NEWSFLASH::: If you have enough money to put on a NetSpend card, YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO OPEN A CHECKING ACCOUNT!!! If you are using NetSpend as direct deposit, you can do the same with a Checking Account at any bank!! Also, depending on the bank, there is NO CHARGE for using their debit card, unless it's at an ATM, they don't use. In other words, DEPOSIT YOUR MONEY INTO A BANK. Use the bank's Debit Card and keep track of your money that way. Also, you can open a savings account and put some of you money aside for a rainy day.
Actually, Extrabux, FatWallet, BeFrugal and Mr. Rebates also have Amazon. BigCrumbs may as well, but it's currently down so I can't check.
Similarly, all those sites now have eBay.
Also, you should be able to use any cash back site while traveling outside the U.S. Those sites all have international customers. The only trick is to make sure you use the mobile site or app if you're shopping by smartphone.
We are working to pay off my husband's medical school debt and rebuild our savings after a recent move, so that is what it will probably go towards. Not very exciting, but thankful we'll have "extra" to contribute to those things!
Haircuts aren't something I'm willing to scrimp on. I have rather quirkly straight hair and it's worth $50 a pop six times a year to go to my barber-stylist to keep it looking good. Besides, he has a small independent business and I'd rather go to him than feed a cheap chain.
I went from about $2,000 a year for salon services to $200 a year, and I'm perfectly happy. I no longer pay for color and highlights. A good, easy-to-maintain A cut, with a soft swoopy side-sweep bang, costs me $20. My stylist is a neighbor who used to work in a salon but now cuts hair at home so she can care for her ill husband. And I no longer buy expensive hair care products. I follow a no-shampoo routine, every 3 days or so, of washing with baking soda and rinsing with diluted cider vinegar and a few drops lemon oil. My fine hair looks the thickest and healthiest ever. I spring for a manicure on my wedding anniversary and sometimes on another special occasion or two during the year.
Start saving/investing early in life and be consistent (save with every paycheck). Taking advantage of a matching 401k plan should be a no brainer. The power of compounding is lost on many people. Also maxing out contributions when possible, eliminating debt, avoiding risks with your nest egg, planning for multiple streams of income once retired (social security, pensions, dividends, part time work, etc.) and making catch up contributions once you reach 50 should all be part of everyone's plan. And work at staying healthy to reduce illness, injuries and medical costs. I recently found the site Retirement And Good Living which provides information on all these issues as well as many other retirement topics and also has several retirement and health calculators.
I visit my local beauty school for my "salon" visits. I can get a hair cut for $8.00, including a wash, cut, and style. I am also helping a student gain experience and credit for doing this service. Win-win for all!
Visit Local animal shelter, adopt a pet or simply make their life a little happier with treats, toys, excercise, and most importantly LOVE. show them someone cares.
Idea: Create a park/shelter where local people can bring their self/pets/kids to hangout with companion-less animals. The individuals involved and especially the animals would greatly enjoy the experience and could result in more adoptions, funding, and less stressful lifestyle!
I started with Lending Club in August, after reading about it on some blog. It seemed almost too good to be true, but I remembered what my car salesman brother said "I can make money lending money to any group of people; I just need to price it right". Still, I was wary, and only invested $1,000, splitting my money between new notes and those offered for resale, and for the resale notes, I looked for those with perfect payment records, uptrending FICO and at least a year of payments made.
Blanket fort or indoor camping with a tent Grooming the family pets, read a book, write in a journal, stack things, build something, make lists (to do, best to worst, top ten) make guacamole, make 7 layer dip, make southern style banana pudding (the best dessert ever imho), think about your childhood/past (preferably good things) and write down what you've learned, write to God, count your blessings, whittle (don't cut yourself like I did), sing pretty folk songs with a good melody and message, clean out a cabinet in your house, sort tupperware, mend clothes, practice math, polish something, i don't know, just go outside and get some sunshine or feel the wind
I had a similar thing happen to me. I was selling a recliner had a so-called doctor wanted to buy on the spot and have friend come pick it up. He explained that he accidentally sent his paycheck to me and that he say I could keep a generous amount for myself(which was very odd) and mail the rest to him. I almost fell for it until a co-worker overheard my conversation with another co-worker and told me that it was a typical overpayment scam. I'm so glad that person listened in.
