DIY Life

The Sunday paper and a pair of scissors: that's how I've traditionally gotten grocery coupons. Technology is changing that, though. There are new ways to save money using computers and cell phones, among other things, to access deals on everyday grocery items. Here' s a quick primer:

Printable coupon websites are a great way to access new savings. Use these sites to download and print paper coupons. Popular sites include Coupons, Smart Source, Red Plum and Wow Coupons. Make a point of checking once a week for the brands you regularly buy.

Next stop, bookmark sites like Retail Me Not and Coupon Cabin. In addition to printable coupons, these sites identify coupon codes redeemable at specific websites. Use the codes for discounts or free shipping on your online purchases. Like printable coupon sites, they are totally free to use. (Yes!)

Good shoes are so expensive! Great fit and great price ... but the looks don't thrill you? Buy 'em. Maybe you can give them a DIY makeover. Same goes for comfy but boring shoes you already own. Vintage earrings, stencil cutouts, spray painting, crochet and collage. Get some inspiration and get to work.

Blogger Vera Sunshyne's inspired and adorable Mary Janes were made from a $6 pair of garden clogs purchased from Big Lots. A little clever stenciling and cutting, superglue and embellishments of choice (rhinestones or beads look great) and look at the result. I would need a generous dose of patience to do this craft right, though.

Shoe fanatics have started a Flickr photo pool dedicated to shoe makeovers. Shoe Refashion: Refresh Your Step is a Flickr group that anyone can view, although you must be a member to add photos. These people know how to have fun with shoes. Take a peek.

Maximize your dollars by making good use of your freezer. It's amazing how much you can save by freezing on even a small scale. For example? I now buy cheese in bulk at Costco or when I spy a good sale, and I freeze it in small batches. I was surprised to learn that cheese freezes beautifully ... and I now regret years of tossing moldy cheese!

Cheese is actually just one of many foods that freeze surprisingly well. So get creative and start using your freezer for more than just meats and casseroles! Here's a handy list for you to keep in mind next time you're shopping:

Yes, Freeze Them!

Fresh whipped cream, butter, milk, cheese, root ginger (grate it as you need it), nuts, grated coconut, homemade pancakes, herbs (e.g. fresh rosemary and basil) and spices, meat or vegetable stock, cooked rice, tomato paste, bread dough, pizza dough, cookies, cakes, pies, sauces, Chinese takeout, vodka (and rum and tequila – the alcohol won't freeze, but the cold keeps them chilled).

It seems that when I look at our budget, the greater portion of our expenses seem to be spent on food. Yes, we are self-proclaimed Foodies, so we tend to splurge on good things to eat. The good news is that there are ways to save money in the kitchen; your love of food doesn't have to break the bank.

1. Make a weekly menu and shop accordingly: Creative meal planning wastes less. You'll be less apt to buy things that aren't on your grocery list, and you'll have everything you need for the week's meals, thereby saving gas on fewer trips to the grocery store.

2. Use extra foods to make soups or stews: It's OK to buy that jumbo bag of broccoli florets. After you use what you need in Tuesday's stir-fry, throw the rest into a pot with onions, broth, some dried beans, and some seasonings. The result will be a healthy soup that you can freeze for lunches later. Some of my favorite meals have been the clean-out-the-refrigerator-stews!

I know, I know, you're hearing about the green movement everywhere, and it's even more prevalent now that the gas prices have risen sky-high. You want to do your part, but sometimes it's hard to know where to begin.

You want to start where it will do the most good and save you the most money, right? Green Home has put together a table that can help you figure out the best ways for you to go green.

I'm concerned about gasoline right now, as I drive a (smallish) SUV -- my next car is a hybrid, I promise! I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I could save over $2000.00 over the next five years if I just drive more slowly (under 60 m.p.h). Tell that to my lead foot, then join me after the break for more green money-saving tips.

Technology is both a blessing and a curse. Sure, cell phones are getting smaller and smaller, which is a plus for portability. To me, though, small cell phones spell opportunity for accidents. It is easier for them to slip through hands and wind up, say, in a bathtub, boiling pot of pasta, or bowl of soup.

If you are like me and you've just ruined your free cell phone that came with your cheap calling plan, you probably aren't too alarmed. Is that fancy iPhone more your style? You'll want to do something about your wet cell phone, and fast.

Popular Mechanics gives detailed, step-by-step instructions of how to attempt to save your cell phone after getting it wet. Tips like surrounding it in dry rice or silica gel packets could help, as could using an air compressor or shop vac to blow or suck the wetness out.

Other tips? Avoid heat (no hair dryers!) and rinse with fresh water if salt water has gotten into your cell. Hopefully these tips will help you save your fancy cell phone so you don't end up with the free version, like me.

(via HackNMod)

Do you have old tapes kicking around? Recently, my husband's parents cleared out the old boxes they had been keeping from his childhood. Along with some trophies and LEGO there were boxes and boxes of cassette tapes. Many were mixes that he'd spent hours recording off the radio and making the perfect music compilation. As fun as those are to listen to, most of it can be downloaded. You'll get better quality and most of those 80's favorites should be readily available. What can't be downloaded elsewhere are his first music recording or memorable concerts. There were also some old books on tape that I haven't seen in ages. These recordings can't be replaced.

A year ago, Lifehacker taught us how to digitize old cassette tapes. In the spirit of getting organized before the New Year, let's get rid of the tape boxes, and get those recordings digitized. In case you missed it last year, or it's still on your to do list, have a look through the instructions. With a few tools and Audacity (an audio editing program), you can save these tapes in digital format to enjoy again and share with your children and grandchildren. The best part is that you can then ditch all those old boxes that are taking up space in your garage.

