There must be countless ways to save (and make) money, I've listed some of my favorite ways here:

1. Use Cash - most people tend to spend less when paying cash vs. a credit card or even a debit card. As an added incentive, some retailers, such as gas stations - offer discounts to cash paying customers in order for them to save money on high bank merchant fees.

2. Pay Bills Online - sign up for auto payments online to pay your bills. Not only will you save money on postage stamps and checks, but it also ensures that your payment is not late - avoiding those pesky late fees! Tip - I always pay off my credit card statement balances each month.

3. Earn Rewards When You Shop - whether it's buying groceries or stocking up on items online or offline, I make sure I am using the appropriate credit card to maximize my cash back earnings! Since I'm spending money anyway, why not get a rebate on my purchase.  Two of my favorite cash-back shopping portals are Mr.Rebates and BeFrugal - both offer cash-back rewards for shopping online.

4. Wash Clothes In Cold Water - this will save you money on energy costs and your clothes will come out just as clean. Make sure you are doing a full load, to save even more energy.

5. Do-it-yourself beauty regimen - why pay a professional if you can do it yourself? I personally dye my own hair, give myself the occasional manicure & pedicure and masque facials.

6. Split Your Meal - save money by splitting an entree (with or without an appetizer or salad) with another person. The bonus is that you won't be tempted to overeat and maybe even lose some pounds. Whenever you go out to restaurants, there are other creative ways to save money when dining out.

7. Save Leftovers - don't just reheat your leftovers, get creative - add other ingredients to make a whole new meal. My personal tip - most leftovers taste better with butter, garlic and onions!

7. Shop Thrift Stores - check out flea markets, swap meets, thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales for great and unique finds in clothing, accessories, furniture and home items for a lot less.

8. Grow Your Own - save money on herbs such as basil, cilantro, rosemary or lavender. Plant your own herb garden or potted herbs to add to salads and meals. Plant and grow your own vegetables & fruits too.

9. Recycle Gift Bags, Wrapping Paper, Ribbons - if it can be re-used, don't throw it away! I always recycle gift bags, tissues, bows, ribbons, etc.. from previous presents.

10. Homemade gifts - if you love to bake, make some yummy cookies or brownie and present it in a gift basket or tin. If you love photography, print out some photos of the recipient and place them in a set of inexpensive frames. You can also make a potted arrangement of succulents from your own garden.

11. Snap Up Coupon Deals - be on the lookout from daily deal sites such as Groupon. Redeem restaurant or other discount deals that you know you will really take advantage of. You can also get cash back when dining out.

12. Do-it-yourself Home Improvement Projects - tackle projects around the house, such as painting or basic landscape work, etc.. this saves a lot of money on professional services.

13. Save on Insurance Cost - if you are on the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, consider purchasing an SUV, a pick up truck or even a mini-van. These types of vehicles usually cost less to insure than others. Another way I've saved money, is to shop around for a better deal before your policy expires.

14. Free Tire Air Checks - keep your tires inflated to maximize gas mileage, especially on long trips. Low tire pressure robs gas mileage - up to three miles per gallon! Get free air checks at tire centers such as Discount Tire stores. They have also rotated my tires for free.

15. Walk or Ride your Bike - instead of driving a few blocks to your destination, why not walk or ride your bike? It will save you money on gas and it's good exercise also!

16. Free T.V. - I watch my favorite TV shows on their respective network or on YouTube. Another great option is Tubi or Crackle. You can also go to your local library and borrow any available DVD's, usually 2 at a time.

17. Swap or Borrow - whether they are tools, magazines or books, you can swap or borrow them with friends. This concept also works for clothing and accessories you no longer wear or want.

18. Shop The Dollars Stores - visit your neighborhood dollar stores - such as Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, 99cent Only, Dollar General, Dollar King, etc.. to find great values on basic essentials.

19. Unplug Chargers - disconnect devices such as phone, computer, small appliance, and other chargers, from the wall when not in use. If the charger is plugged into the wall it is still on and consuming energy even if you aren’t charging.

