Sensible Spending

Save Money and Help the Economy by Asking Questions

2009-02-17T15:52:00.001-08:00

The economy has everyone questioning what they can afford, from necessities like groceries to extras like eating out. As people try to conserve by spending less, they actually create more issues for the economy. When less money is spent by consumers, companies must look for ways to cut costs which can include anything from shorter service hours to employee layoffs. When a consumer understands that they can spend less for the same product or service everyone benefits; the consumer gets what they want, someone keeps their job and the economy gets a boost.

One of the easiest ways to help the economy and save money is to ask questions when you visit your favorite stores or restaurants. Start with small questions like what discounts are accepted and whether they have special days for discounts. Questions open the door to increased savings and they provide the opportunity for you to spend less while getting the same products or services. For example asking questions at a grocery store will help you determine if they accept coupons and whether they will double or triple them. At your favorite restaurant find out if they will honor their own expired coupons and also ask if they will honor coupons from competitors. With a few simple changes to your thinking, you can save on almost anything which gives you the opportunity to move money from one area of your normal spending and apply it to other expenses.

Kathy Church - Spending Coach
Sensible Spending, LLC where "Small Change Makes a Big Difference"
PO Box 902
Peoria, AZ 85380
Office 623-878-4708
www.YourSensibleSpending.com

A Few Ideas to Help You Spend Less This Christmas

2008-12-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

The Holidays should be time of peace, enjoyment and relaxation but all too often it's filled with frustration and stress. This year much of that stress is due to the changes in the economy. To help relieve some of the strain this year consider a few ideas that will increase your spending power.

Although many retailers may go out of business in 2009, gift cards are still a good way to increase your spending power as long as you use them for your own personal shopping and not for gift giving. During the holidays many stores and restaurants offer gift cards that you can purchase and with that purchase you receive a bonus gift card. For example Blockbuster is offering a bonus $5.00 gift card with a $50.00 gift card purchase. If you have $50.00 worth of items to buy then purchase the gift card first and use the card to buy the items you want, by doing this you receive the $5.00 bonus card that you can use for additional purchases. The other option is to use the $5.00 bonus gift card as a stocking stuffer for some on your list.

Use web sites like www.restaurant.com to purchase restaurant gift cards. This site offers gift cards from $3 to $40 but the value of the cards received range from $10 to $100 respectively. These cards are a great value but keep in mind that many of the restaurants require a minimum meal purchase of $35 so be sure to read the details before you purchase them. If you always eat out or you plan to buy dinner for a group this holiday this web site could provide tremendous savings. You can even view menus for many of the restaurants and the site even offers a frequent diner’s option for additional savings. The gift cards on this web site are instant so you can purchase a card, print it out and use it immediately.

Open the door to many shopping opportunities by using a free online offer from Entertainment Book. You will be able to choose 3 shopping, entertainment or restaurants coupons to print online. An example of some of the coupons you can select from are stores like Macys.com, Target.com, Cost Plus World Market, Radio Shack and restaurants like Uncle Sams, Cici's Pizza, Senior Coyote Mexican Grill and many others. To register visit www.entertainment.com/custom/freetrial where you will be asked to enter your email address and zip code in order to view the offers in your area.

For the gamers on your Christmas list introduce them to trading video games & video game equipment online. You can set up an account for them or offer to pay for a certain number of trades. Web sites like www.goozex.com/trading/asp/about_howitworks.asp offer trades for $1.00 per trade and they guarantee each trade. Sign up is free and there are no monthly service charges or rental fees, you pay only shipping charges on items you send in for trade but otherwise it works off of a point system. There are many game trading web sites as well as physical storefronts like GameStop and Game Crazy that offer special promotions and sales.

A few stores that offer great items at discount prices are Big Lots and Beall's Outlets (AKA - Burke's Outlets). Both of these stores offer a variety of items like clothing, toys and housewares. If money is very tight for you this year consider second hand stores like Goodwill and Savers. You can buy books, candles, costume jewelry, sewing and craft supplies or choose from a variety of other items. Both stores have one day per week that a selected color tag goes on sale for 50% off. Sometimes at Goodwill when you donate items, you receive a coupon good toward a future purchase at the bottom of your donation receipt. Consignment stores are also a great idea if you're looking for unusual or unique items.

No matter what you can or cannot buy this year look for simple ways to enjoy time with your friends and family. Maybe this is should be the year that you give of yourself and not your checkbook. Money never defines a person...

