There have been a lot of developments with Mint.com lately, the biggest of which was their acquisition by Intuit (the makers of Quicken software). Mint is known primarily for their free online budgeting tool, which we’ve enthusiastically recommended here; and if you haven’t had a chance to check them out yet, you may want to give them a try. They’ve vastly improved their software, web site, blog and overall content.

They’ve recently gone on the social media bandwagon and have leveraged the power of Twitter by developing what they call their “Money Tweets” feature, a section of their site that’s devoted to up-to-date, real time personal finance information. This is just one more handy way to organize financial content around the web in one place.

Mint’s Money Tweets Section

In this new section, you’ll find selected tweets covering various personal finance topics such as Saving, Investing, Budgeting, Loans and Retirement. There are additional tabs that share tweets that are “about Mint” and “from Mint” along with a Q & A tab, where you can tweet your answer to Mint’s Question of the Day.

And finally, there’s the cool tab that measures how certain financial topics are trending for the day: it’s a quick, visual way to see which money topics are picking up the daily buzz.

Mint’s Trending Financial Topics

If you haven’t checked out Mint yet, I’d encourage you to pay them a visit, not just for their popular and free online budgeting tool, but also for the rich multi-media content resource library they now offer for students of personal finance.

Now for additional financial resources, I’d also like to put in a word for this great Q & A resource called Cash Commons, which I just came across via Mighty Bargain Hunter. I’ve been spending some time perusing this site along with these excellent articles on finance:

Personal Finance Articles

• OneMint: List of Gold ETFs
• Brip Blap: Too Busy For Vacation
• Credit Karma: Paying Back Part of Making Work Pay Tax Credit
• Cheap, Healthy Good: 100+ Thanksgiving Recipes and Links (just wow!)
• Free Money Finance: How to Graduate from Harvard for $40k or Less
• Lazy Man and Money: Trade your CDs for an iPod or iPhone… legally?
• Million Dollar Journey: A Little Food Planning Goes a Long Way
• Monevator: The reality of making money from iPhone apps
• Personal Financier: How I Bought My Son $150 Worth of Cardboard Boxes
• Frugal Dad: Corporate Security Or Freelance Freedom?

Recent Carnivals

• Festival of Frugality: Awesome! Many thanks to the delicious blog called Cheap, Healthy, Good for selecting my post on how to lower credit card interest rates as an Editor’s Pick!
• Carnival of Debt Reduction: I’m glad I made it to John’s short list! Good list of debt management tips here.
• Festival of Stocks
• Carnival of Personal Finance

Mint.com’s Twitter Feature: Money Tweets!

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

Our Halloween will not suck this year.

Are you doing anything special for Halloween? We already visited our local pumpkin patch and got ourselves some nice cheap pumpkins. By checking Yelp, we found a patch that sells pumpkins for half the price its next door neighbors sell them for. Part of our family tradition is to visit these pumpkin farms where they have all sorts of fun events for the kids, including pony rides (cute!), a spooky haunted barn (actually funny), a petting zoo, plus a choo choo train.

Halloween Activities: Pumpkins, A Hay Maze and Family Traditions

This year, we found a place that offered a cool hay maze, which I admired for the architecture. The thing was nicely labyrinthine, an enclosure with stacks and stacks of hay; good thing we don’t have hay fever!

Here’s the hay labyrinth we enjoyed for hide and seek play.

Complete with minotaur sentinel to add to the atmosphere. I enjoy these home spun, back road attractions right in your neighborhood which you can take in on a relaxing, casual, fun family day out.

On Cheap Halloween Costumes

The kids are going to be Buzz Lightyear and Dracula this year. If you’re thinking of dressing up this year and haven’t figured out what to do yet, how about checking out these DIY cheap halloween costumes? Personally, I think the best costumes are the ones you make from scratch. I’ve tried shopping for costumes at the usual places you find them, but have always thought them to be expensive for the one time (or once a year) use; on top of it, the outfits are usually pretty flimsy. And for $30? Way off the budget! I found some friendly reminders about how to save on Halloween from Money Talks News, a neat financial site I newly discovered (and who shares well produced embedded videos like this):

Their advice? Make your own graveyard signs with cardboard. Do costume swaps and hand me downs. Use cotton for your cobwebs. Be creative.

