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Cut the cord

Hulu Live TV

Cost: $40/mo

Available on: Apple TV, Xbox One, Chromecast, Fire TV, Android, iOS, and Mac/PC

Streams on mobile?: Yes, on Android & iOS apps

Local Broadcast?: Yes, widely available

DVR and On Demand?: Yes: 50 hrs DVR standard, 200 hrs DVR for $15/month

Hulu Live TV’s combination of local broadcast channels, a wide array of regional sports networks, and sports cable channels like ESPN and FS1/2 for just $40 is a great fit for lots of people.

The only issue is that the coverage of regional sports networks could be a bit spotty.

In Boston, you don’t get NESN, for example, which is included in other services, so your experience may vary.

DirecTV Now

Cost: $35-70/mo depending on bundle selection

Available on: Windows, Macs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast

Streams on mobile?: Yes, on Android, Windows, and iOS with restrictions

Local Broadcast?: Yes, but not in all markets (now including CBS)

DVR and On Demand?: On Demand is available but delayed, Cloud DVR in “Beta”

DirecTV Now comes in 5 different bundles, so it can be a bit confusing to compare with the competition.

The $50/mo “Just Right” bundle is the cheapest that includes regional sports networks, and it also gets you ESPN, FS1, and networks like YES.

That’s not as cheap as Hulu or Youtube TV, though, and you need to jump up another $10 to get FS2—something you get with other cheaper bundles already.

Relevant Articles:

Playstation Vue

Cost: $39.99-74.99/mo depending on bundle selection

Available on: PS3/PS4, Windows, Macs, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast

Streams on mobile?: iOS and Android, but heavily restricted outside home

Local Broadcast?: Yes, but only in a some markets

DVR and On Demand?: Cloud-based DVR and On Demand are available

Playstation Vue is a compelling service that has some great bundles, but you’ll want to check and make sure it offers local broadcast networks in your area.

Even then, many of the broadcast stations are on-demand-only, so live sports aren’t an option. PS Vue does have the NFL Network and a lot of the Fox College Sports networks if you buy the $10 sports package, but at a minimum that bundle will cost you $55/mo total.

YouTube TV

Cost: $40/mo

Available on: Windows, Macs, Android TV, Chromecast

Streams on mobile?: Yes, on iOS and Android

Local Broadcast?: Yes, local broadcast in these markets), including some sports cable channels

Premium channels?: Yes, Showtime is an additional $11/mo each and Fox Soccer Plus is $15/mo

DVR and On Demand?: Unlimited cloud-based DVR storage and On Demand are available

Youtube TV is the newest competitor in the streaming landscape, and it’s very compelling for just $40/mo.

For that you get live broadcast in most major markets, regional sports networks like YES/NESN, ESPN, FS1/2, and the SEC network. It’s missing some biggies like the NFL Network, though that’s always subject to change.

So which one is the best?

Unfortunately, none of the live TV streaming options offer you everything for a low price.

Youtube TV, Sling, and Hulu Live TV are great places to start, though, as they should cover most people’s needs for the most popular sports.

That said, it’s critical you make sure that your bundle of choice actually works for the teams you want to watch. You can do that by heading to each service’s page and entering your zip code to see what local broadcast and regional sports network you’ll get.

Now, this gets a bit trickier if you are looking to watch out of market games. Most of the time, if you want to catch those you’ll still need to invest in a premium league pass program like NFL Sunday Ticket.

Worst case, if you’re not sure all these services offer free trials of at least a week. If you’re unsure if a game will be on, that’s the best way to know for sure.

The Smart and Savvy Way To Save 40% on Groceries- Couponing for Beginners

June 17, 2018 by Frugal Prof

The Smart and Savvy Way I Save 40% on my Groceries. (Couponing for beginners.)

I never thought I would be writing this post. Ever.

I really assumed that coupons were nickel and dime stuff that wasn’t worth my time.

But honestly, I have to admit that in the past 6 weeks, I have become a big fan of couponing.

It’s saving me a ton on my grocery bill every week and it’s simple and fun.

I felt that I needed to share what I’ve learned about coupons and couponing. So, here goes.

How it began: I caught an old episode of Extreme Couponing on television and it piqued my curiosity.

*Disclosure: My aim is to recommend products that will truly benefit you. I believe in transparency and want to disclose that I’ve included certain products and links to those products on this page that I will earn an affiliate commission for any purchases you make.

My Goal:

What if I applied these stacking strategies to my own shopping?
And kept it simple and manageable.
What if I created a strategy to use coupons only for the things I buy and Like.
How much could I really save by becoming a savvy, frugal couponer, but not an extreme couponer?
The answer was about 40%!

