Not necessarily! I personally can't stand yoga. ;) But I did put it on there because it's a great workout that doesn't SEEM like real workout. Not that it's easy.
I've used Groupon but I use a site called CityDeals the most. We've bought restaurant gift certificates for up to 70% off. It's a great way to try a new spot or even get a great deal on an old favorite. It's awesome.
Yes, I do use Groupon, and Jasmere, and on occasion BuyWithMe. But I only purchase amazing deals that I know I will use. I bought the Gap $50 GC for $20, 3 Redbox rentals, a dozen specialty cupcakes for 1/2 price, a 1/2 off cert for the Nutty Guys, an eco2 water bottle (had been wanting one) and a picture "catching" the Easter Bunny. Oh yeah, and a $20 Amazon credit for $10.
I'm saving up Amazon credits to buy an exercise bike.
This is good advice. It is also important to look at what expenses you are saving, compared to new ones you are gaining. For instance, your wear and tear on your house may increase, but perhaps you are saving gasoline expenses and wear and tear on your car by not having to drive so often for school pick-ups, etc.
Honestly the only things I think are worth it at Trader Joes are snack items, alcohol, and ethnic sauces. Anything fresh (with the exception of their hummus and sausage) is usually low quality and expensive. I go to TJs once a month or so to stock up on desserts, chips, beer, wine, frozen entrees, and the like. Not regular health stuff though.
I read an article awhile ago about how Trader Joes makes many of it's goods in the same facilities that Kraft uses. I was trying to google to find it again, but couldn't. Basically it's not as niche, local, special as people like to think.
Really? Come on. I haven't heard such an uniformed take on the Fed and money printing like this in a long time, if ever. Wake up! Look at commodity prices. They're up, they're way up and, if the Fed keeps it up, Americans can count on their standard of living plummeting. Corn prices are up 90% in under a year. Silver is up from $4 in 2005--when everybody was busy buying over priced houses--to $30 today. Now look at the chart for America’s Long Dates Treasury Bonds – 20 year bonds – these are plummeting! America’s “safest debt”, 20 year treasuries are being dumped, because huge institutional investors and Governments around the world know, the U.S. Dollar is doomed! What you’re posting here is very narrow, and one sided.
Governments and central banks throughout history have always tried to print away their problems, claiming that deflation is the worst case scenario when, in fact, inflation is far more damaging to the average person--no question. Your savings get wiped out. You're a personal finance site, trying to convey to people the merits of saving money, but you're not accurately presenting the facts about money printing, watering down one’s savings, killing the purchasing power of the dollar. Remember Zimbabwe? This is a prime example in recent history, of a government trying to print away their problems. You actually used the word “wealth” to describe the infusion of dollars be the Fed….I am God Smacked! That’s not wealth, you can’t create wealth out of thin air!
As for Japan, yes, the Fed loves that example. I have lived in Japan, worked there, and I'll tell you their government is bankrupt, like the U.S. government, but the people have a HUGE savings rate. The myth about ‘quantative easing’ (read: government speak to confuse the masses on the truth of their dubious actions) not happening fast enough in Japan is a joke. The Japanese central bank and the Japanese government, like the U.S. counterparts, propped up bankrupt companies like Mitsubishi and hoards of banks. Sound familiar? GM, AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac? American citizens, hard working people, are going to be the ones to see their standard of living drop. Companies and governments need to go bankrupt if they are incompetent. You or I will! If you are I is incompetent we either get fired or go broke. If you print money to bail out companies and banks you prolong the problems and make them worse. I say you, because America is still a democracy, so it’s really you’re responsibility – As a member of the American press!
Enter China. China technically owns the most U.S. dollars in the world outside of the U.S. The more the Fed prints, the more the Chinese get screwed on their investment in the U.S. Dollar. China is planning and executing their exit from the dollar. They are leaving the dollar, which is the world's reserve currency because it is UNSOUND. Unreliable as money, too high a risk to their prosperity! If the holders of a currency can't be sure of that currency’s future purchasing power, they dump it – straight up. Countries around the world are dumping the dollar - individuals too, including many Americans.
