Ten Second Rule.

One of the best ways to curb wasteful spending is known as the "ten-second rule." When you are in a store and pick up something that is a non-essential (and remind yourself what is actually "essential" and "non-essential"), hold it in your hand for ten seconds and think about if the item is actually a necessary purchase. More often than not, you will decide that it is truly not that important and put it back, allowing you to leave with money in your pocket and a sense of pride for your frugal evaluation.

When it comes to big purchases, which can be amazingly easy to justify, apply the same method but use a thirty-day rule.

These tips and more from a fantastic book called "365 Ways to Live Cheap" by Trent Hamm, currently on Amazon for about $8.

Coinstar Update

My friend Walter showed me this Coinstar Locater . And....my friend Matt told me that the Coinstar machine in Levittown NY in Waldbaum's grocery store is broken, so when you go to purchase a Borders giftcard with your coins, a voucher prints out without the normal Coinstar deductions. Woot!

Healthy Fast Food Part 1

Burger King now has a Side Salad on the Value Menu for $1.00. It comes with dressing and croutons and isn't bad for a buck! Add a side of Apple Fries for $1.49 and you've got a quick and healthy meal on-the-go.

Free Iced Coffee! (Sorta...)

Ok, so many gas stations are offering promotions if free cup of coffee with a fill-up between 4-8pm. If the gas prices are comparable, get your coffee! Add the sugar/sweetener, but not the milk (unless its non-dairy creamer.) Then stick it in the fridge when you get home. Before work/school/etc., grab the coffee, add milk and enjoy during the morning drive.

Automotive Piggy Bank

I began keeping my piggy bank in my car. I put all my change (except quarters, those puppies are for laundry only) into Mr. Piggy (who, ironically fits rather neatly into the passenger cup holder, snout up) and then disregard them until Pigster is too heavy to budge. At that point I take him to the nearest Coinstar machine and am able to put all that money on a Starbucks gift card.They also offer iTunes gift cards as well as a few other types. If you put the money on a gift card Coinstar won't charge the normal 7-8% fee fee coin counting.
Then I get to treat myself to an overpriced Venti Mocha Iced with cinnamon syrup and soy milk! Woot!

7 Radical Ways to Save $$

LINK. :)

University Move-Out Week

Although we are closest to Move-In week, many college students simply ditch their dorm stuff (small fridges, microwaves, rugs, curtain, furniture etc.) when they move out of the dorms rather than drag it home. Cruise around the dorms on the last week of a semester for some gently used goodies.