Sunday, October 31, 2010

How to decide which bills should be paid first

Libyan bills
It seems like every time we pay any of our bills, they're do again as soon as we know it.  But what happens when we're short on funds?  Which bills should we be focused on paying first?  Know one I know seems to be sure of this, so I thought we could explore this together.  Here's what I came up with.

Many bills, such as your gas and electric, can wait to be paid (unless you're EXTREMELY far behind).  Utility companies are not going to shut off your utilities if you fall behind a payment.  However, I wouldn't advise skipping the bill completely.  If you don't have the full amount, pay a smaller portion of the bill.  This way, you won't fall behind a whole payment.

When it comes to your credit, it's easier to ruin it than to keep it.  Pay the bills that will immediately effect your credit score, such as car payments and credit cards.  Falling behind a couple of payments can severely ruin your credit.  KEEP IT SAFE!

Your grocery bills can sometimes seem a little high.  To avoid this, use coupons, shop on double coupon days and of course, plan your meals ahead of time.  Knowing what you want before entering the store will help you avoid impulse shopping.

And if your low on money for the month, follow simple rules.  Pack a lunch, make dinner and don't waste money going out.  Every penny saved is another dollar earned. 


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Grocery List Before Grocery Shopping

Just the Grocery ListImage by KTVee via Flickr Trust me when I say this: MAKE A GROCERY LIST! If not, you could accidently end up buying the same thing before checking the refrigerator and cabinets, but most importantly because it sets a limit.

Instead of going to the store and picking up what “may look good” think of what you want to make ahead of time. Then put on your grocery list everything that you need to make your dish(es). And when doing this it’s very helpful to think in a week span instead of a few days at a time. This not only helps you to plan out future meals, but helps you to budget things as well. I know what you’re thinking…yeah, yeah…whatever…how do you know all this? Plan and simple: its my life.

Before going grocery shopping I think of what I plan to eat in the next week from meals to snacks and I write it down on my grocery list. And a lot of times I buy food that can be cooked with more than one dish, such as Ragu sauce, it can be for homemade pizza and spagatti…that’s two dinner dishes right there!

Planning out a list really helps you to not splurge in the store and say “oouuu…that looks good, I’m buying it,” and you didn’t even really need it.


***One more very helpful tip: don’t go to the grocery store hungry…it will really have you splurge shopping.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Lunch Money

HEALTHY COMBO .^0^.Image by aJ GAZMEN ツ GucciBeaR via Flickr Instead of always taking a little trip to your nearest fast food place, take a little time to pack a lunch. Sounds lame? We’ll your wallet will probably think other wise. I know it can be a little time consuming to make a quick lunch, but taking those few extra little minutes will save you a lot of money.

Packing a lunch could be as simple as a sandwich and some chips, a little bowl of cold pasta or even a nice salad with your favorite kind of bread and a side of salad dressing. Sounds like a lot? It’s really not. Let me break things down for you:

Packing vs. Buying
-Buying lunch everyday can cost you about $5 a day, that brings you to about $25/week= $100/month
*This is a minimum, some lunches can range from $7-10 dollars, especially when wanting to eat at places such as Panera Bread.

-But when buying groceries for lunch, you could buy a loaf of bread (about $2.50), sandwich meat ($5), chips ($1-2) and any condiments or lettuces you may want can cost about ($3-4). This total ranges from $10-15/week. Doing this saves more money in the long run, even if you buy a diverse amount of food in the beginning and your grocery bill is high, trust me, your saving more money in the long run.


Nutrition
-Packing a lunch helps you to keep track of what you’re eating and how it has been prepared.
-Eating at McDonalds everyday may only cost you $2/day…but by the end of the week your tummy may not agree with this decision.


Not That Much Time
-The night before classes, when making dinner for yourself, you could be preparing your lunch for the next day. Even if preparing cold pasta you could cook tomorrow’s lunch and that night dinner at the same time.
-As you may not want to pack a lunch everyday, just packing a lunch 2-3 times/ week can save you about $10/week, that’s $40/month.


