​I live in a city that has among the highest auto insurance rates in California. Knowing this ahead of time, I was still shocked to see my insurance premium double when it came time to renew my policy. I was determined to find a better insurance company before my current policy expired.

I researched all the major insurance companies and received quotes that were deceivingly false. The quote I was shown online was for a certain amount per month, then when I called to speak to an agent, somehow the quote was quite a bit higher! Needless to say, this was beyond frustrating and I was not going to fall for their bait and switch.

I did more research and found Metromile, they are a different kind of car insurance, they only charges you based on the miles you drive, putting you in control of how much you pay. I only drive approximately 300 miles per month, my average cost per month is about half of what my previous insurance was.
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​Traditional car insurance is unfair to low-mileage drivers. The number one risk indicator for drivers is how often they’re on the road. So if you’re already driving less, you should really start paying less. Pay-per-mile insurance costs less because it’s based on how many miles you drive. If you spend less time behind the wheel, you spend less money on insurance. Most people save an average of $500 per year.
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How it works

With pay-per-mile insurance you pay a low monthly base rate plus a few cents per mile when you drive. At the end of the month, your bill is your base rate plus how many miles you drove at your per-mile rate. Just like with other insurance companies, several factors can influence your rate, including age, type of vehicle, and driver history. With pay-per-mile insurance, you aren’t charged for the miles you drive above 250/day (150/day in New Jersey). So if you go on a long trip, you’ll save big.
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Measuring your miles

The key to pay-per-mile insurance is the Metromile Pulse, a small free wireless device that plugs into your car’s OBD-II port. Installation is easy, and once in place the Metromile Pulse securely counts your miles to determine your total monthly bill. Pay-per-mile insurance doesn’t consider other driving factors such as how fast you drive or how hard you brake, just how many miles you drive. With the Metromile Pulse in place, you have unlimited access to our smart driving app. This means you can keep track of your trips, monitor your car’s health and always know where your car is parked.

Pros and con

In my opinion, there are many positive benefits in switching to Metromile. I now have control over how much or how little I drive on a monthly basis. For example, I will choose to walk to the store to grab a few essentials instead of driving. Metromile's app and website tracks how many miles I'm driving on a daily basis, so there are no surprises at the end of the month. Another benefit I experienced was I got a text alert that I was parked on a street cleaning day, which saved me getting a ticket.

Some people might have reservations about installing the Metromile Pulse device on their vehicle. I personally don't have a problem with this, anybody on social media already has their data exposed to the social media companies already. This company and others like them is an industry disruptor on how traditional car insurance has been operating. The future for auto insurance and insurance in general will continue to shift. If you drive less than 200 miles a week you could save a ton of money on car insurance. I recommend you try Metromile as an affordable and frugal auto insurance option.
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​Disclosure: This post contains a refer-a-friend reward if you choose to sign up via my referral link.

      

​What can you buy for a dollar these days? It turns out, plenty of things that are sometimes better (and of course cheaper) than at the big box discount stores! One can save a lot of money without compromising quality. I've organized a couple of parties with items purchased mostly at dollar stores!

Visit your neighborhood dollar stores ... such as Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, 99cent Only, Dollar General, Dollar King, etc.. to find great dollar values!

Here are my Top 10 Frugal Finds at various Dollar stores:

1. Stationery Supplies - notebooks, envelopes, pens, glue, tape.
2. Kitchen - utensils, sponges, sandwich bags, trash bags, foil, seasonings.
3. Cards - greeting cards for every occasion and holiday.
4. Snacks - chocolate bars, candy, cookies, chips.
5. Party Supplies - balloons, gift bags, paper cups, paper plates, decorations.
6. Cleaning Supplies - glass cleaner, cleanser, sponges, mops, brooms.
7. Personal Care - toothbrushes, cotton balls, hair accessories, facial tissues.
8. Storage - great assortment of baskets, bins, containers, boxes.
9. Household Items - batteries, trash bags, glassware, mugs.
10. Kids Stuff - toys, coloring books, seasonal costumes, crafts.

     

      

     

You don't need to spend hundreds, even thousands of money sprucing up your bathroom. Besides re-painting the walls, which is the most effective and frugal way to transform the bathroom,  this guest post from Diana Smith has other great money saving tips on how to achieve a bathroom remodel for less.
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If you are like most people, when you think about bathroom remodeling you will probably think about the daunting experience of removing every possible thing from the bathroom until all that remains are pipes sticking out of the floor. That image alone is enough to give you a headache, but when you add the thought of how much it can all cost, you will get the urge to scream. Out with the old, in with the new; out with the money from your bank account and in with shiny new faucets and tiles. Is there a way to remodel and restyle your bathroom without going bankrupt? Yes there is, and we’re here to help you.
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Reface your bathtub ​

