Gardening is a great way to save money. You can grow your own fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables instead of buying them from the grocery store. In addition, you can be sure that there are no harmful pesticides on your crops, helping you to eat a more healthy diet that will reduce your chance of illness and help you save money on doctor's bills.
However, when you are just starting out gardening, you can make a lot of rookie mistakes that can cost you a lot of money. In addition, the cost of fertilizer, soil, gardening tools and other necessities can start to add up fast. If you don't make the right decisions, your plan to save money by gardening can turn into an additional expense. Here are a few ways that you can be frugal when gardening by avoiding unnecessary costs and rookie mistakes:

Buy Seedlings Instead of Seeds
Growing your garden from seeds can sometimes be difficult. Seeds are very vulnerable, and a number of things can prevent them from growing, including the composition of your soil, how much you do or don't water them, what kind of fertilizer you are giving them and so on. Seedlings, on the other hand, are much more sturdy. Since they are already growing and have blossomed into little plants, they are more hardy and can withstand more conditions.
By using seedlings instead of seeds, you increase your chances of success so you don't waste money on seeds that never germinate and produce the crops you want to grow.

Use Quality Soil
The composition of your soil plays a big role in whether or not you are able to grow sturdy and disease-free crops. It pays to test your soil with a home kit or to take a small batch of it to your local agricultural extension office to have it tested. You will learn what you need to add to the soil to make it healthier and to reduce the risk of pests and diseases that might afflict your crops.
By starting with a healthy soil, you minimize your risk of failure -- as well as the amount of money you will waste on seeds or seedlings that never grow to harvest and any other fertilizers or amendments you buy.

Make Your Own Compost
One of the best ways to improve the quality and health of your soil is to add compost to it. However, buying compost can be very expensive. You can save money and reduce your household waste by creating your own compost. You do this by adding kitchen scraps (everything but meat or dairy) to your bin with other organic matter, such as paper, grass clippings, dead leaves, and sticks.
Continually add these items to your compost bin, and turn the pile regularly. Within a few months,  you will have a rich compost that will be free of harmful chemicals and that will provide a quality -- free! -- amendment to your soil.

Put Up a Fence
Whether you live in the city or the country, there will be many pests that want to invade your garden and dine on your delicious produce. You can keep out pests and save your produce -- and protect the time and money you have invested in growing it -- by erecting a simple fence. This can be a plan bale of chicken wire wrapped around wooden stakes. The only requirement is that it be tall enough to keep out common pests and that it doesn't leave room for them to crawl underneath.

Read, Read, Read
Gardening is in large part a matter of trial and error. However, all that error can cost you a lot of money. To save yourself money and reduce those errors, read as much as possible before you begin. Learn what crops need to be cross-pollinated to grow. Find out what you can actually grow in your region. Learn what types of soil amendment you need to add for certain crops.

The more you know, the fewer mistakes you will make and the more money you will save. Also, you'll have a beautiful bounty of produce at the end of the season to fill your plate with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Gardening is a great way to save money -- if you know what you're doing. Use these tips to help you avoid unnecessary costs and rookie mistakes so that you can save money and get the fresh produce you need to create a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
What rookie mistakes did you make that cost you money when you started gardening? Tell us about them and share the tips you wish you knew when you were starting out in the comments!
Kelly Opferman is a seasoned writer who at this time focuses on her app site, located at: http://www.autoloancalculator.org/. Her educational background includes finance, teaching, and economics.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Utility bills increase each year. However, these bills can be reduced with three easy changes. Insulation, appliances, heating and cooling systems can drain the budget. By making a few changes in these areas, the utility consumption will decrease.

Proper Insulation

The amount of insulation in a home will determine how comfortable a home feels. Poor insulation can allow heat or cool air to escape the home making it more costly to keep comfortable. Insulation can be added to the attics easily to keep the heat or cool air inside the rooms where it is needed. In addition, sealing up any cracks will decrease the air from exiting the home.

Solar Energy

Switch to solar energy to operate the appliances and electrical systems in the home since the home appliances use a great amount of electricity. In addition, the solar energy allows an individual to take advantage of a cleaner solution to lower his or her utility bills. A solar electric system can provide power to all of the home’s electrical items, and dramatically reduce the cost of electricity being used. A solar system will produce the most electricity during the day when the utility rates are the highest making it an effective way to reduce utility cost.

Programmable Thermostat

Almost half of the energy used in the home comes from the heating and cooling system. The units need to be inspected annually to establish a more efficient way to regulate the temperature in the home. A programmable thermostat can help to regulate the temperature more effectively. Setting the temperature at a set amount can keep the operating cost down as well. In addition, the ductwork under the home should be checked regularly to ensure that there are no holes. Bad ductwork can cause an electrical bill to increase since the system will have to work harder to heat or cool the home.
By making small changes in the home, an individual can stop paying too much for utilities. For instance, changing the regular light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs can reduce the amount of electricity being used. Keeping the refrigerator and freezer full will help it to stay cool and use less energy. In addition, energy efficient appliances can reduce the cost of electricity used. A budget can benefit from taking advantage of these changes in the home. Insulating an attic, installing a solar power system and regulating the usage of electricity can all make a positive difference in utility cost.
Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a blogs about home and environmental matters. She is promoting Vivint and also uses Vivint to protect her home and family. In her free time she is an avid cyclist.


Now that winter's over, it's time for sun, vacations, and ice cream. The end of winter means that now you will be using the air conditioner instead of the heater, so big electric bills are unfortunately a symptom of the summertime. Here are some tips to help you cut back on your summertime energy usage to save some money:

1. Ditch The Charcoal Grill

Take a tip from the professionals, and the best steakhouses, and switch over to a gas grill. Not only does charcoal cost a hefty amount, but charcoal has also been found to be harmful to our environment, and our own health. Whether you choose to go with propane or natural gas, you’ll have more control of the temperature and therefore more evenly cooked food.

