Does this happen in your house, too? Do you cave in and buy them the latest must-have game, or do you stand your ground and protect your budget? In our house, we’ve found a way to try to do a little bit of both. It takes a little extra work and little patience from the kids, but we’ve developed a few tricks that allow the adults and the kids to live in harmony.

Purchase used games.
Families all over the country experience the same phenomena. Children insist that a certain game is the game that they must have. However, once they’ve played the game once or twice, they realize that the game isn’t as much fun as they thought it was going to be. These games make their way to secondhand video game stores. These stores are the only place that we buy videogames now. We can get games discounted to almost 50% less than their normal retail price.

Purchase aftermarket accessories.
I have to admit that we succumbed to temptation last year and bought our family a Wii. However, we did find a way to save on all of the little accessories that go along with playing with the Wii system. We bought aftermarket pieces like the steering wheels and charging stations for a fraction of the price of the ones that have the Nintendo logo on them. The kids don’t know the difference.

Preview games before buying.
To avoid being the disappointed family I described in Tip #1, we preview a lot of our games before we buy them. How do we do that? Well, we rent them at places like Game Rush. Sure, it costs a few dollars. But I figure it’s better to spend a few bucks and find out that we don’t enjoy a game than it is to spend $40 on a game and then find out we don’t like it.

Visit eBay.
I love scoring video games on eBay. Games, accessories, and even game systems are all over this popular auction-based website. I even found our Wii for a bargain price there.

What tips do you have for saving money on video games?

Originating post: Money Saving Tips for Buying Video Games

Money Saving Tips for Buying Video Games is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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When you open a savings account, you are given a passbook. Every time you make a deposit or withdrawal, the amount is recorded in the passbook.

Let’s say, for example, that you have an online business where payments are made to you through PayPal and then transferred to your savings account.

While you may know how much you have deposited into your account utilizing a PayPal printout, it is still important to update the passbook whenever possible. This way, you can be sure that the funds you have deposited are noted in the passbook. You also want to receive the quarterly interest from your bank.

Unlike a family budget where you have to record expenditures and income, the passbook does the work for you. Each time you make a deposit or withdrawal, it is duly recorded.

The discipline needed is in cases when you cash a paycheck and set aside money to deposit into your savings account. Both can be accomplished in one visit to the bank. If you keep deposit slips in the glove compartment of your car or in your purse, you can easily make the two transactions at the same time.

On the other hand, if you merely cash your paycheck at the bank and take the money home, there is no inducement to fill out the deposit slip until another day. Perhaps you decide that you do not want to deposit the amount you initially set aside. Or perhaps you have a deposit slip already made out but decide to rip it up because you need a few extra dollars for something else.

Let’s face it; we have all been guilty of changing those deposit slips ? even with the best intentions. But doing so sets a pattern for future deposits. This is where the discipline part of saving can make all the difference.

In these difficult economic times, we cannot afford to change the numbers that can adversely affect our savings. If the household budget calls for depositing a certain amount of money into the savings account, then that is the amount that needs to be deposited. No ifs, ands, or buts.

It’s quite easy to say we will make up the difference the following month, but the odds are that will never happen.

If you have a budget that requires a specific amount of money to be deposited in the bank weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly ? try to stick to the budget. That is the true test of discipline and your willingness to abide by your own financial policy.

Originating post: Stay Disciplined With Your Savings To See Your Money Grow

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Grocery Items
For instance, you can buy Jell-O brand chocolate pudding and pay more than you would for Food Club brand chocolate pudding, but the taste difference is slight. They both taste the same when you eat it. You can save an average of forty percent on an average grocery bill by buying store names rather than brand names.

Medicine and Supplies
The same goes for over the counter drugs and medical supplies. Walgreen’s ibuprofens are just as effective as Tylenol regular strength. The same goes for prescription drugs. Naproxen will cost you about twenty dollars without a prescription card, but Walgreen’s extra strength Ibuprofen will do the same and cost a lot less. However, some prescription drugs are needed and can be talked over with your doctor.

Clothing
Clothes are another expense that can be lowered by choosing store names over brand names. Wal-Mart, JC Penney’s and even Sears have store name clothes that are just as nice as brand names. You can buy double the amount of clothes when you buy store name clothes rather than buying brand name clothes.

In some cases, you can also buy store brand tools. However, many men and some women will disagree. Craftsman is a popular tool brand name and it can be expensive. Store brand names or other cheaper name brands could save you hundreds of dollars. Yes, some cheaper tools will not last for those tough jobs, but if you need a sander or a set of household screwdrivers, store names will do just fine.

You just need to compare and you will see the savings without losing quality when saving money.

What store brands have you found work for you?

Originating post: {Save Money} – Brand Names Versus Store Brands

{Save Money} – Brand Names Versus Store Brands is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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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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Crafts are another way to entertain the kids for relatively cheap costs. Many times, you can make things using what you have laying around in the house. Make things that keep them busy and interested. Use some flour and water to make a mixture so the kids can make play dough or even maps and cities on cardboard. Make piñatas or paper Mache objects.

