Whats your best money saving tip??

I just thought of two more based on everyone else's response's, which are all amazing.
I never buy books or movies for me, the library & used book store have everything I need. When my kids grow out of thier books they go to the used book store & because they know something it is in for them they are always willing to part with what they have grown out of.
The other one is don't just leave DH home but the kids home as well. Although my 10yr DS can be handy for finding coupons :lol: so he comes along sometimes & is rewarded with a planned treat.

I have a Magic Jack...no more phone bills, unlisted phone #, and NO TELEMARKETERS :)

Putting half my paycheque into a savings account (after bills and rent are paid).

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Originally Posted by starkith

I have a Magic Jack...no more phone bills, unlisted phone #, and NO TELEMARKETERS :)

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I recently switched to a Magic Jack as well. I've already saved $30.00 per month on my phone bill.

I also picked up a second Magic Jack and gave it to my son to use while he's away at college. He has a phone number from our area code so his friends can still call him on a local number and he can call home for free :) Win win situation all around.

I may get flack for this, but this is one thing I do- if the item doesn't meet your expectations, or you are displeased with something, write or call the company! Lancome's juicy tube sample in GWP burned my lips unpleasantly, and they sent me a cheque :shock:for the FULL size! So Good soy milk smelled rotten and putrid- FPC. I let Kellogs know I was displeased with their blueberry special K, and got another FPC. Pillsbury mini pizzas were DISGUSTING. Soggy, bland, flat tasting- gross. I called, and was polite, and they sent me two FPCs, plus a dollar off coupon (I had two boxes of the pizzas).

Another tip is when it's free or nearly free, stock up! I plan on building up the rest of my stockpile this way, and it's going EXCELLENT so far!

PM, use coupons in combination like it's going out of style. Don't be a blind coupon user- don't just use a coupon on a product that's not on sale! Make it worth your time and effort!

- always buy on sale except if its for someone special( like my mom)
-always use coupons and price match
- always use points cards- as you notice i tend to shop zellers more - cause i get HBC points
- i have tried to join every points programs- cause i will get something free eventually
- like my free washer i just got from the bay- free from HBC points- put items on your zellers charge then pay it off right there and then - free double points
- my husband and i are on less income now- so always try to live within your own means- our t.v broke - used a older one from sears we had upstairs (20) years old but perfect colour- we will maybe wait til it goes
- dont have the theory live for today - cause there is always something around that bend that can throw you off
- for my birthday last week - found a restaurant where mine was free, it was a nice treat to eat out
- go to thrift store or dollar stores to buy items sometimes- i like to get my baskets from thrift store-only1.00 or 2.00 there as opposed to zellers - walmart they can be 4 or 5
- every little bit in life helps out - cause our bills keep going up here and there
- do indulge sometimes - my husband and i went on a cruise of a lifetime 3 years ago a european cruise - but we saved and saved for it - plus the trip dropped in price 3 weeks before we went and we saved 2 ,500 dollars - had to watch on line everyday to see if it would drop and i did with caa
all the above is how i live - not for everyone but i enjoy saving- i think some of it has rubbed off on my adult kids - no they dont use coupons- maybe the odd time - but they pay their charge cards off every month and my daughter who is a career women in t.o uses shoppers to the best of her ability - shops on 20 times the point- uses redemption days alot

Of course, always check SC for the coupons to use with flyers each week...

Never throw out your unused produce - grab it all and make soup. You can never go wrong, it is healthy, delicious and costs next to nothing. Whip up some garlic bread and there is your dinner. :cheesygrin:

The Magic Jack is where the future of phones are headed. I got a deal for my phone for $9.95/mth so i'll stick with them till the deal is up next year. I have heard that using Skype with a Gmail account that you can make free calls within North America with/without a webcam.

My biggest tips are to only buy what you need, you save 100% from things you end up not using or throwing away and to keep eating out to a minimal.

-Find out sale patterns used by your favorite stores (ask sales reps!)...for example, I love Gymboree. Every July for the last 2 weeks they have an end of summer sale. This sale includes clear-out bins at the front of the store (most items cost me under $4.00). These bins are loaded every morning so if you go in more than one morning you get great deals.

