Money Saving Tips for Frugal Living

Big News! J. Crew Opening Online Outlet Store

Photo by epicharmus

J. Crew fans rejoice! The preppy clothier just announced it's offering their outlet store online. The New York-based retailer is among the first to risk selling outlet gear over the Internet.

Sometime this month, you'll be able to combine the company's infamous 30-percent-off deals with J. Crew free shipping codes, without driving umpteen miles to some pseudo-village in the middle of nowhere.

Merchants usually place their outlet stores in out-of-the-way locations, because they prefer we buy from their main stores at prime prices. So J. Crew's decision to go online is equally off the beaten track.

16 Ways to Cut Costs on Fall Youth Sports

As nearly 41 million families across the U.S. know, fall is that glorious time of year when the cost of summer camp conveniently rolls over into youth sports.

Back-to-school tranquility is quickly forgotten when Saturdays are spent bustling from soccer to volleyball. Just enough time is left in between to grab halftime snacks, repair busted shin guards and mull over your prematurely graying hair. Tack on the cost of travel, team fees and sports equipment, and you're looking at a hectic eight weeks.

Not that the time isn't well spent. In fact, the benefits of youth sports are what make them so popular. Aside from ditching the video games, kiddos make new friends, learn the value of teamwork and, if all goes well, win a game or two. Parents (hopefully) learn to encourage gently, cheer for both sides, and not sneak home if little Johnny scores on his own goal.

Granted, the time and emotional commitment of youth sports can't easily be avoided, but many of the financial costs can. Combined with a gaggle of great fall sales and sporting goods free shipping offers, the following are 16 relatively pain-free ways to evaluate costs and save cash while pining for the temporary sanity of Sunday afternoons.

Celebrate Coupon Month with 30 Days of Clipping Tips

Did you know that this September is the 13th annual National Coupon Month?

In celebration of Coupon Month, the website ILoveCouponMonth.com is sharing a wealth of money-saving coupon tips, resources and statistics with consumers. In addition to this information, every day throughout the month of September I Love Coupon Month will be sharing a new money saving tip.

Do you love Coupon Month?

Baby Proofing Your Home the DIY Way

Photo by megnut

Baby proofing sounds like an expensive proposition to new parents, already faced with mounting medical bills and outfitting an infant nursery. But baby proofing your home the DIY way can reduce some of that stress, if done correctly.

Naturally, you won't be able to handle everything yourself. There are some baby proofing products that simply must be purchased and it's particularly important to buy safe furniture for infants and toddlers. Fortunately, Pottery Barn Kids free shipping codes help defray costs while ensuring your child will remain safe during those all-important early years. 

In other areas, however, you can be frugal without fear. Here are 11 ways to keep your child safe without spending a fortune.

1. Slip-Proof Your Rugs
Instead of replacing rugs and door mats with expensive slip-proof versions, use rolls of rubber-matting used to line cupboard shelves. Cut and sew together the matting to the size needed then baste the rubber to the rug.

Learn 31 Ways to Save on Funeral Costs

Photo by Thomas Hawk

Traditional funeral services are an ancient American scam, prevalent in a thankfully shrinking sector of the Death Care Industry. Just as the Wedding Industrial Complex and Christmas profiteers take advantage of emotional Americans, these tricksters twist fragile emotions into morbid profit.

Chris Goes, co-owner of Goes Funeral Care and Crematory in Fort Collins, Colo, is one of a new breed of 'funeral service providers.' Goes, a self-styled "Funeral Guy," says his staff works to provide clients with "enough information that they have a sense of control and understanding while dealing with the issue of death.

"We're committed to helping create the most meaningful tribute to a person's life at a sensible price because it's the right thing to do."

Sadly, a minority of those in the Death Care Industry aren't interested in this new philosophy. Here are 31 price-gouging tactics and services to avoid while still honoring your loved one.

Duct Tape Delight

In the eternal search to simplify life to its frugal essence, one can't seek money saving options for long without discovering the multi-purposed, fabric-reinforced, pressure-sensitive adhesive agent otherwise known as duct tape. 

This beauty of a catchall device sprang into being during World War II and has faithfully occupied prime real estate in storage sheds nationwide. It is water resistant, resealable and can be found propping up a plastic tarp on many a busted car window. Plus you can find funky new colors to add some pizzazz.

You need to know how to wield this vital tool to your advantage. After all, one only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go and duct tape to make them stop. Jump on the duct tape cult bandwagon and save some serious cash.

A Beginner's Guide to Frugal Finds on eBay

Buying on eBay can be a great experience for frugal fans, if you spend a little time getting to know the tips and tricks. Even beginners can find both awesome deals and many hard-to-find items. In short, eBay.com has almost everything!

I've been a professional eBay buyer and seller for about seven years, so let me help you learn the ropes. As an example, let's shop for a purse.

1. Take advantage of the eBay search engine. Enter a few keywords for the item you are looking for in the top search bar.

We’ll use the search term “hot pink purse,” which gives us more than 1,900 items from which to choose.

Unplug Your Computer Energy Costs

Photo by Eamonn_Sullivan

Computer energy use is the secret culprit behind outrageous electric bills at almost any modern home or business office.

Most computers waste nearly half the power they draw, putting a strain on cooling fans and your wallet without doing diddly for applications. In 2004 alone, U.S. companies tossed $1 billion with lackadaisical computer-energy consumption.

Take heed of these 11 simple tricks to save without killing your computer's capabilities.

1. Check Actual Computer Energy Use
Give your system a once over with a power meter that displays how much energy you're actually eating up. Then use this handy calculator to compare your computer energy usage, wattage and projected savings with more efficient machines.

2. Downsize
Switch to a laptop when you don't need the fuller capabilities of a desktop. Laptops typically consume half the power of their bulkier cousins -- even Energy Star-rated models -- and are ideal for extended stays at the airport or local café.

Beyond Diamonds: 10 Secrets to Buying Jewelry

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Diamonds may be a girl's BFF, but give your gal quality jewelry and you're guaranteed a spot as her BFFA (Best Friend For Awhile).

Perhaps that's why jewelry stores camp at every mall corner and lifestyle center, while online jewelry stores make shopping for new bling-bling a snap. Upgrade from cubic zirconia to diamonds -- by saving with jewelry free shipping codes, naturally -- and you just may graduate from BFFA to BFF!

The trick to frugal jewelry shopping is understanding how jewelry merchants operate. Here's a peep behind those shining glass counters.

1. The Four Cs of Diamonds
Diamond merchants have gone online in a big way. For example, Sea of Diamonds free shipping both ways and guaranteed returns policies on all orders allows you to examine your purchase worry free. Remember, the diamond you see pictured online may not be the diamond you're purchasing, so that return policy is important.

8 Tips for Decorating your Dorm Room on a Dime

Ah!  The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and plastic wrapped textbooks is upon us.  College freshmeat; get ready for a whirlwind of a year. College freshmeat; get ready for a whirlwind of a year. Maybe you chose to room with your childhood friend or went potluck. Regardless of your bunkmate, you'll soon be sharing a blank-slate dorm with them. Now it's time to adorn that space.

adies especially get giddy when using Bed Bath and Beyond free shipping codes, to purchase mini-stainless fridge, coordinating desk, and comforter.  Adorning a room need not incur your father's wrath--be smart about outfitting and you can get a study-ready haven for less.

Know your limitations.  Have an accurate measure of the space you'll be living in and ask if the bed is a regular or extra long twin.  Measure all spaces precisely if you plan on buying any electronics or a desk.  Some schools prohibit the use of candles or halogen lamps--know before you buy.