Earn while you learn

Today I am devoting a few hours to learning how to make money blogging.  I must confess I do not know what the heck I am doing.  I'm signing up for a pay per post site and they are making me stick the following silly sentence in my blog to prove I own it:  A painted hindsight gloves a chocolate past the hungry plastic.

Can anyone tell me how that works??

Christmas dinner on the cheap

Finally decided what to make for Christmas dinner...Turkey!  Why?  Because Winn Dixie had it on sale for .79 a pound.  I bought a young 14.5 lb hen turkey for $11.50 (normally $21.69)  and then used my special Visa card which effectively got me another 25% discount.  Actual cost of my 14 plus pound turkey?  $8.62!!!!  And let's not forget that I got $11.50 credited toward my shell Gasoline discount. That was enough to put me over the $50 point and up my discount by .05 a gallon.  It all adds up and I like to supersize my savings by making every dollar I spend do double duty.  For more on creating double duty dollars check out my article on Amazines or email me. I would be happy to tell you about how to get some of the same 25-40% extra discounts.

Saved Big bucks today

Stopped by Winn Dixie to check out the deals and steals.  I'm trying to eat better so I started with the fresh produce.  Purchased 4 green peppers, 9 vine ripened tomatoes, 12 yellow onions, 10 lbs of Russert baking potatoes (throw some chili on a baked potato and you have a quick meal) 4 large avocados and, not to forget the dogs,  8 lbs of premium dog food (buy one 4lb bag get one free) all for a grand total of $10.15.  To add to my savings, my shopping ot Winn Dixie earns me gas discounts for every $50 I spend!   I'll have a .15 discount by 12/31/10 to use at Shell.  Couple that with the My Harvest Visa Card I purchased (that gets me an additional 25% discount and I figure my gas will cost me $2.05 a gallon!!!!  I love saving money!

Fab4less guide to living better while spending less.

Stop spending more than you need to on everyday expenses…without sacrificing a thing!

You can do it…live a fabulous lifestyle on a less than fabulous budget.  I know you can because I do, every day. It is costing you money not to read this article! 

• Wear designer clothes for 50-75% less than retail.
• Spend 30% less on food and eat better.
• Multiply the savings with special prepaid money cards.

I believe that my books and articles represent THE comprehensive guide for the consumer who wants to live the good life on a shoestring budget. With tips and strategies for getting the whole family happily involved.

Let me start by saying that I value quality.  I like to wear nice clothes and eat lots of lean meats and fresh fruits and veggies. I don’t however like paying retail for ANYTHING!  So, I have developed a lifestyle that allows me to live the champagne lifestyle on a beer budget. 

Where do I buy my clothes? Consignment and Thrift Shops of course!  I have to say that is my favorite category of shopping. I have found some of the most amazing bargains in these stores. Items such as English bone china mugs for 50 cents each are sitting amongst plastic sip tip cups if you take the time to look.  I have purchased China serving bowls and platters, along with ceramic planters, German made cutlery and more for a dollar or less. Quality leather pants and skirts for $5-8 are buried amongst the polyester.  It’s quite frankly like a giant treasure hunt.

If you love to shop, if you are positively a shopaholic, this is the place to be. If you would love to pay $3 a pair for practically new Manolo Blahnik mules and Kenneth Cole sandals, this is definitely the place to shop. It takes patience but the thrill of making a fabulous find is well worth the effort. Not only will you cut your clothing budget by 75%, you will probably be acquiring a much more “upscale” wardrobe.

Some tips for making the most of your journeys into the world of Consignment and thrift shops:

1. Be flexible. You can’t go into these shops looking for a specific brand and color of anything. While you may find it, most likely you won’t. the upside is that by being open you will often find something better.

2. Know prices and quality. This is a must for thrift and consignment shopping as some things are much better buys than others.

3. Before shopping, go through your closet and what you need…

4. Pay attention to special “sale days” I have been in shops where for instance everything was 50% off or certain color tags were marked down. I have even seen shops run end of season sales where everything you could fit in a bag would be $5.

5. Look closely and try it on. There may be a button missing, a small stain or a small tear in the fabric. You are buying “as is” so make sure you know what you are buying.

6. Become a regular. These shops are unlike traditional retailers where seasonal clothing arrives at a certain time and is available for weeks. These shops get “one of a kind” merchandise and the best quality and certain sizes sell rapidly. Additionally, stock is constantly changing and new merchandise arrives every day.