2. Turn the Air Down and Go Outside When It's Nice

Instead of taking refuge in the air conditioning all day, spend a little bit of time outside. You will see lower energy bills, and you will get some fresh air at the same time. Take advantage of dog parks, water parks, or just sitting out in your own yard with a good book and a hammock.

3. Get Control of Your Home

Having an automated home system installed will help you cut down on the power bills when you’re at home, or if you’re away on vacation. From your office, or even three thousand miles away, you will be able to adjust your thermostat settings, and an automation system will also take care of the things that you forget to do - such as turning the lights off.

4. Replace Your Air Filters

A clogged air filter will make the air conditioner work harder to pull cool air in. Replace your air filters before the beginning of the Summer season so that you won't feel the need to replace them again in the future. Replacing air filters regularly will help make sure that you won't end up with allergies, and you will subsequently have less dust around the house as well.

5. Have a Smoothie for Lunch

A fruit smoothie doesn't need to be cooked, so it won’t heat up your house, and you can sneak a vegetable or two in there for the kiddos. Smoothies also provide your body with water that tends to get depleted quickly during hot summer months, so smoothies are also delicious and perfect for the summer.
Is it possible to save money during the summer months? Of course! Keeping yourself, your home, and your family cool doesn’t have to be a pain, or expensive. Enjoy the warm months to come, make memories, and help out our little blue and green planet by doing your part, and making it a happier and healthier world.
Making your home work for your hard earned dollars will result in a better return if you can make your home more energy-efficient. There are a number of ways to invest in your home to achieve this goal. A home will be energy-efficient when steps are taken to reduce energy usage

  • Usage Meters


This is a device that allows you to measure the electric usage of various devices in your home. You can find this tool on Amazon and other online sites. This device works like an adapter. One end will plug into the outlet on the wall and the power cord for the appliance will plug into the device. The display will show you the amount of electricity that all your appliances use. You can keep a list of all electronic devices that are in your home.

  • Light Bulbs


Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs is an easy way to make your home work better for you when using electricity. You can now use a CFL bulb in a lamp that has three stages or in a light that used a dimmer switch. CFL bulbs are not as hot and do not use as much energy as an incandescent bulb. The result is a decrease of energy that is used in your home.

  • Thermostat


Many homes have thermostats that can be programmed to set temperatures for various times of the day or night. However, a smart thermostat can be installed to work with an app for your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. The benefit of a smart thermostat is that it is able to detect when you are anyone else in is a room. A smart thermostat can turn off heating and cooling in your home when you are out of the house.

  • Solar Power


The addition of solar panels to your home allow you to collect energy from the sun. This is an expense that will give you solar power from infinite energy. You can even sell excess power back to your utility company. Also, check to see if you qualify for solar power rebates.

  • Windows


Money is well spent when replacing old windows in your home with ones that are energy efficient. Old windows are a cause of energy loss because they often leak air.

  • Insulation


The addition of insulation to an attic or crawl space will help to limit heat loss. Insulation will help you keep lower floors of your home warmer. This will translate into lower energy costs as your furnace will not need to run as often to maintain a set temperature.

There are a lot of used cars available on the market. For someone who is in need of a vehicle but may not have the money for a new model, a used vehicle could be the ticket. When buying used, however, there is always the chance of getting what is called a lemon, a car that frequently breaks down and runs up high repair bills. Avoiding a lemon is not necessarily easy, but there are some steps that can be taken to do so.

Buying a good used car is different than buying a new vehicle. It can be reasonably assumed any new vehicle will provide reliable transportation for a number of years. With a secondhand car, there’s always the chance it will not be in the best condition. Here are some ways to avoid buying a lemon:

*Before going shopping, take some time to research which models of vehicles have the best reliability records and few recalls. There are several online sites that maintain databases of recalls for cars. Check out user review sites to see what models have made other drivers happy.

*While research is important, don’t get locked into one particular car. Even though a certain model may have a good record, each individual car is different depending on how it was driven and maintained.

*Be sure to thoroughly inspect any vehicle that is being considered for purchase. Small signs can point to larger problems. Body panels that do not line up quite right or paint that doesn’t match could indicate the vehicle was in an accident. Mildew on the interior carpet may be a sign it once had flood damage. Look inside the engine area for any signs of leaky fluid. Uneven wear on the tires may mean the car was driven hard.

*Though it might cost a little more, it can be worth it in the long run to buy from a dealership that also deals with new cars. They often keep the best used vehicles to resell, and they’ll often also offer some kind of warranty on the cars they sell.

*Question the seller about the vehicle and ask to see the service records. Be as specific as possible and take as much time as needed to get the right information. Don’t let the seller rush the transaction. If anything doesn’t seem right, find another vehicle.

*Once a car has been picked, arrange to have it inspected by a trusted mechanic. It will cost a little bit of money, but if the car is given a clean bill of health that will mean less being spent on repair costs.

A secondhand car can provide very reliable transportation for much less money than buying a brand new vehicle. By putting in a little more leg work and research, it is possible to find a good used car while avoiding any lemons.

Guest author Melanie Lewis writes for a site with a useful used car payment calculator to help consumers calculate a budget before buying a secondhand car.

Image courtesy of supakitmod / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Going green is about more than saving the planet; it's about reducing your costs. While green technology requires an upfront investment, sustainable energy is far cheaper in the long run. If you were to make the switch, you could expect it to pay off within five to ten years through less costly utility bills.

The best ways to save money aren't always immediately obvious, but there are tools available that can make it easier to produce accurate calculations. Energy comparison services can help identify the most critical things that you should change in your home or business, and once you've identified the biggest energy sucks, there are a few devices you should consider getting in order to make the most of your hard-earned money.