This is maybe the most important problem facing America and it’s unfortunate that it’s being covered in an uninformed and irresponsible way. Americans who have identified this trend (it is not new) and who have moved into sound money like gold and silver have protected their savings. Going forward, those who hold the U.S. dollar will see their savings vanish. That little wheel barrow you have used to symbolize QE means something. It's a reminder that in Germany in the 1920's, before Hitler, the German government tried to print away it's problem--same old story--and people in Germany saw their currency's purchasing power evaporate. Hence, you would bring a wheel barrow of cash to the grocery store and come out with something that fit inside your purse. People burned their paper money, because it was cheaper than using it to buy fire wood. This happens all the time, bankers and governments hide it the same way, all throughout history and, in the end, the people suffer.
If fact a friend commented just yesterday of an American Dollar Investment he had made in 2003 which cost him $7800 Canadian and is now worth…if he is lucky and the company doesn’t go belly up, $5500 Canadian Dollars. So, he’s lost $2300 on the exchange rate over 8 years – because of quantitative easing. So, the world at large has a lot riding on Americans, to wise up, do what’s right.
The proof is in the money. If you want good info about money, look to your fellow Americans who have navigated this mess, seeing it long in advance and making the right moves to protect themselves.
You owe it to yourself to – and I have zero, zilch, absolutely, positively, nada cent of financial interest in saying this- google Porter Stanberry or go to www.endofAmerica2.com or Stansberry Media on Youtube. This man warned investors to avoid the catastrophe in 2008. Unlike most financial pundits, Porter Stansberry knows a lot about accounting and finance and the proof is in his success at foreseeing the consequences of quantitative easing.
Quantative easy is killing your dollar. Other Countries are beginning to refuse the dollar – if you travel to Europe or Asia you see, people around the world know the dollar is doomed. Many currency exchanges in foreign countries refuse to buy your dollar.
People need to know the facts, not another sugar-coated, garbled up mess of half truths and lies. This is me pleading with you to re address this very serious issue facing your nation.
I have used both Groupon and Living Social. I use Groupon for local clothing boutiques. I save $ on brands I can't find anywhere else and help local business. Got a great deal for Amazon on Living Social recently as well.
I've bought & USED several Groupons - Gap, Canvas on Demand (twice it was so good!). Albeit, consumers ought not buy just because they're getting a deal. Consumers too often waste money on something they'd never use.
David, In order to increase productivity, I have a counterintuitive suggestion. Cut down on what you do each day. Streamline your "to do" list to ONLY THE MOST IMPORTANT 3-5 TASKS per day. No multi tasking, no minutia. It's amazing how doing less yields increased productivity.
Taking something that is available for general consumption but not for the intended purpose is stealing. Toilet paper at the bank is free unless you want to take the roll home. Napkins are free at McDonalds unless you want to stock your home pantry with them for free. Eating a free sample is great as long as one does not take the whole pack the samples are being served from. I think the INTENDED PURPOSE clause should answer the question in most cases. Am I planning on buying something that I taste a sample of at the grocery store? Usuall no, but if I MIGHT buy it if it surprises me and is good, I am happy to sample it. Would it be okay to hit the grocery store sample section instead of lunch. Probably not, because the INTENDED PURPOSE of the offer is not food but sample. Will I test drive a Mustang convertible that I cannot afford. Perhaps, because I just might like it enough to try to get one. Will I test drive a Farrari? Nope.
Then again, some people make a living based on the number of people they get to try something, regardless of whether or not they will make a purchase. Time shares make amazing offers with little to no connection between the vast majority of those who participate in the offer and those who make a purchase of the offer. If only those who had decided ahead of time to make a purchase participated in these offers, the sales people would be out of a job, and those potential but unsuspecting clients might miss out on an actual good deal.
I think the solution does not get much better than an understanding of INTENDED PURPOSE of free.
Oddly enough I bought an Amazon gift card off of one and a few other things. I have to say I think they are a great way for businesses to get new customers and reward faithful ones!
I have used Groupon before but now I'm a *huge* fan of Scoutmob.com. It has a different coupon several times a week that you *don't* have to pay for in advance (which means you don't feel like an idiot when you forget to use the certificate in time). I also got to discover a really yummy restaurant through them that I never would have seen on my own (a neighborhood I don't usually go to.)
I've used Groupon three times so far, one for a family fun place, another for Barnes and Noble and the third for Redbox rentals. I've been well pleased so far, except most of their deals are in a city about an hour for here.
We've had the luck of being able to use Groupon to buy at our local butcher. We'd buy there anyway, but it's nice to get a discount. It's a win-win, because our butcher gets more exposure and will have a better customer base.
