The Most Overpriced Items That People Regularly Buy

No one likes the feeling of being ripped off. But there are some things that people willingly part with their hard-earned cash for even if they are paying massively over the odds for them. Well, in this article, we are going to shine a light on some of these to encourage you to think twice before making these purchases. With many consumers feeling more cash-strapped than ever before, it is worth asking the question: can you live without these things?

Movie Theatre Popcorn

When the drinks and snacks at the movies cost more than the ticket, you know something is going wrong. Movie theatres will purchase their popcorn in bulk and then hit you with a markup that it often as much as 1275%! And the rip-off doesn’t stop there with soda and bags of candy costing way over the odds. When you think that you could buy a good meal for what you are paying in movie snacks, it may be worth reconsidering your choices.

Greetings Cards

So many events during the year encourage you to buy greetings cards, and just think how much you are spending on those overpriced pieces of paper! $3 is standard and you will be paying even more for branded greetings cards. When you think that you could make a card on your own for just a few cents, getting a little creative seems like the sensible choice every time!

Books

Paying full-price for books seems a little crazy in this day and age, especially with so many second-hand retailers out there offering significant discounts. After all, if you can read the words on the page, there shouldn’t really be too much of a problem! Also, making the switch to reading books electronically can save you significant sums of money and you can even get many titles for free.

Bottled Water

In developed countries, water is one of the most abundant resources available for free from water fountains and taps pretty much anywhere you go. Nevertheless, many consumers are willing to work out a few dollars just to get their hands on it. A big percentage of bottled water comes from municipal taps and may not even undergo additional filtering. Hopefully, this fact alone encourages you to carry a refillable bottle around with you at all times.

Branded Clothing

The fashion industry is a clever one, dictating what is in style and then charging you a huge sum of money to get your hands on it. Next season, the style inevitably changes and you will have to fork out again. Simply waiting until the end of the season or using coupon sites like DontPayFull can save you a significant amount of cash. And avoiding the big brands can really pay, as the markup is often as much as 500 to 1000%.

So, hopefully, this article has encouraged you to think again before making any of these purchases. The little habits that you change all really add up in the long run, helping you to live a more financially secure life.

Save Money In Unexpected Ways

Living sensibly and learning where to save yourself some cash is a skill. It can take years to truly be able to manage your finances effectively. However, there are a few ways that you can start saving up some money in unexpected ways and it will add money to your pocket without too much extra effort on your part.

Make your own food and snacks

Although eating out all the time is great; it saves you the time cooking and it’s convenient; it is also a very expensive way to live. If you struggle in the kitchen, the best way to tackle this is to stay home and begin learning some basic techniques. If you can learn how to cook pasta and rice, you have a world of opportunities opened up to you and your family food wise. To save even more money on your food shop, opt for easy one-pot recipes which you can make a batch of and use throughout the week. It will save you time on busy work nights and save you washing up loads of dishes!

Use Supermarket Coupons

Whenever you visit a supermarket and spend a certain amount of money, you will likely get a voucher to use on your next shop. Ost of the time, you may end up ignoring the offer or losing it in your purse, but using the voucher you have will help to save you money- so use it! If you get a voucher for something like beans, you could plan your meals around them. Make up a big batch of chilli for your family using the beans and saving yourself a little money along the way.

Write Down What You Spend

If you struggle to keep tabs on what money you have, you may need to start writing it down. It will make you see what you are really spending your money on and may encourage you to refrain from buying that takeaway on Friday night. This is also a great way to track your expenses alongside your bank account so that you are able to identify any unknown transactions from your account.

Utilise Offers and Cashback

Did you know that if you took the time to switch your bank account you could get a welcoming bonus of over $100? Also, you can get 1% cashback when you buy a mortgage with particular lenders- you can find out more here. Shopping around for deals is nothing to be ashamed of, and you could save yourself a tonne of money by switching your bank, energy providers and mortgage lender.

Pay With Cash

Many of us don’t take cash out and about anymore, because it is much more convenient to pay for everything on your debit or credit card instead. The only problem with this is that spending money is so much easier when you can’t see what you spend. Next time you are out and about, take cash and you’ll see how much more reluctant you are to splash the cash.