20. Free Magazines - if you have miles that have accumulated in various airline rewards program but do not enough for airline tickets, redeem them for free magazines. I've subscribed to some of my favorite magazines, such as People, Cosmopolitan, Traveler, Architectural Digest, etc.
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I LOVE to eat but I'm not exactly a gourmet in the kitchen. But, I love to save money, so I've been experimenting with how to make delicious meals at home. 

One of my favorite frugal meal(s) is buying a cooked rotisserie chicken from a local grocery store. Not only is it yummy, but it usually only cost less that $8 for a whole chicken. We eat it fresh from the store, I especially love the skin and dark meat. Afterwards, pull apart the left over chicken and set aside for later.
​

Most people would throw away the bones, but they are what makes the best chicken soup! If you don't already have one, I highly recommend investing in a slow cooker or crock pot. We found ours in a thrift store for just $10. Throw in the rest of the chicken - bones and all in the crock pot, add water. Let it cook until the bones falls apart. Once cooked, make sure to remove the bones then add seasoning, veggies and anything else you want.

​I've stretched an $8 rotisserie chicken into 5 different meals for 2 people. That's only $1.60 per meal. Now that's frugal eating!!
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Meal #1 - Chicken breasts, drumsticks, wings (dark meat)
Meal #2 - Stir fry chicken with veggies (leftover white meat)
Meal #3 - Chicken salad (other half of leftover white meat)
Meal #4 - Chicken soup (makes up to 4 bowls of soup)
Meal #5 - Pulled chicken (yummy with barbecue sauce)

I'm sure, there are a hundred more ways to get creative with leftover rotisserie chicken. Bon appetite!
​

     

​I was so excited to discover NEW ways to save money -- thanks to this great article from AARP Money. I picked my 13 favorites from their list of 99 ways to save money on everything! Please let me know if you have any new ways you'd like to share :) Check out my top picks below...
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1. Last Minute Deals
The mobile app - HotelTonight finds big discounts on hotels without having to book ahead of time.

2. Get Cash Overseas At ATMs
On average, you pay 8 percent for foreign cash at an ATM. At currency exchange booths, you tend to lose around 15 percent.

3. Book Last-Minute Hotel Rooms Via Your Smartphone
Rooms will be cheaper than reserving through a personal computer, as hotels deeply discount a few days in advance to lure in mobile guests.

4. Know The Best Time To Buy Tech
TV's, Blu-ray players and cameras go on sale during the year-end holidays. Computer prices drop in late spring. Older Apple products often get discounted when new versions hit the store, usually in the fall.

5. Know The Retail Seasons
January is the time to buy furniture and linens. April brings deals on gardening supplies and outdoor decor. May is the month to purchase mattresses. The best time to buy a grill is after Labor Day. Shop October for appliances and November for cookware.

6. Reduce Your Auto Insurance
As your car ages, the maximum payout for an accident (calculated by subtracting your deductible from the car's value) steadily decreases. Crunch the numbers to see if the price of collision and comprehension coverage is still worth it.

7. Sign Up For Their Email
Say yes when a store you patronize asks to send email promotions. You'll get discounts that other shoppers don't see. Create an email account just for purchases made online so sales offers don't clutter your personal email.

8. Check The Unclaimed Property Sites
Check every state where you have lived, they might be holding a dividend check in your name, money in a savings account that you forgot or an un-cashed refund check. To check, go to naupa.org, find your state and enter your name.

9. Let Dry Shampoo Do Many Jobs
Forget buying mousses, gels or creams. Dry shampoo works as a second-day hair freshener, adds bulk to thin hair and won't leave hair greasy or sticky.

10. Use All Your Food
On average, 25 percent of household food and beverages are tossed out, often because people buy ingredients to make a single recipe and throw out the excess. Instead, develop a meal plan to use all your food purchases over several days before they go bad.