Things I learned about saving with coupons:

Everything in a supermarket and drugstore goes on sale. There is a cycle of products that changes week to week to entice customers into the store.
In business terms these are “loss leaders.” Items that a store is willing to sell below cost. They know if you come in for an incredible deal on Pringles Potato Chips at .79 a can, then you will stay and buy their other products.
By stacking coupons and sale items, you can save Big on products you are already buying.
By stocking up when items go on sale and have coupons, you never have to pay retail for the items you buy.
Couponing takes much less time than I thought and pays huge dividends. (and it’s really fun)
There are valuable coupons for almost everything. Diapers, razor blades, and all food items.

Why is this happening: Stores like Target and Drugstores like CVS, need to offer deals that entice you to visit their stores.

So, there are more deals than ever before because there is so much competition and overlap in the products they offer.

Bottom Line: It is easy to do, doesn’t take much time, saves me a lot of money, and is really fun.

What’s the big Deal? Well, if you can save $350 each month on a grocery bill, then it’s like creating a side hustle that brings in $448 in pre-tax income.

That would require driving for Uber for 44 hours. Pretty Great. Saving Time and Money!

General Couponing Tips:

“Limit one coupon per purchase” means one coupon per item.

Basically, if you want to purchase 20 items, you must use 20 coupons.

If a manufacturer coupon says “Cannot be combined with any other coupon,” you can still stack a store coupon on it.

“Balance Rewards Points, Extrabucks, and Plenti Points” are drugstore credits that can be used like cash.

Each drugstore calls their in-store credits something different, but they essentially all work the same.

As long as you sign up for each store’s loyalty program, you can start earning these in-store credits and using them with coupons for bigger savings:

CVS – Extrabucks
Walgreens – Balance Rewards Points
Rite Aid – Plenti Points

Find rewards promotions in each store’s weekly Sunday ad.

Or, walk into any of the three major drugstores and find brightly colored tags hanging from the shelves. Typically these tags will say something like “Buy X product, receive $X [or points] in rewards.” When you buy the product in the right quantity, you’ll receive rewards at the register that can be used on a future purchase.

A “Catalina” is a coupon that prints at the register.

Catalinas are register coupons that print out of the little Catalina machine at participating store checkouts (like at Kroger and Safeway).

These coupons are sometimes advertised, or are generated based on a shopper’s behavior.

Additional Resources:

Coupons.com

Many of the printable coupons from Coupons.com have a store suggestion on them, paid for by retailers like Walmart.

You might see the words “Available at…” or “Redeemable at…” but you don’t have to use those coupons at the suggested stores.

You can totally use them at other retailers as long as the coupon says “manufacturer coupon” on it.

The Best Deal Sites for all things Couponing:

Grocery Smarts. com

Krazy Coupon lady

Additional Ways to Save Money:

Get Cash Back at Ebates:

I use Ebates and they give me cash back for nearly all of my purchases.

Ebates gets a commission from stores you shop at and they share the commission with you. Average cash back is about 7%, which is great. Right now, they are offering a Free $10 Gift Card when you join and spend $25. More about Ebates Here.

How Ebates works:

Before you make a purchase, simply visit the Ebates site,
find the store, like Macy’s
You’ll see discount codes (usually between 5%-10%)
and use their link to make a purchase.
They give you cashback for your purchase.
They pay via Paypal.

They have a browser extension that makes it so easy to save. And they’ll give you a $10 Gift Card after you spend $25

Browser extension for Ebates:

Get Paid for Sharing Your Amazon Purchase History

Such an easy way to Earn an extra $36

Shoptracker is operated by The Harris Poll, a well known survey company that measures U.S. public opinion.

In this case, it wants to see what products Amazon users purchase. When you sign up for ShopTracker, it keeps your private information, well, private.

All it wants to see is your Amazon order information, including the order date, product title, category, ISBN number, release date, condition, seller, list price per unit, quantity and other details. In order to get paid, you must download the shoptracker program. Then, every month, you will receive a $3 VISA Gift Card. I did it and it works. More information about ShopTracker here.

Join 1,148 savvy savers on my E-mail list here

11 Insider Tips to Save Big on Concert Tickets

May 26, 2018 by Frugal Prof

11 Insider Tips to Save Big on Concert Tickets:

A standing-room only pit ticket to one of Taylor Swift’s June concerts at Soldier Field in Chicago could cost you $895. Most would say that’s an incredibly high price to pay to see anyone in concert. Adele fans are prepared to pay an average of nearly $395.79 for tickets to see her shows, , based on ticketseller data.

Before you drop a few hundred (or thousand) dollars on concert tickets, here are Eleven ways to money on a live show. While every tip won’t apply to every show, you can use this list to find the strategies that will work for you

1. Check social media.

The secondhand market on sites like Facebook and Craigslist is overwhelmingly better in price than websites dedicated to ticket reselling, for the sheer reason that people on social media aren’t doing it for a profit.

