Ways to Save When Buying Supplies in Bulk

Buying in bulk is a great way to stock up on the supplies you need. However, it is not always an affordable option when you are on a budget. Use the following tips to learn how to save money when buying your supplies in bulk.

Only Buy What You Need

When you see supplies such as candy or socks in bulk, you may be tempted to add them to your shopping list. Do you really need to buy these supplies in bulk? Stocking up on supplies you do not need in bulk is a waste of money. You can save money by creating and sticking to a list of the supplies you actually need to buy in bulk.

Clip or Print Coupons

Another way to save money when buying in bulk is to look for coupons for certain products. There are several stores that offer coupons for bulk supplies. You can find coupons in sale papers and online through the store website. If you have a membership to a certain store, you may receive coupons in your mail or email.

Check Out the Current Sales

When looking for supplies such as food, toilet paper or other groceries, it never hurts to check out the current sales in stores. You may find a sale that allows you to buy one item and get a second for a discounted price. There is also a chance you may catch an online sale that offers free shipping to a local store or your home.

Focus on Self-Sufficiency

Some of the best things to buy in bulk are those you can use to be more self-sufficient. Buying flour and yeast instead of bread will give you supplies that last longer and that can be used to make a variety of foodstuffs. Buying seeds and soil or bulk 9mm Luger ammo for sale will give you tools to grow or hunt your own food if you are in the right area for it.

Split Up Certain Supplies

There are some supplies you can split up with family, friends or neighbors. Everyone pitches in towards the total cost of the supplies, such as pasta, bottled water or toilet paper. When the supplies are picked up or delivered, they are equally split between everyone. Splitting the cost allows everyone to spend less on the supplies they need.

Do Not Buy Everything at Once

It is tempting to pick up all of your usual supplies during a weekly shopping trip. You may feel you are ahead of the game by picking up supplies you may already have at home. However, you are spending more money than necessary on supplies you do not need right now. If you want to save money, designate each shopping trip to only the supplies you need at the moment.

You do not have to break the bank when buying your supplies in bulk. If you keep the above tips in mind, you can save money while stocking up on the supplies you need.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan

Ditch the Ramen: Saving Money by Replacing What You Use

It's the end of the month, you look in the cupboard for something to eat, and Ramen noodles sit staring you in the face. It's back to school time for your kids and you're shopping the thrift stores instead of the mall. What has gone so horribly wrong? Obviously something needs to give. If you're bank account is a deeper shade of red at the end of the month, you have changes to make. Here are just a few items in your home that you can replace to start saving money:

1.Central Air

No one wants to live in a sweat box during the summer. If you are looking to make a change, you may want to consider alternative ways to cool your home. Central air conditioning is an expense that you can do away with quite easily. It does take some getting used to, but turning off your whole-house cooling system can save you a great deal of money each month.

Plant trees outside of the windows that get the most sun during the mid-afternoon. Install light-blocking shades and curtains on these same windows. Put window fans in your windows and run them at night to cool off your home. Install an attic fan to draw up the hot air in your home during the day. Keep your windows closed during the hottest hours of the day and open them wide in the evening.

2.Utility Bills

Can you replace your utility bills? Not necessarily. What you can do, however, is sign up for budget payment plans, effectively replacing your high energy bills. Most utility companies allow their customers to sign up for a budget payment plan based on the customer's monthly consumption.

Paying in this way makes it easier to pay your bills when they are higher in the winter by spreading out your payments into equal monthly installments. For example, what may be $150 bill in the heart of the cold weather season could be an $80 bill on the budget plan. 

3.Premium Cable

It's hard to cut the cable cord, especially for people in rural areas who can't get an over-the-air signal to save their lives. Instead of cutting the cable completely, get rid of what you can. Keep in mind that you can only watch one channel on one television at a time. Also keep in mind that you can watch many of your favorite shows on the Internet, and that a Netflix subscription costs less than $10 per month. What kind of cable are you paying for? If you're like the average cable television subscriber, you are paying over $100 per month for the privilege of watching television. Get rid of your premium channels and sports packages. Whittle your package down to basic and you could save over $50 each month. If you are screaming "But what about my DVR?!" at your computer screen right now, think of it this way: Your DVR will have you eating salty, dried noodles at the end of the month. Wouldn't you rather have a dinner designed for adults?