Living the Thrifty Life: Squeezing Every Penny

Most people try to save money in a few different ways. Some people, however, want to take saving more seriously than others. If you're trying to save as much as possible, whether it's for a specific purpose or just because, there are so many different ways you can make extra savings every day. Even saving small amounts in lots of ways can mean that the money adds up to bigger savings. Some people might see some of the methods you can use to save as being a little too extreme. However, if you're determined to make some great savings, it's worth sacrificing a few things to reach your goals.

Know How Much You're Spending

If you want to live a thriftier lifestyle, you need to be aware of how much you spend. Some people aren't even sure of how much they spend on food each week or their other regular expenses. It's essential to be familiar with what different things cost you, whether it's necessities such as bills or things you buy yourself as a treat. By taking a good look at where your money goes, you can identify the things that are draining your account. You might not realize how much you spend on chocolate or how much difference it makes to turn your thermostat up a little.

Ditch Your Brand Loyalty

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they shop is to go for the same brands again and again. It's easy to get attached to a brand when you try it and have a good experience. You might try another brand or even something off-brand, but you're sure it's not as good. Sometimes, that might be true. A more expensive brand might last longer or taste better. However, there are many times when that's not the case. Try out some different brands to see if you can really see any difference, and maybe even get someone to help you out with a blind test. Sometimes, seeing a particular label or price makes us believe something is better, even when it's not. Another thing to remember is that things don't always need to be the best. Does it matter if a cheaper pack of cookies has fewer chocolate chips?

Make Purchases Go Further

When you do make purchases, you should try to make them go as far as possible. Measuring things out carefully is one way you can do this with products you use more than once. This could work for foods like pasta, rice or cheese, as well as for household products like laundry detergent or toiletries such as shampoo. Some things are easy to measure out using various containers and measuring devices. For example, laundry detergents tend to come with a cup or scoop for measuring. It's also worth considering how much you really need to use. How much pasta does each person really need to eat? What can you use to bulk it out that's cheaper?

Other things might not be so easy to measure. Controlling how much shampoo you use in the shower can be tough. You might have to use some discipline and get used to judging how much you use by eye. Or you can consider putting things in different containers. For example, using a pump bottle could help you limit how much shampoo you use.

Look for the Discounts

Being able to spot a good deal on something is a particular skill that not everyone possesses. Some people have a keen eye for savings and always have one eye looking for the latest discounts. When you want to make savings on your purchases, you can look for a few different types of offer. The first is simply something that has been marked down in the store. It might have a certain amount off, be a 2-for-1 offer, or maybe a multiples offer at a lower price.

You can also look for coupons and discount codes. You used to have to look through newspapers and other publications to find them. But now you can use sites like CouponSherpa.com to find the online. You might also get coupons through direct mail or perhaps as inserts in magazines or leaflets. Or you can pick them up in some stores too. Another type of coupon deal you can find online is the sort of thing you find on sites like Coupon. This gets you activities and products at lower prices.

Recognize That a Special Offer Isn't Always a Saving

It's important to remember that just because something is discounted, or appears to be, it doesn't mean that buying it is a great saving. For one thing, if you're buying something you didn't already intend to buy, it's not a saving. You're spending more than you meant to, even if the product costs less than usual. It's not a saving if you're buying something you don't need.

Another thing to keep in mind is that not everything that says it's discounted was ever genuinely the original price in the first place. You might be able to find it at that price, but it doesn't mean the retailer expects people to pay that amount. Take sites like Groupon where you might find something like a discounted piece of jewelry. See if you can find that exact piece of jewelry elsewhere by doing a reverse image search. How much does it cost on other sites? Take a good look at what it is you're buying and compare it to similar products. Is the original price really representative of its worth? Or is it really a much cheaper product?

Cut Out Unnecessary Expenses

Another great reason to be familiar with your expenses is so that you can cut out things that aren't necessary. You should take a good look at what you spend and think about what you need and what you can get rid of. Some of these costs are pretty easy to cut out. For example, maybe you have a subscription to a snack box company that sends you snacks every week. They might be tasty and convenient, but you can choose and buy your own snacks for a lot less. Maybe you eat out a bit more often than you should, or you're paying for insurance you don't need.

Do Things At Home for Less

When you want to save money, doing things yourself is one of the best ways to do it. It also gives you something to do, which is great if you're trying to avoid spending money. Cooking and making food is one thing that's nearly always cheaper to do at home, especially if you have the resources to buy and make things in bulk. Whether you like a good coffee or a delicious pizza, making your own can give you something that's better quality and cheaper than buying something pre-made or eating out. You can easily find good recipes on allrecipes.com and other sites. There are other things you could apply this to, as well. If you're brave enough to try cutting your own hair, it could cost you only a small amount for a decent pair of scissors that will last, instead of having to pay for an expensive salon experience.

