recycling, composting, reusing, re-purposing (if you can put them all together) is something I am becoming passionate about" Kristin said. <br /><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbqd_G-sIj15FSiaTWYQAYad_pDDRNikLkv35s-uKFQh-3bWEvNiA6Wyp1PQQfa3-aguquXbG14AFTDvanz36_eN9-Z0YEZoBJnwUV3U5wemvevnrCjklV6f4XVAHFl-QvNEiFN_g2wA/s1600/laundry+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbqd_G-sIj15FSiaTWYQAYad_pDDRNikLkv35s-uKFQh-3bWEvNiA6Wyp1PQQfa3-aguquXbG14AFTDvanz36_eN9-Z0YEZoBJnwUV3U5wemvevnrCjklV6f4XVAHFl-QvNEiFN_g2wA/s200/laundry+sign.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
The unique quality, the personalization, and the respect you're giving the environment are just a few benefits to shopping local, handmade. And if you haven't done it before, today is your lucky day. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilredbrickhouse" target="_blank"> Lil' Red Brick House</a> is giving The Thrift World readers a special offer to shop in her store</b>. Kristin lives in Lancaster, so if you live in the area, you can skip on shipping and pick it up out her way. Want something personalized? Click the "contact" button on the left hand side & she'll make something special just for you. Support local art today! <div>
<br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilredbrickhouse">Lil' Red Brick House etsy store</a><br />20% off Promo code: ttw20off</span></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-86590717524961295592013-04-10T22:15:00.001-04:002013-04-10T22:15:51.368-04:00Credit Card Disconnection: Get in tune with your purchases<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've told people I pay my credit card bills in full every month, but recently I realized I was telling a lie. Sure, I pay the balance that's due each month, but I noticed I still have a remaining balance on my card. When I pay my monthly balance, I am not paying for all the money I spent in the past month...I'm paying for stuff from last month. <div>
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On one hand this is nice because it gives a buffer of time before I need to pay for those purchases. If I pay the balance off in time, essentially, those purchases are interest free for an additional month. But this convenience has another implication: being 1 month behind, I am becoming more disconnected to my purchases.<div>
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Studies often claim people who use credit cards will spend more money than they would have with cash. One reason that's often stated is that people have access to more funds than they do with cash. They feel more powerful and capable than they do with cash, and I think it's because people become disconnected with their spending.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyBSsYXG7DIqaQrtIO7_RS4HKsYqFyFghCeXhqf-ArxztydR-GTHcgzf1zqY9zZEFVNRBxfrvArcINubVor9nhEdabYcI46VHrZO4vmExxYfy6PqNloc-kjxNGA5RTnWraR8aKO2fyoM/s1600/cash.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyBSsYXG7DIqaQrtIO7_RS4HKsYqFyFghCeXhqf-ArxztydR-GTHcgzf1zqY9zZEFVNRBxfrvArcINubVor9nhEdabYcI46VHrZO4vmExxYfy6PqNloc-kjxNGA5RTnWraR8aKO2fyoM/s320/cash.png" width="320" /></a>When you pick up your credit card, you may see a beautiful landscape scene, your initials or even a picture of your dog, (all made possible with personalized credit card designs...). But what you don't see is your balance. Compare that to looking in to your wallet, where you see exactly how much money you have on hand. You are connected to your money because you can see it and you can feel it. Looking at a credit card doesn't tell you a thing related to your budget. The fact is, you could have absolutely no money and still have a credit card in your hands. It's quite deceiving, really.</div>
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When I saw that paying my credit card meant paying last months bill, I realized it's another effort by the credit card companies for consumers to become even more disconnected with their purchases. I don't feel as accountable for my purchases because I'm not immediately paying them off. By next month, I won't remember what I bought anyway, I'm just paying a balance.</div>
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Auto-pay is even worse. If you have your credit cards all set on auto-pay, you might completely forget what you spent your money on, and you don't even have to look and face your purchase history.</div>
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Here are some tips on how to avoid this credit card disconnection.</div>
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1. Cancel auto-pay.</div>
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2. Every month LOOK at your purchases on your credit card bill.</div>
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3. Pay your current month's balance.</div>
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Get connected with your finances, otherwise you'll lose a grasp on where your money is going. And trust me, that's not a good path to go down.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-26150274225318898042013-03-24T15:18:00.001-04:002014-06-26T14:46:53.719-04:00Gym membership alternatives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07JAUnCIGUUkM71mhpo3A0lsOw15MTxyBH0a7C4x_LU1aK8Pq1dFSzGJ48gGa_xj2fL_e5tM-yjW8H21pbH3vkK_iWfanpJ5GkPJ5tz-JTvOHKSJP1R1vrzbKAUTvheUdbAvvBt9k8AU/s1600/gym.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07JAUnCIGUUkM71mhpo3A0lsOw15MTxyBH0a7C4x_LU1aK8Pq1dFSzGJ48gGa_xj2fL_e5tM-yjW8H21pbH3vkK_iWfanpJ5GkPJ5tz-JTvOHKSJP1R1vrzbKAUTvheUdbAvvBt9k8AU/s400/gym.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
I've heard lots of friends say, "if I pay for a gym membership, then I'll work out". I've also heard many of those same friends say later "I went for a few weeks, but now not really. I'm gonna try to go again soon" or even other says "yes, I belong to a gym, but (they chuckle) I don't really go".<br />
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I read an article once that will probably stick in my brain for a long time. It was explaining how we can all work out regularly without joining a gym. The author talked about parking in the back of the mall parking lot to gain some extra steps, or intentionally taking the stairs instead of the elevator, basically integrating small forms of exercise in our everyday life. And while its a very nice idea, we all know that parking in the back of the grocery story parking lot will not transform our bodies and put us in shape, in fact, we'll probably just get frustrated when we realize how many groceries we now have to lug to our car. But, the concept of working out without a gym is a notable one.<br />
