Get Free Boxes
Don’t waste money buying boxes from a moving company.  Instead, call your local grocery store and ask them to save some boxes for you.  Most stores are glad to break down the boxes and save them for you if you come in within a reasonable amount of time.

Check Moving Companies’ Reviews on Yelp
Yelp.com is a great resource.  There you can find reviews on all of the moving companies in your area.  Reviews are rated based on five stars (five being the highest, one being the lowest).  In addition, reviewers often give lengthy comments based on their experience.  If you don’t know what moving companies are in your area, simply enter your city into Yelp along with the words “moving companies” and Yelp will pull up all of the moving companies in your area with reviews.  Read through a handful of reviews for each company before calling any for a quote.

Call Several Moving Companies for a Quote
Moving companies’ quotes vary considerably.  Have a list of all items you will need moved (boxes and furniture, namely), how many floors you have, and where you will be moving to.  Take careful notes on their quotes.  Some may under quote how long it will take (and then charge you more later), but you won’t know it is an under quote until you compare what other moving companies say.

Move in the Off Season if You Can
The off season for many moving companies is December through February.  If you can move during this time, movers will have more openings, giving you a better choice of dates, and you will get cheaper rates.

Give the Little Guy a Chance
Many people feel more comfortable going with a larger, national moving company, but you may get better service and cheaper rates if you go with a local moving company that is trying to grow.  Chances are their rates will be lower, in part because they don’t advertise as heavily as the national chains do,  and in part because they want to get your business.  They may also offer better services because they want to generate word-of-mouth referrals to grow their business.

Ask for Extras
Negotiate with the movers before the move.  A moving company may tell you that their hourly rates are set and they can’t negotiate, but chances are they can throw in some freebies such as blankets to cover your furniture, and other optional services to make your move smoother.

Most people detest moving.  However, the move can be a little less painful if you know how to negotiate to get the best rates AND the best service.

Originating post: How to Save Money when Hiring Professional Movers

How to Save Money when Hiring Professional Movers is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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Summer can also be a very expensive time of year. There’s so much to do, and we want to cram it all in before cold weather strikes again. But by the time we visit the beach, go to an amusement park, make weekend trips to the pool and do all of the other stuff we want to do, it can put a major strain on the budget.

But summer fun doesn’t have to break the bank. There are lots of things families can do for cheap, and some are even free. In this report, you’ll find lots of summer activity ideas that will fit into virtually any budget.

Swimming for Less

On a hot summer day, one of the most popular destinations is the local pool. Admission isn’t terribly expensive, but if you go as a family several times over the course of the season, it can really add up. By the time fall arrives, you might wonder why you just didn’t save up a little more money and go to the beach!

If you love to swim, there are alternatives to the community pool. Here are some to think about:

* The lake – If there’s a state park with a lake nearby, you may be able to swim for cheap or free there. Some have beach-type areas with sand, so the kids can have a blast building castles and burying one another. It’s kind of like taking a trip to the coast, only without so many expenses.

* A friend’s pool – If you have a friend with a pool, perhaps you could take the kids over to swim from time to time. In return, you could take refreshments for both families or invite the friend’s family over to your house for other activities.

* The gym – If you have a gym membership, you may be able to bring guests to the pool for free or at a reduced rate. Check with your gym for details.

* Quick-set pools – Those inexpensive quick-set pools have become quite popular among families with kids. All you do is blow up the inflatable ring, fill the inside with water, and you have an instant pool! They come in many sizes, and some are priced under $50. Larger ones are only a few hundred dollars, and by the time you figure in gas and pool admission, they can pay for themselves in just a couple of years.

If you’re fortunate enough to live near a river, there are all sorts of summer activities you can participate in. Canoeing is lots of fun for adults, teens and older children. Innertubing is especially popular among the younger set. Or you can just jump in and play in low water areas.

Of course, you don’t have to get in the water to have fun with water. Here are some other wet and wild activity ideas that are fun for all ages:

* Water guns – Having a water gun fight is a classic summer activity for kids. But there’s no reason that the grown-ups can’t get involved too! You can find inexpensive water guns at the dollar store for next to nothing, and if properly cared for, they will last for many summers to come.

