Cash register tapes can lie, deceive & cheat. Therefore, it's important to speak to the store manager when you need a price check. Those are the lessons I picked up from a recent shopping trip for double-A batteries, which my middle son needed for a project (don't ask). Of course, we were out. Even our life-in-Miami, hurricane-emergency supply drawer was depleted.
So I walked to CVS. Big mistake. Sometimes, that chain has great deals, fabulous deals on merchandise. But not on that specific trip. I thought I had stumbled into a gift shop in the lobby of a South Beach hotel or at a theme park! I was shocked by the prices for a package of AA batteries. Even the no-name brand batteries were a copper-coated fortune.
So I walked to Walgreens, which had batteries that seemed affordable. I found a package for under $3, but when I got to the register, the computer scanned in $6. I approached a manager, who kindly escorted me to the battery section.
The problem: I had picked up one of the store's "last chance" orange-ticket markdown items. Unfortunately, the discounted amount was not yet keyed into the computerized scanning system. So my bargain evaporated under the red beam of an inflated digital scan.
The manager escorted me back to the cash register and told the cashier to manually override the system. I thanked him and recorded another entry for my $2 a Day Savings Challenge.
Full price of the batteries: $5.99
Sale price: $2.79
My savings $3.20
The lesson: Priceless! (Sorry, Mastercard.)
______________
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The Poetry & Drama Queen
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Showing posts with label $2 a day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label $2 a day. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
How Saving $2 Fixed My Brain: Happy New Year
I've never been diagnosed as ADD of ADHD, but if I could still for the battery of tests, I'm pretty sure they'd declare me a poster child for adult attention deficit, hyper-style. Or maybe I just multi-task too much or move too quickly. I'm too busy to really evaluate those issues or to pay someone lots of money to tell me what I already know: My creative brain is organizationally-challenged and overloaded with commitments.
But my $2 a Day Savings Challenge has delivered a new order to my hyper-drive brain waves. Here's how:
1) Better housekeeping skills. I count the small change. In short, I've tapped into the value of hyper focus. Quite frankly, some days I'm not really sure if I have honestly met my $2 a day savings target.
So then I walk around my house trying to collect $2 worth of change and in that driven pursuit of loose metal, I also tidy my house. For instance, when I pick up a quarter near the bar, I might also straighten up the newspaper pile or toss out the old store flyers. On my dresser, I've collected dimes and put away the folded clothes.
It's like collecting small tips for housework.
2) Improved diet: Confession: I'm a size 2. But this summer after working on a book project (The Frugal Duchess of South Beach; Spring 2008, DPL Press), I've gained a small bit of weight. I still wear a size 2, but only the size twos that are sold in expensive stores, where they flatter you into thinking that you are a size 2, when maybe you're a 4 or a 6 or 8 & up.
Now before the $2 a day challenge, if you asked me how I gained this weight, I would have been clueless. I do yoga and I eat tofu. But I eat lots of donuts, chips and ice cream. And that's why I can't fit into my real size 2 skirts anymore and have to wear those bigger size twos. I spend too much money on junk food! Bottom line: By trying to save an extra $2 a day, I realized that I am a junk food addict and have improved my eating habits.
3) Better organization: We lost my son's dress pants before my parents' gala 50th anniversary celebration in late August, when relatives and friends from five states were in Central Florida to meet my kids for the first time. And my teenage son only had his below-the-no belt line, below-the-knees, hip-hop shorts (very cute) to wear and it was really my fault. If we were better organized, we would not have had to purchase last-minute black dress pants and shirt for about $40 at Target.
The push to save $2 a day has made me realize that my chronic disorganization has cost us a bundle. What's more, we almost broke my mom's heart because her grandchildren almost looked like poor orphans and thugs at a major family event. The story has a happy ending because we all looked picture perfect and happy at the party.
4) Self-edit: I talk too much. I should save more and talk less. And on that note, I'm going to hit the self-edit button and say that saving $2 a day has made me slow down, pay attention and keep better track of words and money.
I'm off this line through Saturday night to Celebrate Rosh HaShanah (The New Year!).
Greetings to all!