*****As you may not want to pack a lunch everyday, just packing a lunch 2-3 times/ week can save you about $10/week, that’s $40/month.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Avoid Black Friday Scams.

FORT WORTH, TX -  NOVEMBER 27:  Shoppers Jeri ...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Crowded stores on Black Friday may be a thing
 of the past after reading these tips.
With Halloween just around the corner it is scary to think the Holidays are only less than two months away and Black Friday even sooner. Just hearing the words “Black Friday” result in images of people camping out in long lines outside of stores and hundreds of people crammed tightly wall to wall inside stores.
 Although many believe that Black Friday is the best day to shop for not only holiday items but also for items for yourself you may be surprised it’s not. Recently I stumbled on to the article below and now the images of long lines and crowded stores may be a thing of the past for me. This article reveals myths about Black Friday that are untrue and also ways to avoid the Black Friday chaos.
Still planning on shopping on Black Friday? Many websites are beginning to collect ads for Black Friday before they are submitted to public. Check out these sites to get a sneak peak on deals for Black Friday.
These site names are very redundant so I listed them to which ones I thought were more helpful to least helpful.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Help those in need without spending a dime

US Navy 060526-N-5142K-011 New York Fleet Week...Image via Wikipedia
Giving to charity can be difficult when your not making much yourself.  We all want to help others, but simply can't risk jeopardizing ourselves  in the process.  Donating money isn't the only way to help those in need.  By donating your time, knowledge, connections and skills, you too can help someone in need.  This will not only help them gain a better hand, it will help you give back to the community without breaking into paycheck.  This will cost you time and labor, however, the gratification you will receive (as well as those in need) is worth the time and effort.  Here are a couple ways that you can help.

Donate your time at a local shelter- Homeless shelters and soup kitchens are always looking for volunteers.  Most of the tasks that need to be done are simple, such as preparing the food, serving the homeless, sweeping, mopping and doing dishes.  Donating a couple hours of your time will make the world of a difference in someone else's.

Help the homeless fill out job applications- Find a job can be hard for anyone.  The homeless have many job skills they want to show off.  They just have a hard time presenting themselves to employers.  While physical presentation is very important, so are communication skills.  Like many of us who fall on hard times, we tend to under-mind and underestimate ourselves.  A fresh eye can help shed light on areas that need to be tweaked.

Teach the homeless how to read and write- It's difficult to take advantage of opportunities for advancement when a person can't read and write or can't do it well.  Sharing your knowledge with others is a great opportunity to extended a helping hand.  Local shelters can direct you towards facilities to do this.


With the holiday season soon approaching, many shelters will be in need of any and all services you wish to participate in.  Although many families are homeless due to the poor economy, many are alone and would love to know that they are thought about during the busiest seasons.

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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Worms In Dirt

My roomates and I recently threw a Halloween get together and I thought I would share one of the treats we served: Worms in Dirt. Bringing back any childhood memories of that gross looking yet oh so yummy treat? Well, it definitely brought back a piece of ours. Not only did everyone enjoy the desert, but it didn’t take a lot of time to make and best of all…it was nice and inexpensive.

Below I’ve included the recipe and a few things you need to get you started.


-1 package Oreo cookies, crushed ($1.75)

-2 cups cold milk ($2.49/gallon)

-1 package chocolate instant pudding mix ( $0.50)

-8 ounces Cool Whip topping, thawed ($1.75)

-1 package gummy worms ($0.99)


  • Put cookies into a sealable bag and close tightly.

  • Using a rolling pin or a canned good and crush the cookies until crumbly. Set aside.

  • Pour the milk and chocolate instant pudding mix into a large bowl. Stir well until all of the pudding mix is dissolved. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

  • Add the Cool Whip and 1/2 of the crushed cookies. Stir until well blended.

  • Place a large spoonful of crushed cookies into the bottoms of the plastic cups.

  • Add the pudding mixture on top of that until the cups are 3/4 full.

  • Add 1 large gummy worm so that it is half in the cup and half hanging out of the cup.

  • Spoon in more crushed cookie around the worm to hold it in place.

  • Serve chilled.