They tend to be fans who wanted to make it to a show themselves, but, for whatever reason, can’t anymore. Running a search on such sites with simple search terms (“selling Drake ticket,” for instance) plus the date you’re looking for is a good way to score a deal, as long as you can verify the authenticity of the offer.

2. Wait until the last minute

I got lucky with the Adele tickets because they became available a few days before the show. This is because the insider seats that are held for record executives, pr people and VIPS’s get released a few days before a show if they are not needed.

Read my post about whether I regret those $600 tickets here.

While concert ticket prices are unpredictable, in many cases prices will drop as the performance approaches, says Chris Leyden, communications manager at SeatGeek.

Because promoters overestimate the number of seats they hold back, a flood of tickets may hit the market during the hours before a gig.

Scalpers also tend to give up in the final stretch, slashing prices on tickets they don’t manage to sell for a profit. (A Jay-Z show in New York City this winter was, in desperation, taken down to as low as $6 a seat.) So if you sleep through the initial on-sale, there’s hope yet; you just have to take the risk of waiting until the last minute.

3. Get cash back on your tickets.

I use Ebates to get cash back on my purchases.

And Ebates does give you cash back for concerts and tickets.

Ebates gets a commission from stores you shop at and they share the commission with you. Average cash back is about 7%, which is great. Right now, they are offering a $10 Gift Card when you join and spend $25.

More about Ebates Here.

Relevant Articles:

4. Buy from a reseller

Check out resale tickets from verified secondary sellers and ticket resale brokers — which can be offered at a better price and with a guarantee, according to Gary Adler, executive director and counsel of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), a nonprofit trade association.

Adele in Concert

5. Check your credit cards:

A number of credit card companies including

Citi,
American Express,
and Chase
offer concert perks for cardholders.

Sometimes it’s early access or special VIP offers to shows; other times, as was the case with Mastercard’s “Mastercard House” week this January with artists like SZA and Dua Lipa in New York City, customers can get into exclusive shows entirely for free.

6. Sit near the back

You won’t have the best view, but you’ll still hear the music. Obviously, a seat farther back at a concert costs less than sitting in the first row. Take a look at the price for nosebleed seats before you dish out more for the front sections.

7. Join your band’s E-mail list.

Digital newsletters and subscriptions have made it easier to be in the know about pre-sales and special promotions.

Sign up for your favorite artists’ email lists, and set alerts for the moment tickets are available – before sales open up to the general crowd.

Adele, among others, has tried very hard to prevent resales of tickets from other sites. Her official site caters for original sales not to bots, and fan-to-fan resale for those who genuinely cannot attend, for never more than their original value.

Those picking up tickets, priced at fair levels such as $49.50, may have to show the original confirmation e-mail and further photographic ID proof. Still, hundreds of tickets have appeared on other resale websites for as much as $35,000.

8. Try Smaller Cities

Ticket prices can vary depending on the location of the concert — even for the same artist and the same tour, Leyden says. Compare prices at concert venues to find lower prices.

“Check out the nearby shows,” Leyden says. “You don’t have to take a massive trip where you fly from Miami to St. Louis.

If you live in New York, you can do a quick weekend trip to Philly or a weekend trip to Boston.”

9. Consider Sitting solo

When searching resale options, you’ll generally see better deals on single tickets, says Jessica Erskine, a spokesperson for StubHub.

“Often someone might buy tickets in threes or fours and have one friend who can’t make it, and they’re trying to sell that one ticket,” Erskine says. “It’s so hard to find someone who’s willing to go to a show as a single guest that often you can find single-price tickets at lower prices.”

10. Concerts at the Fair

OK, maybe Adele or Taylor Swift still aren’t in your budget. If you’re not picky about who you want to see live, check the fair circuit. Some county fairs grant free admission to a concert along with paid entry to the fair, which usually costs less than a concert ticket.

11. Buy immediately – or immediately beforehand.

Ticket prices are a steep bell curve, with the cheapest rates offered right at the sale start and right before the show itself. Try to buy on the day tickets go on sale. That’s when ticket scalpers will sell some tickets just to recoup their investment.

Conclusion:

Ticket prices for major concerts don’t have to set your budget back too much. If you plan ahead and use these tips, a great concert at a reasonable price, is achievable for you this summer.

9 Best Money Saving Apps to Get in 2019

May 8, 2018 by Frugal Prof

9 Best Money Saving Apps to Get in 2019

Some people are really good at saving, while others might just need a little help.

Over the past few years, a number of apps have popped up that help people save money. Each has its own bent, but at their core they offer the same service: collecting small amounts of money that add up over time. They are digital piggy banks, essentially.

