DontSpendMore.com Blog

Category: Budgeting

  • Save More Money By Comparison Shopping Online

    By John

    Comparison shopping online is the norm these days. Getting the best deal for your money has never been more important than right now with rising inflation and budgets being squeezed. Shoppers have always compared prices and quality before they buy, both within the same store and at different stores. It has traditionally taken quite a lot of time, effort and legwork. Most of the legwork can now be cut out by going online, although it still takes some time and effort. Still, if you are keen to save money it’s worth it, isn’t it? And, as ever, the more effort you put into it, the more likely you are to be rewarded with the best deals and save more money by comparison shopping online.

    Click here to compare the best offers and save hundreds of dollars. Free comparison tools.

    Let a search engine do the donkey work

    Whether you are looking to buy furniture, electronics or simply groceries, there are innumerable web sites to help you find what you are looking for. Enter the product you are looking for and the site will show you the stores where it is available, its price at each store, information about the product, and specifications. Some sites also publish reviews by customers who have purchased the product. Some will also give links to the stores so that you can check the store policies, payment methods and delivery or shipping costs, before making a purchase online.

    These sites of course are free to use. For a small annual fee you can join a shopping club which further refines the process of online comparison shopping by going into greater detail and publishing more useful reviews.

    Caveat Emptor

    The effectiveness of online comparison shopping has inevitably increased the competition between stores, which may have adjusted their pricing matrix to maintain their profit margin. You should read the small print carefully: the product may be cheaper at one store than another, but a higher shipping cost may cancel out the advantage. Stores will have different policies about returning goods once sold, and different minimum purchase order requirements that may or may not work for you.

    If you are comparison shopping for groceries you need to identify the real bargains by comparing unit costs and not just package costs. You don’t want to end up paying for more packaging but less contents. Similarly, two small packets of a particular product may turn out to be cheaper and with more contents than the “economy size” packet being promoted. You should keep an eye open for special offers that may vary during the day, and also printable coupons, both of which will save you money.

    If you intend to intend to make a purchase online, it is advisable to go with a store you have dealt with before or one with a solid reputation. Never submit your credit card details to an insecure web address. Generally speaking it is better to use a credit card than a debit card for online shopping as there is more protection should your card be compromised by fraud. Always keep a printed record of your purchase order in case of problems down the line.

    Without your having to do the legwork anymore, online comparison shopping will help you to purchase the products you want, of the quality you want, and at the best price and save money by not paying more for your shopping than you need to. Adopt comparison shopping and see how it works to your benefit.

    Click here to compare the best offers and save hundreds of dollars. Free comparison tools.

  • Save Money By Shopping Smart

    By John

    You, like most people, are probably looking for ways to cut costs and make savings these days, as inflation relentlessly outstrips wage increases. Once all the big and regular payments for insurance, home, auto, utilities and other services have been taken care of, what is left is what you have to live on. You want to make those dollars stretch as far as possible. Grocery shopping will account for many of them and therefore it is worth looking at some shopping techniques to ensure that you save as much money as possible by not spending more than you need.

    Click here to compare offers on multiple items and save hundreds of dollars. Compare and save on credit cards, cell phones, long distance plans, mortgages, insurance, shopping, and so much more.

    Supermarkets and grocery stores have an aim that is the complete opposite of yours. Yours is to buy exactly what you need at minimal expense, theirs is to persuade you to buy more than you need at maximum profitability for themselves.

    Be prepared

    Before you even set foot in the store, you should be well-prepared. You should have eaten, written out your shopping list, left the spouse and kids at home. You have chosen this particular store because you know from previous experience and online research that it carries the products you like at consistently good prices, and is currently offering a number of sale deals on items you need.

    Store tactics

    Remember their aim: to sell you more. The entry area will be awash with eye-catching offers and advertisements which can safely be ignored. The store layout rarely varies: the basic foods and ingredients (cheaper) are laid out along the perimeter walls while the inner aisles contain all the more expensive brands and processed goods, thus offering you ample opportunity to be tempted into buying something you didn’t know you needed.

    Shelf layout is usually standard too. There are typically 5 levels – cheapest items on the top, then medium, then (at eye-level) most expensive, then medium, then cheapest again right at the bottom.