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Workout materials are actually integrated in many of the services we already have and use. For instance, there are workout programs on Netflix, On Demand, Hulu, and all over the internet. Not to mention the numerous app for your phone, tablet or desktop with all kinds of workouts.<br />
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I just started using the free Andriod App called c25k free. The app is based on the Couch to 5k website where a person who isn't at all in shape can do their walk/run program that will help them run a 5k in 8-weeks time. I like it because 1) It's free 2)It's not that challenging but challenging enough 3) It's a 30-minute workout. If I just go for a run, my workout is going be very short because I have no endurance. But this program has you walking for a period, running for a period, alternating back and forth, and slowly increasing the time spent running, so the time I spend working out is longer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDnLpBP12TK2xYnD29dNwSVJuZ5Fisyn1yOJNT7hmq_ZpGfFizPt1q_M2TURqnzEWHq9a9g-1lSkBUorava89JyI-9IYk4b1_ekIVtkF_qXwx7BPwDiprHkEU1J_hm_rPnzbvfmiBiLA/s1600/workout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDnLpBP12TK2xYnD29dNwSVJuZ5Fisyn1yOJNT7hmq_ZpGfFizPt1q_M2TURqnzEWHq9a9g-1lSkBUorava89JyI-9IYk4b1_ekIVtkF_qXwx7BPwDiprHkEU1J_hm_rPnzbvfmiBiLA/s320/workout.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>This app isn't a good fit for everyone, but there are plenty of options out there, and not just for running. There are apps for biking, yoga, kickboxing, you name it-there's an app for it. Here's one<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/27/best-fitness-apps-of-2012_n_2365811.html" target="_blank"> list of some highly rated workout apps to try</a>. Didn't find what you're looking for? Simply Google "workout apps" or "free yoga apps", there is a lot of information out there.<br />
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Besides saving money on the gym membership, working out at home or near your home helps out in other ways. It saves you the time and gas it takes to go to the gym everyday. I really appreciate being able to start my workout the second I step out the door - it's a real time saver. I also enjoy being outdoors and breathing in the fresh air while I work out.<br />
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Now some of you may be chuckling at this point, and saying "hey, I don't need an app to run, I can just run" (my boyfriend included). Please, by all means, go for a run. I, like many others, do not have a passionate love for exercising and working out. I would love to be that person who can't wait to get up and run in the morning. Maybe I'll get there, but I'm certainly not there today. In the meantime, I will use my free app which will spoon feed me exercise. Sadly this is what I need to get in shape. But I think plenty of others are in a similar place.<br />
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Do you have a workout app that's worked for you? Please post it below in the comment section!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This post is linked to <a href="http://www.thethriftyhome.com/" target="_blank">The Thrifty Home Penny Pinching Party</a>.</span></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-86818860242420285622013-02-27T20:58:00.000-05:002013-02-27T21:15:50.048-05:00Can I really do my taxes online for free? Is Taxact.com really free?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiXv_7rSYrFjrnx_F5kvaCJWWwiBwEqN3V8sanD5EgcRIz0HgYzfK_eYSvf5TjGu7CXx4Fg0wV91pEJr3cTEqCaY8Oi_sHy81NmJXc2NBvdultulgWbWkuhhuBc-GiOCBVs_S8FseCDE/s1600/taxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiXv_7rSYrFjrnx_F5kvaCJWWwiBwEqN3V8sanD5EgcRIz0HgYzfK_eYSvf5TjGu7CXx4Fg0wV91pEJr3cTEqCaY8Oi_sHy81NmJXc2NBvdultulgWbWkuhhuBc-GiOCBVs_S8FseCDE/s320/taxes.jpg" width="320" /></a>I can happily say I've completed my taxes for 2012. My favorite part is it didn't cost me a penny to do them. Okay, not technically true, I paper mailed my state and local, so it was the cost of 2 stamps. Overall though: free.<br />
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How?<a href="http://taxact.com/" target="_blank"> Taxact.com</a>. You've seen the commercials and I'm sure you were skeptical, because I sure was. Dozens of companies claim to do your taxes for free, only to get you in the door or on their website, to then charge you a bunch of miscellaneous fees. But, good news, Taxact.com is actually free.<br />
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When you sign on the site, you answer a quick few questions, and depending on your income level, you are eligible to use various free tax programs from across the web. The lower your income bracket, the more choices you have. I chose Turbotax because I was already familiar with the program.<br />
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Once I started the program, I typed in all my information and finally hit send. They had a fair amount of options, double checks, and other perks that were included in the program for free. I'm finally finished, I'm feeling good, and I hit send. Oh, but wait? For $19.99 I can just hit send again and they will submit my local taxes. Tempting, but it's not free, and this is how their money is made.<br />
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Here's the thing. After you've completed your federal taxes from their website, just print a copy for yourself, and do your state taxes yourself. Yes, it's very easy to just click "send" and forget about your state taxes for $20, but the fact is, state taxes are super easy to do, so don't pay someone else to do it. Besides, you still have to pull out your paperwork to do your local taxes, so there's no instant gratification in being BOOM done, cause you're not anyway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.taxact.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAzzdgNoHmAqGpOFGPipAsMCjq-NNdERC7KjlFYf9Pp_vX9y1mMrE43gftf-wquY0uxiWZQdifS1h8nCvjWo41I7m04pr56vBXo_olHkHAeA-PUOZW9_HjBrhR8tpjtvZhSBptlcGYzc/s200/taxact.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://taxact.com/">Taxact.com</a> is great for people who have more simplified taxes and fall into lower income brackets. If you are in an upper level income bracket and have various stocks, accounts, retail properties, etc, the website is probably not your best bet to ensure you get the proper tax return. But, for someone like me, in a lower income bracket, with fairly straightforward taxes, the site is great tool that I will bookmark and use year after year.<br />