4.Your Car

Egads! Get rid of your car? That's right. While it's not feasible for everyone, it is feasible for more people than you may think. If you have more than one car in your family, dump the others. If you have access to public transportation, ditch every car that you own. If you simply can't fathom life without a car, you are wrong. Think about how much money you could save if you got rid of your car. No more insurance payments, and no more need for gas. Don't worry if your car is financed; you can easily find someone to buy it for what you still owe. It takes minor adjustments when you don't have a vehicle, but you can still get things done. A subscription to Amazon prime costs under $90 per year. Amazon prime gets you free shipping. This means that you can do your grocery shopping, pet food shopping and clothes shopping online. If you want to go on a vacation, you can rent a car. If you have a medical emergency, you can call an ambulance. Give it some thought.

Will all of these options work for everyone? Of course not. But at least one of these options might work for you. There's no reason to live paycheck to paycheck when you can make changes in your life that will keep your bank account in the black. Talk to family and friends and visit www.securitysystems.net/frontpoint-vs-adt.php for more money-saving ideas.

Chelsea McCary is an avid finance blogger. If you want to learn more about ways to save money without scrimping, you can follow her at @ChelseaMcCary.

Six Ways to Save Money on Your Home Technology

Technology can easily become very expensive, but it does not have to. Here are six ways you can save money on your home technology.

1. Shop Around

One of the easiest and quickest ways to save money on home technology you are looking to buy is to simply shop around before you make your purchase. A gadget’s price can vary widely from store to store. Compare prices for both online and brick and mortar stores on the internet. One quick search could save you hundreds of dollars!

2. Shop Sales

Being patient can really pay off if you wait until your gadget is on sale before you buy it. Black Friday is the most well-known sale day for electronics, but it isn’t the only one. Cyber Monday, Black Friday’s online counterpart, happens the Monday after Thanksgiving. Good deals can also be found during Back to School time and Christmastime as well.

3. Take Advantage of Rewards Programs

Some stores offer incentives for you to shop with them. They may offer you a free product or a money saving coupon after you spend a certain dollar amount at their store. If there is a technology product you buy frequently, like printer cartridges, you can end up saving some real money this way. Of course, skipping buying new cartridges and just getting a printer cartridge refill is a good option too.

4. Buy Used or Refurbished

Another good option is buying your electronics used or refurbished. With so many people always looking to upgrade as soon as possible, it is completely possible to get a used phone or television that has not actually been used that much. If it is relatively new and still works well, why pay more?

5. Get Rid of Excess Features

Make sure you are not paying more than you should for features you don’t even use. If you mostly watch local channels, you may not need the top-of-the-line cable package. If you have a cell phone you use for all your calls, you may want to get rid of your landline. You may choose to buy the basic printer without the fax and scanner you have no use for.

6. Ignore the Joneses

One of the best ways to save on technology is simply to ignore the Joneses. Use your phone awhile longer instead of always having to have the latest and greatest upgrades right away. Take care of the electronics you have so they last. Buy last year’s model.

Using these six tips will ensure that you will have the technology you love without spending an arm and a leg to get it.

Learn Different Ways Of Saving Your Money

Some say love makes the world go round. Many now say money make the world go round. Money is truly a critical factor to living life on the earth as it is. Money defines power and capability. All issues in one way or another lead to money. Even the good book used by the Christians says, "Money answers all things". However, it is never about spending all the time. It is definitely wiser to save than you spend. This assures you of financial security and teaches virtues such as inner discipline, self-control and contentment. Here are a couple of ways you can save money

Cost effectiveness

Different brands are there on the market when you go buy stuff. Make sure to do your research before you use your purchasing power. This enables you to know what product is best; thus, your money never goes to waste. Without compromising on quality, you are also well equipped to choose what product to buy as the prices from different brands of products. It may seem like a small margin but cumulatively it amount to quite a lot, which is utilizable for other purposes or even save it. 