There are dozens of ways you can save money and protect your budget while gift shopping. This is especially important during holiday time because most people will be spending money in amounts above their normal budget and they'll be spending that money in places they might not normally shop. It's the responsibility of each of us to be our own smart shopper. With some assistance from Consumer Action, I have brought you this list of suggestions for saving and protecting your money during the holiday shopping season.

AOL Money has an interesting article: Top 5ive Things Never to Repair. Although you'll need to check the article itself to understand the reasoning behind it, if you're curious, the five items are:

• Computers
• Digital cameras
• MP3 players
• Microwaves
• Cell phones

Read more about it after the break!

A recent poll that I looked into surveyed opinions about the need for various insurance policies. The survey showed that over 80% of the poll respondents feel that insurance is necessary to some degree. What the poll didn't address was how we feel about paying those nasty insurance premiums.

I want to address the high cost of auto insurance premiums and give you some solid suggestions on how to lower your annual cost of auto insurance by possibly hundreds of dollars. What it all comes down to is how much money you want to save and how serious you are about doing that. Some of my suggestions may require you to change some of your attitudes about your automobile and your driving strategy altogether but when the times are getting tougher and the dollars are getting shorter, it's time to take a serious look at how you do some things.

We all agree: Hospitals and doctors are a good thing. Good for you, in fact. Just ask your doctor.

But what happens when your health-care gets too expensive? Americans spend hundreds a year on doctor visits -- and maybe 10 times as much for hospital stays? Money magazine says you don't have to with 50 ways to cut your health-care costs. Here's a list of 10 that will help you cut your bills down to something more reasonable.

1. Ask for a deal. The rate for your doctor isn't set in stone.
   
2. Get the facts. The more you know about the real cost of your care, the better you'll be able to negotiate discounts.
   
3. Pay up front, in cash and get a discount. Most doctors lose thousands each year on unpaid bills and spend thousands on credit-card processing fees.
   
4. Look for mistakes. As many as eight out of 10 hospital bills contain errors.
   
5. Check up before you check in. Radiologists, anesthesiologists and other specialists don't always accept the same insurance as the doctor who admits you to the hospital.
6. Track your spending. Do you know when you've met your deductibles or how much money is left in your health FSA?
7. Follow doctor's orders. Roughly half of all patients don't follow instructions about taking medicine, which results in 10% of hospital visits a year.
   
8. Equip yourself. Hospitals charge a significant markup on equipment like crutches or braces, so your almost always better off buying them on your own.
9. Seek smart counsel. If you're seeing a mental-health therapist every week, you're probably footing much of the bill.
   
10. Visit a retail health clinic. Got an earache or upset stomach? Visit a walk-in clinic found at retail stores like CVS and Wal-Mart.

Tip: Don't stick your head in the sand. It may be human nature to wish your problems away or to hope some windfall like a winning lottery ticket will bail you out, but failure to act on your hospital bills is just dooming yourself for trouble. The hospital may interpret your silence as an unwillingness to pay your debts rather than an inability to pay them.

How many times have you gone up to the ATM -- to get $20 -- only to get a receipt that says insufficient funds. Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather the person behind me in line didn't realize that I'd just hit financial rock bottom. Not only is that embarrassing, but it's a good sign that your not saving any money what-so-ever. Possibly it's you just don't know how.

If you've already tried everything, give these a go. I found 5 simple ways to save money, from Gomestic, that you may not have thought about.

1. Coupons: While some people think that coupons are a hassle to use, when you begin to use them on a regular basis you will be surprised at how much you can save. I have personally witnessed people who were able to save $50 or more on a grocery bill simply using coupons they found in a $2 newspaper. Saving $50 on a regular basis will make a big difference on your bank account in the long run.
2. Shop for discounts: You will be surprised at what you can find. Many people think paying full price means they are getting a better product, but this is not always the case. For example, I have purchased many clothing items from flea markets, ebay and other such sites that offer extraordinary savings and people have given me plenty of compliments. I have several skirts I purchased for only $10...that's right $10 and I have received more compliments on them than I can remember. If you take the time to search, you can find incredible products at inexpensive prices.
3. Exercise for free: Yes, sometimes joining a gym or organized exercise group can be fun, but depending on the cost, you can save a large amount of money by exercising for free. Take a walk or jog around your neighborhood. You do not have to worry about any additional cost except for the cost of your workout clothes and your shoes. And, if you want some variety, you can make one time purchases on a bike, roller blades, or any other type of exercise product that you can utilize again and again. You can lose weight, have fun, and save money all at the same time.
4. Eat healthier: Purchasing the makings for salads at grocery stores and healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables are relatively inexpensive. When you eat healthier you don't get sick as often and, thus, you save significantly on medical bills, prescriptions, and remedying a health issue you could have easily avoided.
5. Search for free leisure activities: You will be surprised at all the fun things you can find to do that are absolutely free of cost to the public or cost very little. For example, during Christmas time Long Beach, California holds a light parade that features a long strip of neighbors who collaboratively decorate their homes to the nine's and have everything from Disneyland-like battery operated animated figures on their lawns to real live ornately dressed carolers signing to passersby. It is quite an extraordinary experience and it is completely free to the public.

Making small changes (as simple as these) will help you save a significant deal of money in the long run. You work hard for your money. After all, the next time you get in line for the ATM, you'll want to be able to get money out.