Yes internets, it’s that time of year when the turkey leftovers and that tryptophan stuff have settled in our stomachs. After awakening from the holidaze slumber, it may be time to turn our attention towards Christmas. Now, I’m not big on the whole Christmas consumeritis thing that turns many smart people into spending splurgers.

But, I do love to find frugal ways to celebrate the holidays without spending a bundle. So to get you into the holiday spirit, here are 12 smart ways to save big on Christmas shopping.

1. Go online shopping

Skip the stores and save yourself some holiday grief by going online shopping to save a bundle. Many retailers offer online holiday sales and specials that aren’t available in stores — especially on Cyber Monday! So get clicking online before stepping foot in the mall to save 10% to 60% on everything from books to electronic gadgets like the Kindle. Just be sure to get free or cheap shipping before hitting the checkout — there’s no sense in killing your deal with costly shipping charges.

2. Shop with secret online coupons

Paying full price for anything when a better deal can be found can turn any Santa into a Scrooge. Bah Humbug! To get shoppers into stores, many retailers offer online printable coupons to boost Christmas cheer with big savings. So before buying that perfect gift, get online and search for coupons by entering the retailer’s name and then “coupon code”.

Check out these 8 Stealth Ways to Uncover Big Savings with Secret Online Coupons for even more ways to save like Santa.

3. Dump department store credit cards

When the cashier at your favorite department store offers you a huge discount on your holiday wares just for opening a store credit card, do your wallet a favor and take a pass. Those pesky credit cards offered by retailers carry huge interest rates that can chew into any deal if not paid off. Carrying numerous credit cards can also hurt your credit score, and no one wants to take a credit hit just after the holidays.

Want to pay off your balance sooner? Try this Credit Card Calculator to see how paying more than the minimum balance can make a HUGE difference this holiday. Results may shock you!

4. Use cash this Christmas

Save yourself some credit card shock tomorrow by spending only the cash you have today. Besides, you could save a few bucks by using cash and asking the store to cut your cost by the 2% to 3% interchange fee that banks charge retailers for credit card transactions. Become a really sneaky shopper by trying these 5 Ways To Screw Your Credit Card Company.

5. Skip brand names, buy generic

Don’t believe the expensive marketing hype behind many brand name products. Marketing costs big bucks and you’re paying for that cost every time you buy a brand name. Besides, brand name items are not necessarily better than the lesser-advertised alternatives. By purchasing quality generic products this holiday you can save 10% to 50% on gift giving.

6. Be brave, ask for a discount!

Get over your silly shyness and ask the store manager, “Is this the best price you can offer me?” You may be surprised by how often a retailer will give you 10% to 15% off the sticker price just for asking. Asking for a discount is free and saving 10% in under five minutes of work is time well spent.

7. Find bargains in bulk

Cut the cost of your holiday meals by up to 60% by buying bulk grocery items. Bulk bins are a fabulous way to save some bargain bucks on candy for stocking stuffers, baking goods for delectable desserts, and going nutty over holiday nut mixes. You’ll also find huge savings on rice, pasta, spices, and lots of mixes for the big family dinner.

8. Wrap gifts without wrapping paper

Pass on the glittery gift bags and shiny rolls of gift wrap. Wrapping paper is big business and can add to the cost of even the most frugal of gifts. Instead, get crafty by wrapping your gifts in something useful, like a reusable shopping bag. If you’ve got a baby gift then swaddle it in a baby blanket. But if you’ve gotta have that pretty paper then stock up on wrap after the holidays, when it’s 50% off.

Want more wrapping ways? Check out these 11 Ways to Wrap Gifts without Wrapping Paper and top that gift with one of these 6 Printable Holiday Gift Tags.

9. Make it a homemade holiday

Get the family on budget while having some fun by making it a homemade holiday. If you’re a shutterbug then get the family together for a photo. If you’re crafty then knit a scarf, make some ornaments, or sew something special like a Softie Christmas Tree or a Sling Backpack. For those who love baking, go ahead and get creative with cookies, cakes, and sweets. Got a hiker in your family? Then make some homemade granola!

If you’re less handy but love a fun treat, then try these 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar — the S’mores in a Jar are super cute!

10. Keep ALL your receipts

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, always keep your receipts. Retailers want your holiday cash so they discount and mark down items often, so there’s always a chance that the gift you bought yesterday is on sale today. If you find a price cut on a recently purchased gift, bring in your receipt and ask for a price adjustment. Most store managers will give you the better deal up to ten days after your purchase if you have the receipt. So just ask to get your discount!

11. Make a list and check it twice!

Be like Santa by writing a Christmas gift list to plan out your budget and time. There’s no sense in going over budget on a gift because you ran out of time on Christmas Eve. A well-planned list can also help you curb impulse shopping when the flashy holiday displays catch your attention.

To get you started, download the Free Printable Grocery Shopping List and plan your dinner sooner — it’s easier to catch a sale or find a coupon when you’ve got a shopping list ready to go!

12. Donate a cow

Talk to your family this year and consider starting new Christmas traditions by donating your holiday gift budget to charity. Organizations like Heifer International represent thought provoking gift ideas that go beyond the space underneath your Christmas tree. Gifts to Heifer International can include a Cattle share for $50, a Llama share for $20, or a Sheep share for $10. All livestock shares and donations can help families achieve self-reliance, can give a steady supply of nutrition in the form of products like eggs and milk, and can provide a dependable source of income from the sale of products like wool, honey, and produce. Think about making a real difference this holiday by donating to any number of charities this Christmas.

Your Two Cents: Got a smart tactic for cutting costs on Christmas shopping? Get into the spirit and share.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

But there’s no need to be in the dark about dinner when you get home. There is a bright light (and a warm meal) waiting for you if you know how to flip the slow cooker switch. So don’t dial for dinner and order expensive take out on your way home, get crocking by cracking out your Crock Pot for frugal and healthy family meals.

If you don’t already own a Crock Pot or a slow cooker, here are 6 Reasons to use a Crock Pot . When you’re convinced that a slow cooker is for you, then here’s how to buy the right one! These are not your mother’s Crock Pots. I swear!

1. “Crock-Pot” vs. Slow Cooker?

Don’t get stuck by playing the brand name game. A Crock Pot is a slow cooker. But a slow cooker is not always a Crock Pot. Seriously. A “Crock-Pot®” is the brand name for those slow cookers sold by the company Rival. Slow cookers are the generic product name for a handy kitchen appliance with a heating element and an insert that slowly cooks food. Hot stuff, non?

Slow cooker competitors to Rival’s Crock-Pot® brand are made by companies like Hamilton Beach, Sunbeam, Proctor Silex, West Bend, and Cuisinart — just to name a few. To keep things legal, these companies have to call their stuff “Slow Cookers”. But really, from a food preparation point of view, there is no difference between cooking with a “Crock-Pot®” and other brands.

Your biggest concern should be the features your slow cooker boasts, not the brand name it wears.

2. Size Matters

Slow cookers come in a range of sizes measuring in quarts. Picking the right fit for your family is important, especially if you want leftovers or want a crock big enough for meals like roast beef or pot roast.

Some simple slow cooker size guidelines:

• Two Adults: If you have two adults dining, then the 3 to 4-quart size can work well. Many recipes are designed with this size in mind, and there are usually some leftovers for lunch the next day.

• Larger Families: If you have a larger family or love lots of leftovers, then go with a 6-quart model.

• Love Leftovers: Get a 6-quart unit if you’re all about making double-measure recipes, cooking one big meal each week, freezing or refrigerating smaller portions, or bringing something tasty to work for lunch.