______________
The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__
But my $2 a Day Savings Challenge has delivered a new order to my hyper-drive brain waves. Here's how:
1) Better housekeeping skills. I count the small change. In short, I've tapped into the value of hyper focus. Quite frankly, some days I'm not really sure if I have honestly met my $2 a day savings target.
So then I walk around my house trying to collect $2 worth of change and in that driven pursuit of loose metal, I also tidy my house. For instance, when I pick up a quarter near the bar, I might also straighten up the newspaper pile or toss out the old store flyers. On my dresser, I've collected dimes and put away the folded clothes.
It's like collecting small tips for housework.
2) Improved diet: Confession: I'm a size 2. But this summer after working on a book project (The Frugal Duchess of South Beach; Spring 2008, DPL Press), I've gained a small bit of weight. I still wear a size 2, but only the size twos that are sold in expensive stores, where they flatter you into thinking that you are a size 2, when maybe you're a 4 or a 6 or 8 & up.
Now before the $2 a day challenge, if you asked me how I gained this weight, I would have been clueless. I do yoga and I eat tofu. But I eat lots of donuts, chips and ice cream. And that's why I can't fit into my real size 2 skirts anymore and have to wear those bigger size twos. I spend too much money on junk food! Bottom line: By trying to save an extra $2 a day, I realized that I am a junk food addict and have improved my eating habits.
3) Better organization: We lost my son's dress pants before my parents' gala 50th anniversary celebration in late August, when relatives and friends from five states were in Central Florida to meet my kids for the first time. And my teenage son only had his below-the-no belt line, below-the-knees, hip-hop shorts (very cute) to wear and it was really my fault. If we were better organized, we would not have had to purchase last-minute black dress pants and shirt for about $40 at Target.
The push to save $2 a day has made me realize that my chronic disorganization has cost us a bundle. What's more, we almost broke my mom's heart because her grandchildren almost looked like poor orphans and thugs at a major family event. The story has a happy ending because we all looked picture perfect and happy at the party.
4) Self-edit: I talk too much. I should save more and talk less. And on that note, I'm going to hit the self-edit button and say that saving $2 a day has made me slow down, pay attention and keep better track of words and money.
I'm off this line through Saturday night to Celebrate Rosh HaShanah (The New Year!).
Greetings to all!
______________
The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Cutting Costs on Magazines: $2 a Day Savings Update
I've hit the $2 a Day Savings Challenge target by cutting my reading costs by $21. One of my favorite magazines is Poets & Writers. With informative articles about the craft of writing and leads about grants, prizes and other income-producing writing opportunities, this publication is a must-read/must-have for me.
Bottom line: I pay $6 every two months for each edition. (There is a free on-line version, but not all of the articles are available online.) So as part of my daily savings challenge, I have paid $15 for a one-year subscription vs. the $36 ($6 x 6) for newsstand costs.
Here are other ways that I save on magazine expenses.
1) Go to the public library. Despite recent budget cuts, many neighborhood public libraries have a great selection of magazines and journals.
2) Visit bookstores. Many high-end bookstores have tables and comfy chairs for reading. Sometimes, I splurge and buy a cup of coffee. But for $3, I can hangout and read about $20 worth of magazines.
3) Accept hand-me-downs. My family, friends and neighbors often pass on their magazines to me.
4) Go on-line. Most publications have free websites. Not all of the print content is posted, but there's enough to enjoy.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Sales Insanity & Honesty: $2 a Day Savings Challenge Update
Don't borrow kiddie piggy bank savings! Don't count money like Enron. Those are 2 of the honesty in savings rules I've developed for my $2 a Day Savings Challenge. These rules, I've discovered, apply not just to my daily savings target, but also to my efforts to save for bigger goals. Here are my rules so far:
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- Don't count money like Enron: It's so easy to write down phantom savings. This dubious money plan works like this: I didn't really need two new printers, but I stumble upon a buy-one-get-one half off/free offer. But honestly, if I don't need new printers, I haven't saved money by taking the BOGO offer. In fact, I've wasted money. The same applies for clothing sales, shoe sales and office-supply sales. If I buy a sale item at a bargain price, it's a waste if I buy more than I really need. Therefore, my $2 a day savings plan will not include temporary sales insanity.
