Exactly one week ago my big, expensive refrigerator died. I had just purchased two weeks worth of groceries about 3 days earlier, so you can imagine my frustration at having lots of food spoil on top of having to pay hundreds of dollars to the repair man. Left with a ghastly empty fridge with only three things (peanut butter, pickles and baking soda) I decided to take the opportunity to prove that you can save money on your groceries every single time you shop without being an extreme couponer. (more…)
Month: May 2011
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The Oprah Effect
Today is the final broadcast of the Oprah Winfrey show. I’m not a regular Oprah viewer, but if something big happens (Tom Cruise’s mental breakdown couch surfing episode comes to mind) I’ll tune in during one of the re-runs. Last night I watched part 2 of the star-studded farewell tribute and thought about the influence that one woman has had on many lives and the effect that she has had on my own life.
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Use Credit Karma To Track Your Credit Score For Free
In today’s post-recession world, banks have tightened lending standards considerably in order to reduce their exposure to risky bets, and now more than ever it is imperative to build a strong credit history in order to secure bank financing when purchasing a new home, car, or other big ticket purchase.
A strong credit score can help save you thousands of dollars over the life of a loan due to more favorable interest rates and lending agreements. If you are one of the millions of Americans that have lost a job or faced a reduction in pay or working hours, and if this has caused damage to your credit score because of late or missed payments, there is good news. With dedication and effort you can work to rebuild your credit score. One of the best ways to rebuild your credit is to begin using Credit Karma. (more…)
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$2M Lottery Winner Uses Food Stamps
I’m not providing commentary on this one, just reporting the news. A Michigan man has been collecting and using food stamps for 11 months after winning $2M from his state’s lottery and there is apparently nothing that the state can do about it – yet. The man, Leroy Flick who drives a brand spanking new Audi, was seen using the food stamp card called the Bridge Card which is intended for use by low income families. (more…)
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Coupon Industry Fights Illegal Extreme Couponing
I will not beat the extreme couponing horse to death, since it has been covered by just about every frugal blog on the plant. But I realized that even my last post on extreme couponing offered just my view about the subject and solicited you for yours. Few blogs have taken the time to see how the coupon industry and manufacturers feel about the extreme couponing strategies that have been employed by some shoppers featured on the show.
I had the opportunity to speak to a PR representative that works with Coupons.com. My purpose was to determine how they felt about extreme couponers and their shopping tactics. To truly understand what they were facing, I sat and watched four FULL episodes of the show plus a bunch of clips. I have to say that it’s a lot to digest, and I’m going to work with the assumption that you have not seen the show, Extreme Couponing on TLC. Below is a clip of one episode so that we are all on the same page. (more…)
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Pay What You Want Panera Racks Up
Proving that people are basically good, the pay what you want Panera opened a year ago is steadily posting profits. The concept is simple, provide a restaurant where 100% of proceeds will go to charity but instead of charging set prices, the company suggests the regular retail price of the item, but you are free to pay what you want.
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Losing My Tenant From Hell
I have purposely not updated you on my dealing with my tenant because I knew that this day would come. My tenant from hell is leaving my house. Let the celebrations begin! Usually I give you the long version of my dealing with my tenant, but this time I figured that I would give you the short, short version.
As you already know, my tenant has a habit of not paying the last portion of her rent on time. A program pays about 80% of her rent to me directly and she had to pay the balance. If she didn’t pay her rent by the 6th of the month she would incur a late fee. She had been on a decent clip for about 2 months with paying her rent on time and then she fell off the cliff.
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Last of the Unmarried Mohicans
Danger: This is a rant.
An interesting thing has been happening in my office over the last few years. Everyone has been getting married slowly but surely. The last two weddings will take place within the next 3 weeks and after that, the entire office will be married. Well, the entire office except me, two gay coworkers and another coworker somewhere in her late 40’s or early 50’s will be married, and for some reason, people feel the need to point this out to me. (more…)
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100 Most Value Global Brands 2011
And the spending continues! Apple keeps cranking out enough updates to keep the buying public interested, helping it to rank #1 as the most valuable global brand in 2011. Apple actually displaced the Goliath Google by increasing their brand value by a whopping 84% in just one year. Ka-ching for Apple. (more…)
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My Debt Consolidation Experience and Rules
Did I ever tell you guys that I had previously paid off over $20K in debt way back in my early 20’s? No? Well that’s another story for me to put up here some day, but that experience taught me loads about debt consolidation services. If you find yourself in debt and are considering a debt consolidation or their services, please read this article before picking up the phone. (more…)
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Going To Extremes To Save?
TLC has a new program called Extreme Couponing that has gained a cult following with both frugal people like myself, and with mainstream, non-coupon clipping America. Have you seen it? I have two words for the whole experience – train wreck! You know that you were thinking it too. If you haven’t seen it, watch the clip below for a reference point and then continue reading the rest of this article. (more…)