Sharon Marchisello's Blog, page 19
November 28, 2016
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Holiday Shopping Tips
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Holiday Shopping Tips: December brings celebration and good cheer, but this month also puts many people at risk of overspending. Here are a few tips to help you k...
Holiday Shopping Tips
December brings celebration and good cheer, but this month also puts many people at risk of overspending. Here are a few tips to help you keep your budget under control, yet still enjoy the holidays:
Pare down your gift list. Are there people you exchange gifts with every year out of obligation? And then the items you receive end up in a garage sale or Goodwill bag? Opening presents is fun for the children in a family, and who wants to take that away? But do all the adults really need to exchange gifts as well? Perhaps a nice Christmas card or get-together would suffice. Some large families save money by drawing names, so everyone will still get a nice gift but no one will feel overwhelmed and over-extended.Consider charitable donations. Some people on your list may be difficult to buy for, since they appear to “have everything.” Is there a cause near and dear to a friend’s heart? If so, ask if you can make a contribution in the person’s name. No extra clutter for the recipient, and a possible tax write-off for you!Consider homemade or perishable gifts. If you have the talent and energy, why not bake cookies or make other holiday comestibles? The recipients can enjoy them with family and friends over the season, and not have to worry about more clutter coming into their homes. Or perhaps a wreath, plant, or other holiday decoration?Ship early. If you are shopping for people who live out of town (and you won’t be getting together with them over the holidays), ship your gifts early to avoid paying expedited shipping rates or rush fees to guarantee delivery by Christmas. Of course, this also requires getting your shopping done early. Some people collect gifts year round—when they travel, or when they see something on sale a loved one would like. If you do this, just remember where you put that “perfect item” you bought last May.Save money on shipping. If you shop online, have the gifts sent directly to the recipient instead of to you, to re-package and mail. Most vendors will allow you to include a personalized message, and also to track your package. Double up purchases where practical to take advantage of free shipping offers. If you are mailing packages yourself, consider gifts such as books or CDs that can be sent via the media rate.Shop around. Take advantage of sales. Retailers are clamoring for your business, so don’t pay full price. Look for promotions, coupons, competitor matching. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. And just because an item is located at the head of the aisle, with a big SALE sign, or just because it is sold in an outlet or warehouse store, doesn't mean it's a bargain. Have an idea of what you should expect to pay before making a major purchase.Pare down your Christmas card list. Are you sending cards to people you haven’t seen or heard from in years? Maybe it’s time to cut them off. And consider emailing holiday greetings where appropriate instead of paying the postage to mail an actual card. It arrives faster and cuts down on clutter for the recipient.Be cautious about gift cards. If you don’t know what to buy someone, but you know that person loves a particular store or restaurant, a gift card might be a wise choice. It’s flexible, easy, and economical to mail. But make sure you understand--and communicate to the recipient--any restrictions, expiration dates, inactivity fees, etc., that could dilute its value.Be cautious about surprises. We all dream of surprising that special someone with the perfect gift, but in reality, many surprises turn out to be unwanted. (Especially live ones.) A direct conversation with the recipient might take some of the fun out of the holiday, but could save time in the Returns department on January 2.Go easy on the food and drink. Holidays are the time to indulge, but be sensible. No need to jeopardize your health by overdoing the sugar and fat, or to get a D.U.I. after too much spiked eggnog.