Also they paid money to get all those coupons. 44 coupons came from 44 papers of sale ads. She probably paid a service to tell her to use those coupons that week at that store because of a double couple or sale ad.
The purpose of a coupon is to try a new product or pick a specific brand over a competitor so you can buy theirs for less.
Sometimes they send items to the food pantry cause they realize they don't need 144 boxes of cereal. Yet the person at the food pantry could have been at the same store earlier that week hoping to get the same cereal on sale and maybe even had a single couple but couldn't buy it for $1 since an extreme couponer took 144. Stores and manufacturers give surplus goods to the pantry already. Seems like the manufacturers and the store with the coupon and sale gifted to the pantry, not the couponer.
Great post, there are many cash back sites out there. I tend to use only two pandacashback and mrrebates.
In my humble opinion if you can use more than one and keep up with them that is great, because a common issue is none of them have the same number of retailers. panda tend to be great when I am on trip outside U.S. with 3000+. Mrrebates offer me cash back in eBay which i tend to shop at a lot. I will probably add Ebates to my list since they added Amazon to their list.
The Holiday Inn program includes an HI Mastercard that charges $45 a year but gives you one unrestricted free room at any of their hotels. Also - their Points & Cash program can't be beat. You can find hotels that can be booked for $40 with 5,000 points - like the Holiday Inn Express in Elkhart, IN North and in Palatine, IL (Chicago area).
Carlson - Country Inn & Suites also has a very good cash and points program.
The money will go towards my retirement.
I will invest mine.
NEWSFLASH::: If you have enough money to put on a NetSpend card, YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO OPEN A CHECKING ACCOUNT!!! If you are using NetSpend as direct deposit, you can do the same with a Checking Account at any bank!! Also, depending on the bank, there is NO CHARGE for using their debit card, unless it's at an ATM, they don't use. In other words, DEPOSIT YOUR MONEY INTO A BANK. Use the bank's Debit Card and keep track of your money that way. Also, you can open a savings account and put some of you money aside for a rainy day.
You're very welcome Pam, thank you for reading!
Great idea, Rachael!
Actually, Extrabux, FatWallet, BeFrugal and Mr. Rebates also have Amazon. BigCrumbs may as well, but it's currently down so I can't check.
Similarly, all those sites now have eBay.
Also, you should be able to use any cash back site while traveling outside the U.S. Those sites all have international customers. The only trick is to make sure you use the mobile site or app if you're shopping by smartphone.
We are working to pay off my husband's medical school debt and rebuild our savings after a recent move, so that is what it will probably go towards. Not very exciting, but thankful we'll have "extra" to contribute to those things!
Haircuts aren't something I'm willing to scrimp on. I have rather quirkly straight hair and it's worth $50 a pop six times a year to go to my barber-stylist to keep it looking good. Besides, he has a small independent business and I'd rather go to him than feed a cheap chain.
DIY pedicures help keep me in shape.
I went from about $2,000 a year for salon services to $200 a year, and I'm perfectly happy. I no longer pay for color and highlights. A good, easy-to-maintain A cut, with a soft swoopy side-sweep bang, costs me $20. My stylist is a neighbor who used to work in a salon but now cuts hair at home so she can care for her ill husband. And I no longer buy expensive hair care products. I follow a no-shampoo routine, every 3 days or so, of washing with baking soda and rinsing with diluted cider vinegar and a few drops lemon oil. My fine hair looks the thickest and healthiest ever. I spring for a manicure on my wedding anniversary and sometimes on another special occasion or two during the year.