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So tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell that weird guy who wears suspenders and lounges in your mall (okay, maybe you actually shouldn't talk to him), Taxact.com is actually free. So use it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This blog posted is linked in to <a href="http://www.thethriftyhome.com/2013/02/177th-penny-pinching-party.html" target="_blank">The Thrifty Home's Penny Pinching Party</a> and <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/" target="_blank">We Are That Family</a>.</span></div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-34758367835818854662013-02-12T23:49:00.002-05:002013-02-13T09:25:20.671-05:00Save on electronics: skip the extras<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://reg.e.staples.com/c/s/tagfrm/hBRF$DEB7SHGCB8wwxQNtek31-9/coupon.html?n=1421&email=danvanmatre@me.com&COUPON_1=75860&cm_lm=danvanmatre@me.com&cid=EM:CM:_BRF$DEB8wwxQ6P&om_rid=danvanmatre@me.com" target="_blank">Click for coupon. Good until 2/14/13</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Buying electronics can be stressful. Most of the time I take my chances on Craigslist, but every once and awhile I venture into a store. Today, I purchased a new notebook/laptop. Staples is having some incredible deals right now. Lots of laptops/tablets/notebook are on sale and a friend knew I was looking so he forwarded me the email detailing the sale. Plus, the email has a coupon for $75 off the sale price. That's my kind of coupon.<br />
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I chose my laptop, very inexpensive of course, and reserved it over the phone. When I go into Staples, I go over to the display model just to make sure I like it. The salesman approaches. Oh, here we go.<br />
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The dreaded questionnaire ensues: "What do you use your laptop for?" You recognize this question. The Internet and Cable companies ask it all the time. What would you like to do with our service?...so I can tell you why you need to upgrade. <br />
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The salesman tells me that I don't need this notebook. In fact, I'd be much better off with a tablet with a $70 case with a fold out keypad. We had some conversation about and to be quite honest, I was pretty confused. Maybe he's right? Before I can make a decision, the man proceeds to start telling me about the warranty I should probably buy for either device to cover any accidents or defects. Did I know the manufacturer warranty doesn't cover labor and that costs a bajillion dollars? Thank you, no I did not know that.<br />
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So I just stare at the two devices for about 10 minutes, no joke. Finally, it dawns on me: I've researched this notebook, read reviews, looked through all the specifications - this was going to be an informed decision. Now, this salesman is asking me to consider a tablet I've never even looked into, and I'm thinking about buying it! There is something wrong with this picture. So I quick google the proposed tablet on my phone and started reading reviews.<br />
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I ultimately decided instead of making a split decision on a large purchase, because of a conversation with a salesman who cared more about selling me the extra warranty, I better just go home. I did. I went home, I thought about it, and you know what? I returned the next day and bought the notebook I came in for the day before.<br />
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I knew what would come next: all the questions:<br />
Question:Would you like to make your laptop safe and sign up for our extended warranty; its $100 for 2 years. <br />
Answer (aloud): No, thank you.<br />
Answer (in my head): This is how the company makes its money, but trying to scare me into believing that I am going to walk home and drop my laptop on the cement floor, or that it will burst into flames. I mean, someone's laptop has probably burst into flames at some point?<br />
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Question:Would you like to add Microsoft Office for $100?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy1UY8QirLGK1HUaEpQWOUKd58qxyq6WLxbWFkhd8Wo6ycDnhiAFZcSmo2zWpk5qGyQSfpBJCWgZ70YXVox0f24cnYPk0E3n9id6gRE5snRXEjAb2s4nejo-XB3LNLZFZjwyxvLB1q90/s1600/laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy1UY8QirLGK1HUaEpQWOUKd58qxyq6WLxbWFkhd8Wo6ycDnhiAFZcSmo2zWpk5qGyQSfpBJCWgZ70YXVox0f24cnYPk0E3n9id6gRE5snRXEjAb2s4nejo-XB3LNLZFZjwyxvLB1q90/s320/laptop.jpg" width="320" /></a>Answer (aloud): No, I have Office<br />
Answer (in my head): <a href="http://www.openoffice.org/" target="_blank">Open Office</a> is a free version of Office that is compatible with the Microsoft edition. I'm not in school, so I don't think having Microsoft at home is a necessity.<br />
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Question: Do you *need* a case or a mouse? <br />
Answer (aloud):No, I don't.<br />
Answer (in my head): Need is a strong word. So, she's saying it's as valuable as food or shelter?<br />
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Question: Would you like someone to help you install your device ? It's $100.<br />
Answer (aloud): No, thank you.<br />
Answer (in my head): Is this a joke? You want me to pay someone to turn it on for me and snap the battery in? For real, there is no other explanation for what this is.<br />
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The conclusions to this story are as follows.<br />
1) Don't make significant impulse purchases. On an impulse you don't have time to really weigh the products pros and cons or research the product.<br />
2) Expect salesman to try upsell you on just about everything. Come in with an amount you're willing to spend and stick with it...otherwise you might just double your limits.<br />
3) I have no idea how to use Windows 8. Okay, you probably didn't glean this from my story...but it's totally true. <br />
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In the end, I do really like this laptop (I'm on hour 4) and no problems yet. See, who needs a silly warranty!</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-33297329531768303922013-01-29T22:38:00.000-05:002013-01-29T22:38:07.821-05:00The problem with window shopping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been feeling broke in the past couple months. Buying Christmas gifts for my family, friends, my boyfriend, and secret Santa exchanges is enough to make anyone feel a little strapped. Let's face it, we're all feeling it. But coming out of the spending season, I think we can all recognize something about ourselves.<br />