Research Every Purchase

You can waste a lot of money by jumping into a purchase without considering it properly and looking at all your options. For example, perhaps you've decided you want to book a family vacation. Booking your travel and accommodation together seems like the best idea, but what if it's cheaper to book them separately? You can make some huge savings if you're willing to go to a bit more effort. Before you buy something, search online or look in other stores in person to see if you can find more affordable options. Find resources where you can get advice on making savings and find out how other people have saved on the same purchases.

Use a Savings Account

If you're saving your money, don't let it just sit in your normal bank account. It's worth using a bank account, so you can make sure your savings are collecting interest as you put them away. A savings account is a financial product, so before you open one, you should make sure you compare what's available to you. Some might have better interest rates or different rules about how you can use them. Some accounts have limits on how much you can withdraw or terms concerning when and how you can withdraw money.

Save Your Change

It might give you flashbacks to your childhood, but putting your change away can be a surprisingly good way to save. Get a piggy bank, or just use any old container, to save your smaller coins and maybe notes too. It can help you avoid spending it on things you don't need, like coffee or candy. Small amounts of cash can quickly add up. You could take the money you save to the bank or use it to treat yourself.

If you make an effort, you can get your money to go further. Lifting the thrifty life is worth it if you're trying to afford something big.

5 Clothing Hacks that Help You Save Even More

The saving savvy trendsetter prides herself on finding a good bargain. She always spends under her budget while maintaining a unique style and look. You want to reach the same level of saving success. You already know the basics of thrift store shopping and sales hunting, so now you want to elevate your bargain quest to the next level.

The following shopping hacks will help you stock your wardrobe with classic, durable, and beautiful basic and statement pieces. 

1. Clearance Rack

Wait before shopping the clearance aisle: you save even more when you wait until the second round of clearance markdowns. Also try waiting for a Buy One Get One Free sale, because it often increases clearance savings by more than half. 

Avoid buying last year’s major trend, unless you already frequently wear that style of clothing. Otherwise avoid any trendy items because they usually fade and lose their appeal in a few years. Instead, stock up on the timeless basics like jeans, shirts, tank tops, and cardigans.

Clearance items often vary by store. Therefore, remember to check the online clearance section of your favorite stores and their physical counterparts.

2. Daily Deal Sites

Groupon is just one of the many daily deal sites that retailers and brands use to quickly sell some of their items. These sites offer everything from dresses to bras. Fitness wear and accessories are one of the most popular clothing items on these sites. 

Subscribe to receive daily emails. Read them at least once a day. Also visit the website at least once a day to check out the complete list of items offered in the clothing and accessories sections.

3. Shop Out of Season

Shop for your winter wardrobe in spring, and your summer one in fall. The previous season’s leftover stock gets a huge markdown right at the start of a new season. The discount becomes even greater if the new season starts right around a holiday.

Plan at least two out of season shopping trips every season. Visit a store a week or two after a new season begins, and a few weeks before it ends. A shopping trip at the beginning of a season allows you to get the best of the leftover stock. Shopping at the end of a season lets you get even better deals off the remaining stock, and you also find some of the newly clearanced items from the current season.

4. Grab the Lookbook

Do a little research to find out if your favorite stores distribute a lookbook about their current collection. Many major retailers make these booklets but vary on which customers get them. Some retailers give them to anyone who signs up for the mailing or emailing list, but others only give them to customers who previously purchased from their store. 

These lookbooks are valuable because they provide deals and coupons. These deals may include things like a free item with purchase or a coupon that lets you take off $50 for every $100 that you spend.

Sometimes even if you cannot get these lookbooks, sites such as Groupon, provide the same coupon codes that you find in these booklets.

In general, always check Groupon coupon section before shopping at your favorite clothing retailers, especially more expensive ones like Harry and David. 

Additional Tips

● Shop quality not quantity 

● A well-made item is an investment

● Wash your clothes less to preserve and increase longevity

● Avoid polyester, instead go for natural fibers and blends.

The 7 Signs That You Are Financially Responsible

Financial responsibility is a skill that everybody should want to develop. After all, the amount of money a person has will have huge influences on their life opportunities. Moreover, it will impact your future as well as your present. Overlooking the importance of getting this part of life right is simply not an option.

