Shopping Online v. shopping other places

This week I'm working on a project for my Business Statistics class.  My group is doing a survey about whether you buy things more online versus buying things off tv and if you search for deals online versus searching for ideas in the newspaper.

My aunt is someone who loves to shop on TV, but lately she has been shopping online.  She says it's easier to shop online because you can find lots of good deals, rather than sitting and watching QVC late at night. 

Another thing is searching for deals online versus searching for deals in a newspaper.  Back in the day, when newspapers were used more frequently, people would put various deals in the newspapers.  Even last year, for Black Friday, the shopping ads were put in the paper, but now, they are all online.

So let's hear it from you.  How would you rather shop?  Online or off the TV?  And how do you look for deals?  Online or in a newspaper?
Tell us here with a survey called, The Evils of Marketing.

Ultimate $$$$ Saver

Instead of going out to eat tonight, here is a great alternative: Cook hotdogs! Hotdogs are a great source of nutrition. Hot dogs are high in protein and very lean, with virtually zero fat. They have scientifically been shown to reduce kidney, liver, prostate, and heart disease. They are pretty terrific.
Also, GQ conducted a survey among some of the more prestigious women in Hollywood and found that they found men who regularly eat hot dogs to be "dead sexy." They also confessed to eating hot dogs as often as 4 times a week.
Seriously guys, hot dogs are good for your body, and they seem to make the ladies respond well. So get up from your computer and go getcha' a hotdog!

Cutting Down Holiday Spending

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas just a few weeks away, we all know that the holiday spending can get a bit much.  The old saying, "giving is better than receiving" always proves to be true, because this is the time where we tend to spend the most to give to so many people!  For me, I have to get a gift for my mom, my brother, my grandparents, a few of my cousins, my roommate, and the list goes on.  This Christmas season, I've decided that I need to scale down the cost and cut back on my spending. 

The article, "How to Cut Down on Holiday Spending" gave ten tips on how to cut back this year.

1. Create a budget. 
     (It's easy to go over budget when you don't have one...so take some time to create it!)
2. Make a gift list.
     (If you know who and what you're shopping for, then you'll be able to get just those items.)
3. Trim down your gift list.
     (Same as above, only this time it's a little smaller.  Saves money that way!)
4. Start early
     (You can get good deals if you hit the right sales)
5. Shop smart.
     (You don't have to spend a ton of money to give a nice gift.)
6. Shop second-hand.
     (It doesn't always have to be new, sometimes the best things are the oldest things!  
      So check out thrift stores and antique stores.)
7. Make it yourself.
     (It's the thought that counts. Making something from the heart is better than something store-bought.)
8. Don't shop for yourself.
     (Duh!  Quit being selfish!)
9. Skip the Christmas cards.
     (Who reads them anyways?)
10. Skip the pricey gift wrap.
     (Check out the article for some great ideas on cheap gift-wrapping ideas.)


Happy Hunting!

Cutting Tuition to Boost Enrollment

According to CNN Money, students looking for a college might be able to find themselves a deal... by finding religion.

Blake Ellis wrote,

"With church membership dwindling and more families struggling to afford the cost of college, many private religiously-affiliated colleges and universities are slashing tuition and offering incentives to attract new students -- and to stay afloat.

Some Christian colleges are cutting tuition by double-digit percentages, while others are capping the price of admission for all four years or offering huge discounts based on academic performance."

These reduced costs come at the price of reduced financial aid and scholarships offered. Also, cost cuts are made all around the universities.

Now some students worry about how attending a smaller private college might affect their ability to find a good job. In order to combat this some of the colleges are cutting out Bible or Christian from their names.

"Johnson Bible College, in Knoxville, Tenn., for example, changed its name to 'Johnson University' earlier this year to 'eliminate barriers that our students and graduates often face,' the college's president Gary Weedman said in a statement on the school's website."

Overall the idea of cutting tuition is very appealing to students, but one has to decide what is worth reducing in order to facilitate the lower costs.

Check out the article, Want Cheaper Tuition? Find Religion, and tell me what you think. Should MNU apply any of the ideas or concepts presented?