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I went to the mall with a friend in early December. That was the first time in a long time I had set foot in a shopping mall. I've found that when you're used to shopping at discount outlet stores, and thrift stores, this type of shopping experience can be quite overwhelming. For a normal person I can compare this to the shock of going into White House|Black Market, Louie Vuitton, or some other outrageously priced store. I'm so used to spending half or even a third of the prices that real stores are asking that I just can't bring myself to buy stuff. And even though I'm not spending cash, I'm still being affected in other ways.<br />
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Whether you're used to shopping at high end stores or low end stores, I believe something magical happens when you go window shopping: You realize you need everything. You might not have known it before, but you sure know it when you step in the stores.<br />
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For me, it's like every piece of clothing, tablet, organizer, clock... it all looks better than what I have at home, and honestly, it probably is. It's newer, it's shinier and the dang packaging alone makes me think I will be more trendy and have more friends if I would just buy this product. I know that sounds ridiculous, but c'mon, we've all been there.<br />
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After Christmas, after the day-after-Christmas (probably the best shopping day ever) and now getting into February, the shopping season and post holiday shopping season is officially over. The sales are done and picked through. I recommend you go home, and stay away from shopping districts for a while. Instead of going to Target or Walmart to buy food items, go to the actual grocery store, so you don't have to walk by the aisles of clothing, purses, office supplies, home decor, and whatever that weakness is that you have. Just buy groceries.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8tBcI1urJwU74S5Pcef4MUSila1TKB8mlx0_RDzYQBvgmjw-un-iPR5yxH7zPLCKiK2BQTziBpbIR0d0pLvoOGsbd0getpIH0m73DE3b7PHKjdWTpQ9oKOD9OT3bONaOdjPik8Ibshg/s1600/mall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8tBcI1urJwU74S5Pcef4MUSila1TKB8mlx0_RDzYQBvgmjw-un-iPR5yxH7zPLCKiK2BQTziBpbIR0d0pLvoOGsbd0getpIH0m73DE3b7PHKjdWTpQ9oKOD9OT3bONaOdjPik8Ibshg/s320/mall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For me, I realize how little I crave stuff when the stuff is not in front of my face. It's when I watch commercials, visit stores (physical and online), and look through catalogs, that I find stuff to want.<br />
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In a society where the average American is up to their ears in debt, but yet completely provided for, we don't need stuff to want. We need to stop wanting stuff. Avoiding shops is a good first step.</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-20489494768094207822013-01-21T22:41:00.003-05:002013-01-30T19:46:07.316-05:00Discount Combos: how to save more money at the pump<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every time I go get gas, regardless of the station, there are always signs, banners, stickers bragging about how you can save money at their facility on the black, syrupy stuff. Sign up for our credit card, you'll save 3-5 cents off the gallon. <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2010/08/be-weary-of-gasgrocery-deals.html" target="_blank">Buy groceries in our partner groceries store, you'll save 10-50 cents off a gallon</a>. Buy a Snickers bar and a coke, you'll save 5 cents off a gallon. I've seen it all.<br />
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All of these things sound REALLY good because gas stations know we HATE paying for gas, so they capitalize on it. They tell us to buy something from them to save money on gas, so we think we are getting a better deal. Here is the reality.<br />
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We are not saving very much on gas. Sure, 5 cents, 10 cents, even 20 cents off the gallon sounds like a lot of money, but do the math. I usually put about 12 gallons in my car when I fill up, 5 cents off is only saving me 60 cents total, 10 cents saves me $1.20, and 20 cents saves me $2.40. Sure, it's nice to save a buck or two, but that's really not that impressive considering I just spent $45 bucks filling up my tank, and in a lot of cases, I had to spend money on something else to get it. For instance, shopping at that grocery store to get 10 cents off the gallon is generally not the most frugal way to buy food. <a href="http://www.thethriftworld.com/2012/05/discount-grocery-via-food-aisle.html" target="_blank">Discount grocery stores offer far more in savings</a>.<br />
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The point is, these little discounts aren't much...but, what you can do is to put them all together. Here's what I mean.<br />
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I went to the gas station last week to fill up. I fill up at Sheetz in Hamburg because it's on my way to work and gas is usually about 5 cents cheaper there then it is in Reading.. I happen to get my prescriptions filled at Weis Markets which partners with Sheetz for gas discounts. And I use a <a href="https://applynow.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?PROMO=DF01&SPID=F2RY&CELL=627J&MSC=1460058415" target="_blank">credit card that gives me 5% cash back on gas for half of the year</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vhH_i68XkGTEzOP6Q9FOu0Vw1mIyDeObEelE4AAwlUo8VmY5PPh0iJVaBmyWBb_CqFKVjVV5wAM2yfjQKHsV_21-rmIxWfvn0ASNEXLqh4olVBDIIE-IzdDvYkynjDj8G9bV_iZHVwM/s1600/gas+gage.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vhH_i68XkGTEzOP6Q9FOu0Vw1mIyDeObEelE4AAwlUo8VmY5PPh0iJVaBmyWBb_CqFKVjVV5wAM2yfjQKHsV_21-rmIxWfvn0ASNEXLqh4olVBDIIE-IzdDvYkynjDj8G9bV_iZHVwM/s320/gas+gage.png" width="320" /></a>The other reason I choose Sheetz as my gas station is I can save 5 cents off a gallon WITHOUT using their credit card. It's simply a swipe card, similar to a grocery store card. What this means is, I can use discount combinations. I can swipe my Weis card, save 10 cents, swipe my Sheetz card and save 5 cents, and then, I can pay with my <a href="https://applynow.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?PROMO=DF01&SPID=F2RY&CELL=627J&MSC=1460058415" target="_blank">Chase Rewards card and save 5%</a>. And by the way, saving 5% on gas is about 3-4x's better than saving 5 cents on the gallon.<br />
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So let's add up my discounts:<br />
Gas was $3.45<br />
-10 cents off for Weis<br />
-5 cents off for Sheetz<br />
-5% off from Chase<br />
Gas final price = $3.135/gallon<br />