Here are Nine smartphone-friendly saving apps to help you easily set aside your spare change.

Disclaimer; I believe in transparency and want to disclose that I’ve included certain products and links to those products that I will earn an affiliate commission for purchases you make. The reader pays nothing.

1. Cash Back App Ibotta:

What is Ibotta?

Ibotta is a cash-back app that grants you rewards (in real-life dollars — not points or gift cards) on your everyday purchases. It turns couponing into a bit of a game, and you can do it all from your phone. No newspaper coupons required.

It also features rewards across retailers: from Amazon to Forever 21 to Walmart.

Here’s how to use Ibotta:

1. Download the free app and sign up.

2. Explore cash-back offers.

What’s great about it:

“Ibotta is more portable than coupons, and it introduces me to brands I’d otherwise not try.”

Ibotta is a great way to find cash back not only on grocery staples but also at online retailers and through travel sites. People use it to discover new brands. For example, one user only bought Viva paper towels before downloading the app. But if she can get $3 back on a pack of Bounty, why not?

3. If you’re shopping in store, add offers to your account before heading out. Do this by tapping the little plus sign next to the offer.

4. Once you hit $20, you can cash out through PayPal or Venmo. You can also opt to receive your rewards as a gift card.

Alternatively, you can link any of your store loyalty cards to get automatic cash back after you add offers to your account and check out. No scanning barcodes or taking photos of receipts required.

2. Cash Back at from Shoptracker by The Harris Poll

Shoptracker is operated by The Harris Poll, a well known survey company that measures U.S. public opinion.

In this case, it wants to see what products Amazon users purchase. When you sign up for ShopTracker, it tracks your Amazon purchases from your computer.

All it wants to see is your order information, including the order date, product title, category, ISBN number, release date, condition, seller, list price per unit, quantity and other details.

Shoptracker will send you a $3 Visa Gift card every month but only if you download their software, which takes about 5 minutes. Here is more info about ShopTracker

3. Get paid for shopping:

It’s easy to join and I get cash back from nearly All of my purchases.

Every quarter they send me cash back from my purchases!

How it works:

Before you make a purchase, simply visit the Ebates site, find the store, and use their link to make a purchase.

You’ll see discount codes (usually between 3%-10%)

You will receive cashback for your purchase.

They have a browser extension that makes it so easy to save.

Start earning cash back this month at Ebates here:

4. Acorns

Launched in 2014, Acorns was the first of the apps to invest your spare change in a basic investment portfolio. It reportedly has 3 million customers.

If you make a debit card purchase for $3.35, Acorns withdraws $0.65.

It invests the money in $5 increments in one of five portfolio options ranging from aggressive to conservative, all with varying mixes of equity and bond exchange-traded funds.

The app charges a $1 monthly service fee for accounts with less than $5,000. ETFs also have their own expenses ranging from 0.05 percent to 0.20 percent, which are deducted from dividends.

You also can set up automatic deposits on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

The company also partners with various retailers, like Apple, Jet and Dollar Shave Club on its Found Money feature. When you buy something from those retailers with the same account you have linked to your Acorns account, the retailer adds a percentage of the total back into your Acorns account.

Your Acorns account is an investment account, therefore it is not insured by the FDIC, so market forces could chip away at your principal.

Survey Junkie: (Great Surveys, Little Time, Great Payout)

You can earn anywhere from $12 – $18 per hour from Survey Junkie!

Survey Junkie has one of the strongest reputations on the web, and they have always paid on-time and the right amount. Not only that, but they have excellent customer service if you ever have an issue.

Taking surveys in your spare time can be a great way to earn some extra dough fast. Check out Survey Junkie which will pay you instantly with cash via Paypal.

They have over 6M members and they have an 8.9/10 rating on Trust Pilot.

5. Digit

Digit uses algorithms to analyze what goes into and out of your bank account, then makes small withdrawals in a way it says you “won’t notice.”

Digit can save more than the other apps because it’s not based on transactions but on your balance and spending habits. So, while Acorns can’t save more than $1 per transaction,

Digit could potentially save up to $50 at a time.

Digit used to be free, but in April 2017 announced it would start charging $2.99 a month. The company said at the time that it would rather charge its customers a fee rather than sell their data or serve as a lead generator. You can still try Digit for free for 100 days.

With the introduction of the fee, the company boosted how much it pays customers for their deposits from a 0.2 percent “annualized savings bonus” to 1 percent when you save with Digit for three consecutive months. The funds are FDIC-insured up to a balance of $250,000.

If Digit determines you can’t spare any money, it won’t withdraw anything and backs it up with a “no overdraft guarantee.”

