There are many ways to make extra money right in your home!
Have any brand name clothes that are next to new? Consign them, most consignment shops pay you about 45% of the marked price. You can also opt to receive 50% if you decide to purchase clothes.
Once upon a Child will buy your gently used kids items, you can receive store credits, cash or gift cards.
Weeding through your home library, dvd collection or cd collection? Half Price books and similar stores will purchase these items from you. Don't expect to get much money for them , the stores don't pay much since they have a profit margin. There are also smaller used bookstores that will take your old books, dvds and cds for store credit.
Craigslist is another great way to make some cash selling items you no longer want or need.
For safety reasons, remember to meet the interested party in a public place. You also have to be aware of scams from distant buyers. Craigslist has safety tips and things to be aware of listed on the website for buyers and sellers safety.
I hope these tips help you to put some extra cash in your pocket.
Until next time. L.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Barter a great way to save money
Remember those old Little House on the Prairie reruns where Doc Baker was paid in eggs, chickens or other items for his services? While bartering isn't as common as it once was it does still exist.
I belong to a volunteer program similar to the timebanks programs.
How it works: Members list services they provide and services they need.
You then keep track of your time and send it in at the end of the month to the coordinator.
If you have enough hours banked you can call other members for the services you need.
This has been a lifesaver many times for me! Examples of things I have had done for me: ceiling tiles installed in my basement
work done in my basement bathroom
having a clothesline installed in the back yard
snow shoveling and more! It's a great way to help others, get acquainted with others in your neighborhood and meet new friends. To find more information on these types of groups in your neighborhood try doing a Google search for barter or barter groups and see what you can find! A concept from years ago that is making a comeback with our tight economy.
Until next time L.
I belong to a volunteer program similar to the timebanks programs.
How it works: Members list services they provide and services they need.
You then keep track of your time and send it in at the end of the month to the coordinator.
If you have enough hours banked you can call other members for the services you need.
This has been a lifesaver many times for me! Examples of things I have had done for me: ceiling tiles installed in my basement
work done in my basement bathroom
having a clothesline installed in the back yard
snow shoveling and more! It's a great way to help others, get acquainted with others in your neighborhood and meet new friends. To find more information on these types of groups in your neighborhood try doing a Google search for barter or barter groups and see what you can find! A concept from years ago that is making a comeback with our tight economy.
Until next time L.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Check out the Library!
I have always loved the library. My love of the library goes back to when I was a child and joined the free Summer reading programs.
Have you checked out your local library lately? Many have free programs! An example is story time for younger kids. There are also adult book clubs some classes too! I recently attended a FREE class on photography and another on Clutter Control! After the Holiday's who doesn't need new ideas on how to make room for all of the new items that come into the house much less the old ones! These were one hour classes.
With money being tight it's great to take home FREE dvds and newer books.Some libraries have rentals on newer dvds and books for about .50 a day.Not a bad deal if you have time to watch a DVD in a day or read a new book in a weekend! Sometimes if your library doesn't have the book you are looking for and it's a new one, you can request the library purchase it. Don't forget about inter library loan where you can many times obtain titles from other local libraries in your state or other states. You may have to wait awhile when you are requesting books from out of state but it's worth the wait! Many libraries also have computers available for blocks of time, usually 60 minutes this could save on cable and dial up internet and of course the cost of a computer.
If it's been a while since you have gone to your library check it out! You will be surprised at all of the things it
has to offer!
Until next time. L.
Have you checked out your local library lately? Many have free programs! An example is story time for younger kids. There are also adult book clubs some classes too! I recently attended a FREE class on photography and another on Clutter Control! After the Holiday's who doesn't need new ideas on how to make room for all of the new items that come into the house much less the old ones! These were one hour classes.
With money being tight it's great to take home FREE dvds and newer books.Some libraries have rentals on newer dvds and books for about .50 a day.Not a bad deal if you have time to watch a DVD in a day or read a new book in a weekend! Sometimes if your library doesn't have the book you are looking for and it's a new one, you can request the library purchase it. Don't forget about inter library loan where you can many times obtain titles from other local libraries in your state or other states. You may have to wait awhile when you are requesting books from out of state but it's worth the wait! Many libraries also have computers available for blocks of time, usually 60 minutes this could save on cable and dial up internet and of course the cost of a computer.
If it's been a while since you have gone to your library check it out! You will be surprised at all of the things it
has to offer!
Until next time. L.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Keeping a price book
I have heard in the past that it's a good idea to keep a price book.
This can be a simple small notepad or notebook that fits easily in your purse or bag.You jot down the names of the stores you normally shopand a store you normally wouldn't shop, then price compare the items or sale items you normally buy and enter them in your price book. Since most stores have "cycles" that usually run in 6 to 12 week periods you then know what will be on sale and when so you can stock up if the price is right.
I never tried this because I felt I could just remember prices for items and that it would be extra work to do so. Was I ever wrong!
Almost all of the Target stores near me now carry groceries, they also price match if you bring in the competing stores ad, and give a .05 discount for each reusable bag you bring in. (Although many times you need to remind the cashier to give you credit for this, it all adds up!) I made it my first assignment to price compare Target vs. the grocery stores. Since there is a grocery store that doubles coupons on Wednesdays and Saturdays I decided this would be the place to start. During Holiday baking time I was shocked and amazed that Target was over $1.00 cheaper on the dipping chocolate I needed even if I had doubled coupons! Another area Target beat the competition hands down was the meat dept. they were having a sale, with the sale price over $1.00 cheaper per lb. on ground beef.
So, you may want to try this experiment with a few of the stores in your town. Especially now with the high price of gas, it really helps to save every penny on groceries since the prices on many items has increased!
Until next time. L.
This can be a simple small notepad or notebook that fits easily in your purse or bag.You jot down the names of the stores you normally shopand a store you normally wouldn't shop, then price compare the items or sale items you normally buy and enter them in your price book. Since most stores have "cycles" that usually run in 6 to 12 week periods you then know what will be on sale and when so you can stock up if the price is right.
I never tried this because I felt I could just remember prices for items and that it would be extra work to do so. Was I ever wrong!
Almost all of the Target stores near me now carry groceries, they also price match if you bring in the competing stores ad, and give a .05 discount for each reusable bag you bring in. (Although many times you need to remind the cashier to give you credit for this, it all adds up!) I made it my first assignment to price compare Target vs. the grocery stores. Since there is a grocery store that doubles coupons on Wednesdays and Saturdays I decided this would be the place to start. During Holiday baking time I was shocked and amazed that Target was over $1.00 cheaper on the dipping chocolate I needed even if I had doubled coupons! Another area Target beat the competition hands down was the meat dept. they were having a sale, with the sale price over $1.00 cheaper per lb. on ground beef.
So, you may want to try this experiment with a few of the stores in your town. Especially now with the high price of gas, it really helps to save every penny on groceries since the prices on many items has increased!
Until next time. L.
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