Even though we are a family of two, I prefer a larger 6-quart slower cooker. The reason is roasts. There just isn’t enough room in a smaller crock for meatier meals calling for chicken, lots of beans, or roast beef. Besides, I’m busy during the week so coming home to leftovers is bliss.

3. Shape: Round or Square?

I was always a bit of a square growing up, but I must highly recommend passing on corners and getting a round slower cooker. Rounded edges are simply easier to clean than square edges with crevices. Also, be sure to get a slow cooker with a tilted or graduated rim. Crocks with narrow or flat rims can bubble and spill liquids over the top. Who needs that mess.

4. Get a Removable Crock Insert

This is important if you want to stay sane with your slow cooker — get a removable crock insert. A removable crock is far easier to clean since it can be separated from the electronic base and set to soak in your sink. The units sold as a single crock with heating base cannot be submerged in water. Besides, a removable crock can be moved to your refrigerator if there are leftovers, making your cleanup and storage easy. I used to own one of those single units in school, and never used it because it was a pain to clean.

5. Put a Glass Lid on It

You’ve got to put a lid on it, so if you want your slow cooker to last get one with a glass lid. Lids with plastic pieces or metal rims may not withstand the test of time since they can melt, warp, and even discolor. Glass lids can also boast a higher dome, giving you more space for cooking tall foods like whole chickens and roasts.

But the big bonus with a glass lid is that you can see your food cooking. Lids that are plastic or opaque require you to uncover your crock to see where your meal is at. When slow cooking, removing the lid is a big no-no since this lets the heat escape, thus increasing your cooking time. Big energy and time waste, non?

6. Fancy Features

Slow cookers and Crock Pots are pretty simple devices — they have an insert, a lid, a heating base, and a temperature dial. But today’s slow cookers boast features that would make your mother’s Crock Pot simmer. Here are some features to consider before plunking down your dinner dough:

• Crock Material: Some crocks are made of stoneware while others are metal inserts with non-stick coatings. The choice is yours, but I’m a fan of the stoneware models since they hold heat well, look attractive served on the table, come in a variety of styles and colors, and refrigerate well.

• Digital Digits or Dials: Some units come with just a dial while others are fully digitized. The units with dials tend to cost less.

• Various Settings: Today’s slow cookers come with a variety of settings to choose from, like: keep warm settings, programmable delayed cooking timers, and multiple temperature settings. Most slow cookers with dials come standard with these settings: Off, Low, High, Warm. Slow cookers with timers are handy for those who work late or start the day early.

It’s easy to lose your head and flip over the fanciest of features. But really, a simple heating unit with a dial will get dinner done.

7. Prices

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. But with slow cookers paying a lot more moolah doesn’t necessarily get you a better meal. Generally, slow cookers and Crock Pots range in price from a mere $20 to a whopping $220 for the feature-rich and brand name units.

Here are four slow cookers that balance excellent features with frugal prices:

• Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker (on sale $45)
• Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Slow Cooker with 2, 4, 6 Quart Crocks (on sale $35)
• Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Oval Slow Cooker (on sale $25)
• Cuisinart 3-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker (on sale $49)

Slow Cooker Recipes

If you get a crock you’ll need some recipes. I’ve done a few frugal slow cooker meals on this blog! Here are some Vegetarian Recipes and a few for the Meat Lovers.

These classic slow cooker cookbooks are awesome and frugal too:

• Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker: Recipes for Two
• Slow Cooker Ready & Waiting: 160 Sumptuous Meals That Cook Themselves
• Fix-It And Forget-It: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
• 200 Recipes for Healthy and Hearty One-Pot Meals (vegetarian)

There you have it. Lots of details on how to dial into a slow cooker or a Crock Pot. If you still need some convincing, then here are 6 Reasons to use a Crock Pot.

Your Turn: Do you love your slow cooker? What’s your favorite cooker feature or frugal recipe?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Finding deep discounts when online shopping or uncovering savings on in-store purchases is easy. The secret is to go online before going shopping and search out the savings with online coupons and promotional codes. Try any of these 8 stealth shopping tactics to uncover some big savings. Just don’t give yourself carpal tunnel syndrome with all your clever clicking.

1. Google for Online Coupons and Promotional Codes

Launching an online coupon search with Google is a surefire way to uncover promotional codes on everything from groceries to a weekend getaway. It only takes a few minutes to Google It and see if there are savings in store.

Here’s how to Google It:

1. Open a web brower and launch Google.
2. Enter the desired retailer’s name and then “coupon code”.
3. View several results to see if the online coupons or promotional codes are valid.
4. Download your printable coupons or try your coupon codes in your online shopping cart.

You may have to try several coupon codes before finding one that works — but you’ll get lucky eventually, so be patient.

2. Sign Up for Email Alerts

Surf on over to your favorite product sites and sign up for preferred customer email alerts, Web Flyers, or Special Web Offers. By getting on a preferred customer email list you’ll get sent weekly (or monthy) coupons, deals, and discounts good for in-store or online shopping not offered in the store.

I’ve found discounts as high as 60% on clothing from Banana Republic, cosmetics from various drug stores, sports gear from Sierra Trading Post, groceries from Superstore, and on electronics by using Circuit City discount coupon codes. I often get emailed last minute flight deals from major American and Canadian airlines which saves me hundreds on flights home and on weekend getaways. Many companies like Procter and Gamble run promotions that offer email subscribers coupons worth hundreds of dollars, saving you money on everything from soap to Pampers.

Before signing up to a bunch of company email alert lists though, consider setting up an alternative email address to deal with the onslaught of advertisements. No one wants their main email account bombarded with special offers daily.

3. Visit Coupon Websites

Point your web browser to a savvy shopping coupon forum or a website that posts discounts and deals save anywhere from 10% to 70% off regular retail prices. I’ve even found free international shipping coupons by just visiting the right couponing website at the right time.

Sites like RetailMeNot.com and RedFlagDeals.com boast strong communities who post coupons and codes regularly to save you big bucks on purchases in many categories, including: travel, electronics, financial services, entertainment, apparel, automotive, home wares, and even school supplies. These sites are amazing places to find both in-store deals and online shopping discounts.

4. Search Online Sales Flyers

Some stores call them “Sales Circulars” while others call them “Store Flyers”, but whatever they’re called in your area, searching your grocery store’s online weekly specials listed in a flyer is a good way to save some dough on bread, biscuits, and baby food. Just vist your preferred grocery store online to preview all weekly sales, online coupons, and special offers to cash in on the savings before cashing out at the till. If you’re Canadian, checking out the Real Canadian Superstore Flyer weekly can save you on everything from gasoline to camping gear. I’ve saved hundreds just by planning ahead and seeking out the door crashing deals.

Many big box and speciality stores like Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Lowes, Macy’s, Kmart, Kohls, Home Depot, and Canadian Tire also advertise their weekly flyers online. Check out the store’s website and find a link that says something like, “local sale flyer” and enter your Zip or Postal Code to find deals targeting your area. You may just find secret printable coupons avilable only to those searching the flyers online.

5. Surf Store and Mall Websites

If you’re planning to visit a particluar store or mall then why not visit their website first – they may just have a few printable coupons available to entice you to visit their stores. I’ve found special offers for clothing online at H&M’s website and figured it was worth the $35 Dollar Off Coupon to shop in their store. Many of the big brand name clothing, footwear, and electronics stores post deals and coupons online to get you off the internet and into their stores. If you’re in the market for a particular item, then finding some savings online first is a sweet deal.