One thing I won’t do anymore though: I used to go to Craigslist to try to pick up ultra cheap costumes from people who wanted to unload their old, used costumes online. One time, I drove 30 miles to pick up a $5 outfit for one of my kids. It turned out to be way too old, too small and too worn out to be useful. I was too embarrassed to make the trip and not buy the thing for $5, so I ended up making the transaction. I basically wasted my money, time and gas just to try to save a few bucks. My tip here? Be prepared to face any kind of consequence when you buy stuff online.

Have a great Halloween!

Halloween Activities: Pumpkins, A Hay Maze and Family Traditions

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

Here’s one of my favorite shopping tips.

I don’t know if everyone’s aware of this, but one of my favorite saving tips involves using coupons at a higher priced store. Case in point: Bed, Bath and Beyond.

A pile of Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons. All good! Pic from Blondini

I’ll admit that I’m kind of a home designing junkie. Before I got into blogging, I actually spent a lot of my free time fussing with my home and garden, dabbling in interior design as well as external improvements on our property. You see, when we bought our house, it was fairly new, but had a lot of underdeveloped aspects (this was way back in 2000).

We got a great deal on our house back then, as the real estate market was in turmoil after the dot com bust and 9-11. But as we settled into our home, we realized that we had to do additional work to turn our house into what we ultimately wanted it to be. So I eased my way into a new hobby, which was to get into home improvement projects that would customize our living environment. I became addicted to shopping catalogs and home and garden stores, and yeah, it was one of those things that inflated our bills for a period of time (on a side note: I’m sure glad I eventually replaced a money taking hobby with a money making hobby… ).

But it wasn’t entirely foolish — or so I’d like to think. While I favored a nice store like Bed, Bath and Beyond for all its pretty home effects, there was one thing I did that saved me a decent amount of coin. I collected their coupons that came in the mail on a regular basis. And not only that, I collected ALL the coupons from ALL my friends and family as well. You see, each BBB coupon was good for either $5 off or 20% off on a single item. Each coupon could be applied to any one item at anytime, for a discount.

Bed, Bath and Beyond Coupons Never Expire!

What a lot of people may not realize is that these coupons NEVER EXPIRE. But let me qualify a bit here — apparently, there has been talk that the store’s policy earlier this year has changed the rules a little, such that old coupons are no longer universally accepted at all Bed, Bath and Beyond establishments. That is, certain stores in certain cities may no longer accept “stale” coupons. So depending on where you live, you may have to check with your local store to find out if they still honor your “expired” coupons.

Now as far as expired coupons are concerned: does that mean that the expiration dates are an “inaccuracy” to encourage people to use these coupons quickly? After all, retail sales events are created to encourage you to come out and shop; the sense of urgency makes you want to buy. Just check this out:

Whatever the case, the stores in my area do allow old coupons, so it’s been a good long while since I’ve purchased anything from Bed, Bath and Beyond for full price. Now while this has been the case for me, I still see shopper after shopper at this store, who pays the regular price for their pricey wares. If you’ve got a store that has a liberal coupon policy, don’t let the opportunity go to waste — use those coupons!

So that was one of my favorite shopping tips. If you’ve got one as well, do share!

Bed, Bath and Beyond Coupons Never Expire!

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

This is a guest post by our contributing writer, BEM.

I’ve never made a budget, which is probably why I have struggled financially over the years. Well, truth be told, I tried it once, to no avail. I was riding in a car with a friend, who stopped to get gas and who then immediately jotted something in a little notebook. I asked her what she was doing, and she said she was recording all expenditures for a month to see where her money went. I tried the same thing the following month and found it too tedious. It was a hassle to write in the notebook all the time, and at the end of the month I didn’t know what to do with the information. So that was the end of that.

Squeeze that budget.

My interest in budgeting was recently piqued again, however, when I saw the article “A Simpler Way to Save: The 60% Solution” on MSN.com. The author, Richard Jenkins, acknowledges how difficult it is to budget, and developed the 60 Percent Solution as a way to make it easier. Here’s how it works:

Personal Budgeting Made Easy With the 60% Solution

Rather than tracking every expense, Jenkins suggests keeping all committed expenses below 60 percent of your gross income. By committed expenses, he means:

• Food and basic clothing needs
• Basic household expenses
• Insurance premiums and taxes
• Charitable contributions
• Bills

The other 40 percent is divided among retirement contributions, short and long term savings, and fun money. He suggests no more than 10 percent be earmarked for fun money.

