The Money saving tips thread....

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
OK, I know it's the beginning of winter, but do you remember those really, really high electric bills from last summer? Go to the Southern California Edison web site and check out their energy saving rebates for residential properties. They have a wide variety of programs available. It's not just energy efficient appliances and funny-looking light bulbs. There are some others you might not be aware of. They will help pay for a new roof if you use specific materials that reduce air conditioning costs. They will give you a $400 rebate if you replace your pool pump with an efficient model. Check out your air conditioner. The nameplate on the condenser (the part that makes noise outside the house) should have a SEER rating. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) A typical older unit will have a SEER rating of 10. The current minimum standard is 13, and SEER 16 units are available. These are 30 percent, and 60 percent more efficient, respectively, than the old SEER 10 model. If your air conditioner is 60 percent more efficient, how much smaller will your August electric bill be? It won't take very long to pay for the replacement, and SCE will even loan you the money.
 
Go Gollini! Yeah, I think getting an "energy audit" is a good way to save. Some guy walks through your house with a little infrared run and looks for where the insulation is bad. Get that taken care of and you save in both winter and summer.
 
Being single, Two-Buck Chuck from TJ has saved me a ton of money. I purchase it by the caseload. I’ve found Pier One to have the best price on scented/mood candles. Lastly, Loehmann’s at the Irvine Marketplace has a great selection of name brand clothes for men at incredible prices.
 
Cooking at home instead buying smth like Lean Cuisine saves a lot of money (and it is quicker than you think, think like 10- 20 min. of work to have a full blown dinner, comparing to a trip to the store (more like 30 min). Some examples: Chilean sea bass entree at a fancy restaurant goes for 40 bucks (about half pound) you buy it at 99 Ranch Market for 13 bucks a pound, put it in the oven sprinkled with favorite spices and onions on an olive-oil sprinkled pan (add cut potatoes if desired)-takes 10 min to do it, then you don't have to do anything while it bakes for 30 min.), then you have a better dinner than any fancy restaurant can offer you.

also, never buy clothes if they aren't on sale, it just escapes me why you should pay 100 bucks for smth that will cost 50 in 2 weeks. Brooks Brothers has awesome deals from time to time. I got so spoiled I never buy anything that costs more than 30 bucks a piece, and I still have designer clothes.

also, you can try not to go out for a month: every time you think of going somewhere, estimate how much it would cost you to do it, then write yourself a check for that amount, put it in the jar, at the end of the month, add them up and see how much money stayed with you (then go out as usual for the next month to reward yourself).

bringing lunch instead buying lunch saves a ton of money (even $5 a day become $100 a month and $1200 a year).

Also, you can cut your cable bill by about 20 bucks a month if you just subscribe to limited digital plus cinemax plus hbo, b/c they show same movies on all other channels anyhow, just think which channels you never watch and ditch them. some brave souls unplugged the cable altogether :)
 
<p><em>Being single, Two-Buck Chuck from TJ has saved me a ton of money. I purchase it by the caseload. I’ve found Pier One to have the best price on scented/mood candles.</em></p>

<p>Mood candles and Two Buck Chuck! </p>
 
A mentor once told me, there are 2 common paths to wealth. The first is to reduce spending and save money. The second is to find ways to make more money. He also said, that most people can only do one, but not both effectively. So pick one strategy and stick with it.
 
Showering with a friend (in my case: wife) tends to leave me standing in the cold and for some reason she can't understand why I never want to take a shower with her.
 
<p>Dinner and a movie for under $4 on Tuesday nights!</p>

<p>Rubio's for $1 fish tacos (2 usually fills me up). Then go to <a target="_blank" href="http://movies.yahoo.com/showtimes/theater?id=401&date=20071205">Woodbridge Dollar Theater</a> where tix are $1 instead of $1.50 on Tuesday nights. </p>
 
<p>effie - You wish.</p>

<p>Adam - Bathtub</p>

<p>Datenight - Go for a walk.</p>

<p>Cheapest hobby - Looking at open houses and model homes</p>
 
"A mentor once told me, there are 2 common paths to wealth. The first is to reduce spending and save money. The second is to find ways to make more money. He also said, that most people can only do one, but not both effectively. So pick one strategy and stick with it "



momopi.



We must have had the same mentor. I find if I just keep making it faster everything works fine. But to do that one must

live in the world of the unemployed. Or as we say it. The Self-Employed. Every day we wake up without a real job. The day will pay me what I earn. Buy low and sell high. Saving money sucks. Much more fun to find ways to spend it.

Time for another Vegas Trip.
 
<p>Coupons, I buy the Sunday paper we clip the coupons and go to stores where they have double coupons. Ralphs being one of those stores.</p>

<p>If you buy non perishable staples whenever the coupons are in the Sunday paper you can usually get them free. Toothbrushes, soap, etc I usally get free or close to free.</p>

<p>Same as lunch and dinner, I go where my coupons get me free stuff. </p>

<p> </p>
 
Don't know if we are allowed to pimp other sites but, there are two that I frequent and you can save a ton if you time your purchases, one is fatwallet.com, and the other is slickdeals.net. These are especially good for your tech purchases.
 
What a bunch of cheapskates...I love it





Second on what trrenter said about the coupons and stores that double. Ralphs and Pavillons both double coupons. So, I would assume Vons does as well. If you get the OC Register, check the OC Post on Saturdays when you start getting that for free early next year (assuming you don't already get the OC Post). They distribute some coupons in that paper on Saturdays.





Movie tickets - get the discounted ones at Costco, your work or through places like entertainment books. If you're willing to wait a few weeks after movies come out to see them, you can use the discounted tickets and save a lot of money. Plus, if you're in that Regal club (free) you get a free small popcorn and drink every once in a while. You can have them swipe your card to get credits even if you aren't paying with cash and are instead using the group ticket.