6. Skip Shipping Costs!

If you’ve ever gone online shopping and been dinged with shipping charges, then you know the costs of delivery can eat into your deal. Rather then pay for parcel delivery, always look for a free shipping option when buying from an online store. Getting your items shipped for free could save you tens of dollars or a percentage off the total price on your order — so it pays to shop for shipping deals. Many online retailers offer free shipping when you buy up to a specified dollar amount in merchandise. If you aren’t offered free shipping before checkout, then look for promotional codes through retailmenot.com and redflagdeals.com to cut on costs.

Another creative method for saving on shipping is to order online from a store that also has a brick-and-mortar storefront and opt for in-store pickup for free. Not only will you qualify for web-only discounts not offered in the store but you can get your merchandise much faster but picking it up in person.

7. Dial Into Savings with Your Cell Phone

A sneaky way to grab an online deal while shopping in a store is to search for a coupon using your cell phone web browser. A friend of mine used this method to save $50 off the price of a DVD player by visiting the store in-person to check out the merchandise and then ordered this player using his cell phone with coupon. While online he selected the option to pick up his purchase in person and waited only a few minutes to pick up his package. Not a bad return on only 10 minutes of cell phone air time.

8. Subscribe to Retailers via Twitter

Update: A big thank you to “JMT” who counted up my points and noted I missed one. So to be fair and give you as much bang for your coupon saving buck, I’ll add an excellent Twitter tip from the comments!

Blogger and brilliant commenter Riscario Insider says,

I read that subscribing to retailers via Twitter can yield savings too, similar to email alerts. How do you deal with the noise in your Twitterstream? Maybe a separate Twitter account is the elegant answer.

Now there’s an eighth way to get stealth and find those wicked coupons.

Over the years I’ve used all of these stealth shopping tactics to uncover big online coupons and savings. Got any other methods that have saved you some cash?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

After the car was written off, it became apparent that Carl and I needed a replacement vehicle and thus had to spend some bucks on a car. Our insurance company paid out a good part of the cost (yay), but like most claims the cost to fully replace a destroyed vehicle is never a wash (boo). So given our tight budget I knew that a used car fit the bill and I asked you guys to Squawkback and share your best used car buying advice.

Well, you guys rocked this Squawkback beyond my wildest dreams and helped us replace our car. In fact, we ended up getting two used cars using your awesome advice and I want to share what worked best and what rocked most. So here’s my tale of buying two used cars on a tight budget with your advice added in! Thank you!

How to Buy Used Cars By Owner

Many readers advised us to seek a private seller locally through classified newspaper ads or to seek used cars for sale online. The reasons are simple: there tends to be less financial fuss, less marketing mess, and a lot less BS when it comes to buying used cars by owner. Here’s how I ended up buying a used 1992 Subaru Justy for $1,500 just a mile from where I live. This was to be a temporary car.

Getting Started and Knowing Your Budget

Doctor S @Finance Your Life says:

• I just do not see the value in buying brand new cars when used cars with 10 miles on them are 30% cheaper. Research and the internet have changed the way car buying takes place. Put in the amount of research and you will find a car equating to your efforts.

This just about sums up my thoughts on buying a used car over a new car. By considering newer used models Carl and I hoped to save thousands of dollars over buying new. Besides, we both like older Subarus since our written off Impreza did a darn good job of keeping us alive.

Amphritrite @Future Queen of the Universe says:

1. Ask your friends and family where they bought their used cars.
2. Decide what you can afford, at what interest rate or whether you’ll be buying with cash.
3. Figure out what styles you want and what your lifestyle needs are: truck, SUV or car.

We spent two solid weeks asking friends, family, and colleagues for any leads on a used Subaru Impreza. Carl wanted to replace his written-off AWD car and would settle for nothing less than a manual transmission. Given our budget of $20,000ish (the insurance company only gave us $17,000) we knew a used 2005 Impreza was on budget, but supply was scarce.

Where to Find Used Cars For Sale

TStrump @The Strump says:

• Craigslist is always a great source but beware of lemons. Watch our for rebuilds – they are cheaper but have usually been in accidents and may not drive the same.

We searched for used cars online via sites like: Craigslist, Autotrader, Kijiji, Buy and Sell, and everywhere in between. But we got lucky when I mentioned our Subaru search to my massage therapist. While she worked on my whiplash she mentioned her Subaru mechanic (Ivan) and gave us the goods on his credentials and the used cars he buys and fixes up for sale.

Ivan didn’t have any leads on a used Impreza since they don’t enter the market often, but he had a 1992 4WD Subaru Justy that could tide us over until a suitable Impreza became available. The Justy was a rebuild and the interior wasn’t gorgeous to look at, but it was safe and we trusted the mechanic. Everyone we spoke with said, “Ivan was the Subaru mechanical man to trust”, and this means A LOT in a very small town. Besides, a $1,500 4WD beater could easily be resold in our area. So buying this used car was a win for us.

Reasons to Buy Used Cars Locally

Ray @Financial Highway says:

• Make sure the car is not from out of province, if it is make sure you get ALL the information you can get your hands on. A friend of mine purchased a car he did not know was brought in from a different province and when he got in an accident he had major issues with insurance company.

Buying locally in province became important to us because insuring an out-of-province vehicle can be a hassle. Besides, bringing a car back to B.C. from another province is an ordeal – Canada is no small country to travel and flying by plane to one province and then driving back was a challenge given our schedules.

Get Your Used Car Inspected

Sara says:

• After deciding you think you want a particular car, take the car to your usual shop and get it inspected. Carry the inspection results back to the seller and use that to negotiate a better price if something needs fixing. Or, you might not want the car at all after the results of an inspection! Totally worth the $100-150 it will cost.

Getting a used car safety inspected is wise advice and can save you money on the deal if repairs are likely. But because we bought the Subaru Justy from a highly respected local mechanic, we didn’t feel the need to get it checked by another shop.

How To Buy a Used Car From a Dealership

After three weeks of hunting for the perfect private seller with the right car I wasn’t opposed to buying from a dealership if they had the goods. The time spent poring over used car ads, calling private sellers, and checking out cars was adding up – and a lot of the time a private seller didn’t know the details on their own car!

Carl and I grew grumpy (and frustrated) but having the Justy on hand made waiting for the right car possible. But after a long search we abandoned the original plan of getting a Subaru Impreza and instead bought a used 2007 Subaru Forester for $21,000 from a Honda dealership. Here’s how it happened!

Why Buy a Used Car from a Dealership?

Melanie Reformed Spender says:

• While you can sometimes get a better deal by cutting out the middle man, I would not go as far as to say never go to the dealer. A good dealer has minimum standards and has access to a lot of cars that you would never find in private sale.

We started calling dealerships just two days into our search. The supply of used Subarus by owner was low, and dealerships had stock and the ability to source the car we were looking for. Our challenge was that not a single dealership had a used manual Impreza in stock to sell.

Know Your Time Line, Do Your Research, Find a Used Car

Treva says:

• I bought a used car last summer from a dealership. Before I bought it I did a LOT of research on the edmunds.com, kbb.com, and consumerreports.org (well worth my weight in gold for the subscription price). I unfortunately only had two weeks to figure out what to do and I would have preferred a full month.

Having the time available to hunt for the right car at the right price is a key component many car seekers don’t consider. Carl was growing concerned that an Impreza would take MONTHS to enter the market. So he decided to be flexible and widen his criteria to ANY decent AWD Subaru (Outback, Forester, etc.) with a manual transmission, excellent maintenance record, and low mileage.

Contacting Dealerships

Spending It @Spending It says:

• Send an email to around 30 car dealers who have your car for sale. Tell them what you want and that you are sending a similar email to 30 competing dealerships and that you are going to buy from the dealer that gives you the best price.