So what are the telling attributes that will confirm whether you’re doing enough with your finances? Let’s take a closer look.

Respecting Your Credit Score

Everybody has a credit history, and yours will impact virtually every major financial decision. If you’re looking to receive any form of credit, your score will essentially dictate how likely you are to be accepted. Moreover, it could be the difference between taking on high or low interest.

We all make mistakes. But if your credit history is poor, it’s imperative that you start repairing the damage immediately. The first step is to access your free annual credit report to check where you are going wrong. While you’re at it, it’s best to check that any data held on file is accurate.

Your credit score might not directly impact the funds you currently have sitting in the bank. However, the influence it has on your future financial opportunities cannot be emphasized enough. Working towards the best score possible is essential.

Keeping Yourself Protected

It’s one thing to create a situation where you feel financially stable right now. But what happens if life serves up one of its many unforeseen situations? If you’re not prepared to deal with the worst, you could be setting yourself up for a very nasty surprise.

With this in mind, educating yourself over insurance is vital. It’s not enough to simply take out the first policy you see. Understanding the different categories and coverage levels is crucial. Hopefully, you’ll never need to exercise your plan. Still, knowing that you have the protection is as important for your emotional security as it could be your financial health.

Controlling Overheads

While there’s no denying that a high income is hugely beneficial, it isn’t the only key element of your financial status. Your outgoings can be equally important to determining where you stand both now and in the future. Thankfully, improving this area is far simpler than working towards a higher wage.

Most households are guilty of unnecessary overspend. Whether it’s modifying your cell phone package or your energy rates, each saving is a step towards a brighter financial future. Combine this with simple lifestyle changes, like organizing a carpool to work or couponing, to take those savings further.

Alternatively, upcycling can save the need for making additional purchases. Similarly, selling unwanted goods can generate income too.

Focusing One Eye On The Future

First and foremost, you need to take care of the present. However, planning ahead for the future is another hallmark of a responsible individual. Do not underestimate it for a second.

Investments play a crucial role in building a better future. This is especially true in today's climate as pensions are unlikely to offer enough support in later life. There are plenty of potential avenues to take, but property investment is easily one of the most secure solutions. Whether buying to sell or let, experts at STL Real Estate can help you maximize your profits. Just remember that you also want to survey any property before making a commitment.

Trading stocks and other opportunities may become available too. As long as you do your research before rushing in, there’s no reason that your savings can’t become the key to future riches.

Prioritizing Ambitions

Most people have a long list aspirations in life. Unfortunately, very few are in a position to actively chase them all at once. Sometimes, knowing when to be patient is the most telling quality of all. For example, if completing a smaller purchase is going to stop you from achieving your biggest goal, it doesn’t make sense. Knowing what you want most, and working towards that target will set you on the right pathway. In truth, those skills can aid other aspects of your life too.

Clearing debt should be your priority at all times. The longer you owe money, the bigger those repayments will become. Beside, getting back into the black is the greatest step towards your financial freedom. It may simply mean taking a consolidation loan to reduce your overall payments. Nevertheless, you should always take advantage of anything that will speed up the process of becoming clean.

Analyzing Your Options

Throughout your life, you will encounter thousands of financial decisions. Making better choices on a daily habit will help, but it’s particularly crucial when dealing with the major purchases. After all, the pathway you choose could potentially save you hundreds.

Take buying a car as an example. While you may think purchasing is the obvious option, the rate of depreciation means this might not always be the case. Car leasing can work out cheaper in the long run, especially if you plan to change your vehicle on a fairly regular basis. Besides, this way you don’t need to worry about the hassle of selling a used motor either.

There are many other situations where weighing up the pros and cons of each option could generate a huge influence on your financial health. As a responsible person, it’s imperative that you get into the habit.

Monitoring Your Situations

You may think that you’re handling your finances in a suitable fashion. But how can you ever be 100% certain until you actively analyze it?

Tracking your expenses will give you a far deeper understanding of where you stand, especially if you need to file your own taxes. Moreover, it should allow you to pinpoint any areas that need improving before they cause any more damage. When you rectify those mistakes ASAP, achieving the best financial status possible becomes far easier.

That doesn’t mean you’ll become a millionaire, but it will give you the best chance of staying secure. If that isn’t an incentive to go that extra mile, then what is?