Avoid luxury

As the word suggests, they are not necessary and so it is best to avoid them when and if you can. If you will not need a new function, it is better not to buy the newest phone on the market that is fancy and instead remain with your former. Businesspersons would say there is no return in that investment. Some people even have the tendency of purchasing stuff without proper knowledge of it, just because it is new and advance. You would rather remain with your old school brand if it suits you comfortably. New is not always better. 

Save as you earn

Do not save what remains after spending. Instead, spend what remains after spending. In fact, such habits like smoking, which are expensive can be turned around by indulging good e-cigarettes to help you quit. This is an ideal practice, especially for those who expect something at the end of the month or the week. Develop the habit of setting aside a certain amount of money once your wages and income gets to you. It is best if you transfer it elsewhere and forget about it. It may come in handy during a rainy day, dealing with disasters and emergencies. It is always best if you are prepared. 

Avoid being spendthrift

Being spendthrift should be a great vice for one aiming at saving money. It creates the tendency of spending money in a way that you had not intended to in the first place. One, you get to buy something that you do not really need. It was never initially on your mind as you went out. Most probably, you liked it because of its attractiveness or good bargain. Two, you purchase the item at the expense of another. It is always best if you do not walk around with cash in close range e.g. in your pocket if you have this habit.

Remember that wasting is the opposite of saving. Therefore, apart from setting money to the side, it is also quite helpful if you cut down on costs, especially those that might be unnecessary.

Author Bio

Alisa Martin is a renowned financial adviser all over the country. She also has a passion of keeping her followers informed, thus writing various and diversified topics in her blogs. She is also in the lead front in technological advances, well known in the light of ego ce4 and much more.

Some Ways to Save Money You May Not Have Thought About

Realistically, the vast majority of us are looking for ways to make our money work harder. Spending less on certain essential items is definitely one way to do this. However, in practice, this is often easier said than done and changing our spending habits can be quite difficult.
So if you are looking for some tips for how to save money, try starting with these suggestions.

Think about how you shop

Much of this is a mind-set change. With things like your weekly groceries, make sure you aren’t going to the shop feeling hungry, and avoid the tempting, end-of-aisle offerings that trick you into making impulse purchases. Get a rewards card with your regular supermarket which will often give you money-back vouchers on certain items that you regularly buy. Perhaps also consider a credit card which will pay you cashback for purchases made on it, though you should always ensure you can pay this balance back in full each month.

For things like shopping for electronic items or clothes, try comparing prices online, rather than buying the first item you see. You can also find good cashback deals on certain websites, meaning you are effectively ‘paid back’ some of the money you have spent. 

Reduce your travel spending

A surprisingly large amount of money can be saved if you change your driving habits. Becoming a more considerate driver will help you use less petrol, i.e. leaving a bigger gap between yourself and the car in front, accelerating and braking less aggressively, not speeding - especially on motorways, will all reduce your fuel costs, as well as help contribute positively towards a healthier environment.

When it comes to trains, use season tickets when it comes to regular journeys, such as the one you make to work each day. For longer trips try to book online as far in advance as possible. Also try to use advance tickets where possible, i.e. where you have to travel on a set train on a specific date.

Cut down on electric and gas prices

Energy prices are one of the quickest rising costs at the moment, seemingly going up a staggering amount far above inflation every year. So finding ways to cut back on your gas and electricity bills will save you a large amount of money across to course of the year, especially during the winter months. Firstly, consider the things you can do yourself such as ensuring that lights are turned off when not used, not leaving devices such as televisions and games consoles on stand-by, filling up the kettle with only as much water as you need etc.

After you have thought about your own usage, then it is time to do some research into other providers. If you haven’t already, it’s well worth using a comparison tool to see whether you could save money elsewhere and make the switch if necessary - something which is far easier than you may think!

5 Things You Can Do Each Week to Save Money

We would all like to have more money, but we generally think of it as the result of a raise or a new job. But there are many ways to increase your disposable income by saving it along the way. Then, earn even more by allowing interest to work for you.