This advice I think works best in larger cities when there are many models of your preferred vehicle on the market. In our small area of Canada (B.C. Okanagan) all the dealerships work together to deliver cars to customers. Since the Subaru dealerships were all in bed together it was impossible to negotiate a deal by playing them off each other.

So what Carl ended up doing was calling and emailing ALL car dealerships in our area (like Honda and Toyota) to see if they had any Subarus on trade in – and this is where we found some luck. A Honda dealership three cities over had just got a 2007 Subaru Forester on trade in. The car was in perfect condition, had only 45,000km on it, and boasted a manual transmission with a nice trim level. The fact it had heated seats was a super plus.

Get Maintenance Records and an Inspection

Beth @Crummy Mommy

Do you want to own your pre-loved car forever? If so, make sure the major maintenance has been done regularly. Make sure that regular oil changes have been done! If the timing belt hasn’t been done by 100,000km, that’s a) something that you’re going to need to get done and b) a fairly decent sign that the car hasn’t been serviced and maintained regularly. If the previous owner has all their maintenance records, ask for them, look them over, even give the shop that does the regular maintenance on that car a call and ask about it.

We tried not to fall in love with the Forester, but we did. The car was in exceptional mechanical order with the previous owner providing all the maintenance records. And because Carl grew up on a farm repairing and maintaining heavy equipment, he knew a thing or two about checking for wear and tear on a used car. We knew we wanted this car, but only if the price was right. So we decided on our Bottom Line and as a couple agreed upon the price. The initial sticker price of $23,888 was WAY out of our budget.

Bargain and Be Ready to Walk Away

Orion, a Licensed Automotive Technician, says:

• Don’t leave out the dealerships and used car lots in your search to find the right car. With our economy the way it is, some of the best deals can now be had at these places. The value of all vehicles has dropped considerably in the past 6+ months due to the lower costs of the new models. I find that a lot of private sale vehicles are priced a lot higher than used car lots. This is generally the case because the private seller has an idea of what there car was worth last year, and has likely invested more money in the car than it will ever be worth in today’s economy. Used car lots are hurting for sales these days and they need to move vehicles to stay afloat so do bargain with them.
• Bargain down to the right price, and bargain you must. Everyone wants top dollar for their car but that has changed in the buyers favor. Use your acquired vehicle inspection and local market research to get the price down to a fair value.

Carl bargained like crazy. He called the dealership. He visited the dealership. Then he called again to say, “My wife would like the car more if it was $500 less.” The funny thing is, blaming me (the wife) for not wanting the car unless it was under a certain dollar value WORKED. The key to negotiating is to be fair, respectful, and be willing to walk away from the deal. The dealer dropped the price three times to reflect Carl’s knowledge of used Foresters and their real market value. Carl also offered to pay in cash – which was a huge win for sealing the deal. But because I was willing to walk away from the car if the price wasn’t inline with market value the dealer had no choice but to concede to the price. So we negotiated the car for $20,600.

Beware of Vehicle History Reports

Mr. NtJS @Not the Jet Set

• CarFax reports aren’t a bad thing, but you need to know how to read them. Our month-long login caught a dealer’s lies (that truck had been worked like a dog), and confirmed a individual’s story of a vehicle’s history (the one we ended up buying).

The Honda dealership we dealt with was quick to present a CarFax report showing the “accident free” status of the Forester. The problem is, these “vehicle history reports” may not be worth the paper they are written on. Many insurance companies and police departments don’t report accidents to CarFax and these omissions can lead a buyer to think a car is accident free. Furthermore, some of these car reports are only updated periodically, which could miss a recent accident and leave you buying a busted lemon with hidden damage.

Ray @Financial Highway says:
The program CBC Marketplace did a story on vehicle history reports which is well worth a read.

• Used car history reports can steer you in the wrong direction

This story is Canadian but is applicable across North America. When the Honda dealer presented the CarFax on the Forester we knew the right questions to ask and pretty much showed little confidence in the report. The dealer agreed that car history reports were a “nice to have” tool but were not entirely accurate. We found that test driving the car, looking for bodywork, and getting an inspection were FAR more valuable to us in verifying the car’s integrity than this report.

Beware of “Dealership Fees”

Carl’s Brother (a lawyer) says:

• Dealerships like to add fees onto the price of a vehicle at the end of the deal. Be ready to see anywhere from $300-$1,000 in fees tacked onto the agreed upon price and don’t pay it. These fees may be called “registration fees”, “dealership fees”, or “documentation fees” and exist to pad profits.

I was horrified when I saw $300 added to the price of the Forester AFTER we spent HOURS negotiating the $20,600 price. The sales guy tried to sneak it in by banging his bling on the table, swooshing his pen in the air, and shrugging off the fee as a part of doing business. The frustrating thing is after spending the better part of a day wheeling and dealing, it’s easy for a buyer to be worn down by the process and eager to end the pain by just paying the darn fee. But don’t.

Because we knew about this fee in advance, Carl outright refused to pay it. The sales guy, who had chest hair in need of some serious manscaping, was stunned when Carl pointed out the bogus fee and said, “I’m not paying this.”

The sales guy challenged us and said, “You’d refuse to take the car just because of $300?”

Carl stayed strong and held ground. He said, “No. I’m taking the car, I’m just not paying that fee.”

After another 20 minutes of bickering over $300 Carl got his way and had the fee removed from the cost of the car. Victory.

Conclusions on Buying Two Used Cars

There are as many ways to buy a used car as there are people. But to drive away with a deal the best advice I could share would be to listen to Squawkfox Readers. Whether you buy used cars online, by owner, or through a dealership it’s wise to wait for the best vehicle for your specific circumstances. The best used cars are the ones that fit your budget, suit the needs of your family, and don’t cost you in repairs after driving from the lot.

After buying a used Subaru Justy for $1,500 (by owner) and a used Subaru Forester for $20,600 (by dealership) I can honestly say there are positives and negatives to both routes. The key is to be flexible when searching and to not fall in love with an automobile before the papers are signed.

Today we love both our used cars and are thrilled with the decision to forgo a sporty Impreza for a more comfortable Forester. I’m also happy to have my first car (the Subaru Justy) in over 12 years and have some mobility on the farm in the winter months since riding a bike in the Canadian winter is a little tough at times. Maybe one day I’ll become a car-loving person and ditch my bicycle. Well, maybe not.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

I’ve also linked to some popular holiday posts, including wrapping gifts without paper and free printable gift tags. Free is frugal. If all else fails, give your loved ones a big holiday hug.

10 Frugal and Homemade Gift Ideas

There are lots of frugal and affordable gift ideas to choose from in this article. Everything from books, to mittens, to tea pots, and fab finds for the eco-minded. Many of these items can be found close to your home.

• 10 Frugal and Homemade Gift Ideas

Beginner Digital Cameras

Cameras are very useful and generous gifts. The prices of digital cameras have fallen in the last few years. A quality digital camera can now be had for under $100. So take aim and shoot for a digital deal.

• Beginner Digital Cameras (that won’t break the bank)

8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar

Steal some of the ideas from this insanely popular post. Do download and print the free gift tags too.

• 8 Homemade Gifts in a Jar (with free printable gift tags)

6 Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags

Free, printable, and ohh so cute. Download the whole set to use on your gifts.

• 6 Printable Holiday Gift Tags

11 Ways to Wrap Gifts without Wrapping Paper

Get creative and save some bucks by wrapping your gifts without wrapping paper. Be sure to read the readers’ comments. The readers are smarter than me (which is a good thing).

• 11 Ways to Wrap Gifts without Wrapping Paper

Got any last minute gift ideas to add? Have any frugal festive finds you wanna share?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Before shooting for the stars and spending big bucks on camera gear, focus your lens on some simple tips for buying the perfect beginner digital camera on your budget. Take aim, shoot, and say “cheese” to learning the technical lingo and focusing on the important (not flashy) features. It’s a snap.