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That's a $3.78 savings for 12 gallons. Now I'm not going to lie to you - gas is still expensive. But until we all get smart (or desperate) and start riding our bikes to work, combining gas discounts is the best we're gonna get. And by the way, I am totally open to riding my bike everywhere to save money, I'm just looking for someone to push me. Inquire within.</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-36308871561362210332013-01-11T20:06:00.004-05:002013-01-11T20:09:23.847-05:00Ebook freebie until midnight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.979999542236328px;">I always feel it is invaluable to consider the lives and the culture of those who have much less than us. It changes the way we view money and view the things that we have. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.979999542236328px;">When I was in college, I went on a cross-cultural missions trip to Egypt which ultimately changed the way I view giving to others. On the trip, I met a guy named Ted Oswald who immediately struck me as someone far more intelligent than me, and someone who had a sincere love for grilled cheese sandwiches. Another love of Ted's (besides food) has always been social justice and serving the urban poor. I was very excited to hear that he was working on, and has finished up a book based in Haiti. </span>One Amazon book reviewer said it "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.979999542236328px;">takes the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.979999542236328px;">reader into the heart of Haiti's political, social, and cultural climate". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Up until midnight, you can download a FREE copy of his eBook "Because We Are: A Novel of Haiti". </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;">Currently, I'm anxiously awaiting the physical copy of the book to arrive at my house. In the meantime, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Because-We-Are-Novel-ebook/dp/B00AP60XQK/" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.97333335876465px;" target="_blank">download your own copy</a>. I have no doubt it will entertain you and challenge you. <span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 19.97333335876465px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Because-We-Are-Novel-ebook/dp/B00AP60XQK/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1lj7mpI3MOsaHsXC5YllOujTFFx4UGnnSDEXf8RVqTRXlw1wIo1WtDJKjPoMl_w5XQkfV3Rp4wqMGew9yiIshx_xPN5SDHF63pofbR58_q9BGNfDSKwT8VJDPDzq5LCKCr8faFyT7MM/s320/Haiti.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<u style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>Book Description:</b></u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;"> When a mother and her infant are murdered on the outskirts of Cité Soleil, Haiti’s most infamous slum, two unexpected detectives emerge: Libète, a brash and headstrong girl of ten, and her brilliant but impoverished friend Jak.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Though made rough-and-tumble on the slum’s streets where gangs, police and UN peacekeepers have long battled for control, the murders stir Libète unlike anything she’s seen before. With the dead quickly forgotten as the community limps on in its grinding struggle to survive, Libète resolves to pursue the truth despite the costs, plunging headfirst into an insidious plot that will threaten her and everything she holds dear.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Because-We-Are-Novel-ebook/dp/B00AP60XQK/" target="_blank">Click here to download your e-edition free!</a></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-31259805368115286332012-12-30T19:33:00.002-05:002012-12-30T19:33:58.509-05:00Let's share that meal, says the Stubborn Saver<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had a friend tell me recently that they wished they could thrift like me and save money the way I do. Of course I told them to read my blog if they want to change their life, and we laughed and they said they already did. I thought for a moment and realized there was one factor that separates a serious thrifter who saves money on nearly everything from a normal everyday saver that may use a coupon every once in a while. The difference is the ability to be undeniably stubborn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirANKfvMsrBo9UuAwAeRcWIG2Q3dIh7svjjF0b9PxTPgURuX-vjw7gJ20Tru54Ed5EeVluyvukBTLrwxFbHf8ZhGK19d3MORHDp3bMMJ_GAXdrcHC8-0J9g4naaTAAYWd6C4Uxis8bzs/s1600/chinese+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirANKfvMsrBo9UuAwAeRcWIG2Q3dIh7svjjF0b9PxTPgURuX-vjw7gJ20Tru54Ed5EeVluyvukBTLrwxFbHf8ZhGK19d3MORHDp3bMMJ_GAXdrcHC8-0J9g4naaTAAYWd6C4Uxis8bzs/s320/chinese+food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a picture of the meal I had for lunch today that was about $17...actually I split it with a friend. It's my belief that a lot of people don't want to go through the trouble to save little money, in this case, admitting to the server/owner that we didn't wish to pay for our own meals, instead, we were going to split one. Honestly, it's always a little uncomfortable (at least for me) to split a meal. Its a little time-consuming to wait until you find the item you want at the thrift store. And its a little stressful to refuse to pay a price that is just too high - but these are things that, in the end, can save you a LOT of money.<br />
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Most people are not willing to go through the effort or the anxiety, and that's okay, you can still save money, but its the drive that moves me to save more than other people. It's a sickness that is sick and tired of watching people fall prey to debt and lose control of their finances because they don't know how to get what they need and spend less money. There is another path. I can teach you the secrets. Just don't be afraid if you find yourself becoming a tad bit financially stubborn. It's part of the way out.<br />
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I wish everyone a happy 2013, and here's to blogging more, because I like it so I should do it, damnit. Here's to a fresh restart.</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-46567317371145162072012-11-01T10:06:00.000-04:002013-01-29T10:12:46.259-05:00Losing a domain name: the thrifty solution<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk8Uub72OdYoqlh3X7r1LWu846Z68J7AHKF7j-UId9nJQFguV3SUluR-QUQM4Sq9dnwBdMv3I069FxFFUiJah5U55YlF0bcWZcvV7OzM6yqIkbsXbBi-zbtRtzKqg5XqbLDnnTiHV_3g/s1600/domain+name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk8Uub72OdYoqlh3X7r1LWu846Z68J7AHKF7j-UId9nJQFguV3SUluR-QUQM4Sq9dnwBdMv3I069FxFFUiJah5U55YlF0bcWZcvV7OzM6yqIkbsXbBi-zbtRtzKqg5XqbLDnnTiHV_3g/s200/domain+name.jpg" width="200" /></a>Pheew that was close. You may have noticed thethriftworld.com has been down a few months. I'm sorry for the confusion...but it makes for quite a thrifty story.<br />