Simple Ways to Increase Your Savings

2008-10-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

The economy has everyone looking for ways to reduce their expenses and many are being stretched beyond their financial breaking point, so finding ways to save has become a priority. Luckily there are simple ways to reduce expenses without making drastic changes. Some people find that making small changes to their spending produces ripple effects that give them savings they didn’t realize were possible. Others find that small changes help build their confidence and allow them to step into larger changes that improve their entire financial picture. In order to start making those small changes all you need is a willingness to be proactive and to ask questions when you spend money. Using these techniques automatically increases your knowledge about the stores, products and services that benefit from your money. If you don’t involve yourself with the basics of how and when you spend money, you may find yourself consistently paying more than necessary for the same products and services. Being proactive means that you spend a few minutes in preparation before a shopping trip to think about what you intend to buy and what discounts may be available. And if you’re unfamiliar with the available discounts for that store, asking questions helps you connect with the staff plus it allows you to learn about opportunities that may be new to you. Once you put these small changes into practice you’ll find that discount opportunities begin to happen without much effort on your part.

If you currently use store coupons try taking them to the next level by finding out if your favorite stores accept competitor coupons. Places like Michael’s and Jo-Ann Fabrics and Linen-n-Things and Bed Bath & Beyond accept each other’s coupons. Another way to take advantage of this benefit is to use this technique at pharmacies that offer gift cards for new or transferred prescriptions. Fry’s, CVS and Albertson’s are just a few examples of stores that accept competitor coupons for new and transferred prescriptions. In general this concept is based on price matching which is a sales technique that many stores use, so it’s another reason to be proactive and to ask questions. Especially in this economy, ask for what you want in regards to perks or discounts and remember that some companies are actually struggling to make ends meet and they’re more than willing to work with you. But you’ll never know until you ask and if you don’t receive a discount all you lost was a few moments of your time - isn’t that worth the possible reward?

Kathy Church – Spending Coach
Sensible Spending, LLC
YourSensibleSpending

Coupons – Friend or Foe?

2008-10-18T23:44:00.000-07:00

Coupons have been around for decades but they remain unused by millions of Americans. Maybe it’s the misconception that coupons are used by misers who run behind savings of a penny here and a penny there? Or is it the belief that clipping coupons is a waste of time and they lead people to buy products they otherwise would never buy? These beliefs many have been true at one time but with technology and the current problems with the economy, coupons help families bridge the gap between lack and necessity. Many families are finding themselves unable to cover their day to day needs such as food, gas, utilities and housing. And coupons may seem insignificant compared to larger discounts but over the period of a month the savings on groceries can be substantial, and this is true even for couples and individuals without children. Coupons allow you to reduce your grocery expense by allowing you to keep money that would otherwise go to your grocer’s profit margin.

What many fail to realize is that coupon clipping is no longer a time intensive ritual. Many coupons can now be found on the Internet and printed using your home computer (Print Free National Brand Coupons) or even uploaded directly to your favorite shopper’s card. You can also receive coupons by direct mail for your favorite brands, plus you can register online with your preferred stores or even sign up for coupon programs where someone does the clipping for you. Especially in this economy companies are desperate to retain customers and keep business flowing in general. They want you to spend your money with them, so if you already buy their products or are interested in them why shouldn’t you receive a benefit when doing so? Coupons are no longer just for misers and people who have extra time on their hands, they are for everyone who wants to make their income. You may surprise yourself with the savings that you missed by not using coupons.

Can Saving Money be Painless?

2008-10-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for simple ideas and techniques that will help you save money on your monthly expenses and allow you to plan for the future? If so then you MUST become an educated consumer and saver. In the United States we have been trained to concentrate on our income without focusing on our spending as well. But with the current state of the economy, everyone must take responsibility for their current and past financial choices. Not taking responsibility creates ongoing financial problems and the related stresses that come with them. The reality is that no one can be as knowledgeable or as concerned about your money as you will be.

There are easy ways to reduce your spending without budgeting or cutting back but it starts with becoming conscious of how and where you spend money. For example if you like to buy Starbucks coffee, find out if they have a frequent shopper program or what days (if any) your favorite items are on sale. Other options are bringing your own coffee mug to obtain a small discount every day or buying their coffee beans and brewing your own coffee at home. But for those who are willing to make more drastic changes the improvement to their finances will be felt much sooner. The trick is to understand where your weaknesses lie. If you absolutely love a product then you probably won't be successful removing it from your grocery list but if you look for coupons or sales on that product you are one step closer to saving money. And now the Internet has made finding coupons and discounts easy. You'll be surprised at what's available and printable with your computer, from your own home.

At Sensible Spending we offer personalized reports that help you find immediate savings on the exact products, services and monthly expenses that you spend on currently. Check our website to view a selection of Reports for immediate purchase that provide quick, easy ways to save. We also offer individual coaching and group classes to help you find the savings in your own finances. You can also print free national brand grocery coupons from our website, no registration or sign up is required. Just go to our "Saving" page using the link below and click the coupon ad on the right-hand side of the page. To view all available coupons use the scroll function at top, then select and print anything you want - Free National Brand Coupons