How to be frugal during a layover

If you’re a frequent flyer, you know the perils of airport travel. These days, it seems like every flight is delayed, which leaves you wandering around the airport bored. And boredom inevitably leads to spending, which is bad for the budget. But there are some ways to keep your savings account intact during a layover.

Carry-on items

It’s…

Shopping tips – how to avoid paying full price

I’m a big advocate of savvy shopping, which is why I think it’s rarely necessary to pay what’s on the price tag for an item. The internet, apps and marketplace competition can all help on your journey to savings. Here are some ways you can start to save.

Go for older electronics

If you’re fine with having a TV or…

4 ways to be a thrifty Valentine

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, which is music to the ears of the retail business. But celebrating with your loved one doesn’t have to be a hit to your checking account. Some of the best Valentine’s dates are the most creatively thrifty ones. Here are four ways to get your thrift on and keep…

3 rules for big game TV savings

If you’re looking for a new TV, now is the time to buy. Some TV sales before the big bowl game on Feb. 5 are beating out holiday-season prices. January is the time that retailers set aside for clearing out house, and prices generally drop even lower leading up to the game.

But you don’t want to be hasty when you’re shopping. If you’re thrifty, you can get a great…

How to find movie ticket savings

A night at the movies isn’t a cheap outing anymore. The last movie I saw, Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, cost me $17 a ticket. That’s some money! Of course, that was at an IMAX theater, but even a regular theater is now around $11 per ticket. If you’re paying for more than one person, an evening at the…

Strategies for saving money now

One thing that I learned during my career on Wall Street – the best way to save is to live on less than you make. Of course, building up your savings isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially if you’re spending most of what you make on regular bills. But there’s hope for you yet, even if…

Ways to save on shopping

The New Year is here, and that means it’s time to make good on those resolutions. One of my resolutions was to save on shopping.  That means finding savings on travel, restaurants, groceries and everything else that I spend on. Here are a few ways I’ve been cheating in order to find the best deals:

Get your daily deal…

Saving money on restaurants

If I have one New Year’s resolution, it’s to spend less on eating out in 2012. Like many other Americans, I spent a lot of cash on dining at eateries last year, and my net income took a hit because of it. But if you don’t want to completely give up going out to eat, there are some good ways to find savings on dining in the New…

Turn your gift cards back into money

It used to be that the holidays were a time when people gave gifts that came wrapped in brightly colored packages with big bows. It’s a nice sentiment, and a wonderful tradition, but purchasing a traditional gift for someone isn’t always realistic anymore. Sometimes you’re better off just getting a gift card to let them pick up the gift they want. After all, why give Grandpa a tie only…

For more savings, wait to buy Christmas gifts

I’m guilty, just like a lot of other Americans, of last minute shopping. But I’ve found out in past years that sometimes it pays to wait.

Many of us have multiple parties to attend during the holiday season, and some of those parties are after Christmas. Believe it or not, some of the best savings can be found right…

Throw a holiday party for cheap

I like to throw an annual holiday party. But in past years it has been a little expensive, so I’ve learned how to keep it cheap and increase my savings during the holiday season.

Here are a few ways to keep your bank account full and still throw a great party:

Search for sales

Food costs are up this year –…

3 ways to boost savings on a Christmas tree

Adding a Christmas tree to your home for the holiday season can get pricey. Not only do you have the expense of the tree, but decorations can add up as well. And even though it’s a tradition, you don’t want to end up overspending. But if you’re a little savvy with your tree shopping, you can get a good deal on a quality tree and wind up with some…

Savings advice: 3 fruitful ideas

If you’re like me at all, at the end of the month you’ll look at your spending and occasionally wonder where the money went. Of course I have my fixed expenses – the mortgage and the car payment – but what about those charges at Best Buy and Costco? I’ve done my best to reduce my fixed and discretionary spending this year and it has worked pretty well.

Here’s some…

Don’t wait to find Black Friday savings

If you’re not shopping before Black Friday, you’re missing out. A lot of stores are offering daily deals on every kind of item – from flat screen televisions to tools and books. Of course, the big day is still on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but there are a few advantages to shopping during the week before. The major advantage – you can get great deals on presents for the…

Trade holiday spending for holiday savings

Giving gifts is part of the holiday fun. And while none of want to be a Scrooge, it’s important to remember that it’s the thought that counts.

I’m guilty – just like a slew of other Americans – of spending too much on gifts during the holidays. An outing for a simple present turns into $25 here and $50 there. After several outings, that can really add up.

This year, I’ll…