Saturday, October 23, 2010

I need a costume!

Halloween is only about a week away! And if your anything like me, either you just decided
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 31:  A parade goer in full ...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
what you’re going to dress up as or…you’re still deciding. As you may want to put together this AWESOME costume the crazy prices of costumes in Halloween stores can make things a little difficult. This is when you’re creative side has to take over. Not really good with combining the three words cheap, creative and costume? Well that’s exactly why I’m here. I have come up with a few costumes that you could put together with some things that you may just have lying around the house. You may have to pick up a few items from the store, but I promise the prices won’t burn a whole in your pocket.
You can add more to the costume ideas for your own little pizzazz.

Scarecrow
Use a striped flannel button up. Loose fitted jeans or pants that you can stuff straw in (a lot of people have jeans with rips and tears in them now days, so this shouldn’t be too hard to pull off.) A pair of gloves, a straw hat, some hay (you may have to go to the store for this) and ugly, beat up boots or shoes.

Clown
The key is to wear oversized bright clothes and fun makeup. Maybe you can get this from a friend or ladies ask your boyfriend for big oversized clothes. The shoes can even be really bright and big or can be as simple as rain boots. You will probably have to go to the store for face paint and the big red nose, but that’s it.
Where is Waldo?
If you or one of your friends has a red and white striped shirt and hat then you have a Waldo costume! All you need is the glasses and blue jeans. You can even use 3-D glasses that you may have laying around the house from the last time you saw a 3-D movie.

Obsessive Exerciser
This costume can be done in so many ways. You could put a sweat band around your head. Then put on workout tights or shorts…with a tank top or t-shirt. You can make it fun with high top socks or bright gym shoes and maybe carry around a huge water bottle.

Zombie
If you have any clothes you don’t really like, such as an old t-shirt you can add a few rips and tears. Or even just dress in all black and add a lot of pail like make up to your face with dark circles around your eyes…make yourself look dead. This is one of the many costumes where you can just make yourself look crazy…including your hair and call it a costume. Look at the guy in the above photo, his make up alone makes his costume!

Bunny
This is probably a very common costume, as common as a cat and a witch, but its easy and cheap. You can find a white shirt and add your own little touch. Then put on some bunny makeup and bunny ears. If you wan to get even more creative, you can dress up from head to toe in white and put on some white gloves.

G.I. Joe/Jane
The fatigue look is something that is really in right now, so you might find something fatigue in your closet, even if its that forest green, its still fatigue. So put it on! Then you could put on some black boots. The only thing you may have to buy is a fake gun. However, if you have a big nerf gun just use that. For make up, you can add some green makeup and/or just add some black stripes under your eyes.

Snooki
And of course there is the “famous person” costume that you could always turn to. I use Snooki as an example, because ladies we all know that it doesn’t take a lot to dress up as her…all you need is the big hair hump, a can of fake tan spray and a little bit of skimpy clothing.

Other key tips
-Still not inspired? Watch T.V. for ideas or just simply look in the kitchen for certain appliances or food you could be.
-With their permission check out some of your friends closets for things you could add to your costume.
-Join up with a friend for a costume or maybe even do the group thing. Depending on what you decide to be, it keeps things more simple and less expensive. For example, if you want to stay really simple, your partner could be a cop while you’re the person who gets arrested, which means you could be a prostitute, a drug addict or murderer.
-Keep things simple. If your not very creative, don’t be too hard on yourself, just take a simple idea, run with it and have fun! ’Make it too complex may leave you frustrated.



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Friday, October 22, 2010

Fill- er Up

Commercials on the gas pumpsImage by blmurch via Flickr

There are little routes you can go without passing at least one to two, or five gas stations.  If you have passed one recently you may have noticed prices have jumped quite a bit over the pass week.
            So how can you fill up your tank and still have some money for other items? Read the following helpful hints.