What tips do you have for holiday savings? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
Pare down your gift list. Are there people you exchange gifts with every year out of obligation? And then the items you receive end up in a garage sale or Goodwill bag? Opening presents is fun for the children in a family, and who wants to take that away? But do all the adults really need to exchange gifts as well? Perhaps a nice Christmas card or get-together would suffice. Some large families save money by drawing names, so everyone will still get a nice gift but no one will feel overwhelmed and over-extended.Consider charitable donations. Some people on your list may be difficult to buy for, since they appear to “have everything.” Is there a cause near and dear to a friend’s heart? If so, ask if you can make a contribution in the person’s name. No extra clutter for the recipient, and a possible tax write-off for you!Consider homemade or perishable gifts. If you have the talent and energy, why not bake cookies or make other holiday comestibles? The recipients can enjoy them with family and friends over the season, and not have to worry about more clutter coming into their homes. Or perhaps a wreath, plant, or other holiday decoration?Ship early. If you are shopping for people who live out of town (and you won’t be getting together with them over the holidays), ship your gifts early to avoid paying expedited shipping rates or rush fees to guarantee delivery by Christmas. Of course, this also requires getting your shopping done early. Some people collect gifts year round—when they travel, or when they see something on sale a loved one would like. If you do this, just remember where you put that “perfect item” you bought last May.Save money on shipping. If you shop online, have the gifts sent directly to the recipient instead of to you, to re-package and mail. Most vendors will allow you to include a personalized message, and also to track your package. Double up purchases where practical to take advantage of free shipping offers. If you are mailing packages yourself, consider gifts such as books or CDs that can be sent via the media rate.Shop around. Take advantage of sales. Retailers are clamoring for your business, so don’t pay full price. Look for promotions, coupons, competitor matching. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. And just because an item is located at the head of the aisle, with a big SALE sign, or just because it is sold in an outlet or warehouse store, doesn't mean it's a bargain. Have an idea of what you should expect to pay before making a major purchase.Pare down your Christmas card list. Are you sending cards to people you haven’t seen or heard from in years? Maybe it’s time to cut them off. And consider emailing holiday greetings where appropriate instead of paying the postage to mail an actual card. It arrives faster and cuts down on clutter for the recipient.Be cautious about gift cards. If you don’t know what to buy someone, but you know that person loves a particular store or restaurant, a gift card might be a wise choice. It’s flexible, easy, and economical to mail. But make sure you understand--and communicate to the recipient--any restrictions, expiration dates, inactivity fees, etc., that could dilute its value.Be cautious about surprises. We all dream of surprising that special someone with the perfect gift, but in reality, many surprises turn out to be unwanted. (Especially live ones.) A direct conversation with the recipient might take some of the fun out of the holiday, but could save time in the Returns department on January 2.Go easy on the food and drink. Holidays are the time to indulge, but be sensible. No need to jeopardize your health by overdoing the sugar and fat, or to get a D.U.I. after too much spiked eggnog.
What tips do you have for holiday savings? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
November 20, 2016
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Saving Money at Thanksgiving
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Saving Money at Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving Day is almost here. Traditionally, it's the holiday when we Americans lounge around with family or friends, watch football...
Saving Money at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is almost here. Traditionally, it's the holiday when we Americans lounge around with family or friends, watch football, and stuff ourselves with rich food. It's also a day to give thanks for what we have—family and friends, leisure time, plenty to eat.
But Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of the holiday spending spree. After all, the Black Friday sales await. And then Cyber Monday...
Here are some tips for how to save money at Thanksgiving and still enjoy the holiday, so it doesn't have to be more expensive than necessary.
Take advantage of sales on traditional holiday favorites and their ingredients. While you don't want to wait until the last minute to do your grocery shopping, some bargains pop up as the big date nears.If you're serving turkey, try not to buy a much larger bird than needed for the group you're expecting. (Good luck if there will only be two of you for dinner, and you like both dark and white meat; plan for plenty of leftovers.)Follow food safety protocol when thawing, stuffing, cooking, storing, etc. Read instructions. Keep the kitchen clean as you go; wash utensils and cutting boards frequently. Who needs the added expense and inconvenience of a trip to the emergency room for food poisoning?Pets will probably enjoy a holiday treat, too, but be careful what you feed them; they could get sick on some of the rich human food you're serving. And don't give poultry bones to dogs or cats. They can splinter and cause internal injury. Also, keep your trash can and recycling bin out of reach of animals; they could cut themselves licking sharp edges of cans not thoroughly washed. Keep your pets safe and healthy, and avoid an unexpected visit to the veterinarian.Store leftovers promptly. Not only do you want to avoid food-borne illness and an unhealthy temptation for your pets, but it's a shame to waste good food by letting it sit out and spoil.If you have a lot of leftovers, freeze part of them right away. Warmed over Thanksgiving dinner tastes scrumptious the next day, but after several days of grazing on the same feast, people are ready to eat something different. Separate the leftovers into usable portions and label them if necessary. My mother used to fill aluminum TV-dinner trays with single servings of turkey and trimmings and then freeze them—perfect for feeding the kids months later on a parents' night out. I like to divide boneless, skinless meat into portions measured for future casserole dishes. (Turkey makes a great substitute for chicken in many recipes.)
A lot of money, time, and effort can go into preparing a Thanksgiving feast. Why not make the best return on investment possible?
What tips do you have for saving money at Thanksgiving? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
But Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of the holiday spending spree. After all, the Black Friday sales await. And then Cyber Monday...
Here are some tips for how to save money at Thanksgiving and still enjoy the holiday, so it doesn't have to be more expensive than necessary.
