College.  The mere utterance of the word sends chills down the spines of parents all the way to the wallet.  No matter how much you plan it seems to always manage to creep up on you with hidden expenses.  But students can do their part, too.  Here are the best money saving tips for college students to help out Mom and Dad.

Go online.  There is a plethora of companies and businesses offering discounts and promotions as a way to have students use their products.  It may take some research but there are some great deals to be made here.  Take your time and investigate every possible source.

Clothing can be big expenditure if you don’t shop smart.  Consignment stores and second hand stores such as Goodwill are excellent places to find good clothing at a fraction of what you will pay at a retail store.  This is name brand clothing that would cost a fortune new.  These stores only sell clothing that is in good condition so there are no rags here.  And many times you can find brand new pieces that still have the tags on them.   

Remember two simple words: used textbooks.  This is going to save you huge amounts of money and when you are finished with a class you aren’t going to need them anymore.  Buy them second hand, take good care of them and resell them when you are finished.  You may even regroup your initial investment back.

Food is another massive chunk in finances.  This can usually be due to poor eating habits.  Fast food is a very costly item, resulting in poor health and poorer students.  Plus, you will find that all of those artificial this and added preservatives that dulls your thought process and clouds your memory while disrupting your sleep.  If you take the time to shop for a week all at once you will save money. 

Make your meals for the week on Sunday, separate them and label them for each day of the week.  This will help in two ways.  One, you’ll never be caught without food prepared.  All you have to do is take it out and heat it up.  Second, you won’t have to worry about coming home tired and having to cook.  This leads to taking the easy way out. 

If, at all possible, skip the car.  Cars are expensive.  Title, insurance, gas, oil, parking permits, and if the car isn’t paid for, a payment.  Invest in a good bicycle and you’ll not only save a tremendous amount of money but you will be getting great exercise that will help you feel better. 

If you feel the need to spend then spend wisely.  Instead of going to the movies wait a couple of weeks and rent it for a dollar.  When a semester is about to begin get many of your supplies from the dollar store instead of retail.  Have your hair cut at a cosmetology class for free.   

Kids grow up entirely too fast. It seems like one minute they’re taking their first step, and the next they’re off to their first day of high school. All of the milestones along the way are cause for celebration, but they also remind us that our “babies” won’t be babies forever.

Kids grow quickly in the literal sense of the word, too. They go through clothes at lightning speed, often growing into a new size before the clothes they’ve been wearing start to look worn. Keeping them in attire that fits can be a chore, and it can also put a strain on the budget.

But you can get kids’ clothes without paying an arm and a leg. Here are some ways to do so.

1. Make use of hand-me-downs. Maybe a friend or family member has a child who is the same gender as yours but a little older. Ask her to send clothes your way when her child outgrows them. If you have more than one child, save the older kids’ clothes for the younger ones to wear.

2. Visit a consignment shop. These stores usually have gently used clothing that is in very good condition at much lower prices than you would pay for a new item. You could even take your child’s best used clothes in and ask for store credit instead of cash when they sell.

3. Check out thrift stores. They sell second-hand clothing at dirt cheap prices, sometimes as low as a dollar or two for a bag full. Some clothes will be in better shape than others, but if you look hard enough you’ll usually find some gems.

4. Go to an outlet store. Outlets sell overstocks and factory seconds at much lower prices than the norm. If you’re fond of a certain brand, check to see if they have an outlet store nearby or online.

5. Make use of coupons. Sometimes you can find coupons for clothing in your local newspaper. You can also find coupon codes for online stores on the Internet. Just do a Google search for the store name plus the words “coupon codes.”

6. See what eBay has to offer. Moms often sell children’s clothes in the size that their child just outgrew in lots at low prices. You can also find great deals on new kids’ clothing.

7. Stop by some garage sales. If you can find a garage sale with clothes in your child’s size, you might be able to get some excellent deals. Prices are often negotiable, and if you take several items off of the seller’s hands, he might even give you a discount.