Sign up for rewards cards
            As mentioned in a previous blog by opening up a rewards card like a Kroger Plus Card you can earn points to save money on gas. Kroger’s isn’t the only grocery store that will help you save on gas Sam’s Club and Giant Eagle have similar reward perks.
Personally I think if you shop smart you can get the best deal on gas by using Giant Eagle’s Fuel Perks.  For every $50 you spend using your Giant Eagle rewards card you get 20 cents off per gallon of gas.  Also Giant Eagle has tons of gift cards from restaurants and other stores. So anytime you are planning to go out to eat or a shopping spree pick up a gift card so that you can pay less at the pump.
Also if you tend to stop at the same gas station every time you need to fill up check inside if they offer a loyalty card. For example, with Speedway you can open a Speedways Rewards Card. With this car you earn points every time to use their gas station or buy something inside their convenience store. You can save these points up to get free things from their convenience store, receive gift cards and even receive free gas.

Check prices before you take off
            Another useful tip for finding the best deal at the pump is look the prices up before you take off. Websites like gaspricewatch.com will help you find where the cheapest gas price. You can log in to this site and type your zip code and dozen of gas stations will appear. They show location, price and when the price was last updated.

If you really focus on using your resources around you, it is possible to pay close to nothing to fill up your tank. It may take some work but who can complain about free gas?
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Make your favorite coffee shop drinks at home




Description: Coffee cortado (An latte art exam...Image via Wikipedia
Lets face it.  we all go out and buy coffee.  We may have started our day with a cup from home, but eventually, we cave and buy a cup from the closest possible place.  We CRAVE that pick-me-up.  Have you ever realized how much you spend each month on something so simple?  Take this challenge.  Spend a little more at your grocer to make some of your favorite coffee shop drinks at home.  Take the money you would of spent otherwise, and put it in a jar.  At the end of the month, look at the amount you saved, and use it to pay another bill....or treat yourself to something nice.

What to do first.  Make a list of all the ingredients that go into your favorite beverages.  Whether you're looking for that perfect blend or flavored syrup, we can find a way to make it work.  If its the blend your looking for, don't spend a lot finding the perfect one.  Create your own.  You can brew flavors directly into your coffee, which will allow you to make more for less.  Simple things, like cinnamon and orange peels can give your coffee that extra kick.  I will advise you though.  If you're gonna play around and create your own unique bland, buy low quality beans.  These will allow for your spices to be contained within the bean.

If you're looking for a simpler solution to your coffee fix, buy syrups to stir in.  Syrups can come in a variety of flavors, ranging from almond to vanilla.  There are a variety of brands on the market, allowing you to find and explore which ones you prefer the most.

Liquor is another popular stir in for your coffee.   Irish Cream Liquor, Kahlua, whiskey, cognac and brandy are some of the most popular used.  I wouldn't advise starting off your day with one of these, but they do make for a nice treat with your dessert or as a great night cap. 

Try these suggestions at home and treat yourself with a caffeine fix or relaxing evening drink. With a bit of trial and error, you can make flavored coffee drinks at home. Enjoy. 
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Let's Go Krogering

Kroger logoImage via Wikipedia
If you don’t have one already, consider opening up a Kroger Plus Card. And if you have one already, UTILIZE it! With a Kroger Plus Card you not only save on groceries but you can also on gas. You can now register online to track your savings.
A Kroger Plus Card is Free
                All you have to do is ask your cashier or visit the customer care center to sign up for a card. By doing this you can take advantages of the yellow ticket price. Make sure when you are crossing items off you grocery you keep an out for these tags. They might not be the brand you prefer but it will definitely be the price you prefer.
Download coupons to your card
                Once you have your card registered online you can download coupons from your computer to your card. It really can’t get any easier than that, you no longer have to print off coupons or skim through newspapers.  And they have coupons for everything that you need, so definitely check it out next time you are messing around on the computer.
Fuel Perks
Every time you spend $50 dollars with your Kroger Plus Card you .20 per gallon up to 30 gallons, enough to fill up most gas tanks.  This is a huge bonus that can add up fast and end up saving you a lot of money.
10 for $10, for $5
This new deal is here for a limited time. When you buy 10 one dollar items you save five dollars. You are essentially getting five items for free. You can go online to view your local Kroger Weekly Ad to see some of the many one dollar items, or grab a Weekly Ad when you walk into the store.
Kroger’s happens to be one of my favorite grocery stores to shop at. However, there are many stores with these similar perks. Make sure wherever you shop you take advantage of any free  savings cards.
One last hint, if you are heading to Kroger’s with some coupons from home skip the self-check out and go to an actual cashier. Many cashiers are a forgiving if your coupon is expired by a couple days and many allow double coupons.
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Monday, October 18, 2010