Take advantage of sales on traditional holiday favorites and their ingredients. While you don't want to wait until the last minute to do your grocery shopping, some bargains pop up as the big date nears.If you're serving turkey, try not to buy a much larger bird than needed for the group you're expecting. (Good luck if there will only be two of you for dinner, and you like both dark and white meat; plan for plenty of leftovers.)Follow food safety protocol when thawing, stuffing, cooking, storing, etc. Read instructions. Keep the kitchen clean as you go; wash utensils and cutting boards frequently. Who needs the added expense and inconvenience of a trip to the emergency room for food poisoning?Pets will probably enjoy a holiday treat, too, but be careful what you feed them; they could get sick on some of the rich human food you're serving. And don't give poultry bones to dogs or cats. They can splinter and cause internal injury. Also, keep your trash can and recycling bin out of reach of animals; they could cut themselves licking sharp edges of cans not thoroughly washed. Keep your pets safe and healthy, and avoid an unexpected visit to the veterinarian.Store leftovers promptly. Not only do you want to avoid food-borne illness and an unhealthy temptation for your pets, but it's a shame to waste good food by letting it sit out and spoil.If you have a lot of leftovers, freeze part of them right away. Warmed over Thanksgiving dinner tastes scrumptious the next day, but after several days of grazing on the same feast, people are ready to eat something different. Separate the leftovers into usable portions and label them if necessary. My mother used to fill aluminum TV-dinner trays with single servings of turkey and trimmings and then freeze them—perfect for feeding the kids months later on a parents' night out. I like to divide boneless, skinless meat into portions measured for future casserole dishes. (Turkey makes a great substitute for chicken in many recipes.)
A lot of money, time, and effort can go into preparing a Thanksgiving feast. Why not make the best return on investment possible?
What tips do you have for saving money at Thanksgiving? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
November 14, 2016
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Saving Money on Beverages
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Saving Money on Beverages: One of the keystones of a good weight-loss plan is to drink lots of water. When I first joined Weight Watchers, we had to track the number ...
Saving Money on Beverages
One of the keystones of a good weight-loss plan is to drink lots of water. When I first joined Weight Watchers, we had to track the number of glasses of water we drank (6-10 a day recommended).
Drinking water curbs your appetite, eases digestion, and helps flush out impurities from your system. It can dilute the effects of alcohol and mitigate the risk of a hangover. It's the best beverage to quench thirst.
Drinking mainly water can also be a great way to save money on beverages. In restaurants, the mark-up on carbonated and alcoholic beverages, and even tea, coffee, and juices, is huge. In the U.S., most servers will bring you a big glass of ice water at no charge and respect your desire not to order another beverage, which can save you many dollars on your tab. Even fast-food restaurants let you get away with choosing water, although some charge a nominal fee for the cup and ice.
But big business has capitalized on the healthy benefits of water, and has convinced us that we have to buy it in plastic bottles—at prices comparable to other bottled and canned beverages. Americans spend more money per gallon on their bottled water than they do for gasoline!
What happened to good old-fashioned tap water? In most municipalities, the water supply is closely monitored and perfectly safe to drink. In fact, more than half of all bottled water sold to us actually came from someone's tap, and the standards are not always as rigid as for the public water supply.
If you live in a community where the water is suspect or tastes bad, consider installing a filtration system. In the long run, you can probably still save money over the cost of buying bottled water on a regular basis.
And what about all those plastic bottles? Fortunately, there are plenty of programs for recycling them, yet many still end up in landfills. You can drink tap water out of reusable bottles, and help the environment as well as your wallet.
We wash and refill our plastic water bottles with tap water, then chill them in the refrigerator. Once the tap water is cold, it tastes fine to me. The bottles are portable for the car or office, and no one knows I'm really drinking tap water.
It is a good idea to keep a case or two of bottled water on hand in the event of an emergency, such as a water outage or contamination. And have some "clickers" to offer to guests who can't stomach the thought of drinking tap water.
What are your thoughts on bottled water vs. tap water? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
Drinking water curbs your appetite, eases digestion, and helps flush out impurities from your system. It can dilute the effects of alcohol and mitigate the risk of a hangover. It's the best beverage to quench thirst.
Drinking mainly water can also be a great way to save money on beverages. In restaurants, the mark-up on carbonated and alcoholic beverages, and even tea, coffee, and juices, is huge. In the U.S., most servers will bring you a big glass of ice water at no charge and respect your desire not to order another beverage, which can save you many dollars on your tab. Even fast-food restaurants let you get away with choosing water, although some charge a nominal fee for the cup and ice.
