Auston Woods Apartment Homes Blog

Holiday Savings

Luckily, I have one last less traditional trick to help with my gift list – friends who are starting new businesses in pottery, photography and jewelry. Looks like this year I’m giving a few one-of-a-kind gifts all while saving a bit of green and helping their businesses. Talk about a win-win-win. What other methods have saved you money this holiday season?

From WilliamPaid.com

Holiday Jeans Shopping in Charlotte

It’s smart to be smart and it pays to get the great deals for the holiday season.  And we want to share some tips with you on just how to do that.

How to be a Savvy Holiday Shopper this Season

Let me share a quick story with you about savvy holiday shopping and how it can help you save money and get the best deals.  If you would like to learn some direct strategies then click the link below to learn how to be protected as an American Consumer.

I was out with my auntie a few weekends ago running some errands.  Of course you know an hour run turned into an all day venture but I learned some valuable trick where holiday shopping is concerned.   There was an pair of jeans that would be perfect for my little cousin.  I told auntie about them and she decided to purchase them.  They were on sale but exceeded her budget by a couple dollars.  After speaking to the sales associate she wound up getting the jeans for a very decent price.

Here’s what happened: While auntie and the store were negotiating I thought my auntie was being very savvy in her argument.  For a moment I thought lets just forget about the jeans but she didn’t want to let it go.  First the supervisor came over, then the manager came over.  This is not that big of a deal I thought.  Then Auntie said, “Just watch.”  She was very calm the whole time.  Then she went in for the kill and asked for the pair of jeans at the price she wanted.  The store manager agreed to the purchase and that was that.  I was amazed.  When I looked at the price tag I just thought that the sale was final.  It was in black and white.  But everything is negotiable!

Holiday Shopping on a Budgets from the Federal Trade Commission

Let’s face it: You want to make more money. Everyone wants to but when it’s painful, we often fall off the saving wagon. Before you attempt uncomfortable methods to increase your bank account, consider these effortless ideas first.

1. Let Banks Pay You: Compare banks and only use high-yielding accounts. For savings, I use the ING Orange account. It’s at a variable 1.10% Annual Percentage Yield, has no fees, and no minimums. When I started this account, I had a measly $50 directly deposited from each paycheck every pay period (usually $100 a month)–and I didn’t even NOTICE the missing money. (Makes me wonder how many smaller purchases I had been making without even realizing…) It was a painless way to create an emergency fund.
If you’re saving for the long-term (rather than an emergency fund), consider an IRA instead. Automate your deposits.
You’ll also want to opt in to employer-contributing 401k programs. They usually pull the money directly from each check to automate your investments.
2. Effortlessly Track Spending: Automate how you track spending by using mint.com.
3. Trade Your Talents: If you have a particular talent, why not use it to trade for something you need? Trade your services: fix things, bake, or babysit. Trade your things: Media (books, CDs), electronics, or even your car.
4. Sell Your Stuff: Ebay & Craigslist will help you liquidate stuff you don’t need quickly. Just stop reading and look around your apartment. See stuff you don’t NEED? I thought so.
5. Identify Additional Income Opportunities: Love crafts? Quit pilling your mom’s house with 10 variations of your work and start making money on Etsy. Love cycling? Help others maintain and repair their bikes. Be creative, but start with what you love to do already.
6. Decrease Expenses. Not sure where to start? Consider these…

* Get rid of cable television. (Netflix, baby.)
* Re-evaluate your mobile phone plan. Are you really using all of those minutes/text messages/data packages?
* Use public wifi. The library is always a great option, with no purchasing obligation.
* Unplug all appliances. Use a power strip to make this easier.
* Drive less. Ride a bike. It’s also way easier (and cheaper!) to park.
* Buy generic. Not just prescriptions, but store brand products. (Compare ingredients if you’re skeptical; they’re most often exactly the same.)
* Don’t eat out. Cook from scratch.
* Drink only water–from the tap.
* Recycle. Never buy garbage bags; use plastic grocery bags instead.
* Minimize the use of heat and air conditioning. Adjust when not in use.
* Repair things, don’t replace them. Ask for help, if needed.
* Buy used. Better yet, see if a friend or family member has something you can use instead. (If not, try Craigslist.)
* Buy in bulk. Pricey to start, but pays off.
* Never pay interest. Pay as much on your debt as possible every month.
* Hang clothes to dry. This also saves ironing time!
* Don’t smoke or drink. Okay, so drinking might be a hard one to nix. I always opt for cheaper wines, because I frankly cannot taste the difference. But definitely avoid buying drinks in public. Drink at home instead–no driving needed!
* Use compact fluorescent bulbs.
* Consider growing your own vegetables.
* Eliminate memberships you aren’t using.
* Do your own manicures and pedicures. Or, better yet, get together with friends and do each other’s.

Interested in learning more? Check out Mint’s 30 Free eBooks To Learn Everything You Want to Know About Personal Finance