KNS Financial

Personal Finance From a Biblical Perspective

Groupon Coupons: Introducing A New Way To Save

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By now, most of us have heard of, and possibly used, Groupon – the website that specializes in offering deals on just about everything that you can imagine. I know so many people who have been able to try a new restaurant, taken dance lessons, joined a gym, found a new spa or salon, and even taken day trips for a fraction of what they would normally have to pay for such things.

Using Groupon is a great way to try out services/businesses for the first time or save money on a product or service that you already love. So you can imagine my excitement when I learned about Groupon Coupons!

What Is Groupon Coupons

Unlike the traditional Groupon service which is a great way to take part in local activities and services or find smaller, more regional businesses; Groupon Coupons provides a way for us to save money when shopping at larger stores.

They have partnered with over 8,600 national retailers to provide a completely free way for you to find thousands of coupons and exclusive promo codes from stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Best Buy, and Target. You can also enjoy deals on things like tax preparation with Turbo Tax, airfare with Hotwire, and flowers with FTD.

Groupon Coupons

Groupon Coupons: Use It Or Lose It?

One of the other ways in which this new feature is different than the “traditional” Groupon offerings is that you do not have to put out money in advance of getting the service. Typically, a Groupon deal is purchased ahead of time and then redeemed by the deadline, and if you don’t take advantage of the deal, you will lose your money. So, if you get a deal for $300 worth of dance lessons at $75, you have to pay the $75 up front and if you fail to use the offer by the deadline, then you are out $75!

But as they specify with this new feature, “At Groupon Coupons, you don’t need to purchase anything to use these great savings offers. Choose from a database of over 55,000 completely free coupons from more than 8,000 stores.” So unlike the typical way of buying a discount in advance, this is a discount that you receive at the moment you actually buy a good or service.

In addition to the stores and services I listed above, they also have great deals set up with Sports Authority and Home Depot, so I would definitely suggest checking out Groupon Coupons before you purchase anything…we plan to!

Reader Questions:

Have you used either Groupon deals or the new Groupon Coupon before? If so, how did you enjoy the experience?

Have you ever purchased something because it was a great deal, but then you never or rarely used it?

Do you expect to visit the Groupon Coupons site before making your next purchase?

photo credit: Coupon Pile Stock Photo via photopin (license)

Two Ways We’ll Be Saving Money at Costco and Sher’s Blog Medley #3

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I am SO excited for June! I am not looking forward to a tax return, or waiting with anticipation for beach weather. I am excited because a new Costco will be opening up less than 5 minutes from our home!

Costco

If you’ve watched Khaleef’s videos on YouTube, then you know that we love Costco and shop there frequently. Right now we have two stores that are equidistant from our home, and it is a 25 minute drive to either one. When we had two cars, this wasn’t a problem because I was able to go when the store first opens, or time it so I could avoid rush hour traffic. Now, with one vehicle, a lot of times it ends up being most convenient for us to go together on a Saturday 😯 .

You can’t imagine the horrors that arise when going to Costco on the weekend!

So, the first way we’ll be saving money is on gas and wear and tear on our vehicle. It will be so helpful not driving that distance to Costco (both locations are off two extremely busy and congested highways) in rush hour or bad weather. Also, because we are buying bulk items, our car is definitely filled up and weighed down by the trip!

The second way we’ll be saving money is because the new Costco will have a gas station! The gas stations there offer lower prices than at other places. I’ve never gotten this benefit because the lines are usually long when I go! At least this way, we can schedule the best times. And since it is so close to home, getting up early won’t be too much of a hassle to save at the pump.

I think I may have a Costco opening party! Okay, I really won’t. Maybe I will have one in my mind :-). I guess I’ll just have to be careful with our budget so I am not shopping there more often since it will be so close!

Now on to the great posts from this week!

Blog Medley

I am in the group, like Jason from LiveRealNow, who has money in many locations. He shares about his efforts with debanking and the challenges he faces.

Lisha, from UpGusto, shares a 5-minute podcast that will motivate you to move towards success. This podcast was quick, and to the point. It definitely made me want to get up and move forward!

Do you have cash put aside for a rainy day? Shane from Beating Broke explains why a rainy day cash fund is a good idea. We used to have one, but really allowed that idea to slip over the last few years. We will definitely be putting this back into action.

Peter from Bible Money Matters gives monthly checklists for home maintenance. Even though we rent, we do a lot of the smaller maintenance things mentioned on this list. Our landlord has been really good about handling the major things that need to be accomplished.

I became a victim of an April Fool’s joke with this one! Derek from Money Ahoy gives shoplifting tips. He is only kidding. Read it for a laugh… only for a laugh.

Barb from Barbara Freidberg Personal Finance gives tips on how to rent an apartment. This list is almost all the steps we go through when looking for a place to rent. The only thing I would add, is to be informed about all the services available to you in that area (phone, internet, etc., even cell reception!) Having that information will effect your comfort in your new place.