1. Blight Solar Blinds


While the name isn't very attractive, these solar-powered blinds are an incredibly innovative concept. These Venetian-style blinds block sunlight during the day and turn the stored energy into light at night. Putting them in just a few windows within a house or office building can drastically reduce your electricity bill by eliminating the need for conventional lighting solutions.

2. Solar-Powered Perspex Desk Fan


Air conditioning is one of the biggest energy sucks during the summer, but having the right equipment on hand can either reduce or eliminate the need for it. The solar-powered perspex desk fan is easy to put together, and once it acquires a charge, immediate relief is available with the push of a button.

3. Solar Air Conditioning


Sometimes it just isn't possible to beat the heat with fans and good air circulation. That doesn't make the prospect of air conditioning any more enticing; not only is air conditioning bad for the environment, it can easily triple your utility bill during particularly hot summers. Luckily, there are companies that have gone to great lengths to provide the public with an eco-friendly way to keep cool without hurting anyone's wallet. There are now solar-powered air conditioning systems provided by companies like Austin Solar that connect to existing infrastructure and ventilation systems. That means no retrofitting is necessary to install a solar-powered air conditioning system, and the savings from that one investment can prove immense for large office buildings or even large homes.

4. Global Sun Oven


Household appliances are notorious for being energy sucks. Refrigerators, water heaters and ovens are all offenders in this regard. While it isn't possible to completely eliminate the need for indoor cooking in colder climates, you can drastically lower your power bill and carbon footprint through the use of a solar oven. There are a few models on the market, but the Global Sun Oven is relatively inexpensive, and it offers all of the key features you should look for in a solar oven.

5. Kill a Watt Power Strip


Knowledge is essential when you're trying to go green, and that's why it's important to find a way to gauge how much power the devices that are already in your home and office are using. The Kill a Watt Power Strip does more than just protect the devices that are connected to it; it gives users real-time data on how much energy each device requires in order to run. If you suspect that something is using more energy than it should, this power strip will give you the answer.

Going green isn't as convoluted or expensive as some people anticipate. With a little bit of research and small periodic investments, you can transform your home or office into an eco-friendly and energy efficient mecca of modern technology. The planet and your wallet will thank you.
Image courtesy of nokhoog_buchachon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
As is true in other parts of life, there's really no reason to be penny-wise and pound foolish when it comes to buying petrol. Buying fuel takes a large portion of the average person's budget; here are some ways to make the pain at the pump more bearable.

  • Always make sure your car is properly serviced and maintained. Most people know that they should check oil and coolant levels and tire pressure on a regular basis, yet they never seem to find the time to do it. A well-kept car is more fuel efficient— keep up with routine maintenance, and your car will also be more reliable.
  • Shop around; make sure you're getting the cheapest gas in your area, but don't drive out of your way to save a few cents, either.
  • Use those "supermarket rewards" programs to your advantage. Many are offering promotions where drivers can save a few cents per gallon, as long as they spend a certain amount in-store.
  • Use a "cash back" rewards credit card. If you know that you'll be able to pay the entire balance at the end of the month, you should do this whenever you can. Using a cash back card is like getting a discount on your fuel purchase, no matter where you choose to stop.
  • Change the way you drive. Some people call it "hyper-miling", and some call it common sense. Don't drive above the speed limit, make stops and starts more gradual, and you'll get as many miles to the gallon as possible.

Not only do we have rising prices at the pump, insurance is getting more expensive, too. If you follow these tips, you'll spend less on your coverage—meaning you'll be better able to weather the next price hike.

  • Comparison shopping for auto insurance will leave you with more money to spend on fuel. Online auto coverage quotes save time by giving you the best prices from multiple insurers at one time.
  • Most insurers will give you a discount if you park your car in a secure location. If you have a driveway or a garage, you'll reduce the risk of theft, and your premium will go down. You can also add an alarm system or tracking device (such as LoJack) for an even bigger savings.
  • Be careful when listing your occupation. Like it or not, certain jobs mean higher premiums; if you're a realtor or a delivery driver, you'll pay more because these jobs are considered "higher risk". Altering the phrasing of your job description can save you money on your coverage, but you should be aware that being dishonest can put any future claim in jeopardy.
You can save money on fuel and be more eco-friendly by converting your car to use either bio-diesel or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The fuel works in most diesel vehicles, and cars that use it emit almost 80% less CO2. Anyone can make bio-diesel, for pennies per gallon, but it's a lot safer to buy it.

Switching to LPG (also known as Autogas), is another environmentally friendly way to fight rising petrol prices. The biggest benefit you'll see is the savings at the pump; LPG usually costs about half as much as much as gas or diesel. To convert your car to run on LPG, you’ll need to take it to a shop where a professional will fit it with an independent fuel system.

We don't have to accept rising fuel prices as a part of modern life. By properly servicing your BMW, comparison shopping, using rewards programs, making sensible insurance choices, and considering switching to alternative fuels, you can save money and frustration every time you fill up.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Main Dealer Discount who can help you save money on BMW service costs. For help and advice on reducing BMW service costs Please click here.

How to Go Green This Summer Without Killing Your Budget

When Summer comes around, it is a time to enjoy nature. The flowers are in full bloom, the trees are tall and strong, and usually that means people take to their gardens, among other eco-friendly activities. Usually, going green means it is also going to cost you some green (i.e. cash,) but there are some basic things you can do to be green during the summer without killing your budget in the process.

