Summer is finally here! It's time to put on your
summer gear and go out there and enjoy it, while
its still here! Here are some free and low cost ways
to have some summer fun on the cheap!
Camps:
Can't afford to send your kids to camp
this summer? Try this:
Backyard Day Camp!
Recruit parents and other kids from
neighborhood in on the fun!
Parents can take turn s on each day
of the week supervising the camp.
Activities:
Fill a kiddie pool with water and colorful
plastic balls that float and let the kids have
at it!
You can also turn the pool into a pretend
fishing hole! Cut fish shapes out of
colored sponges and stick metal beads
for eyes.
Fasten a string to the end of a dowel with bright
colored tape, tie a magnet on the end of a line and
Go Fishing/!
Turn on the Sprinklers! Give them some squirt guns
and that'll keep em busy for hours!
If camping is in your budget try here:
http://tinyurl.com/q7necjs
Tip:
Enjoy local events in your area! Before you buy tickets
to any local event check Groupon, Local Flavor, and Coupom
for fun online deals.
www.LocalFlavor.com
www.Groupon.com
www.Coupons.com
Tidbit:
Want to add movie going to your summer agenda? Try this:
Get a family pack!
Check to see if your favorite theater have family packs/specials!
Cinemark on Mondays has a special called Reel Family Time
promotion, where they let a family buy thre or more tickets for
$1.15 each!
Regal Summer Movie Express provides $1 tickets for 10 am showings!
Marquee Cinemas, the Summer Kids Series let's you watch Family Friendly
movies for free! Go to their sites for details! Or google your favorite theater
and see what they have to offer!
www.Cinemark.com
www.regmovies.com
www.marqueecinemas.com
Tip 2:
Join theater loyalty clubs! Some charge a fee, like the
$12 AMC stub program: others offer benefits like, no
fee online ticket purchases, concession discounts, coupons,
discount days, and freebies! The Regal Crown Club charges
no fees!
Did you know?
Some towns show family friendly movies during the
summer months! Do a google search to find ones near
you!
Want to enjoy free family entertainment?!
Visit
www.eventful.com
Search your cities/towns event calendar. Click on family and
events will pop up. Such as museums, festivals, concerts, and
other fun events! Some may even be free!
Well that's it folks! I hope I was able to help you find summer
fun on the cheap!
Seems the cost of groceries are going
up daily. So I've decided to try and find
some ways to slash our grocery bill in half.
Maybe this will help you readers too! Good
luck and Good savings!
From the post( We want to help you Find Hidden Discounts)
When you are in the supermarket look for household products.
Such as dish soap, soap, tissues, and candies. They are usually
marked down by as much as 75% as story hurry
to get rid of holiday themed items that didn't sell.
Make a list:
Going into a grocery store without a list is a
sure way for you to stray away from your original
plan and you'll probably end up making impulse buys.
Try this app to make a virtual grocery list!
Grocery iQ
Clip Coupons:
Don't forget your coupons!
They'll help you save a buck or two, or three.
Also download these money saving apps
to your smart phone for extra savings!
Groupon Reward- Discounts at local stores.
Saving Star- Extra coupon savings.
Grocery iQ- Virtual Grocery list and so much more!
Coupons.com- app- Coupons, Codes, Deals & Savings!
Grocery Organizer:
Eat leftovers:
Try taking leftovers to work for lunch.
It could save you money from lunch out
everyday. I tried it and it saves me $60.00
per month! Plus you can get rid of some left
over food!
Check your pantry!
Check your pantry, cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer
before heading out to the grocery store. You may find that
you still have some of the items on your grocery list.
Grow your own!
Grow your own veggies and herbs. If you don't have
a garden you can grow them in your kitchen if there's
a sunny spot. The fresh items from gardens can benefit
your family health wise.
Eat before you shop!
My mom use to always tell me "Never go grocery shopping
when you are hungry." That's a surefire way to end up filling
your cart with stuff you don't need and it messes up your budget
plan.
Buy in Bulk:
This is one of my favorite ways to shop!
Do you have a bulk shopping club in your
area? Like Sam's Club, Costco's, or BJ's? If
you do it may be a good idea to become a member
especially if you have a big family!
Note:
Bulk shopping clubs usually charge a fee to become
a member. But it's worth it for all the money you'll
save!
Set a Budget:
Set a budget and stick to it:
Separate your food wants from your food
needs when setting your budget. Stick to your
budget so that way you won't over spend.
Well that's it folks! I hope I was able to help
you slash your grocery bill in 1/2!