* Water slides – You don’t have to visit a water park to go down a water slide! You can buy slides that hook up to your water hose for $20 or less and use them right in your own back yard.

* Sprinklers – It’s not necessary to buy any toys at all when the kids want to cool off on a hot day. You can simply hook up the sprinkler and let them run through it. If you don’t have one, just get out the water hose and start spraying. It’s guaranteed fun, and you won’t have to pay a dime for it.

Enjoying Nature

Summer is a wonderful time of year for getting out and enjoying all that nature has to offer. It doesn’t have to cost anything, either. Many nature areas have hiking trails that you can access for free, and some don’t even charge for parking.

Some state parks offer nature programs that the whole family can enjoy. These programs have various themes, including plant identification, bird watching and more. Check your local paper for dates, times and locations. You may have to register to participate, but there is rarely any cost.

No matter where you live, there is some sort of natural wonder that’s not too far off. There are large rock formations, caverns, waterfalls and more throughout the country. Visiting these places is often free, and if there is any cost it’s usually quite affordable. If you’re not familiar with the attractions in your area, pick up a travel guide from a nearby visitors’ center or search for information online.

Camping is the ultimate nature activity for families. RVs and pop-up campers offer all the amenities of home, but they aren’t necessary. All you need is a tent, some sleeping bags, food and drinks and a grill or camp stove. Most campgrounds offer tent space for a small fee, or you can simply set up camp in your back yard.

Fishing is another favorite activity for adults and children alike. You can find poles in all sizes at your favorite sporting goods or discount store. Fishing licenses are generally required for adults and teenagers, but not for kids under certain ages (which vary from state to state). If you only fish on occasion, you can save money by buying a short-term license in most states.

Gardening

Many adults enjoy gardening in the late spring and early summer. But did you know that it’s a great activity for kids, too? Even toddlers can get in on the act!

Planting a flower garden is a great starter project. You can buy trays of flowers at a discount store for next to nothing. Let the kids help pick out flowers in a variety of colors, and plant them together. They’ll be able to see the results right away, and they can be responsible for caring for them throughout the season.

Vegetable gardening is another great family activity. It provides an opportunity to teach children about good nutrition while having fun as a family. The results generally take longer to see than flower gardening, but the end result is well worth the wait. Even the pickiest eaters are usually eager to try foods that they have grown!

Festivals and Carnivals

Even the smallest of towns usually has some sort of festival during the summer months. These celebrations feature a wide variety of activities that adults and children of all ages can enjoy. It’s easy to spend a small fortune at such events, but if you watch your spending you can have a good time without breaking the bank.

Many festivals offer free concerts as a means of drawing larger crowds. Street performers such as magicians, clowns and mimes are great free entertainment for the kids. Kiddie rides, face painting and other activities may be free or paid. If they’re not free, set a budget and have your kids choose things to do that fit within that budget.

One of the most expensive aspects of festivals and carnivals is the food. To avoid overspending, pack a lunch or eat before you go to the event. Bring some snacks and drinks along if they are allowed on the premises, and if you must buy something during the festival, consider going to a nearby store instead of buying from overpriced food vendors.

The Zoo

One destination that kids of all ages tend to enjoy is the zoo. Wild animals aren’t something that most of us see every day, so watching them up close and personal can be a real treat. There are zoos to fit every budget. If traveling to a large zoo is out of your price range, there’s sure to be an alternative that’s within your budget.

A popular and inexpensive option among younger children is a petting zoo. These zoos may not feature large animals such as elephants and giraffes, but they make up for that by allowing physical contact with the animals. Kids enjoy petting and feeding the goats, pigs, ponies and ducks. Bring a camera along and capture some memories that are sure to be cherished for years to come!

Museums and Galleries

If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity for the entire family, you can’t beat a trip to a museum or art gallery. You don’t have to live in a large city to visit one. Most smaller cities, and many small towns, have at least one museum or gallery of some sort.