Within the app you can set goals to help you save for day-to-day expenses, such as rent and bills, as well as major purchases.

You can also text Digit “withdraw” with the amount and the set amount will be transferred back into your checking account in one business day.

6. Chime

Acorns and Digit are stand-alone apps intended to help you save outside of your checking account. Chime wants to give you a better banking experience overall.

Chime offers customers checking accounts, savings accounts and a debit card. Chime works with The Bancorp Bank, so your money is insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per person per account.

The Chime savings account has two basic levers — it helps you save when you spend by rounding up your purchases and when you get paid by automatically moving 10 percent of your check into savings.

One of the advantages of apps like Acorns is that your money is tucked away elsewhere. Chime CEO Chris Britt says some customers have asked for ways to make it harder to dip into savings. The company is looking into it.

The Chime savings account carries a nominal interest rate, but Britt says the point is more about getting people — particularly millennials — into the rhythm of saving. Once they figure that out, then they can chase rate.

Chime doesn’t charge a fee. It makes its money from debit card transactions.

7. Qapital

Qapital is a rules-based account that does round-ups like the others, but also lets you do things like move money into your savings every time your favorite football team wins.

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8. Clarity Money

Clarity Money, which is primarily a budgeting tool that identifies where you might be wasting money on things like forgotten subscriptions, partners with Acorns and offers its own savings app.

9. Long Game

Long Game is trying to redirect some of the money people spend on lottery tickets into savings by giving you a chance to win money by saving. It’s called prize-linked savings, and the more you save, the more chances you have to win. Don’t worry — the account is FDIC-insured, and you’re not playing with your principal.

These apps are just a start for the ways you can save money. Check out my other posts for more ideas.

Relevant Articles:

15 Insider Tips to Travel for Free and Find Cheap Flights

May 7, 2018 by Frugal Prof

How to Travel for Free:

Insider Tips on Free Travel and Cheap Flights

There are hundreds of budget guides that tell you how to cut costs on trips. Many of these books contain low-cost travel tips, but they don’t give you the ultimate scoop on Free travel.

Instead of traveling cheap, you could be traveling Free- from transportation by air or sea to lodgings, meals and entertainment. Most free travel requires no special skills, credentials, or contacts.

And it can be just as luxurious- and often more pleasurable than the most expensive paid vacation.

*Disclosure: My aim is to recommend products that will truly benefit you. I believe in transparency and want to disclose that I’ve included certain products and links to those products on this page that I will earn an affiliate commission for any purchases you make.

Complimentary Cruises

Cruise lines generally offer a free passage to anyone who recruits 10 to 15 paying passengers. (Many airlines offer similar deals.) If you can’t lure that many customers you can get a pro-rated discount on your fare.

You can also cruise free as an expert in a pertinent subject.

Historians, anthropologists, naturalists, and ornithologists are in especially high demand.

Your job on the cruise would be to present a series of lectures and to be available for informal questioning. It helps to have a PhD (or at least a Master’s degree) and to have published articles on the subject, but an affable personality and a willingness to share your knowledge with others can stretch your credentials.

Free Cruises are also available to doctors and nurses who are willing to be on 24-hour call, athletic coaches who can help organize recreational activities … to musicians and entertainers who are willing to perform … to cosmetologists who can barter their services for a ride.

There is a strong demand for “hosts”- distinguished single gentlemen who are usually 55 and older. They serve by dining and dancing with the many unattached older women taking these vacation cruises.

Best Travel Credit Cards:

Chase Sapphire Preferred

If you like being rewarded for eating out and traveling, but don’t want to pay the $450 annual fee for the Sapphire Reserve, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred might be the card for you.

While it doesn’t come with all the same perks as it’s more premium sibling, it offers 2 points per dollar on travel and dining, travel and baggage insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
The annual fee on this card is only $95 (waived for the first year), making the Sapphire Preferred a great way to earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points without paying too much out of pocket.
Sign-up Bonus: 50,000 points after $4,000 spent within the first 3 months

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express

The Starwood Preferred Guest Card has always been a winner at home, but since Amex removed its foreign transaction fees in 2015 it’s become a winner abroad as well.

It has reasonable prices for hotel award nights, or you can transfer the points 1:3 to Marriott instead.
You can also transfer your points to over 30 different airline partners, and you even earn a 5,000 point bonus for every 20,000 points you transfer.
This opens up some incredible options including transferring to Alaska Airlines or American Airlines to book Cathay Pacific’s incredible first class product.

Welcome Offer: 25,000 points after $3,000 spent within the first 3 months

Capital One is very unique in that none of their cards have foreign transaction fees. The Venture Rewards card earns miles instead of points, which can be redeemed for travel purchases for a fixed value making them extremely flexible.