8. Check the classifieds. Those with small children often find this to be the easiest way to sell clothes that they have outgrown. It’s not unheard of to get a large box full of baby clothes for the price you would pay for one or two new outfits.

9. Shop at the end of the season. This is the time when clothes go on clearance, and you can find awesome deals on brand new items. The tricky part is guessing what size your child will be in when the season comes around again. But if you miscalculate, you can always sell the items online, at a yard sale or in a consignment shop.

10. Try your hand at sewing. You’ll need a sewing machine, but the initial investment will pay off in no time. And best of all, you can make numerous unique outfits from one pattern by using different fabrics.

If you’re strapped for cash and you’re dreaming of an out-of-town vacation this year, there are plenty of ways to make your wish come true. If you’re willing to think out of the box and sacrifice a few luxuries, you can save a bundle while still enjoying a fun trip. Try these strategies to enjoy your vacation on a budget:

1. Stay in an extended stay hotel. Sure, you’ll forgo a few amenities, such as a pool or daily maid service, but most extended stay hotels offer weekly maid service, a courteous staff, a safe setting, and all for a very low price. In addition to your immediate savings, most extended stay hotels offer hotel suites with an efficiency setup. Therefore, you’ll have a kitchenette equipped with a stovetop, kitchen sink, cabinets, and full-sized refrigerator in order to store and prepare your own meals, thus saving money over eating every meal out. Many extended stay hotels have a minimum required stay of 7 nights. However, the rates are severely discounted. An extended stay hotel can cost between $160 and $225, depending on the location, for a week’s stay. This can save you hundreds of dollars!

2. Veer off the beaten path. By simply choosing to stay 10 or 15 miles off of the key tourist paths, your accommodation and meal rates will drop significantly. You may not get a glorious view of the ocean or a panorama of the city, but you’ll be able to save your money for the attractions you’d like to invest in. In addition, you’re more likely to get better service since the hotel staff won’t be bombarded with guests as they would in a high-tourist hotel.

3. Cook your own meals. If you’re staying in an extended stay hotel, you’ll have access to a kitchenette. However, you can still prepare your own meals even if staying in a standard hotel room. Microwavable meals may not be very luxurious, but they’re very inexpensive when compared to dining out three times per day while on vacation. Purchase microwavable pizzas, single-serve meals, and other items to trim down your food costs. Breakfast can be fully prepared in your hotel room. Purchase cereal and milk, pop tarts, or oatmeal packets at the grocery store to completely eliminate the cost of dining out for breakfast.

4. Travel in the off-season. If you don’t have children, your schedule is more flexible as you don’t necessarily need to plan a vacation during the summer. Therefore, you can save significantly on airfare, entertainment, and accommodations by traveling in the off-season (such as in the fall for summery tourist attractions).

The off-season is considered between January and March, and September to early November. Concurrently, hotels will often have special sales going on in the off-season in addition to their lower rates in order to incentivize tourism.

5. Groupon.com. A few months or weeks before your vacation, become an avid visitor to groupon.com. This website offers local deals on fun activities, such as trendy restaurants, afternoon cruise tours, spas, shopping, and even hotels. Consumers dictate the current deals. The Groupons are only activated if a set number of people sign up. Therefore, if the deal misses its mark and doesn’t go into effect, you won’t be charged a fee. The one caveat about Groupon.com is that the deals are very slim for small cities and towns. Therefore, if you’re traveling to a rural destination, Groupon will be of little use to you.

6. Into the wild. Rather than spending an average of $100 per night at a hotel, head to a local campsite and sleep in a tent. Alternatively, you can rent a popup camper from a local RV rental facility for a discounted rate since you’re staying in town. Camping is a fun activity for children. You can still do fun, touristy things throughout the day and, at night, you can sit around a campfire and roast marshmallows. Many of the best memories involve relaxed times like these.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways you can save money while on vacation. Some are as simple as driving to the grocery store, while others may require you to sleep in a tent. But, where there’s a will, there’s a way to make your vacation happen even on a very limited budget.

