The Cheap Diva

7 Ways to Save More on Summer Clearance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fabulous blog post is comes from  Kendal Perez of HassleFreeSavings.com.

While Labor Day weekend offers a nice three-day reprieve for most of us, it also signals the end of the summer season. Our only consolation for letting go of warm days and late nights is the summer clearance sales that come with the closing of the season.

As with most shopping holidays in recent years, Labor Day sales are showing up earlier than normal. However, the best deals are worth waiting for, and since fashionistas aren't known for reigning it in during a good clothing sale (myself included), I've rounded up seven ways to make the most of summer clearance sales.

1. Make a List Even the most reserved person can freak out during sale time, since everything appears to be such a good deal. Making a list of wardrobe gaps helps narrow your search and keeps you on track. By knowing exactly what you're shopping for, you keep your budget in check while making the most of those clearance prices. Plus, you don't end up buying yet another camel cardigan.

2. Stick to the Sales Sales and clearance items help get customers in the door. Often times, retailers will place clearance items at the back of the store so shoppers have to walk by the new arrivals before hitting the discount racks. This can prove too challenging for some, who leave the store with more than they bargained for (literally!). Stick to the sales and avoid being distracted by the full-priced options. Remember, everything goes on sale eventually.

3. Find Coupons for Added Savings Most seasonal clothing clearance sales offer savings of 50 to 75-percent off. However, the deals don't have to stop there; you can deepen discounts with coupons. For example, you can print this coupon from Coupon Sherpa for an extra $10 off your apparel purchase of $69 from Kmart (Sofia Vergara shift dress, anyone?), or save an extra 15-percent off your purchase from Kohl's.

4. Be Wary of Trends Seasonal trends that didn't quite catch on will clutter clearance racks. If a trend didn't do much for you at the beginning of the season, there's no sense in wasting money on it now, even at reduced rates. If you secretly wanted to try crop tops or a geometric print dress, by all means pick them up on sale! Otherwise, stick to classic pieces and silhouettes.

5. Shop for Layers Keep your eyes peeled for garments you can wear next season and beyond. Fitted tanks, jersey tees and light cardigans all make great layering pieces for cool, autumn days. Need a little guidance when it comes to layering? Check out these seven layering tips for fall, showcased (of course) by stylish celebrities.

6. Look Out for Luxury This one's for all those label lovers out there. Though you're not likely to find a pair of discount Louboutin's anytime soon, designers do put their summer leftovers on sale during Labor Day weekend. According to DealNews, retail stores including Nordstrom, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and DKNY offered end-of-summer clearance sales of up to 60-percent off last year.

7. Ask the Right Questions Cheap, chic clothing can sabotage even the savviest spender, so it's important to have some strategies on hand to keep yourself in check. Ultimately, asking yourself the right questions is key to avoiding buyer's remorse. Check out this handy guide of 12 such questions from Who What Wear, and never regret another apparel purchase again.

Kendal Perez is a frugal blogger who helps fellow shopaholics find hassle-free ways to save money. As the Marketing Manager for Kinoli Inc., site manager for a family of money-saving websites, Kendal has the resources to be an extreme couponer but prefers a less complicated approach to staying in-budget. For savings tips and more information, visit HassleFreeSavings.com.

Money Lessons from Pawn Stars

I am addicted to the TV reality show Pawn Stars (which airs on the History channel). The highly entertaining family that runs the pawn shop includes a grumpy old man, who everyone at the store simply calls "the Old Man", his son Rick who seems to have and endless knowledge of trivia about the unusual items that come into the pawn shop, Rick's smart alec son, and his slacker friend Chumlee, who is as dimwitted as he is lazy. Between the abundance of history trivia and tense negotiations between the colorful characters bringing in stuff to pawn asking outrageous prices and the pawn shop proprieters it's pure entertainment.

But Pawn Stars is about more than a family that puts the "fun" in dysfunctional or people selling old stuff so the pawn shop can resell them to people who collect weapons and weird things. Between the family bickering and buying and selling, Pawn Stars provides plenty of lessons in money management. Here are a few lessons I have learned from watching Pawn Stars.  

• Always know exactly what you are buying and how much it is worth. Rick and the other buyers for the pawn shop often bring in an outside expert who specializes in art, weapons, toys, old books, etc. to tell them exactly what they are buying and what it's really worth, as opposed to what the seller wants for it. This lesson could be applied to common purchases like computer (does it come with the Microsoft software you need or is that extra) and eBay purchases (did the seller photograph the item from different angles or does the photo look like it was copied from another web site, meaning they aren't really showing you the product they are selling?)
• Just because something is old does not mean it's worth a lot of money. Old items do not always appreciate in value like a savings account. There are many factors that go into a selling prices including rarity, condition and demand. So don't hang onto items you don't really care about thinking you can cash them in for big bucks some day.
• Have a realistic idea of what you are selling is worth. In each episode of Pawn Stars there is at least one person who asks for several thousand dollars more than what there item is worth. These unrealistic sellers often end up keeping their item because the pawn shop employees aren't going to pay an outrageously high price.
• There is plenty of negotiating in the show, but the pawn shop store buyers have a maximum price in mind that they will pay for an item. No matter how cool Rick or one of the other buyers thinks something is or how badly they want it, they never exceed the price they are comfortable with. They will walk away from an item instead of letting their emotions get the better of them and overpaying.
• When you're selling something it never hurts to ask for a little more. If Rick offers a seller $200.00 for an item and they counter with $300.00 he may agree to the $250.00 to meet them halfway. By simply asking for a reasonalble amount the seller walks away with more money. 

10 Ways to Save on Back to School Shopping

With the school year coming up, I  wanted to share some of Stephanie Nelson's favorite "Back to School" savings  tips.  Here's some advice from the  CouponMom.com founder to help parents get organized and save. Happy Shopping!

1.  Inventory so you won’t overbuy. Go through drawers  and closets to inventory your child’s current wardrobe. Sort items that are too  small or never get worn at all and donate them to a local charity.  Older  children’s acceptable outgrown clothes can go to a younger sibling, if  possible.  After determining the number of acceptable outfits you already  have, you can make a realistic list of specific items you need to  buy.  

 

2.  Plan. The key to saving is planning. Before you leave the  house to start buying  school clothes, backpacks and supplies, sit down and  plan what you need to buy with your student.  Discuss what your student  wants and make a specific list of what they need to buy – this will save money,  time and stress. While you are out do not overbuy, it‘s easy to do before you  see what your children like. Once the school year is going for a few weeks you  can sit down again with your child and plan what they need and  prefer.

 

3. Tax Free can save you up to 10%! Take advantage of tax-free  holidays in some states to save the cost of sales tax. http://www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html

 

4. Check newspapers and websites. Watch for special promotions in  the newspaper ad circulars.  Many will have generous coupons in addition to  sale prices. Also, check out store websites where you can find great coupons  such as http://www.rackroomshoes.com/ http://www.payless.com/ 

 http://www.shoecarnival.com/ 

 

5. Email. When you check your favorite store websites for coupons  and promotions also sign up for their email newsletter to get special coupons  and discounts. Be sure to subscribe to the email newsletter of your local  mall,too.  You will be sent information and free coupons for special  promotions. 