- Kiddie Savings: My children have become excellent savers and shoppers. And I've helped them to figure out if a deal-is-really a good bargain. Through our joint efforts, we've saved money. But is it fair to count kiddie cash savings in my total? Nah! That's like a writing teacher taking credit for a student's poem. The teacher may have helped but the credit goes to the student. Bottom line: My children' s piggy bank savings can't be merged into my challenge total.
- The stay-at-home shopper. I'm browsing through the Sunday paper store flyers and I'm clicking through the Internet. I've even made a list of every item I want to buy, but I wisely change my mind. So does this non-activity count as a savings? That depends: If I have my credit/debit/cash card out and I change my mind just before the transaction, I have really saved money. And almost daily, I have stopped myself--money in hand--before buying junk food, expensive coffee and other non-essentials. But If I'm just making a wish list, with no plans to buy, then those savings aren't real.
______________
The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Junk Food Delusions: What I've Learned by Saving $2 Daily
I don't eat a lot of junk food, but when I do it really kills my budget. That's the first major insight from my $2 a Day Savings Challenge. The junk food tally has caught me by surprise. With my house stocked with organic veggies, herbal teas and tofu, I've never thought of myself as a junk food queen. I do yoga! I walk miles!
But while trying to save $2 a day, my daily savings candidates have often come from the junk food department: Chips, ice cream, & candy. I'm stunned and the savings were real. In nearly every case, the money was in my hand before I veered away from the cash register.
Of course, I was traveling last week and earlier this week. But still, I see a disturbing pattern.
Here's what I've learned so far from my daily $2 a Day Savings Challenge
1. Hunt down your delusions. On some level, we all periodically lie to ourselves. From shopping rationalizations to bold lies about our savings accomplishments, we aren't always honest about our money and consumption. If nothing else, my little $2 a Day Challenge forced me to realize that I was lightening my wallet and thickening my waist by spending money on junk food.
2. Pack carefully when traveling: I thought I was a careful packer. But while on the road, we overspent because we failed to pack or misplaced a few necessary items. For example, when we switched hotel rooms, somehow we lost my son's dress clothes and spent a tidy sum on a new dress shirt, pants, and black socks. Thankfully, he looked great for the evening anniversary party.
We should have also packed more snacks for the road and the hotel room. Packing more of our own treats would have prompted us to spend less at the Super Target near my parents' home. I'm embarrassed to report that on one mini-shopping trip, we spent $92* and I'm not quite sure exactly what we purchased. (I'm seeking advice about this expense. See below.)
The good news: I felt guilty about our over-sized bill. Therefore, when I walked over to the Starbucks counter at Target, I couldn't bring myself to order a Latte. I put the money back into my wallet and stepped away from the friendly Starbucks server.
Bottom line: saved $3 @ Target
Spent: $92 @ Target
But while trying to save $2 a day, my daily savings candidates have often come from the junk food department: Chips, ice cream, & candy. I'm stunned and the savings were real. In nearly every case, the money was in my hand before I veered away from the cash register.
Of course, I was traveling last week and earlier this week. But still, I see a disturbing pattern.
Here's what I've learned so far from my daily $2 a Day Savings Challenge
1. Hunt down your delusions. On some level, we all periodically lie to ourselves. From shopping rationalizations to bold lies about our savings accomplishments, we aren't always honest about our money and consumption. If nothing else, my little $2 a Day Challenge forced me to realize that I was lightening my wallet and thickening my waist by spending money on junk food.
2. Pack carefully when traveling: I thought I was a careful packer. But while on the road, we overspent because we failed to pack or misplaced a few necessary items. For example, when we switched hotel rooms, somehow we lost my son's dress clothes and spent a tidy sum on a new dress shirt, pants, and black socks. Thankfully, he looked great for the evening anniversary party.
We should have also packed more snacks for the road and the hotel room. Packing more of our own treats would have prompted us to spend less at the Super Target near my parents' home. I'm embarrassed to report that on one mini-shopping trip, we spent $92* and I'm not quite sure exactly what we purchased. (I'm seeking advice about this expense. See below.)
The good news: I felt guilty about our over-sized bill. Therefore, when I walked over to the Starbucks counter at Target, I couldn't bring myself to order a Latte. I put the money back into my wallet and stepped away from the friendly Starbucks server.