Having an old bathtub is a drag – it can be solid and have great drainage, but it doesn’t matter if it looks awful. You might think that replacing your old tub is the only solution, but refinishing might be better. When you reface an old bathtub, it completely transforms it – the tub looks brand new and the entire room looks better because of it. It doesn’t matter how old and chipped the tub is, it can easily be turned into an appealing and fresh piece without you having to spend a fortune. When you replace an old tub, it requires a lot of work: there‘s demolishing the old tub as well as the ties surrounding it, not to mention having to pay for the new material and installation, plus having to pay to have it hauled away and dumped. After refacing an old tub, all you need are new shower curtains and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a whole new bathroom. 
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Change the lighting ​

You will be surprised once you discover how important lighting is in a bathroom. A simple act of replacing old bathroom light fixtures with brand new ones can turn a boring old room into a bathroom of your dreams. Lighting fixtures may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about remodeling (they are often considered a ‘finishing touch’), but they play a crucial role in the way the room looks. Not only will good light merely brighten the room, but it will improve your safety (you want to have a good light when shaving, don’t you?). The best thing about updating lighting is that it’s a perfect do-it-yourself project: with the right tools, some patience, a pinch of creativity, and surprisingly little money you can replace your old fixtures with new ones. You can also replace your old switch with a dimmer switch and get the perfect light for a romantic or relaxing atmosphere after a long day. 
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​Tile vs. linoleum floors

If you choose to change the base of your bathroom – the flooring – you can make a great change in the room without having to make a significant change in your wallet. As with all bathroom renovations that include tub, sink, and toilet replacement; flooring replacement can save you a couple of dollars. By picking linoleum, you don’t have to change anything: simply pick linoleum with intricate and beautiful design, roll it over your current floor and glue it down. You will need molding to hold down the edges, but that’s about it. Tiles can also be cheap and they too can go over other flooring, but you will need a professional to install them. 
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​You will not have walk around in your boring, old, outdated bathroom every morning, and you will not have to spend a fortune on your new bathroom. You will be able to get a great-looking new bathroom for very little money if you make a good plan and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your friends and family will be glad to help you with all the work and perhaps some useful information too, and when you finish you will have the bathroom of your dreams.
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About the author
​Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls and a great animal lover. In her free time she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
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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.
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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.

   

​Summer is almost here and it's the perfect season for picnics - whether you are heading out to a park, the beach, an outdoor concert, at a game, even your own backyard. 

Picnics are not only a fun way to spend the day, but it's more frugal than eating at a restaurant. A good rule of thumb when packing your picnic basket - the easier to eat the better... like appetizers and finger foods. Drinks are of course essential to any summer picnic, make sure to bring plastic drink cups or glasses!

My friends and I went to the Hollywood Bowl this week to see a concert. Each couple brought food to nosh on and to share with others before and during the show. I wanted to make something that was easy to prepare and easy to pass around to share. The best way to save money is make most everything yourself at home.

Here are 10 essential tips and ideas of what to pack in your picnic basket. Watch out for Yogi Bear!!

PICNIC BASKET OR BAG - Depending on your preference, pack your goodies in either a basket or bag. Although I love the look of picnic baskets (especially vintage ones), I prefer an insulated bag to keep the drinks colder. Some people also use a big cooler or just recycled bags.

PICNIC SUPPLIES - Essential to any picnic basket whether you opt for paper or plastic goods are: plates, utensils, cups, napkins. Pick some up at your local dollar store or grocery warehouse store. Make sure to also bring a separate bag(s) for trash.

BLANKET - If you are heading out to the park or beach where they don't have picnic benches, make sure to bring a picnic blanket or tablecloth to spread out on the grass or sand. Bring an extra blanket if it's gets cooler to bundle up in. You may also bring pillows to sit on if you will be sitting on a hard surface, like we were at the Hollywood Bowl.

MINI SANDWICHES - You can make mini sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese. I used Kings Hawaiian Bread rolls (yum!) and ready made chicken salads from Trader Joe's. I used curry chicken salad and cranberry chicken salad inside the rolls. I brought these at the Bowl and they were a big hit with everyone. You can make 24 mini sandwiches for less than $15... very frugal.

FINGER FOODS - Easy to eat appetizers that you can pass around to the gang is key. Great examples of finger foods are: chicken poppers, cheese varieties, wraps, etc.. For a fancier option - how about sushi.

CHIPS AND DIP - A simple, frugal yet delicious dip to make is guacamole! All you need are avocados, lime and tomatoes. Or, you can opt for ready made inexpensive dips from stores like Trader Joe's. Pick up a bag (or two) of your favorite dipping chips too.

SALADS - Make the classic potato salad or macaroni salad. These are simple and inexpensive to make at home. Other easy salad options are pasta salads or herb salads (possibly picked from your herb garden).