The card now offers 10 miles per dollar for hotels.com bookings made it hotels.com/venture allowing you to enjoy even more rewards on your travel purchases.

Sign-up Bonus: 50,000 miles after $3,000 spent within the first 3 months

Whatever card(s) you decide to carry with you when you travel, make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table!

Odds are you already have a card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees and if you don’t, there are plenty of great offers to consider before your next big trip.

Insider Tips for Cheap Air Fares:

1. Download Ibotta to save on hotels, rental cars, flights and more.

If you’ve ever needed a reason to (finally) bite the bullet and download the Ibotta app, check out these cash back deals on travel:

Booking.com: 4% cash back
CheapOair: $5 cash back
Choice Hotels: 4% cash back plus $5 bonus
Extended Stay America: 6% cash back
Hertz.com: 3% cash back
HomeAway: $10 cash back
Hotels.com: 4% cash back
HotelStorm: 8% cash back
HotelTonight: 3% cash back
Hotwire: 4% cash back
LivingSocial: 4% cash back
Orbitz: 6% cash back
Priceline.com: 5% cash back
VRBO: $10 cash back

2. Fly during off-peak times like Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Wednesday and Saturday are usually the slowest days of the week at most airports. Since these are considered “off-peak” days, you can get cheaper tickets.

4. Fly during off-peak hours too.

Avoid crowded airports, long lines and overpriced tickets by flying early in the morning between 5-7AM, or after 8PM, including those pesky red-eye flights.

5. Follow airlines on social media for flash sales.

If you follow airlines on Twitter and Facebook, you’ll see fare blasts where they offer a limited number of seats for a crazy-good price.

For example, Southwest recently had one-way tickets for as low as $49, and Jet Blue offered one-way tickets for $54.

6. Book early… but not too early.

The sweet spot for booking a flight is 45-90 days before you’d like to travel. Anything before or after that window will be more expensive.

7. Travel in the off-season to save up to 75%.

Plan your vacation in the off-season to save on airfare and hotel accommodations. Try the first two weeks of December, January 7th through the end of the month, during spring (except during spring break times) and in October.

9. Search for flights in a private or incognito browser window.

This should be a no-brainer!

Always search for flights in a private or incognito browsing window (and clear your computer’s cookies) so travel websites can’t use your search history to inflate prices just for you.

45 Things You Should Always Buy at a Dollar Store

April 25, 2018 by Frugal Prof

45 Things You Should Always Buy at the Dollar Store (+ 21 Things You Never Should)

Most smart and frugal shoppers love the Dollar Stores:

Whether it’s the 99c Store, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, or newcomer Five Below, there are tons of great bargains. Buying something for a dollar might seem too good to be true, but for the many dollar store loyalists out there, it’s a fact of life.

So, here are 45 things you should Always buy at a dollar store and 21 things you Never should.

What to Buy at the Dollar Store

Dollar Store Overview:

Dollar Tree currently has 14,000 locations, with plans to open hundreds more in 2018. Comparable sales were up 1.8% at Dollar Tree in the second quarter.

Dollar General currently has about15,000 locations, with plans to open 900 in 2018. Comparable sales were up 3.7% at Dollar General in the second quarter.

While not a traditional dollar store in that its products are priced up to $5, Five Belowcurrently has 625 stores, and it plans to open 50 more this quarter alone. In the second quarter of 2018, Five Below’s comparable sales grew by 2.7%.

What to Buy at the Dollar Store

Housewares & Decor

The nice thing about buying home decor and decorative wares at a dollar store is they’re cheap and easy to replace if they break, or if you feel like switching things up around the house.

• Reusable food storage containers

• Bins for organizing

• Wine glasses

• Mugs

• Plates

• Silverware

• Kitchen towels

• Vases

• Artificial flowers

• Picture frames

• Candle holders

• Cleaning supplies

• Garbage can or waste basket for a bathroom

Want to Get Paid for Sharing Your Amazon Purchase History?

Shoptracker is operated by The Harris Poll, a well known survey company that measures U.S. public opinion.

I did it and it works. More information about ShopTracker here.

Party & Special Occasion Supplies

Party supplies and wrapping paper are a must-buy at the dollar store, as they’re often priced at a fraction of their cost at other stores.

This is ideal– because who wants to spend a fortune on stuff that will be used once and then end up in the trash can?

Frugal Tip: Stock up on holiday items a few weeks after the holiday. You can score amazing deals on Halloween Costumes, Christmas Decorations and more.

