How To Stay Broke Forever
October 7, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping, Spending and Saving
Our culture is really weird when it comes to money. We base our financial status on how much stuff we have, rather than how much money we actually have. Banks have brainwashed us into actually evaluating a purchase based on how much the payment is, rather than how much the product really is. When is the last time you heard a car commercial that told you how much the car was? It’s not very often. They often say something like this, “You can sign and drive this great car and pay only $299 a month!”. We have it all backwards about what it means to be wealthy, and that is why you run into so many people that are broke. So, if you want to stay broke forever, follow this step-by-step process.
Americans Are Becoming More Frugal And Saving More Than Ever Before
September 11, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping, Spending and Saving
I always find it humorous when I read an article that makes it sound like Americans becoming more frugal is a bad thing. This article from McClatchy reveals that Americans are becoming more frugal and saving at an incredible rate amidst the recession. Of course, less spending isn’t good for the retail industry, because they rely on us to spend money on stuff we don’t need. Or as Dave Ramsey would say, “we buy crap we can’t afford, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t like.”
How To Save Money Using Google Shopping
July 14, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping, Spending and Saving
My best friend recently saved over $100 buying contact lenses using Google Shopping and a company willing to price match any internet prices he found that were lower than their prices. I will use his experience as an example, but you can apply this method to any product you are looking to buy, as long as the company you buy from has a price match guarantee.
Step 1: Find a reputable, convenient company to buy from with a price match guarantee.
Tips To Help You Save Money For Valentine’s Day
February 10, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping, Spending and Saving
Valentine’s Day is the most manufactured and commercialized “holiday” in the world. It’s not even a holiday. The government doesn’t recognize it as a holiday, and no one gets the day off for Valentine’s Day. It’s in the same category as Halloween. It’s basically an economic stimulus holiday. But, I’ll stop. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that over 1 billion cards are sent each year for Valentine’s Day. Okay, I’ll stop being Mr. Bah-Humbug about Valentine’s day. It does have some good qualities. Having a day to celebrate true love is always a good thing, and St. Valentine was a Christian martyr. My only problem with it is that it causes people to spend way too much money for a holiday that’s not really a holiday. Having said that, I’m married and I’m not stupid enough to just disregard the day altogether.
10 Websites That Help You Earn Extra Money
February 4, 2009 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Extra Income, Shopping, Spending and Saving
We are all searching for new and innovative ways to make extra money. I have spoken many times about the importance of not relying on one stream of income. I worry greatly about families that still rely on one income. If that income goes away in the form of being laid off, then your life will be severely altered. If you were able to create one or two other streams of income, then losing your day job would not be quite as big of a hit.
Wisebread.com has a great list of websites you probably never heard of that could help you save and earn extra money
How To Save Money On Shipping Christmas Gifts
December 17, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping, Spending and Saving
This is the busiest time of the year for the post office and other package shipping companies. One of the hidden costs of Christmas is shipping costs, and we often overlook the extra expense. I know you have all experienced the shock of going to the post office to ship a few packages and you walk out having spent a $100 just to ship a few gifts! Here are a few tips for helping you save some money this week as you rush to ship out the rest of your gifts.
Use Bubble Wrap Instead of Newspaper
Wardrobing On The Rise In Tough Economic Times
December 3, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Economy, Shopping
The Problem
Good Morning America ran a piece this morning about the age-old trick known as “wardrobing” becoming more popular ever since the economy has slowed down. Wardrobing is a trick where a consumer buys a piece of clothing with the intention of only wearing it once, then he or she returns it at the full price. Someone might do this if he or she needs a formal dress or suit to wear once. It’s like renting a piece of clothing for free. Many large retailers have a liberal return policy, because it shows good customer service. We all know how frustrating it is when we try to honestly return an item and the retailer gives you a hard time about it. The problem is that the retailer is getting back a used piece of clothing, and you’re getting all of your money back. Even if you return it in good condition, you may have missed a hidden stain or left a certain body odor that cannot be removed. The retailer is then forced to either sell the item at a heavily discounted price or destroy it, and they lose money.
Important Holiday Shopping Dates To Remember
November 25, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping
November 27th: Black Friday. It’s the biggest shopping day of the year, and the deals can be great, but you have to search for them. Make sure you read my 7 steps to saving money on Black Friday.
December 1st: Cyber Monday. This is the online retailers version of Black Friday. They’ll have some great deals, and you might be able to get better deals on sites like Buy.com and Amazon.com, because their overhead is less. I would suggest waiting for Cyber Monday if you are looking for mid-priced electronics like computer accessories, digital cameras, and video games.
Choosing The Right Video Game System This Holiday Season
November 18, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Shopping
Whether you are buying for yourself, loved one, family member, or your kids, video game systems are one of the most exciting gifts to receive. But with the three major choices out there, it can be confusing for those that don’t read the latest gaming magazines. I don’t read the latest gaming magazines, but I’ve played all three systems quite a bit, and I own an Xbox 360. So, here is a little guide for helping you decide which system to buy this holiday season.
More Ways to Save Money This Holiday Season
November 17, 2008 by Erik Folgate
Filed under Budgeting, Shopping, Spending and Saving
David Bach was on Regis and Kelly this morning, and he gave some good tips for ways to save money this holiday season. Here they are:
- Start with a detailed list for gift giving: Write down all of the people that you want to buy a gift for, and then write down an amount you want to spend on them. Stick to that amount, but don’t go crazy over it. If you go over a few dollars, it’s not a big deal.