Bottom line: saved $3 @ Target
Spent: $92 @ Target
My $2 Daily Savings Challenge
Day 6 Aug. 24: (away from home)
$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$3.00: skipped Starbucks coffee (drank the free coffee from the hotel)
But overspent @ Target
Day 7 Aug. 25: (away from home)
$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$3.00: skipped Starbucks coffee
Day 8 Aug. 26: (away from home)
$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
I also found steep Florida resident discounts for a water park, but someone else paid the total bill, so I can't claim the savings.
Day 9 Aug. 27: (traveling )
$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
Day 10 Aug. 28 (back home)
$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$5.44: saved on mini notebooks from Walgreens. Full price: $1.29 per book. Sale price 20 cents each. I really use those little books, so purchased five for $1.
Subtotal Days #6 - #10: $23.34
Year-to-Date Total: $201.00*
*By the way, I'm torn about the $92 Target splurge. Should I deduct the amount spent during that -unscripted, undisciplined shopping trip from my daily savings challenge total? Any advice?
______________
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The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
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Thursday, August 23, 2007
Update #5: Saved on Gas, Water & Candy: $2 Savings Challenge
Minor savings today in the $2 a day challenge.
1. We saved on gas. Without driving out of his way, my husband found gas for $2.89 a gallon or $36 total. A competing station charged $3.17 a gallon, which would have cost us $39.48 for the same amount of gas. Total savings: $3.48.
These links are helpful for finding local gas: gasbuddy.com is great for locating the best prices in a zip code. Fuel calculator will help you figure out the amount/cost of fuel for your road trip.This Top 10 list is one of my favorite links for saving gas. I also wrote this post about saving money at the pump.
2. Water bottles. For long car rides, my husband keeps a case of water in the car. The price: 14 cents a bottle versus $1-2 a bottle at gas stations.
3. Sweet savings: My son opted to buy a small piece of candy (individually wrapped) at a gas station for about 5 cents rather than buy a larger box of Lemonhead candies for about 75 cents--thereby saving his teeth and his money. Since he used his own money, this frugal move is not included in my total. But I feature this example to show how my family has rallied behind the $2 a day savings challenge. Everyone is trying to do something for my daily report. It's a healthy competition and with everyone buying into the challenge, we're finding new ways to save more.
Day 5 Recap of the $2 Daily Savings Challenge
$2.58: daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$3.48: saved on the gas bill.
$2.58: savings on three water bottles (Based on $1 per bottle price.)
Day 5 Savings: $8.64
Year-to-Date Total: $177.66
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Update #4: Lottery Ticket Odds & $2 Savings Challenge
My $2 daily savings challenge has made me take a hard look at lottery tickets. As a small gift, I had promised to buy someone an instant lottery ticket. ($1) I honored that promise and briefly thought about buying a pair of tickets for myself. The odds of winning the top prize ($5,000) are roughly one in 2 million. (See below) So rather than scratch away my money, I put it in the bank.
Day Four Recap of the $2 Daily Savings Challenge
$2.58 daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$2.58 daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$2.00 skipped the instant lotto tickets.
Day Four Savings: $4.58
Year-to-Date Total: $168.92
$500.00 odds: 1-in-60,000
$100.00 odds:1-in-5,000
$50.00 odds: 1-in-1,200
$25.00 odds: 1-in-300
$15.00 odds: 1-in-300
$10.00 odds: 1-in-150
$5.00 odds: 1-in-50
$100.00 odds:1-in-5,000
$50.00 odds: 1-in-1,200
$25.00 odds: 1-in-300
$15.00 odds: 1-in-300
$10.00 odds: 1-in-150
$5.00 odds: 1-in-50
$2.00 1-in-30
$1.00 1-in-12
Free $1 Ticket 1-in-10
$1.00 1-in-12
Free $1 Ticket 1-in-10
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Update #3: Triple-Digit Savings on The Vet Bill: $2 Savings Challenge
Under my new savings challenge, my daily target is to save $2. That's the minimum, but sometimes even a small target can produce big results. For instance, while I'm running around the house collecting coins and giving up my daily 99-cent bag of Lays Chips, my husband has started to brainstorm for ways to capture larger savings.