11. Create A "Cuisine Club" With Friends
The group selects a type of food for the evening's dinner -- say Greek or Thai -- and then each person contributes a dish. It's less hassle for the host, and it's cheaper than if the group went out to a restaurant.

12. Spend A Day At A Luxury Hotel
More luxury and resort hotels offer "intra-day stays" which allow guests the use of a room and all the hotel's amenities -- pool, restaurant, spa, sports center or private beach -- for eight or so hours. Discounts can be as much as 70 percent off the price of an overnight stay. Find hotels at hotelsbyday.com and between9and5.com.

13. Use Free Fitness Apps
Apps are available for yoga, walking, running, calisthenics and almost every type of exercise. Plus, you can easily take these workouts with you when traveling.

To read the complete list of 99 Ways to Save Money on Everything, click here.

   

Here's a great article from AAAP Money about the power of frugality that is far greater than having a large income. It examines the question... Earn More or Spend Less?  I try to do both!
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The purpose of money

Time on this planet is our most valuable and finite asset, and we all want to make the most of it. Money is simply a means to that end. Think of it as the stored energy that gives us the freedom to do with our lives whatever it is that will bring the most meaning and happiness. That may translate to more leisure time, family time or even volunteering time.
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And there are two ways to get this financial freedom:

• Earn more money.

• Spend less money.

Certainly, people who reach financial independence do a combination of both, but spending less is more powerful because of the "Two T's" — taxes and time.
​
The simple math of the Two T's

Let's take an example of a 55-year-old woman. According to the Society of Actuaries, she can have a life expectancy of just under 30 more years. Let's also assume that she wants to retire in 10 years at age 65, and that a third of her earnings will go to taxes (federal and state income taxes and payroll taxes). Finally we will compare earning $10,000 a year more to spending $10,000 a year less, with both increasing at the rate of inflation.

If she makes $10,000 more a year and puts what's left after taxes into her savings, she will have $66,667 more in today's dollars when she wants to retire in 10 years. But if she learns to live on $10,000 a year less and continues to do so for the remainder of her life, she will have saved $300,000 more in today's dollars. That's because she spends $10,000 less for 30 years.

So in this example, spending less was 4.5 times more powerful than making more. Though that number can change based on current age, desired retirement date and life expectancy, spending less always has a greater impact than earning more. Or, to put it concisely, spending less buys us more time than making more will.

In conclusion

Spending more money is not going to make you as happy as you think. Get off that hedonic treadmill of keeping up with the neighbors. Saving more money is not only good for your bottom line, but also for your health. We should all attain financial freedom, allowing us to pursue whatever we want with our life.

   

Most people know that in order to save money, one should eat out less and eat in more. However, even some of us who have mastered saving money at the grocery might be doing some wasteful habits that are not so savvy. These bad habits can actually cost us more in the long run. Take a look at my top 8 wasteful grocery shopping habits from Savvy Sugar, and get rid of them once and for all.