Museums come in a wide variety of flavors. Art and historical museums are among the most common. But you can also find museums based on all sorts of interesting themes. Museums featuring oddities (such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not) are popular among children and adults alike. There are also museums geared toward children that make learning fun. If you’re not sure what types of museums can be found in your area, check with your local Chamber of Commerce.

Many museums offer free admission, so all you have to do is resist the urge to splurge in the gift shop. Some charge admission, but prices are usually reasonable. If you want the best possible deal, consider organizing a group trip. Call ahead to find out how large of a group you will need to qualify for a discount. You could invite members of your church or an organization to which you belong to meet the requirement.

Visiting Friends and Family

If you’re looking for a change of scenery on a budget, visiting friends and family who live out of town could be the answer. If you can stay with them instead of renting a hotel room, you could even make a vacation out of it with very little expense.

If you have family living in the Bahamas, that would make for a great summer vacation. But no matter where your friends or relatives live, there’s bound to be something fun to do together. A simple dinner out at a popular local restaurant and trip to the movies can be an adventure when you’re away from home. Or you could visit inexpensive local attractions such as nature areas, museums or petting zoos.

The Library

When it comes to summer activities, going to the library may not be on your kids’ list of favorites. But did you know that most libraries offer a variety of programs that appeal to children, teens and adults?

Most libraries sponsor a summer reading program for kids and teenagers. These programs usually feature prize drawings for children who read certain numbers of books while they’re out of school. This is a great way to keep your child’s reading skills up to par!

For young children, storytelling is a popular library activity. Some libraries also feature activities such as movie showings, craft classes and even concerts. Most of these activities are free, but they may require registration. Call your local library to find out the details.

Movies

Going to the movies is a wonderful family activity year-round. In the summer, it’s the perfect cure for boredom. And if you play your cards right, you can take the entire family without paying an arm and a leg.

Instead of going to the big chain theater, see if there is a dollar theater in your area. These theaters may not show the newest releases, but seats are cheap for every showing. Sometimes you can even go for as little as 50 cents per person!

If there’s no dollar theater in your hometown, check matinee prices at the regular theater. These daytime showings on the weekends are usually significantly cheaper than nightly shows. Some theaters also have cartoon showings for cheap on weekend mornings. And some offer special discount programs that could save you money if you go to the movies frequently.

Watching movies at home is even less expensive than going to the theater. There’s no temptation to buy giant tubs of expensive popcorn, and everyone can watch a rented movie for one low price. If there’s a Redbox location near you, you can rent new releases there for $1 per night. Or you could join Netflix and borrow as many movies as you like each month with no late fees for one low price.

Better yet, you can borrow movies for free. If you have a friend with a large DVD collection, inquire about borrowing a movie to watch every now and then. Or go to your local library and borrow some movies. Pop some microwave popcorn and dim the lights for an authentic theater experience.

Picnics in the Park

The park is a wonderful destination for family fun in the summer. There’s something for everyone in the family to do. Youngsters can play on slides, swings and such. Older children, teens and adults can shoot hoops, play softball or go walking on trails. Or you could bring along a Frisbee, find an open space and toss it around.

With all of these fun things to do, why not pack a lunch and make a day out of it? For the price of some sandwiches, drinks and dessert, the whole family can have a blast and get some exercise. If you prefer a hot lunch, many parks have shelters with grills that you can use for free when they are not reserved.

Block Parties

If you want to have a good time and have the room, try having a block party! Kids love them because they get a chance to play with the other kids in the neighborhood, and adults love them because it gives them an opportunity to socialize.

If you bear all of the expense yourself, having a block party is very expensive. But if you make it a potluck, you won’t have to pay much at all. Just provide the main course, and ask each guest to bring a dish. You could even ask some to bring supplies such as paper plates, cups and napkins.

For cheap live entertainment, ask any neighbors that play an instrument to bring it along and have an impromptu jam session. Or have the kids that will attend prepare an act and have a talent show. You don’t have to shell out big bucks to hire a band.