Summer Cleaning


We have all heard of Spring cleaning, but there can be such a thing as Summer cleaning as well- especially if you never got around to Spring cleaning in the first place. The Summer is a good time to shed all that clutter that you will not need. Here are some quick facts in regards to clothing and other household items:
  • People only use about 20% of all of the items in their house
  • People only wear about 20% of their clothing, 80% of the time
  • Getting rid of clutter tends to wipe out about 40% of a person’s daily household cleaning

Judging from these simple stats, it seems rather obvious that you can afford to get rid of some things in your house, especially when it comes to clothing. Not only that, but getting rid of stuff is free and will actually save you a lot of time, so you can focus on doing fun activities during the Summer. A good option to get rid of those things, rather than just tossing them out, is to have a garage/ yard sale, which is a Summer staple.

Managing water in the garden


Having a garden can be a very non-green thing, when it comes to water use. Things like sprinklers should be managed properly, because many times a garden does not need nearly as much water as it receives from sprinklers. The better option is to just take a few minutes out of your day and do the watering yourself. A person can manage and distribute water more evenly than a sprinkler system. Over-watering can actually kill plants, or at the very least, make the plants more susceptible to pests and insect damage.

Use your own bag


With all the outdoor activities that go on during the summer (trips to the beach, camping, etc.) it is important to use paper products as much as possible, and limit your intake of plastic materials to a minimum. But, in the end, neither of these are that green- since paper destroys forests and plastic destroys other parts of the environment. So, if you need to use one, use paper, and make sure it is recycled paper. But, whenever possible use a reusable bag from home, as it is the best option.

Use your own bottle


Summer is also a time for drinking water, as the sweltering heat and being outdoors tends to make a person thirsty. Instead of always buying plastic water bottles, why not start using your own water bottle, that is reusable? This is by far the best option, and it will save you quite a bit of cash in the process.

Jennifer is fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom and part-time freelance writer. She's currently enrolled in one of those online criminal justice programs and she is also looking into getting her paralegal degree online as well.
In this ugly economy, you want to save money wherever you can. Luckily, you don't have to take drastic measures to save money on makeup. With this handful of strategies, you will be able to get the best bang for your buck.

Buy in Bulk
The best time to buy makeup is when the makeup goes on sale. Not only that, but you should also stock up on as much makeup as possible when purchasing a very discounted brand. However, make sure that the makeup will not expire before it is used. You might lose money if you purchase too much makeup and find that you have to throw much of it out.

Do the Math
Generally, buying makeup in bulk will save money, since stores normally charge less money for bulk items. However, this is not always the case, especially when coupons are involved.
Getting the best deal on makeup will probably involve a little math. When comparing two different brands of makeup, be sure to divide the price by the quantity to get the price per unit. This can help avoid the problem of products appearing more affordable than they really are.

Request Samples
Another important part of saving money when shopping for makeup is to request samples whenever possible. This accomplishes two things. One, the samples themselves are free, saving money. Two, you can try new makeup brands without wasting money. The best way to save money is to use makeup that you already own, even if you can't stand the makeup. However, you can avoid this issue altogether by trying as many samples as possible. This way, you will be familiar with a makeup that goes on sale and will be able to decide whether you want to use that brand or pass it up. Collecting samples will also reduce the chances that you are ever left without makeup.

Use Less Expensive Brands
When looking to save money on makeup, you might notice that the off brand makeup is much more affordable. However, you might think that off brand makeup must not be as effective. The truth is that for many makeup brands, the more expensive items are identical to the less expensive drug store branded ones. They even come out of the same factory! Paying extra money for a well-known makeup brand often only means that you are paying extra money for the name.

Sign Up For Coupons
Make sure that you receive coupons in the mail from any drug stores and department stores in the area. These stores sell their makeup for less than cosmetics stores and you will be able to save more if you have a coupon. Many stores will also send you online coupons by email if you sign up for their mailing list.
If your must-have brand is at a cosmetic store, be sure to sign up to receive coupons from them as well. Many larger stores have Facebook and Twitter pages that are frequently updated with exclusive coupons. In some stores, you can bring your mobile device up to the counter and show the online coupons to the clerk behind the register. Make sure to also search for online makeup stores that offer cash back programs.

Use Cash Back Offers

There are a couple of ways to earn cash back. One is rewards credit cards. Some are a static percentage, while others have rotating categories that will earn variable percentages. The Chase Freedom card is one with rotating categories, and several of those categories can earn you up to 5% cash back on your makeup purchases (drugstores, grocery stores, department stores).
The other way to earn cash back requires shopping online. Sites like eBates offer cash back from hundreds of your favorite stores. All that is required is that you create a account, sign in, and shop through the links on their stores page. This will earn the site a commission based on your purchase. Once they confirm that commission with the merchant, they then give you a portion as cash back. The best part is that it stacks with your credit card cash back!

Author Bio:
Charlie Pearson is an English master's graduate and has worked as a professional writer for four years. He has written on a broad range of topics, including fashion and finances.
Is your family fond of going out during weekends? Do you ever wish you could spend good quality bonding time together and still be able to save a few bucks for the rainy day? Despite the reality that money is usually of the essence when it comes to having great weekends, you can actually plan and have exciting and stimulating weekend family activities without breaking your bank. You just need to be creative, resourceful, and inventive so you can pull this off. Do you have any idea how?

The Family That Spends Quality Time Together, Stays Together

You don’t really need to spend a lot of money just to be able to have a fun, weekend with your family. All you need is each other and a burst of imagination to keep things exciting. Here are some suggestions you might want to consider the next time your family gathers together for some weekend bonding time:

1.       Have a weekend cooking spree.
Why go out and eat at restaurants when you can just stay at home and cook your own special weekend food? Divide your family members into teams and hold a mini cooking contest to make it more fun for everyone. Make sure to prepare a prize so everyone would be motivated to do their best. After everyone’s done cooking, arrange the table, serve all the dishes, and have a great weekend food fest!
2.       Engage in indoor creative activities.             
There are so many fun family things to do inside the house during weekends. You can try having art contests, hold gardening activities, or stage talent shows for everyone to participate on. This will boost everyone’s creative and artistic skills and promote more bonding moments as well.
3.       Form a new family tradition.
Do you have your own family rituals and traditions? Maybe it is time to create a new family ritual or practice and start doing it from that weekend forward. It could be anything that the family would enjoy doing or something that you don’t normally do but would be willing to try out. Make sure to get everyone’s input so all family members would be given the opportunity to contribute to its creation.
4.       Sign up on a local community charity work.
Weekends can also be the ideal time for families to contribute to the welfare of the society by volunteering as a group in different local charitable institutions. Find a non-profit group that you can help and pledge your family’s support. This is a really good way to make everyone aware of their social responsibility and be given the chance to actually be of help to the community.