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A few months ago I bought a house, and I was dealing with buying stuff for my house, figuring out how to pay bills, moving things in, repainting walls, and ripping up carpets. While all this is happening (AND I have internet connection problems at my house), I get a renewal notice from Google regarding my domain name (www.thethriftworld.com), which is supposed to automatically renew. Well, it didn't automatically renew, and the email got lost among the messages/bills/notifications/everything. And then one day, the website is down, and I am FREAKING OUT. My website has lost its home.<br />
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I call Google, and they want 90 stinking dollars for me to retrieve my expired domain. 90 dollars. By the way, it normally costs 10 dollars per year for my .com, so 90 is quite a hike. But I'm thinking to myself - What if a domain buyer buys it up and wanted thousands for it? What if they reopen the URL for $100/year? What if? Google is telling me I need to buy my domain <u>now</u> to get it back.<br />
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At this point I have a choice. I could turn my back to myself and my beliefs and pay an exorbitant amount of money to retrieve my beloved domain name, or I could take a chance and wait for it to become available again to purchase. In the meantime, anyone who has ever bookmarked my blog is getting a blank page...they think my blog is dead, but I decide to wait anyway. So I wait, and wait, and wait. Everyday I check godaddy.com to see if the domain name was back on the market.<br />
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Today, at work, I checked godaddy and my site is finally available! Price? $10/year. BAM. Patience, in this instance, really, really paid off. And truly, I took a chance. This is unknown territory for me, I wasn't sure what could happen. But the good news is, I'm back online. And while I may have lost some followers who thought my site was no longer running, I saved $80, and more importantly, I saved my pride.<br />
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I stayed true to myself and to my blog. I won.</div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-38729130861575443632012-09-03T10:46:00.003-04:002012-09-03T10:47:44.576-04:00Cable bill bliss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I think hating your cable company is part of being an American. There are constantly connection problems, service appointments are only given with 3-5 hour time windows, their customer service is annoying, and their prices are a complete money suck. Did I miss anything?<br />
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While we can't change the attributes of our cable company, we may be able to do something about the price we pay for our services. </div>
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I wanted to set up cable at my house (basically so I can watch football), and because I am American and a complete tight wad, I hate this entire process. So I did some shopping around and finally called Fastrack* to set up cable. I asked the man on the phone what his absolute cheapest plan available was. He told me about their $29.99 plan, which is also what I saw on the website. I asked him if he had anything cheaper, and he replied no. Then I told him I had previously had a $14/month plan about 2 years ago when I was a customer...was that still available? He said, oh yes we do have that plan. Funny how he didn't mention that. Excellent, I said, I would like to purchase that one. He said that is only the most very basic channels, and I said that was fine.</div>
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A few days later, the cable company comes out to install the receiver and the service man tells us we'll be getting more than just basic stations, and after checking, we in fact do receive over 30 tv channels, which is not what we were initially told. The story continues...</div>
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I happened to stumble on an incredible TV deal on <a href="http://woot.com/">woot.com</a>, the best place to buy electronics for cheap, and all of a sudden I needed to upgrade to HD Cable. A little frazzled, I assumed I would need to upgrade to that $29.99 plan I did not want. So I called the company back.</div>
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They informed me I would only pay $2.40/month to upgrade to HD...no that's not a typo. And then for the kicker. I go to cable company's office to upgrade to a digital receiver and the woman at the counter tells me my plan includes the company's on demand service where you can instantly watch hundreds of new tv shows and stream free movies, oh, and it also includes 40 music stations. Frankly I didn't believe her. But I didn't want to question why I would receive all these incredible services for $17/month. So I just simply said thank you and went on my merry way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD-eYs8Gmx7fZxJsa_c85lbkqEn5POgfR_WIkKRNuw-GsfXCtnK-mlgsxNO3HoI8JavzuE0ra3HHj8JxsrX0ce7PmFKOHh3_3jhKt42uY9RDoSOHxOFHLPql3HLr44-rQ8bzmd0TOMDs/s1600/tv+controller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD-eYs8Gmx7fZxJsa_c85lbkqEn5POgfR_WIkKRNuw-GsfXCtnK-mlgsxNO3HoI8JavzuE0ra3HHj8JxsrX0ce7PmFKOHh3_3jhKt42uY9RDoSOHxOFHLPql3HLr44-rQ8bzmd0TOMDs/s320/tv+controller.jpg" width="320" /></a>I go home, set up my receiver, and to my udder and complete shock, I did have the on demand services and the 40 music channels the woman told me I would have. I went on their website and found out that the $29.99 plan doesn't even include these services! Is this real? I successfully found a loop hole.</div>
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The moral of the story is being stubbornly cheap can really work in your favor..but doesn't always come this easily. For instance, I spent hours making phone calls and arguing with different internet companies so I could get the cheapest deal possibly and eventually did get the best deal, but it came with a great bit of hassle. But all these efforts are just part of my belief that the key to economic freedom is lowering your monthly costs so you have money for everything else. I will hold strong to this belief even when it's completely time consuming and stressful. But, hey, saving money comes with a different sort of a cost. The question is: are you willing to pay it?</div>
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*not the actual company name. I'm afraid they will find my blog, change my services, and destroy my life. Please don't find me, please don't find me.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-12954585984736999802012-08-20T23:25:00.002-04:002012-08-21T18:34:53.615-04:00Bed, Bath & Beyond: Oh how I loathe thee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have an abnormal distaste for Bed, Bath & Beyond. I went there today...but it was my last option. See, I bought this house (why I haven't been blogging) and I have this roommate. And I can't continue to agonize over little things like finding the perfect, moderately inexpensive bathmat because it simply means we will not have a bathmat for several months. Of course, I'm used to this because I am this way with everything, but it's not fair to her. She deserves to have a bathmat, ya know?<br />