But big business has capitalized on the healthy benefits of water, and has convinced us that we have to buy it in plastic bottles—at prices comparable to other bottled and canned beverages. Americans spend more money per gallon on their bottled water than they do for gasoline!
What happened to good old-fashioned tap water? In most municipalities, the water supply is closely monitored and perfectly safe to drink. In fact, more than half of all bottled water sold to us actually came from someone's tap, and the standards are not always as rigid as for the public water supply.
If you live in a community where the water is suspect or tastes bad, consider installing a filtration system. In the long run, you can probably still save money over the cost of buying bottled water on a regular basis.
And what about all those plastic bottles? Fortunately, there are plenty of programs for recycling them, yet many still end up in landfills. You can drink tap water out of reusable bottles, and help the environment as well as your wallet.
We wash and refill our plastic water bottles with tap water, then chill them in the refrigerator. Once the tap water is cold, it tastes fine to me. The bottles are portable for the car or office, and no one knows I'm really drinking tap water.
It is a good idea to keep a case or two of bottled water on hand in the event of an emergency, such as a water outage or contamination. And have some "clickers" to offer to guests who can't stomach the thought of drinking tap water.
What are your thoughts on bottled water vs. tap water? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
November 7, 2016
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Senior Discounts
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Senior Discounts: Getting old, although it beats the alternative, is no fun. But there is a consolation prize: senior discounts. My mother-in-law was alw...
Senior Discounts
Getting old, although it beats the alternative, is no fun. But there is a consolation prize: senior discounts.
My mother-in-law was always too embarrassed to ask for a senior discount at a movie theater or a museum; it was like admitting she was old. Not me. If I have to admit I'm old to save money, so be it.
Eligibility for senior discounts can vary. I used to assume you had to be 65 to be considered a senior. But ask. Sometimes it's 62, sometimes 60, maybe even 55. AARP lets you join at age 50.
I just paid my property tax, which offers exemptions for seniors. Most require you to be 65, and earning a low income. But this year, I noticed one that applied to ages 62-65, with no income limitations.
One great bargain for seniors age 62 and older is the lifetime Senior Pass, which for a one-time fee of $10, admits you (and everyone in your car, senior or not) to all of the U.S. national parks, forests, monuments, refuges, and recreation areas. The "Golden Geezer" pass, as my brother and I like to call it.
The Kroger in my neighborhood gives seniors age 60 and older a 5% discount on groceries every Wednesday. Not a good day of the week to shop there if you're in a hurry...
Many hotel chains and cruise lines extend senior discounts to guests over 55. Our local Taco Bells give customers over age 50 a free drink with a purchase.
So once you hit the half-century mark, start asking about senior discounts. You'll be surprised at what all you may qualify for.
Some establishments require identification in order to provide the discount. But others take your word for it. Or worse, offer the senior discount without being asked. When that happens, whether I'm really eligible or not, I feel like I'm entitled.
What tips do you have about senior discounts? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
My mother-in-law was always too embarrassed to ask for a senior discount at a movie theater or a museum; it was like admitting she was old. Not me. If I have to admit I'm old to save money, so be it.
Eligibility for senior discounts can vary. I used to assume you had to be 65 to be considered a senior. But ask. Sometimes it's 62, sometimes 60, maybe even 55. AARP lets you join at age 50.
I just paid my property tax, which offers exemptions for seniors. Most require you to be 65, and earning a low income. But this year, I noticed one that applied to ages 62-65, with no income limitations.
One great bargain for seniors age 62 and older is the lifetime Senior Pass, which for a one-time fee of $10, admits you (and everyone in your car, senior or not) to all of the U.S. national parks, forests, monuments, refuges, and recreation areas. The "Golden Geezer" pass, as my brother and I like to call it.
The Kroger in my neighborhood gives seniors age 60 and older a 5% discount on groceries every Wednesday. Not a good day of the week to shop there if you're in a hurry...
Many hotel chains and cruise lines extend senior discounts to guests over 55. Our local Taco Bells give customers over age 50 a free drink with a purchase.
So once you hit the half-century mark, start asking about senior discounts. You'll be surprised at what all you may qualify for.
Some establishments require identification in order to provide the discount. But others take your word for it. Or worse, offer the senior discount without being asked. When that happens, whether I'm really eligible or not, I feel like I'm entitled.