Eating a well-balanced diet is one of the key things that a person must do in order to stay healthy. It will also help people save money on life insurance for over 50s. The good news is that one does not have to spend a fortune trying to eat healthy. Below are some ways that one can eat healthily and frugally:

Eat at home as much as possible
Studies have shown that the average American family eats out four to five times per week. Restaurant food is generally less healthy than the meals that one can cook at home. Eating out can also be quite costly. That is why people should try to cook at home as much as possible. Eating out should be limited to twice per week. A family of four can save up to $100.00 dollars per week by choosing to eat at home.

Use coupons whenever possible
Healthy food is more expensive than regular food, but people can save money by using coupons. There are many coupons that offer discounts up to 20 percent or more. Grocery coupons can be found in newspapers, natural health magazines and online.

Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper than buying a couple of items at a time. Many grocery stores offer discounts to people who buy a certain amount of items. The cost of gas is skyrocketing and frequent trips to the grocery store can also cause one to spend more money on transportation. Additionally, people can also save time when they choose to buy in bulk.

Do not buy junk food
This might seem like a given, but many people do not realize how quickly those cheap treats can add. One should try to avoid items such as chips, cookies, ice cream and packaged foods as much as possible. Those types of foods are usually very high in sugar and saturated fat. One should also avoid buying sodas and other sugary beverages because they have almost no nutritional value. Water is the best choice drink. A person will be healthier and save more money if he avoids buying junk food.

Do not shop when you are hungry
Studies have shown that people who shop when they are hungry more money. They also have a tendency to buy more junk food. That is why people should make sure that they eat a well-balanced meal before they go shopping.

Shop around
People may also want to consider shopping around and comparing prices at several grocery stores before they pick a place to buy their groceries. This will not only help people save money, but they will also be able to burn more calories by walking the grocery aisles.

Cook large portions
Many people choose not to cook at home because they think that they do not have time. However, one can save time and money by cooking in large portions. People should cook a large meal at the beginning of the week. This will allow them to eat for a few days without cooking or eating out.

Eating healthy and frugally is not as hard as many people may think. Comparing the prices of several grocery stores, using coupons, buying in bulk, not buying junk food and cooking large meals at home instead of eating out will help people eat healthy and save money.

For years, children have learned the importance of the three R’s in school – reduce, reuse and recycle. Now it’s time for those lessons to make their way home and begin to change the way your family lives, and saves. Use this helpful guide to learn how you can reduce, reuse and recycle to save money, energy and a whole lot more.

Reduce.

Reducing your home’s energy consumption not only reduces your carbon footprint on the globe, but also reduces the cost of heating, cooling and all the other ways you keep your home running smoothly. Here are a few ways to save money and energy in your house throughout the year:

• Buy energy efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star label when replacing outdated or energy-wasting appliances. This government-issued label ensures appliances like dishwashers,dryers and refrigerators, are operating efficiently and not wasting valuable energy. Purchasing even one energy-efficient appliance could save you up to 25 percent of your annual energy bill, which makes these appliances a great addition to your home.

• Program it. Install a programmable thermostat that only turns on your heat when the temperature within your home drops below 68°F. On the flip side, only turn on your air conditioning when the temperature exceeds 78°F. These two changes alone can save you a hundred dollars a year, or more, on heating and cooling costs.

• Turn down the heat. Replace an old water heater with one that doesn’t store hot water but heats the water your family uses on demand. However, if you can’t afford to replace your water heater, set it to 120°F, which is a bit cooler than normal but ensures you’re not heating more water than necessary.

Reuse.

There are many ways to reuse products in order to save the planet and the money in your wallet. What one deems “garbage” can be quite useful to another. Consider these ways to reuse products, materials and resources as you create a home you can be even more proud of:

• Shop used. Whether you’re looking for secondhand furniture at a flea market, old kitchen cabinets at a charity shop or clothes from your favorite vintage store, thrift shopping is a great way to save money. It’s also a great “green” alternative to give a second life to valued objects otherwise thrown away. Remember the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In
order to find the next treasure for your home, you’ll have to look for it.

