There’s the saying “sometimes you have to spend money to save money.” In my experience as a consumer travel strategist, I also believe sometimes you have to spend money to ultimately save money. Here are my three favorite must-haves that are worth the initial investment.Lite Gear Rolling Mobile … [Read more...] about 3 travel essentials that are worth spending on to save money
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How to make money taking online surveys
Got an opinion on something? On everything? There are plenty of businesses that want to know what you think about anything from laundry detergent to television programs. Many are even willing to pay you for your time, if you participate in online market research surveys. But with hundreds of market … [Read more...] about How to make money taking online surveys
The Coupon Insider: Find secret stash of coupons
One of my best strategies for saving money is to whittle down my grocery bill with coupons. My goal is to save at least 75% every time I shop and have been successful most of the time. Once you get into the groove of using coupons, the trick is to know where to find more coupons.The most obvious … [Read more...] about The Coupon Insider: Find secret stash of coupons
The Coupon Insider: Digital vs. paper coupons
Which is better: digital or paper coupons? With everyone (or so it seems) owning a smartphone, digital coupons have become increasingly popular. It makes sense. With the flick of a finger, you can search for and add manufacturer's coupons to your shoppers card -- anytime, anywhere. While they offer … [Read more...] about The Coupon Insider: Digital vs. paper coupons
How to find extra money to invest this year
For many, investing is scary. Memories of the financial crisis and stock market crash of 2008 and 2009 and the tech bubble burst in the early 2000s scare many consumers away. On top of that, the myth that you need a substantial amount of capital to start investing persists. With worries … [Read more...] about How to find extra money to invest this year
Make Starbucks-like drinks and smoothies for less
An icy Frappuccino or smoothie is a delicious way to cool down on a steamy summer afternoon. But if you hope to enjoy one on a daily basis, you may need to take a small loan out to cover the cost. With a price tag of approximately $4 to 6 each, you’re looking at an average of $35 a week, or $420 … [Read more...] about Make Starbucks-like drinks and smoothies for less
How to buy a home in a sellers’ market
If you’ve decided to buy a home this year, good luck to you. Your challenge will be not just finding a home you like, but also beating out all the other home buyers who like it and want to make an offer on it, too.The number of homes for sale is low nationwide, particularly in the price ranges … [Read more...] about How to buy a home in a sellers’ market
5 best free things to do in Colorado Springs
If Colorado Springs is in the picture for your next corporate meeting or family vacation, here are five fabulous free things to do while you’re there. Since the area boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, chances are you’ll get to do most of these on a single visit.Remember, this scenic city at the … [Read more...] about 5 best free things to do in Colorado Springs
How to make money renting out a room
The sharing economy has introduced all kinds of services that make being a landlord easier. Thanks in large part to these services, many Americans have found financial gains in renting out rooms or entire homes to vacationers as well as long-term tenants.If you think this might be steady source … [Read more...] about How to make money renting out a room
When to use credit cards and when to use debit cards
I'll start out by saying that I don't use debit cards but I do understand why some people do. It's linked to your bank account so in theory you can't spend more money than you have in your account. However, after extensive research, I know now why I've always avoided debit cards. The biggest … [Read more...] about When to use credit cards and when to use debit cards
What to know before buying a vacation home, plus how to rent it out
As you schlep your ski gear to your favorite resort for the umpteenth time or search for lodging near your favorite beach on a holiday weekend, you may think how much easier life would be if you had your own vacation home.An estimated 1.13 million vacation homes were sold in the U.S. in 2014, … [Read more...] about What to know before buying a vacation home, plus how to rent it out
The Coupon Insider: Magic of double and triple coupons
Couponers know there's more saving to be found in coupons than just face value. What's the trick? Many grocers offer double coupons every day. So, just like magic, a 50-cents off coupon *poof* turns into $1 off. Most participating retailers limit the doubling of manufacturer's coupons to a maximum … [Read more...] about The Coupon Insider: Magic of double and triple coupons
7 online tools to estimate home value, and why your estimate may be wrong
When it comes time to sell your house, you have one burning question: What is my home worth?In recent years, a proliferation of online resources has emerged to provide you with an answer before you ever consult a human. But while consumers have access to more information than they could have … [Read more...] about 7 online tools to estimate home value, and why your estimate may be wrong
Customizable grocery shopping list for $4-a-day food budget
Earlier this year, I decided to try the $4 a day food budget. Considering my grocery bill averaged close to $12 per day, this was a drastic reduction. Eating on $4 a day is a concept popularized by Leanne Brown in her free online book, Good and Cheap (PDF). The print version of Good and Cheap is … [Read more...] about Customizable grocery shopping list for $4-a-day food budget
New ways to sell your home without an agent
Technology has made drastic changes in how Americans shop for real estate. You can see all the homes for sale in a neighborhood with the click of a mouse, and information about nearby home sale prices is easily available.But little has changed in the way real estate is actually bought and sold. … [Read more...] about New ways to sell your home without an agent