One more tip I forgot to mention, try a Web site like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.retailmenot.com/">http://www.retailmenot.com/</a> . You can find discount codes for some online retailers.
 
tenmagnet -- have you considered going after 7 or 8's? that would save you a bundle.





i got this email with a boatload of discount codes. i cant vouch that they'll all work but worth a shot if you're doing holiday shopping.


<p><u> </u></p>

<p><u><u>Online Discounts:</u> <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://store.alloy.com/frontpage.do" target="_blank">Alloy</a> : <strong>ALYGIFT</strong> (20% off entire order til Dec. 3, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.ae.com/web/index.jsp" target="_blank">American Eagle Outfitters </a>:<strong> 64152219 </strong>(15% off from Nov. 27 - Dec. 11, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.armaniexchange.com" target="_blank">Armani Exchange</a> : <strong>STYLE20</strong> ($20 off $100 from ? - ? )<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.bananarepublic.com/" target="_blank">Banana Republic</a> : <strong>BRHOLIDAY</strong> (20% off from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nav.asp?PID=20499" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble </a>:<strong> T4N3B6W </strong>(25% off Single Item on Nov 27 – Dec 10, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.bedbathstore.com/" target="_blank">Bed Bath Store</a> : <strong>holiday07</strong> ($15 off $75 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 10, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com" target="_blank">Hasbro Toy Shop</a> : <strong>FRIENDS20</strong> (20% off from Dec 2 - Dec. 9, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.jcp.com" target="_blank">JC Penny</a> : <strong>CHAMPION</strong> (20% off from Dec. 9, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.limitedtoo.com/webview/?version=sbogo&utm_source=l2_email_112607&utm_medium=" target="_blank">Limited Too</a> Just click link for savings (25% off from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.lnt.com/home/index.jsp" target="_blank">Linen & Things</a> : <strong>223823997733</strong> (20% off from Nov 30 – Dec 31, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.metrostyle.com/" target="_blank">MetroStyle</a> : <strong>MSTYLE50</strong> (50% off Single Item from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml" target="_blank">Nike</a> : <strong>2PCTH7A</strong> (20% off $125 from Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2007)<u>


</u><u>


</u></u></p>
 
continued...





<u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.overstock.com/" target="_blank">***Overstock</a> : <strong>73989</strong> (10% off $45 from ? - ? ) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.ralphlauren.com/home/index.jsp?direct" target="_blank">***Ralph Lauren</a> : <strong>HOL2007</strong> (30% off 11/10 - 12/10)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.redenvelope.com/" target="_blank">Red Envelope</a> : <strong>AMX25WISH</strong> ($50 off $200 from ? – ? )<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.sephora.com/" target="_blank">Sephora</a> : <strong>FF2007</strong> (20% off from Nov. 28 - Dec 31, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.sharperimagesavings.com/beyond/" target="_blank">***Sharper Image</a> Just cick link for savings ($10 off $100 from Nov 27 – Jan 31, 2008)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.SnapFish.com/" target="_blank">Snap Fish</a> :<strong> FRIENDS07</strong> (25% off on Nov 27 – Dec 25, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.victoriassecret.com/" target="_blank">Victoria's Secret</a> :<strong> FA78113 or FA78449 </strong>($15 off $100, $30 off $150, $75 off $250, & $150 off $500 from Nov. 28 - Dec. 20, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.winkflash.com/" target="_blank">WinkFlash</a> : <strong>G3F8E7W4</strong> (40% off from Nov 28 – Dec 15, 2007 )<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.yankeecandle.com/yc/html/retail/Email_HTML/registerForCouponsWebNEW.html" target="_blank">Yankee Candle</a> Just cick link for savings ($10 off $25 from Nov 27 - Dec. 22, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.visitborders.com/" target="_blank">Borders or Waldenbooks </a>(20% off from Nov 27 – Dec 6, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://139.146.147.79/_FileLibrary/FileImage/11-26cpn20si.gif" target="_blank">Gordmans </a>(20% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 9, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.hmfriendsandfamily.com/" target="_blank">H&M</a> (25% off from Dec. 7 - Dec. 9, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://surveys.jcpenney.com/perseus/se.ashx?s=0B8811F421D86091&mscssid=681cbc8df5407444fb76c9bd5784a3f27xMnVNoV5a1WxMnVNoV5a1o200B6FEA5E87849E980DBB6217F15F8F2A6B0733019" target="_blank">JC Penny</a> (20% off on Dec. 9, 2007) <u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.kirklands.com/coupon/welcome-coupon.html" target="_blank">Kirklands</a> (25% off Single Item from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2007)<u>


</u><a href="http://www.fatwallet.com/redirect/bounce.php?afsrc=1&url=http://www.loehmanns.com/site.cfm?nav=coupon&promo=20071127_clearance_web" target="_blank">Loehmanns</a> (15% off Reduced Item & 20% off Clearance Item from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2007)</u>
 
<p>Another website I like is <a href="http://salescircular.com">http://salescircular.com</a></p>

<p>It shows all the sales on specific items. It really helps you find who has what you are looking for on sale now. </p>

<p>Then there is <a href="http://www.spoofee.com">www.spoofee.com</a> and one of my favorites which is <a href="http://www.woot.com">www.woot.com</a> they only sell one thing a day but if it is something you want or need it is great prices.</p>

<p>I am notoriously frugal I have a special email account that I sign up for online coupons for lunch people at my work come to me to see if I have any.</p>
 
<p>For travel, check out travelzoo.com, and use priceline to bid on airfare and hotel stay. </p>

<p>For gadgets, check out dealnews.com as well</p>

<p>If you are buying a car, always haggle hard with dealerships and look for bargains on Craigslist.</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>
 
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