-Find out if stores you like have a Factory Direct warehouse sale annually. Many of them do. I love Hallmark and used to fight boxing day crowds for Hallmark deals until I discovered their Warehouse sale at less than a fraction of the price.
-cook things yourself..don't buy pre-prepared stuff
-shop around for low car insurance rates
-take public transit where it is possible/cost effective/time effective
-use libraries and internet for movie downloads, books, music
-use blogs, info from websites/tweets etc. on deals
-don't pay for TV, there are many ways to watch favorite shows for free
-use voice over IP or Magic Phone for savings on phones
-never sign a phone contract for cell phone...use low rate cell plans
-use a digital thermostat and set to peak savings mode
-use energy efficient appliances, low flow toilets
-I make plants as gifts to friends for events like housewarmings etc.! Jade plants, african violets etc. can be re-produced by just pinching off a piece of the leaf and putting it into soil (garage sales, dollar stores great for pots). Same goes for herbs that multiply and grow freely in garden..great for herb planter gifts
-Buy fruits and veggies in season and blanch/freeze in batches for meals
-Make your own soups...costs next to nothing, totally healthy and cheap
-Use loyalty programs for places you shop at that have them
-Buy gifts with loyalty points as well as gas/groceries etc.
-Scope out the dollar stores in your neighbourhood that are great
-Go to garage sales in upper class neighbourhoods for the best deals
-Don't be afraid to do a curb-side scout on big garbage days in those neighbourhoods (I have a DVD player, kitchen table set, etc. from this!)
-Use Kijiji, Craigslist, I Need a Deal, Freecycle websites, thrift stores, consignment stores
-stock up on items for gifts after major Holidays like Easter, Christmas, Father's Day...look several weeks later when the stores just start to clear out items and buy those items that don't appear specific to that Holiday. E.g. Chocolates after Christmas are often great for Valentine's Day, Coffee gift sets work for any time of year, Post Father's Day items at a store like Winners are great for birthday gifts for Men etc.
-use coupons and watch out for freebies and when you find freebies, stock up if you can
-Trade kids clothes with other mom's you know/clothing exchange-same with books, movies, CD's etc. that we all get tired of after using!
-Go to events like Anniversary Events, Birthday Events where they have free kids activities, food/drink, prizes etc. Great way to entertain the family for no cost
-Get free movie passes via other deals (M&M deal example) for night out

Many more, but that's all I can think of for now!!!

Hi! I've never heard of "Magic Jack" before! Is this available in Ontario? Thanks for any info.

My money saving tips monthly are as follows as far as your basic tv/internet/phone needs:
1) Use antenna (if you're in the right region). As for me, I get all of Toronto's free channels, such as CBC, CTV, CityTV, OMNI, etc etc.. including all of the US public ones, ABC CBS NBS FOX etc etc.. Altogether I get about 25 channels, all HD, actually clearer than Rogers or Bell, since the signals are true Air to TV (something like that as explained by someone more competent!) So it's free. I hook it up to my TV via the Windows 7 TV function (hooked via a computer to the TV), so I'm getting the channel list, TIVO capability (Recorded into the hard drive of computer). It's really neat and most important FREE.
2) Telephone, I use VOIP and it cost me $199.00 for 2 years. Free 1 hour international calling outside US/Canada, Free US/Canada unlimited. Phone works great.
3) Threaten your service provider (in my case internet) every year you'll switch unless they give you a discount. (I've gotten 30% off in the past 2 years).

Look at what the quiet wealthy are doing.

They are most likely infront of the staff coffee maker instead of Tim Hortons.
I've discussed this with a few self made millionaires, they do not drive fancy cars.
They may look boring but looks are almost always decieving.

I know of one individual that would fit in lifesytle of the rich and famous.
His passion is sports cars, he has what I call a stable of ferrari's
Another has a motor home that lists at 500,000 USD
And a third who has a winter home in the Turks and Cacoes <sp?>


Peter
Evil Genius
Observe Analyze
Adapt & Evolve

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Originally Posted by Fibrana

Hi! I've never heard of "Magic Jack" before! Is this available in Ontario? Thanks for any info.

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Oh yes it is! We've had one about 6 months. Love it so much I'm getting ready to evict the land line from my life for good!

I wasn't eager to give up the land line til I knew for sure I would like the magic jack and that it would work well. So far, so great. And cheap? Holy crap is it CHEAP! You should look it up on the internet.

There's advantages and disadvantages...someone posted a thread on here about affordable phone service to replace theirs...maybe a month ago? Check out that thread if it hasn't expired. Think it might've had "VOIP" in the title. It'll give you more info on what I see as the pros/cons...but mostly...they are pros on the magic jack.

(and no, I don't work for magic jack. lol. Just an enthusiastic customer who is tired of paying the rates I pay to the "big" phone company.)

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Originally Posted by pbieganski

Look at what the quiet wealthy are doing.

They are most likely infront of the staff coffee maker instead of Tim Hortons.
I've discussed this with a few self made millionaires, they do not drive fancy cars.
They may look boring but looks are almost always decieving.

I know of one individual that would fit in lifesytle of the rich and famous.
His passion is sports cars, he has what I call a stable of ferrari's
Another has a motor home that lists at 500,000 USD
And a third who has a winter home in the Turks and Cacoes <sp?>


Peter
Evil Genius
Observe Analyze
Adapt & Evolve

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I agree. You save tons of cash by not going to Tim Horton's or any fastfood place. Since I have stopped, I have noticed a huge decrease in my CC bill. It is amazing, and it isn't even a big deal. I don't even miss TimmyHoes.

is there voip cell phones too? I feel like I am only wasting my money paying my cp bills 'cause I am only using it to call my bf. if me and my bf have the same voip cp that's exactly what I needed and save some $$$!!!

does anyone know? I think magic jack needs to be hooked up on a computer and can't receive/call unless computer is turned on. thank you!