Some people are naturally frugal, but others come to frugality because they want to save money for some objective such as saving for their children’s college education or their own retirement.
Others learn to cut corners because they have less money due to job loss or pay raises that never come.
Whatever your situation, if you have decided to become more frugal, here are some steps you can take today to keep more money in your pocket:
Each year, the tax laws change. New taxes are levied, and some taxes are cut.
For 2013, you are likely to see some new taxes as old tax cuts expire and as new taxes are imposed. The new year is likely to bring with it new impacts on your budget.
While there is no saying, for sure, what will happen (what with budget talks underway, and negotiations attempting to avoid the fiscal cliff), here’s what’s possible so far:
You’ve heard me talk about Groupon before. I’ve reviewed Groupon and I wrote about their Gap national deal a while back.
Truth is I don’t usually mention deals here on Free From Broke, but this deal was pretty popular last year and Groupon is running it again this year.
Here’s today’s deal:
American Apparel
or
Groupon deals tend to be for local stores and activities but occasionally they roll out a national deal. This particular deal is limited to one per person, for U.S. residents only. You can buy an additional Groupon as a gift.
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Do you fly United Airlines with any frequency?
Would you like special flying privileges on your United flights? Would you like to earn free flights and more?
If you answered yes to any of the above then you need to look at the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card from Chase.
The United MileagePlus Explorer Card is considered an airline miles credit card. What that means is the purchases you make earn you airline miles which can be redeemed for flights and more. Airline miles cards are a great way to use your purchases to earn you free flights.
Black Friday leaked over into Thanksgiving evening this year, but retailers thought it was a successful move.
You can bet more retailers will be opening up at 8pm on Thanksgiving evening in the future because despite complaints from some potential customers and the threat of protest from workers, people still showed up.
You can’t really blame stores for opening earlier because they are so dependent on the revenue push from holiday shopping. And if customers keep showing up for earlier and earlier deals, the stores will keep opening.
Next up?
Cyber Monday is officially on Monday, but many online stores have been running online deals all weekend long. Thankfully if you choose to participate in Cyber Monday you could do it from home or work via your browser or smartphone.
Black Friday isn’t just for retail stores.
ING Direct/Capital One 360 (Capital One 360 is their new name come February) is offering up their annual Black Friday specials this year from November 23rd through November 25th.
If you don’t feel like going out and spending your money you can check out what ING Direct will be offering for you to save.
You know I’ve been an ING Direct customer for years and think it’s a great place for online savings so I’m pretty excited to see what they are going to offer (we also use their online checking and their ShareBuilder investing site)!
When you do your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping don’t just think of things for the upcoming holidays — think long-term!
Many sales are at their best on these days. It may be worth it for you to take advantage now and buy items for events and purposes throughout the year.
Many a time has passed where I thought I’d see an item on sale again but it ended up not being as good as the Black Friday or Cyber Monday price. Damn! Missed out.
Of course for this to work you have to have money in your budget to buy extra now for the rest of the year. It’s silly to put great deals on credit if you are going to end up paying credit card interest later on.
If you think out it and plan well, buying now can save you money, and time, for the upcoming year.
A lot of people in New York and New Jersey are only now becoming aware of the full extent of the damage brought on by Super Storm Sandy.
After nearly two weeks working just to get electric power on and gasoline for cars, the difficult job of rebuilding is about to begin.
There is help from various sources, first and foremost from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Relief Agency whose primary responsibility it is to be available to provide assistance in just such a disaster. Many people are only remotely aware of what FEMA does, and if you live in the battered Middle Atlantic region, you’re now finding out first hand.
Do you fly Southwest Airlines?
Do you want to earn free flights as well as hotel stays, gift cards and more including international flights?
Then read on for my Southwest Airlines® Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card review and see if the card is good for you.
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday shopping season is about to hit full force.
Retailers desperate for higher and higher holiday season revenue have pushed well into Thanksgiving evening to kick off Black “Friday”. They’re also requiring a good chunk of their employees to work the holiday evening — an overnight shift that requires those employees to either cut Thanksgiving dinner short or to sleep during the holiday to prepare.
How will you be spending Black Friday? Scrambling through malls to buy your family more stuff? Spending it relaxing? Working?