    The wording on items and price tickets is carefully designed to tempt you into buying the items the store would prefer to sell you. Words like “Premium”, “Basic” and “Value” abound. There is more ornate packaging on the most expensive products, obviously. There are lots of offers of 1-for-2 or 2-for-3. Alongside genuine sale items, non-sale items might well carry exactly the same design of price tag.

    At the checkout counter will be candy and goodies placed just where kids would be looking while you settle up.

    Stay Focused!

    You needn’t be fooled by these tactics if you concentrate on looking for the genuine bargains and best deals and on completing your list.

    It’s all about comparing. Packaging doesn’t matter – you’re not going to eat that. Compare unit costs of brand name products against the store’s own products against generic products, and go for the cheapest that is of acceptable quality. Compare unit costs of the “special” offers and see if it’s really a bargain (as well as something you need). Check that the item under the special-sale tag is indeed the sale item before you put it in the cart. If the price tag on the cheapest products is mysteriously missing (incompetent worker, mischievous child – or a “dirty trick”?), take the time to get the price scanned.

    At the checkout take note as your purchases are rung up. Make sure that discounted items are registered at the correct price – sometimes there can be a mismatch. Use coupons, the store’s own card and check for any other discounts that may be available.

    Smart shopping means not accepting the sales pitch at face-value. It means being healthily skeptical, checking and comparing. This may take time but if it cuts down your shopping bill by 15%, 10% or even 5%, surely it’s worth it? Shop smart and save money.

    Click here to compare offers on multiple items and save hundreds of dollars. Compare and save on credit cards, cell phones, long distance plans, mortgages, insurance, shopping, and so much more.

  • Long Distance: Ways To Save

    By Rick

    Long distance phone calls used to be a very expensive indulgence for most people. Staying in touch with distant family and friends might carry a lot of guilt for the cost of making the call. Many people would lose touch with loved ones over the years because of the high cost of these calls. This has all changed in recent years and these long distance calls are much less expensive than ever before and in some cases you can even make them for free. There are a few things you’ll need to know before deciding on which technology to use for your next call.

    Totally free calls

    If you have a computer with a microphone and a speaker attached, you can essentially make free long distance phone calls. There are many services like Google and Skype that allow you to call family and friends for free. The drawback is that these people need to also have the same free service as you and you will be talking to them on their computer as well. While this is a small inconvenience for most people, you need to know this in advance. Recently there are a number of companies that offer devices that connect to your computer that look and work like a traditional phone handset to make these long distance calls a little more comfortable. Adding this type of accessory to your computer is a great investment if you want to spend a long time catching up with friends on these calls.

    Click here to compare long distance plans. First call free.

    Low cost calls

    The next step up in cheap long distance calling uses a technology called VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), which is a complicated way of saying you’re calling someone over the internet. This type of service requires a specialized box attached to your internet connection that allows you to use your current phones to make these calls. There is a monthly charge for this service but most people that use it like the fact that it works like their normal phones. You can even use standard features like CallerID and Voicemail with most of these vendors and in a few months you’ll completely forget that you’ve switched. The only difference you’ll notice is the lower bill each month. Most of these services include a certain amount of long distance calls with the plan and you can adjust the service to meet your needs if you call more often.

    Using calling cards

    Calling cards are another way that people make long distance calls at a discount. These cards can be purchased in various amounts and allow you to use the minutes you buy as you need them. The cost for these minutes is far lower than the standard phone company rates and makes long distance calling a possibility for many people that could not otherwise afford it. With some cards you’ll actually get additional free minutes added to your card when you initially purchase a larger block of minutes or reload it. These extra minutes help to make the card an even better value for people that want to call friends often. The other advantage of using a calling card is that you can make these calls from any telephone and bill the call to the card. This gives you the ultimate in flexibility when traveling and lets you call your family and friends from virtually anywhere.

    Click here to compare calling cards. Call for a few cents.

  • Free Long Distance Calls: How To Make Them

    By Rick

    Calling long distance used to be a very expensive thing to do, which prevented many people from staying in touch with loved ones in other countries. Even calls within the country could be incredibly expensive if the person lived a few states away from you. Over the years, these long distance costs have plummeted due to the introduction of new technologies that take advantage of the internet. To provide essentially free long distance These new systems allow you to make these same long distance phone calls for a fraction of what they would have cost you only a few years ago. In some cases you can even make free long distance calls if you have the right equipment at home.

    Click here to review offers for free long distance and international calls. Free comparison tools.

    Why is the cost so high?

    When phone systems were first installed, every home was connected together through a series of wires that ran into a central station. The cost of installing the system was tremendously expensive for the phone company and they charged a higher fee for the longer distance your call had to travel, since it involved more wire and a larger number of switching stations to make this connection. The idea of free long distance was as foreign as space travel in these early days. Overseas calls were particularly expensive because of the cost of making this physical connection through wires laid at the ocean floor. Even though these same systems have been in place for decades, upgrades to the equipment continue to add a cost for the traditional calls and made free long distance virtually impossible.

    Internet to the rescue

    The advent of the internet has truly touched every aspect of our lives and free long distance calling is only one of its many benefits. The internet is basically a new connection that everyone with access can use to do all sorts of things with each other. Initially it was used for email and chat conversations that replaced a phone call and has recently matured into a more interactive way to contact friends. As the speed of connection improved on the internet for most homes, things like phone calls and video chat became possible through a technology called VOIP. This innovative product (Voice Over Internet Protocol) now allows anyone to have the same expensive long distance conversation they made years ago, for free today. The internet has essentially provided free long distance for anyone that has a connection.

    Click here to compare cell phone plans, including packages with a free phone.

    What You’ll Need to Get Started

    There are a few ways for you to take advantage of free long distance calls and each of them has their advantages. The simplest would be to use a service like Google or Skype to make these calls on your computer when connected to the internet. You’ll need to have a microphone and speaker on your computer to make the call but they are an inexpensive option to add for getting this amazing benefit. Some companies even sell an attachment for your computer that looks like a phone handset you can use to make these calls more comfortably.

    Another option that offers more features would be a service that replaces your current phone service with an internet version. There are a wide range of vendors that offer this capability including your cable company. With this option you would use the same phones you already have installed in your home but your monthly cost would be much less than your current bill. Most of these plans include free long distance as part of your monthly bill and make calling the ones you love easier.

    Click here to review offers for free long distance and international calls. Free comparison tools.

  • Making Long Distance Calls The Inexpensive Way

    By Rick

    Making long distance calls is not only expensive if you have the wrong plan, it can also be confusing for most people. Even though long distance calls between different areas of the country is simple, making a call to another country may require a country and region code to be added to the number. Knowing how to make these calls takes a little practice and becomes easier the more you are making long distance calls. Finding the best long distance calling plan will also help make these calls more affordable.

    Take a look at the cheapest long distance and international calling plans in the world. From traditional phone lines to VoIP, compare offers from multiple providers. Some offer a free first call to any country of your choice.

    Calling another country

    Making calls internationally requires you to have a few pieces of information before attempting the call. With some countries you’ll need an exit code to dial out of the country. You’ll also need to know the country code call of the place you’re making long distance calls to as well as the number of the person you’re calling. All of these digits together make up the sequence you’ll need to dial to make the connection. For example, if you’re making long distance calls from the United States, the exit code is 011. If you’re calling Argentina, their country code is 54 and the area code for a place like Buenos Aires is 11. All of these numbers are dialed before you dial the person’s actual number. It gets even more confusing in some countries if you’re calling a cell phone since you’ll have a special code to add for this connection.

    Do you have the right calling plan

    Before making the call, you’ll want to make sure you have coverage on your phone to avoid additional charges. Making long distance calls can become quite expensive and most carriers offer discount plans to help keep them more affordable. Be sure to review your plan before making long distance calls so you don’t have a huge bill show up next month for the conversation. Most carriers have programs you can add to your monthly contract that can lower the cost of these calls substantially. These plans can be for a specific country or may cover an entire region with the discount. Check with your carrier to see what they offer before making long distance calls.

    Check out our cell phone packages. Some plans offer a free phone. Click here to review and compare cell phone plans.

    The high-tech, low-cost approach

    With the explosive growth of the internet, you now have other options when making long distance calls. You can use a service like VoIP (Voice Over Internet Phone) to make the calls for free. These programs allow you to connect to another user anywhere in the world over the internet and have a conversation as well as video-chat for free. Making the connection through your computer may seem a little odd at first but the low cost makes up for that very quickly. Even though you’ll need to make sure your computer has a microphone and a speaker, these are easy accessories to add if you need them. These computer based calls are also simpler to make since you won’t have to worry about the country codes or complicated dialing required for more traditional phone calls. You can simply locate a person you want to contact through their user name, click connect and start talking. Making long distance calls has never been easier or less expensive.

    Take a look at the cheapest long distance and international calling plans in the world. From traditional phone lines to VoIP, compare offers from multiple providers. Some offer a free first call to any country of your choice.

  • A Four Step Approach To Spending Less And Saving More Money

    By John

    These days we are all looking for ways to make our hard-earned dollars stretch a little further. Cutting the big-ticket items is obviously something you will already have considered – for instance, moving to a new house, forgetting the new car or boat, or taking less extravagant vacations. Now you are probably looking for ways to trim your living costs. Even modest changes to your day-to-day spending habits will save an appreciable amount of money without affecting your quality of life, and a determined effort can save you literally thousands of dollars a year.

    Click here to compare money-saving offers on credit cards, cell phones, long distance, Internet access, and so much more. Save hundreds of dollars every month. Free comparison tools.

    So, how can I save more money?

    Step No 1: Arrive at a budget

    The first step is to arrive at a budget. Take away the fixed annual items of expenditure, like insurance premiums, from your total annual income; then take away the fixed monthly items of expenditure, like cable, internet and TV, from what’s left, and now you have the amount of your disposable income. But hang on! Who says those items are “fixed”? If you are still wondering how to save more money, here’s Step 2.

    Step No 2: Find ways to spend less

    You need to take a long look at those “fixed” items. The gym and other club memberships, for instance. Do you really need them? And if you decide you do, can you not get a cheaper type of membership that better reflects your schedule? Many things are negotiable in these competitive times. There are many ways too of getting discounts on auto, home and other insurance premiums – for instance, by bundling them together with one provider. Perhaps your circumstances have changed since you took out your auto policy – say, your son has left home – can you not adjust the collision waiver amount? All those “fixed”items need to be queried. You will end up spending less.

    The same goes for the “fixed” monthly items too. Bundling all your TV, cable, internet and cellphone packages will produce significant savings. You should consider carefully which mobile data plan works for you – are you predominantly a texter, or chatterer, or mobile surfer, or a mix of all of them. Get a plan that fits your usage patterns. Maybe you can drop the landline altogether if all your family members own cells? Are you getting the best deal from your utilities company?

    Having hopefully reduced the outlay on all the fixed items you can now deduct the total from your income leaving you with your disposable income, which gives you your budget.

    Here are more ways to save money and spending less.

    Step No 3

    Before apportioning your budget, you must know what you have been spending your money on in the past, which is why keeping records is important. A sensible approach at this stage is to set yourself a goal of cutting say 10% off each of the major components of expenditure – utilities, food and groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Next you should look at each of those areas of expenditure and identify what is unimportant and can be cut out, and what is important but can be reduced. Through a combination of using less and smart shopping, you will Spend Less And Save MORE.

    Click here to compare money-saving offers on credit cards, cell phones, long distance, Internet access, and so much more. Save hundreds of dollars every month. Free comparison tools.

    Step No Four

    How to apply this lesson? Using less when combined with wasting less can save a remarkable amount of money on utilities: fix leaks of heating and air-conditioning from your house by insulating the roof, sealing doors, windows and other cracks, and fix leaking faucets at once. Switch off lights in empty rooms. Maximize the use of programmable thermostats to control heating and cooling, and motion sensors to control outdoor lighting. Switch to CFL light bulbs. Turn off running water when shaving, brushing your teeth and lathering. Use a bucket when washing the car. Using conscientious economy a saving of 10% on your utilities bill is not hard to achieve.

    With food and groceries the emphasis is more on smart shopping. Always shop with a list. Knowing your prices is key, so that you know when something is a bargain. Go online to research good deals. Clip coupons – some people report regularly saving 50% on their grocery bills through using coupons. Hunt down sale items and discounts and use store loyalty cards. Buy generic goods not brand names. Buy stores’ own products. Buy non-perishables in bulk or big packages. Go to the butcher’s for meat, and the bakery for bread. Save a dollar here and a dollar there – it all adds up.

    Don’t buy prepared foods – make your own lunches and snacks. Make your own coffee at home and take it with you.

    On transportation you can make sure your car is in good operating condition, and have it regularly serviced. Do basic maintenance yourself. Buy spare parts yourself for the mechanic to fix. Seek out best gas deals online. Make less trips, especially for shopping. Drive conservatively.

    On entertainment you can spend less by eating out less, renting movies instead of going to the theater, using the library for books and more. Spending less in this area will affect your lifestyle, of course, but saving $60 or $70 by not eating out just one less time in a month sounds a pretty good way to help you achieve your goal.

    Using this Four step approach will help you to spend less and save more. And as the savings mount up, make them work for you by opening an interest-bearing deposit account.

    Click here to compare money-saving offers on credit cards, cell phones, long distance, Internet access, and so much more. Save hundreds of dollars every month. Free comparison tools.

  • Top Ways To Cut Household Expenses

    By John

    Whatever your reason for wanting to cut household expenses — whether simply to make ends meet, or to save money for another purpose — there are essentially four ways of looking at how to go about it: using less, wasting less, buying less, and getting the best deals.

    You need to take a long hard look at everything you consume at home to see what you can cut back on. In most cases the solution won’t involve much pain at all when you realize how much money you are going to save, but other solutions will inevitably involve a change in lifestyle and some sacrifice. One way of achieving the savings you want could be by aiming to reduce your expenditure in each category by, say, 5 or even 10%.

    Click here to compare offers and save hundreds of dollars every month. Compare and save on credit cards, long distance, cell phone bill, Internet, mortgages, computers, and more. Free comparison tools.

    One of the most common questions we receive here, at DontSpendMore.com, is “how to cut household expenses?” Here is a list of the main categories of household expenses and some of the actions you could be taking or options you could be considering:

    ELECTRICITY – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…

    * Use a programmable thermostat for your heating — turn the temperature up say 10 degrees before you go to bed and before you leave the house.

    * Use space heaters instead of central heating.

    * Make sure the house is leak-proof – doors, windows, other cracks.

    * Insulate the roof and attic.

    * Switch off appliances when not using them.

    * Unplug all appliances when away from home, or at least use power strips.

    * Buy Energy Star-rated appliances for greater economy.

    * Run major appliances in the evening.

    * Could you switch to gas?

    * Could you switch from central air-conditioning to individual units?

    * Use a fan instead of air-conditioning.

    * Turn off lights when you leave the room.

    * Switch to CFL or LED light bulbs.

    * Comparison-shop to get the best rate.

    WATER – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…

    * Take less showers and keep them short.

    * Turn off faucets when brushing teeth, shaving, lathering.

    * Find and fix leaks.

    * Operate the dishwasher and washing machine on full loads.

    * Water your lawn in the evening.

    * Use a broom not a hose to clean your sidewalk.

    * Wash the car using a bucket not a hose.

    * Collect rainwater for use in the garden.

    GROCERIES – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…

    * Use leftovers in a different menu.

    * Don’t throw out good food – “Best Before ___” does NOT mean “Inedible After ___”.

    * Eat less meat.

    * Make a list of your needs, not wants, before you go shopping.

    * Have a meal before you go shopping.

    * Buy generic brands not brand names.

    * Buy stores’ own products.

    * Comparison-shop.

    * Clip coupons.

    * Research good deals online.

    * Buy big or in bulk (not perishable foods).

    * Don’t buy bottled water.

    * Grow your own vegetables if you have the space.

    TRANSPORTATION – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…

    * Keep your car in good working order.

    * Walk more.

    * Bike to work.

    * Cut down the number of trips to the shops.

    * Comparison-shop for best insurance rates.

    * Check for discounts.

    * Make sure your insurance policy fits your family’s circumstances.

    * Buy spare parts yourself for the garage or mechanic to fit.

    * Do the basic maintenance yourself.

    * If you have more than one car, could you sell one?

    * Could you downgrade your car?

    MEDIA – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…

    * Bundle as many services as you can (cable, TV, phones, internet) with one provider. *Negotiate the best deal with that provider.

    * Can you drop cable TV and watch shows online?

    * Only pay for the TV channels you actually watch.

    * Can you drop the landline if all your family own cellphones?

    * Make sure your cellphone plan fits your usage patterns.

    * Text less.

    * Consider a pre-paid plan.

    ENTERTAINMENT – How Can I Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…

    * Read books from the library instead of buying them.

    * Rent movies instead of going to the theatre.

    * Search for free concerts.

    * Set a strict budget for eating out, and be modest in your choice of menu items and wines. * Go for a picnic instead?

    * Make more of your own meals, including lunch.

    * Cut back on visits to the coffee-shop, make your own coffee and take it with you.

    * Cut back on home delivery meals.

    We hope this article addressed your question about how to cut household expenses. If so, please do let us know in the comments below.

    Click here to compare offers and save hundreds of dollars every month. Compare and save on credit cards, long distance, cell phone bill, Internet, mortgages, computers, and more. Free comparison tools.

  • Methodical Ways To Save Money

    By John

    At some stage in their lives, most people think they ought to be saving money. In challenging times like the present, more and more individuals are probably resolving to do so but have no clear idea how to go about it. It is not actually too difficult to save money if you go about it in a planned, methodical way and are aware of the different ways to save money.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, cell phone, phone plans, Internet access, mortgages, and so much more. Free comparison tools.

    So you want to save money — what For?

    You must establish the reason for wanting to save money. Is it because you are finding it hard to make ends meet, or because you want to improve your quality of life in some way, or because you want to take the family on a special vacation, or buy a new car or house, or because you want to set the ground for a secure financial future? No matter what the reason, once you have identified it clearly you have a goal and can plan how to achieve it.

    How to reach your goal?

    When planning how to reach your goal you need to establish three things:

    1. The time-frame – when do you want to reach your goal?
    2. Income – now, and in the foreseeable future.
    3. Expenditure – especially fixed items, now and in the foreseeable future.

    Now it is a matter of juggling the sums: You know how much you want or need to save, how much time you have to save it in, and how much you can expect to receive and spend within that time-frame. Since income and fixed-item expenditures are pretty much finite, you will probably have to adjust the time-frame so that you have a realistic chance of meeting it by making savings from your disposable income.

    You now know how much you want or need to save, over how long a period. You next need to identify the areas in which you can make savings.

    More ways to save money

    Where to make savings?

    Depending on your circumstances and the amount of money you want or need to save, you may have to consider options like moving to a smaller house or down-sizing your car, or selling one if you have two, or getting rid of your boat. For many people, however, it is more likely to come down to a reduction in annual and monthly expenditure.

    Annual expenditure could be things like gym and golf club memberships, and insurance premiums. You may have to make some hard decisions about what to give up or downgrade, which will depend on how serious you are about saving money.

    A reduction in monthly expenditure is not hard to achieve, if you approach it in a methodical manner. You already know how much you intend to save, according to your plan. One smart idea is to separate that amount from your paycheck as soon as you get it — some employers may help you do this — and keep it somewhere safe. An interest-bearing savings account is the obvious choice and would bring additional benefits, such as making your money work for you.

    Slicing the pie

    Monthly expenditure typically falls under these categories:

    • Household
    • Utilities
    • Transportation
    • Food
    • Groceries
    • Clothing
    • Entertainment/lifestyle

    There are innumerable ways to save money — some big, some small — in each of these categories. Most of them involve some online research to get the best deals, some comparison-shopping, and a conscientious effort to use less and waste less. You should keep a detailed record of what you spend – there are many smartphone apps that can do this for you – in order to ensure that your budget remains on track.

    A sound planning process and sticking to the budget you have set are essential to achieve your goal of saving money.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, cell phone, phone plans, Internet access, mortgages, and so much more. Free comparison tools.

  • How To Save On Car Repairs: Auto Repair Costs Can Be Controlled

    By John

    Your car is always going to break down or be involved in an accident at the most inconvenient moment — on your way to catch a flight, or on vacation with your family far from home, in the middle of a torrential rainstorm, in the middle of nowhere, and probably in the middle of the night.

    Getting it fixed is going to be a hassle as well as a blow to your wallet as not only is it not included in your budget, but emergency repairs always cost more than ‘normal’ ones and there are all the other incidental costs to bear as well — alternative transport, maybe re-scheduling your flight, perhaps an extra night in a hotel.

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, cell phones, long distance, Internet, and more. Free comparison tools and reviews.

    You can never guarantee that your car won’t break down but you can reduce the likelihood and save a considerable amount of money if it does happen, at the same time reducing the overall costs of your car ownership.

    The best ways to save money on car repairs consist of actions you should take before a breakdown occurs – and that means now – and those you can take after a breakdown or accident.

    How To Save On Car Repairs: Auto Repair Costs Can Be Controlled

    What you can do now

    1. Moderate your driving habits to avoid putting undue stress on your car’s components. This includes not overloading it, avoiding violent braking, acceleration and cornering maneuvers, and over-revving the engine. You should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on things like tire pressures, battery care, load limits and driving tips.
    2. Practice preventive maintenance by keeping your car clean (the working bits, that is, not so much the bodywork), and having it regularly serviced.
    3. Join a motoring association such as the AAA. They can help you to save money if you need to have your car repaired, and offer innumerable other benefits as well, such as discounted hotel prices, insurance and more.
    4. Find an auto supply store that also carries out checks on basic components such as tires, battery, alternator, starter. Such stores are often cheaper than a garage. Some will carry out simple repairs or offer you the equipment to do them yourself.
    5. Find a garage or mechanic you trust. Shop around, get referrals from your friends.
    6. Learn more about your car by reading the manual and helpful websites. You should pick up some useful advice that enables you to save money by doing simple maintenance work yourself instead of having the garage do it. You could consider buying your own code reader for about $100 which will diagnose your car’s health and enable you to identify any problems that need to be fixed. This will save the garage time, and save you money.

    How To Save On Car Repairs: Auto Repair Costs Can Be Controlled

    What you can do after the breakdown or accident

    1. Research the likely costs of having your car repaired; several websites give comprehensive guidance. There is even a smartphone app with this function. The knowledge will help when you discuss the repair with your garage and enable you to spot any attempt to overcharge or carry out unnecessary work.
    2. Shop around until you find a garage or repair shop that will do the work at the recommended rate.
    3. Buy your own spare parts. Search the web for spare parts stores and buy the parts yourself. This will save money as you are in effect cutting out the middleman (the garage).

    We hope you liked our article How To Save On Car Repairs: Auto Repair Costs Can Be Controlled

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  • Shopping Smart: How To Save Money Shopping

    By John

    Shopping smart is a pleasure for some, and a necessary chore for others. However you view it, you almost certainly wish you didn’t have to spend so much on items you have to buy, or that you could make your money go a little further – which is really saying the same thing. You will save money shopping if you go about it the right way (this article focuses on how to save money shopping). It requires a methodical approach, however, a little preparatory work, and discipline will go a long way.

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    List it

    A list is essential for smart shopping. Make a list of the items you need — need, note, not want when it comes to shopping smart. A good starting point for making a list is to look at your past receipts and note the items you bought before that were necessary and actually used, and leave out those that were either unnecessary or impulse purchases. If you have not been in the habit of keeping receipts, now is a good time to start. Remember, shopping smart needs preliminary preparation before you go about shopping.

    Research it

    You can save yourself a lot of time and money by comparison-shopping on the ground if you do some online research before you leave home. You can check individual stores’ websites and there are other websites (such as DontSpendMore.com) that help you find bargains. There are also smartphone apps that will do the same thing, and in addition locate coupons for you. Coupon-clipping or printing may not be for everyone, but there is no doubt that they can save you a considerable amount of money on individual items, as long as those items are things you actually need. No matter how cheap an article is, if you don’t need it then it’s not a bargain at all for you, but a waste of money. The same thing goes for Black Friday — great deals to be had but beware of the temptation of buying something you don’t need, especially if you want to save money shopping.

    Remember, dollar shops prices for small generic items are usually excellent value and will help save more money while you shop.

    You should certainly apply for discount or loyalty cards from the stores you use regularly.

    Apart from food items, which are cheaper in-season, some items are cheaper off-season, such as swimsuits in the winter, and snowgear in the summer.

    Hitting the ground

    Now you have your list of the things you intend to buy and a pretty good idea of where to buy them. Remember that once you set foot inside the store you are facing a sophisticated marketing machine that is determined to tempt or persuade you into buying more than you had planned, or more expensive things than you need. This is where the need for discipline kicks in. It also helps if you don’t carry much more cash on you than you think is reasonable for the purchases you intend to make.

    Depending on the nature of the item, buying big or in bulk is often the way to go. Remember however, to compare not the package price but the unit cost. Buying for stock if there’s a good deal going or sale on will also help you to save money in the long run.

    A final word on that rather costly item you are tempted to buy — but are not exactly sure if you need it or just want it. If in doubt, leave the store and give yourself a day to think it over before making up your mind.

    We hope you liked our article Shopping Smart: How To Save Money Shopping

    Click here to compare multiple offers and save hundreds of dollars on credit cards, cell phones, phone plans, Internet access, and more. Free shopping comparison tools and resources. Some offers provide reviews as well.