It almost saddens me to write this post. I’m not sure if any of you have noticed, but Target has started to run their Back-to-School ads, and it’s only a matter of time before other retailers join them. While I’d like to think that mid-July merely marks the middle of summer, many moms and dads have started searching for savings already to get ahead of the game. Before you venture out to stock up on necessities, check out a few of these tips to save yourself a little extra money (and frustration, too!).
savings
5 Tips to Avoid Spending Tricks
I just got back from a nearly-perfect trip to the beach. While the weather was great, we did have a day of rain and cloudy skies. Our favorite thing to do when the forecast takes a turn for the worst is hit up the outlets (hurray for tax-free shopping in Delaware!).
5 Ways to Score a Free Show
Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to cut out all of the fun stuff! Who says entertainment has to be expensive? One of my favorite cost-effective ways to relax on the weekends is to catch a movie, whether it’s in the comfort of my living room or at the local theater. Too many trips out can get expensive, though – movie theater tickets are just about $10 each in our area now, a far cry from what it was when I was younger. Check out some of these cheaper alternatives to still get your movie fix without breaking the bank:
Drive Smart to Save
My husband and I just got back from our first road trip in our new car. One of the features it has that he was absolutely enthralled with is a gas mileage tracker, which monitors your usage as you drive, and then averages your trip out when you shut the car off. I’ve never paid much attention to it, but it inspired him to investigate how he could be more fuel-efficient in order to save more money (in addition to the fact that we were stuck in a car for nine hours). He shared a few tips with me that I’d like to pass along to you. Try them out and see if you notice a difference!
Savings Challenge Check-In
Remember when we challenged you to stick to a savings plan back in early April? Basically, we asked everyone to start by saving $1 during week one, and each week, you add one more dollar to that. Have you been keeping up with it? I have, and I wanted to take a moment to share my story with you!
8 Ways to Save On Your Summer Vacation
I’ve definitely been bitten by the travel bug, and summer is one of my favorite times to go and explore new places. We’re hoping to fit in as many trips as we can in the next year before we have bigger obstacles to tackle (see more about that here), but it’s not always cheap. So how am I fitting in a trip to Los Angeles, the Hamptons, our favorite spot in Maryland, Florida, AND the Caribbean Islands in just one year?
When to Buy What – Timing Hacks to Save Money
Did you know that if you plan your purchases according to what time of the year it is, you could likely get them for a better price? There are some common times throughout the year to find deals on any number of things, whether it’s seasonal or related to an event occurring during that month. Check out the list below to find some of the best times to save!
5 Mistakes to Avoid for Future Financial Success
Creating and sticking to a budget is the best way to set yourself up for financial success (and using BudgetSimple is a great way to get started). Sometimes financial decisions seem like a good idea in the here-and-now, but could impact you in a negative way later on. Avoid these 5 common mistakes people tend to make concerning their money and steer clear of future financial woes.
25 Ways to Skip on Spending
I remember being younger and always complaining to my mom that I had nothing to do. She always met my chorus of “I’m booorrrreedddd” with pretty unique ideas for things to do without much money, since I didn’t exactly have much of an income. Some of these things are still pretty relevant today (except now I complain to my husband instead of my mom). There are a ton of things to do without spending much, if any, money. Check out these 25 suggestions for free or nearly-free ways to entertain yourself! Some ideas are more fun than others, but all are easy on your budget.