1. Set your budget.

Got big bucks? Looking to pinch some pennies? Before stepping foot in a camera shop you must first decide how much money to spend. For the beginner, a quality digital camera can be had for as low as $100. Spending more money will get you a camera with more features, but will not necessarily help you take better pictures. So set your budget and stick with it.

2. Who is this digital camera for?

Digital cameras come with a multitude of features for various uses. It can be mind boggling looking at all those little buttons and photography options. Deciding on a camera can be a lot easier if you can answer these simple questions:

1. Are you buying a digital camera for a vacation?
2. Do you want to quickly shoot family snapshots without any fussing around?
3. Are you looking for a beginner camera for your kids to use?
4. Do you plan on getting serious by learning photography skills and shooting more artistic photos?

Knowing how the camera is going to be used will help you decide what camera will work best for your intended situation. Here are three types of uses for beginner digital cameras.

• Basic Budget Camera: Affordably priced around $100, basic digital cameras may not have all the bells and whistles, but can still take awesome photos. If in need of a camera for your kids or are a beginner on a tight budget, this one may be for you: the Canon A470 ($87.00 at Amazon) is a great basic camera for the budget conscious.

• Intermediate Beginner Camera: At a higher price-point, intermediate beginner cameras have more features and often come in smaller, sleeker models. Cameras in this class are great for everyday use, and should provide you with years of photos. Everyone is familiar with Fox’s food photography, and her stunning shots are taken with a camera of this quality. The Canon SD1100 Digital ELPH ($140.00 at Amazon) is one of the newer cameras in this class.

• Luxury Beginner Camera: These cameras have all the newest technology to help you take your pictures. These features come with a tradeoff of price and size. If you’re looking for a camera that can handle both family snapshots and provide you with a launch-pad for more serious photography, you might want to look here. One example of a camera in this class is the Nikon Coolpix P80 ($249.94 at Amazon).

3. Decide on the camera size and type.

Just like people, digital cameras come in all shapes and sizes. For a beginner, a smaller camera is usually better since it’s easier on the pocketbook, simpler to use with streamlined features, and more fun to carry around. Larger cameras with interchangeable lenses, like digital SLRs (single lens reflex), and bigger point-and-shoot cameras won’t help a beginner take better pictures. Because of their heavier weight and larger size, they usually end up being left at home taking NO pictures. Look for the smallest camera you are comfortable using. If you have big hands you may want to try slightly larger, but still pocketable cameras. The best way to make a decision is to pick up a few different cameras and try one on for size.

4. Look at the lens.

Virtually every digital camera sold has a zoom lens. This means you can use a small lever on the camera to zoom in on far-away subjects, or zoom out to allow a sweeping landscape to fill the picture. The “zoominess” of a lens is usually expressed in one of two ways: either as a “35mm equivalent”, or as a multiplication factor like “3x” which one often sees on video cameras. A reasonable beginner camera will have a zoom in the range of 3x – 4x, or a 35mm equivalent of 35-140mm. Higher priced cameras may have lenses with even wider wide angles and closer zooms. These allow you to take pictures that make small rooms look huge, or zoom right in on distant wildlife. For everyday use, these may be overkill.

5. Count your megapixels.

For people not familiar with digital cameras, the language can seem like it was invented by a nerdy insider’s club. Megapixel what? Simply, megapixels are a measure of the number of dots the camera uses to create images. In general, the more megapixels you have, the better, but this is only true to a point. Higher megapixel cameras do take pictures that let you make larger and larger enlargements. A 15 megapixel camera will make prints the size of your coffee table, but will you actually ever do this? If all you want to do is email, blog, and make 5×7 prints, then an older 5 megapixel camera is more than enough. Unless you need them, more megapixels in a camera will do nothing for you other than hit your pocketbook. A beginner camera should boast anywhere from 5 to 10 megapixels.

6. Image Stabilization: Not all new technology is bad!

In the last few years, many camera manufacturers have added something called “image stabilization” to their digital cameras. Unlike most features added to sell product and entice photographers to upgrade, image stabilization is a feature that works, here’s how: If you happen to wiggle the camera a bit while taking a photo, the camera’s computer will wobble a sensor chip or lens in the opposite direction. This little stabilization wobble will help you take a clearer picture that would otherwise be blurry due to camera shake. Image stabilizing cameras do come at a bit of a price premium, but if it’s in your budget, it is worth looking at.

7. About batteries.

Like any electronic gizmo or gadget, digital cameras run on batteries. Some cameras take the simply classic AA batteries, while most other cameras sell with s specially engineered rechargeable specific to that camera model. Either battery system will work. The important power consideration is how long that battery will last. What is the actual life of the camera battery? You don’t want your camera to cut out just when you need it, like at a birthday party as the cake comes in. Camera review sites like DPReview test almost every camera made, looking at such things as battery life. A good beginner camera should come with a minimum battery rating of about 250 pictures.

8. Read the reviews, or not.

Camera review websites can be both a great source of information, and an overwhelming distraction. Each reviewer seems to have their own sets of tests when deciding what cameras are best. Some reviewers may even be paid for a review, so take these camera reviews with a grain (or three) of salt. What they don’t tell you is the “huge differences” in quality they report are often smaller differences only visible in a controlled studio or lab. For a beginner taking real photos, these differences often won’t be apparent. The best way to deal with reviews is to skip the technical parts, and just look at the pros and cons they mention in their concluding remarks.

Some bigger camera review sites include:

• DPReview
• Steve’s Digicams
• Digital Camera Resource Page

Other sites, such as those by Ken Rockwell and Bob Atkins can provide both entertaining reads and good camera information.

9. Skip the extras.

Whether shopping online or in a real camera store, when you’re ready to check out your purchase, you suddenly find yourself flooded with the dreaded “extras”. Camera cases, lens wipes, flash adapters, extra batteries. Do you really need all that extra gear? In short, no, most of it you don’t. The only accessory you really need is a decent sized memory card. A 2 gig card should be able to hold hundreds of photos and cost around $20. Bigger, faster cards can be bought for more money, but won’t make any difference for a beginner’s camera.

10. Beware of sharks.

When shopping for your camera, you will eventually find a store selling the one you want at a price that seems too good to be true. That’s because it is. While most camera retailers are honest, hardworking people running a business, there are scam artists lurking out there looking to make a quick buck, especially online. Some of these will sell you the camera at a really good price, but to get the manual, battery, and charger you have to pay extra. Others might just take your money and ship you a brick in a box, vanishing before you can cancel your credit card. If you have any doubts about a merchant, just look them up on ResellerRatings.com. This site lists user opinions of their experiences at pretty much any store around.

Using these tips, it’s a snap to get the right beginner digital camera for your dollar.

Got a camera story? Every feel flashed by the digital sales guy? Got a favorite camera? Do tell the digital details!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Some of these tips will score you instant dough, while other money saving suggestions require year round strategies to amass the moolah. Not every tip will be applicable to your situation, so pick and choose which money saving tips and strategies are optimal to boost your savings by $1,000 bucks.