Who says you need to spend a lot just to have exciting family weekend getaways? Money is not really of the essence during family bonding moments as long as you are open to try innovative, recreational, and frugal options. Do you have any frugal family weekend tricks up your sleeve? If you do, better try them out with your beloved family members now!

Niña Angeli Pilapil, a bookworm by heart, is an expert in promotional products used for both marketing and personal reasons. She is employed by Promopeddler.com as their official writer and blogger. This dark chocolate fanatic enjoys her spare time either reading books, watching movies, or just being with her family. If you want to connect with her, follow her at http://twitter.com/ninsbonita.
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net
When finances get tight or you are saving up for a wedding, a holiday or an investment, eating out is often one of the first luxuries to be cut. However, if you are trying to improve the quality of your life by improving the quality of your finances, that doesn’t have to be done at the expense of all of the perks in life. There are plenty of ways you can still afford the luxury of restaurant meals without breaking the budget:

  • Share an order. Portion control is an important step in maintaining a healthy weight, but this practice can go out the window when you dine out and are served huge portions on even bigger plates. While this is great value, it is only a good buy if you eat it all, and instead of continuing to eat until you can’t move, order one meal and ask for two plates so you can share your order with your partner or a friend.
  • Free drinks. Drinks are a significant part of any restaurant bill, especially if you are drinking wine by the glass and even bringing your own wine attracts a corkage fee. Therefore, stick to water while you’re out, or look for free refill offers
  •  Restaurant coupons. You can find coupons for your favourite restaurants in the local papers and junk mail. The offers could be buy one get one free or a discount off of the total meal price, to put meals out back on your budget.
  • Have lunch or dessert. Dinner is the most expensive time to eat out at a restaurant, so if you want the experience without the expense, go out for lunch instead. Or, you could have dinner at home and go to your favourite restaurant or cafe for dessert and still enjoy a delicious night out, for a fraction of the price. Also dining during the week can be cheaper than going out for dinner on the weekend or a public holiday.
  • Order in. If you want the food but not necessarily in the restaurant, order your meals to take home. This will save you buying wine and drinks or paying corkage, you won’t have to pay a tip and you won’t be tempted to order more food or expensive desserts by the smells and sights wafting from the other tables.
  • Take away. When you are ordering your meals, if you’re not sure you’ll be able to eat it all but aren’t able or willing to share, order something which will travel easily and can be reheated so you can take home a doggy bag and have the rest of your meal for lunch tomorrow.
  • Restaurant loyalty programs. Most of us have a favourite restaurant so make sure you are rewarded for that loyalty by joining in any restaurant loyalty programs. Some restaurants will have an email newsletter list you can sign up to, and may even send you out specials on your birthday. In other cases you can use third party sites such as www.opentable.com which allows you to search and book restaurants and when you make a reservation through the website you earn points which go towards cash back offers on your meals. At www.idine.com you can link your credit card to the site so that when you dine out you can qualify for up to 15% off of your meal simply by filling out an online survey afterwards.
  • Restaurant rewards credit cards. Many credit cards – especially gold credit cards or dedicated rewards credit cards – will offer you specials and discount at selected restaurants. Therefore, if you are in the market for a new credit card, look for one which is partnered with your favourite restaurants and you could receive a complementary bottle of wine, bonus credit card rewards points or cash back on your meal.
  • Take note of specials. Many restaurants will run specials such which may mean that every Wednesday night is risotto night so you get a risotto and a glass of wine at a discounted price. Other restaurants will have nights where kids eat free, or early bird specials. It can also pay to look at the specials boards when you are in a restaurant, as the specials should be things which the restaurant has an abundance of because the ingredients are in season for example, and so they can offer the meals at a cheaper price than usual. 
Alban has written dozen of articles on how to save money. When is not blog posting, Alban reviews high interest online savings accounts at Savings Account Finder.
    Have you made some New Year's resolutions to lose weight or to eat a healthier diet? You don't have to sign up for expensive weight-loss programs or buy gourmet pre-packaged meals to stick to a new diet or to adopt healthy changes. Losing weight can actually be quite inexpensive if you purchase healthy foods and practice some good habits. Here are a few frugal diet tips to help you lose weight and create a healthier lifestyle:


    Buy in Season

    Simply altering your shopping habits can make a bit impact on your health and your budget. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are less expensive. Expensive techniques don't have to be used to grow and preserve these foods when they do not naturally thrive, and they do not have to be shipped from half way around the world. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are also fresher and can be purchased free of preservatives and other growing chemicals. You get more nutrients for a healthier diet.

    Shop at Farmers' Markets

    You don't have to shop at expensive organic food stores to get quality food. Local farmers' markets offer naturally grown foods for lower prices. You can find meats that are raised without hormones or unhealthy feed, as well as fruits and vegetables that are raised without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. All the food you purchase at these markets will also be fresh and in season. You will save a lot of money and create a healthy diet.

    Grow Your Own Food

    If you have a green thumb, you can grow your own food to save even more money. You don't have to own your own home or have extensive acreage on which to grow your own produce. Even a square-foot garden in a small plot of land or on an apartment balcony can allow you to grow staples like greens, tomatoes, onions, herbs, or other produce. You will save a lot of money on your weekly grocery budget, and you will ensure a steady supply of fresh, healthy produce.