7. Lastly, for those of you who can’t resist shopping to make you feel better, you can satisfy that urge without feeling guilty about spending $300 on that pair of boots you don’t need. In fact you might even feel guilty when you find a better quality pair for $30 in a local consignment shop!

Where can you find consignment stores and thrift shops? Look in your local yellow pages or even online. Certain nationwide charities or “Chains” such as Goodwill, ARC, Value Village and Sav-a-lot have Webpages that allow you to find the closest stores to you. And don’t forget the small church stores…they are the best.

Before you think eewwwww I’M NOT WEARING USED CLOTHES!!! think about the following:

1. Do you really believe that even a five-star hotel provides brand new sheets, towels, pillowcases and robes for each and every guest?

2. Do you really believe that even the most upscale saloons and spas provide brand new towels, robes and gowns for each guest?

3. If you have ever rented a tux or evening gown did you really believe it was provided new just for you?

So, how is a well-laundered pair of designer jeans or dry-cleaned designer dress any different? Trust me, once you realize what you can find and how much you can save, you will be hooked.

Now I’ll tell you where I shop for my groceries.  I will start by stating that I never use a grocery list and I rarely use coupons.  Initially it takes a little more time as you get into a routine but I spend less than $200 a month on groceries for 2 people.  This includes cleaning supplies, health and beauty aids and paper products. While I make regular visits to my favorite chain grocery store for fresh meat produce and dairy, my favorite spot for canned goods, health and beauty aids etc. is the local grocery salvage company.  Again before you eewwwww I’M NOT SHOPPING IN A SALVAGE STORE FOR FOOD!!! think about the following:

1.      The products are in sealed cans/boxes/bags/jars. 

2.      They are the same name brand items you see in the store.

3.      Do you really think that a crinkle in the edge of a box affects the quality of the food inside?

Take it from me, the savings are unbelievable.  You can also now afford to buy premium and organic products for way less than generic prices.  Examples:  Ken’s salad dressing for .10 a bottle, Perrier water for .25 a bottle, Campbell’s soups for .25 a can, Kelloggs cereals for .50,  name brand canned fruits, vegetables and beans for .25 a can, IAMS 4 lb pet food for $2.50, Duncan Donuts Coffee for $3.99.  the list goes on and on. If you stop by regularly you will find “one time” deals like 10lbs of red potatoes for $2.00, 20 lbs of frozen chicken legs and thighs for $5.00. Just like with thrift shops you need to be flexible.

Since I usually can’t buy fresh and perishable items in these stores, I make regular visits to the local supermarket.  The deals here are almost as good if you are willing to be flexible and think ahead.  Circle the outer perimeter of the store.  Dairy, deli, meat and produce.  They all mark down.  For the last time before you think eewwwww I’M NOT BUYING MARKED DOWN (MEAT/DAIRY/PRODUCE/BAKED GOODS)!!! think about the following:

1.      When you get it home do you consume all of whatever it is that very day?

2.      From the store’s point of view they are merely rotating their perishable so as to AVOID spoilage.  They are not selling you spoiled goods.

Why pay $4 plus for a half gallon of organic milk when you can pay half of that?  I’ve purchased fresh organic bananas at .25 a pound, broccoli, cauliflower and butternut squash for .79 a package, savings on virtually every type of fresh produce can be  had if you just look for it. 

And now I’ll let you in on a little additional secret.  I save an additional 25-40% on all of the above by using my shoppers’ loyalty cards.  I even pay 40% less for much of my gas purchasing!  Let me tell you a little about how that came to be and how it works.

During these difficult economic times, virtually every American family is facing the triple threat of rising prices, job losses, and ravaged savings. Enter My Harvest America and its loyalty card program. It has allowed me to spend money in my favorite Grocery Store or Gas Station, just about anywhere… and Save an Additional 25% My Harvest America is all about making your budget dollars go further. Right now, millions of families are looking for hope and a better way to live.

Almost every American family could use a “bail out.” Rising prices, job losses, and ravaged savings are the triple threat facing each and every household.

If you want to find out how you can spend $50, $100, or even $300 in your favorite Grocery Store or Gas Station, just about anywhere that accepts credit and debit cards… and enjoy an additional INSTANT 25% savings check out  www.myharvestamerica.com/fab4less  Shop for the best prices for what you need – using coupons, sales, or any promotion you can – to get the best deal on products you want at the stores you like… then enjoy an additional 25% savings instantly!

Use the loyalty cards anywhere a business accepts credit and debit cards, including most on-line purchases! It’s automatic, easy and fun, check it out at
www.myharvestamerica.com/fab4less