Here are 50 ways to save an extra $1,000 a year:

1. Dine in. Eating out costs big bucks. Fatten your wallet by eating home cooked meals and you may just slim your waistline while you’re at it. Try these Cheap, Easy, and Healthy, Family Dinners for $5 to kick start your savings.
2. Brown Bag It. Stop spending mega moolah muddling your midday meal munching on take out lunches. Bringing a brown bag lunch to school or work every day will save your thousands this year. Try these Five Frugal Lunches for some ideas.
3. Latte Factor. Like a daily latte or coffee? These seemingly small drips of dollars can really add up! Forget the daily coffee break and make your own hot beverages to save lots of loot.
4. Raise Deductibles. Get out your policy and raise the deductibles on your car and home insurance. You’re not likely to claim the small stuff so choose a $5000 over a $500 deductible to cut your insurance costs by about 40 percent.
5. Buy a Cheaper Car. Pimping in a flashy vehicle? A smaller or less expensive model can save you big bucks and still get you from point A to point B in style.
6. Lose the Extra Car. Get creative and optimize the usage of a single family car to save huge money on insurance, gas, and car payments. You may be surprised how much money can be saved by reducing the number of cars parked in your driveway.
7. Ditch the Car. Buy a Bike. Ride the Bus. Carpool. I did this years ago and lived to tell the tale. I guesstimate I’ve saved at least 5K a year by riding my bike to school and work. I tend to carpool or ride the bus on rainy days. Since I’ve been car-free for 12 years, that’s 60K saved! Ka-ching!
8. Expunge Extended Warranties. Don’t buy extended warranties on inexpensive products like cameras and kitchen appliances. The only time a warranty makes sense is if a repair will devastate your budget.
9. Avoid Unnecessary Insurance. Skip mortgage and accidental death insurance as it only covers you in specific cases. Get life insurance to cover you no matter the cause of death.
10. Avoid Whole Life Insurance. Whole life policies are expensive for the policy owner and lucrative for the policy seller. Term policies, which cover you for a set period, are FAR less expensive. Here’s How to Buy Life Insurance Without Getting Screwed.
11. Don’t Insure Your Kids. I love kids, but insurance for children makes no financial sense. Buy life insurance to replace the income of the family breadwinner(s), those you are dependent on. Not your dependents. Here’s why your kids don’t need life insurance.
12. Get a High Interest Savings Account. Switch your savings account to a high interest account, like those offered through ING Direct. You can make 3-4 percent MORE on your savings a year, rather than the pittance most checking accounts offer.
13. Pay off Your Credit Card. Stop paying the bare minimum on your credit cards. Paying just the minimum (usually 2-3 percent) only prolongs the agony and increases the amount of interest paid to the bank. Save yourself over 20 percent in interest charges by fully paying off your credit card debt. Depending on your debt, you may add thousands to your wallet.
14. Get a Better Credit Card. Not all credit cards are created equal. Choose a credit card with no annual fee, understand your credit card’s benefits and risks, know how your issuer calculates interest charges, and learn how to benefit from introductory rates. Reading the small print will help you to make the most of your credit card and keep fees and charges to a minimum, saving bundles of bucks every year. Try these Four Steps to Choosing a Credit Card for help.
15. Watch Investment Fees. There are costs to investing your hard earned dollars. Learning how to minimize these costs can save you thousands in management expense ratio fees (MERs), trailer fees, and broker fees. Always read your investment fund prospectus to better understand how these hideous fees can eat up your fund portfolio returns year after year. If you’re investing in high fee mutual funds, consider a portfolio in index funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs) to better increase your returns and minimize your costs.
16. Look at Laundry Costs. Washing clothes is a repetitive task which can cost big bucks over the span of a year. When I stop to calculate the cost of laundry detergent, the power usage of clothing dryers, and the water consumption of washing machines I shudder at the total cost of cleaning filth. Learn How to Save Money on Laundry to minimize the expensive impact of filth.
17. Banish Bank Account Fees. Minimum balances, withdrawal fees, checking fees, paying bills fees, fees, and more fees. Why are you paying so much for banking? I dare you to add up all those tiny little dings you don’t want to look at and see how much you pay for banking. Compare your banking fees to other bank accounts and switch banks. I’ve been using a no fee checking account with President’s Choice Financial for years, and love it. Find a no fee checking account in your state, province, or country and live bank fee free already.
18. Axe ATM Fees. Getting dinged $1 here and there for withdrawing your cash can add up! Planning your cash withdrawals ahead of time can save you lots of dollar dings over the span of a year. Axe your ATM fees by sticking to your bank’s machine, only withdrawing cash a few times a month, and check your bank plan to see if there is a better fee structure for your banking needs.
19. Eat Less Meat. Where’s the beef? To save thousands in groceries try eating less meat in your family meals. You don’t have to go vegetarian, just try some meatless dishes a few times a week. Switching from animal protein to bean protein is a wonderfully frugal way to add some dollars to you bank account. Try soaking dried beans to become the ultimate money saving bean counter.
20. Pay Down Student Debt. New graduate? Finished your degree decades ago? Paying off your student loan is a sure fire way to reduce interest payments, saving you thousands. Try these 5 Tips for Paying Off Student Loans.
21. Manage Extra Mortgage Payments. For most of us, the mortgage represents our biggest debt. If you can manage, try making an extra payment to help end the loan sooner. Use the Loan Amortization Calculator to see the impact of how much loan interest can be reduced by paying down your mortgage sooner.
22. Cut the Cable. Television is expensive. Especially if you have special packages, customer loyalty bundles, and fee hungry features. Cancel the unneeded extras to save, or just cut the cable completely to maximize savings. Television may seem like a nominal monthly bill, but try adding up this expense over 12 months.
23. Cancel the Cell Phone. Roaming fees, text messages, minute overages. Cell phones can cost you big bucks over a year. Reevaluate your cell phone plan to save, or cancel your cell package to maximize savings. Should you cancel your cell phone?
24. Rent Less Apartment. Downsizing your rented apartment could save you money over time. Try renting a unit on a lower floor without a view, move to a building with fewer perks, or rent a basement suite. Renting a smaller place can also save you on energy costs.
25. Get a Roommate. Got a multiple room apartment or house? Rent out a room to a student or a young professional to jump start some savings. Sharing space saves on energy costs too.
26. Reconsider the Landline. If you have a cell phone, do you still need your landline? Many cell phone users work on the road or away from the home. Perhaps it’s time to ditch the landline to save on utility costs.
27. Maintain Your Car. Routine maintenance can save you a bundle by preventing major automobile repair costs. Follow your car’s user manual to keep up-to-date with oil changes, new air filters, and regular tune ups.
28. Save Money on Gas. Gassed by the high prices at the pump? Try these 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas to cut your fuel consumption.
29. Buy a More Fuel Efficient Car. Perhaps it’s time to trade in the gas guzzling clunker for a more fuel efficient automobile. Try the Should You Buy a More Gas Efficient Car Calculator to determine the break even point of a new car based on gas consumption.
30. Pass on Pets. I love my dog. But our fine furry friends can cost us a small fortune in food and veterinarian bills. If you need the extra stash of cash, it may be best to pass on pets. Learn about Annual Pet Costs before bringing fluffy home.
31. Use Condoms. When it’s time for sexy time, consider condoms. Health costs and babies are expensive. Preventing sexually transmitted infections is key to keeping yourself healthy, wealthy, and wise.
32. Negotiate Your Mortgage. Never settle for the bank or mortgage lender’s first offer. Always ask mortgage brokers for the best fees, terms and mortgage rate. Save thousands in interest costs. Try the Loan Amortization Calculator to see your savings.
33. Negotiate Your Salary. Getting a job offer is fun and thrilling. But settling for your first offer may be a mistake. Companies exist by keeping their costs down, hence paying employees as little as possible. When you get an offer, try negotiating for a little bit more. Try these 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation.
34. Plan a Staycation. Stay at home for your next family vacation and save on lodging, dining out, and traveling costs. Staycations involve visiting local attractions like museums, parks, festivals, and play grounds. Get to know your area and neighbors better by vacationing near home.
35. Switch to Exchange Traded Funds. When investing in your retirement, consider switching your mutual funds to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). ETFs have lower management fees than mutual funds. The less money you spend in management fees the more you keep in your portfolio. Try the Portfolio MER Calculator to calculate your total investment costs. You many just be surprised how much these fees eat into your returns!
36. Grow a Garden. Cut some cash from your grocery bill by growing your own food. Planting some common veggies can help save a bundle. Want some hard numbers? Follow J.D. Roth at Get Rich Slowly in his series: How Much Does a Garden Really Save? Don’t have space for soil? Here are 12 Vegetables You Can Grow in a Pot.
37. Switch to Cloth Diapers. The number of diapers a baby and toddler uses until potty trained is staggering. Calculate the cash spent on your baby’s poopy disposable diapers and you may just s$it yourself. Consider switching to cloth diapers to save some bucks. The biggest money savings can be found if you plan to have multiple children or can buy used cloth diapers. Trent at The Simple Dollar discusses his cloth diapering thoughts.
38. Buy Used. Need some furniture, books, or car? Why not buy used to save! Buying used goods not only saves on taxes, but saves you from spending top dollar on retail. Most of my furniture and nearly all of my books were bought used. It’s astounding the quality available if you’re willing to wait and buy used. Try these tips for shopping second hand.
39. Quit the Gym. Go for a Walk. What’s up with fitness club initiation fees, contracts, locker fees, and monthly rates? Joining a gym can be an expensive relationship, especially if your membership or contract is hard to break or goes on for years. Know your rights before joining a gym, be aware of the pitfalls, and do the math. Before paying a gym, consider these 10 Free Ways to Get into Fitness to save a bundle.
40. Love the Library. I love reading books. I love not paying for books even more. Save yourself on Amazon bills by going to your local library and signing out your books for free. Besides, the library offers more than just free books! Get access to videos, CDs, and audio books. Be sure to watch out for due dates and fines.
41. Get a New Job. Changing careers or finding a new job can pay dividends in the size of your paycheck. Boost your earnings to save more bucks.
42. Make a Shopping List. Curb impulse grocery spending by downloading the Printable Grocery Shopping List. A shopping list can help you stay on the frugal track and avoid expensively packaged foods, save time at the store, and helps you remember what healthy foods to buy. Easy.
43. Switch Home Heating. Is heating your home burning a hole in your wallet? If you heat with oil, perhaps it’s time to switch to electric? Your state or province may offer rebates and incentives for switching to more energy efficient forms of heating.
44. Sell Your Stuff. Are endless racks of CDs, videos, books, sports equipment, and stuff cluttering up your space? Consider selling some of your stuff to raise some funds and clear some space. Try selling through garage sales, local swap meets, and online through craigslist, Kijiji, and eBay.
45. Stop Buying Crap. Do you really need the latest gizmo or gadget? Resist the marketing muckity muck when advertisers launch crap, unveil crap, and convince you to upgrade crap. Crap is expensive. Learn to Just Say “No” to Crap before your wallet gets whacked by needless crap.
46. Leave the Liquor. Spirits can be fun. But lots of liquor can leave your pocketbook dry. Try drinking less alcohol to help boost your savings.
47. Shop Out of Season. Save some serious dollars by buying goods out of season. Buy winter boots in the spring, get wrapping paper after Christmas, and buy a bike in the fall. Buying goods out of season means finding end of season sales, reductions, and clear outs.
48. Shop In Season. Buying broccoli in January is crazy expensive. Buying fruits and vegetables in season keeps grocery costs down. Try shopping at local farmer’s markets and freezing perishables for the winter. Besides, food just takes better when it’s in season (source).
49. Use Your Benefits. Does your employer’s compensation package include medical, dental, chiropractor, massage, and other physical therapies? Since you’re probably paying a fee for this health care you’d be silly to squander the benefit. Be sure to visit the dentist and fix all your ailments by using your benefits. A healthy smile is priceless.
50. Claim Your Tax Credits. When doing your yearly taxes, don’t forget to claim your health expenses, child credits, and education amounts. Missing an exemption could cost you thousands. Collect all your receipts during the year so you’re not scrambling to prove your costs come tax season. I store my receipts in simple envelopes to help tame the clutter and confusion throughout the year.
51. Your Turn! What are your ways to save big bucks every year? Share your thoughts!