    Cook at Home

    Eating out can add up quickly -- both in dollars and calories. Even if you're eating out at "healthy" restaurants or choosing lighter fare, portions are generally larger than you need, meaning you get far more calories than you need, and the processed foods have a lot of added sugars and fats. Diet programs that offer home-delivered meals are also quite expensive. Anything you can purchase already made can be cooked at home for far less. You can also oversee the quality of the ingredients you use, making sure that they are all natural and that no hidden sugars or fats are used.

    Practice Portion Control

    Americans have become used to larger and larger portion sizes as "super sizing" has become a more popular option. By learning to limit your portion sizes, you will eat less food, saving yourself hundreds or thousands of calories and significantly reducing your food budget each week. Try using a smaller plate when preparing your meals to limit your portions. When you use a large dinner plate, you are likely to fill it with food and to eat all of it. Also, get in the habit of reading food labels to determine practical portion sizes.

    Drink a Lot of Water

    You don't need expensive protein shakes or gourmet sparkling waters to lose weight. Drinking a lot of plain tap water is a great way to promote health and weight loss -- and it's totally free. Water helps to make you feel full longer, increases your metabolism, aids digestion, and helps your body function more efficiently. If you worry about the purity of your tap water, install a filter on your faucet. If you don't like the taste of water, try flavoring it by adding small pieces of fruit like strawberries or blueberries, or add a splash of fresh fruit juice like lemon or grapefruit.

    Eating a healthy diet does not require that you buy pre-packaged "health foods" at organic grocers or that you sign up for exclusive diet plans with home-delivered meals. Making simple choices like shopping for foods that are in season at local markets, cooking at home, and practicing portion control can help you to lose weight and to save money.

    About the Author:

    Bridget Sandorford is a grant researcher and writer for CulinarySchools.org. Along with her passion for whipping up recipes that incorporate "superfoods", she recently finished research on florida culinary schools and culinary schools in new york state.

    Valentine's Day is a special day for every couple. It is the day you should express your feelings for your partner and how special he/she is for you. You can make Valentine s Day memorable in many ways for you and your lover. An unforgettable day does not have to be expensive for you. There are many inexpensive ideas for having a great time with your lover. It is quite possible to enjoy Valentine's Day on a tight budget. Here are seven tips to save money while still having a great Valentine's Day.

    Choose an Inexpensive Restaurant

    Pay complete attention to detail and choose an inexpensive restaurant. You have to make sure that the eatery you select is cozy. Moreover, the atmosphere should be perfect for spending time with your lover. You are in luck because most of the coziest dining places are relatively inexpensive. If you choose well, you can save yourself good money and have a great time regardless.

    Go Frugal on the Flowers

    Does it really make a difference whether you buy one flower or a dozen? Since flowers are a traditional Valentine's Day gift, it is hard to avoid them. What you can avoid is the price tag that florists charge for them, especially on Valentine s Day. Instead, head to a supermarket and buy your flowers there. You will definitely get them cheaper and without much difference in the quality.

    Avoid the Cheesiness

    Movies have a lot to do with the cheesiness associated with Valentine's Day. What it means for you is that you have to spend more money on buying gifts for him/her. Go around the frivolities and just focus on having a good time with your lover. There is no need for heart-shaped balloons and teddy bears!

    Select the Right Wine

    A good wine does not have to be expensive. Choose one that is affordable but of a good quality. Spending $30 to $40 on wine is not a good idea as you can spend that money elsewhere. Good wines are available for $5 to $15 and you do not need to break the bank to buy them.

    A Long Drive

    Take a long drive to the place where you two first met. The place holds a special meaning for the two of you and it should be a good spot to spend a special day. Moreover, it will only cost you the price of gas for the trip!

    Please Your Partner

    Pot everyone has an expensive taste and choices. Maybe your lover is a pizza guy/girl and a couple of slices in your living room would be good enough to please him/her. Make sure that whatever you choose to do is your partner's preference.

    Keep the Romance Central

    A kiss, cuddle or walk in the moonlight is more romantic than a candlelight dinner at the most expensive restaurant in the city. Keep the romance central and try to make the day as romantic as possible.


    Spend some quality time with your lover without having to reach for your wallet too often. These are seven great tips to save money while still having a great Valentine's Day.
    Allan is passionate about saving money. He has been writing on high interest savings accounts and money savings strategies for the last 3 years.

    In many homes, Thanksgiving dinner is a feast of massive proportions, both in quantity of food and in the cost of the meal. Some eager hostesses can spend hundreds of dollars on a full spread with turkey and all the trimmings, wine, and desserts. However, with a little planning and some cost-savings strategies, a delicious and satisfying Thanksgiving dinner can be prepared for a fraction of the cost. Here are a few easy ways to save on your Thanksgiving dinner this year:

    Stock Up Ahead of Time

    Many Thanksgiving dishes are traditional staples that use items you can purchase ahead of time, such as canned cranberries, canned beans, and bread crumbs. Plan out your menu ahead of time, and make a working list of supplies. When you see non-perishable items go on sale, buy them. Don’t take your chances that they’ll be on sale again later or that you’ll find a coupon. Take advantage of sales when you see them and spread out your purchases to diminish the financial impact of a bulk shopping trip.

    Make Less than You Need

    Don’t count on everyone eating their share of every dish you cook. Most people will take their fill of their favorites, or they’ll just sample a bit of everything in smaller portions. Therefore, you don’t need to make a portion of each dish for every guest. You also don’t need to plan on having leftovers. While some people really enjoy leftovers in the still festive days following Thanksgiving, most will get sick of them after a day or two and you’ll still have tons of leftovers. Just make what you need and skip the leftovers.