Start saving/investing early in life and be consistent (save with every paycheck). Taking advantage of a matching 401k plan should be a no brainer. The power of compounding is lost on many people. Also maxing out contributions when possible, eliminating debt, avoiding risks with your nest egg, planning for multiple streams of income once retired (social security, pensions, dividends, part time work, etc.) and making catch up contributions once you reach 50 should all be part of everyone's plan. And work at staying healthy to reduce illness, injuries and medical costs. I recently found the site Retirement And Good Living which provides information on all these issues as well as many other retirement topics and also has several retirement and health calculators.
The money is going into my new car fund. I hope to pay cash for my next car!
I visit my local beauty school for my "salon" visits. I can get a hair cut for $8.00, including a wash, cut, and style. I am also helping a student gain experience and credit for doing this service. Win-win for all!
Visit Local animal shelter, adopt a pet or simply make their life a little happier with treats, toys, excercise, and most importantly LOVE. show them someone cares.
Idea: Create a park/shelter where local people can bring their self/pets/kids to hangout with companion-less animals. The individuals involved and especially the animals would greatly enjoy the experience and could result in more adoptions, funding, and less stressful lifestyle!
I started with Lending Club in August, after reading about it on some blog. It seemed almost too good to be true, but I remembered what my car salesman brother said "I can make money lending money to any group of people; I just need to price it right". Still, I was wary, and only invested $1,000, splitting my money between new notes and those offered for resale, and for the resale notes, I looked for those with perfect payment records, uptrending FICO and at least a year of payments made.
Blanket fort or indoor camping with a tent Grooming the family pets, read a book, write in a journal, stack things, build something, make lists (to do, best to worst, top ten) make guacamole, make 7 layer dip, make southern style banana pudding (the best dessert ever imho), think about your childhood/past (preferably good things) and write down what you've learned, write to God, count your blessings, whittle (don't cut yourself like I did), sing pretty folk songs with a good melody and message, clean out a cabinet in your house, sort tupperware, mend clothes, practice math, polish something, i don't know, just go outside and get some sunshine or feel the wind
I put some of it toward a weekend away and invest the rest!
Unfortunately we won't be getting a refund this year.
I had a similar thing happen to me. I was selling a recliner had a so-called doctor wanted to buy on the spot and have friend come pick it up. He explained that he accidentally sent his paycheck to me and that he say I could keep a generous amount for myself(which was very odd) and mail the rest to him. I almost fell for it until a co-worker overheard my conversation with another co-worker and told me that it was a typical overpayment scam. I'm so glad that person listened in.
Start that emergency fund for those unexpected bills!
Also they paid money to get all those coupons. 44 coupons came from 44 papers of sale ads. She probably paid a service to tell her to use those coupons that week at that store because of a double couple or sale ad.
The purpose of a coupon is to try a new product or pick a specific brand over a competitor so you can buy theirs for less.
Sometimes they send items to the food pantry cause they realize they don't need 144 boxes of cereal. Yet the person at the food pantry could have been at the same store earlier that week hoping to get the same cereal on sale and maybe even had a single couple but couldn't buy it for $1 since an extreme couponer took 144. Stores and manufacturers give surplus goods to the pantry already. Seems like the manufacturers and the store with the coupon and sale gifted to the pantry, not the couponer.
Should be borax, not borox. Thanks for the article.
Thanks for sharing this list. That is so kind of you!
Great post, there are many cash back sites out there. I tend to use only two pandacashback and mrrebates.
In my humble opinion if you can use more than one and keep up with them that is great, because a common issue is none of them have the same number of retailers. panda tend to be great when I am on trip outside U.S. with 3000+. Mrrebates offer me cash back in eBay which i tend to shop at a lot. I will probably add Ebates to my list since they added Amazon to their list.
The Holiday Inn program includes an HI Mastercard that charges $45 a year but gives you one unrestricted free room at any of their hotels. Also - their Points & Cash program can't be beat. You can find hotels that can be booked for $40 with 5,000 points - like the Holiday Inn Express in Elkhart, IN North and in Palatine, IL (Chicago area).
Carlson - Country Inn & Suites also has a very good cash and points program.