The Frugalweds share a little on how they balance the line between being frugal and being cheap. The great thing is that they seem to agree on what that balance should be for them! It’s always helpful (and happier) when spouses are on the same page.

How do you handle pain and suffering? Brian from Luke1428 takes a look at the apostle Paul, the difficulties and trials he faced, and his perspective of them. Paul’s life is a great example to us of a Christian who did not have a simple, perfect life; yet, he was able to strive through the challenges, and keep moving forward.

 

I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I have. Enjoy the rest of your week!

20 Money Saving Tips for Low Income Earners

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[The following is a guest post giving 20 great money saving tips for low-income earners!]

Many people across the country are having a hard time making ends meet at the end of each month. With the price of many goods and services increasing at a faster rate than people’s pay checks, it is easy to see why this has become an overwhelming problem for so many families.

This can be especially true for low income earners, who are already feeling stretched to the limit and have very little resources left after paying just their basic bills.

20 Money Saving Tips for Low Income Earners

The good news is that there are some basic ways that everyone can save money on their day-to-day purchases. Below is a look at the top twenty money saving tips that are perfect for anyone, including low-income earners.

Money Saving Tips

  1. Change to a bank account that does not charge account-keeping fees or requires a minimum balance in their accounts. Some banks also refrain from charging low-income people additional fees like overdraft charges.
  2. Look for ways to save on transport expenses like walking instead of driving, when possible, or using public transportation instead of driving yourself.
  3. See if a couple of co-workers are willing to carpool, so everyone can save on transport costs.
  4. Eliminate your Pay TV services and use Free-to-Air TV instead.
  5. Instead of stopping at the coffee shop for coffee on your way to work, make your coffee at home and take it with you or wait until you get to work.
  6. Instead of heading out to the movie theater where tickets are fairly expenses rent a movie or watch a free movie at home.
  7. Never run the washing machine or dishwater unless you have a full load to help reduce your water bill.
  8. If you have a cell phone plan already, you may be able to eliminate your home phone, or consider running your phone through your internet service at a reduced rate.
  9. Shop for sales items at the grocery store and purchase items in bulk, to get the cheaper per unit price.
  10. Rent books and movies at your local library instead of purchasing them at the store. They usually have a wide selection to choose from.
  11. Limit the number of times you eat out each month and choose to eat at home instead. When you do eat out, be sure to ask for water instead of more expensive drinks, and skip dessert at the end of your meal.
  12. Consider making homemade gifts or offer to provide a service, such as dog walking, instead of going out and purchasing a gift.
  13. Lower your energy bills, by turning down your thermostat when you are not home, turning off your air conditioner when you go to work, turning off your lights and TV when you are not in the room, and unplugging your appliances at the outlet when not in use.
  14. See if you can group all of your insurances into one package to get a reduced rate on all of them.
  15. Sell and buy items at a local consignment shop or thrift store when buying clothes, household furnishings and miscellaneous goods.
  16. Contact your utility companies and ask about bill smoothing to keep your bills consistent and budget better.
  17. Check your bank statement each month and make sure that no additional charges are added on. If you do have additional charge find out why and if they can be eliminated.
  18. Instead of going to the gym, start a walking club with some of your friends, or purchase inexpensive fitness videos that you can do at home.
  19. Purchase generic-named medications, cleaners and groceries instead of the more expensive brand-named products.
  20. Trade services with someone else. For example, maybe you can babysit a friend’s children in exchange for a manicure or haircut.

Combined these twenty money savings tips can help you spend less on the everyday items you purchase, so you have more money available. While not all of the tips may be applicable to you, just doing five or ten of them on a regular basis can help you save a lot of money over the course of just a few weeks.  You should always be on the lookout for ways to save money, no matter how much you earn.

Finding Deals To Ease The Pain Of Spending Money

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If you are looking for the best deals, take the middle man out of the equation. Sites like Expedia and Travelocity can include transactions fees (though some have been reducing them or even eliminating them). Take a look at the prices directly available at the websites of the airlines and hotels you are considering. You may find that it is cheaper.

Target

There are millions of deals out on the market; you just have to find them. Peruse the Internet and newspapers for deals that will save you money on all kinds of things that you need…and you’ll still have time to play a few games of Gala Bingo or candy crush. 😉

If you are thinking about opening an account at a bank, look for the locations that offer free checking accounts. These accounts are beneficial, and can provide you with an additional 50-75 dollars to start up with when you open the account. These deals can give you a kick start to maximizing the balance in your account.

Electronics are extremely expensive and can set you back a lot of money if you do not get a good deal. Try to do all of your electronics shopping online, as you will find great deals and auctions, which will allow you to choose the price that you want to pay.