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So I went a couple places without finding said mat and finally decided to take the thrifter's walk of shame into the famously overpriced retail store that makes it money off wedding registries for people who aren't actually paying for the stuff, but making their friends and family cough up the money, and maybe the stuff is kinda nice, at least the marketing is good, but seriously why the crap would you pay $95 for an over the toilet shelf when they are $20 at Target! ahhhh!!!! Okay, okay, back to the story.<br />
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But if I'm going to be honest here today, I was a little surprised at how much I didn't hate walking into Bed, Bath & Beyond. In fact, my experience was quasi positive and so I decided to create these lists...<br />
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<u>Things I didn't completely hate about BB&B</u><br />
1. Since I had just gone to several stores in an effort to avoid that very store, I was very familiar with price points on the items I was looking for. I was surprised to find their prices to be the middle of the road not just marked up like a billion percent.<br />
2. Their 20% off coupons are generally inescapable. They send them to your house, they put them in the paper, they put them in every coupon book imaginable. They do everything but hand you one when you walk in...but actually if you sign up for their email or text list, you will get 20% that day anyway.<br />
3. I actually found a bath mat. And I don't love it, and my roommate actually told me she doesn't like it, but its better than a towel, and the price was acceptable for the emergency situation (not having a bathmat for several weeks).<br />
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<u>Things I was still moderately annoyed about:</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1iKJwzZJMj-R-LDUwx_TU3EFWMP3Dk3Zy5n7Q8gJUrVnsi5Ozf6VAU60BJJkXCYBs0cozeGK2UEO17jiUCbPfU3UFqKkRMjJUK0CqKgan7LfYvx3AjiHy9gg_JX2cAYzJQ8QIytDtVM/s1600/overpriced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1iKJwzZJMj-R-LDUwx_TU3EFWMP3Dk3Zy5n7Q8gJUrVnsi5Ozf6VAU60BJJkXCYBs0cozeGK2UEO17jiUCbPfU3UFqKkRMjJUK0CqKgan7LfYvx3AjiHy9gg_JX2cAYzJQ8QIytDtVM/s320/overpriced.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
1. I thought by using the famous 20% off coupon that my $14.99 bathmat would be like $5.99 or something, but it was still over $12. That disappointed me.<br />
2. Their customer associate was really just too friendly. She asked me what I wanted, I explained I wanted a brown bathmat, and she just made it her mission to point out every single brown bathmat they had in stock. She later noticed I was still staring at the bathmats...she doesn't know me, this is what I do. So she comes back over and continues to make more suggestions. When I shop, I really don't want your suggestions. Frankly, I don't trust you. I don't think you have my best interest in mind and I'd rather you didn't speak unless you're spoken to, but I couldn't just walk away. I mean, I'm not rude.<br />
3. I still basically hate Bed, Bath & Beyond. </div>
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-32441286601648624572012-06-09T13:57:00.001-04:002012-06-12T17:49:34.841-04:00Have you seen this? It's a 39glasses.com review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just a few weeks ago I ordered my very own pair of Oxford sunglasses online, from <a href="http://www.39dollarglasses.com/">www.39dollarglasses.com</a>. The website gives a large variety of prescription and non-prescription glasses to choose from including different styles, shades, colors and more for glasses and sunglasses.<br />
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<b>Website:</b> I love that the reviews for each pair of glasses is right on that page, which always gives the consumer some confidence, and it's certainly very convenient. Each pair of glasses shown offers a glance at the pair of specs on a certain face shape for an idea of what they may look like on you. Overall the website is easy to navigate, clearly displaying prices, and providing a fairly specific search engine to find different products. My only complaint (or rather compliment on their marketing squad) is that the majority of the glasses are not really 39 dollars. Some of them are, abut most of them in the $50-$60 range.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV_FSz8wzi_8vYvAuSPz2p_8VWhrhfkCgEgJEqED8kl3AZB1XKBS-Lm7Nky3w30wRPDlV9SvhJJUppGBDAYFkGDV7HPAp4Gqm_Z2F9m-rrLQ7cABi3bmHmEyqVQUY9pm0xyZs3FLL6FQ/s1600/39glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSV_FSz8wzi_8vYvAuSPz2p_8VWhrhfkCgEgJEqED8kl3AZB1XKBS-Lm7Nky3w30wRPDlV9SvhJJUppGBDAYFkGDV7HPAp4Gqm_Z2F9m-rrLQ7cABi3bmHmEyqVQUY9pm0xyZs3FLL6FQ/s200/39glasses.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<b>Glasses:</b> The pair I ordered were non-prescription sunglasses with a grey tint. When I was looking through the website, I couldn't believe how many different options there were for choosing the right pair of glasses. My purchase, like all other purchases from the site, included a hard case, a micro-fiber cleaning cloth, and a 100% guarantee and a tiny eyeglass repair kit. The glasses (and lenses) I received are very light weight, as noted on the website, so unfortunately they don't stay on top of my head. But surprisingly they do stay on my face when I play ultimate frisbee, which was a pleasant surprise.<br />
