SofaCoins: get a money saving tip, save a buck. Why not?

Last Chance for Forever Stamps at 42 cents!

The first-class postage stamp is going up to 44 cents of Monday, May 11th, but you still have a last-minute chance to stock up on 42 cent "Forever" stamps.  You can pick these stamps up in bulk at Costco, where they are still offering a discount, or order them on the US Post Office Online, presumably through Sunday at midnight.  The post office will be honoring the "Forever" stamps.....forever, of course. 

Think stocking up to save 2 cents is crazy?  Think again....some people in Seattle are buying  4,000 at a time.  :)

Natural Cleaning Solutions, Part I: All-Purpose Cleaner

I’ve been doing some research on how to make your own cleaning supplies, which I am imagining is going to be good for the environment as well as saving money.  Here is my first “recipe” for cooking up our own all-natural cleaning products.  I got this one from a book of money-saving tips, and right above the recipe it says “you might even say it’s fantastic,” so you draw your conclusions from there.   I am totally going to try this when my current supplies run out.

All-Purpose Cleaner (Non-Wood Surfaces)

1 ½ pints water

1/ 3 cup rubbing alcohol

1 teaspoon clear ammonia

1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

½ teaspoon lemon juice

1 32 oz. spray bottle

Designers for Less, Part 3: Target

I'm sure you've heard this one by now, but Target has been contracting with some very cool designers to make some cool stuff for some time.  Target has carried (or is currently carrying) designed by Isaac Mizrahi, Alexander McQueen, and Commes des Garcon as well as their staples of Mossimo and Merona.  Sigerson Morrison also recently collaborated with them on a limited--edition footwear line.  Generally speaking, I like the "staple" pieces at Target, and once got a really cute black Mossimo trenchcoat there that was marked down to $20.    They've also really expanded their makeup and accessories departments too, to include makeup by Jemma Kidd and Pixi and handbags by Rafe and Botkier. 

 

All in all, you have to hand it to Target for pushing the envelope to bring high-end designers to the retail market.  Really, my only problem there is with selection, meaning every time I try to go there to check out the different lines, there is a very small selection (if any) of the designer clothes, and it's frustrating to go there with a high expectation only to find one rack (or none) of the clothes that you were wanting.  There's really no way to call ahead and ask, so you'll have to just take your chances and look in the clothing department of Target while you're already there for baby wipes and food (or try the website).

Design on the cheap....

I've been reading a lot lately about how retail or lower-priced stores are hiring big-name designers to do clothing lines for them, presumably to convert a high-end audience and get them to come check out places like H & M or Target for their clothing needs.  I totally agree with this in principle, especially since there's a recession on, so I decided to go check some of them out. 

First stop:  H & M.  I personally shop at H & M a lot, and I have noticed that when the designer lines come out, that stuff goes really fast.  A few years ago I did a review of the M by Madonna line, and I liked the Stella McCartney pieces just as much.  I like H & M for all trendy staples, and have gotten several coats there that I've had for years.  H & M always gets my thumbs-up!

Try This: Rudy's Barber Shop

 I can't believe I totally forgot to mention this one, which could actually end up saving you some big money right away!

I will admit, even though I try to save money on many things (everything), I was still shelling out for the expensive haircut.  Now, maybe this wasn't THAT bad, as I don't get it colored (another major expense) and I only do it once every quarter or so.  But, since we're all trying to watch every single thing in our bottom line, I was excited when I read about Rudy's Barbershop here in L.A.  

Here's the deal-- Rudy's was founded on the principle that haircuts should not have to cost big bucks to look good.  Haircuts at Rudy's start at $25, with an add-on menu for things like blowouts and color.  There has to be something in between big salon bucks and Supercuts, right?

Rudy's is successful, in part, because they're located in cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, which apparently are home to a large number of talented hairdressers, not all of whom want to take the time (or pay the high rent) of establishing themselves.  The end result?  I got a totally kick ass haircut for about $40, and that was partially because I have long hair.

I'm embarassed to admit exactly how much money this saved me, since that would mean admitting the price of my old salon in New York, where I was still going since I moved five years ago.  Let's just say I left a big tip and was still up by 50%.  Hurray!

Rudy's has locations in Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.  Try it out! 

Make the leap to online banking-- now!

Are you still writing checks and buying stamps?  This is another cost you can cut out forever-- depending on how many bills you send out every month, this could end up saving you big money (like, a couple hundred dollars per year!).  Yes, it does take some time to sign up for online bill pay, gather up all of your bills and enter the address information, and to remember to transfer the money and actually pay the bills every month.  But-- once you get the system set up, not only do you save on all those stamps, but it actually ends up saving you alot of time.  Log on to your bank’s website, sign up for online bill pay, or switch to a bank you know offers this service, like Bank of America (http://www.bofa.com) or Chase Bank (http://www.chase.com).

Freeze It!

I recently saw a promo for the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" where the main character is trying to bust her credit card out of an ice-block, but no joke, this is the way I paid off all my credit cards.

In case you don't know about this trick, one way to force yourself to stop using your credit cards is to freeze them in a block of ice, so you can't get to them.  Fill up a piece of Tupperware with water, drop the card in, and stick it in the freezer.  If you really, really need to buy something with it, you’ll have to set it on the counter overnight to let it thaw out before you use it.  This will give you time to think about what you’re buying.  In the time it takes to thaw the card, you might just decide you don’t need it.   I think the reason this works is that you're setting up a psychological barrier, or at least a delay,  between you seeing the thing and actually making the impulse purchase.   And, in case you’re thinking of cheating on the “Ice Block” strategy….no microwaving!  This destroys the card, and then you’ll just have to order another one. 

Money-Saving Strategy # 1: Analyze long term use/ habit items

I'll start with a category I'll call "staples," which are items in your household that you know you use regularly and are going to keep using for the long term.  If you have an ongoing expense like this, it would be crazy to not try to make it as low as possible, wouldn't you agree?  Here is my list of "standards."  If you have any to add or get something for cheaper somewhere, I am all ears!

1.  Dog food, part 1.  We feed our dog Science Diet for Sensitive Stomachs.  I've found the best price for this (in California, at least) is at Centinela Feed & Pet Supply, where they also will let you sign up for coupons that make the food even cheaper.  Another alternative is to go get the Sunday L.A. Times, because they have a flier in there every weekend.

2.  Dog food, part 2.  Our dog takes a vitamin powder called Nupro that is $20 for a one-pound jar if you buy it at the vet.  After doing a little research, I realized that I could get the same product for $26.99 for FIVE POUNDS by ordering it online at DoggieFood.com.  In case you don't have a calculator handy, that's about a 72% savings right off the top. 

3.  Vitamins.  Speaking of vitamins, they are expensive if you buy them only when you need them, at whatever store you go to.  I would recommend buying several months' worth at iHerb.com, where they have amazing deals and really fast shipping. 

4.  Groceries.  I will talk more about this at length, but we try to go to Trader Joe's whenever possible.   I'm not sure how they manage this, but they have the highest-quality, lowest-priced food in every city I've ever lived in.