Cheap pumpkin decorating ideas

Jack-o-laternImage via Wikipedia
Sick of the same old jack-o-latern with a jagged smile and triangle eyes?  Not a fan of carving?  Decorating your pumpkin doesn't have to be a tedious task.  In fact, it can become something the whole family will enjoy....including yourself.

 AROUND THE HOUSE:
Using items that you already have is a great place to start.  By using cookie cutters, you can add lots of fall shapes to your pumpkin.  Looking to get dad involved?  Use a small drill or ice pick to add tiny holes.  This will allow the candle to add a scary shadow to your decor.

PAINTING:
Kids love to paint anything they can get their hands on. Why not paint your pumpkin?!  By using different colored paints, you can create pumpkin animals.  Just add items around your house to create eyes, a nose ad tail.

CARVING:
Many websites offer free stencils or cut outs to use on your pumpkin.  These cut outs can range from easy to difficult.  Pumpkins don't always have to contain 'Halloween' themed cut outs.  By using a variety of shapes and sizes for your pumpkins, your pumpkins can have any crazy theme, giving your Halloween decor a little more pizzaz.  

Once Halloween is over, put your old pumpkin to good use.  Many of our furry friends would love to snack on our pumpkins.  Use your pumpkin as compost to avoid waste.  Again....stock up on items to use next Halloween.  Many retailers sell holiday decor for up to 90% off the retail price in the following days.

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Saturday, October 16, 2010

Neat ways to save!

One of the most important things to learn when trying to save money is learning to shop smart. View this slide show to learn new ways to shop for a good deal.


Monday, October 11, 2010

Bills, Bills, Bills

The time has finally come…my roommates and I recently received our electricity bill. As the amount wasn’t too high, after having a house meeting we decided that the bill could probably be even lower. So that is exactly what we are aiming for, especially since we know the water bill is going to be the next bill coming around the corner…oh boy… :-p
To help us with lowering our bill expenses, one of my roommates put together a “10 things to do” list on how we can cut back on utility bills costs. I figured some of the tips may come in handy in your household as well, so take a minute and check it out!


10 Tips on Keeping Utility Bills Low

1.) Wash clothes in cool water
2.) Combine laundry loads. Run the washer machine only on a full load.
3.) Limit dishwasher use. Only run on a full load.
4.) Limit opening the refrigerator.
5.) Turn off lights when not in use.
6.) Don’t always turn on porch light if not necessary.
7.) Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for frequently used light fixtures.
8.) Unplug electronics when not in use, including lamps, laptops, T.V., kitchen appliances, etc.
9.) When washing your hair in the shower, turn off the water when lathering.
10.) Keep showers at about 10 minutes (this may be more difficult for the ladies…but do your best to make this time) ;-)

***All of these tips may seem very tedious, but with all the tips combined you are bound to save a lot of money on your utility bills.




Sunday, October 10, 2010

Cheap date? No, I'm just a "romantic" college student.

A male and a female holding hands.Image via Wikipedia

Ok all you college lovers out there, we all know that the funds are a little low and you may not be able to afford some of the most fanciest date spots in town…BUT that is no excuse to let the “ooouuu…lala” dating moments fly right out the window!
As the colder months are slowly approaching, you may feel as if there are less “inexpensive date” opportunities, but living in a four season location just may work to your advantage. One of the first things you can do is check out a few free/inexpensive on campus events that may interest both you and your date. But if that may not be enough for you, I’ve listed a few other things that could help keep the “spice“ in your relationship. ;-)

Bone appetit.
You and your date could plan a little indoor picnic. This is a great time to get creative with a little homemade romantic food (with all of today’s internet access I’m pretty sure you can find something). For students that stay on campus and may still be on a meal plan , you can go to your local food market that takes meal plan cards and put together a few things for a picnic.