 

6. Purchase a few extras now. Watch for sale prices of up to 90%  (or even get free items) at this time of year and stock up for the entire year.  Look at store ads for grocery stores, drugstores, big box discount stores, and  office supply stores. Bargains will continue starting now through September.  When a note comes home from the teacher in January requesting more paper or  crayons you’ll have extra on-hand.

 

7. Price Match. Take advantage!  Basic school supplies are at  their lowest price during this time of year (50-90% off)—some items are as low  as 1 cent each, or even free after a coupon or promotion.  Check the  advertising circulars for grocery stores, drugstores, office supply stores and  even dollar stores. Find the lowest advertised price for every item that  you need, circle the item and price in each circular, and take all of the  circulars to the closest store that “price matches,” meaning they will honor any  other store’s lower price. Walmart and Target stores have a national price  matching policy.  Call your local stores ahead of time to ask if they price  match and many will match competitors’ prices if you ask. Save time, money  and gas! 

 

8. Backpacks. For younger children, the $5 to $10 backpacks on  sale at discount and drugstores may be all they need.  As students get  older, it could be worth investing in a higher quality backpack to last several  years. You can expect a good backpack to last a few years and provide the  necessary support and padding for heavier books.  

 

9. Shoes. The back to school season is the busiest time of year  for shoe sales.  As a result, stores have many special promotions to get  our attention.  Because common promotions are “buy one pair, get the second  pair 50% off” it makes sense to take your entire family shoe shopping  together.  If you can find a coupon to use along with special promotions,  you will really save. And, if you know the size and style of shoe you need,  check online shoe retailers for bargain prices, coupons and free shipping to  save time and money. 

 

10. Wait and save with online shopping. Shop summer sales to get a  few new items for the beginning of the year. Then, wait to shop for fall/winter  clothing in a month or so when those items start going on sale.  Check the  retailers’ websites for special coupons, promotions and free shipping  offers.

Cheap Marketing for Business Club

I hate attending business networking meetings where the speaker talks forever (usually about their life story) but doesn't say anything useful that I can apply to the Cheap Diva business. This talking but not saying anything situation has happened so often I decided to start my own business marketing club that focuses on learning useful information. The Cheap Business Marketing Club meetings you'll learn how to grow your business using a variety of online and  offline marketing strategies without spending money on advertising. We will have one meeting month on a new topic, from different speakers.

The purpose of the Cheap Business Marketing Club is to help entrepreneurs in the Kansas metro area on a budget grow their business through learning and sharing cheap and effective marketing strategies. This business marketing group is open to professionals interested in learning how to make the most of free and cheap marketing strategies to promote their business.

One business person speaks at each meeting on a marketing related topic. Topics may include, blogging for business - writing for your own blog and promoting your business by being a guest blogger for other web sites, how to get free media publicity, and using social media effectively.   

In the interest of making the best use of time, each meeting follows a specific agenda. The meeting starts with me introducing myself and then everyone introduces themselves with a 30 second "elevator speech". Introductions are followed by a presentation by a local business person. After the presentation meeting attendees are free to ask the speaker questions related to marketing and business. After the expert has answered questions then we move on to a round table discussion where attendees can discuss any business related topic, such as asking for suggestions on getting referrals from clients.  The meeting part ends around 7:45 leaving plenty of time for attendees to network before it gets too late.

For the first meeting I will talk about how to promote your business through blogs. Learn how to create blog posts that appeal to potential clients and don't bug readers with an aggressive sales pitch. You will learn the biggest mistakes bloggers make and how to avoid them.

The presentation includes tips on creating content for your own blog as well as how to promote your business by writing guest blog posts for popular web sites. You will learn how to identify web sites that are reaching your ideal clients and how to create blog content that is relevant to potential clients and doesn't come across as an annoying infomercial.

 

 

 

Price Matching Web Sites Ignore Lowest prices

I just looked up some items on a price comparison web site that claims to identify the lowest prices for millions of items. After checking out the site I am so unimpressed that I probably won't ever bother looking at this or any other price comparison web site again. 

The problem I have with any price matching web sites is that they usually feature major businesses and ignore independent sellers. For example if I am shopping for a book a price comparison web site will give me the current price that amazon.com is selling it at, but there are a lot of independent sellers selling books and plenty of other products through amazon.com at lower prices. The goods and prices for these independent sellers does not appear on any price matching web site I have tried.

Another example is eBay, which is a great place to buy DVD's. If I do a price check for a certain movie DVD on a price comparison web site it completely ignores eBay, which is where I get some of my best deals. The one situation I might make and exception and consider using a price comparison web site would be for higher ticket items, like electronics. I would cover my bases by looking the item up on eBay and amazon.com and then looking it up on a price comparison web site just to be sure I am covering all my bases.

For more tips on smart money strategies pick up a copy of The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  , available in print or a Kindle ebook.

One Year to an Organized Financial Life

If your finances are in chaos the last thing you need is another financial that book dumping a bunch of tasks (set a budget etc) on you all at once. In One Year to an Organized Financial Life professional organizer Regina Leeds and financial adviser Russell Wild replace financial chaos with simple financial goals broken down by month. The authors begin by guiding readers through an emotional audit of their history with money, ridding the work spaces of clutter, and organizing financial documents.

One Year to an Organized Financial Life covers many of the same topics as other financial books, budgeting, insurance, etc., What makes this book different is that instead of overwhelming the reader by just throwing a pile of financial tasks all you once tasks are broken down into digestible weekly steps to be completed over the course of one year. The author bases her common sense approach on what she calls "zen organizing"  which underscores importance of good habits, not hype.

The authors provide step-by-step instructions on everything from preparing for tax season to improving spending habits. Savings and retirement options are not discussed in great detail, but the extensive resource section makes it easy to find the resources you need. By devoting the entire month of November to getting ready for end-of-year holidays, the authors drive home how planning ahead can alleviate the pain of unforeseen expenses. This book is an excellent start to creating a better financial future.

Are Outlet Stores a Rip Off?

I will shop anywhere from upscale department store to thrift stores to find good deals. The one place I don't shop is outlet malls. Outlet malls use a variety of misleading practices to fool shoppers into thinking they are getting good deals on designer goods. 

The appeal of shopping at outlet stores is the promise of scoring overstock designer and name brand goods at discounted prices. But is what you find at the outlet mall really a designer good? One deceptive practice common among outlet store retailers is creating cheap knock offs specifically designed for outlet malls. For example, the retailer may produce a line of clothing that looks similar to their high end goods but it's made of cheaper materials. It's the cheap designer look alike that's sold at the outlet mall, not discounted high end designer goods. 

At outlet malls it's sometimes hard to compare the "discounted" price to the regular price for that item. The "manufactures suggested retail price" that appears on the price tag is basically a made up number higher than the selling price put there to give the illusion that you are saving a ton of money. This is where it pays to know the real cost of what you are buying. Even when the item is legitimately discounted it's not always a better deal than what you would find at a department store. Discounts for goods at outlet malls can be as little as 20% off the regular prices.