1. Watch and Compare Sizes

You don't always get the best deal by purchasing the larger size package. If you look at the per-ounce amount on the things you buy, you might be surprised. True, in many cases buying the larger bag of something is more economical, but not always. The opposite is often true.

The 200-ounce bottle of Tide might be $3.25. But wait, the 100-ounce bottle costs only $1.50. It isn't always apparent when looking strictly at the price alone. Dig a little deeper. You could save a bit just by paying attention to the pricing. When combined with bigger savings, like you can find at Brian Ferdinand Liquid Holdings, you won't believe how much extra money you'll have in the bank.

2. Discounts

This is a great way to save money on things you need or regularly purchase. Many employers offer discounts on various items, such as fitness memberships, passes to community events, and cell phone programs. But be careful not to be duped into buying things you wouldn't normally buy just because it is discounted. Buying something you normally wouldn't because it is $20 instead of $30 just cost you $20.

3. Prescriptions and Glasses

You can save significantly by having you doctor write you a prescription for double your normal dosage. Take those pills and cut them in half. A prescription for 30 pills at 50 milligrams might cost $90. But the same prescription for 100-milligram pills will only cost around $10 more. You can see how quickly you will start saving.

Also, try purchasing your glasses online. These websites walk you through the measurements so the glasses will fit your face correctly. These glasses quite often cost a fraction of what you would pay locally for a similar pair. 

4. Coupons

Extreme couponers will buy groceries for a third the cost of their retail-shopping counterparts. But you don't have to go extreme to save money. Between mailers, coupon books, newspapers, and online options, there are many ways to save money at almost every restaurant, for almost every product, and for many services.

Online stores offer discounts using secret coupon codes found at several different sites. There are many deals and reductions available if you're willing to search a little.

5. Set Aside Money

Yes, save money by saving. This is actually a way to earn money by using the power of compounding interest. For example, if you were to take and put $20 a week (the money you save by using the tips above) into an interest bearing account at 5%, at the end of 10 years you would have $13,735. That's thousands of dollars earned by simply setting it aside and not touching it. Not a bad day's work.

There are so many ways you can save money, the secret is acting on a few and saving a little here and a little there. It adds up quickly.

4 Things You Might Be Saving Up For This Year

Save Money (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

There are some things in life that - unfortunately - are just more expensive than we would like. These types of things can take a lot longer for us to save up for than we would like too, but most people would agree that it is worth it in the long run when you meet your goals and expectations. 

Here, we will look at a number of common products, services and experiences that people save up for - maybe you will find something on this list that rings home for you, and if so you might be inspired to find a new way to save for it.

Car

In order to get out and about, many of us rely on our cars. They come in a whole host of specifications and budgets, and cater for us in different ways such as accessibility, speed and size. You might be saving up for your very first car, or you might be looking to upgrade your existing car for a newer model. Regardless of which type of car you want, there’s a good chance that you’re looking for the best price for it. Look out for sales, use your negotiation skills, and see if you can get a good finance agreement from the seller. 

House

A house is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your life, so naturally it is the thing that can take the longest to save for. Of course, not many of us will be cash buyers so we rely on a mortgage in order to secure our new house. But in order to get a mortgage we need a deposit, which can still mean needing to find tens of thousands of pounds. Look for the best savings accounts that will give you a higher rate of interest for the money that you’ve put aside. 

Education

If you have a family with young children, you might be looking ahead to their schooling and university education. Whilst it is possible to get student loans in the UK, you might want to pay for education fees up front to save your children from paying them back at a later date - this can mean the cost of the loan ends up being much more than the education itself. If you aren’t going to need the money in the next few years, look for a high interest account where you can safely save for the future. 

Holiday

In the scheme of things, a holiday can be a slightly more affordable thing you might be saving for. There are still a couple of ways you can reach your holiday fund more easily though, such as putting your savings into a reserve account so it’s not simply sitting in your main bank account. You can also keep watch on the currency exchange rates in order to get the maximum holiday spending money. 


About the author Stephanie Craft is a blogger in the UK who keeps track of the best savings accounts and discount websites.