DRINKS - Pack sodas, water and whatever favorite drink you like from a discount grocery or big box store. Several of us brought bottles of wine to the concert - just make sure you pack the bottles securely or in a separate wine cooler or bag - don't forget the corkscrew!

FRUITS -  Pack easy to eat fruits like grapes, strawberries, bananas, cherries, blueberries or pre-cut fruits such as pineapple and the classic picnic fruit - watermelon. 

DESSERT - Select easy to eat pick-up desserts such as cookies (I brought Snookies Cookies - yum!) and brownies or cupcakes.
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Please note that the company Solavei is no longer in business.

Most companies for services such as cable, phone, internet, utilities, etc.. often increase their rates. Unfortunately, many of us end up just paying the higher bill. We either can't be bothered to find a cheaper deal or it's too much of a hassle to switch or cancel. I was beyond pleasantly surprised when Solavei offered lower mobile phone rate plan options a couple of months ago. How refreshing and unusual is that!? I was on Solavei's unlimited voice + text + data plan for $49/month. This included 2GB of 4G high speed data. Since my iPhone 3G is "vintage", I didn't need to have 2GB. I can get by with 500 MB. So I switched my plan to the $39/mo unlimited voice + text + data.

I am now (happily) saving over $10/month (including taxes & fees). Plus, if you refer someone to Solavei and they sign up for mobile service, you get paid $5 every month. So far I've referred 2 people, so I'm getting paid $10/month on my Solavei debit card. You do the math... I'm really only paying a little over $30/month for my mobile phone service! How cool (and frugal) is that. Savvy!

As you can see from the chart above and below, there are 4 rate plan options to choose from. For those who only need voice and text, Solavei also has an option for only $29/month. You will never have to worry about ever going over your voice, text, even data (it just slows down after you used up the high speed limit) with their UNLIMITED plans. I used to pay over $80/month with AT&T and it was NOT an unlimited plan. 

If you are ready to save money on your mobile phone service, click HERE to get started. It's easy and smart!

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 Thrifty Tuesday! I strive to save money as much as possible everyday. So far, I've been fortunate in achieving that. Although at times there have been some unexpected emergency expenses such as car repairs, etc.. When this happens, I make sure I make up for it the following month. 

In a nutshell, these 10 thrifty tips I've listed below have helped me and other people I know cut down on their monthly expenses. I hope these practical tips will inspire some of you to do the same.

1. Create a Budget:  determine a realistic monthly budget and stick to it.

2. Eat at Home:  cook at home as much as possible and eat your leftovers!

3. Shop Thrift Stores and Yard Sales:  stop paying retail for perfectly decent furniture, clothes and more.

4. Use Coupons:  be on the lookout for coupons you will actually use from stores you shop.

5. Recycle:  bring bottles, cans, newspapers, cardboard, etc... to your local recycle center and get cash!

6. Use Rewards or Loyalty Cards:  such as credit card, coffee card, airline card, auto club card, etc...

7. Shop Around:  before buying a relatively expensive item, it pays to shop around for the best price.

8. Get Cash-back: when shopping online, receive cash-back or rebates on sites such as Mr. Rebates.  

9. Dollar Stores:  shop for non-food items such as greeting cards, office, kitchen & laundry supplies.

10. Homemade Gifts:  create unique gifts such as fresh baked cookies, plant arrangements, jewelry, etc...

Happy Thrifty Tuesday! I've added more money saving tips!

1. Cook at home more and eat out less often.
2. Make your own homemade gifts.
3. Walk whenever you can, saves gas and is a great exercise.
4. Be aware of bank fees and avoid out-of-network ATM fees.
5. Host a clothes, bags, shoes swapping party with friends.
6. Cancel your landline, rely on your mobile phone.
7. Pay bills online and save money on postage stamps.
8. Cancel your cable and watch your favorite shows online.
9. Turn off lights when not in use.
10. Make a grocery list before heading to the supermarket.
11. Shop thrift stores, garage sales and second hand stores.
12. Instead of a fancy hair salon, get a haircut at a cheaper salon.
13. Upcycle and re-purpose old items vs. discarding them.
14. Use a rewards credit card and pay balance off every month.
15. Order water instead of expensive drinks when dining out.
16. Pack light when traveling to avoid checking in luggage.
17. Join loyalty and rewards programs for perks and discounts.
18. Rent movies instead of paying high theater prices.
19. Always comparable shop to get the best price.
20. Keep all receipts in case you need to return something.
21. Grow your own food, such as herbs and vegetables.
22. Shop dollar stores for basic essential stuff.
23. Wash your laundry in cold water.
24. Shop around for cheaper auto insurance.
25. Consider a vacation rental home instead of a hotel.