Yes, I Am Cheap

Month: January 2012

  • Some Things Are Worth The Money

    Some Things Are Worth The Money

    The following is a guest post from Marissa at Thirty Six Months, where she talks about paying off her student debt, learning to invest, and tips to save money.

    I’m all about saving money and finding deals these days. You have to be when you have student debt that you are trying to pay off. There is a certain thrill that I get when I know that I saved money by smart shopping. I also look for deals on everything, and if I feel like a generic item will serve the purpose as the name brand, then I will certainly go for the generic. There are certain generic items that had turned out to be bad investments, and those are mistakes that I will never make again.

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  • Four Easy Resolutions: Just Be Better

    Four Easy Resolutions: Just Be Better

    I’ve been blogging about how I’m working my way out of a 6-figure debt for the past three years.  You’d think that by now I’m an expert at every money making and debt avoidance trick in the book, but quite honestly, I’m not.  It’s been a long journey filled with ups and downs and I’ll keep going until my balance hits zero.

    At this time of the year it’s not unusual for people to begin reflecting on the past year and deciding how to make this New Year even better.  We like to call them resolutions.  For many years I avoided making resolutions because, honestly, haven’t we all promised to lose ten pounds for years now and somehow end every year with those same ten pounds? (more…)

  • Get Out of Debt in 2012: How Much Do You Owe?

    Get Out of Debt in 2012: How Much Do You Owe?

    It is now almost the end of January.  If you have not already abandoned your New Year’s resolutions, this is a great time to solidify a resolution that is probably already on your list – getting out of debt.  Or at least, it’s prime time to begin formalizing a plan to get out of debt in 2012.

    I know that you probably go to work and pay your bills religiously, but you might feel as if you’re going nowhere.  I did the same thing for years.  I woke up every morning with the ominous shadow of a huge debt and the threat of being sued by the landlord of the commercial property where my business had been located, for future rent.  Anxiety and TUMS ruled my life, but still, I paid my bills on time. (more…)

  • Applying All the Right Deductions to Increase That Return

    Applying All the Right Deductions to Increase That Return

    For many of us, the holiday season tends to strip us down to our bare financial bones. We overspent on gifts, food, traveling, and that excellent New Year’s party, and now we are wondering how we are ever going to get on the right financial foot in the New Year.

    While looking for cheap apartments and clipping coupons are definitely a few easy ways to increase the amount of money left over every month, many people rely on their tax return to once again give them a savings account or an emergency fund for the New Year. While this may not be the best practice, it is a fact of life for many struggling with low incomes or one income. So to help you get the most out of your tax return, make sure to not miss out on the following deductions: (more…)

  • Why Cash For Gold Is So Popular

    Why Cash For Gold Is So Popular

    I read an actual newspaper every day (remember those), and every day without fail there is a two page ad from one company basically begging you to send in your old, broken or unwanted jewelry for cash. It occurred to me to me that I’ve been seeing a lot of these ads lately either on television, on the internet or in print. It made me wonder why this business is suddenly so visible. (more…)

  • Yes, I Am Cheap Third Blogiversary Giveaway

    Yes, I Am Cheap Third Blogiversary Giveaway

    It was three years ago on January 4 in a period of desperation that I registered for the domain and built the site that would become this blog. After coming up with the idea for this blog, I sat on it for a bit before actually writing anything. I didn’t know what I was doing and I started to question whether I wanted to share my financial crisis with the entire world.

    I thought that maybe one or two people might stumble into my blog and possibly leave a message or two or word of encouragement. Never did I think that the blog would evolve to welcome tens of thousands of you every month, or that I would learn and share so much about money and finances.  So, I am celebrating my third anniversary this month, and I’m doing it with you and some friends. In the true nature of giving, I and some blogging buddies have decided to reward YOU for following along, and we’re giving you a few chances to win some fabulous CASH and prizes. (more…)

  • Warm Winter Means Deals For You

    Warm Winter Means Deals For You

    It’s been a gloriously warm winter here on the East Coast. The weather actually hit 60 degrees here in New York in December, a sight I have never seen and one my boyfriend’s 81 year old mother couldn’t really recall. All that warm weather means that stores that had stocked up on winter gear can’t sell it. And if they can’t sell their goods, that means a big shop opportunity for you!

    Spring merchandise is just about ready to reach the stores, which means all of the winter merchandise has to be cleared out.   Since no one is buying, that means deep, deep discounts just to get the items out the door.  I plan on picking up a new Calvin Klein coat that I’ve been eyeing all winter long now that it’s 40% off.  I could wait a while and see if some other savvy shopper doesn’t snap it up to see if I can get it at 60% off.

    The best items to buy right now are ski gear, winter coats, and or course, winter boots.  So get out and get something at a decent price right now!

  • TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates Is Just For Show

    TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates Is Just For Show

    I’m going to get right to the point with this one. I watched TLC’s new train wreck of a show called Extreme Cheapskates last night. Or. I watched as much of it as I could stomach, and it’s just 100% trash television meant to shock you into watching every week.

    Now, I don’t get to watch much television because (1) I work late and have a 1.25 hour long one way commute, and (2) my boyfriend usually kidnaps the remote control. I’ve learned to live with Youtube and Hulu or whatever when I feel a need to watch something.

    Anyway I got home last night close to nine, made myself a ham sandwich and settled in to write the announcement for my massive giveaway (coming soon). Lo and behold, my boyfriend was in a brutal online card game and actually gave me the remote. So, I flipped through the channels to see what was on and landed on the show, Extreme Cheapskates. Anything with the word ‘cheapskates’ in the title will catch my eye for obvious reasons. I’m pretty open minded, so I actually put the laptop aside and started watching the show.           (more…)

  • How To Buy A House Without Mortgaging an Arm and A Leg

    How To Buy A House Without Mortgaging an Arm and A Leg

    The following is a post by Sasha Kahn, with information provided by Genworth Financial.

    When buying a house, lenders prefer perspective buyers who can spend the required 20% on a down payment. But let’s face it, for many of us, that’s just not an option.

    You may be one of the 99% who can’t afford a hefty down payment, but there are still ways to move forward with your dream of buying a home. Aside from the various types of home mortgages available, there is also something called mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a loan to protect the lender in the event that the buyer defaults. It’s the only way to buy a home while putting down a minimal cash down payment.
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  • Starting an Emergency Fund With the Right Amount of Money

    David Bakke is a personal finance blogger who writes about budgeting, shopping, and saving for retirement on Money Crashers. 

    The amount of money you should have in your emergency fund varies according to your unique needs. Many experts claim that three months worth of living expenses is sufficient, while others claim you should have six months of expenses covered in your emergency fund.

    I have even seen calculators online that provide an emergency fund estimate by combining minimum monthly expenses, the length of time it might take to find a new job, and the amount you could cut back on your spending if you did lose your job. (more…)

  • Happy New Year 2012!

    Happy New Year 2012!

    We all made it onto the right side of 2012!  Happy New Year to you and you family.  I’m convinced that 2012 will be a banner year for me when it comes to both reducing my debt and increasing my income.  I have a kind of a weird electrical feeling pulsating around me, leaving me feel charged and pumped up about the New Year.

    I’m so incredibly excited at the prospect of what is coming, that it’s almost a palpable thing.  I don’t know exactly what’s a head, but I know that I’m in charge of my own destiny. (more…)