I admit I once found a fantastic decorative picture at an outlet store that bought and love. However the rest of this massive store was packed with the kind of ugly fashion rejects that you find on clearance racks at regular department stores, so my lucky find was just a fluke. Maybe that's why this particular outlet went out of business. I also visited an outlet for an upscale department store once. The selection was limited with few designer labels in stock and even at a discount the prices were way too high. If you love shopping at brick and mortar stores and love a good deal, hit the clearance racks, shop the sales, sign up for promotional store emails at regular stores and skip the outlet stores!

For more tips on smart money strategies pick up a copy of The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  , available in print or a Kindle ebook.

How to Get Free Comps by Complaining

I recently enjoyed over $150.00 in free booze and a great breakfast buffet at a very nice hotel just by complaining.  With so many review web site making it easier than ever to complain about bad service and products, hotel managers are eager to applease disgruntled guest with free comps to avoid seeing bad reviews showing up on the web. A comp, is a form of discount or freebie given to a paying customer to compensate them for poor service or product. The key to get free comps is knowing how to ask for them. Here are a few tips for turnin a bad customer experience into great comps.

Don't talk to a manager until you have had a chance to calm down and write down a detailed list or summary of the problem. In my hotel experience it took over 2 hours for the rooms to be cleaned and ready in spite of the fact that the hotel desk person said they would put a "rush" job on it and I had to keep checking in to see if rooms were ready. The rooms for me and my travel companions were not adjoining like I had specifically requested, they were 9 floors apart. The front desk did not call when second room was ready. I found out room was ready by going up to desk and asking for status of room. When I finally got to my hotel room there was an iron in the closet, but no ironing board in room. I had to ask housekeeping for an ironing board, which they  delivered promptly. I listed these things when I talked to the manager.

Focus on facts of the problem when talking to a customer service, not your feelings. Don't go all drama queen and carry on like a temporary inconvenience is the end of the world. Adopt an attitude of working with the manager to resolve situation. Don't suggest a specific compensation. If you ask too little and you could lose out on a generous compensation.  Ask too much and you come across as unreasonable. Make it clear that you expect to be compensated for your inconvenience. Ask the manager/customer service person what can you do for me?  Thank them for their help and tell them you appreciate their efforts to resolve situation. In my case the hotel was through third party, tingo.com, so the  hotel not able to refund any part of hotel bill because the money was not paid directly to them. However, me and my travel companions enjoyed our evening cocktails  in the evening and breakfast buffet in the morning.

For more tips on smart money strategies pick up a copy of The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  , available in print or a Kindle ebook.

eBay Security Hack Shows Importance of Shopping Smart

I didn't freak when I recently received an email from eBay telling me to update my password because their computer system was hacked. I always pay with a credit card through Paypal so if any suspicious charges show up on my credit card I could contact Paypal to dispute the charge and probably get the entire charge removed from my credit card. At worst Paypal could leave the charge on my credit card and I could be liable for up to $50.00 in credit card charges. I have had good luck disputing a previous Paypal charge when a seller never sent the item I ordered and I got a full refund.

If I had used my bank debit card to shop on eBay then yes, I would be freaking out. Using a bank debit card might have allowed theives to access my bank account take all my money. Money that I would probably never back from the bank. This is why I never shop with a bank debit card. By using a credit card I limit how much money I will be liable for, making the theft Paypal's problem not mine.  In case you missed the eBay email here is a copy:

Dear eBay Member,

To help ensure customers' trust and security on eBay, I am asking all eBay users to change their passwords.

Here's why: Recently, our company discovered a cyberattack on our corporate information network. This attack compromised a database containing eBay user passwords.

What's important for you to know: We have no evidence that your financial information was accessed or compromised. And your password was encrypted.

What I ask of you:
Go to eBay and change your password. If you changed your password on May 21 or later, we do not need you to take any additional action at this time.

Changing your password may be inconvenient. I realize that. We are doing everything we can to protect your data and changing your password is an extra precautionary step, in addition to the other security measures we have in place.

If you have only visited eBay as a guest user, we do not have a password on file.

If you used the same eBay password on any other site, I encourage you to change your password on those sites too. And if you are a PayPal user, we have no evidence that this attack affected your PayPal account or any PayPal financial information, which is encrypted and stored on a separate secure network.

Here are other steps we are taking:

• As always, we have strong protections in place for both buyers and sellers in the event of any unauthorized activity on your account.
• We are applying additional security to protect our customers.
• We are working with law enforcement and leading security experts to aggressively investigate the matter.

Here's what we know: This attack occurred between late February and early March and resulted in unauthorized access to a database of eBay users that includes customers' name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth.

However, the file did not contain financial information. And, after conducting extensive testing and analysis of our systems, we have no evidence that any customer financial or credit card information was involved. We also have no indication of a significant spike in fraudulent activity on our site.

We apologize for any inconvenience or concern that this situation may cause you. As a global marketplace, nothing is more important to eBay than the security and trust of our customers. We know our customers have high expectations of us, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and secure online experience for you on any connected device.

Dear eBay Member,

To help ensure customers' trust and security on eBay, I am asking all eBay users to change their passwords.

Here's why: Recently, our company discovered a cyberattack on our corporate information network. This attack compromised a database containing eBay user passwords.

What's important for you to know: We have no evidence that your financial information was accessed or compromised. And your password was encrypted.

What I ask of you:
Go to eBay and change your password. If you changed your password on May 21 or later, we do not need you to take any additional action at this time.

Changing your password may be inconvenient. I realize that. We are doing everything we can to protect your data and changing your password is an extra precautionary step, in addition to the other security measures we have in place.

If you have only visited eBay as a guest user, we do not have a password on file.

If you used the same eBay password on any other site, I encourage you to change your password on those sites too. And if you are a PayPal user, we have no evidence that this attack affected your PayPal account or any PayPal financial information, which is encrypted and stored on a separate secure network.

Here are other steps we are taking:

• As always, we have strong protections in place for both buyers and sellers in the event of any unauthorized activity on your account.
• We are applying additional security to protect our customers.
• We are working with law enforcement and leading security experts to aggressively investigate the matter.

Here's what we know: This attack occurred between late February and early March and resulted in unauthorized access to a database of eBay users that includes customers' name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth.

However, the file did not contain financial information. And, after conducting extensive testing and analysis of our systems, we have no evidence that any customer financial or credit card information was involved. We also have no indication of a significant spike in fraudulent activity on our site.

We apologize for any inconvenience or concern that this situation may cause you. As a global marketplace, nothing is more important to eBay than the security and trust of our customers. We know our customers have high expectations of us, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and secure online experience for you on any connected device.

Loehmann's Opens Online-Only Store, So Keep Your e-Shopping in Check

Scoring deals online shopping can be surprisingly expensive when the credit card bill comes. To save money and avoid nasty surprises try these tips from consumer expert Andrea Woroch.

Just three months after discount retailer Loehmann's shut their doors, the brand delighted bargain fashionistas everywhere by announcing an unexpected comeback. Focusing on a Web-only presence, Loehmann's debuted their e-commerce site in early May with plans to officially introduce the full site in coming weeks. One of the biggest perks the brand currently offers is free shipping with no minimum order (though some monthly fees may apply).