Do scientific projects with the kids. Kids are fascinated by things they do not understand. Make a light bulb turn on using potatoes, show them how to make a sun dial or make something else interesting that costs little to know money at all. There are so many things you can find to do that deals with science on the Internet.

Free concerts in the park, free petting zoos and even museums have days when kids and families are allowed with free admission. You can find so many things to do with the kids that does not cost anything to do. Libraries have story hour and even have movie time if the kids need to get out of the house. Take the kids on a nature walk and make a game out of naming things they see.

Look for things in your city that offers free things to do. You might not think the kids will enjoy it, but they may surprise you. Do things that teach the kids how to express their creative side. You will even have fun seeing what they make and how much they enjoy doing it.

You will find many ways to entertain the kids and it does not have to cost hardly anything.

Originating post: Low Cost Entertainment Ideas {for kids}

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Often times, one of the hardest challenges is to stop impulse buying. This does more damage than you realize and stopping this will really enhance your savings. Preparing a list before you go out will help, but to really achieve maximum results you will have to make a separate list of wants and needs before considering any major purchase. We all have wants, but having to save for them will help you to realize the importance and expense. Learn to pay cash for daily expenses.

Credit cards a great invention; however, it is too easy to get caught up with them. First of all, if you have more than three it is time to dispose of some. Keep only major cards and limit this to a couple for emergencies. Some cards offer a transfer of balance from another card; take advantage of this and cancel the other cards. If your balances are high, they are affecting your credit score, so you want to pay more than what is due and never have more than half of the credit line used.

When it comes to establishing a savings account, start out small with whatever you can afford. Then as your salary grows, contribute more and more. You will see your savings grow in no time and then when an emergency does arrive you will have your savings to bail you out instead of a credit card with interest. Get in the habit of returning the funds to your savings as if you had put them on a card and give yourself a deadline.

Eating out puts a strain on your wallet and is really unnecessary spending as you can bring your lunch to work for a fraction of the cost. Bring your lunch to work a few days a week and reduce eating out to once or twice a month as a treat. Buying coffee can also really add up. Why not invest in a portable coffee cup and make it at home to take with you instead?

Saving money does not have to be difficult, but you have to first determine where your problems lie. Whether you are an impulse buyer or you simply spend too much, recognizing the problem areas will help you learn where to cut down. It will not happen overnight but before you know it, you will be saving like a pro.

Originating post: Tips to Stop Spending and Start Saving

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Lower prices are one of the main reasons that families travel in the off season. The weather in the tropical areas will still be warm and sunny, but there will be fewer tourists. When there are fewer tourists, businesses such as hotels and restaurants do not feel the need to escalate prices, meaning lower prices for lodging and some attractions as well as restaurants.

Lodging is known to be cheaper in the off season, even on beach resorts. You can save money by booking weekday trips instead of weekend trips, when rates are likely to be higher. Also, consider visiting a tourist center in the area in which you are vacationing. Most tourist centers have free brochures and coupon booklets in the lobby area. You can save even more money on lodging and meals by utilizing these coupons.

Travel agents and bargain websites look to make money even in the off season of traveling. To do so, they lower prices and offer more competitive deals than they would in the popular travel months of the summer. Some popular travel deals for families include the option of small children traveling for free. Most airlines do not charge for children under the age of two. If you have small children in your family, you may qualify for this deal and thus eliminate unnecessary airfare expense.

If you are traveling locally, using your own car will benefit you more than renting one so unless your car is unreliable, avoid renting cars. If it is necessary to rent a car, keep in mind that rentals during the week are cheaper than weekend rentals, especially in the off season. You can save even more on your car rental if you book through a bargain website such as Expedia or Priceline. Select the lowest model car you need for your family to be comfortable.

Traveling off season is a great way to save money on family vacations. Not only will you have more money in your wallet, but fewer tourists will be around, affording you more time to enjoy your activities.

Originating post: Save Money on Off Season Family Getaways

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Check all vents in your home. Remove any debris left behind from the year and then vacuum them out to achieve maximum flow. If you have any rooms that will not be in use for the winter, close off those vents. This will allow more heat to flow to the other rooms, enabling you to lower the temperature and still be comfortable.

If you do not currently have energy efficient double pane windows and your budget does not allow for replacements, then go to your local home improvement center and purchase the window kits or plastic rolls. These kits are easy to assemble and create an airtight effect, reducing the amount of cool air entering your home. To further enhance the seal, also use weather stripping on older doors to keep drafts out and heat in.

Another great way to save on your heating bill is to purchase a programmable thermostat. These thermostats allow you to set the temperature so that it is lowered at night while you are sleeping and also during the day when you are not at home. You will be surprised how much this will reduce your bill without creating any discomfort to your lifestyle.

