Posts Tagged ‘Saving Money’

Gift cards are big business! Gift card sales were $110 Billion in the USA for 2012 and that figure is expected to rise to $150 Billion by 2015. In Canada, 1.5% of the value all retail sales are paid for using gift cards, which is crazy when you think about the convenience of paying with…

Everyone likes to save money, but sometimes buying cheap or eliminating necessary expenses altogether can cost you in the long run. Some things are so important to your health and safety that it isn’t wise or cost effective to look for the cheapest option – or skip altogether. Don’t cut these from your budget no…

We all know that part of smart financial behavior is to get into the habit of saving a portion of your earnings.  The “rule of thumb” for savings is 10% of gross income.  Many save for a “rainy day,” or “nothing in particular” rather than towards any specific goal or focus. Everyone has different goals,…

Anyone in marketing can tell you that it costs a company more to acquire a new customer than it does to keep an existing one.  That’s because few of us like change, particularly the type of change that can disrupt our day-to-day lives.  It’s a hassle to switch banks, or internet and cable providers, so…

We consider ourselves to be smart shoppers – faithfully perusing store flyers, comparison shopping and checking prices online, downloading coupons and watching for deep discounts.  Canadian retailers are getting on board with Black Friday sales like they have in the US, but Boxing Day is still the busiest day for bargain-hunting shoppers in Canada. Related:…

Did you grow up in a frugal family?  Not necessarily poor, but able to stretch a dollar until it cried for mercy?  People who were raised by frugal parents can spot each other a mile away. I’ve compiled a list of some of the quirky habits and experiences I grew up with – and some…

Drivers are monitoring gas stations and consulting websites to find the lowest available gas prices in their area.  Canadians will drive a few extra blocks, or even several kilometers, out of their way to save money on gas, even if it’s just a few tenths of a cent per litre. Related: 35 Ways To Save Money…

We all know there are plenty of ways to save money, but some things are so obvious you can classify them as common sense rather than smart spending.  Drinking tap water and avoiding fast food certainly fall into that category. Other ways to save money just don’t seem worthwhile.  Making your own deodorant or toothpaste…

While reviewing my budget spreadsheet recently I noticed that our grocery bill has really been creeping upwards lately.  I realize the cost of food has increased and, now there are only the two of us at home, we tend to buy more convenience and semi-luxury items, but it still seems too high. I’m determined to…