Considering the changing landscape of the retail industry, this piece of news should not come as a shock. We can expect to see other brick and mortar stores reevaluating their physical and online presence. As Loehmann's and other discount retailers like TJMaxx and Nordstrom Rack continue to expand on their e-commerce offerings, it's important to keep in mind the money-saving rules that apply to bargain hunting online. Otherwise, the overwhelming discounts may tempt you to overspend quickly. So follow these strategies for keeping your spending in check.

Sleep On It
Save for an expiring discount code or promotion, you should avoid checking out the moment you fill up your online shopping cart. Instead, save your items and sleep on it. In addition to helping you determine if you really want the items, a new coupon code or better discount may become available the next day. Some e-stores have even been known to email you a discount in hopes of getting you back to complete the order.

Do the Math
Discount or free shipping? Don't assume one discount is better than the other without doing the math. For example, I recently purchased fragrance online and found the free shipping offer saved me more money than if I opted for 10-percent discount. Also, avoid buying unnecessary items just to reach the free shipping threshold! Before you check out, always search for a coupon code and check sites like CouponSherpa.com for a deal.

Track Prices
Keeping up with all the sales and promotions may be a time sink, but it's a necessary endeavor to save money. To ensure you find the best bargain, sign up with Hukkster.com to get alerts when a coveted good you’ve been eyeing goes on sale or a coupon becomes available. The company will send you a text or email when the deal becomes available. Tracking prices using this method after you make a purchase is a good idea too, as many sites will offer a price adjustment within a given period of time.

Delete Payment Information
You've likely been prompted to store your credit card, billing and shipping information with every new online retailer account. The convenient nature of not having to hunt down your wallet and credit card when a deal pops up in your inbox typically leads to impulse purchases. That's why it's a good idea to delete any payment information. This way you will have time to think over the purchase and likely realize it's an unnecessary one.

Keep Goals Close
If you find it hard to avoid spending money online, place a sticky note on your monitor with your financial goals. For example, "pay off student loan" or "save up for Hawaii vacation" can be helpful visual reminders to avoid wasting money on frivolous purchases. Move the note around from time to time so it doesn't get overlooked.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc., who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, you can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

Pack Smart for a More Comfortable Trip

Travel can be such a pain! Nothing puts a damper on travel fun faster than sore feet, a splitting headache or some other form of discomfort. Packing smart can prevent painful problem and make a trip more comfortable.

I  will happily pack my cheap Walmart clothes for a trip, but the one thing I am willing to spend a bit more on are comfortable shoes like these Women’s Duet Busy Day Flat. To ensure a new pair of shoes are going to work for a trip, I go for long walks outdoors or at the mall to see if my comfortable shoes can really go the distance. I love my Crocs shoes for comfort and style. If you want to make the shoes you already have more comfortable, buy a pair of cushioned shoe inserts available at mass retailers for a lot less than a new pair of shoes.

I learned the hard way to pack clothing for different situation. On one vacation I found myself without a water repellant jacket during a rain storm. I had to pay a ridiculous amount of money for a cheap slicker at a gift shop to stay dry. Now I make a point of packing a lightweight water resistant jacket that can be stuffed into a suitcase or big purse.

On another trip I packed a nice selection of short sleeved tops. I also packed a top that was casual to the point of being one step above a sweatshirt. I had planned wearing this casual top only in transit and not for gatherings where I me and my outfit would be photographed for posterity. It got so cold I was forced to wear the casual long sleeved top, which I dressed up with a matching scarf. Everyone else dressed casually, so I didn't stand out but I wish I would have packed smarter. Next time pack at least one solid colored long sleeeve sweater in a neutral color like black that could have been layered over all those short sleeve tops smarter choice

Little things can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your vacation. Be sure to pack a good set of ear plugs. Even at better hotels you can be subject to bad neighbors. Like the bar that plays loud music heard from a hotel room on the 10 th floor at 3 in the morning. Yes this did happen to me and no I did not bring ear plugs, which I seriously regretted. Also pack aspirin. During a vacation my traveling companion developed a splitting headache and neither one of us had any aspirin so I offered to pop into the hotel gift shop to buy aspirin. I was shocked to find out aspirin at the gift shop was sold in packs of 2 and it cost  $7.00 for  a pack! $7.00 for 2 pills, that's about as much as I would have paid for an entire bottle at a mass retailer!

Frugal and Fabulous Mother's Day Gift

What busy mom's need this Mother's Day is a fun gift that will make their life easier. My book,   The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  Available as a paperback and an ebook , is an entertaining read that offers simple strategies for living better by spending smarter.  With advice on everything from avoiding common retail rip offs and get better deals, cashing in on your clutter, effortless ways to look stylish for less, how to spend less time shopping yet buy exactly what you need, chic and simple home decorating and organizing solutions, and hassle free ideas for having more fun for less money. This book shows busy moms how cheap and easy it can be to live with style.

In the book I share my secrets on looking great for less. I reveal how to enjoy the pampering you deserve with cheap spa treatments, how to look great by making the most of the beauty products you already have, how to expand your wardrobe options without buying a thing, and frugal ways to get fit. Once women learn the secrets to living better by spending smarter, they will realize that by making the most of what you have, it's possible to design a life you love.

Pay Off Credit Card Debt Faster

Yippee! I just paid off a credit card! I was caught by surprise by big financial hits (unemployment and expensive medical bills) that used up my savings and left me paying off  credit card debts long after I found a new job. I designed my own strategies to get out of debt faster and it's paying off! Here are the strategies I used to get out of credit card debt.

• Keep track of your money.  At the beginning of the month I withdraw enough cash to pay for groceries and everyday expenses until my next paycheck. I look at my account balance on my bank receipt and write down my current balance at the top of a blank page of paper. As I pay off each bill I deduct the amount of the bill from my balance. By keeping track of my monthly expenses I know how much money I have and when I see some bills, such as utilities, are smaller than the previous month I use that saved money to make higher credit card payments.
• Pay attention to unexpected expenses on credit cards. A magazine subscription that I was not interested in renewing automatically renewed and was charged to my credit card. I went online to cancel the magazine subscription and got a credit of over $20.00 applied to my credit card. I have also gotten a fee removed from my credit card when I didn't receive a credit card bill and the company tried to charge me a late fee. I simply called customer service and explained that I always pay my bill on time and I did not receive a bill.
• Prioritize your credit card debts. I had multiple credit cards to pay off so I paid off the credit card with the highest interest rate first. I am paying off a smaller balance on a second card next just to eliminate that bill. Now I can focus my attention on paying off the one remaining credit card. 
• Credit card minimum payments are designed to keep you in debt forever because you still have all that interest adding up. Get out of debt faster by consistently paying a set amount above the minimum. For example, if my minimum payment is $25.00 a month on a credit card I made a point of paying at least $75.00 a month on that card. This pays for the balance minimum, the interest and some of the original balance on that card.
• Cash in your credit card cash back rewards to pay down your credit card balance. I have over $40.00 cash back rewards on one card. That $40.00 deducted from my credit card balance is  $40.00 that I won't be paying interest on.
• Make plans for your money after your debt is paid off. It helps keep me motivated to pay off my credit card debt faster knowing that once my debt is paid off I can spend my money in more rewarding ways, such as building up my savings while  having enough money left over for fun purchases like cute shoes.