What tips do you have about senior discounts? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
October 31, 2016
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Halloween Savings
Countdown to Financial Fitness: Halloween Savings: Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, even though my parents did it on the cheap. When my brother and I were little, they&...
Halloween Savings
Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, even though my parents did it on the cheap. When my brother and I were little, they'd splurge on a big pumpkin, which my father would carve into a scary Jack-o-Lantern. That was the extent of our Halloween decorations. Later, when we kids lost interest in pumpkin-carving, my mother bought a little plastic lighted Jack-o-Lantern from K-Mart to display in the front window. It could be brought out every year, and there would be no more wasting real pumpkins.
I always wanted to be a witch for Halloween, but my mother never saw the need to spend money on costumes. I could either be a gypsy, a princess, or a hobo, using old clothes and accessories we found around the house. When I finally grew up and left home, I went out and bought myself a witch costume. But my parents' frugality rubbed off on me; I've used the same witch costume year after year. In fact, I still wear that hat when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
There can be a happy medium between extreme cheapness and overspending on holidays like Halloween. Here are some tips to minimize costs and still enjoy yourself:
Costumes: Make your own, or buy timeless characters that can be reused for more than one year to stretch out the expenditure. Avoid flammable fabrics and masks or hoods that impede vision. Make sure garments don't drag along the ground, and that the kids wear comfortable shoes and follow basic safety rules when out trick-or-treating. A trip the emergency room can blow your budget.
Decorations: Some people like to go all out and one-up each other for the neighborhood's "best decorated" title, which is great if it gives you pleasure. To reduce costs, invest in big-ticket items that can be reused year after year. Keep safety in mind when placing decorations in your home or yard, and use adequate lighting. Medical bills and lawsuits take the fun out of holiday festivities.
Pets: Keep your pets indoors on Halloween so they don't get spooked or tormented by pranksters. And ensure the candy stays out of their reach, especially chocolate, which can be toxic. Vet bills for catastrophes within your control add unnecessary expenses.
Candy: Don't buy more than you need. Know yourself and your relationship with candy. If your resistance is strong and you can manage temptation, stock up in advance when it is on sale, and freeze it if you have to. Most candy keeps for a while, so recycle candy collected during the year and add it to the Halloween stash: packaged after-dinner mints, candy thrown at parades, etc. If you know you'll eat any candy that's in the house, wait until the last minute to purchase it. Or give out quarters, for no extra calories and no waste whatsoever.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
What tips do you have for Halloween savings? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
I always wanted to be a witch for Halloween, but my mother never saw the need to spend money on costumes. I could either be a gypsy, a princess, or a hobo, using old clothes and accessories we found around the house. When I finally grew up and left home, I went out and bought myself a witch costume. But my parents' frugality rubbed off on me; I've used the same witch costume year after year. In fact, I still wear that hat when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
There can be a happy medium between extreme cheapness and overspending on holidays like Halloween. Here are some tips to minimize costs and still enjoy yourself:
Costumes: Make your own, or buy timeless characters that can be reused for more than one year to stretch out the expenditure. Avoid flammable fabrics and masks or hoods that impede vision. Make sure garments don't drag along the ground, and that the kids wear comfortable shoes and follow basic safety rules when out trick-or-treating. A trip the emergency room can blow your budget.
Decorations: Some people like to go all out and one-up each other for the neighborhood's "best decorated" title, which is great if it gives you pleasure. To reduce costs, invest in big-ticket items that can be reused year after year. Keep safety in mind when placing decorations in your home or yard, and use adequate lighting. Medical bills and lawsuits take the fun out of holiday festivities.
Pets: Keep your pets indoors on Halloween so they don't get spooked or tormented by pranksters. And ensure the candy stays out of their reach, especially chocolate, which can be toxic. Vet bills for catastrophes within your control add unnecessary expenses.
Candy: Don't buy more than you need. Know yourself and your relationship with candy. If your resistance is strong and you can manage temptation, stock up in advance when it is on sale, and freeze it if you have to. Most candy keeps for a while, so recycle candy collected during the year and add it to the Halloween stash: packaged after-dinner mints, candy thrown at parades, etc. If you know you'll eat any candy that's in the house, wait until the last minute to purchase it. Or give out quarters, for no extra calories and no waste whatsoever.
Have a safe and happy Halloween!
What tips do you have for Halloween savings? I would love to hear your comments.
Sharon Marchisello is the author of Live Cheaply, Be Happy, Grow Wealthy.