When I first considered this approach, I never thought my committed expenses would fit within 60 percent of my income. (I thought it would be more like 70 percent.) But when I got it down on paper, I was shocked, because it did! And the other 40 percent worked out as well. After seeing it written down, I also realized that my trouble spots would be food, clothes, and fun money — I need to make sure I stay within my budget in those areas.

I can move the dollars among these various budget categories every month, as long as I stay within the total allotted for the three combined (e.g. food, clothes, fun money). If I end up having leftover money in any category, I can place this in short term savings in my trusty high interest accounts. To help with spending, I may also use the “envelope” budgeting system, which allows me to pull out enough cash to cover expenses. The theory is that when you have cold hard cash in your hand, you spend less of it.

The trouble with this budget, however, is that it doesn’t allow me to pay off my credit card debt faster. (I am currently on payment arrangements with reduced interest rates, but had hoped to pay the balances off faster.) I could stop contributions to my retirement fund and put less in savings to do so, but for the time being I am going to leave it as is and see how it goes. I can always amend my plan later. I’m also thinking that any extra money I earn can also go to help pay off my debt.

If it’s impossible for you to cover your committed expenses with 60 percent of your income, Jenkins (and conventional wisdom) suggests that you look at your lifestyle and then make some necessary budget cuts to bring your spending in line.

 
Contributing Writer: BEM

Personal Budgeting Made Easy With the 60% Solution

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

This guest article is by Julia Scott, who helps people save on groceries, gasoline and household bills at BargainBabe.com.

If you’re a Costco member, you can take advantage of the bulk buying, especially for certain products. You can also obtain a great balance transfer and cash back rewards card like the American Express Rewards Credit Card which offers a $25 bonus.

But for those of you who aren’t members of Costco, you can still benefit from some deals offered by this warehouse club. Here are some great tips for shopping at Costco even if you’re not a member!

No Costco Membership? Shopping At Costco Still Saves Money

1. You do not have to be a Costco member to get a flu shot there. Unless you have access to a free shot, Costco has the lowest price I have found so far for the flu shot, at $20. The pneumonia shot is $35. Call ahead to see what dates and times they are administering the vaccines. Some restrictions apply. Prices creep up if you go elsewhere. Walgreens is giving flu shots for $25, a slight drop from last year’s standard $30 charge. A benefit of the recession! Rite aid has the flu shot for $30 and the pneumonia shot for $45.

2. Non-members can use the pharmacy. Just tell the employee at the entrance that you are headed there and they will waive you in without a membership card. The Costco pharmacy takes cash and credit cards. I paid $5 for a generic prescription with my Visa that another chain wanted $80 for. One of my blog readers saved $200 getting prescriptions filled at Costco.

3. Members can purchase Costco cash cards and give them to non-members. This was a little known fact about shopping at Costco that a new friend shared with me. Recipients can get a free one-day membership to use the cash card on gas or warehouse items. The cards are also good online.

Cash cards make great gifts and they are useful for employees, students living away from home, and friends who are dying to buy 20 pounds of strawberries. Costco’s page on cash cards lacks details but it may be possible for the recipient to re-load a card as long as they leave some money on it. It also looks like recipients can buy goods for more than the card is worth as long as they can pay for the remainder in cash.

It is unclear if a non-member who receives a Costco cash card is limited to a certain number of uses per year. I suppose if they start recognizing you, you’ll need to pony up $50 and get a membership. Otherwise, the usage guidelines are somewhat open to interpretation. Just remember to bring cash.

4. Non-members can purchase items at Costco.com, though you’ll pay a small surcharge for not being a member. Not a bad idea to price check before making purchases, especially if you are in the market for a coffin.

5. Consider splitting a membership with a friend if you do want to take advantage of the full warehouse. Costco has no problem if the second person on the membership lives at a different address! (If you need prescription glasses, this would be a fabulous deal that makes it worthwhile to join.)

Costco can be a major money suck: huge carts, huge portions, huge bills. That’s why I am not a member. But strangely enough, some of their best deals are open to non-members!

If this post on Costco helped you save money, sign up for email updates from BargainBabe.com.