I've used LivingSocial as well, but Groupon seems to have more offers for things I would use.
For me, these daily deals are a great way to save money. I don't have a ton of cash to spend, so I am very choosy about the deals I buy. Our family has been able to do so many things we enjoy, but wouldn't have been able to do without the deals. As a home educating family, we especially appreciate the discounted admissions for popular attractions like the art & science museums, family entertainment centers and restaurants. We spend a lot of time on the road to various learning destinations and saving money on food allows us to eat out at fun spots we wouldn't have been able to visit without the deal. We usually use Groupon and Living Social.
We've had the luck of being able to use Groupon to buy at our local butcher. We'd buy there anyway, but it's nice to get a discount. It's a win-win, because our butcher gets more exposure and will have a better customer base.
I've used LivingSocial as well, but Groupon seems to have more offers for things I would use.
I buy from Groupon, Eversave, Woot, Jasmere and Living Social on a fairly regular basis. I love trying out local businesses (and eco-friendly ones on jasmere)- I just have to be really careful about noting the expiration dates. I've missed the due date on one or two vouchers which is definitely NOT saving me money.
I have bought one thing from Groupon. It was a golf deal at a local course for my hubby to enjoy a day with his son for Father's Day. They had a great time. I think Groupon, and sites of this nature, is great when you are going to spend the money anyway...something that is already in your budget. But it is also a huge temptation to overspend for things you wouldn't have normally bought, if you aren'tobje very disciplined.
There are a ton of daily deal sites out there now, and a lot of them offer demographic specific deals, which makes it easy to find what you want to save on. The market is exploding, so now we have a lot more ways to save money!
A great way for consumers to find the best deals and sales in their area is by going to http://www.dailydealpool.com. They'll email you the best buys daily, ensuring you won't miss out!
I haven't, but we live in a small town, so I'm not even sure if it is around here! I did sign up for a trip we were going to take, but didn't end up going, so I cancelled it. Maybe I'll look again!
I use groupon - not every day but certain days really save me money on things I probably wouldn't get to do otherwise.
Not necessarily! I personally can't stand yoga. ;) But I did put it on there because it's a great workout that doesn't SEEM like real workout. Not that it's easy.
I've used Groupon but I use a site called CityDeals the most. We've bought restaurant gift certificates for up to 70% off. It's a great way to try a new spot or even get a great deal on an old favorite. It's awesome.
Yes, I do use Groupon, and Jasmere, and on occasion BuyWithMe. But I only purchase amazing deals that I know I will use. I bought the Gap $50 GC for $20, 3 Redbox rentals, a dozen specialty cupcakes for 1/2 price, a 1/2 off cert for the Nutty Guys, an eco2 water bottle (had been wanting one) and a picture "catching" the Easter Bunny. Oh yeah, and a $20 Amazon credit for $10.
I'm saving up Amazon credits to buy an exercise bike.
This is good advice. It is also important to look at what expenses you are saving, compared to new ones you are gaining. For instance, your wear and tear on your house may increase, but perhaps you are saving gasoline expenses and wear and tear on your car by not having to drive so often for school pick-ups, etc.
Honestly the only things I think are worth it at Trader Joes are snack items, alcohol, and ethnic sauces. Anything fresh (with the exception of their hummus and sausage) is usually low quality and expensive. I go to TJs once a month or so to stock up on desserts, chips, beer, wine, frozen entrees, and the like. Not regular health stuff though.
I read an article awhile ago about how Trader Joes makes many of it's goods in the same facilities that Kraft uses. I was trying to google to find it again, but couldn't. Basically it's not as niche, local, special as people like to think.
I use Groupon and several other similar websites.
Really? Come on. I haven't heard such an uniformed take on the Fed and money printing like this in a long time, if ever. Wake up! Look at commodity prices. They're up, they're way up and, if the Fed keeps it up, Americans can count on their standard of living plummeting. Corn prices are up 90% in under a year. Silver is up from $4 in 2005--when everybody was busy buying over priced houses--to $30 today. Now look at the chart for America’s Long Dates Treasury Bonds – 20 year bonds – these are plummeting! America’s “safest debt”, 20 year treasuries are being dumped, because huge institutional investors and Governments around the world know, the U.S. Dollar is doomed! What you’re posting here is very narrow, and one sided.