Amusement Parks

Amusement parks aren’t known for being inexpensive. One ticket for one day can cost as much as a couple of weeks’ worth of other activities. But there are ways you can save on admission to your favorite park.

If you live fairly close to an amusement park, a season pass could be well worth the money spent. They usually cost about as much as 3 or 4 days’ admission. So if you think you’ll visit several times during the summer, a pass will pay for itself in no time.

Some employers offer discounts on admission to nearby amusement parks. They usually make announcements early in the summer. If you haven’t heard anything from your employer, ask if they offer any special deals. If they don’t, suggest that they check with the park in which you’re interested to see if they could.

You can often get discounts on amusement park admission from a variety of sources. Check packages of canned soda and other items from the grocery store. Some fast food restaurants also distribute coupons for a certain percentage or dollar amount off of admission to amusement parks, so be sure to look in the bag when you get takeout. The best discounts are usually found late in the season.

Other Frugal Summer Fun Ideas

The possibilities for frugal summer activities are endless. Here are some more ideas:

Inquire about touring a local factory. Some offer interesting and educational programs, and you may even get some free samples afterward.
Organize a family reunion. Rent a shelter at the park, and have a potluck dinner. You’ll get to see family members that you haven’t seen in ages, and the kids will have lots of fun playing together.
Go on a family bike ride. Whether you load up and hit a bike trail or just ride around the neighborhood, everyone will get some exercise and an opportunity to bond.
Volunteer. There are volunteer opportunities suitable for children as well as adults. Some organizations need lots of help, so the whole family may be able to get involved with the same project.
Visit state, local or national government offices. Many offer tours that are very educational.
Gaze at the stars. You can do this for free on a clear summer night, or you can visit the planetarium.
Pick wild berries. They taste great right off the vine or bush, and you can also take them home to use in cobblers and other dishes that you can make with your kids.
Get a jar and let the kids catch fireflies. You might even find yourself getting involved!
Set up a scavenger hunt for the kids. Make a list of items found in nature, and let them loose in your back yard or at a nature park. Provide a special prize for the winner and consolation prizes for the runners up.
Go to a minor league baseball game. Tickets are much cheaper than those for major league games, and the atmosphere is much more relaxed and family-friendly.
Make a bird feeder by spreading peanut butter on a large pine cone and rolling it in birdseed. Hang it up in the front yard and watch as the birds flock to it.
Create a family scrapbook. Have each child contribute a page or two, or assign each one a task such as creating page layouts, choosing photos and cropping.
Check your local newspaper for event listings. You could find free concerts in the park, play groups and more.

Having fun in the summer isn’t only for the well-to-do. There are plenty of activities you can do in your own back yard that are free or very inexpensive. And with some research, you can find affordable activities in your hometown and neighboring areas. There’s no need to let summer boredom get the best of you and your family. Fun can be had on budgets of any size!

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Originating post: Cool Frugal Summer Activities the Whole Family Will Love

Cool Frugal Summer Activities the Whole Family Will Love is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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There are a number of websites that offer online coupons – some that you can print for supermarket shopping and others that offer discount to a wide variety of retail stores.

Coupon clipping has become more popular than ever. With the economy in the tank, every penny saved is well worth scouring newspapers for, checking out online coupon sites, and joining free clubs where you can save quite a bit of money using their discounts.

For example, Ebates.com is a wonderful site where you can join for free and receive emails delineating the discounts offered in any given week. During the holidays, one woman saved over $50.00 on discounts for clothing purchased from Macy’s online.

Ebates’ comprehensive site lays out the actual percentage you can save on any item and it explains what items will be discounted. You are automatically taken to the store’s website and the coupon is applied to your purchase.

There are coupon wallets you can purchase in your local dollar store encompassing slots for specific types of foods. After you clip the coupons, you can file them away in this coupon wallet instead of trying to go through loose coupons at the supermarket.

Many years ago, when coupon clipping was at its peak, a woman purchased over $200 worth of groceries and only paid $19.00. The difference was in the coupons.

