Archive for September, 2011

6 Tips to Save on Back-to-School Supplies

Author: sciaq

Sep 15

Pencils, crayons, pens, and notebooks mean it’s that time again! All parents know that back-to-school shopping can add up quickly. However, there are things you can do to minimize the cost. This school year, save yourself some money with the following tips.

1. Stick to the list. Any item not on the list provided by your child’s teacher probably isn’t needed. Although kids may beg for extra supplies, make a rule that if something isn’t on the list, you won’t buy it. They can have fun picking out the items that are actually needed.

• If a list wasn’t given out before the first day of school, there’s no need to get carried away and purchase a bunch of stuff your child might not ever use. Get the list as soon as possible; you’ll be in a position to pick up items when they’re on sale.

• Contact the school or look at the school’s website if you haven’t received a copy of the list. Many schools now provide a downloadable version on their website.

2. Shop at home first. You likely have several things at home that can be used. Look in your office for pencils, pens, unused notebooks, notebook paper, and more. Remember to check your child’s book bag, crayons, lunch box, and anything else that comes to mind.

• Items like pencil boxes, pencil sharpeners, and scissors can probably be used for years before they need replacement.

3. Consider the source. Many parents immediately think of large super-stores as the best source of school supplies. Remember to consider the offerings of drug stores and even grocery stores.

• Frequently, these less-considered stores can have spectacular sales on many back-to-school supplies just to get shoppers in the door. Check out newspaper inserts and mailed circulars to find out about drugstore sales.

4. Watch for the sales. As the calendar closes in on the beginning of the school year, keep your eyes open. Sales abound, and the smart shopper will be on the lookout for the best deals. Often one store will have notebooks on sale for one cent, while another will have a great sale on pencils.

• Using coupons wisely can save you a ton of money.

• Even if a coupon comes out after you’ve made a purchase, stores will typically honor them. Take your receipt and the coupon back to the store and get that better price.

5. Do you have a tax-free holiday? Many states have tax-free holidays around the start of school. Make sure to check whether your state has a tax free holiday and go shopping during those times.

6. Team up with another parent. By joining forces with another parent, you have the opportunity to purchase items in bulk at reduced prices. Then divide up the supplies and the savings.

Back-to-school time is exciting for everyone, but for parents it can also be a financially stressful time of the year. But school starting doesn’t have to break the bank. Get your supply list, stick to it, and focus on saving money by following these tips. This school year might cost you less than any other.

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Lower Your Costs for College Textbooks

Author: sciaq

Sep 5

College has become very expensive the last several years, and books are no exception. Many parents are surprised and shocked at the cost of college textbooks. The average full-time student now spends over $900 on textbooks alone!

While it’s not possible to completely eliminate the cost, there is much that can be done to minimize your expenses.

Try these techniques to save money on college textbooks:

1. Used textbooks are as good as new ones; they just might not be quite as pretty. Previously owned textbooks can be found in the college bookstore for approximately 70% of the cost of a new book.

• You might find even better prices if you buy directly from a student who’s done with them. Getting the book directly from a student avoids the bookstore mark-up.

2. Buy online. The college bookstore is always going to be the most expensive place to buy a new textbook. Online retailers are usually at least 20% less expensive. Remember to consider shipping costs as well.

• Use the ISBN (the international standard book number) when searching; textbook titles aren’t very unique.

• The college bookstore is always extremely crowded at the beginning of each semester anyway.

3. Borrowing can be wonderful a thing. Many textbooks can be found in the college library. This is a completely free way to use textbooks! It’s also possible to borrow the book from someone that took the same course last year.

4. Sharing can be great, too. Get together with another student in the same course and share the book. Split the proceeds at the end of the semester when the book is sold.

• Sharing means half the cost, but it also means half the access. Ensure it’s a book you can afford to do this with, rather than one you’ll need every day. Also, only try this with someone you know is reliable.