Governments and central banks throughout history have always tried to print away their problems, claiming that deflation is the worst case scenario when, in fact, inflation is far more damaging to the average person--no question. Your savings get wiped out. You're a personal finance site, trying to convey to people the merits of saving money, but you're not accurately presenting the facts about money printing, watering down one’s savings, killing the purchasing power of the dollar. Remember Zimbabwe? This is a prime example in recent history, of a government trying to print away their problems. You actually used the word “wealth” to describe the infusion of dollars be the Fed….I am God Smacked! That’s not wealth, you can’t create wealth out of thin air!
As for Japan, yes, the Fed loves that example. I have lived in Japan, worked there, and I'll tell you their government is bankrupt, like the U.S. government, but the people have a HUGE savings rate. The myth about ‘quantative easing’ (read: government speak to confuse the masses on the truth of their dubious actions) not happening fast enough in Japan is a joke. The Japanese central bank and the Japanese government, like the U.S. counterparts, propped up bankrupt companies like Mitsubishi and hoards of banks. Sound familiar? GM, AIG, Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac? American citizens, hard working people, are going to be the ones to see their standard of living drop. Companies and governments need to go bankrupt if they are incompetent. You or I will! If you are I is incompetent we either get fired or go broke. If you print money to bail out companies and banks you prolong the problems and make them worse. I say you, because America is still a democracy, so it’s really you’re responsibility – As a member of the American press!
Enter China. China technically owns the most U.S. dollars in the world outside of the U.S. The more the Fed prints, the more the Chinese get screwed on their investment in the U.S. Dollar. China is planning and executing their exit from the dollar. They are leaving the dollar, which is the world's reserve currency because it is UNSOUND. Unreliable as money, too high a risk to their prosperity! If the holders of a currency can't be sure of that currency’s future purchasing power, they dump it – straight up. Countries around the world are dumping the dollar - individuals too, including many Americans.
This is maybe the most important problem facing America and it’s unfortunate that it’s being covered in an uninformed and irresponsible way. Americans who have identified this trend (it is not new) and who have moved into sound money like gold and silver have protected their savings. Going forward, those who hold the U.S. dollar will see their savings vanish. That little wheel barrow you have used to symbolize QE means something. It's a reminder that in Germany in the 1920's, before Hitler, the German government tried to print away it's problem--same old story--and people in Germany saw their currency's purchasing power evaporate. Hence, you would bring a wheel barrow of cash to the grocery store and come out with something that fit inside your purse. People burned their paper money, because it was cheaper than using it to buy fire wood. This happens all the time, bankers and governments hide it the same way, all throughout history and, in the end, the people suffer.
If fact a friend commented just yesterday of an American Dollar Investment he had made in 2003 which cost him $7800 Canadian and is now worth…if he is lucky and the company doesn’t go belly up, $5500 Canadian Dollars. So, he’s lost $2300 on the exchange rate over 8 years – because of quantitative easing. So, the world at large has a lot riding on Americans, to wise up, do what’s right.
The proof is in the money. If you want good info about money, look to your fellow Americans who have navigated this mess, seeing it long in advance and making the right moves to protect themselves.
You owe it to yourself to – and I have zero, zilch, absolutely, positively, nada cent of financial interest in saying this- google Porter Stanberry or go to www.endofAmerica2.com or Stansberry Media on Youtube. This man warned investors to avoid the catastrophe in 2008. Unlike most financial pundits, Porter Stansberry knows a lot about accounting and finance and the proof is in his success at foreseeing the consequences of quantitative easing.
Quantative easy is killing your dollar. Other Countries are beginning to refuse the dollar – if you travel to Europe or Asia you see, people around the world know the dollar is doomed. Many currency exchanges in foreign countries refuse to buy your dollar.
People need to know the facts, not another sugar-coated, garbled up mess of half truths and lies. This is me pleading with you to re address this very serious issue facing your nation.
I have used both Groupon and Living Social. I use Groupon for local clothing boutiques. I save $ on brands I can't find anywhere else and help local business. Got a great deal for Amazon on Living Social recently as well.
I've bought & USED several Groupons - Gap, Canvas on Demand (twice it was so good!). Albeit, consumers ought not buy just because they're getting a deal. Consumers too often waste money on something they'd never use.
I used it once.
