Thursday, February 26, 2009

It Doesn't Get More Frugal Than This...

Alright, so as things get closer to my entering graduate school and I am still working part-time, my budget has become even tighter. I am now operating on $10/week! Well, technically that’s my spending money, including charity. Basically it’s enough to do some couponing, go out to coffee with a friend, or do something else small to keep myself happy. I’ve also been very lucky with my expenses these past weeks, only spending $5/week and the rest going towards a planned expense. This goal is officially complete! I’m also spending a little under $10/week on gas (unless of course prices continue rising), and approx. $22/week on my train ticket (I buy a monthly pass for $89). So, I guess, technically, I’m spending more like $42/week. Overall, I’m willing to share that I make $18/hr before taxes, about $14/hr after, which comes out to be $471/week. Maybe someone can recommend a savings tracker that we could add to the blog to watch my savings grow. Any additional money that I come into probably won’t be much, the only foreseeable extra income will be $3 every so often from my participation in PineCone Research studies.
The rest of my money is getting stored away for graduate school or moving out. I say “or” because at this point I’m not so sure about going to grad school. I think in this economy it is wiser to be wherever I am employed full-time, whether that is up at school (if they give me a job) or here in CT if my boss can bring me on full-time later this year. Another way I’m looking at this from is that the field I want to go into (Museum Studies/Archiving) will probably be experiencing budget cuts as the recession continues, meaning fewer job openings, and people currently working in the field will be staying in their jobs longer instead of retiring, so that they can keep their benefits (darn you, Bush, and your Medicare reform!). The economy is a huge issue for undergraduate students, who more than ever this year are putting off college to save up money for a year (Boston Globe), so it’s surprising that the hardship for graduate students is receiving so little attention, since we are the segment of the student population who receive the least financial aid.
Good luck, femmes!
Ali
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Friday, February 20, 2009

Cash back for shopping, searching

There are a few websites that give you cash back or points for shopping, and some that give you points for searching. One of my personal favorites is Ebates(referral link). I got my first check from Ebates yesterday for $39.41... the best thing about it is that I got money back on things I would have bought anyway! You get $5 for each referral, and % cash back on many online stores (ie Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, Sears, Home Depot, Zappos). If you do any shopping online, its worth a look into.

There's also been a bit of a to-do about SwagBucks lately(referral link). Swagbucks has a similar shop for rewards strategy, but payment is in Gift Cards and such. You can also get exclusive swag codes to earn swagbucks for nothing! What really makes swagbucks appealing to me is the search for swagbucks functionality. To make it easier to search and earn, swagbucks has toolbars for internet explorer, firefox, and safari.

You can also change your default search engine on your internet browser to earn swagbucks without installing the toolbar. I'm including instructions below for IE, Firefox, Opera, Chrome and Safari.

Internet Explorer - Navigate to Tools, Options. On the General Tab, click the Settings button under the Search header. Click on the link entitled "Find more providers..." which will take you here. For the URL, enter the following: http://swagbucks.prodege.com/?t=w&p=1&q=TEST and for the Name enter Swagbucks. Click Install. You should get a popup window. Select the checkbox for Make Default Provider and click "Add Provider". You are all set! If you don't get the popup window, make sure you are visiting the link in Internet Explorer. When you Navigate to the link via Tools > Options, it opens in your default browser.

Firefox - I recommend installing the toolbar . I can't figure this one out... and I'm pretty tech savvy.

Opera - Navigate to Tools > Preferences, and click on the Search tab. Click Add and fill in a Name and Keyword. In the Address field enter the following: http://swagbucks.com/?t=w&p=1&q=%s and select the Use as Default Search. And you are all set :)

Chrome - Click on the wrench in the upper right hand corner and select Options. On the Basics tab, under Default Search, click the Manage button. Click add and specify a name and keyword for this search engine (swag, swagbucks, sb, etc). In the URL field enter this url: http://swagbucks.prodege.com/?t=w&p=1&q=%s Hit OK. Scroll down to the bottom of the search list, and click on your new search engine. Click the Make Default button, and you are all set! Now anytime you search from the awesome bar you'll have the change to earn swagbucks!

Safari - I recommend using the toolbar.. Changing search engines in Safari for windows is kind of a hack .