A little stroll.
Before it becomes freezing outside, this would be a perfect time to take a little stroll in the park, especially with the beautiful autumn scenery. You could even take a little food with you and have an outdoor picnic.

In town deals.
Not every campus has a local downtown, however, if you are fortunate enough to have one near you…TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! There are many specials that go on through out the week at local restaurants. For example, here in Bowling Green, some downtown restaurants host wing night specials. And every Tuesday one of our local movie theatres sales tickets for a low price.

Game time!
Host a little game night for the two of you. The best part about games is you can even add you own little twist to it to keep things interesting and fun…maybe throw in a few bets or even some clothes ;-)

Movie.
If not looking to go out, you could stay in, pop a little popcorn and enjoy a movie night. If your still living on campus, you could catch a few movies on the movie channel in your room or if wanting to see something else, but don’t feel like going out and renting, the reference desk in your dorm usually has a large selection of movies for you to choose from.

Relax.
One way you can really show your mate that you care is by helping them to relax. If your good with messages you could light some candles, get a little moisturizer and start messaging. This may lead to a few other things…so just be cautious.

Seasonal fun.
Keeping four seasons working to your advantage, you and your date could do a few things that have to do with an upcoming holiday. For example, as Halloween is approaching, you and your date could take a trip to a local grocery store, buy some pumpkins, a few carving utensils and carve pumpkins together. Or to enhance the date even more, if you have a local pumpkin patch near, you could pick out your own pumpkins together and enjoy the outdoor festivities.
A haunted house is another option…guys this is a great opportunity to show how brave you are as your date screams and grabs your arm, then you say “its ok baby, I got you.” lol
***You can look at “Ahhh…scary deals” post for local Ohio haunted house coupons.








Look great and save

New York & Company (#104)Image by Christopher Chan via Flickr
If you're looking to spruce up your fall wardrobe but don't have a lot to spend, look no further.  Sometimes, the best deals are the ones which require little work.  Something as simple as signing up for a store's mailing list will snag you some of the best coupon deals.  Coupons are usually sent monthly and can offer savings up to 50% off.  But do beware.  Some stores share your information with others.  Before signing up for anything, whether its an newsletter or survey, make sure you read the fine print.  


Every store has a fall sale.  If you're like me and like higher end boutiques and stores, take this opportunity to snag some amazing deals.  Here are a couple of stores with some great discounts.

  •  Old Navy is offering 30% off select fall fashions or 40% off when you get an OLD NAVY card.  
  • JCPenney  is holding a Friends and Family Sale with an Extra 20% off sale and clearance prices or 30% off regular priced items.  This offer is good in-store and online.
  • Express stores are offering $30 0ff your $75 purchase. 
  • New York and Company is offering up to 70% off plus an extra 20% off!  GREAT DEAL!
  • Hot Topic is offering an additional 50% off their clearance. If you spend over $40, you can save 20% off with code HTASAVEOCT. Shipping is free if you spend $50 or more, otherwise it starts at around $4.95.
  • Gap has all outerwear for 30% off.

And for the kids, snag some of these great deals.  Don't spend more on their clothing than you have to...they'll be grown out of it before you know it!
  • forthemommas found this deal.  And if your looking to save a little extra on childrens accessories, we have some amazing deals for them too!  Crocs are great shoes for kids.  They allow them to play and climb freely and are really comfortable.  Thanks forthemommas!      

  • The Childrens Place says take an additional 50% off already reduce items.
     
  • At Gymboree, take up to 60% regular and sale priced merchandise.

Remember, holidays are not only good for getting a day off work and school, they're good for finding great shopping deals!
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Friday, October 8, 2010

AHHHHH!!!! SCARY SAVINGS! :-O

Halloween is near and it’s time to have some good old Halloween fun!!! A lot of my friends have been talking about haunted houses. I’m a BIG scary cat when it comes to haunted houses…people popping out of everywhere just really creeps me out!