No Costco Membership? Shopping At Costco Still Saves Money

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

What are some great ways to earn extra cash online? Some of you make money blogging, while others visit online shopping sites and deal sites for rewards. In my case, I’ve been investigating another money earning strategy: have you heard of mystery shopping before?

Image from moneygoddesstips.com

Today as I ran errands during lunch, I got a call from a mystery shopping company. Would I take a pizza shop tonight, the scheduler asked? I would get reimbursed for the pizza plus receive $10 pay. Actually, would I do one pizza shop tonight and one tomorrow, he asked, almost pleading. I laughed and said yes. Even though the pay is lower than I like, I love pizza, especially this brand.

This month marks my one year anniversary as a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping is an activity set up by market research companies where they’ll pay you to shop; companies want your feedback on your shopping experience and they are willing to pay you for it.

So far, my experience with this endeavor has been fun, without a doubt. And the cash has come in handy, a few times amounting to $300-$400 per month in my more lucrative periods. The down side is that you really have to take the time to do the shopping, including the often tedious paperwork afterward, which is tricky when you have a full-time job. But from my experience, this does get easier the more you do it.

I had wanted to do mystery shopping for years, but only took the plunge last year after I finished the bar exam. I had extra time on my hands while awaiting my results, and I needed the cash. So I first signed up with ShadowShopper.com, which is a clearinghouse for mystery shopping opportunities. I paid about $7 for a one month trial. Many mystery shoppers discourage this, saying you don’t need to pay to find shopping opportunities. This may be true, but I found the trial period to be beneficial as I started out. From that small investment, I snagged about $300 in opportunities almost immediately, a good return as I see it.

You can also apply for opportunities at sites like Jobslinger.com and Volition.com. These sites also contain educational information and shopping forums, where you can learn to be a better mystery shopper and where you can bounce ideas off other shoppers.

Mystery Shopping: How I Earn Extra Cash Online

So, how do you get started? Here are the steps I’ve taken to become a mystery shopper:

1. Apply at mystery shopping sites.
Go to the sites I’ve mentioned and apply for individual shopping opportunities. This requires you to create a profile as an independent contractor with the mystery shopping company.

2. Wait to be selected as a shopper.
Your application will go into pending status until a scheduler decides which shopper gets the opportunity. If chosen, you’ll receive guidelines for how to proceed, as well as a due date on your shopping expedition.

3. Evaluate the rules and regulations set by the shopping site.
Sometimes, a shop (e.g. the shopping event) requires a cash outlay which is reimbursed, while at other times, no purchase is necessary because you are just evaluating the service or a certain sales process within a particular store. It is a good idea to review the shop’s evaluation form before you do the shop, so you know what details are needed.

4. Understand the process and how you’ll get paid.
You must meet the shop deadline and complete all tasks to get paid. Some mystery shopping companies pay as quickly as two weeks after the completion of a shop; some don’t pay for 60 days, so make sure you know the company’s pay policy before accepting a shop.

Beware of Mystery Shopping Scams

What about mystery shopping scams? From my experience, they are easy to spot. The typical ones are “opportunities” where you are sent a very large check that you are to deposit into your savings account. Such “opportunities” promise you a sizable portion of the check, then request you to wire the rest to a given address. The check is never good, and you are out the money. Just be aware that a reputable mystery shopping company will never pay you before you actually complete a shop. And if the fee seems too good to be true, it probably is. I received such a check and turned it over to my bank’s fraud department.

Now that my regular work has picked up, I have cut back on mystery shopping, only taking better priced shops or ones that particularly appeal to me, such as the pizza. But I will keep on, because it is an excellent part-time job, allowing me the flexibility to put in the hours whenever I want.

 
Guest contributor: BEM

Mystery Shopping: How I Earn Extra Cash Online

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

Is there such a thing as a “frugal spender”? My rambling reflections on frugality, saving and our spending habits.

How Do You “Buy Stuff”?

The story of Sam Walton has always fascinated me. Here was a guy who was worth a huge load of money yet who was reputed to live a simple life. Then there are those folks with these interesting spending and saving profiles:

• those who buy things because they’re on sale, hoarding stuff and hoping they’ll have use for them someday, or
• those who hardly buy anything but then save up for that big purchase. And when they finally buy something, price isn’t much of a factor.