 For more tips on smart money strategies pick up a copy of The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  , available in print or a Kindle ebook.

Improve you Finances While You Wait

In an instant gratification culture, waiting for anything is viewed more of a nuisance that an opportunity.   But standing in line or sitting in a waiting room for an appointment provide the perfect opportunity to take a moment to make some money savvy moves.  Here are a few suggestions for making the most of your wait.

Find useful articles on the web about money saving ideas or finances in general and print out those articles for later when you inevitably find yourself in a waiting situation.  Check out stretcher.com or bankrate.com for articles.  Keep a few articles in your purse handy so you can skip the outdated magazines in the waiting rooms of you dentist's office the next time you visit.  If you have a bunch of receipts floating around in your purse, gather them together and organize them by type, gas for example, or retailer, Walmart for example.  Now organize them by date.  When you get home put the receipts in a coupon organizer or separate envelopes.  If you need to return something it will now be easier to match the receipt to the item.

At the beginning of a movie on DVD, do the previews for other movies take as long as the movie itself or does it just seem that way?  Commercial breaks on TV are almost as bad. If you are watching TV alone and it's not a social occasion, break out those unpaid bills and start writing checks during commercials.  By the time the movie starts or TV commercial breaks finish, you should be caught up on your bills.  If you have any kind of wireless device with an internet connection, like a laptop, go online to do a little comparison shopping for rates on credit cards, checking or savings accounts.  Or check your own credit rating online.

While waiting in line at the grocery store see how many coupons in your purse match the items in your shopping cart.  Check and see that the coupons aren't expired.  You might find out a coupon is expired and decide against the item after all.  This also saves you the hassle of digging through a bunch of coupons when you are ready to pay and possibly missing one that you could have used.  When waiting in line to check out, pick a register that has a magazine rack next to it.  Skim the magazines while waiting to see if they have any article of interest.  If they do, write down the name and month of that issue so you can later look up the article online without having to buy the magazine.  Not all magazines have both print and online articles, but it's worth checking out online to save a few bucks.  A lot of magazines will pay for tips readers send in or recipes.  While you're skimming magazines, look for ones that pay for good ideas and make a note of the their web site if you would rather get the information off of the web than pay for a magazine.  The next time you find yourself in a waiting you can write down all those great tips you have so you can send them into the magazines for money.

Money is valuable, but not nearly as valuable as your time.  The next time you find yourself in a waiting situation, ask yourself, "How can I use this wait time to my advantage?"

The Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry

Trust no one. That is the theme of the eye opening book Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry by Helaine Olen. This compelling book is a wake up call for anyone looking for the right financial guru or product to magically resolve money concerns. In the book the author exposes how popular financial gurus and various financial businesses exploit a fearful public concerned about financial survival by offering "solutions" that don't stand up to the slightest scrutiny.

Olen takes on some of the biggest names in the personal finance industry. She reveals that Suze Orman promotes stocks to consumers even though very little of her fortune comes from stocks and that her financial advice is biased and slanted to promote her products. The author does the math David Bach of the "latte factor"  and reveals that cutting out small indulgences in favor of investing is not going to make you a millionaire. His strategy is unrealistic based on overly optomistic financial projections that are inconsistent with how the market really performs. Talking about the author of  the hugely successful Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Olen reveals that in an interview Robert T. Kiyosaki admits that the story of the "rich dad" that allegedy mentored him in the book is a fictional character,  which makes this financial advice book a work of fiction.

Olen exposes how financial programs designed by the Personal Finance Industry are misleading, benefitting the company at the expense of the consumers financial security. She also dispels popular myths like real estate is always a solid investment. The author approaches the subject like the compentent reporter she is, drawing upon extensive research and her own years of experience as a financial journalist. Olen doesn't offer any magic solutions to financial challenges, but by reading this book you may avoid wasting money on over hyped financial gurus and not be a victim of bad financial advice.

 My own experience reading books or watching DVD's featuring a financial celebrity is that they either offer common sense advice I have heard many times before. Or they focus exclusively on saving strategies designed for careless spenders.  Unlike the financial gurus that completely ignore the reality that many financially responsible people get into debt because of unexpected events such as a medical emergency or extended unemployment, Olen recognizes that most people aren't facing financial challenges because they are addicted to lattes and shopping sprees.

The Coupon Mom’s Secrets to Saving Big at Target

I normally delete the countless marketing plugs that clog my email inbox daily, but I love Target so much that I couldn't resist sharing these shopping tips sent to my by Stephanie Nelson.

Stephanie Nelson, founder of the 7 million member  www.CouponMom.com website, wants to share a few of her favorite secrets for getting the ultimate savings when shopping at Target!  With a little effort, you’ll be able to get great products with big savings every week. 

1.    Find Advertised and Unadvertised Deals.One of the most popular deals lists on CouponMom.com is our Target deals list because we list advertised and unadvertised deals, updated several times per week.  New advertised deals are added weekly when they change on Sundays.

2.    Use Target Store coupons.  Find printable store coupons at Target.com and look in the Sunday newspaper coupon circulars for specific Target store coupons. 

3.    Use the Cartwheel App at Target.com.  Look for the Cartwheel logo in the Coupons section to find additional discounts.  Offers are updated several times per week and do not last long.  Sign up with your email address, select offers you like, and print the page of offers which will have a barcode at the top of the page for the cashier to scan.  You can also download the Cartwheel app to your phone and have the cashier scan the barcode from your phone.  The Cartwheel discounts are on top of your other sale prices, coupons and gift card promotions.

 4.    Gift Card Promotions. Target hasgift card promotions that give you a Target gift card after you purchase selected items.  You can also use coupons to buy the items.  If you want to stock up on the promotion items, you can divide your order into separate transactions, and use the first gift card you receive to help pay for your next set of promotional items.

5.    Use the Coupon Stacking Policies. You can combine store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons, on top of Cartwheel discounts and Gift Card promotions. The Target Deals List on CouponMom.com will give detailed instructions on which coupons and promotions to use on each deal.

6.      Take Advantage of Target’s Price Matching Policy with the Coupon Mom Price Matcher Tool. Target matches competitors advertised sale prices. CouponMom.com has a Target Price Matcher Tool to make it easy to create a price-matching list for Target using your local stores' prices. Go To CouponMom.Com and click on the Target logo and then click on the “Price Matcher Tool”. Enter one word of the name of an item you need to buy, such as toothpaste, and you'll get a list of advertised sale prices in our area for toothpaste. Select the lowest price, and add it to your list.  Continue your search and add them each to your list. When you are finished, you'll be able to display your Price Matching list and print a copy to take to the store along with the advertising circulars for the stores to show to the cashier. The matched prices are organized by retailer, so you'll be able to find the items in each circular easily. Circle the item ahead of time so you'll be able to get through the checkout process more efficiently.

7.    See it in action. Check out our video on CouponMom.com in the “How to Coupon” section titled "How to Get Free Deals at Target" to learn more.

Get Your Customer Issues Solved

Having worked in retail I have seen the good, the bad and the downright outrageous in customer behavior. What bad customers don't understand is that to help resolve a problem it helps to be a good customer. Here are insider tips to getting your customer issues resolved.