Staycation

Here's another way to save a little green:

STAY HOME!!! My first thought when I think of a nice evening in Kansas City is pretty typical. Go to a nice restaurant downtown, maybe catch a play, sporting event, opera, etc. (Ok, I don't really like opera.) Now this is quickly turning into a Visa commercial.

Gas $20
Parking $10
Dinner $50
Date with Her: Priceless

Unfortunately this adds up FAST, especially for a college kid. I am not saying everyone should just 'cheap out' on date night, but here are a few ideas. First of all, stay home! Try cooking a meal with your date. There are hundreds of possibilities as far as the menu goes, most of which can feed a party of two for around $25. Instead of going to the movies ($10 a person) try renting a movie. If you actually prefer talking to your date, maybe pick up a card or board game. On a whole other level, girls are weird and enjoy a leisure walk. It's the strangest phenomenon: they enjoy walking in no particular direction for no particular reason. Yet, for some women it can make their day! Again, if you like talking to your date this might not be a bad idea. Plus, the price is right!

More Tips for Saving at the Pump

So last time we discussed a few ways to save some money while visiting the gas station. Well, a few more tips never hurt, so for those eager to save Check this out!

Score a gas discount with coupons and deals

Did you know that some gas stations offer coupons in newspapers or online? According to the article, "A quick web search will result in printable coupons for as much as 7 cents off per gallon, but they're scattered across various stations around the country."

Here's a challenge: Check and see if you can find any coupons for gas savings online and let me know!

Also, have you tried shopping for more than just food at discount clubs like Sam's Club or Costco?

You can score savings up to 5 cents off per gallon based on your grocery spending.

Money Saving Tips

So, when I am bored, I liked to look up random stuff.  And since this blog is mainly based upon ideas for being thrifty, I found a website called Money Saving Tips.  I thought this was an adequate site because it has a bunch of random ways to save money.
One idea is to cut coupons.  Now, I do not normally go "couponing" but you can save tons of money by doing that!  One of my friends likes to save coupons and she gets lots of stuff for cheaper than the regular price.
Another idea is to take up hobbies that do not cost money...which can be basically anything you want.
Finally, it said to try to get group discounts.  This is a great idea, because you can save lots of money that way!  For instance, I am going to the Hillsong concert in Springfield, MO.  The individual tickets were about 30 bucks, while a group of 10 or more cost only $18 per person!  I got my tickets with a group of people, so I saved money by buying with a group.
Basically, anything you decide to do you can find easy ways to cut back the costs and save yourself some money!

Gas-Saving Devices

There are many different products in the automotive department that are supposed to instantly increase gas mileage in any vehicle. However Popular Mechanics recently tested 7 different fuel saving devices and found NO CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE of any fuel savings realized.
To date, the EPA has tested around 100 different fuel savers and found only 12 to have even a slightly positive effect.
The piston engine has been around for around 100 years. Many brilliant minds have looked at every angle, every dimension, every possibility to squeeze a little more power out of our Detroit power-plants. That's not to say improvement is impossible, its just not going to come in the way of a plastic part found on Ebay for $3. The best way to guarantee good fuel efficiency in any vehicle is pretty simple.

1. Check to make sure the air pressure is at the manufacturer's recommended level.
2. Make sure the wheels are balanced and the frame is straight. Any wobbles should be fixed.
3. Get the oil changed every 3,000 miles. Synthetic/non-synthetic does not matter.
4. Routine check-ups every year after the car has passed 75,000 miles.
5. Make sure air filter/fuel filter are clean and coolant is at appropriate level.

Bank of Debit Card Fees

Do you bank at Bank of America? If so, and you use a debit card you are being charged a $5 monthly fee just for using your debit card. This comes at a time when many banks and businesses are looking for all sorts of ways to nickel and dime customers. It is a source of irritation for many of us as we feel that we already pay so much and know that the banks are making quite a bit of money. It is especially a source of frustration knowing that banks such as Bank of America accepted bailout money but now are charging extra fees to customers. Its as if we have payed double. If you are tired of the extra fees check out Debit Card Fees: Some Banks Say No with a list of banks that won't be charging extra fees.