Then of course, there’s everyone else in between. I do think that spending habits are fascinating to study, as it may reveal something about ourselves at a deeper level, maybe even revealing something about our level of happiness.

Thoughts On Saving and Spending Habits

A long while back, I talked about how I balance my efforts to spend and save money. I’d written a post that covered the science behind money behaviors, discussing how frugality is tied to happiness. The key finding was that spendthrifts (those who can’t stop spending) and tightwads (those who can’t spend at all) weren’t as happy as those who were deemed frugal.

Why so? The experts say it’s because frugal people are considered more “balanced” in the way they view money and while cost conscious, they are free from compulsions that may overwhelm those who have more restrictive or even obsessive relationships with money.

I am familiar with a few people who fall in the extreme ends of what I call “the frugality spectrum” and I’ve seen how negative money behaviors and tendencies have harmed someone’s pocket book and personal relationships with other people. Their inherent attitude towards money has made them miserable — because wanting to fight the urge to constantly spend or save can be frustrating in its own right.

The happiest people out there are those who can find a balance between any extreme, and it also applies to how we handle and manage our money.

Defining Frugality: Spending Money On Things of Value

Do you earn more and spend less? If your mind and heart are in tune with how you’re managing your money, if you’re able to build a healthy nest egg while spending much less than you’re earning, then I think you’re still in the middle of that frugality spectrum even if you happen to own a BMW, an art collection or a luxury condo (hey, this is an appreciating asset!). Yet this doesn’t stop others from judging you on what you own.

If we judge people based on what they own, then we could be missing out on some great lessons and examples given by true value spenders.

See, for instance, these consumer profiles:

• They spend much less than they earn but make so much money that they can afford expensive items.
• They buy a used luxury car because it’s half priced.
• They are selective about the high-priced items that they buy and don’t make impulsive purchases.
• The stuff they buy only looks expensive.

On this note, frugality doesn’t mean you have “cheap tastes”. It means that you are prudent and deliberate with your spending, and that you place your money on what has “good value”. This virtue should describe HOW someone applies their money rather than WHAT gets bought. I would refer to this classification of savers with the term: “frugal spender” (or “value spender”), or someone who’s basically a saver, who’s value-minded, yet splurges when they can afford it.

So where would you place yourself in the frugality spectrum?

 
Image Credit: FourPiggies.com

On Spending Money: How Do You Buy Stuff?

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

I have to admit that I’ve never done a cash only budget, but I am going to try it, at least for a week and maybe for a month, to see how it goes. A friend of mine a long time ago relayed that she and her husband put money for various items into different envelopes, and when the money was gone, it was gone. They couldn’t buy anything else until their next payday. Spendthrift me thought that sounded a little strange and wondered how and why they would do this.

Create A Home Budget Using The Envelope Budgeting System

More recently, I discovered talk radio host Dave Ramsey, who often talks about his cash envelope system on the air. Listening to him, I understand the concept better: every paycheck, you put money into different envelopes marked groceries, clothes, entertainment, etc. If you run short in one area, he says it is fine to shift money from one envelope to another. But again, the bottom line is that you can only spend the money in the envelopes and no more. Here’s a graphic of what it looks like, thanks to Money3rd.

Envelope Budgeting System

It seems as if more and more people are discovering the benefits of such cash only budgets and these envelope systems, and cash is making a comeback. I find this ironic, given that the projection has been for people to never use cash again (at some point), with the proliferation of credit cards, debit cards and electronic transfer. Taking a closer look, you’ll see that there are some pros and cons to using a cash only system. Here are a few:

Cash Envelope Budgeting System: The Pros

• This system forces you to make a budget and adhere to it, something that I struggle with. I might start out using envelopes for groceries, gas, clothes, and entertainment (things that are easier to control), while I use my high interest savings account which I’ve just opened as another “envelope” in which to deposit money for semi annual or annual payments such as insurance premiums, property taxes, and the like. If I can only make myself save so much money every month for these bills, then it won’t hurt so much when they come due.
• Using cash is better than using debit cards. I used to think that they were one and the same, but the plethora of overdraft charges from my debit card has convinced me otherwise. I actually prefer debit cards to credit cards because I can place limits on my spending, but by using cash, I’m also able to avoid unexpected fees. Like most people, I feel that cash is the most attractive option for controlling spending. A debit card is still plastic, and when using one, you are still more likely to spend more money than you would with cold, hard cash.