• Keep receipts and document everything. If you return a package for a refund keep a copy of the package tracking number. The tracking number provided by the shipper (Post Office, Fed Ex etc.) is the only proof you have that you sent the package back to the company. If the package gets lost you should be able to get your money from the shipping company or retailer you originally bought the item from.
• Know your order number, vendor number or any other information related to a transaction, such as your contact information, when communicating with a customer service rep live or through email.
• Be polite and to the point when communicating with a customer service rep. No one wants to hear you whine about how the item was supposed to be here by now and how disappointed you are that's not here...blah, blah, blah. Briefy identify the problem and the solution. For example, the item didn't arrive within the time frame the sender indicated and you want a full refund.
• Understand the return policies before trying to return something. Trying to return a final sale item when the retailer's web site clearly states it's a final sale item in the return policy can cost you time and money, especially if you pay to have the item shipped back.
• If one form of communication, such as email, isn't getting a response, try different forms of contact such as the phone. Or contact someone else. When my TV signal disappeared and the tech person who installed my internet/TV service also dissappeared and didn't return my phone calls, I called the main company customerservice center. I called automated voice mail so many times they finally recognized the need to send an actual human out to solve the problem, which they did and I am now one happy couch potato.

 For more tips on shopping smart pick up a copy of The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  , available in print or a Kindle ebook.

Easy ways to Earn Extra Cash

Looking for ways to make extra money that don't involve hype and gimmicks? An article in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, January 2014 issue listed ways of making extra cash that are so creative I couldn't wait to share them with you. The magazine tips include -

• Sign up for a focus group and get paid for your opinions. Businesses pay consumers anywhere from $50.00 to hundreds of dollars to try their products and services and provide feedback. To find opportunities near you visit findfocusgroups.com
• Be a mock juror and get paid to judge how well a lawyer is making their case.  Lawyers often hire people to test their strategies before going to trial. Jury duty can pay about $100.00 a day. Search for local openings at trialpractice.com
• Act out! Find opportunities to work as an extra in movie or television shows through local casting agencies and newpapers. Your 15 minute of fame can pay around $100.00 a day. Casting calls should be free. Avoid agents that try to sell you on expensive head shots and services.
• Get paid to play with other people's pups! Pet sitters get paid $30.00 to $50.00 a day. Create a personal profile at dogvacay.com.

Exercise Your Right to Save Money

Since I refuse to commit to a lengthy and expensive gym membership I have become a collector of exercise DVDs.  As an exercise DVD connoisseur of sorts I have learned that spending more on a DVD does not guarantee a better workout.  While the latest crop of exercise DVD stars may hype their "signature" moves, ultimately many exercises are simply variations on the same stretches, hip thrusts and lunges.  Exercise DVD feature a workout that was originally created years ago are one of the cheapest ways to go.  One of my favorite exercise DVDs I picked up in a dollar section at Target.  The workout fashions, makeup and campy upbeat music may be stuck in a 1980's time warp but the routine itself is just as good as a more modern one. 

I don't buy a lot of DVDs but I do keep my eyes open for the types of low impact routines that burn calories without inducing a heart attack.  In my quest for the perfect, or at least tolerable workout I have picked up exercise DVDs from sale bins and dollar sections at Walmart and Target.  I have purchased used DVDs at used book stores and on eBay to save money.  I even picked up an exercise DVD in the housewares section of a TJ Maxx discount store.  I have occasionally bought new DVDs on sale or taken advantage of the selection of exercise DVDs from the library. 

One thing I have learned is that finding a good match for a workout routine sometimes has more to do with the instructor than the type of exercise.  I found a belly dance based DVD I checked out from the library that included jerky awkward motions including one exercise  that involved pounding your foot into the floor.  I couldn't return the DVD to the library fast enough.  On the other hand I bought a cheap Kathy Smith Flex Appeal belly dance workout DVD that is more graceful, more appealing and doesn't involve any bone rattling movements.

If you use DVDs for your exercise it's a good idea to have a few different ones on hand to rotate which prevents boredom.  Buying these DVDs cheap is important since you may have to try several ones to find a select few that work for you.  You can't always tell from the description on the cover what to expect.  I attempted to follow a yoga DVDs that promoted itself as an "easy" introductory yoga routine.  The ever serene instructor smoothly transitioned into poses that a professional acrobat would find challenging while I strained not to fall over while spewing the kinds of derogatory terms about the DVD that might make the zen calm instructor lose his cool if he were able to hear them.  When you come across an exercise DVD that you hate even more than trying on swimsuits, you can donate it to the  library or sell at used book store.

Save Money and Reduce Debt in 2014!

Even a fabulously frugal Diva like your's truly can be hit with unexpected bills and end up with credit card debt. That's why one of my goals for 2014 is to increase my cash flow and reduce my credit card debt using these simple strategies.

 

• The snowball strategy made popular by financial expert Dave Ramsey makes it easier to stay motivated when paying off multiple debts because you see real progress sooner by paying off off your smallest debt first then tackling other debts in order of size. For example, lets say I pay an extra $50.00 a month on credit card #1 that has the smallest balance. After that debt is paid off I take that extra $50.00 and add it to my monthly payment for credit card #2 and get it paid off.
• Another resolution for me is to take charge of  where my money is going so I never end up wondering where it went. I expect to get a raise within the next 6 months and I am determined to save a good portion of it. I plan on setting aside part of my raise for emergency fund/savings account. The most painless way to do this is to have my bank automatically transfer a set amount each month so I don't miss it.
• I have also decided to stop buying on autopilot and pay more attention to repeat purchases. Spending a little more on food staples such as eggs every week can add up to some serious dough over time. I noticed that one grocery store famous for low prices sells my favorite brand of bread for about 50 cents more a loaf than an upscale grocery store famous for being expensive. It pays to pay attention!
• A simple strategy that I already use is recording my bills on a blank sheet of paper to keep a running tab on my monthly income and expenses. At the top of the page I write down what I expect my take home pay for the month, minus cash withdrawals from the ATM. I write down my bills as they come in and deduct them from my monthly total. For example, if the first bill I pay is my electric bill is of $40.00 I take the monthly income amount and deduct $40.00 from that. This give me a new total that shows me how much money is left after that bill is paid. I repeat the process for each bill I pay so I always know how much money is left in the account. This way I can see at a glance what's getting paid and how much money is left to pay other bills, make a charitable donation, or take out some cash from the ATM to splend as I please.

For more money saving ideas check out my book The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  is full of tips and strategies for making the most of your money year round.

Save Money with Social Media

For smart shoppers social media is more than just a time sucking diversion filled with people spouting their uwanted opinions and cute cat videos. It's a money saving tool. To make the most of you money online, check out these clever strategies from consumer expert Andrea Woroch.

Price Track with Pinterest
If you can spend hours pining over (and pinning!) items you want, their latest feature is made just for you. Pinterest will now send you a price-drop notification via email when a product you pinned has dropped in price. To take full advantage of this feature, you might create a board exclusively for items you might actually buy.

Share Your Ride
Forget taxis, shuttles and rental cars: save money on your next trip with Zimride. Simply enter your starting point and destination and browse available routes and prices. You can also create a route and review the profiles of people interested in sharing the trip with you. That way, you can ensure everybody gets along.