However, I know that a lot of other people really enjoy haunted houses. As many of them can come at a good price, some haunted houses can be a little pricey. So here are a few tips and links to help you have some screaming fun and prevent your pockets from screaming “I’M BROKE!”

7 Floors of Hell (Ohio’s #1 Haunted House)
19191 Bagley RdMiddleburg Heights, OH 44130

Hrs: Thursdays & Sundays 7PM-10PM
Fridays and Saturdays 7PM-12AM

Admission: $20 for any 3 haunted houses
$23 for all 7 Haunts




Terror Town
1406 Key Street, Maumee Oh. 43537 @ Lucas County Fairgrounds
(Haunted Attraction Magazine calls it “One of America’s 25 MUST SEE Haunts!)

Hrs: Thursday and Sundays 8PM - 10PM
Fridays and Saturdays 8PM - 12AM

Admission: $17 (adults), $10 (child)

****$2 off ticket coupon sent via email, just add your email address


Ghostly Manor Thrill Center
3319 Milan RoadSandusky, Ohio

Hrs: Friday & Saturday - 7pm until midnight
Sunday - 7pm until 10pm


Admission: Ghostly Manor: $11 (adults), $7 child (under 10)

Both Attractions: $17 adults, $13 child (under 10)


Visit the haunted house’s website (http://www.ghostlymanor.com/coupons.html), add your email to their mailing list and they will send you the coupon shown ABOVE. The process literally just took a minute!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Four Movie Tickets for $15

Movie Ticket StubsImage by Rick Chung via Flickr
Tippr is offering four movie tickets for $20.   However, if you are new to Tippr, they are offering a $5 credit which can be used immediately, making this deal only $15.   Sign up or login to your Tippr account.  Look under “Atlanta Deals” on the upper right corner of the menu to find this deal. This offer is only available today 10/6 only.  Tickets can be redeemed until 12/30/10.  This is a $56 value.   

The Fine Print:
  • Limit per person: 10 (+10 as a gift)
  • Expires on December 30, 2010
  • Tickets may be split between 4 customers, and do not need to be used in the same visit.
  • Tickets must be claimed at WeeklyCinema.com by 12/30/2010 and redeemed at Fandango and Movietickets.com theaters within 90 days of being claimed.
  • Customers are NOT required to sign up for any monthly subscription.
  • Standard fine print
Today, just $20 buys four movie tickets from WeeklyCinema. Tickets may be split between 4 customers, and do not need to be used in the same visit. They must be claimed at WeeklyCinema.com by 12/30/2010 and redeemed at Fandango and Movietickets.com theaters within 90 days of being claimed. Customers are NOT required to sign up for any monthly subscription.
Because WeeklyCinema partners with Fandango and Movietickets.com, their tickets are valid for 98% of cinema screens, so you get to see the movie you want, when you want, and at the price you want.

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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Shopping for deals online

Going to school keeps you busy all hours of the day. Add working, internships and extra circulars to your day, leaves you no time to hit the mall before it closes. So that leaves you one option, shop online. 
                We have all heard the horror stories of online shopping, particularly on unfamiliar websites. However, if you are looking for a deal start getting friendly with some of these websites because you can score great bargains that you will never see inside a store.

Nobetterdeal.com
                I read about this website in a magazine, and started checking out the merchandise and you can get unbelievable deals on a wide variety of stuff. This is a great site for students who are living on their own for the first time and need small appliances and furniture, such as a vacuum or a new TV stand.  Most items are “out of the box” items which mean that they we purchased and opened but then later returned, although there are many new items available.
                Also for the month of October, shop with Nobetterdeal.com and they will donate a dollar to Susan G. Koman foundation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Ebates.com
                Ebates.com works a little different than most online stores. They will give you cash back for items you purchase through their website.  Unlike the previously mentioned website, they have products from stores you recognize such as JC Pennies or Home Depot.  Now this is one of those things that you are going to have to spend money to get money but if you are planning on purchasing through an online store it won’t hurt to get a few dollars back.