Saving an extra $1000 a year is not impossible. It just takes some strategies, creativity, and patience to amass the moolah over time.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Use the “Should You Buy a More Gas Efficient Car?” calculator to determine:

• The break even point of a new car, based on gas consumption.
• The yearly gas use for each car.
• The yearly gas cost for each car.

To use the “Should You Buy a More Gas Efficient Car?” Calculator:

1. Open the Should You Buy a More Gas Efficient Car? calculator.
2. Enter your Current Car information:
• Under Monthly Driving, enter how far you drive on a monthly basis. From the drop-down list, select distance in Miles or km.
• Under Gas Efficiency, enter the gas mileage for this vehicle. The Gas Mileage Calculator will help you figure this out.
• Under Price of Gas, enter the price paid for gas. From the drop-down list, select price in $ per Gallon or $ per Litre.
• Under Trade-in Price, enter the trade in value for your current vehicle.
3. Enter your New Car information:
• Under Gas Efficiency, enter the gas mileage for the new vehicle.
• Under Car Price, enter the price for the new car (don’t forget taxes and stuff!).
4. Click Calculate. The Results display.

Example Data:

Does it make sense for you to buy a more gas efficient car? Do the results surprise you?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Besides, most healthy eating shopping lists include foods which are neither healthy nor cheap. I’m sorry, but those packaged Lunchables things for kids are crap.

Printable Grocery Shopping List

OK, what’s not to love about a simple grocery list? You’ve got your fruits, veggies, meats, beans, and legumes — how’s that for healthy eating!

• Save big bucks by curbing impulse grocery shopping.
• Save money by avoiding expensively packaged fake foods.
• Identify healthy, whole, and frugal foods on a single master grocery list.
• Keep track of only the foods you need.
• Serves as a shopping list manager.
• Save time grocery shopping.
• Get slim, trim, ad fit by not buying foods high in calories.
• Never forget another grocery item, ever again.
• Stay honest about what you really need.
• Use a standard grocery list and add additional healthy foods as needed.
• It doesn’t get easier than a printable grocery list.

Any tips or tricks for avoiding calorie-packed and heavily packaged foods? What’s on your grocery list?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

My brain was boggled by this bag woman for so many reasons. My first thought was cash related. At 5 cents a sack, she spent a buck on bags! My second thought was of shock. If this bag lady shops 4 times a month, that’s 80 additional plastic bags filling our landfills every 30 days. My third thought was of horrendous horror when I figured this single bag lady is probably responsible for disposing of at least 960 plastic bags a year, just grocery shopping!

Now I’m no plastic-free angel. I’ve done my bad bag bit over the years while shopping for food. I once thought paper would be preferable over plastic, but have recently learned that pulp isn’t preferable to reusable. Now that I know better I’m determined to be better. I’ve discovered that going green by using reusable shopping bags, food bins, and baskets is simple and fun. I’ve also discovered numerous additional benefits to switching to reusable bins and bags.