Last check around 2013 there were 13.1
million identity fraud victims. In fact my
daughters identity was stolen last year. So
that prompted me to write a blog post about
identity theft, in hopes of helping her get her
identity back! Maybe this can help you or
someone you know as well!
So let's get started!
Tip:
Get your free credit reports yearly(at www.annualcreditreport.com )
Tip 2:
Check your bank account twice a week.
Tidbit:
To track transactions, set up email or text alerts,
which most banks and creditors offer for free!
Tip 3:
Purchase identity theft protection!
Pricing starts around $10.00 per mo.
Don'ts:
Don't conduct business on public wifi.
If you tap into free wireless at cafes,
libraries' or elsewhere, set up different
complex passwords for each of your
financial or personal accounts. Download
a VPN(virtual personal network) app like
Hot Spot Shield to encrypt your data.
Don't:
Leaving financial documents visible is
most common sources of I.D. theft. Shred
unwanted mail, lock away statements that
you must keep. Put mail on hold when you
are on vacation, or away from home for some
time, cancel pre-approved credit card offers- go
here www.optoutpreescreen.com for more info!
Don't:
Allow access to your home technology.
Did you know?
That people can get your personal information
through the technology in your house? Yes
delivery people, service providers, even your
kids teenage friends can retrieve info through
your internet enabled T.V's, laptops, tablets,
and smart phones. "Password Protect" everything!
Don't:
Don't be careless when filling credit card applications.
It's tempting to sign up for store credit cards to get discounts
but it's best to use a digital option because leaving vital
information with a clerk can be risky.
Don't leave your credit cards lying around.
Did you know?
That people looking over your shoulder at the ATM
can snap a photo. They can also snap a photo if you
leave your cards lying around.
Tip:
Cover up PIN pads and keep cards out of sight.
What's in your wallet?
Leave it at home:
SS card
Passport
Health Insurance cards
Receipts w/ personal info
A list of pins and passwords
Safe to carry:
Drivers License
Debit Card
One or Two Credit Cards
A list of emergency contact numbers
That's all folks! I hope I've helped you
Avoid Identity Theft!
The Cheapskate Diva!
It's Spring time and it's time for spring cleaning.
Do you have clutter? So why not turn it into Cash?!
Turn old furniture into a pile of cash! Go to:
www.Chairish.com You'll get 80% off the listing
price when your item sells and they take it away at
no cost!
Consignment Shops:
Many furniture consignment shops will pick
up gently used large items for free and share
the profits with you! Look in the Yellow Pages
under "Consignment Shops" to find one.
Tip:
Got furniture in good condition but you don't
want to wait for it sell? Donate it to the Salvation
Army for a tax deduction which picks up furniture
contributions. Just call 800-SA-Truck.
Earn money for old clothes!
@ www.thredup.com If you have gently used or
new clothes go to thredUp.com and order a free
clean-out-bag. Fill it up and schedule a complimentary
pick up. Once they've received your clothing the value
will be accessed and you will be paid up to 40% of its
resale price! Want cash in your pocket today? You can
get paid today for clothing in good condition at clothing
resale shops! To find a resale shop near you go to
www.BuffaloExchange.com www.ClothesMentor.com
www.OnceUponAChild.com and www.PlatosCloset.com
Trade in Electronics!
If you've got old electronics sell them @ www.Glyde.com
www.Guzu.com and www.YouRenew.com or trade them
for a gift card at www.Amazon.com ( Click "Electronics & Computers"
in the left hand menu, then click on " Trade your Electronics").
Want even faster results? Grab store gift cards for the value of
your trade-ins at Best Buys and Target stores! Go to their store
websites type in "trade in" try www.BestBuy.com and www.TargetTradeInProgram.com
to find participating stores!
New Cash for Old Entertainment!
Books: Enter their ISBN numbers @ www.BookScouter.com
to find out which book resellers will offer you top price for them!
Once you are done reading them, of course:0)
DVD's, CD's, and Video Games!
If they are unused you can get cash for them @ www.CashforCDs.com
or trade or trade them in for a gift card at www.Amazon.com (Click "Movies,
Music, & Games" in left hand menu, then "Trade in Movies, Music, & Games").
That's all folks! I hope I was able to help you "Turn Your Clutter Into Cash"!
Tanya...
The Cheapskate Diva!
Spring has sprung!(Is that a word?) It's time to
put away those heavy clothes and get a new spring
wardrobe for less!
Here's how:
Grab discounts for recycling unwanted clothes!