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Check your local dollar store for deals on these items:

• Greeting cards

• Gift bags

• Wrapping paper

• Tissue paper

• Balloons

• Holiday decor

• Themed party decorations

• Cups

• Paper plates

• Party utensils

• Napkins

• Table cloth

• Birthday candles

• Large bowls for chips and snacks

Kids’ Gear

These inexpensive items will not only keep your kids busy on rainy days, but they can also act as perfect goody-bag fillers, stocking stuffers and Easter basket surprises.

• Books

• Coloring books and activity books

• Puzzles

• Craft supplies

• Colored paper

• Stickers

• Flash cards

Personal Items:

Believe it or not, you can find a lot of everyday items, even name-brands, at the dollar store for less!

• Tissues

• Lint roller

• Hair accessories such as headbands and hair ties

• Hair brush

• Name brand / dentist recommended toothbrushes

• Name brand make-up, lotion, and toiletries

• Dixie cups

• Books

• Cookbooks

• Pet toys

• Photo albums

• Flower pots

• Watering cans

• Wind chimes or outdoor decor

Don’t forget to check for coupons before you shop

Check out my post on how I save 40% using coupons here.

What NOT To Buy At The Dollar Store

Of course every store varies and there can be some fantastic brands of these below items, but generally, these items should be avoided:

• Power Strips, Electrical Cords and Electronics:

Any time something electrical is made with lesser quality materials, it can lead to electrical fires and a generally subpar device.

• Batteries that Contain Carbon Zinc:

Inferior batteries can cause serious damage since they can leak. Also, they run out of juice a lot sooner than mainstream brands.

• Vitamins and Medication:

Studies have shown that vitamins and medication at the dollar store are often missing essential ingredients and aren’t as strictly regulated by the FDA.

• Plastic Wrap, Oven Mitts and Knives: These items simply don’t work as well as the more expensive variety.

• Toys that can break into small pieces: Any plastic toys that can easily break into smaller pieces aren’t a good idea for your kids.

• Cotton Swabs: They have a tendency to break easier and since the name brand is not much more, you’re better off going with that.

• Off-Brand Makeup, Shampoo and Conditioner, and Lotions: While some people swear by these dollar store products to save money, it really depends on the specific item. Many of these items are filled with chemicals that could be harsh on your skin and dry out your hair. Plus, they may not be allergy tested.

• Candles: Generally, candles don’t burn long and omit a less-than-desirable odor.

• Glue and Crayons: These items simply do not work as well, and you’ll be spending more to replace them.

• Pet Food: Depending on the product, some pet foods you’d find at the dollar store may not be as carefully regulated as other stores.

• Kids’ Floaties (Flotation Devices): With anything involving safety, you’re better off paying more for a stronger, more durable flotation device.

• Some Cleaning Supplies: Much of the feedback on dollar store cleaning supplies is they are more diluted than a regular brand.

Even in a retail shopping world dominated by behemoths like Amazon and Wal-Mart, dollar stores provide excellent deals. And if you can shop after holidays, there are some incredible deals. Every dollar counts.

Banks That Still Offer Free Checking with Interest

April 25, 2018 by Frugal Prof

When you’re trying to save money, every little bit counts. And those pesky $12 account fees can really add up.

Americans are still paying $15 billion in fees, including monthly service charges, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has said.

Here are three banks that are offering a free checking account and paying interest on the deposits. It’s a very good deal.

Some Banks still offer Free checking accounts with interest.

Some examples of checking accounts offering interest and free checking:

Ally Bank Interest Checking: Offering (.1% to .60% annual percentage yield depending on balance amount)
Capital One 360 Checking: (.20% to 1%) Capital One
FNBO Direct Online Checking: (.65% annual yield) FNBO Direct
More info
(I have no relationship with these companies)

Tips to track down Money owed to you:

Unclaimed money from state governments:

Such as old bank accounts and contents of safe deposit boxes. Go to Missingmoney.com MissingMoney.com has the most updated information for the state and provincial offices, their websites with contact information and property listings. Searches and claiming are always FREE. Information goes securely and directly to the state/provincial unclaimed property office.

Old Stocks and Bonds:

Go to SEC.gov An old stock or bond certificate may still be valuable even if it no longer trades under the name printed on the certificate. The company may have merged with another company or simply changed its name. Keep in mind that due to corporate reorganizations (such as splits, mergers, or reverse mergers), the current share price may not be useful in determining the certificate’s value, if any.

If the name of the transfer agent is printed on the certificate, contacting the transfer agent is the easiest way to learn about the certificate. If the transfer agent whose name appears on the certificate is no longer in existence, contacting the state agency that handles incorporations in the state in which the company was incorporated may prove useful. Certificate holders who have a brokerage account may want to ask their broker if they can assist in researching the certificate.

