New Project - Coupon Site

I've been thinking about opening a coupon website to feature some local businesses. Maybe make a bit of money while driving sales for these businesses. Stay tuned.

Saving Money

I have expert tips on saving money that’ll fatten your Christmas fund.

First, here's how to save money on your gym membership: Stock up on free weekly passes from gyms around town, then work out at a different location every week. You’ll eventually have to settle down with one gym, but shopping around will save you about a hundred dollars in a month, and you'll have time to decide which gym is right for you. Once you decide, don’t bother with buying hour-long training sessions. Ask your gym if they have HALF-HOUR sessions. They’re half the price and they’re more efficient because you'll have less time to rest and chit chat, and the constant movement burns more calories!

Then, you can save money at the grocery store in some surprising ways. First, shop alone! Studies have shown that moms who bring their kids, spouses or friends shopping, spend more. Kids often use the grocery store as a time to pressure parents into buying high markup items like cereal, ice cream, candy, and chips. Moms who shop alone report spending significantly less than when their kids are along for the shopping trip.

Also, if you’re just stopping in to the store to pick up a few items, don’t get a shopping basket. If you have to carry everything in your hands, you won’t be tempted by impulse purchases. Want to save even more? Try shopping online. Amazon.com now delivers groceries to your door. They carry all the same brands as your grocery store but at much lower prices. Once you spend $25, shipping is free!

Want another money saver? Don’t change your oil every 3,000 miles. I know your owner’s manual probably recommends it, but according to Herb Weisbaum, MSNBC’s consumer advocate, unless you tow vehicles or drive in extreme conditions, the average driver can change their oil every 5,000 miles. This saves you $30 to $50 a pop! Or better yet, get a book and learn how to do simple car repairs yourself. You could pay more than $200 to have a mechanic change your brake pads, but if you do it yourself, it takes 15 minutes and about $50.