Get Exclusive Coupons
One of the primary reasons for following your favorite brands on Facebook and Twitter is to gain access to exclusive coupons and deals. Typically, followers are informed about upcoming promotions and specials before they reach the masses. Additionally, some deals are exclusively for social followers, like those offered by Rite Aid.

Tweet Gifts
Starbucks is testing a new method of sending eGifts to your friends. Their Tweet-a-Coffee campaign allows you to gift a $5 e-gift card to a friend via Twitter. While this definitely saves time, shoppers looking to save money on online gift cards can head over to GiftCardGranny.com, where Starbucks e-cards can be purchased at an average of 12-percent less than face value.

Follow Hashtags
Some retailers are using hashtags to help shoppers share information and win prizes. Best Buy is encouraging consumers to tweet popular gift ideas using the hashtag #TrendingTech so shoppers can find real-time info on the tech that people are talking about. TJMaxx's "The Gifter" campaign gives followers a chance to win a $500 gift card when they answer a new gift-related question each week with hashtag #TheGifter.

Make Requests
You may recognize Twitter as a forum to share your applause and voice your concern about your favorite retailers. This year, you can ask them to participate in a fast-growing event that saves you money. Procrastinating shoppers can tweet their favorite retailers to participate in Free Shipping Day, the one-day online event scheduled for Dec. 18 when stores waive minimum order requirements and guarantee delivery by Christmas Eve.

Check In for Savings
Share your location with friends and family on Twitter and Facebook and get freebies and discounts in return. Foursquare is the premier app for "checking in" to a retailer, restaurant or other location. In addition to broadcasting your location on social media, you'll also get such perks as a free appetizer or discount toward a future purchase. You can even link your credit card to Foursquare for additional savings.

Reach Your Goals
Social media is great for unlocking deals and scoring discounts, but it can also help you achieve your savings goals. SmartyPig is a free online piggy bank that helps you save for specific items or milestones, whether it's a big-screen TV or your upcoming wedding. You can share your progress and stay accountable via Facebook and Twitter, plus friends and family can choose to contribute to your goals through these channels.

Andrea Woroch is a money-saving expert who helps consumers live on less without radically changing their lifestyles. From smart spending tips to personal finance advice, Andrea transforms everyday consumers into savvy shoppers. You can follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

Great Websites for Holiday Shopping

Take the hassle out of holiday shopping. Instead of  wandering all over the web looking for the perfect gifts, save time by visiting websites that provide one stop shopping for everything from gifts to holiday decor. Amazon.com carries everything from books (including The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living) to electronics, beauty products, clothing, holiday decorations and so much more. I like the fact that I can use points from amazon credit card or Discover card to save a few bucks on purchases. While tackling your holiday to do list, be sure to download some Christmas music. Amazon.com sells digital music at competitive prices.

If you can't find it on eBay, it might not exist. eBay distinguishes itself from amazon.com by stocking nothing but making just everything available through independent sellers. To save time and avoid a bidding war, look for the Buy It Now button. Using the Buy It Now button means exacty what it says, you don't have to wait for an auction to end before buying. Because eBay items are sold through independent sellers, look at the sellers return policy before buying and pay through Paypal. I got my money back when I didn't receive the item I ordered and the the seller didn't provide a shipping tracking number proving  they sent the item.

eBay is a great source for find rare items that may have personal meaning to you loved ones, such as a favorite toy they had as a child, a discontinued book on a topic they are passionate about, vintage collectibles and more. It's also good for finding bargains on countless new items. I like to use eBay when I comparison shop. For example, I was going to buy a book for someone on my holiday gift list on amazon.com but the price was $14.99. I found the same exact book on eBay for only $4.99 in new, unused condition for only $4.99 with free shipping! I snapped up that book off eBay faster than you can say Cheap Diva.

For gifts that do a world of good visit Ten Thousand Villages. With thousands of unique and  handmade artisan items from around the world, from gifts, jewelry, home decor, art and sculpture, textiles, serveware and personal accessories, Ten Thousand Villages is the perfect destination for unique fair trade, feel good gifts. Ten Thousand Villages a charitable organization that sells handmade products in created by skilled artisans from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. The company encourages artisan partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product offered has been crafted responsibly.  

This Holiday Buy the Gift that Keeps on Giving

The holiday season is so close I can't avoid the selection of tacky and useless gifts clogging the shopping malls. This holiday season give yourself and/or someone on your gift list the gift that literally pays for itself. My book  The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  is packed with so many tips and strategies for making the most of your money during the holiday season and year round. It's literally the gift that keeps on giving. Packed with easy strategies for shopping smarter, making the most of the fashion, beauty, and home decor products you already have and hassle free entertaining ideas, this book is perfect for busy women on a budget. The book is available in paperback and for the tech savvy gals on your gift list the Kindle version of this book is under $4.00 and you don't have to have a Kindle device to use the Kindle service.

Kmart Store Closing Sales Attract Bargain Shoppers

I was out driving and saw a guy near a busy intersection holding a sign for a Kmart store closing sale with up to 30% off. I kept on driving. It takes more than a 30% off sale to get this Cheap Diva excited. From what I have heard, Kmart has store closings going on throughout the country.  The unimpressive 30% off deals are pretty close in price to regular sale prices which means it's the first round of sales. The trick with any store closing sale is to hold out long enough to get better deals, but not so long you miss out on the good stuff.

For a store closing sale it helps to make a list to cut down on impulse buys, remember everything is final sale. First buy stuff that never goes on sale, such as greeting cards, even if the discount is small. Shop now to see what's disappearing and what you can wait for a better deal on. Shop the same store often until you get your "must have" items at a great price.

To find store closings near you, google Kmart closing and name your state or city. If you don't have a store closing near you there are still plenty of bargains to be had at the Kmart.com web site like this Attention  Women's Textured Faux Leather Bucket Bag - Zebra Print for only $14.99.

What to Buy in October

Squeezed between the barrage of back to school bargains and the chaos of Christmas holiday shopping it's easy to overlook the deals that October brings with it. Here are some bargains to keep an eye out for in October.

• Save on seasonal furnishings. When the leaves start falling so do prices on patio and warm weather furnishings. Check out hardware stores and recreational furnishing stores like Seasonal Concepts as well as big box stores before those warm weather bargains are cleared out to make way for fall merchandise.
• Save on jeans. Back to school clothing shopping is over leaving behind piles of denim that retailers are eager to sell to make space for fall fashions.
• Save at consignment stores. A furniture consignment store owner told me that she did a brisk business in dining sets in the fall because shoppers want a nice table to gather around for holiday celebrations. Whether you are buying a new dining set or dazzling holiday dress do your consignment store shopping now before the good stuff goes out the door!
• Save on Halloween decorations at the end of the month. Retail stores may be picked over and look like a tornado hit leaving only the least desirable decorations behind, but their online counter parts (potterybarn.com, crateandbarrel.com, yankeecandle.com etc.) should have some of their most stylish pieces in stock.
• Buy a copy of my book The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  This book is filled with easy strategies to help you shop smarter, dress fashionably for less, enhance your beauty, improve your home décor and have fun without spending a fortune. Included in the book are several tips on saving money over the holiday season on gifts, glamourous outfits and entertaining. 

my new book The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  Available as a paperback and an ebook.