Cash Only? The Cons

• A cash only system may not work well for emergencies or unexpected expenses, so establishing a separate emergency fund would be a good idea.
• Using cash can be awkward in a restaurant or bar (or in certain other establishments). Many times I have used cash to pay for a bill in a restaurant or bar, and the server ends up not giving me back any change, assuming that I meant to leave them a large tip. This has been so uncomfortable that I now prefer to use a debit card in this circumstance, so I can indicate how large a tip that I want to leave.
• It’s almost impossible to use cash to reserve a hotel room or a rental car. Ultimately, you may be able to pay in cash, but most companies want a credit or debit card number to track.

As you can see, while using cash is a great budget trimming idea, there are some situations that highlight the inconveniences of using cash over plastic, and no doubt there are many more scenarios of this kind. Cash is not always practical, and because of the tradeoffs, you may have to be somewhat flexible about using cash alternatives in order to avoid any inconveniences (unless you’re resourceful and can develop a system that works for you: ie. find and work only with merchants or businesses that only accept cash, etc).
 

Contributing Writer: BEM

Create A Home Budget, Use The Envelope Budgeting System

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

What’s been your experience with pet care costs and pet products? Does your dog or cat cost more than child care?

I’m writing this as an ode to my cat. Sort of.

I wanted to respond to one of Lazy Man’s older posts on “How Much Does A Dog Cost”? It’s no secret that they cost a lot more than cats. It’s all about the maintenance. Any dog owner can tell you that to make a dog happy, you’ll need to treat them like family, while cats — they’re happy when you give them their space. I love dogs — I grew up vastly preferring dogs over cats for most of my life. But then I got my Himalayan kitty and it all changed: I like both pets in equal heaps. But if you want the hard numbers, check out these tables for comparison’s sake (the “My Cost” column below shows figures given by the person who originally compiled this data, from the site PetEducation.com):

Lifetime Costs of Owning A Dog

Image from PetEducation.com

Lifetime Costs of Owning A Cat

Image from PetEducation.com

Interesting that on the low side, dogs cost pretty much the same as cats, but on the high side, there’s almost a 100% cost differential.

So how much has my cat cost me? Hardly anything. After the usual vet bills in the beginning when we first got him, we haven’t spent a dime beyond the bags of cat food from Costco. We also got him for free (through a friend) and ever since we picked him up at a year old, he’s been free of problems, illnesses and all the other things that may put a weight on a pet owner’s wallet. Knock on wood.

We have very good friends who own a couple of Siamese cats which were bought for a $1000 each. I’m quite impressed with those cats — pure bred, beautiful and totally screened of all ill behavior. They are no doubt a couple of the nicest cats in the universe (that I’ve seen). Knowing how much it costs to get such “perfect” pets, the more I feel like we truly lucked out on ours: an outdoor cat with claws he uses to fend for himself in the suburban wild where the possums and raccoons roam, yet who’s nice enough to be on his best behavior when he’s indoors. The best part is that he doesn’t need much care really, being the independent creature that he is.

My kitty

Yes, I feel that we’ve been really lucky with this pet. No need for obedience school (dogs that we’ve owned have had to attend charm school), obligatory walks, chewed up slippers (or scratched furniture!), or pet insurance to worry about. Too often, cats that wander into your home for free may not have the characteristics or personality you’re looking for. But the one that found his way into our hearts definitely does!

Here’s more on my kitty.

Pet Care Costs: The Costs of Dog and Cat Care

YNAB Pro Giveaway Code: fibonacci

I love buying used — the idea of getting a good deal for a gently used item that looks almost new is something I find pretty satisfying. I offer some great tips on how to live green, recycle and buy used.

Used is definitely better in many instances: buy used and you buy cheap, and instead of throwing useful items away, you can resell them for some pocket money. And on top of it all, we’re able to promote a cleaner environment. Many used items are not only much more affordable, they are also equally reliable and carry their own unique, charming history.

Image from sheribrown.ca

Green Living: 6 Ways To Recycle And Buy Used!

I’d like to suggest a few ways we can explore buying used and participating in recycling efforts.

#1 Have You Checked Out Freecycle?