Of course, you don’t want to buy an item simply because you have a coupon – only utilize those coupons that apply to your everyday meal preparations.

Think about it this way; would you take a dollar out of your wallet and throw it away? We all know the answer to that question. It is worth the trouble of going through daily and Sunday newspapers and circulars and clipping the coupons for future use. The money saved can be substantial.

Originating post: Coupon Savvy Can Save You Money

Coupon Savvy Can Save You Money is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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Heck, no! Of course you can still save money. You just may have to shop a little harder and be a little more persistent. If you’re not a coupon person, try one (or all) of these tips to get more for your money while you shop.

Shop the clearance section. My favorite section of almost every store is the clearance aisle. I can find great toys for the kids, new clothes for me, and even cool tools for my husband. I’ve even found appliance in the clearance section at Lowe’s.
Price match like crazy. Some stores will put up signs that tell you that they will match their competitors’ prices. Others will match prices, but only if you ask them to. Don’t be bashful about telling the salesperson that’s helping you that you saw that item at another store for a better price and asking if their store can match their price. The worst he can say is, “no.”
Buy used or refurbished items. Some things are just cheaper after they’ve been sold the first time. For instance, I’m writing this on a laptop that I purchased from Dell’s outlet center. My computer was refurbished, meaning that someone had returned it for a problem and it had been repaired. I saved several hundred dollars and my computer functions perfectly. The only ones who know that the laptop wasn’t new when I bought it are me and Dell.

Shop off-season. I love scoring a good deal on products that are off-season. You can buy fans in the fall as the weather starts to turn cold. Winter coats get ridiculously cheap in the spring. By planning my purchases in advance and shopping out of season, you can get many of the items you know your family is going to need with discounts up to 70%.

Originating post: Saving Money without Using Coupons

Saving Money without Using Coupons is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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That leaves me with the challenge of finding healthy, but fun foods that my kids will want to eat. I don’t want to spend too much for them, either. What’s a mom to do?

One way I’ve learned to make snack time fun is to take the ordinary, healthy snacks that I want the kids to eat and to turn them into something the kids can play with. I don’t know why, but my kids love anything they get to eat with their fingers. Some of our regular snacks include:

Fruit Kabobs: Fruit takes on a whole new life when you cut it into bite-sized pieces and pierce it with a bamboo skewer. You can even switch out the types of fruit you use to take advantage of the produce that’s in season and on sale in your area.

Celery and Peanut Butter: Getting kids to eat vegetables isn’t always easy, but a little peanut butter sure makes it easier. In a few minutes, I can cut a bunch of celery into finger-sized pieces and spread a dab of peanut butter over the top.

Fruit Roll-ups: When I’m in a hurry, fruit roll-ups are a godsend. My kids still get a little fruit, but I don’t have to go to the effort of washing and prepping their snack. I know that it’s not a real fruit, but I figure that it won’t hurt the kids to enjoy these once in awhile. A box of fruit snacks is good, too, but the kids enjoy the roll-ups more.

Pretzels: When my kids are craving the crunch of potato chips, I surprise them with a bowl of pretzels. Since pretzels come in many different shapes and sizes, they never know which one they are going to get. I keep an eye out for the one that’s on sale at the grocery store, and then we’re all happy.

Cheese: My kids used to whine that they wanted to fun-shaped cheese that they saw at the grocery store. Now, I make my own. I use a few of those small, metal cookie cutters to cut cute shapes out of the plain, ordinary cheese. I use the leftovers in my cooking so that they don’t go to waste.

Originating post: Cheap Snack Ideas: Fun but Frugal Foods

Cheap Snack Ideas: Fun but Frugal Foods is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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The worst part of entertaining is the preparation. Every host or hostess wants their presentation to be perfect, but there aren’t enough hours in the day, especially if guests show up unannounced.
The instinct is to order food from a local restaurant, by delivery, or order a pizza. Both are highly expensive.