Today he saved on the vet bill. Our dog Scruffy really, really needed annual shots. Our vet would have charged about $207 for a round of five shots. But at our local branch of the Humane Society, we paid only $54 for that same pet medical care. Savings: $153.
(Yesterday, for example, he found a way to save $500 on our telephone/Internet bill over a six-month period. On a daily basis that works out to a savings of $2.58 per day.)
Meanwhile, I found a copper penny on the carpet. I didn't buy junk food. I didn't buy any new clothes. But then again, other than walking the dog, I didn't really leave the house today.
______________
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The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__
Today he saved on the vet bill. Our dog Scruffy really, really needed annual shots. Our vet would have charged about $207 for a round of five shots. But at our local branch of the Humane Society, we paid only $54 for that same pet medical care. Savings: $153.
(Yesterday, for example, he found a way to save $500 on our telephone/Internet bill over a six-month period. On a daily basis that works out to a savings of $2.58 per day.)
Meanwhile, I found a copper penny on the carpet. I didn't buy junk food. I didn't buy any new clothes. But then again, other than walking the dog, I didn't really leave the house today.
Day Three Recap
one penny (found coin)
$2.58 daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
$153.00 vet bill savings.
_________________
Day Three Savings: $155.59
Year-to-Date Total: $163.34
______________
The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__
Monday, August 20, 2007
Update #2: Saved $500 in One Day: $2 Challenge
Day Two of the Save $2 challenge included a grand slam. A 30-minute phone call saved us about $500. Here's what happened. Today when he opened the mail, my husband studied a pitch from Earthlink that was priced well below our current plan with AT&T/Bellsouth.So my husband hit the phone.
His (polite) pitch: "Can you match this deal? Or should we consider moving our business?"
The conclusion: Our monthly phone bill/Internet/long distance package dropped by roughly $80 a month for the next six months or $480, plus a $50 refund for the current month.
By the way, the editor of Budget Savvy recommended a similar strategy for cutting your cable bill in this post.
When playing the match-this-deal card, it's important to really have a competing offer in front of you. The rate-cut appeal seems stronger, when you actually quote numbers and terms from the competing pitch.
In terms of our daily challenge, my husband's savings plan equals: $500 or $2.58 a day for the next six months.
Meanwhile, while organizing my working materials this morning, I found a lot of loose change:
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The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
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His (polite) pitch: "Can you match this deal? Or should we consider moving our business?"
The conclusion: Our monthly phone bill/Internet/long distance package dropped by roughly $80 a month for the next six months or $480, plus a $50 refund for the current month.
By the way, the editor of Budget Savvy recommended a similar strategy for cutting your cable bill in this post.
When playing the match-this-deal card, it's important to really have a competing offer in front of you. The rate-cut appeal seems stronger, when you actually quote numbers and terms from the competing pitch.
In terms of our daily challenge, my husband's savings plan equals: $500 or $2.58 a day for the next six months.
Meanwhile, while organizing my working materials this morning, I found a lot of loose change:
- one quarter
- 11 dimes
- six nickles
- 22 pennies
----------------------------------
total $1. 87
Additionally, for lunch I had a Lays potato chip craving, which is easy to satisfy because I live near a little store. But I skipped the chips and saved 99 cents (and about 200 calories)
Day Two Total:
$1.87 found money
$1.00 skipped chips
$2.58 daily portion of $500 telecommunications savings
_________________
$5.45 Day Two Savings
Year-to-Date Total: $7.75
______________
The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store
Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Update #1: $2 a Day Challenge: Skipping Snickers
A Snickers ice cream cone costs about $2.13 at the little mom-and-pop grocery store near my home. Usually on Sunday, I buy a Snickers cone or we buy ice cream from an upscale ice cream store in South Beach.
Today, however, as part of my $2 a day challenge, I skipped the cone and saved $2.13, which I rounded up to $2.30. The best part: 280 fewer calories for me.
Year-to-Date total: $2.30
Next update: Monday evening.
Next update: Monday evening.
Thought for the the day: "Do something every day that moves you toward your most important goal." --Change Your Thinking Change Your Life by Brian Tracy
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