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5 Tips For Saving Money On A New Mattress

If it’s time for you to get a new mattress, initially, you might not think that it’s that big of a deal. However, being that most of us spend approximately one-third of our lifetime in bed and being that sleep is what helps to rejuvenate our bodies, it is extremely important that you select a mattress that is just right. It needs to support your body, reduce body aches and cause you to wake up feeling well-rested.

For these reasons, it’s best to look at a mattress as an investment and yes, purchasing a really good one can easily run you around $1,000-2,000. However, we do have five tips that are sure to help you save money while making your selection.

Understand the differences in mattresses. One of the most important things that you can do before purchasing a mattress is to know the different kinds that are available to you. There are innerspring mattresses that help to provide good spinal alignment while you are sleeping. There are latex foam mattresses that are not only very resilient, but they are made with a breathable fabric so that it helps reduce the amount of heat build-up so that you can rest more comfortably. And, there are memory foam mattresses that contour to your body. Knowing the kind of mattress that you’d like to have will help you in figuring out what kind of price ranges you will have to choose from.

March 1, 2013

Shopping

5 Tips For Negotiating The Cost Of A New Car

There are very few things that are as stressful and exciting all at the same time as buying a new car. It’s a huge investment, and there are so many ways for it to go wrong. But it’s something you’ve probably coveted for quite some time, and will now get to enjoy for years to come. Your car is your freedom, your ability to get to and from your job, your mobile entertainment and your status symbol. With everything rolled up in one you might be willing to pay any price for the vehicle that steals your heart. But wiser heads must prevail, as you’ll want to save as much money as humanly possible during the purchase. Of course the dealership is looking to get whatever they can from you, so you’ll have to come prepared if you don’t want to get fleeced. As long as you remain calm and think logically you’ll be fine. Here are five tips for negotiating the cost of a new car.

First off, do your research before you walk on the lot. Once you get to the dealership it’s very tough to leave without a car. You’ll be test driving the beauty you’ve had your eye on, and the salesperson is well trained to get you to pull the trigger that very day. So take the time to research the vehicle you’d like to buy well in advance. Understand how the various add-ons and special features shape the price. Also make sure you’ve looked at a number of different dealerships. You should know quite well what the car costs, and what deals you could get in other places in order to successfully negotiate.

February 25, 2013

Shopping

The Pros And Cons Of Buying From Daily Deal Websites

Everyone likes a good deal, which is probably why deal-of-the-day websites like Groupon, LivingSocial, Woot, and HauteLook have flourished over the last several years. Some offer daily deals on services in your geographic region, from restaurants and retail stores to local events, while others provide discounts on clothing, electronics, home goods, and pretty much anything you can imagine (there are all kinds of specialized DOTD sites for various industries). And if they’re virtually handing out free money for items you’d buy anyway, there’s no reason not to enjoy the massive savings these sites can provide. Of course, there could be a few flaws in the system, especially for people who can’t seem to pass up a deal, even if it’s not exactly in their wheelhouse. So before you sign up for DOTD sites, there are a few pros and cons you might want to consider.

On the upside, daily deal websites can offer you a ton of savings. Suppose you have a hubby at home who likes to buy the latest and greatest electronic gadgets. By signing up for a membership on Woot you can get deals on items like surround-sound speakers, crazy computer casings, noise-isolating ear buds, and allergen-reducing robot vacuums, just to name a few nifty products. By the by, Woot also has a DOTD spinoff for wine (so you can sip some discount vino while your spouse sets up his new electronics), as well as pages for tee shirts, home goods, sports, and more.

February 19, 2013

Shopping

5 Ways To Save Money On Household Essentials

If you’re in charge of the household budget, you may be constantly on the lookout for ways to cut back on the essential products you buy the most, not to mention big-ticket items that you purchase only infrequently. And whether you’re purchasing toilet paper, frozen pizza, or electronics, there are all kinds of ways to cut costs if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. Luckily, there are also tools and strategies that will help to streamline the process. Here are just a few money-saving tips that should truncate your spending.

Join a coupon club. If you simply don’t have the time to engage in hours of extreme couponing as though it were a full-time job, then you can get a little relief and a lot of savings by joining a local coupon club. Each member splits tasks like checking circulars, searching for manufacturer coupons online, and matching up deals for increased savings. You’ll realize the same savings as extreme couponers with only a fraction of the effort.

Double dip. One great way to save that many people overlook is through double dipping on coupons and discounts. For example, if you have a store coupon for an item that you purchase frequently, you might also look online for a manufacturer coupon that allows you to increase your savings. And if you manage to use them when the item is already on sale, you might end up walking away with a steal. It is for this reason that many couponers stockpile non-perishable items; they simply might not find such a good deal down the road.

February 17, 2013

Shopping

Tips For Avoiding A Lemon When Shopping For A Used Car

If you’re someone who is serious about being financially responsible and you listen to the advice of finance experts like Dave Ramsey, then you are probably someone who is a bigger fan of used cars than new ones. After all, a new car can depreciate as much as 20 percent within your first year of owning it. Plus, paying a monthly note while still being responsible for the car’s upkeep can be a bit taxing on your budget.

Still, it doesn’t make sense to spend a few thousand dollars on a used car if you’re only going to have to pour a few thousand dollars more into it due to the fact that you purchased a lemon. That’s what we’re here to help you to avoid. Below, we have three tips that are sure to keep you from getting a used car that will put a sour expression on your face.

“Website Shop” Around

When you’re online shopping, especially when you’re shopping for a used vehicle, you don’t want to do it impulsively. From Cars.com to Craigslist.org (and oh so many websites in between), there are a wealth of used automobiles at your disposal. As you’re perusing, just make sure you have a good idea of the make and model that you’d like along with the amount of money that you have to work with. For instance, say that you want a 2001 Honda Accord. If you’re patient, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll find several within a fairly wide price range.

February 5, 2013

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