Being Nifty with Pinterest

As we all know, there is a lot of hype going on about Pinterest.  Basically it is this online, virtual pinboard where you can create different boards for different reasons.  For instance, there could be boards about weddings, food, quotes, etc., or pretty much anything your heart desires.  I think that pinterest is neat because of all the different ideas that you can get from it.  If you see something you like on someone else's board, then you can "re-pin" it to your boards and you can upload your own ideas onto your boards too!  This is a really great site for those who like to try new things or to get new ideas for various occasions.  This is also a really great site for those who are wanting to save money, yet be able to create things that look like a million bucks!  It's easy to get started, you just have to go online, request an invite, and then create your account.  After that, it just depends on how much time you put into it if you want to spend hours or just a few minutes looking at other people's boards.  I personally love pinterest because it's given me a ton of ideas to use for decorations, gifts, etc.  Pretty much everything that is on pinterest could be re-created (and for much cheaper too) which is why this online pinboard is great to be thrifty with!

Most Fuel Efficient Vehicle Ever!!!

This is proof that two wheels are better than four. Bicycles do not require any dinosaur fuel to operate. They do use a little rubber in the tires and some elements in the frame, wheels, cables, etc. However, once they roll off the assembly line, they are 100% efficient. Zero emissions, zero carbon footprint, etc. Not to mention the health benefits realized for the operator. Regular exercise on a daily basis is shown to increase health and lead to longer life.
And if your not into pedaling (Harold Flach), try motorcycles. Motorcycles are extremely efficient. Mopeds get around 100 MPG. If you like girls and want them to notice you, I reccomend you stay away from mopeds. However, even your typical Harley can get upwards of 45 MPG on the highway AND in town. They also carry the advantage over bicycles in that they can carry two pasengers.
Bicycles and Motorcycles can be lots of fun. They can also be incredibly dangerous. However, with proper precautions (training, helmets, safety courses, etc) they can be a great way to save a little $$$

Reducing What You Spend on Gas!

All of us are looking for a way to reduce the amount that we spend on gas each week. So, here are some ways to reduce how much you spend:

• Buy from local, independent gas stations. THey are often cheaper than the "Branded outlets like BP, Shell and Exxon Mobil." The branded outlets are usually higher priced because they are required to purchase a particular type of gas to meet contract requirements. Often these contracts can result in a 10-15 cents more for each gallon they sell.

• Fill up your tank at the beginning of the week on a Monday or Tuesday. This is beneficial because the Department of Energy releases a weekly report on Wednesday. When there is negative news gas prices will often rise. This can save you a few dollars each week.

• Use that smart-phone. There are applications such as GasBuddy and Cheap Gas that can help you find the cheapest gas.

• Maintain your car. Just by keeping tire pressure at the suggested pressure you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3%, or save you up to 10 cents per gallon of gas

• Also, if you fix or repair a car that is failing emissions tests it can increase your car's efficiency by about 4%, this equals about a 14 cent a gallon savings.

• Drive defensively. Aggressive driving = speeding, rapid acceleration and braking This can lower your mileage by about 33% on the highway and by about 5% in town, and can cost you from 18 cents to $1.16 per gallon of gas.

All things considered, if you're serious about saving money then these are some great ways to cut back on gas. Check out "Savings Experiment: How to Suffer Less Pain at the Pump" to learn even more!

Do It Yourself: Mason Jars

So lately I've been into the whole, "do it yourself" craft ideas.  I've crocheted hats, made decorations out of string and clothespins, and tried various other things.  Well, in about a month, my cousin is getting married and she is decorating her reception with Mason Jars.  I personally think that's a super cool and cute idea, so I started looking up different DIY Mason Jars projects and one that I found I really liked...a lot!  It's the DIY: Tinted Mason Jars in Rainbows.  I've seen several different sites that have DIY tinted Mason Jars, but this is the one I found that I liked the best.  

The downfall of this DIY project is that once you color the Mason Jars, you can't put water in them and they're definitely not safe to drink out of.  But, they are great for decorations and look really awesome if you put candles or flowers in them!  (One tip said to put a smaller jar with water inside the Mason Jar if you want to put flowers in them).