1. It's wasteful when you don't check what's left in your pantry and fridge: Before you head to the grocery store, do a quick inventory of what's left in your kitchen. Not checking what's left in your kitchen can make you buy more things than you actually need. I always eat everything in the fridge before heading out to the grocery store or farmers market. It's wasteful to throw away food, it's like throwing away money!
2. It's wasteful when you don't make a grocery list: Having a grocery list can help you shop faster and, of course, get everything you need. Forgetting to buy something is not only annoying and wastes time, but it also wastes money. When is the last time you went to the store to pick up that one thing you forgot to buy and ended up with a few extra things in your basket?
3. It's wasteful when you go to the store hungry: We've all made this mistake. Going to the grocery store hungry is a surefire way to buy things you don't really need. Try not to shop with your nose, and avoid the freshly baked section if possible. I've gotten better at doing this:)
4. It's wasteful when you use a large shopping cart: Using a spacious shopping cart can trick your mind into buying more things than you need. Try grocery shopping with a basket or a smaller cart, and you'll be less inclined to pile things on. I personally use my reusable burlap bag when I shop, when it's almost filled, that means I'm done shopping!
5. It's wasteful when you don't bring a reusable shopping bag: Many states are moving toward charging customers for grocery bags, and while paper bags are only 10 cents each, they sure can add up year after year. Some supermarkets give you credit towards your purchase when you bring your own bag. I always have a few bags in the car (just in case).
6. It's wasteful when you don't compare prices: Not only should you be comparing prices between different brands, but you should also be comparing the price of different sizes within a brand. Should you buy in bulk or individually? Should you buy the larger, family-sized bottle or a smaller one? Try calculating the price per pound or ounce to see which is a more frugal choice. Also retailers like to put the most expensive products at eye level, so try looking at the top or bottom shelves for better prices.
7. It's wasteful when you buy overpriced "convenient" foods: We've all heard the saying, "time is money." But is it really? While it might save you a couple extra minutes to buy shredded carrot, sliced pineapples, and peeled garlic, let's compare the prices: at one store, peeled garlic costs $5.49 a pound, whereas unpeeled garlic costs 79 cents a pound. That's almost seven times more expensive!
8. It's wasteful when you don't check your receipt: Start a habit of checking your receipt to see if there were any mistakes. You can even use that time to really think about whether you need everything you just bought. Most grocery stores will accept returns for a full refund. I have even returned an item after bringing it home, since it wasn't something I really needed.

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Everyone's making plans for a fresh start this year, and if one of your goals is to save money, make a few changes here and there to save a little or a lot of money. Remember the little things do add up! Here are my top 50 frugal picks for saving money in 2015 from SavvySugar.

1. Drop your landline and rely on your cell phone
2. Make your own gifts
3. Cook more and eat out less often
4. Be aware of bank fees
5. Make a list before grocery shopping
6. Buy generic products
7. Explore free activities on the weekend
8. Shop your wardrobe
9. Wait on purchases before buying them
10. Seal up air leaks in your home to cut heating and cooling costs
11. Turn roaming off and rely on WiFi when traveling
12. Know the right things to buy in bulk
13. Turn off lights that aren't in use
14. Use cold water to wash your clothes
15. Hang dry your clothing instead of tumbling it in the dryer
16. Hand wash your clothing instead of taking it to the dry cleaner when possible
17. Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Consider investing in a filter
18. Cancel cable and watch your favorite shows online
19. Work out outdoors, play sports, or go to a friend's gym instead of paying for a gym membership
20. Shop at the farmers market
21. Swap clothes, bags, and accessories with friends
22. Google coupons and promo codes before buying something online
23. Renegotiate your cell phone plan, find a new carrier, or cancel some features to save money

1. Read books and magazines from the library
2. Return the purchases you need to return
3. Sell your old things and buy used items
4. Automate payments so you won't forget and be charged with late fees
5. Negotiate a lower APR
6. Upcycle your old items instead of throwing them away
7. Always comparison shop
8. Find a good rewards credit card and use it smartly
9. Don't feel obligated to say yes to every invitation (this includes weddings, dinners, events, etc.)
10. Eat right and exercise and get enough sleep, so you won't have to pay with your health
11. Pay bills online to save on postage
12. Compare gas prices to find the most affordable gas with sites like GasBuddy.com
13. Avoid out-of-network ATMs
14. Keep track of your money with a spreadsheet or Mint.com
15. Keep your receipts or take a pictures of them in case you want to return an item
16. Vacation closer to home
17. Don't check in your luggage
18. Check out Airbnb or HomeAway instead of hotels
19. Travel during an off-peak season or time
20. Use reusable grocery bags
21. Join loyalty programs
22. Feed your pet the right foods and keep it in shape to reduce vet bills
23. Review your receipts to make sure you're not being charged for odd items
24. Check your bank account daily to make sure there aren't any weird charges
25. Don't use your credit card overseas unless it doesn't have foreign transaction fees
26. Rent movies instead of going to the theater

    

Happy Frugal Friday! Remember last month I told you about a way to spend less on your cell phone service? Click here to read about it. Well, that same company Solavei has opened up another means to save money on everyday necessities. 