There are many ways that you can find great deals on clothes, to put more money in your pocket and limit overspending. Avoid shopping at the upscale stores in the mall and shop at a clearance store, which carries the same brand named items, at much lower prices to fit your budget.

If one wants to make the most of their own personal finances they need to be thrifty with their money. By looking for the best deals, or a way for one to save or make money, a person can always be making the most of their finances. Being conscious of one’s spending will keep them in control of their finances.

You can often find great deals if you go shopping on the infamous Black Friday. If you are truly dedicated, you can wake up at the crack of dawn to get into stores as they open up and be the first person to get the best deals, which will greatly improve your personal finances.

As seen in this article, the tips associated in being able to handle your personal finances are both practical and logical. This task is far from being impossible and can be done with proper drive and discipline. If these tips are followed, you will surely see how easy balancing your finances can be, for people in most situations.

8 Ways to Save on Back to School Clothes Shopping

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Back-to-school season is coming quickly, and when it does you will have new expenses. Unless your kids are going off to college, or you’re sending them to private schools, it is likely that buying back-to-school clothes will be your biggest single expense. But there are ways to keep that expense down to a minimum.

Salvage What You Can From Last Year

One of the best ways to save on back-to-school clothes shopping is also one of the easiest. Before doing any clothes shopping for your children, first take a complete inventory of what they have available from last year. The more that you can salvage from last year’s wardrobe, the less money you will need to spend on anything new.

This usually works out well too – like the rest of us, kids usually have a short list of favorite clothes. Whatever they have from last year that they really like, they will probably be quite comfortable wearing in the new school year as well.

Arrange A Clothing Swap

Is there another family either in your extended family or your social circle that has kids that are about the same age as yours? We had a successful swap arrangement with another couple. Their daughter was two years older than our daughter, and our son was two years older than their son.

This set the stage for handing down clothes from the oldest down to the youngest. Maybe this something you can work out as well?

Back to School Clothes Shopping
photo credit: fairfaxcounty

Thrift Stores

There are a lot of low-priced and gently used clothing items at thrift stores. In addition to the fact that they’re inexpensive, young children tend to burn through clothing very quickly. This is especially true for very young children – either they outgrow them, or they just wear them out through rough play.

Having a source of inexpensive replacement clothing is a major cost advantage, and that’s what thrift stores can do.

Shop In Lower Priced Stores

You can waste a lot of money buying designer clothes at top department stores, and your children will go through those clothes just as quickly as they will with lower-priced alternatives. While it’s true that kids become very label conscious in their high school years, you can usually get by with less expensive clothing from discount stores when they are younger.

It could mean the difference between paying $30 for a pair blue jeans at Macy’s, or paying $12 at Walmart.

Stay with the lower-priced discount stores, especially for young children, and even more if you have several children.

Pay Close Attention To Sales

This is especially important if you need to buy clothes in volume, and that usually is what happens when starting a new school year. Rather than going to your favorite clothing store, instead try the ones that are offering the biggest sales.

This can be an even bigger advantage if it is a lower-priced store with big discounts. Once again, it’s important to remember that kids just don’t stay in their clothes very long.

Always Look For Coupons

When shopping for your children’s clothes, before heading out first check out the websites to see if they have any coupons. Not only will this give you an opportunity to save money, but it will also give you a first-hand glimpse at their sales and specials.

The stores will often offer a flat amount off or a percentage discount on purchases over a certain dollar amount. For example, they may offer a 25% discount or $25 off on purchases over $100. If you know this before you go, you’ll be able to buy enough at that specific store to take advantage of the discount.

Consignment Shops

These can be a good place to buy better quality brand clothing. And since kids go through their clothes so fast, it’s not hard to find a large supply of them in a consignment shop.

The stores are more expensive than thrift shops, but again the quality is better. The fact that the quality is better is usually the whole reason why the clothes and being sold at consignment shops, rather than at thrift stores.

Consignment shops offer the seller an opportunity to make some money on the clothing, while clothes turned in at thrift stores are donations and provide no revenue to the seller.

Buy After School Starts

This is something that my wife and I discovered to be a big advantage. The big crush for back-to-school clothing happens before school starts. Sure, a lot of the stores have sales, but it’s hard to escape the idea that they raise their prices substantially before announcing those sales.

If you wait until a couple of weeks after school starts, you’ll generally be able to get better deals on kids clothing, if only because the heavy traffic will have passed. And speaking of heavy traffic, there’ll be a lot less of it if you wait until after school starts to go shopping.

Buy the minimum amount of clothing that you need to get through the first week of school, but save the bulk of your buying until afterwards.

And one more advantage here: if you wait until after school starts to buy most of the clothing, both you and your children will have a better idea what the styles are for the new year.

What strategies do you use to keep the cost of back-to-school clothing as low as possible?

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