    Get a Smaller Turkey
    Again, turkey dinner is a novelty, but turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and warmed up turkey for weeks is a bore. Don’t get a gigantic turkey that will feed your guests and the rest of your family for the month. Get a slightly smaller turkey than you need. Doing so will save you a lot of money since the turkey represents the most significant expense of your meal.

    Save on Drinks

    Unless you or your guests are real wine connoisseurs, there’s no need to spend a lot of money on upscale or vintage wines. Choose store brands or even box wines and pour them into glass carafes and decanters for a more elegant presentation. You can also mix your wines with spritzer or club soda for cocktails.

    Welcome Other Dishes
    When your guests offer to bring a dish, let them! Additional side dishes, desserts, and wines can make your table seem more festive without you having to spend much more money or more time in the kitchen preparing. Your guests will also feel like they’ve contributed to the festivities, inspiring a more congenial group atmosphere!

    There are many, many more ways to save on your Thanksgiving feast, including clipping coupons and taking advantage of rewards programs. What other ways have you found to save on this annual, traditional meal? 
    Bio:

    Erinn Stam is the Managing Editor for online nursing schools. She attends Wake Technical Community College and is learning about nursing schools in IA. She lives in Durham, NC with her lovely 4-year-old daughter and exuberant husband.
    Most of us have enough going on in our lives to cause stress without having to search for a way to find extra dollars to cover escalating fuel costs. When your budget has already been stretched to breaking point and the dollars cannot be squeezed any tighter, it might be best to look at ways to reduce your fuel consumption.

    Everyone is aware that the first steps to using fuel more efficiently are to travel less by car, carpool as often as possible, combine errands, and to plan your route before leaving home, but additional measures can be taken to lower the gallons of fuel used during a typical week. The following suggestions will help many people reduce their gasoline consumption significantly:

    The Driver Makes a Difference

    Developing new driving habits can improve gas mileage and reduce the wear and tear on a vehicle. It may take several weeks of working on a single change for it to feel natural, but the effort will be worth it. Work on the following changes to get the best benefits and save as much as 20% on fuel:

    • Drive smoothly, easing into and out of stops.

    • Maintain a consistent speed of around fifty miles an hour on the highway and resist trying to keep up with the car in front.

    • Speed up just a bit before hills to maintain momentum.

    • Do not follow closely behind another car so that excessive braking is not necessary.

    • Use overdrive gears and put the car on cruise control whenever feasible.

    • Turn the engine off when waiting in long lines, rather than idling for an extended period.

    • Use air conditioning only when completely necessary.

    • Remove any excess weight from the back seat or trunk before leaving for the next errand.

    The Condition of the Vehicle Matters

    Two vehicles of the same model, made by the same manufacturer in the same year can be entirely different in gas mileage because of the way their owners maintain them. The following maintenance tasks will increase fuel efficiency and gas mileage, resulting in lower fuel costs:

    • Maintaining properly inflated tires can reduce fuel needs by as much as 20%.

    • Having regular tune-ups to keep the engine in perfect working order may result in fuel savings of up to 40%.

    • Using the motor oil that is recommended by the manufacturer can result in fuel savings in the long run.

    • Replacing clogged air filters on older model vehicles may increase fuel economy.

    While riding a bike or walking may be the best ways to lower the cost of transportation, these are not practical for everyone or for every trip. By developing the best fuel-saving driving habits and keep your vehicle in the best possible condition, drivers can rest assured that they are getting the most out of each gallon of gas.

    This is a guest blog post from Jane Simpson, who enjoys finding ways to reduce her spending. She used an auto payment calculator before she purchased her car and uses the frugal driving habits in this post to stay within her monthly budget.

    Halloween is one of the most important times of the year for those who enjoy celebrating. Getting a great costume is the most important step in having a fun time during the Halloween season. Because of the current economy, many people find it impossible to find the money to buy a great costume. However, if you know what to look for, you can discover the best costumes for the most incredible prices. No longer will you have to worry about not looking great on Halloween. With the following advice below, you'll be able to look and feel your best on Halloween without emptying your bank account.

    The best Halloween costumes can also be the ones that cost you absolutely no money at all. You can start your Halloween costume search by looking at what you already are in possession of. If you've got a child who is a football player, you could suggest for them to wear their uniform as a Halloween costume. If you've got a costume that you've already bought for a play or recital, you could use that costume as a Halloween costume as well. Another way to get a free costume is to ask friends and relatives if they have any costumes their own children have outgrown.

    If you're going to actually buy a costume, check eBay and Craigslist before you look anywhere else. Craigslist is an especially good site to buy costumes from. If you buy in advance of the Halloween rush, you could negotiate the price of an awesome costume down lower than what the seller has it listed as on Craigslist. eBay also isn't overloaded with searches for Halloween costumes quite yet, so you'll want to check eBay as quickly as possible for the best deals on Halloween costumes. The more people who search for costumes online, the more expensive they become.

    Buying costumes online is also a great idea because the prices are cheaper online due to the fact that shipping is cheaper. Stores charge what they do for costumes because they had to pay to have them shipped to them, but if you get a costume shipped directly to you, you'll save money on the overall price of the costume. If you'll be buying costumes from traditional online costume retailers, you can always find promotional coupon codes. The manufacturers are always giving out coupons for discounts on Halloween costumes. If you string a few coupons together, you could save a good bit of money on your next costume purchase.

    Saving money on Halloween costumes can be easy and fun. You'll be able to enjoy Halloween and so will your children. Everyone can have an affordable costume that looks absolutely great. Halloween truly is a season in which the best costume counts.

    To find more deals and savings, look to Fatwallet.com!