They've developed the Solavei Marketplace, where you get cash back rewards from either shopping online or shopping at your local brick and mortar store - how awesome is that?!! 

All you have to do is sign up for Solavei's affordable mobile phone service, which is only $49/month + tax. You then receive your own Solavei debit/credit card where you earn money by sharing the cell service savings with others and now it will be where your earn your cash back rewards as well. Click here to find out how.

If you recall (in my earlier post) they exceeded my expectation by offering unlimited everything... unlimited voice, text and data for $49 a month on a 4G T-Mobile network. As I mentioned, I was fortunate that my phone was compatible (GSM), and that I was not in a contract, and that my phone was already unlocked. But it gets even better, Solavei also offers an opportunity for everyone to share this great savings with others. If you tell 3 other people and they sign up their mobile phone service with Solavei, you earn $60 total - so basically your cell phone service if free! Tell more people, you make even more money! How absolutely cool is that - frugal, smart and savvy!

So, in addition to their great, affordable mobile phone plan - they now offer a way for you to get cash-back rewards when you shop popular online retailers as well as local merchants. I was so excited to find out that one of my favorite places is on their list of hundreds of retailers. This store is .... wait for it... Trader Joe's, can you believe it? I love, yes love TJ - great prices, great food choices, great samples:) and now I can get 10% back for shopping where I normally shop anyway! I just activate the offer then shop. Another store I frequent is Starbucks, now by using my Solavei card, I get 15% cash back on my Starbucks purchases! Depending on where you live, they have a great selection of other local merchants to choose from.

Here's just a sampling of brick and mortar stores you can get cash-back from... Ann Taylor, Gymboree, Macy's, Old Navy, Sports Authority, Starbucks, Subway, Trader Joe's, Urban Outfitters, Vitamin Shoppe - they are adding new merchants to the Solavei Marketplace all the time! Of course, they have hundreds of online retailers if you prefer to do your shopping online and get cash back. They have great values on merchandise, entertainment, dining, travel and more! 

Watch the two video overviews below on how the Marketplace works.

Here's how it works:
With Solavei Marketplace, you can earn Cash back every day – whether you're shopping in a store or on the Solavei Marketplace site. Earning is as easy as 1, 2, 3 - here's how...

1. SHOP - Make purchases with your Solavei Card. We have partnered with hundreds of your favorite national retailers and local stores so you can always find what you’re looking for. Make sure you check out the new, exclusive offers that require you to activate before shopping.

2. EARN - Here's how you can earn cash back:

• ONLINE: Earn cash back when you shop at participating retailers through the Solavei site.

• IN-STORE: Earn cash back when shopping at participating stores just by using your Solavei card.

• ACTIVATE: Earn cash back when you activate offers on the site and shop before the expiration date.

3. WATCH IT ADD UP - With so many opportunities to earn, your cash back will add up fast! 

If you have any questions about the Marketplace, please visit Solavei's FAQs page.

I hope you see the enormous benefit of spending less on your mobile phone service and getting cash-back for shopping via the Marketplace with Solavei. One of my favorite motto is... Don't ever buy anything at full price - always aim to get cash back with every purchase.

To find out more about the great savings with the phone service, opportunity to make money, or the cash back Marketplace, click on this link - http://www.solavei.com/MarissaWinfrey. 

If you have any further questions, please send me an email or call 310-619-3055.

UPDATE: Click here to read about Solavei's cheaper cell phone rate plans.

What is one of your biggest recurring monthly expense besides mortgage or rent and a car payment? I'm quite fortunate that I don't have a car payment and my mortgage payment is pretty reasonable. However, it was only a year ago that I finally got smart and ditched my expensive mobile phone service plan - I won't mention names, but the company has an A, a T and another T in their name! I was paying almost $90 a month for very limited talk minutes, an additional $5 for a 200 text plan. I did keep my "unlimited" data plan since I signed my "contract" back in 2009. So needless to say, I've been out of that dreaded 2-year contract since 2011. 