So sign up for swagbucks, set up your browser, and earn yourselves some cash! If you have any problems setting up, comment here and I'll help you out. I can also be reached at gchat or aim as thefemmesfrugal.
Search & Win


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I’m Bringing Sexy Back (I’m so gonna get sued…)


I’m writing this article especially for the skeptics—hopefully, young people reading this blog in the 18-34yr old range have started to get the idea that being frugal and looking great can go together, but based on talking to friends, I know that you all are the hardest to convince! I know carrying your coupon book into a store can feel like the un-coolest moment of your day, but this article is all about what’s after that. So this article will help you acquire and maintain what may be one of your most important resources collections: make-up/toiletries.
I, personally, feel like I can’t turn on the television or computer without seeing some sort of ad for the newest, most advanced cosmetic product that is going to change my life forever! And, yes, like the rest of you, I immediately closed the window/changed the channel. But not without mentally adding that to my shopping list. And here’s the good news—I got it all! Well, maybe not everything, but since I started couponing and CVSing, my toiletry stockpile is on a whole new level. [Side-note to female readers: I found that Wal-Mart has some quality make-up brushes, in most cases for under $3! Brushes are the essential base of your make-up collection; I found an Ecotools brush set (6 brushes, all made from sustainable materials and packaged in an eco-friendly pouch) at Target for $11, or under $2/brush.] Basically, since I started doing the ECB rewards program I have not paid for toothpaste, mouthwash, deoderant, shampoo, or hair products. No lie. Beyond this, I now have TONS of brand-name make-up, even enough to give away! Whenever CVS does a super ECB event, I’m so there buying the limit of everything (on my card and my dad’s card that he loans me!). Recently this has lead to 2 L’Oreal Metallic eye shadows, 6 new nail polishes in various colors, Cover Girl liquid foundations, powders, L’Oreal lip juice, and Garnier make-up removing towelettes! All this cost me just pennies. Unfortunately, since these sales are past it wouldn’t make sense for me to break down the scenarios for you, but in the future, I’ll be sharing all my tips in a more timely way. Anyway, this also gave me the freedom to throw away gross lip products and way-past-their-prime nail polishes…
So if this and the clothes tips haven’t convinced you to start couponing and being a frugal shopper, then you probably have enough money that you don’t need me (in which case, will you share? Lol).To start everyone out, this week at CVS, they are offering Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste for $2.99 w/$2.99ECB back. Use this coupon for $1/1 and you'll pay $1.99oop and get back $2.99ecb that you can spend on your next purchase. Essentially, you've just "made" $1ecb. Check other websites for a more detailed explaination about how the CVS ECB program works. From now on I'll be posting weekly senarios to help out, good luck!
Ali

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

A Frugal Thought: Lifetime Membership

As a computer engineering student, I am a member of several professional organizations.  Several of these organizations offer lifetime membership 'deals'.  Besides the hassle of not having to renew your membership every year, is it worth it?

For my example, I'll be discussing the Society of Women Engineers , or SWE.

Since my university is a five-year program I have five years of student membership at $20 a year.  As a special deal for recent graduates, the first year after graduation is $50 and subsequent years are $100 a year.  At this rate, it would take me a total of 25 years to incur the $2000 (actually $2050... 5x$20 + $50 + 19x$100)in membership fees that is the cost of a lifetime membership.

Presumably, the price of membership would go up at least with the cost of inflation, so I think its worth it.  Thoughts?


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Thursday, February 12, 2009

Ridiculous!

Alright, so based on the reaction I got from my fellow femme frugal and family members, I am going to share with you my quick trip to Shop Rite from last night.

3 Dannon Lite & Fite 6pk - 2/$4 - 3 $0.75/1q - all 3 doubled - $1.50
1 2L bottle Dr. Pepper - $1.33 - Free Coupon - FREE (well +$0.05 bottle deposit fee)
3 bags Wacky Mac pasta - $0.99 - 3 $0.50/1q - 3 doubled - FREE
1 can Muir Glen tomato sauce - $0.99 - $1/1q SS 2/8 - FREE
1 box Glucerna cereal - $4.99 - $5/1q - FREE

This was actually a very quick shopping trip for me, probably less than 15 minutes getting in and out of the store. Anyway, what would have cost me $16.41 ended up only costing me $1.55!!! I calculated this and that meant that I saved 90.6%!!! Further breaking it down, that means I spent about $0.08/yogurt. Impressive, non?

Ali
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Frugal Fashionista

Like many of you I suffer from being a femme frugal as much as I benefit from it. In this case, I’m talking about my poor wardrobe. Oh sure, the frugal part of me makes sure everything was on sale and a good deal, but oh...the femme part of me...That part of me demands a new wardrobe with at least three of the latest trends each season, new stand-out pieces, and starting from scratch every other year!