Another tip to shopping online with your favorite stores and brands is signing up for their email newsletter. This gives the company a chance to give you coupons instead of you hunting for them. Happy Shopping!
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Monday, October 4, 2010

Super Cheap Eats

This is Susanne Schanz, a beautiful woman who ...Image via Wikipedia
Feeding yourself can get to be very expensive. However, you can make some whip up a good meal for super cheap.  With a few cheap ingredients mixing them together can be easy on your wallet and still tasty and satisfying.
                These economical meals are between three to five dollars so when you need a quick and cheap meal WRITE THESE DOWN.
Breakfast: Egg in the hole
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 slice of bread
Butter
Salt and Pepper to season
Ok now this is seriously easy. First butter up the bread on one-side just like your making grilled cheese sandwich.  Cut out a small circle in the bread and then throw the bread on a skillet, buttered side down. Next, crack the egg open and drop it into the hole in the bread. Let it cook for a few minutes on each side and WAHLAA!

Dinner: Enchiladas
Ingredients:
1 can of enchilada sauce
1 can of refried beans
4 tortillas 
Shredded Mexican cheese
                Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour a little bit of the enchilada sauce on the bottom  of an 8x8 baking dish, just enough to cover the bottom. Then assemble the enchiladas. All you have to do is use about 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce to spread over one-side of the tortilla and then about ¼ cup of refried beans and spread it over the top of the sauce. Roll up the tortilla; place it in the baking dish and make 3 more. Once all of them are assembled pour remaining sauce over all of the enchiladas then cover the top with cheese. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes and enjoy!
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Sunday, October 3, 2010

Saving Money Online

We all love to find deals on love, why...well who doesn't enjoy saving money?! Check out the video below to hear about a few tips about online savings.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Pumpkin Farms

Pumpkins at the farmImage via Wikipedia
Now that October is official here, it's time to get ready for another holiday...HALLOWEEN! Kids love to dressing up, eating candy, decorating and yes...carving pumpkins.

Pumpkin farms offer free activities, allowing your family to spend a day that is sure to remember on a budget that won't break the bank.  Make the pumpkin farm a day everyone can enjoy.  Most offer arts and crafts to make and buy, which will provide life long memories to pass down from generation to generation.  Create a tradition the whole family will enjoy and remember.  

The place to be inspired this season is your area pumpkin/apple farms. They offer a variety of activities which include pumpkin patches, mazes, hay rides and snacks and refreshments.  After a long day at the pumpkin farm, pull out your pizza coupons and enjoy a dinner in.  Make a mess, have fun and create years of wonderful memories.

Remember, the inside of the pumpkin doesn't have to go straight into the garbage.  Clean the seeds, bake em, and create a delicious snack:  PUMPKIN SEEDS.  Add a bit of salt for taste and presto.  If you dislike pumpkin seeds, you can always use them for decoration, or feeding our furry friends outside.

I pulled a list of pumpkin farms in Northwest Ohio.  I found a coupon for one, but i'm sure with some digging, you'll be able to find a couple more.

Lucas County pumpkin farms include:
Fleitz Pumpkin Farm
Hoen's Greenhouse & Garden Center
Nelson's Pumpkins
The Corn Maze at Butterfly House



Visit the Fleitz Pumpkin Farm website to print off a coupon of your own.


Hancock County:
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation

 Henry County:
Leaders Farms

Fulton County:
Hoen's Orchard 
McDonnall Greenhouse

Wood County:
Pumpkin Peddler


Looking for a pumpkin farm not listed in your county?  A quick Google search will do the trick!  Find a great deal I missed?  Feel free to share!



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Friday, October 1, 2010

Save BIG on groceries

Looking for ways to save BIG on groceries?! Look no further. Senior Editor of All You Magazine has the latest tips that will only cost you a couple of minutes.

Changing a couple of old habits in your shopping routine, such as clipping coupons or shopping later in the evening will help you obtain the best deals. Remember, stores have double or triple coupon days which will help stretch your dollar even further. If the stores out of an item, ask for a rain check and get it at a later date.