Here are 50 reasons to go green and switch to reusable shopping bags and bins:

The Problem:

1. Consumer Cost. At 5 cents a bag in many North American shops, the bucks add up! Ireland pays a hefty 15 cents per bag Plastax tax. Buying a bin or reusable bag can save you hundreds over the years. While keeping costs down is a concern for many, there are more pressing plastic matters at stake!
2. Production Cost. The production of plastic bags requires petroleum and often natural gas, both non-renewable resources that can cost big production bucks over time.
3. City Cost. Both paper and plastic bags costs our cities millions. From recycling costs to processing in landfills (source).
4. Disposal and Litter Cost. In a landfill, plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to degrade. Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photo-degrade, breaking down into smaller toxic pieces. Continuous management of the disposal and growth of the waste is an expensive business.
5. Ubiquitous. Everyone. Everywhere. Plastic and paper bags are everywhere. Nearly all of us use them, all the time. They are pervasive. Out of control. Disposable bags are a powerful symbol of consumerism gone mad. The over consumption of plastic and paper bags is ubiquitous.
6. Global Warming. Manufactured plastic and paper bags contribute to global warming. Paper bag production delivers a global warming double-whammy since forests (major absorbers of greenhouse gases) have to be cut down, and then the subsequent manufacturing of bags produces greenhouse gases.
7. Petroleum Depletion. It takes 0.48 MJ (megajoules) of energy to produce a plastic bag. An average car consumes 4.18 MJ in driving 1 km, or the equivalent of 7 plastic bags. We’re bagging the oil (source and source).
8. Loaded Landfills. One bag doesn’t take up much space, but millions do. Many cities are already having problems finding space for all their garbage. Reducing the volume of waste we produce means less new garbage dumps. I do indeed prefer parks over mounds of plastic.
9. Wildlife. Plastic bags are light, and can blow in the wind. They fly into trees and into wildlife habitat. Animals can consume these plastics, and perish. Plastic bags are a deadly killer to wildlife.
10. Marine Life. Over 100,000 marine animals are killed each year from plastic bags (source). Sea turtles, water birds, and other creatures mistake them for food or become entangled in them (source). In some parts of the ocean, there are six pounds of plastic for every pound of plankton.
11. Litter. We may think we’ve thrown out a plastic bag. Albeit, many blow out of trash cans and become litter. Some are carelessly tossed. They are an eyesore and scar the landscape.
12. Recycling not financially feasible. Apparently, only 1 to 3 percent of plastic bags are recycled. It costs a whopping $4,000 to process and recycle 1 ton of plastic bags, which can then be sold for a meager $32 (source). This business model is a financial failure.
13. Recycling contamination. Of those bags that do reach recycling depots, the risk of plastic contamination is high. Melting the wrong plastics together can render the batch contaminated and unusable.
14. Flooding. Plastic bags littering our cities can end up blocking storm sewers. This contributed to recent flooding in Bangladesh and western India (source).
15. Dependence on foreign oil. Plastic bags are made from oil, much of which is imported from overseas. Not depending on something coming from thousands of miles away is better way.
16. Carbon footprint. Producing plastic bags requires energy. Transporting bags to the store burns through more energy. Much of this energy is obtained by burning hydrocarbons, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
17. Plastic is forever. Almost every plastic bag you have touched in your lifetime still exists in some shape or form. With few exceptions, plastic bags will take thousands of years to break down. The bag my first pair of shoes came in a couple decades ago is out there, somewhere.
18. Bag production releases pollution. In addition to petroleum, the manufacture of bags uses dyes, plasticizers, and other toxic chemicals. Many of the byproducts of their manufacture ends up in the environment as pollution.
19. Chemical leaching. Dyes and other chemicals found in plastic bags contain lead, cadmium, and other toxins that leach out into the environment (source).
20. Suffocation Hazzard. Ever read the warning on plastic bags? “This bag is not a toy and can cause suffocation of small children.” I’ve never seen this warning on a canvas reusable bag.
21. Paper bags consume more energy than plastic. It takes more than four times as much energy to manufacture a paper bag as it does to manufacture a plastic bag (source).
22. Paper bags consume forests. Most paper comes from tree pulp, so the impact of paper bag production on forests is enormous. In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to produce the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone (source).
23. Paper bags do not degrade any faster than plastic. Paper in today’s landfills does not degrade or break down at a substantially faster rate than plastic does. In modern landfills nothing completely degrades due to lack of water, light, oxygen and other necessary degradation elements (source).
24. Paper bags require more landfill space. A paper bags takes up more space than a plastic bag in a landfill, but because paper is recycled at a higher rate, saving space in landfills is less of an issue.
25. It just keeps piling up. Every minute, every hour, every day. The the consumer baggage keeps adding up. Going with reusable bags can help stop the needless plastic and paper bag pileup.

The Solution:

26. Cost. Buy a few reusable bags or bins once. Reusable bags are inexpensive and last for many years, saving you money over the long haul.
27. Durability. Bins and reusable bags are strong, and can endure many shopping trips over the years.
28. Less landfills. Bins and reusable bags are not quickly consumed and disposed of in landfills.
29. Shopper incentives. Many stores offer shoppers discounts and program points for bagging with reusables. Small cents add up to big dollars over time.
30. Faster bagging at checkout. Stuffing groceries into sturdy reusable bags and bins is faster than bagging with plastic. Reusables keep their shape, can stand up, and don’t require fumbling and picking apart, like plastic.
31. Efficient transport. It’s quicker to load your car with a few bins than with numerous plastic floppy sloppy bags. It’s also more efficient to carry a few sturdy canvas bags home. Just throw then over your shoulder!
32. Comfortable to carry. Carrying a canvas bag or bin home or to your car is easier on your hands. No more plastic bag handle welts!
33. No more split or ripped bags. Plastic bags can split open, leaving a mess in the car or on the sidewalk.
34. Less food damage. Bins prevent food from rattling around in the car. Canvas bags hold their shape and keep food nestled safe, better preventing squished salad and broken eggs.
35. Hygienic. Expose yourself to less germs by using your own bins and bags.
36. Easy to clean. Reusable bags and bins can be washed and wiped clean.
37. Avoid spilled milk. Got leaky milk or defrosting ice cream? Bins keep the mess contained, and keep your car clean.
38. Keep frozen food cold. Place all refrigerated and frozen foods in one bin, stacked tightly. This keeps perishables from perishing or defrosting on longer trips home.
39. Easier sorting. At checkout, place cold items in one bin, vegetables in another. This makes unpacking foods at home quick and easy.
40. Perfect fit. Some grocery items are too big for plastic bags. Use bins or bigger canvas bags for milk, laundry detergent, and other larger bulkier items.
41. Laundry. Use bins to move the weekly laundry to the washer, and then back to the bedroom.
42. Recycling. When not grocery shopping, use bins and recyclable bags to cart cans and containers to the local recycling depot.
43. Kids stuff. Use bins to carry kid’s sports gear or toys easier in the car. Bins keep kid’s gear more stable in the car.
44. Multipurpose. Bins and reusable bags can be used for tasks beyond grocery shopping. Cart gardening gear, sort clothing, move to a new apartment – the options are endless.
45. Visually send a message. Bringing reusable bins and bags to the shops educates other consumers on better ways to carry stuff.
46. Save 25 cents per shopping cart. Pass on sticking a quarter into the grocery shopping cart and carry your wares in a bin with handles. Super easy to cart around the store, and saves you more money along the way.
47. Stackable. Bins can be easily stacked and stored in the car or in the home. Keep them out of the way until your next shopping trip.
48. Easy to stuff. Canvas bags are easy to stuff into a purse or pocket. They are easy to carry to a store or on person for quick grocery trips.
49. One less bag. By using recyclable bags and bins, you actively contribute to solving the problem by using less plastic bags. One less bag, people.
50. List your own reason. This last point is for you to decide. What have I missed? What are your reasons for saying “NO” to plastic and paper bags at the grocery store?

Do you shop using reusable bins and bags? Any challenges? Any advice? Are you more of a plastic person? Would you consider making the switch? Share your littered thoughts in the comments below!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor