Posts Tagged ‘MoneySaving’
With the cost of tuition on the rise, college students are seeking new ways to save a buck while going to school. “Scholarships Around the US” has compiled a number of such ways – 118 to be precise – that can help offset the cost of higher education. While the entire list ought to be required reading for any co-ed, I’ve excerpted the ten that I thought were most effective and most striking, and then I added the one that they forgot: getting a Costco Membership.
1. Borrow textbooks. If you can’t borrow, buy used. If you can’t buy used and have to buy new, check for an “international” edition. International editions are nearly identical, except for maybe some Chinese characters on the front, and it will be exponentially cheaper.
2. Brew your own coffee. Your daily latte, cappuccino, or mocha from a coffee house will run you between $2.50 and $3.50. Seven days of that routine costs you $17.50 per week, $70 per month, and around $280 per semester. Making your own coffee or drinking less could save you $500 over the course of a year.
3. Kick the bottled water habit. Support your local tap water and drink for free. Get a filter if you want better-tasting water.
4. Two words: Ramen Noodles.
5. Decline extended warranties on computers. Your computer should be under manufacturer’s warranty for the first year anyway. Companies dupe you into believing the plan is worthwhile and become rich off your extra cash.
6. Don’t buy ink cartridges from the manufacturer. Instead, purchase cartridges online where you can compare prices and get free shipping. Better yet, refill your own cartridges (refills can cost as little as $5 per cartridge).
7. Save money on utilities. Living on an upper floor will typically keep you warmer in the winter, but it’ll get hotter in the summer. So, if you go to school in a region where winters are longer, then try to get a room on the upper floor, otherwise live low. Also, try to find an apartment where utilities run on natural gas (stove, hot water heater); it’s generally more cost-efficient.
8. Don’t shop hungry. This goes for any kind of shopping. If you’re in the grocery store, you’ll grab more and spend more; if you’re somewhere else you’ll probably spend more than you planned getting something to eat. Carry a snack in your purse or backpack.
9. Get your haircut at a cosmetology school. They charge much less for cuts, highlights and color in exchange for the use of your head.
10. Two more words: donate plasma.
Finally, there was one idea that didn’t make the list but which – I know from personal experience – is a gold mine. Get a Costco membership. The reason for the membership is not so you can buy in bulk, which, frankly, can mislead customers into thinking they are saving more than they really are. Rather, the real perk of membership is access to the free samples.
Let’s be honest: a Saturday morning trip to Costco is a trip to an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. You can taste a variety of cuisines without ever having to commit (like you do at a restaurant). That’s the beauty of samples – you never get bored. If you don’t like something, toss it in the garbage. On the other hand, if you really like something, take a lap around the aisle and get back in line for seconds or even tenths (believe me, it’s possible).
Truly, there’s no better place to get full and explore the subtle nuances of your palate than Costco. And the best part of it all is that you can go as often as you want – every Saturday or every day. Trust me, whatever you invest in your annual membership will be more than repaid, even if you have to earn it back by the tablespoon.
According to dental experts, it is recommended for an average person to visit its dentist once every six months to have a proper dental care and check up. In other words, our teeth require not only our time for it to be cleaned, it also exacts money. We cannot deny the fact that our teeth were only one of our body parts that has the most job performed everyday. Aside from using it on our eating session three times a day, often times we also had them working overtime with our snacks. These everyday processes accumulate dents, food residues and other undesirable food particles trapped inside our mouth and in between our teeth that causes us to long for an immediate teeth whitening solution.
Brushing is Incomplete
Brushing two times daily alone cannot completely get rid of our teeth from unwanted dirt trapped there and accumulated from all of its day’s work. Because of our hectic lifestyle, a dentist appointment may sometimes be overruled, leaving our teeth dull and discolored. Ten-to-one, we don’t want this to happen.
To help enhance your teeth and help bring back the luster in them, here are some do-it-yourself and money-saving teeth whitening tips:
Eating an apple a day not only keeps the doctor at bay but it also helps enhance and whitens teeth. Due to some natural active teeth whitening elements found in an apple, if going to the dentist is not an option anymore, munching an apple a day will help you realize a dentist-free schedule. Just don’t forget to drink plenty of water after eating. Another delicious way of attaining the desired whiter teeth is either eating fresh strawberries or brushing with already mashed strawberries. If the former is desired, just don’t forget to brush your teeth with a regular toothpaste right after eating. Waiting for a longer period before brushing your teeth will cause you more harm rather than good due to the acidic substance found in the fruit itself. Don’t wait for this acid to accumulate first before brushing your teeth. Our daily habits accounts for the discoloration of our teeth. Routine smoking and excessive caffeine intake all contributes to the discoloration of our teeth. One of the best remedies is to get rid of those unhealthy habits. If you happen to stumble upon a white substance in your kitchen labeled “baking soda”, don’t toss it down the garbage bin if you think you will no longer use it. Substituting your regular toothpaste with baking soda two times daily would make your teeth sparkling white. Just don’t over use it. Flossing after brushing. This tip may come last on the list but it doesn’t mean that it is the least effective. In fact it is regarded as one of the most efficient and effective.
Start to Smile
This do-it-yourself tips and techniques not only cut your dental bills but it also adds more quality time to your other priorities. Take note that aside from cutting on the costs of dental visits, these simple teeth whitening tips also brought you a generous smile due to your pearly and shiny white sparkling teeth.
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One of the most common obstacles many home-based working moms face is trying to start or run a new business on a limited budget. The first few years of a business are usually the hardest financially. Some moms leave full-time careers and substantial salaries to start a new business. Others start a home business as stay-at-home moms wanting additional income to support their family as well as a professional outlet to balance their diaper-changing days.
In either case, starting and running a home-based business takes money. How much money will depend partly on you and the type of business you choose to run.
Below are our top 10 tips to save you and your home business money:
1. Do your own market research by talking to potential clients or customers. Many new home business owners skip this step only to come back to it later (or wish they had). Those who start businesses without doing any type of research, risk the possibility of their target market not needing or wanting their particular product or service. The competition may be too fierce, or there may not be enough potential customers to support the business. Or perhaps, the product isn’t priced correctly. It is just as important not to price your product too low as it is not to price it too high. Talk to others in similar businesses as yours to see how much they charge and what they offer for that price.
2. Team up with other non-competitive businesses that target the same market to do some co-marketing. For example, desktop publishers and print shops can do a direct mail campaign together advertising both of their services or buy an ad in a local publication and split the costs. Neither is in competition with the other. They also can hand out business cards or flyers for one another as well as give word-of-mouth referrals. It’s a great way to double one’s marketing efforts while splitting any advertising costs.
3. When you have a satisfied customer, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals. People like to help others especially new businesses trying to succeed. Show pride in your work and people are sure to notice, and when they do, ask if they know any others you can send a brochure or sample to. Another great way to encourage referrals is to offer a discount or special offer for any customers who are referred to you.
4. Barter or trade your services for other products or services you need. Associations and organizations are not only great places to network; they are also great for finding businesses that offer services and products you need. Look for businesses you could help with your product or service and offer to barter or trade for theirs. (Be sure to check with your tax professional for tax issues involving bartering and trading.)
5. Find another home-based working mom to swap babysitting with. All home-based working moms need some dedicated time to work on their business tasks. By swapping with another mom, each can work on their businesses without adding to their childcare costs.
6. When buying new office equipment, go to a place that offers a low-price guarantee. You can save time and money by shopping at places that will refund any difference in price if you find the product cheaper elsewhere.
7. If you are looking for computer equipment, consider buying used equipment. Look in the classifieds and talk to others that may know someone looking to upgrade. Ask for warranty information and make sure the machine is in good working condition. Also take a look at the computer companies offering refurbished machines. Some are priced accordingly and usually come with some type of warranty.
8. Send postcards for direct mail solicitation. They are cheaper to print and less expensive to mail. Another advantage is that they are more likely to be read since they take no effort to open.
9. If you hire sales help, pay by commission only so you only spend money if you make money. A salesperson can increase your sales without adding any up-front fees or salaries.
10. Use pre-printed design papers for letterhead, brochures and business cards if you only need a small amount. The papers can be found at most large office supply stores, and they are great for new businesses trying to get started on a small budget.
Lesley Spencer, the founder of Home-Based Working moms has helped thousands of moms start their businesses in the 10 years that she has been in business. Their group provides networking, support, media opportunities, and more. By actively being involved in such a group you also increase your chances of success because of the power and support that she offers and the opportunity to network with other professionals. Getting connected with positive “winners” in the entrepreneurial world is just another way to succeed.
These money-saving ideas should help with your budget but new business owners also need plenty of drive and determination to succeed. It takes time to develop and grow a business. So be patient and give it all you’ve got!