Some clothes and shoe retailers like H&M,
North Face, American Eagle, and Forever 21,
will give you a voucher for up to 10% your next
purchase if you bring in a bag of used clothes,
shoes, or belts. They participate in the ICO
recycling program that turns cotton, leather,
and other raw materials into new products.
Want to know more about this program go
here: ico-Spirit.com/en/ico-partners
Looking to buy an item at its lowest
prices? (pants, shirts, etc) before buying
do a search on these sites: www.Beso.com
and www.Shopstyle.com These websites will
tell you instantly which retail stores has these
items for the lowest prices!
Price Drops!!
Want to get paid for price drops? Stores like
JCPenny, Macy's, and Target will refund the
difference of an item that goes on sale after
you've purchased it! Usually 7 to 14 days.
Register at sites like www.PricePinx.com
www.WishPot.com and www.Slice.com
They'll tell you if the item goes on sale
or is being sold for less! You will get an
email notifying you of sales! Then take
your receipt to the store's customer service
and request your cash back!
Bonus Rewards!:
Earn Bonus Rewards when visiting the store!
Download the Shopkick app and you can earn
points every time you enter any of the thousands
of participating retailers across the country. Points
can be redeemed for gift cards or % off your purchase!
Tidbit:
Hurry and get to these stores and sites before
all the spring sales are over!
Well that's it for now! I hope I helped you
get a Spring Wardrobe for Less!
Tanya....
The CheapSkate Diva!
I'm sorry it took so long to announce the
winner but I came across some problems
with the random generator I was using-_-
GiveawayTools.com I was so confused
and it didn't work for me like it was supposed
to. I guess if you want quality you have to pay
for it. Since it didn't pick the winner for me, I've
decided the winner will be chosen by following
all the giveaway rules. That person was SarahBera6
@crazyweirdo33@yahoo.com Congrats Sarah you are
the Winner of the Mystery Bag Giveaway! Contact me
@thecheapskate67@gmail.com with your info so I can
send out your prize!
Once again sorry to everyone else who enter the giveaway
this the only way I can I fairly giveaway the prize:0(
I hope this doesn't deter you from any future giveaways
I have. Once I get this issue solved. Again I'm truly sorry
about this.
If you would be so kind, if you know of any good
random generators I could possibly use so I won't
have this problem in the future could you leave their
names in the comments below. Again I'm sorry and
I hope you will continue to enter my future giveaways!
Are you planning a Road Trip this Summer on anytime
this Year? If you are here are some tips and sites to get
you comfortably and safely to your destination! Have Fun!:0)~
AAA.com - Best for mapping your route.
I love this site for travel! I typed in my zip code and
it gave me information on the nearest hotels, dining,
events, camping, and discounts at restaurants , auto repair
service shops and much more!
RoadtripAmerica.com - Best for finding attractions!
Traveling to or through Freemont, California? Stop
by City Beach! It's not really a beach, and it doesn't
have swimming , but it does have rock climbing, air
hockey, and an indoor ropes course!
US-Parks.com - Best for locating National parks and
scenic byways!
It has National Park Hotels and Lodging by State Directory.
Just click the state you are visiting and it will list tons of cities
with hotels and rates!
Have Pets? Then you have to check out
:
TripsWithPets.com - Best for planning a trip with your
furry family members! This site is great for people who
are traveling their pets! They have pet travel tips, car travel
tips w/ your pet, air travel tips w/ your pet, pet friendly hotel
chains are also listed and much more! Also while you are on
this site check out their Road Trip Planner!
http://www.tripadvisors.com/TankOfGas
Shows you where you can go on a tank of gas!
CostToDrive.com - Best for calculating fuel cost;
Go there enter all your information and it'll show
you how much you will need to spend on fuel!
GasBuddy.com - Best for comparing gas prices.
Just go there and search by city, state, or zip. You
can also win prizes!
RandMCNally.com
For trip inspiration- They have maps and directions
Truck GPS,, RV GPS and so much more!
Some of the sites have apps! Speaking of apps here
are some you can take along!
Bathroom Scout:
Find public and other toilets around the world!
Free for Android users!
IExit:
Tells you what's coming up in real time when driving
on the interstate. Find gas, eats, and more! Free for Android
users. $1.99 for Iphone, Ipad, and Iphone Touch users.
Yelp:
Find and reviews about great local businesses near you.
Free for Android, IPhone, IPad, and IPod Touch users!
YP:
Finds the best the best restaurants, local businesses view menus, finds cheap gas and more! Free for Android, IPhone, IPad, and IPod Touch users.
Thanks for reading I hope I was able to
help you Plan your Road Trip this Summer/Year!
