Evan Vitale

Evan Vitale – Big Budget Savings (Part I)

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By Evan Vitale

If you’re looking for ways to trim the fat; stay within your budget or just save some extra money for a rainy day (or a vacation), check out these tips that can help you find some extra money.

Cable TV – This is huge and chances are you can find some opportunities here to save some money. If you are happy with your current cable package, take a look at possible bundling packages with your service provider. By adding internet and telephone services, you’ll save big. If you’ve already bundled, call your cable company and see if they can help you find ways to save money (without pulling the plug). Sometimes, they’ll give you a better rate for being a good customer or, perhaps, you may have the option to drop drown a package tier. It might mean less channels, but it can add up to big savings.

Another television opportunity is to switch providers entirely by signing up with a satellite dish network. A friend of mine dropped his cable TV service and switched providers – a $40 per month savings (plus more channels)!

Cell Phone – Here is another area in which you can save big. Call your current provider and negotiate for a better rate. In some cases, you might be able to extend your current contract; get a new phone and find a package that can save you some money. If not, shop around for a different provider.

Alarm Service – If you have a home alarm service, call them and negotiate a better rate. Chance are good they will work with you rather than lose your business all together.

These three tips are just a start, but you can find big savings in all three areas.

Get started now. Save now. We’ll have some more tips next week!

Evan Vitale – Budget Coupon Power!

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By Evan Vitale

So, you’ve cut unnecessary expenses; use coupons from time-to-time, but you’re always on the lookout for ways to help stretch your budget from week-to-week and month-to-month.

Face it: the No. 1 item that you can’t go without is food. You need to make healthy (and smart) choices for meals for you and your family. If you haven’t done so already, taking a closer look at coupon usage at the grocery store is definitely a way to stretch your budget.

Here are five easy ways you can save more at the grocery store without having to skimp on food quality:

Look for and use coupons that offer “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” offers. This is the best way to save, but you need to always be on the lookout for these kinds of deals. Check your coupons in the Sunday paper or online. In some cases, these deals might be available in-store only, so keep your eyes opened when you scan the grocery store shelves.

Watch your expiration dates on coupons. If you want to be a true coupon-clipper, coupons only work when you use them before they expire.

Don’t be afraid to purchase off-brand every once in a while. You might find the grocery store brand tastes just as good and might be even cheaper than using a coupon for the national brand item. Canned green beans are canned green beans. Right?

Use store brand coupons and shopping discount cards. Look for those deals that let you know 10 cans of corn for $10 but only when you use your shopping discount card. When it comes to groceries, always become a proud discount card holder. Discounts here and there add up when you hit the cash register and, in some cases, many store chains offer points for more discounts or gasoline discounts when you use your shopper card.

Share or trade your coupons with family and friends, especially coupons you don’t need or use. Some neighborhoods will form a coupon club. Why not trade baby food and formula coupons with someone who needs them in exchange for coupons that you and your family can use?

Once you get started clipping and using coupons, you’ll quickly be surprised on how much money you and your family can save and still enjoy the same times of foods and products that you’ve been purchasing all along.

Evan Vitale – Big Savings At Dollar Stores

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By Evan Vitale

You’re probably used to seeing them in just about every town and, sometimes, they are located in nearly every strip shopping center these days.

No, we’re not talking a Starbucks Coffee shop, either.

Instead, “dollar” stores are becoming a very popular retail destination for many people (young and old) when trying to stretch your dollar, stay within your monthly budget, and find good days on every days products.

Dollar stores have come a long way. They are no longer the dirty, low-rent stores selling absolute and out-dated products. Have you visited one lately?

Dollar stores are easy to operate and, in some cases, the inventory is refreshed with new products added almost daily. Here are a list of things you can expect to find at a dollar store:

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Paper goods, such as napkins, paper towels
  • Personal health care items, such as shampoo, etc.
  • Toys, coloring books, etc.
  • Party supplies
  • Pet care, automotive products
  • Office supplies and back-to-school supplies
  • Seasonal items, especially for Christmas, Halloween, etc.
  • And, yes, in some cases, food items including soup, tuna, bread, drinks, candy, etc.

When you visit a dollar store for the first time, take your time and browse every aisle. You’ll probably be surprised at what you find and you’ll quickly spot items that you’ve purchases elsewhere (and paid more money).

Get into a habit of saving money by making the dollar store a regular weekly stop on your shopping trips. Some will visit the dollar store first before going to their regular grocery store.

If you’ve haven’t been a regular shopper at a dollar store, it’s definitely something you should consider when living on a tight budget and saving some money!

Evan Vitale – Staying On Track With Your Budget Resolutions

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By Evan Vitale

Congratulations! You’ve made it one month into 2016 and, hopefully, you’re still on track with your personal budget resolutions.

Of all the resolutions you may have made on January 1 – losing weight, finding a new job, breaking a bad habit, etc. – your budget resolution may be the most important one.

A recent study conducted by the University of Scranton shows that more than half of those who set budget resolution goals give up within the first three months. However, those who made it to the six-month mark, stayed on track for the entire year.

If you haven’t created a persona budget for 2016, it’s never too late to get started. If you have a budget, now is a good time to review it.

Here some other things you should consider when creating or reviewing your personal budget:

  • Try to put a little bit aside as an emergency fund. This way, you’ll always be ready for the unexpected. Typically, an emergency fund covers approximately three-to-six months of daily expenses. Hopefully, you’ll never need to tap into those funds, but it will give you peace of mind knowing emergency funds are available if such an emergency arrives.
  • Be it computer software or paper, make sure you set up a system for your budget that you are comfortable with using. Daily remembers on due dates and other action items will help you pay bills on time and avoid penalties and late fees.
  • Review your retirement plan, investments and benefits, whether you are employed or self-employed. It might be a good time to have an “update” meeting with your financial planner and/or a meeting with your benefits supervisor at your office.
  • Try to save. Adjust spending, cut back on a few extras here or find other ways to bring in more income.

Keep going on your budget resolution!