If you currently have a fireplace or gas stove, have it serviced before the season starts so that you are getting all of the benefits. Fireplaces should have the chimneys and flue cleaned out prior to using them each year. This ensures that no critters have built nests and that no other blockages exist that will send smoke and flames billowing into your home.

Placing an aluminium board (these are readily available at home improvement stores) behind your radiators will also help the heat flow into the room more efficiently. Heavy curtains drawn at night or during early evening are another good option for keeping heating in rather than letting it out through drafty windows.

Sometimes, we can also be too quick to turn up the heat. If you’re only a little cold try wearing an extra sweater or warm socks. You may find you don’t need the heating on for another few hours. Closing doors to rooms can also keep hallway areas and rooms warmer.

Often times, too many of us heat the neighborhood each winter which simply throws money out the door. Saving money on your heating bill is not impossible; you just have to be diligent about following the above tips. If your home is newer, you will not have to worry too much about insulation. However, if your home is older, you may have to update your insulation and furnaces to assist in keeping the cold air out and the warm air in.

Originating post: Tips For Saving Money on Heating Bills

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Pinecones
Pinecones are free when you collect them yourself. A trip to the woods or the park can fill a basket. Bring them home and create a plan. You can make a pine cone wreath. You’ll need a wire frame and a hot glue gun. A few boughs from a pine tree can add greenery. Cranberries can add color. You can also simply fill a nice basket with pine cones and use it as a centerpiece.

If you love color, consider painting the pine cones. A clear glaze paint with gold or silver glitter adds sparkle. Essential oils like cinnamon and pine can add an aroma therapy element to your holiday decorations.

Pine Boughs
A few pine boughs, branches from a pine tree, placed on your front door make a nice natural decoration. You can also hang them with a few white lights entwined. Consider using smaller boughs and greenery as a centerpiece on your dining table. In fact, a few well placed boughs with a flameless candle in the center is very peaceful and makes a beautiful decoration.

If you prefer color and drama you can add snow to the boughs by painting them with white spray paint or “snow” paint.

Holiday Cards
Did you keep your holiday cards from last year? You can use them as decorations this year. You can create a collage or frame a choice few to add a bit of holiday cheer around your home. Also consider simply hanging them in a chain around doorways. All you need is some tape and string to decorate with holiday cards. Many people like to string the new cards they receive each year. They can watch the card chain grow.

Candy Canes
Group a few pretty candy canes in a vase or jar to add color. Consider wrapping each candy cane or candy cane bundle with beautiful holiday ribbon to add flair.

Presents and Paper
Grab old shipping boxes from your basement or garage. Wrap them in holiday paper and add bows and accessories to make them beautiful. Pile the “gifts” in prominent areas of your home. Put them under the tree and set smaller ones on shelves, tables, and mantles.

You can also wrap doorways with your favorite holiday wrapping paper to make them look like giant presents. Or if you prefer an understated look consider simply framing pieces of your favorite wrapping paper. There are many low cost decorating ideas that you can embrace. Get creative. Use nature and take a look at ways you can use what you already have.

Originating post: Five Budget Friendly Christmas Decorating Ideas

Five Budget Friendly Christmas Decorating Ideas is a post from: The Family Wallet.

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These absolutes don’t mean, though, that there aren’t things that can be done to save money on my regular visits and contacts. Over the many years that I’ve had to purchase contacts and eye glasses, I’ve tried lots of things. Here are some ideas I have for saving money on them:

Order Online
For those of us who wear disposable contacts ordering online can be a simple way to get the contact lenses we needs at a much lower price. Be aware, though, that some doctors will not release your prescription to these online vendors since they don’t really control the number of contacts you order. The concern is that you will skip your annual visits and not get the eye exam you need. Speak with your doctor to see where he stands on this issue.

Maintain your contacts according to your doctor’s instructions
When I was younger, I was horrible about neglecting my contacts. I didn’t rinse them off like I should and slept in contacts that weren’t designed to be slept in. Unfortunately, that neglect often caused my contact lens to become un-wearable much earlier than it should have. I get more comfortable wear-time out of my lenses now by taking care of them.

Purchase new glasses sparingly
When I visit my optometrist each year, I always ask if I need new glasses. Unless my prescription has changed a great deal, I don’t see the point in paying for a new pair of glasses. Since I wear contacts most of the time, I don’t worry a lot about what my glasses look like; I only wear them when I’m hanging around the house.

Order your glasses online
You can also purchases glasses online. I’ve found very stylish glasses at reduced prices. You may need a little guidance from your doctor’s office to get the hang of filling in your prescription information, but the savings is well worth the extra effort.

Reader Questions:
Do you have any other ways to save money on contacts or glasses?
If you have ordered your contacts or glasses online, what was the experience like?

This post contains sponsored links. Please see my disclosure statement.

Originating post: Easy Ways To Save Money On Glasses and Contacts

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