I found out about this new company, named Solavei that offered affordable cell phone service for only $49 per month. I was definitely interested in finding out more! They exceeded my expectation by offering unlimited everything... unlimited voice, text and data for $49 a month on a 4G T-Mobile network. I was lucky that my phone was compatible (GSM), and that I was not in a contract, and that my phone was already unlocked. But it gets even better, Solavei also offers an opportunity for everyone to share this great savings with others. If you tell 3 other people and they sign up their mobile phone service with Solavei, you earn $60 total - so basically your cell phone service if free! Tell more people, you make even more money! How absolutely cool is that - frugal and savvy!

Plus, Solavei is having a "Fall into Savings" promotion, get your first 2 months, of unlimited 4G mobile service for just $39/month. Hurry, this deal ends 10/31/13, phone service must be activated by 11/15/13 for the $39 (first 2 months). Taxes and fees may apply.

To find out more about this great savings and opportunity to make money, visit this website for more details.  
http://www.solavei.com/MarissaWinfrey. If you have any questions, send me an email or call 310-619-3055.

UPDATE: Click here to read about Solavei's cheaper cell phone rate plans.

Happy Frugal Friday! If you are like me, I love to eat but I'm not exactly a gourmet in the kitchen. But, I love to save money, so I've been experimenting with how to make delicious meals at home. 

One of my favorite frugal meal(s) is buying a cooked rotisserie chicken from a local grocery store. Not only is it yummy, but it usually only cost less that $8 for a whole chicken. We eat it fresh from the store, I especially love the skin and dark meat. Afterwards, pull apart the left over chicken and set aside for later.

Most people would throw away the bones, but they are what makes the best chicken soup! If you don't already have one, I highly recommend investing in a slow cooker or crock pot. We found ours in a thrift store for just $10. Throw in the rest of the chicken - bones and all in the crock pot, add water. Let it cook until the bones falls apart. Once cooked, make sure to remove the bones then add seasoning, veggies and anything else you want.

I've stretched an $8 rotisserie chicken into 4 different meals for 2 people. Now that's frugal eating!!
Meal #1 - Chicken wings, drumsticks (mostly dark meat)
Meal #2 - Stir fry chicken (1/2 of leftover white meat)
Meal #3 - Chicken salad (other half of leftover white meat)
Meal #4 - Chicken soup (makes up to 4 bowls of soup)

I'm sure, there are a hundred more ways to get creative with leftover rotisserie chicken. Bon appetite!

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! What are you doing this long Labor Day weekend? This weekend is the unofficial end of summer (boo!). However, it's a great time to get some shopping done or book some last minute travel plans.

If you have been thinking about buying some new clothing, electronics, or back-to-school items - there are some great Labor Day deals and discounts to take advantage of. 

Here are 10 of my favorite deals from SavvySugar.com.

1. Target: Up to 60 percent off Summer clearance. Save up to 20 percent on select clothing and up to 20 percent when you spend $150 on select furniture.

2. Old Navy: Save 25 percent on online order with code ONTAKE25. Ends Aug. 28. 

3. Macy's: 20 percent off with free shipping on a $99 purchase using the code LUCKYU. 

4. Pier 1: Big savings, including 25 percent off outdoor pillows and cushions, discounts on outdoor furniture, 20 percent off drink dispensers, and 20 percent off lanterns. 

5. Lowe's: Discounts include 10 percent off major appliances, 20 percent off grills, and more. 

6. Best Buy: Save up to 30 percent on major appliances, save $50 on iPhone 4S and 5, and other discounts on TVs and other electronics. 

7. Travelocity: 50 percent off select hotels. Save an extra 10 percent using the promo code 10SUMMER. 

8. Southwest: One-way flights as low as $69. Book by Aug. 29.

9. Virgin America: Great affordable flights from $79 each way.

10. Hotels.com: Extra 12 percent off for 12 days only with the code 12FOR12. Offer ends Sept. 1.