An option is to run out and purchase prepackaged foods. Food warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club sell prepared food trays. Tray sizes vary so it is easy to choose the one that fits the number of guests you are serving. Create a buffet with cheese, meat, deli, fruit, chicken, and cracker trays.

Offering a variety of sodas can be messy – and expensive. Instead, fix a citrus punch bowl.

You will need: two or three 2-liter bottles of lemon-lime soda, two cans of pineapple juice, a bag of ice cubes, and a tub of lime sherbet.

The taste is light enough for everyone. If you don’t want to use regular ice cubes, fill your ice trays with some of the punch. As the punch warms up, add punch-flavored ice cubes to cool it down without watering it down.

A wise hostess will keep on hand a list of things to do around town that are free or cost very little. Guests with kids may like zoos or museums. A picnic or cookout in the park gives everyone a chance to eat, socialize, and take advantage of park activities all in one venue. Other options are State Parks, local public attractions, and nature reserves. All are very affordable, and guests love to visit the local attractions.

If guests are spending the night, make it as convenient as possible for them and you. Purchase trial size bottles of deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and travel toothbrushes from the dollar store. Guests may bring these items, but, having a basket of these miniatures in their room will help them if they forgot anything.

Entertaining can be painless and fun even for those who don’t particularly like to play host or hostess. Even on short notice, you can whip up a meal, draw up an event calendar, and prepare a room for those unexpected friends and family.

Originating post: Tips For Frugal Entertaining

Tips For Frugal Entertaining is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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Getting creative with your meal plan will allow you to find healthy foods that you can afford. By following a few simple guidelines you can buy affordable food that you’ll be proud to serve your entire family.

Avoid “convenience” foods like frozen dinners. Frozen dinners are typically pretty expensive (when compared to preparing meals from scratch) and are often loaded with salt and preservatives.

Don’t be afraid to serve a vegetarian meal or two each week. The high price of meat may make it impractical to serve meat with every meal. Instead, try serving a simple pasta salad or spicy bean burritos.

Take advantage of sale prices on typically pricey nutritious foods such as organic products. Although these items may usually be out of your reach, sales can make it easy to treat yourself and the rest of your family.

Keep plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables on hand as a healthy alternative to snack foods. Seasonal produce will be a much better value than potato chips or sweets.

Plan ahead to avoid the temptation to purchase fast foods for lunch or a quick dinner. Make an extra batch of soup or casserole and freeze it so that you’ll always be prepared when you need to make a meal quickly.

Shop without your children. As nice as it would be to have an extra set of hands at the grocery store, it will be much easier to avoid any temptation to buy junk food if you don’t have your kids with you. It’s very easy to give in as your little ones clamor for snack cakes and chips. Avoid the argument altogether by leaving the kids at home.

Buy store brand products whenever possible. There is virtually no difference between these generic products and their brand name counterparts, except for the difference in price.

Originating post: You Can Shop For Frugal Food And Still Eat Healthy

You Can Shop For Frugal Food And Still Eat Healthy is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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As I’m sure you can guess, I haven’t come up with any huge budget cuts yet, but I have found a few small ways to stretch our money just a little further. See what you think of these ideas:

Magazine Subscriptions: There are a couple of magazines that I’ve subscribed to for years. The reality is, though, that I never have time to read them anymore. I can’t remember the last time that I opened the mailbox and was excited about something on their covers. So I’m going to cancel the subscriptions and take the partial refund for the unused portions.

Candy at the Checkout: Okay, I’m really going to cut out all of that stuff that clutters up the checkout aisles. I really only buy them because they’re there, anyway. Although I won’t save a ton of money, I may even lose a pound or two.

Dry Cleaning: If you already own clothes that need to be dry cleaned, you can purchase one of those kits that allow you to do your dry cleaning in your dryer. Even more importantly, though, I’ve vowed not to buy anything else that I can’t wash in my own washing machine. Now, I’ll save the money I would have paid the cry cleaner and won’t have to make that stop while I’m running errands.

Skip Full-Price Movie Times: If your family counts going to the movies as one of the luxuries that they just can’t give up, discounted movie tickets are the way to go. Make plans to attend shows that start in the morning or early afternoon. You’ll save tons on adult tickets. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your own treats!