Luckily, I have some safety valves to keep me in line: a mother who saved her what is now vintage late ‘70s fashion, a sister who goes through the same femme issues I do and is almost exactly my size, and a four day work week. Also, as noted in my About Me, I have a passion for scheduling. Clothes? you say, schedule clothes? Yes! Here are some basic tips:
1. Know how often you are willing do laundry – In my case, once every one/two weeks. Maybe that sounds like a long time, but I should mention that I do have a perfectly new, clean outfit (and undergarments!) for each of those 14 days, plus gym and sleeping clothes. Guys, I must insist you go along with me on this!
2. Know your limitations – This would be your storage space, budget, etc. Having clothes at the expense of something vital (food, rent, or otherwise) is a bad idea. Having an acknowledged, budgeted splurge is normal (such as a $150 Catherine Malendrino dress…*whistles innocently*) Having a closet full of splurges means, well...usually nothing good. Also, storage space is a big issue. If you can only fit a schedule of 1 weeks worth of outfits in your space, then that’s it, my friend, no more for you! If you can fit more, want more, and can afford more, then great. Just make sure it’s all stuff you actually wear.
3. After you schedule your outfits, donate or throw away everything that isn’t on that list or another season’s list. For me this means that if a piece of clothing isn’t in my top 14 things to wear for that season, there’s no real reason to keep it, unless it’s a funeral outfit or formal dress or something.

So, besides used clothes, how do I manage? One word, as of now anyway, which is: Kohl’s. They are, honestly, just plain better than JCPenny’s in terms of quality, Sear’s you all should write off completely, because if you shop their juniors section it’s basically trash and their misses section is trashy *and* useless, and Kohl’s also beats the pants off Macy’s prices. This year Kohl’s had amazing Black Friday weekend sales in November (scored two sweaters for $17 total!) and after-Christmas sales (sweater dress=$9.39). I was intent on adding a boyfriend-style sweater, which, with this secret I’m about to share should ran me only $2! If you go to the Kohl’s website, you can register your email address and receive a printable $5 off any purchase coupon (within 10days)! Or you can put your email on a card that the cashier provides at the check-out and leave it with him/her to register. Plus you’ll be updated on current sales, both in stores and online. If you have more than one email address or a friend willing to loan you their's, you can get coupons for those and use them yourself (all on separate purchases, of course). I don’t advocate being sneaky usually, but they want to get the word out and we—we just want to buy their clothes, is that so wrong? Please don’t tattle on me…*hides*

Finally here’s the schedule of winter clothes that I’m keeping for the work week now:
Mon.: Pink Shirt, Black Skirt, Blue Sweater/Blue Shirt, Black Skirt, Blue Sweater
Tues.: White Tunic Sweater, Skinny Jeans/White Blouse, Argyle Vest, Tan Corduroys
Wed.: Black Sweater, Plaid Skirt/Grey Sweater Dress, leggings
Thurs.: Purple Sweater, Tan Corduroys/Teal Sweater, Tan Corduroys

I could go into more detail, but basically, what I was going for was variety of color and style (these sweaters all vary in length, neck cut, and/or material). Also, I try to wear a skirt or dress at least twice a week to work (femme!). Yes, sometimes I wear a pair of pants or skirt twice during my schedule, but I think that’s totally acceptable, as is re-wearing a sweater that is worn over a long-sleeve shirt. Mixing jewelry and accessories also goes a long way.

Happy frugaling!
Ali

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Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Frugalista or Fashionista?


First, I want to apologize to our male readers--I promise to make Kathy write a more gender neutral article very soon! Everyone, however, should be able to take the main point of the article and figure out how to apply it to him/herself. Now on with the show! 
Personally, I’ve always been interested in fashion, mostly classic looks, and the majority of my personal inspiration comes from the 1920s, 1940s, and 1960s. A great resource if you want to do some research can be found here. I’ll have to try to post a recent pic because I made a very big, but frugal, change to my appearance: a haircut *gasp*! I always used to have long, curly hair, but now have abandoned it, in favor of what my sister likes to call my “Jackie-O” cut. Before I went, I printed out about six pictures from about.com (didn’t bother buying popular magazines for inspiration, I once made this costly mistake), which really helped me describe to the stylists what I was looking for from them.
I had it done at the local technical school and, honestly, it was the first haircut that I didn’t cry after! I’ve been very attached to my hair as part of my identity since I was a kindergarten, Shirley Temple-look-alike, so after every hair cut, even trims, the tears have flowed. But this time, I went from having no hair-style, curly, down to my waist hair, to having shoulder-length, straight (or curly), with bangs and a side-part. And the frugal part? It was only $30! Now, of course, I straighten my own hair, which saves me the money and damage of having it chemically straightened every six months. The tool I use is called the “MaxiGlide” and it sells for a deceptively high price of about $80. Some of you might wonder how this is frugal, but for those of you who have been to the salon to have your hair straightened, you know that it is $30 plus tip per visit! So, in this case, I made my money back after straightening my own hair only three times. Of course, I have had my MaxiGlide for years and have used it more than three times, so it lasts, too! Also, it’s definitely been worth it to me to be able to choose whether I want my hair straight or curly.
To maintain my frugal hairstyle, I’ll be returning this month to get it trimmed and add some heavier bangs. I have heard that if you wash your own hair before hand it costs even less, which would be great! In the next update I’ll be sharing some frugal clothing secrets, including free money, so keep an eye here!
Ali

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