•Give it away. On the flip side, instead of tossing your old furniture, clothes, appliances and even old cars, you can give them away. Donate to your favorite charity like the Salvation Army. Many of these charities will even pick up your donations to save you time and hassle. Also, some charities offer tax deductions for your donations, which can save you hundreds of dollars when tax season rolls around.

Recycle.

Recycling is a great way to teach your children how they can do their part to save the planet. However, recycling isn’t just about having your kids separate your paper waste from the aluminum and glass in your garbage can. Here are a couple of feasible ways to recycle within your home:

• Use solar power. Recycle the sun’s energy into useable solar power in your home and installsolar panels on your roof. The initial costs can be expensive, so consider a home equity loan or home equity line of credit to help finance the upfront costs. Create the efficient home you’ve always imagined with the help of your home’s equity. Then, after deducting the cost of the actual panels and installation, you’re sure to see valuable savings within months, especially during the summer or if you live somewhere that gets a lot of direct sunlight.

• Recycle water. Not only should you do your best to limit the amount of water waste in your home, but also learn ways you can recycle the water you already use. Whether through watering house plants with water used to cook your pasta dinner or installing rain barrels to catch the water from your roof and gutters, there are many ways to save water and at the same time save money on your water bill.

However your family decides to reduce, reuse or recycle within your home, you’ll soon see your hard work pay off. Through money savings, energy savings and more, there’s never been a better time to put the three R’s to work for you and your household!

The decision to have children is an exciting time in your life and at the same time it can be a little scary.  Children bring joy and happiness to a household.  But you will soon realize that nothing can  prepare you for the amount of money that you will be paying out routinely.  So here are the top five money saving tips for new parents to help ease the cost.

When you first find out that you are expecting is when you should start saving and stockpiling.  If you get into the habit of buying baby food or a bag of diapers each payday you would be set by the infant’s arrival.  Or, instead of grandparents splurging on non-necessities have them contribute as well.  Gift cards are an excellent choice, too, especially discounted gift cards.

It is customary for expectant parents to have a baby shower and sometimes even more than than one.  This is the perfect time to register for the things that you need.  You won’t need three strollers or seven diaper bags so its better to halt the duplication before it begins.  Register places that you know people will be shopping and not just at baby super stores.  And don’t be afraid to register for things that you will need on an ongoing basis like diapers and baby food.

You can expect to attend a lot of doctor appointments for the first year of life.  Doctors are bombarded with samples from manufacturers that want them to promote their products for them.  Ask your doctor for free samples.  Don’t be embarrassed because thats what the samples are for and if you don’t use them they will just go to waste.  Take as much as they are willing to give you- you will need it.

Diapers are one of the largest expenditures with infants.  You will not believe the amount that you will go through.  Manufacturers offer coupons if you sign up for their newsletters or go online to their sites.  But this isn’t a big enough savings considering what you have to pay out.  Your best option is to buy in bulk.  Discount warehouses are an excellent place to do this.  A membership can be one of oyur presents.  You can even shop them and see which ones are cheaper.  And don’t worry so much about name brand.  Consider the life span of a single diaper and that will put it into perspective very quickly.  And don’t be afraid to ask for diapers as presents, too. 

Clothes are another huge chunk out of the wallet.  You will always receive some clothing as gifts but the majority will be up to you to purchase.  Consignment shops and second hand stores such as Goodwill are excellent for this.  Their clothes have to be in a certain condition before they are allowed to sell them so they are in good shape.  And many times you can even find brand new ones that still have the tags on them.  This will save you an enormous amount of money.

The Christmas Season is often the time when people sink deeper into debt. If you already have debt it can be an extremely stressful time. And if you don’t have debt but are on a tight budget then some decisions need to be made. Go into debt or have a cash only Christmas. Regardless, of your financial situation a cash only Christmas is always a good idea. Here’s how to make it happen.

Step One: Plan How Much You Need To Save.