So...enjoy your new DIY: Tinted Mason Jars project!

Out with the Old in with the Cash.-- Re-Commerce

You, just like me, and many others have old unused items laying around our house. Be it an outdated Ipod, clothes no longer warn, or furniture no longer needed there is a potential to recover some of the capital you originally invested. The best way to recover that capital in today's economy is no longer hosting a garage sale at your home, but rather having a digital garage sale. Doing this via the internet is called re-commerce. Many of you are familiar with eBay, craigslist and other websites which allow users to sell items. In fact, many people use such websites as a main business portal. If you have the time and your items for sale are worth enough to pay to list them on the likes of eBay it is a great portal. If you don't though, check out craigslist.com. This website allows you to list items for free to sell. If you want to receive store credit or a gift card for selling items you should check out gazelle.com. There are so many avenues to resell your used items that it makes no sense to leave them laying around. Get rid of the junk and bring in some extra cash. For more information on websites and the how to of saving via junk check out "Savings Experiment: How to Get Money for Your Clutter".

Ways to Save While Shopping

Two words: Email Promotions.  Basically anytime you go to a department/clothing store and buy something, you get asked if you want to receive emails regarding coupons, promotions, etc.  This is a great way to hear about new deals coming up, discounts, sales, and more!  You can sign up to be on any store's email list by just asking when you check out, or if you create an online account with that store.  I was checking my email earlier today and I saw that with one of the stores, I could receive 25% off when I purchase items online.  Other stores send me promotions daily about the various items going on clearance or sales that are starting.  Some stores seem to have sales going on every week.  If you want to find a great way to save while shopping, signing up for the email promotions is a great way to do this!

Here's something NOT new. Gas is expensive. Despite recent drops in prices, gas is still well over $3 a gallon in the KC area. Here's a cool trick that will help save a little $$$ at the pump. Got a smartphone? Download the app "Fuel Finder: Cheapest Gas in the US and Canada." This app is produced by Bottle Rocket. What this add does is simple: It finds the cheapest gas. The user can choose what fuel grade (leaded, unleaded, super, diesel, etc.) The app finds your location. Then the user can choose to sort by; price, distance, and fuel grade. Each gas station listed is shown with a telephone number, the name of the gas station, address, and a link to directions. As of 9AM on this 27th day of September the cheapest gas in the area is $3.27 and can be found at several QuikTrips in the area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC5CyxudPqw

MNU is famous!! Check this link out!!! :D

Cutting the Cost of College

It seems that tuition for college continues to rise as scholarships fall. The amount owed by a student at the end of four years can reach triple digits. And even with such a large investment students are not guaranteed a job. According to the CNN article "Stop the Tuition Madness" the cost of private college has risen 60% over the past 10 years! to put the increase into perspective, the cost of living rises about 2-3% each year. That means collegee tuition is rising almost double the rate as most other costs. So what does the CNN article suggest be done to combat the rising costs of college? First, outsourcing tasks such as dining and IT, and shifting services online such as registering. Also, enacting a mentor ship program, such as Southern new Hampshire University in Manchester. The mentor program helps students to enroll in the proper courses and not waste money on unneeded credits. And Lastly, the article also suggests leveraging technology. This can be applied by updating a campus with cost saving technology such as energy-saving systems. Of the many ideas in the article, I thought that these three ideas to be the most intriguing and practical ways to cut costs at college. Now, how does this apply to an individual student? I think as a student and a member of a college it is our responsibility as well as employees of a university to lobby for cost saving and financially responsible policies. Remember, it is your tuition so be mindful of how it is spent.

Top 5 coupon cutting sources

"5 best coupon-clipping web sites" smart money mag.

http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/5-best-coupon-clipping-web-sites-23634/

Coupon sites (online/printable coupons)

Hello everyone here's our first post! Wanna save money on the things you need! I do! Well here's some helpful sites to help find online and download printable coupons. This is good for food, clothes or anything you could search for. Some of the sites ask for you to sign-up. And don't worry I wouldn't recommend it if I hadn't tried it first. I did and it's absolutely free and they send coupons through via email on things you are interested in.

www.couponcabin.com

www.couponmom.com