5. Look for an older edition. The current edition is always far more expensive than a used copy of the last edition. Publishers come out with new editions primarily to force students to purchase new books from them, not to update material.

• Typically, very little has changed in the new edition. However, the page numbers can be different for the same material. Usually, this is because a chart or diagram was made smaller or larger and the text has been shifted around.
• The best bet is to ask the professor if the older edition is acceptable; they will almost always say yes.

6. Rent the book. There are online companies that will rent textbooks for the semester at significantly less than the cost of a new book. At the end of the semester, just mail the book back. One example is www.chegg.com.

7. Buy the international edition of the textbook. Just as pharmaceutical companies sell drugs at different prices in different countries, publishing companies do the same thing. Look at a site like www.abebooks.com for the international edition.

• These books are in English and are usually identical to the US version except the cover. They aren’t sold in the US, but they can be imported and are frequently 80% cheaper.

College textbooks can be outrageously expensive, but those costs can be mitigated with some work and a plan. Get the syllabus as soon as possible and figure out the ISBN.

Now you’re armed to start your search, so compare all the available options. High tuition costs aren’t going to go away, but you can do something about the rising price of textbooks. Happy learning!

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Eating Out Without Breaking Your Piggy Bank

Author: sciaq

Sep 5

When times are tough, one of the first luxuries you might drop is eating out.

Let’s face it: Dining in a restaurant is can be pretty expensive compared to eating at home. But what if you love to go out for lunch or dinner? If so, let’s discuss a few ways you can cut the cost of restaurant meals.

Perhaps not every suggestion will appeal to you, but you’ll find at least a few that help you cut your expenses. Take what works and apply it to your situation. You can be dining out in no time and still pay your bills.

Consider these money saving ideas:

1. Gift cards don’t have to be gifts. At places like Sam’s Club and Costco, you can buy gift cards for many popular restaurants and save 20%. No one says you have to give them as gifts to others! Buy one for yourself and hit the town.

• The options may vary, but there’s always a decent selection of nice establishments.

2. Pick the right day. Many restaurants have specials on particular nights. If you go on the right evening, you can save bundle. Do a little research and make some calls. You’ll be surprised at what’s available.

• Also consider the time of day; happy hours can be fun and inexpensive.

3. Restaurant.com can save you a lot of money. Sign up for their e-mail list and start getting offers to your favorite restaurant.

• It’s not unusual to be able to get $35 of credit for $10 or less! There are hundreds of offers and they’re constantly changing. Keep your eyes peeled on both the website and your e-mail account.

4. Take the kids. If you do some research, you’ll find that many restaurants are free for children on certain days and/or at certain times. Those little angels might be expensive the rest of the time, but that doesn’t have to be the case when you’re eating out.

5. Skip the drinks. Water is a lot better for you than nearly anything else you can order to drink. Beverages are typically quite expensive.

• Look at the cost of a 2-liter bottle of soda and compare that to what they charge for a glass of soda in a restaurant. The same goes for beer or anything else. If you’re taking your entire family out, it can really add up. It’s better for you and your pocketbook to just have a nice, tall glass of ice-cold aqua.

6. Exercise some restraint. Some restaurants provide so much food that adding an appetizer is overkill. You might even consider just having the appetizer.

• If there’s too much food to comfortably consume in a sitting, get a doggy bag and eat it the next day. Stretching your restaurant meal out into two meals effectively cuts the cost of eating out to half.

7. Avoid places where you have to tip. That doesn’t mean you have to eat a greasy burger and order your food by talking into a clown’s head.

• Many decent restaurants require you to stand in line to order and then pick up your food at the counter. Places like Panera Bread and McAllister’s come to mind. The food is restaurant quality without the obligation of leaving a tip. That’s a savings of 15-20% and that will help keep your piggy bank intact.

When times are tough, like they are for many right now, dining out tends to be one of the first things to go. But eating out doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to cut the cost of eating away from home; above are just a few suggestions. Use these ideas and get out of the house again – for less!

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