How to Save More Money, Part 2

You may recall that I am a "super saver" (my husband's term for me).

Here are three more great food-related ways to save:

1. Don't order drinks. When you go out to eat, DO stick to water. It's the healthiest option and, besides, soda and tea are way overpriced at restaurants.

2. Don't order drinks. Speaking of things that are overpriced, don't buy alcohol at eating establishments. If you want to sip fine wine or enjoy a cool beer, DO buy your own and enjoy in the comfort of your own home. You'll save money - and you won't have to worry about drinking and driving (double bonus).

3. Don't go to the ice cream shop. DO buy one or two gallons of your favorite flavor at the grocery store. You can even splurge on toppings (Reeses, bananas, bluenerries, gummy bears, whipped cream, etc.) and waffle cones. It's still cheaper than that $6 Cold Stone Creamery creation.

How to Save More Money - 5 Tips from a Super Saver

People who know me well know that I'm not a big spender. I save. I give. And I occasionally spend money (but only after careful contemplation). I very rarely make purchases on a whim and I am not the kind of person that a salesman likes to run into because I am not easily swayed or charmed by statistics or smiles.

If you're looking for a few ways to cut costs and save money, follow my lead and try these ideas:

1. Cancel cable TV. TV is, for the most part, mindless and a waste of time. Cancel cable and save every month. Do something else. Go on a run. Read a book. Cook a healthy meal. Volunteer at an elderly home. The key is focusing on worthwhile, action-oriented activities.

2. Boycott movie theaters. The theaters in my area charge $9.25 per seat. Yikes! A movie every week adds up fast - especially if you add in a spouse and a few kids. Rent a movie (preferably, from the library) instead. If you must get the big screen experience, opt for a "cheap theater" or a matinee.

3. Bring your lunch to work. It's healthier. It's cheaper. It tastes better. Period.

4. Don't attend in-home shopping "parties." Just say no to Mary Kay, Discovery Toys, Gold Canyon Candles, etc., etc. They're usually overpriced and the products are almost always unnecessary. Why add more clutter to your home and your life? Simplify!

5. Opt to not have a home phone. You need a cell phone. That's obvious. But a home phone? Probably not. Unless you spend copious amounts of time on the phone, your cell phone plan should cover all of your bases.

5 Things I Would Buy if Money Grew on Trees

The First FIVE Things that Come to Mind...
1. Cashmere Sweaters
2. Lots of Books (my own library)
3. Maid Service
4. Shoes for different occasions
5. Tuition for classes or conferences...probably ones about writing

What would you buy?

Weigh In on...Getting Paid to Blog

Lately, I've been investigating several websites that claim to bring companies and bloggers together. Essentially, bloggers sign up and can choose products and/or websites to review on their blogs and get paid for it.

Here are just a few of the companies out there that offer this type of arrangement:
www.bloggerwave.com
www.reviewme.com
www.smorty.com
www.shespeaks.com

On one hand, it seems like an exciting and viable option. I'd happily write reviews of products in exchange for monetary compensation or even the product itself. IF the item up for review is relevant to my blog's purpose and my passions.

On the other hand, it seems like this arrangement might bring down the quality and credibility of blogs everywhere. I've been to my fair share of blogs that feature WAY too much advertising - both explicit (banner ads) and barely subtle (in posts themselves). The last thing I want is for my blog (or for the blogosphere, in general) to become just one big advertisement.

What's your take on these companies? Weigh in!

"If I Were a Rich (Wo)man..."

In the classic and much-loved musical entitled "Fiddler on the Roof", there is a memorable scene in which the lead character, Tevye, sings about all of the things that he would do if he were a rich man...

And I was just thinking about what luxuries I might indulge in if I were very, very rich:

A. a maid - maybe even just once a week (I'd love to spend my "cleaning" moments on playing with my little girl or going for a jog or writing a letter).
B. A personal shopper - especially for grocery shopping (which is definitely not on my list of favorite tasks).
C. A trip to Canyon Ranch or some other recreational resort - I'd love to relax, hike, take dance classes, enjoy gourmet food, ride bikes, and spend some quality "retreat" time to pray and write down my goals.

What would you do if you were a rich man/woman?

P.S. Click here for a clip of "If I Were a Rich Man" from "Fiddler on the Roof" (the movie). Thanks, YouTube.

(Photo by: CMP73)

How to Save Money In College

I applied for over 55 scholarships my senior year in high school - and ended up heading off to college without shelling out any money (my own or my parents).

Once I arrived on-campus, I diligently pursued ways to save and earn money - and my dedication paid off. I graduated two years later with no debt. That's a semi-extraordinary feat in today's world wherein "the average graduate owes $19,000" and many graduates have debt "exceeding $40,000" (Source: 2006 USA Today article).

My motto was (and still is) to avoid loans at (almost) all costs.

Here are a few fantastic ways to get through college debt-free:

1. Keep applying for scholarships. Just because you've set foot onto the college campus of your dreams doesn't mean you should give up on the scholarship quest. In fact, don't simply think of the "now." Think about how to get scholarships and grants for next year, the year after, and beyond.
   
2. Take more credit hours. Many universities charge you the same amount of money if you take 15 credit hours or if you take 25 credit hours. And students are notorious for not taking advantage of this.
   
3. Graduate in three years. Yes, it is possible. Most bachelors degree programs require about 120 credit hours. So, if you take 18 credit hours for six semester and 6 credits for two summers, you'll graduate in three years. And save yourself an entire year of college costs!
   
4. Apply to niche programs. Investigate your options - the Honors Program, the Pre-Med Club, the Education House, etc. Many academic clubs and programs offer scholarships.
   
5. Utilize the university library. Why pay hundreds of dollars for textbooks when you can just check them out at the university library? Really!
   
6. Work on-campus. Apply for FAFSA. If you qualify, take advantage of a work-study program on-campus. If possible, look for a job in your major or department so that you can establish connections in your field.
   
7. Don't take out loans. Loan companies will call you because they think you are vulnerable and naive. Other people in your life may encourage you to take out a loan. My advice: pursue ALL other avenues. Debt is dangerous and often it is the easy way out of working hard...

(Photo by: entropia)