The earlier you sit down and plan the better. Sit down with a piece of paper and make a list of all of your potential Christmas expenses. Include food and party expenses, decorations, holiday cards and gifts. Err on the side of caution and overestimate if you’re in doubt about how much you might need to spend in any individual category.

When estimating the expense for gifts, don’t forget co-workers, extended family, and service providers. And if you have children then their friends and teachers may need to be included on the list.

Step Two: Calculate How Much You Have

The next step is to take a look at how much money you have to spend on Christmas. The closer the two numbers are, your cash on hand and your holiday expenses, the better off you are. It means you won’t have to make too many budget cuts. However, even if your numbers are far apart right now, that’s okay. The next two steps will help you bring the two closer together. The ultimate goal is to have all of the cash you need to afford your list of Christmas expenses.

Step Three: Extra Cash

Now take a look at ways you can earn extra cash. For example, can you save an additional ten dollars a week? Can you do a few freelance projects to boost your income between now and Christmas? Can you work a few weekends or add overtime to your work schedule? Can you sell all of those used books and electronics stacking up on your shelves?

Are their clothes in your closet that you can take to a consignment store? Also think about ways you can earn money online. For example, if you’re crafty you can sell your hand made goods at etsy. If you’re a budding chef or baker then head to foodzie to sell your homemade goods.

Step Four: Cutbacks

In addition to looking for ways to add cash to your holiday savings it’s also important to look at ways you can cut back on your holiday expenses. For example, maybe you can have a secret santa exchange with your extended family so you only have to buy a gift for one person instead of twenty. Can you make some gifts instead of buying everything at the mall?

Step Five: Sticking To It
Finally, once your two lists match, your savings and your expenses, make sure you stick to your list. This is the most important step in the process. If you feel like you might be tempted to use those credit cards, put them in a bag filled with water and pop them in the freezer. When you head to the store to shop for gifts, take all credit cards out of your pocket. Cash only!

When it comes to trying to save money, many of us are simply clueless. In an age of “buy what you want”, it can be very difficult to deny yourself the simple pleasures of life that money can buy. However, becoming debt free does not come without paying the price of a little self control. These money saving tips will help to put you on the path to financial freedom without killing your fun.

Combine bills where you can: In many cases, you can combine certain services that you already use such as phone service and cable or satellite. Check with your local home phone and cell phone providers to see if there are any options for you.

Request internet rate reductions: You would be surprised at how much interest you could get shaved off of your credit cards just by calling and requesting it. Credit card companies will often reduce the internet rates on cards, so it never hurts to call and ask!

Get your books and DVDs from the local library: Many people have no idea that they can check out DVDs at their local library for free. Of course, you can also skip the bookstore and check out books from the library too. If you just cannot bring yourself to get your movies at the library, then at least check out kiosks such as Red Box which allow you to pay $1 per day to rent movies. Just don’t be late or you will wipe away all of that money you saved!

Join retail rewards programs: Many grocery stores and other retail outlets have their own rewards programs that can save you a lot. For example, the Kroger grocery store chain regularly has items that are priced at rock bottom prices for their reward customers. You may also get special coupons or even discounts on gas by using your rewards card.

Toss your home telephone: Many people are getting rid of their home telephone service and opting for a VOIP connection. This is a great way to save money, especially if you rarely use your home phone. You could also contact your phone company and find out what the cheapest land line option is. Sometimes they will offer you much better prices if you tell them you are thinking of leaving.

There are hundreds of different ways to save money if you really want to try. Money saving tips can only help you if you put them into action. Look around your own house and investigate your bank statements to see where else you could possibly save more money in your household budget.

The following is a guest post.

There is so much preparation that goes into a holiday like Halloween. From the costumes to the decorations, the candy to the pumpkins, the spending can be extensive if you aren’t careful.

But it is possible to have a great celebration without spending a lot of money. You can keep the kids happy with creative ideas and keep your checking account happy by reducing the cost. Halloween on a budget is possible for any family.

The cost of costumes is steadily rising.

Today, costumes come complete with masks, wigs, gloves and even accessories sometimes. To make up for it, the cost has expanded as well.