Unclaimed Bank Funds:
What is included in Unclaimed Deposits?
Unclaimed Deposits may include any item or negotiable instrument deposited in or issued by an FDIC Insured financial institution including
checking or savings accounts,
cashiers checks,
official checks,
money orders,
Certificates of Deposit,
IRA Accounts,
and others collectively referred to as “deposits”.
Deposits are considered unclaimed if the rightful owner did not assert that the funds belonged to them within 18 months after the failure of the financial institution.
Claiming funds held at a Closed Bank: FDIC Website

Unclaimed Savings Bonds: TreasuryHunt.gov

Savings Bonds
- Search for Savings Bonds That Stopped Earning Interest – Treasury Hunt allows you to search for bonds issued since 1974 that have matured and are no longer earning interest.
- Calculate the Value – Find the value of your paper savings bond.
- Replace a Savings Bond – Replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed paper savings bond.

Unclaimed Pension Funds: PBGC.Gov
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation protects the retirement incomes of nearly 40 million American workers. Call PBGC toll-free at 1-800-326-LOST (5678). [TTY/ASCII users: call the federal relay service toll-free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 1-800-326-LOST.]

Unclaimed Tax Refunds:
Tax Refunds – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may owe you money if your refund was unclaimed or undelivered.
Credit Union Failures – Find unclaimed deposits from credit unions.
SEC Claims Funds – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lists enforcement cases where a company or person owes investors money.

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Unclaimed Money Scams:

Beware of people who pretend to be the government and offer to send you unclaimed money for a fee. These scammers use a variety of tricks to get your attention, but their goal is the same: to get you to send them money. Government agencies will not call you about unclaimed money or assets.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides tips on how you can avoid government imposter scams.

There is currently $42 billion in unclaimed funds floating around in the United States, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).

Unclaimed funds are accounts in financial institutions or companies that have had no activity generated or contact with the owner for a year or longer, most commonly in savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed dividends, security deposits, IRS refunds and more.

Helpful Tips:

When doing the search, make sure to type in all the places you have lived. Also, if you’re married, make sure to check under your maiden name as well. Using a first initial and your last name is also encouraged to make sure everything comes up.
It’s up to you if you want to use a third-party service to claim your money, but it’s not required. Each state has its own process, which usually takes three to four months and requires information like your social security number and more. If you choose to use a locator business to claim your money in order to avoid doing the paperwork yourself, don’t pay up front. Also, don’t pay the company more than 10 percent or 20 percent of the amount of money you are claiming.

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How it all began. What made me say enough.

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State By State List: To search for money owed

To see if you have unclaimed funds, search each state’s comptroller website (listed below). This is the governmental institution that handles the process. From there, each state will vary in its exact process, but you’ll likely be asked to type in your name, which will then generate a list of results. If the information seems like it could be yours based on an address match, for example, then you can say you want to claim it.

To see if you’re owed money, check out every state you’ve lived in below:

How to avoid your State stealing your financial account:

If you fail to contact companies that manage your accounts every few years, the money in those accounts could be taken from you- by your state. “Unclaimed Property” laws require that financial institutions, including mutual funds, banks, and insurers, forfeit “forgotten” accounts to state governments. These laws were enacted so governments could safeguard overlooked assets until their rightful owners stepped forward- but the states soon realized that most of these assets were never reclaimed.

What to Do: Phone Every financial institution where you have an account once every three years. Yes, three years! Logging into a password protected account should also prevent problems too. Interacting with an automated phone system will not.

It’s your money and you need to be proactive and protect it.

I hope you found this content helpful. If you did, please share it on social media!

Thanks.

Getting Results: How I paid off $17K this year

December 28, 2017 by Frugal Prof

How I Paid off $17K in debt this Year

Your life as a business

It may seem unsentimental to think of your life as a business, but it is. The fact is, every year there is a profit and loss to your financial life. You’ve invested a year of your life and what do you have to show for it in financial terms?

Are you closer to your goals?

Are you closer to a comfortable retirement?

Are you building a financial foundation?

Are you still in debt?

For many years, I was running in place. Instead of building a financial future, I was spending to make myself feel better today.

And my income would solve all of my financial problems. Or, so I thought.

*Affiliate Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links to companies I have a business relationship with. The reader is never charged and I strive to only discuss companies that offer value to my readers.

Looking back at this Year:

Looking back at this year, It’s easy to forget how much progress I’ve actually made.

My finances are back on track,
I’m debt free,
and my car is paid off.

I’ve tried to chronicle my decisions both good and bad the past year. I became discouraged over the summer and I hit the wall after I had to miss a U2 concert because of a tax payment.

I was used to spending whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. So, planning my purchases and delaying gratification was a sacrifice I made this year. I make a good amount of money, but my spending was always going to limit my net worth.

I made big strides this year. But, I’m not going to lie to you. It was hard. I put in a lot of work.

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