David, In order to increase productivity, I have a counterintuitive suggestion. Cut down on what you do each day. Streamline your "to do" list to ONLY THE MOST IMPORTANT 3-5 TASKS per day. No multi tasking, no minutia. It's amazing how doing less yields increased productivity.
Taking something that is available for general consumption but not for the intended purpose is stealing. Toilet paper at the bank is free unless you want to take the roll home. Napkins are free at McDonalds unless you want to stock your home pantry with them for free. Eating a free sample is great as long as one does not take the whole pack the samples are being served from. I think the INTENDED PURPOSE clause should answer the question in most cases. Am I planning on buying something that I taste a sample of at the grocery store? Usuall no, but if I MIGHT buy it if it surprises me and is good, I am happy to sample it. Would it be okay to hit the grocery store sample section instead of lunch. Probably not, because the INTENDED PURPOSE of the offer is not food but sample. Will I test drive a Mustang convertible that I cannot afford. Perhaps, because I just might like it enough to try to get one. Will I test drive a Farrari? Nope.
Then again, some people make a living based on the number of people they get to try something, regardless of whether or not they will make a purchase. Time shares make amazing offers with little to no connection between the vast majority of those who participate in the offer and those who make a purchase of the offer. If only those who had decided ahead of time to make a purchase participated in these offers, the sales people would be out of a job, and those potential but unsuspecting clients might miss out on an actual good deal.
I think the solution does not get much better than an understanding of INTENDED PURPOSE of free.
Oddly enough I bought an Amazon gift card off of one and a few other things. I have to say I think they are a great way for businesses to get new customers and reward faithful ones!
I have used Groupon before but now I'm a *huge* fan of Scoutmob.com. It has a different coupon several times a week that you *don't* have to pay for in advance (which means you don't feel like an idiot when you forget to use the certificate in time). I also got to discover a really yummy restaurant through them that I never would have seen on my own (a neighborhood I don't usually go to.)
I've used Groupon once so far
I've used Groupon three times so far, one for a family fun place, another for Barnes and Noble and the third for Redbox rentals. I've been well pleased so far, except most of their deals are in a city about an hour for here.
We've had the luck of being able to use Groupon to buy at our local butcher. We'd buy there anyway, but it's nice to get a discount. It's a win-win, because our butcher gets more exposure and will have a better customer base.
I've used LivingSocial as well, but Groupon seems to have more offers for things I would use.
For me, these daily deals are a great way to save money. I don't have a ton of cash to spend, so I am very choosy about the deals I buy. Our family has been able to do so many things we enjoy, but wouldn't have been able to do without the deals. As a home educating family, we especially appreciate the discounted admissions for popular attractions like the art & science museums, family entertainment centers and restaurants. We spend a lot of time on the road to various learning destinations and saving money on food allows us to eat out at fun spots we wouldn't have been able to visit without the deal. We usually use Groupon and Living Social.
We've had the luck of being able to use Groupon to buy at our local butcher. We'd buy there anyway, but it's nice to get a discount. It's a win-win, because our butcher gets more exposure and will have a better customer base.
I've used LivingSocial as well, but Groupon seems to have more offers for things I would use.
I buy from Groupon, Eversave, Woot, Jasmere and Living Social on a fairly regular basis. I love trying out local businesses (and eco-friendly ones on jasmere)- I just have to be really careful about noting the expiration dates. I've missed the due date on one or two vouchers which is definitely NOT saving me money.
I have bought one thing from Groupon. It was a golf deal at a local course for my hubby to enjoy a day with his son for Father's Day. They had a great time. I think Groupon, and sites of this nature, is great when you are going to spend the money anyway...something that is already in your budget. But it is also a huge temptation to overspend for things you wouldn't have normally bought, if you aren'tobje very disciplined.
I've bought several Groupons - one for a massage, one for a restaurant and one for Bath and Body Works. Love it.
There are a ton of daily deal sites out there now, and a lot of them offer demographic specific deals, which makes it easy to find what you want to save on. The market is exploding, so now we have a lot more ways to save money!
A great way for consumers to find the best deals and sales in their area is by going to http://www.dailydealpool.com. They'll email you the best buys daily, ensuring you won't miss out!
I haven't, but we live in a small town, so I'm not even sure if it is around here! I did sign up for a trip we were going to take, but didn't end up going, so I cancelled it. Maybe I'll look again!