Originating post: Can You Find Painless Ways to Cut Your Budget?

Can You Find Painless Ways to Cut Your Budget? is a post from: The Family Wallet.

SUBSCRIBER BONUS:
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The question you always want to task her is how does she do it? How does she find such great finds? You go shopping at clearance sales; you might even find items discounted to 50% or 60% of their original price. But you just can’t seem to pull off the steals of a clearance sale champion.

Succeeding at clearance sales requires that you be prepared to hunt while you shop. Displays of clearance merchandise are often jumbled piles of all manner of things. Big bargains aren’t going to jump off the shelves at you. You’ll need to take your time sifting through the mess to find the hidden gems. True clearance sale champions are patient enough to give each item the appropriate amount of attention.

Planning ahead is also the sign of a clearance sale champion. Sure, you know at Christmas time that you need a new Christmas tree skirt. The clearance sale champion, however, realized as she put away her Christmas decorations last year that she needed a new tree skirt and started shopping for it then. She took her time looking for a great deal on a skirt that she loved and found it hidden in the back of a shelf at TJ Maxx. To be really successful at clearance sale shopping you have to learn to shop off-season.

Finally, clearance sale champions are experts at finding ways to layer discounts. They know which websites will let them redeem multiple promotion codes. And they know which stores will let them apply more than one discount. One of my favorites is the “Percentage Off Your Entire Purchase” coupons. Imagine the excitement of finding something marked down to 25% of its original price and then being able to use a coupon to save another 20%. When you’re checking out, be sure to tell the salesperson about any coupons you have. You may be surprised how many of them they’ll let you use.

Originating post: How to Really Score at Clearance Sales

How to Really Score at Clearance Sales is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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There are about a million ways to go about decorating a nursery, and there are about a million different ways to go about spending tons of money doing it as well. However, for all of the people out there that have expensive taste without all of the money, then you are going to need a few nursery decorating ideas that you can use on a budget. There is nothing wrong with shopping on a budget. In fact, most people look at it as being the smart thing to do. Well, today we are going to cover a few ideas that you can use to get the most out of the money that you are going to spend decorating your nursery. When you get done reading this, you should be able to decorate your nursery for less cash than what you would have spent buying brand names from top dollar stores.

The first thing that you have to do is avoid themed packaged stuff for baby’s rooms. The simple reason being, is that they cost a lot of money, and babies do not really care. When it comes time to buy a crib, think about using a second hand crib instead of buying a new one. When you think about it, a crib is never used that much, so using a second hand one is almost just as good as using a new one, but you get more for your money. Just make sure that these second hand cribs do meet current safety guidelines in current cribs. Then when it comes time to use blankets in the cribs or bumper pads, do not use something that is going to cost a lot. After all, babies do leak, thus, a new set of nice matching lines are not going to stay clean for more than 24 hours with a newborn. It is usually easy to find second hand blanks for babies that have never been used. That is because people usually have more baby blankets than they know what to do with.

A lot of nursery decorating ideas involve putting a lot of things up on the wall to give it a lot of color. Although these are not bad ideas, there is no reason to break the bank trying to do it. Something nice to do is paint the room a nice warm color, leaving the walls white will just not do. Then if you want to hang up some fun pictures, choose to go with posters, because they cost less. Also, you can normally get poster frames pretty cheap as well. These are great nursery decorating ideas that you can use without having to spend a ton of money.

It’s nice to be able to do something for your newborn baby. However, when they are so young, they are not going to remember it. Thus, you can still do nice things, but just do not go overboard with it. Nurseries are sometimes not even used much, because the baby ends up sleeping in your room. Of course, this is fine, because a little extra time with your baby never hurt anyone!

About the Author
Kelly Hunter owns and operates http://www.nurserydecoratingideas.net and writes about Nursery Decorating Ideas

Originating post: Nursery Decorating Ideas On A Budget

Nursery Decorating Ideas On A Budget is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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