    In times of economic hardship it is difficult to spend money making sure that your home is pleasant and up to date with decorative trends. For many of us, splashing out on a new lamp of artwork simply isn’t an option, but there is no reason that the look of your house should suffer. If you want to redecorate, you just need to be a little creative, and work with what you’ve got. In no time you can transform your home, for minimal cost. Just remember these three ideas:
    • Recycle
    • Rearrange
    • Create
    One of the easiest ways in which to decorate your home without making a dent in your budget is to rejuvenate existing items. In a lot of cases, older, boring pieces can be recycled to create something completely new and exciting. For example, an old table just needs to be sanded down and varnished or painted in order to create a wonderful new conversation piece that will change the entire feel of a room. And old chairs can be given a new lease on life by creating new cushions on them, which is as easy as one two three. If you have any old photographs lying around, why not make a collage that can function as personalized art? Using what you have is a great way to save money and freshen up your home.

    Another great decorating idea is just to rearrange the layout of your rooms. Over time, you are bound to become bored with the way things are laid out, so shake things up. Do a little bit of research on topics like Feng Shui, or simply change things as you see fit. Larger rooms, such as dining rooms and lounges, can be instantly transformed by shifting the furniture. This type of cleansing exercise might also unearth pieces for recycling (see above) or possibly even sale.

    The last guiding principle when you are decorating on a tight budget is to be creative and make things yourself. The greatest advantage of taking on decorating projects like this is that you can engage the whole family. Design projects like this will often lead to the creation of a sentimental, personal piece that will really make your home a home. Why not get the whole family to choose their favourite photograph and then create a piece of sequence art for your lounge. You can even make the frames yourself.

    Be creative, try new things and look around at home - you will be able to decorate your house in a homely, personal way that won’t break the bank. Keep an eye out for useful magazines and TV shows if you’re not sure where to start.
     Victoria is a freelance writer that is very fond of art. 
    The present day economy is nobody’s friend. If you’ve got money, it’s best to put it aside for rainier days that are sure to come. People are looking to save money in every aspect of life, and food is no less of a target area when it comes to sparing expense. Coming up with inexpensive meal plans is the only way to beat the rising costs of groceries. Here are a few tips for you to cook meals frugally.



    1. Plan Your Menus In Advance

    Planning your weekly menus in advance will help you achieve cheaper meals. Most of us grab a basket, run to the grocers and pick up what we need, what we want and whatever else looks nice and fresh. The result? Without a proper plan, we end up not using the groceries in the right manner. Vegetables and fruits lose their freshness very fast. Buy two pounds of fresh carrots; shove them in the fridge with some idea of cooking them in a soup for which you don’t have the other ingredients. By the time you get to the carrots, they’re halfway gone. So every Sunday morning, create your family menu plan for the coming Monday to Saturday stretch.

    1. Shop For Meal Plans

    When you make your grocery shopping list, make a list of the ingredients for each dish on the menu. Before leaving for the grocers, check how many of these ingredients you have already. Buy only what you need, especially perishable ingredients such as herbs.

    1. Buy Only How Much You Need

    You plan on cooking a pasta dinner this week, and you need pasta, basil and a bottle of basic marinara sauce. The pasta pack will keep, and the sauce can be refrigerated for later, but what about the basil? You cannot afford to buy a large bunch of fresh Italian basil, use just a few leaves for your dish and hope to store the rest. It’ll spoil in the fridge. It’s a good idea to shop for fresh ingredients weekly at farmers’  markets; you can pick and choose your quantity.

    1. Avoid Buying Expensive Meat

    Meat is probably the biggest expense in a frugal cook’s book. Eschew the more expensive cuts of meat and consider buy not-so-popular cuts such as the shoulder and the shank. These will need slow cooking, which is a good idea since you’ll be using less fuel. Consider buying family cuts even if you are not going to use that much in a week. Freeze the extra meat for later. When you buy chicken, opt for a large family pack of chicken breasts instead of one or two for a single dinner.

    1. Look For Meat Alternatives

    As an alternative to meat, consider using other sources of proteins, such as beans. Beans are cheap, can be bought and stored in bulk, soaked overnight and cooked into a variety of dishes. Lentils are a great way to get the necessary protein into your body, and they’re cheap too. Look up some interesting ways to cook lentil – explore far-off cuisines such as Indian, Pakistani and Mediterranean cuisines that cook lentils in creative and interesting ways.

    1. Buy Frozen Foods

    Frozen foods are much cheaper than the fresh stuff. Contrary to popular belief, frozen food is not devoid of nutrients. The nutrients are preserved during the freezing process. However, always take care to buy frozen foods well within their expiry date.

    1. Use Coupons

    Keep a list of the items you need tacked to your fridge. Then scour your Sunday papers and coupon sites for food coupons. You can take advantage of coupons to get double discounts during sales and promotions. If you manage your couponing cleverly, you can actually manage to get a couple of weeks’ worth of groceries for free. That’s the amount of savings you’ll be able to accomplish.

    1. Coordinate Your Meals With Items On Sale

    All major grocery chains and supermarkets are currently vying with each other to attract more shoppers. With everyone going the frugal way now, markets are losing out on business. Coupons, sales and promotions are a few ways that markets keep inventory off their shelves. Before you plan your weekly menu, check out the sales listed in your Sunday paper. Subscribe to email newsletters from the grocery chains you frequent and check out what’s on sale. Plan your weekly menu around those items, instead of just buying the items on sale for later. Your savings potential will double.

    1. Freeze Batches Of Food

    There’s nothing wrong in cooking a batch of food in advance and freezing it for later. You can try freezing soups, casseroles and stews. Always cool the food to room temperature first, keep it in the fridge to cool it further and then place it in the freezer. Your food will last much longer.
    Marina Chernyak is SAHM and co-owner of any authentic Limoges boxes store located at - LimogesFactory.com