If you plan far enough in advance, there are ways around the purchase of a retail Halloween costume. It may take a little more time and a little more creativity, but the results are well worth it.

Talk to your kids about who they want to be. Ask them leading questions to figure out whether they have a specific character in mind or if they just have a generic idea.

Your son may want to be Spider-man, specifically, or he may just want to be a superhero. Generic answers give you a bit more to work with.

Start by looking in the closet for pieces that will fit whatever look you are going for. If you need to rip, tear, or destroy some fabric (this is definitely necessary if your child wants to be a zombie), choose clothes that they have already grown out of.

If you do need to make a purchase for the costume, consider finding something that they will be able to wear in the future. A great example of this is sweatpants.

If your child wants to add some bulk to their superhero physique, purchase a pair of sweatpants that will still work into the wardrobe long after Halloween is over. Think practical and budget friendly.

If you have kids in the house, decorating is an easy way to prepare for the Halloween holiday. You don’t need to go out and purchase all types of materials, tablecloths and pictures. Cover the table with butcher paper and let the kids make their own prints and designs. Use anything black to be placed around the house. Check online for different crafts that the kids can make with materials you already have at home.

Looking to throw a Halloween party? Instead of taking on the cost all by yourself, talk to the other parents. If the party is going to be at your house have everyone else bring the food or games. Spread it out so that everyone is participating and you each only have to pay for a small portion of the party.

If you are invited to a Halloween party, you are probably planning to make something to take along.

Going out and purchasing special ingredients with a long grocery list isn’t necessary. Look through the pantry and see what you have. There are all types of recipes online this time of year that can show you easy to make drinks, meals and snacks.

Once again, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to be the perfect Halloween guest.

Post supplied by Moneysupermarket.com. Halloween is spooky, but your finances don’t have to be. You can compare credit cards at Moneysupermarket, along with a range of other financial products.

You’ve just had your dream wedding and are ready to start on a life of wedded bliss. Unfortunately, reality rears its ugly head and brings you back to your senses. There’s more to consider, including financial tips for newlyweds, than you may have first thought.

To begin with, it’s important to discuss your finances and hopefully you did that before you got married. You want to know that your spouse is on the same page as you are where finances are concerned. Having one spouse who is a spendthrift and one that is miserly may mean there are problems on the horizon, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be resolved.

One tip every financial expert will give you as you’re starting your life together is to create a budget. You’ll know what is coming in from both partners, what you’ll have going out, and how much is left. Here are the basics for creating a budget:

* List all payments that must be made each month – housing, automobiles, utilities, food, credit cards, student loans, savings, etc. Also note which day of the month they are due.

* Next list when each of you is paid, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

* Compare when bills are due with paychecks you receive to help you determine which bills to pay with which paycheck.

* Determine how much income there is and how much your expenses are. Subtract the expenses from the income to find out how much is left for non-essentials like eating out or entertainment.

If you already have credit cards in your own name, you know they should be used only for those items you know you could pay for before the card payment comes due. In other words, if you don’t have the money in your budget to pay for an item, it’s best not to use credit cards at all. They are a convenience, not a necessity.

While on the subject of credit cards, you’ll want to agree not to put more on the card than you can pay off each month. True, this will mean you’ll have to make some tough decisions, but your finances will thank you for it. If you get to a point where you can’t pay the entire balance off, it would be better to destroy the card than to take the chance of your credit being destroyed.

Many couples want to have children at some point in the future. If possible, don’t include the wife’s income in the budget; save it instead. This will help you learn to budget without the wife’s income just in case she decides not to return to work after the baby arrives. You can also use the wife’s income for major purchases like a house, vehicle, or large electronics.

Determine to balance your checkbook each month. This one activity can keep you from having overdrawn checks which can ruin your good credit.

These are a few financial tips for newlyweds. However, chances are you’ve already received financial advice from family and friends. Take each suggestion, whether given here or elsewhere, and determine which one is most likely to help. Then do what you can, and enjoy your marriage without having to worry so much about finances.