Learn the secrets to living better by spending smarter. This book is filled with easy strategies to help you shop smarter, dress fashionably for less, enhance your beauty, improve your home décor and have fun without spending a fortune. Whether entertaining at home, or stepping out to enjoy local attractions, take the hassle out of hosting fun get-togethers by using the cheap and easy entertaining ideas included in this book.

I’m sharing  my best tips and techniques on how to get the look for less by knowing where to shop for bargains, expanding your wardrobe options without buying a thing, and how to make good use of “bad” beauty products instead of throwing them away

Find the Best Products at the Best Prices

Deals/coupons/discount web sites are so common that if I had a dollar for every bargain web site out there I would no longer be the Cheap Diva, I would be the Ridiculously Rich Diva. Cheapism.com stands apart from countless other bargain hunter web sites by not just telling you where to get good deals, but explaining which products are worth your money. Cheapism.com features enough product reviews and helpful articles on shopping smarter to keep any bargain hunter busy for hours, if not days. I love that the intelligently written money saving articles are free of hype and full of useful information on shopping for electronics, to home decor, health and beauty products, travel services and more.  I also love that Cheapism.com reviews fun stuff like lipstick along with more practical purchases like vacuum cleaners. 

5 Ways to Save Money Without a Budget

I hate budgeting. A budget assumes that life will go according to plan and it doesn't take into account nasty surprises like losing your job, or emergency expenses. I have had plenty of financial challenge over the years, but I deal with them by focusing on spending smarter and saving regularly. Here are 5 tips to manage your money better.

1. Find cheaper substitutes for regular purchases. For example, I used to buy a special coconut water to drink after exercising because of it's alleged health benefits. After weeks of spending a good chunk of my grocery money on this special water I read the nutrion label on the bottle to find it contained few nutrients and lots of natural sugar. I stopped buying it and went back to drinking water from my kitchen faucet that I filter with a special water filter pitcher. Another example is cleaning products. Vinegar is a cheap cleaning alternative to the fancy brand "all natural" cleaners on the market. Type "clean with vinegar" into an internet search engine an you might be surprised at how versatile this natual/nontoxic cleaner is.
2. Pay yourself first before paying your bills so you have a growing savings account. Put a set amount of money into a savings account every month. Transferring as little as 10% of your income from checking to savings can really add up. Saving money has saved me financially when I have gone through periods of unemployment and had to rely on my savings. If you don't pay yourself regularly the money tends to disappear.
3. I have noticed that people with no money are people with no financial strategy. If I have an emergency expense that I have to put on a credit card to cover the expense, I immediately start planning my strategy for paying that card off. I will decide to consistently pay a certain amount on that card every month so I know when I can look forward to the credit card being paid off. Paying an extra $25.00 or $50.00 on a credit card monthly can save you big over time because you aren't just paying the interest, you are paying off the bill.
4. Stop buying crap an only spend money on what you love. If you don't love it, don't buy it. The result is that you will ultimately end up with a closet of clothes that you love and wear and your home will be a stylish expression of your taste, not a hodge podge of stuff you got cheap. Buying less crap frees up your money to spend on better quality goods. 
5. Having researched the rich, the one thing I noticed they all have in common is that they pay attention to their money. Follow their example by reading your credit card statements every month to see if there are any unexplained or suspicious charges, even if they are small charges. Look at your bank statement at least once a month to see how much money you have in checking, savings and other accounts. When you pay a bill take a moment to think about what you could do to spend less for that service or product. There are plenty of ways to use less electricity in the home (use power strips, unplug electronic devices when not in use), or spend less on your phone/internet/cable bill by eliminating features you don't use often.

To learn how to live better for less, pick up a copy of  The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  You can buy Kindle version for only $2.99 and start living like a cheap diva today!

To learn the secrets of shopping smart all year pick up a copy of  The Cheap Diva's Guide to Frugal and Fabulous Living: How to Shop Smart, Look Your Best, Decorate with Style, and Have Fun for Less Money!  You can buy Kindle version for only $2.99 and start living like a cheap diva today!

Get Sales Notices Only On the Items You Really Want

I finally unsubscribed from getting Kohl's sale emails because they were driving me nuts! Every day it seems I would find an email from Kohl's in my inbox and 99% of the deals applied only to customers who had a Kohl's credit card, which I don't have and don't want. It's this kind of frustrating email overload that makes me reluctant to sign up for any type of sale notices. 

If irrelevant sale emails are driving you nuts, relief is in sight thanks to a shopping service called Hukkster,  which is designed to help you save your sanity and your money. At hukkster.com you can shop any online store. If you see an item you like just click your Hukk It button and it will be added to your list. Not ready to blow your paycheck on a shopping spree? You can do some virtual window shopping by viewing your items, organizing them into lists and then wait to buy then anytime you are ready. Hukkster will notify you through email when the item you have been lusting over goes on sale. You can also sign up for text notifications if you simply can't wait to snap up that fabulous fashion item.

Stay Cool and Save Cash on Your Energy Bill this Summer

One look at my energy bill and I knew it was time to make some cost saving adjustments. As the temperatures rise, so does my electric bill. I already keep my blinds and curtains closed throughout most of the day to prevent the sun's hot rays from entering my home. I also use power strips and keep them turned off so various electronic devices, such as the TV aren't sucking up power all day when they are off. 

Clearly the adjustment needs to be made in my use of air conditioning. I'm cheap but I'm not cheap enough to live in a sauna to save money, so giving up air conditioning completely is not an option. I can however use less air conditioning when I am away at work all day. I normally set the thermostat at about 5 degrees warmer during the day when I am at work then turn it down to a more comfortable temperature after I get home. As long as the heat is on, I think I will set the thermostat 10 degrees higher during the day so the air conditioner comes on less often.  According to the article Air-Conditioning: 9 Things You Need to Know from thisoldhouse.com, cleaning and replacing your air conditioner filter can increase it's efficiency to keep cooling costs down so that's another way to lower your bills.

I don't know about you, but when the great outdoors feels like the inside of my oven, a steaming hot bowl of spicy chili is the last thing I want to eat. In summer I like to eat a lot of salads and sandwiches on whole grain bread. This way I can enjoy lots of healthy veggies without turning on the stove. If you are feeling adventurous you can always visit your local farmer's markets for fresh ideas and healthy foods.

Have Fun Shopping at the Just for Her Expo

The internet allows you to buy virtually anything online, so why do thousands of women attend the Kansas City Just for Her Expo which is basically a glorified shopping event?  I am guessing women flock to this event every year for the same reasons women all over the country attend these types of expos. Expos typically offer the following benefits:

• An opportunity to collect coupons and sign up for special deals and prizes.
• An opportunity to sample various foods and services. Vendors may charge a small fee for services such as a mini massage, basic manicure, hair styling and more, but many samples are free.
• Free entertainment, such as a fashion show and a variety of presentations. are often included in the expo experience.
• It's a great networking opportunity if you have a small business. I avoid long conversations with vendors that distract them from customers. I simply ask for a business card and move on so I can make contact with that potential business connections later.