If you’re looking for something specific, you may be able to find it at Freecycle.org, right in your own neighborhood. Freecycle is a network that encourages recycling by allowing people to find and give away stuff for free. It’s broken into local groups so you only deal with people in your vicinity, thus making it pretty convenient. The website started on a small scale in Arizona in 2003 and now serves over 75 countries with different groups. Besides getting what you need for nothing, you don’t have to pay to dispose of the stuff you want to unload. Just list your old items on Freecycle and appreciate the joy of giving and receiving; nothing is wasted and tons of useful items are kept out of landfills!

#2 Bequeath Heirlooms Across Generations

In days gone by, family heirlooms were cherished for generations. I never had the pleasure of meeting my grandmother on my mom’s side because she passed away right before I was born, but she left behind a beautiful silver marcasite pin I treasure and only wear on very special occasions. Recently I wore the pin to my cousin’s wedding and it brought tears to my mom’s eyes. Items like these are priceless. I think this blog entry brings the point home with regards to the deeper value of used items.

If you don’t have heirlooms from your family, there are plenty of thrift shops offering gently used items with an interesting background. From a hand-carved rocking chair to a feather boa, you just don’t know what exciting treasures you’ll find! Where to look for such items?

• The Salvation Army and other thrift shops that charge low prices for quality items with the proceeds going to good causes;
• Garage sales where hidden delights are always a possibility;
• The classified section of your local newspapers: you never know what someone has to offer;
• Craigslist and eBay offer a variety of unique items;
• Local churches and community organizations: no need to be a member in most cases;
• Estate sales for high end, gently used furniture and household accessories; and
• Secondhand shops and antique stores with a down-home vibe (not those pricey, posh ones).

#3 Make A Used Car Purchase

We’re all for saving money and the environment by purchasing used vehicles. Buying a lightly used car can save you thousands of dollars within the first five years of ownership. You can shop around for secondhand automobiles at new car dealers, used car dealers, auctions and the classified ads.

While we all know that a car loses its value as soon as you drive it out of the showroom, many of us still feel compelled to buy a new vehicle — just check this article on popular reasons to buy new. But maybe this Consumer Reports study can convince you otherwise: they report that buying a V6 2005 Toyota Camry can save you around $13,000 over five years compared to buying the 2008 model. Those are some significant savings!

Edmunds reports that buying a used car is the most cost-conscious strategy, followed by leasing a car. It’s something to think about the next time you’re shopping for a new vehicle. Check out these stories for more ideas:

• How To Sell on Craigslist: Listed Our Honda For Sale and Scored
• Replaced Our Old Car, Got The Best Deal On A Volvo Sports Wagon!

#4 Get High End Fashions For Less

If you love high end fashion lines like I do but hate the price tags, check out estate sales and thrift shops. Unbelievable designer finds could be lurking in someone’s racks: just imagine a Coach tote bag, an Irish cashmere sweater with a detachable fur collar and sparkling buttons, and a silk designer dress in a ravishing shade of purple! It involves plenty of hunting but it’s well worth it when you get a fashion find for $10 when you know its original price is around $200. This is a great approach for women with office jobs, especially for those who find that their paychecks don’t quite allow them to “look the part” at work.

With the higher cost of living that we face, many women find that they must return to work to cover their family expenses. They may find themselves without the proper clothes for job interviews. Dress For Success helps women across the nation by giving them an interview suit and additional suits for work when they land a job. Check them out if you’re interested in getting and donating suits, or shop online at My Girlfriend’s Closet to order low cost fashion items.

#5 Go For Used Furniture

I enjoy online shopping at Craigslist; I’ve seen lots of great selections for used furniture here. My used Italian leather sofa was a mere $300 compared to the $1,500 my friend spent on hers. Who knows, you may even luck out like I did, when I got my sofa in a custom “rose beige” color instead of the generic black my friend settled for.

#6 Check Out Cheap Entertainment!

Books, musical instruments, CDs and small electronics are also cheaper to buy used. Often, these items are shared, tossed or given away anyway, so buying them used makes sense. Books, radios and CDs can easily be found for pennies at garage sales and charity flea markets. Small electronics such as radios and MP3 players often cost only a few bucks, making them worth the entertainment investment. Check out this article on great places to earn and save money on used items for more tips!

Green Living: Ways To Recycle And Buy Used

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