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Overall, I think for prescription lenses, you probably won't find a better deal out there. All of their glasses are also manufactured in the United States, which is also always a plus. I do think for regular non-prescription glasses, they are a tad expensive compared to my usual flea market/yard sale sunglasses finds. But, hey not everyone is as cheap as me:)</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3468171736004403136.post-58386205950357809982012-05-14T21:57:00.001-04:002012-05-14T22:03:19.005-04:00Discount Grocery via The Food Aisle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>The Thrift World is excited to host a guest post by good friend and respected blogger, <a href="http://thefoodaisle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Crystal at The Food Aisle</a>. Be sure to read her post below and follow her cooking blog.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I write this post with one sole purpose: to get you to find and visit a discount grocery store near you. I have a long history of visiting "scratch-and-dent" stores with my mom, some of them </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">way</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> off the beaten path, like that tiny Amish shop in eastern Iowa that didn't have any electric lights. Right after getting married, though, it was enough work to think about just stocking my own pantry and refrigerator with the resources I had close at hand, so it's been only recently that I've ventured beyond our local big-chain grocery stores.</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Lucky for me, I don't live in Iowa anymore, so even though I didn't find a huge selection of discount grocery stores when I searched online, I did find one gem: </span><a href="http://www.bbsgrocery.com/" target="_blank">BB's Grocery Outlet</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">, with several locations in the southeast PA area. It's definitely the biggest discount grocery I've seen, and the most comprehensive. The milk is regular price and the produce is passable, not amazing, but still, they have milk and produce along with aisles and aisles of dry goods. Even though I have no prejudice toward generic products, what I particularly like at BB's are their numerous high-quality, name-brand items. We're talking Yoplait Greek yogurt w/ granola topping for a quarter a piece. Softsoap handwash for a dollar. Even a Martha Stewart all-natural carpet cleaner spray for less than two dollars.</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I could keep going, but the most persuasive way to do this is to show you a picture:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This glorious load cost me...</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">wait for it...</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><b>Fifty dollars and change.</b></i></span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Just in case this still isn't clear (maybe you don't do large grocery trips very often, or maybe you cook too infrequently to know the relative cost of groceries), let me break this down.</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Buitoni fresh four-cheese ravioli: At Giant, $4.49. </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">At BB's, $1.79.</b><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Fresh limes: Giant, $.50 each. </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">BB's, $.25 each.</b><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Kraft veggie macaroni and cheese: Giant, $1.50 each. </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">BB's, $.50 each.</b><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">As far as high-quality, name-brand items go, this pile also contains:</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Hilshire Farm smoked bratwurst </span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">John F. Martin cheese dogs (quality local meat brand)</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Townhouse Flatbread Crisps</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Kleenex tissues</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Turkey Hill chocolate milk</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Terra sweet potato chips</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Scott select-a-size paper towels</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Post Great Grains cereal</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Cascadian Farms organic frozen strawberries</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Snapple Sorbet Pops</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Annie's Naturals goddess dressing</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Kotex product</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Stubb's beef marinade</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">If I'd had the energy, I would have been tempted to go to Giant and price everything out to really wow you, but instead I'll give you a rough estimate. My best guess is that for this batch of groceries, I would pay between $80-$100 at most of our local grocery chains. And I took it off BB's hands for $50.</span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">A few tips for shopping at discount grocery stores:</span></span><br />
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">First, find one. Google "discount grocery" with your zipcode, or ask that Mennonite lady down the street. If Google fails and you know no Mennonite ladies, ask a hippie.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Plan to spend a substantial amount of time shopping. Discount groceries are notoriously unorganized, and you will likely have to sort through shelves of mismatched products to find the gold.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Save discount grocery stores for stock-up trips, not quick errand runs. The potential inconsistency of the merchandise and long lines of insane, cart mountain, I-only-come-out-of-my-house-once-a-month-to-feed shoppers may frustrate you if you need to get in and out.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Keeping the first two tips in mind, I recommend taking time to browse. Don't write a store off just because you don't see useful products on first glance. Poke around, shove things aside. Because discount grocery stores are not as pristinely organized as regular grocery stores, sometimes the good stuff is hiding. That being said, I do recommend choosing a store that, on first glance, looks like they use some kind of organizational structure.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Check dates!</i> Only two or three items in my pile above were just slightly past their Best By dates, and since I've <a href="http://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/5" target="_blank">read plenty about how those dates are conservative</a>, I deemed them just fine. I did see plenty of product that was wildly out of date, however. Just be conscientious.</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don't settle for bad food just because it's cheap. This will ruin your diet and enjoyment of food. I am sometimes tempted to buy food that's not very healthy or flavorful just because it's that darn cheap. But no matter how many Hamburger Helpers I walk out with, the price isn't going to make them taste any better. If you have to choose between settling for a mediocre-looking version of an ingredient you need or paying full price at a normal grocery store, suck it up: buy the better product. You're saving enough money elsewhere <i>with those 45 packs of crackers for FIVE DOLLARS!!!</i></span></li>
</ul>
</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393189652467899685noreply@blogger.com