What Can Be Done To Prevent Physical Limitations From Restricting Your Finances?

Life isn’t all plain sailing, and millions are hindered by physical limitations. The level of damage differs from person to person, and many can live their lives without any major disruption. For many others, however, those disabilities and conditions can carry a far greater sentence.

Physical limitations can cause a negative influence on a whole host of different life aspects. Sadly, those issues can prevent sufferers from progressing in their careers quite so easily. If you’ve been affected by a physical issue, however, it shouldn’t stop you from gaining a sense of financial security.

Here’s what you can do to ensure that it doesn’t.

Fight For Support

When you are hindered by physical restrictions, it might not necessarily stop you from working altogether. In many cases, it’s still possible to work and lead a comfortable life. Moreover, laws on equality in the workplace make it a more accessible situation than ever.

Of course, some limitations will stop you from working at all. In either scenario, financial support is available. Experts like Chermol & Fishman can provide the legal advice and assistance needed to gain the support you deserve. Whether it’s SSD or SSI, those funds can make a world of difference to your overall situation.

We all need a helping hand from time to time. Reach out for this support, and your financial situation will start to look better almost immediately.

Earn Money Elsewhere

Your physical limitations may stop you from completing certain jobs and work tasks. However, the modern world is very accommodating for those who want to make money elsewhere. This is an option that you should at least consider.

Smart investments can be the perfect way to grow your savings, and you can even inject a little fun into these ventures. You may decide that risking money isn’t an option, however. Completing surveys, doing market research, or home-based work can be another solution.

You could even use YouTube and other social media streams to turn your hobbies into a side project. Earning additional money through external sources will relieve some of the financial strain. Quite frankly, it could make all the difference.

Use Money Wisely

Regardless of how much money you earn, wasting it is never advised. Physical limitations can increase the difficulty of earning money. So you must respond by placing greater emphasis on your expenses.

There are various schemes aimed to help sufferers gain discounts on certain products. This is especially true when it comes to medical items. Meanwhile, couponing and cutting unnecessary bills can go a long way to aiding your situation too. Just think, every dollar saved on those items is another dollar that can be spent on enjoying life to the fullest.

Finally, you should concentrate on keeping your credit score in good health also. After all, this can have a huge influence on your future opportunities. As long as you take responsibility for your finances, you should be fine. Above all else, maintaining great organization will remove any elements of surprise. With greater control, keeping on top of your finances will seem easier than ever.

7 tips to save on using coupons

There are several tips that a person can use in order to have the most money on their groceries by using coupons.

1. Organize your coupons

The first tip is to organize all of your coupons. This means that a person is going to need to have a system set up before they even start clipping coupons. This is going to make all of the coupons easy to find when you are looking for a certain one. The most important thing for a person to remember is that not every system is going to work for you so try not to get discouraged. If the first one that you use does not work the way you wanted it to, a second one may work much better!

2. Don't just buy brand names

The second tip on saving money with coupons is to try not to just buy the brand names on groceries. Most of the time, the store brands are going to be just as good as the store brand food items. But if the name brand is on sale for a lower price then the store brand, then of course buy that one especially if you have a coupon for it. This means that it is always a good idea to look for grocery stores that will double or triple the amount that is on the coupon. This will allow you to get the most out of the coupon.

3. Make a collection out of coupons

The third tip is to make a collection out of all of your coupons. This is so that if there is a sale on certain products going on, you will have the coupons that are going to save you even more money. A person can also request some coupons from the manufacturers if they use a certain product a lot.

4. Make a clear plan when going to the grocery store!

The fourth tip is to have a clear plan when you are going to the grocery store. This is so that you can figure out all of the coupons that you have and what is on sale. Therefore, you will be able to match the coupons up with the sales at the store. This method will allow a person to save more money than they could ever even imagined saving. Plus a person is going to be able to see whether or not they need to stock up on other coupons for the grocery trip.

5. Make a list after you make a plan...

The fifth tip is to go in the grocery store with a list of all of the groceries that you need. Therefore, you will be a lot less likely to spend money on things that you do not need. This means that a person is going to need to check the pantry and refrigerator for everything that they are out of so they will know what to add to the grocery list.
6. Plan ahead with your meals

The sixth tip is to make a menu of all of the meals that you are planning on having during the week. This is help you to make a proper list of all of the groceries that you need at home. Every once in awhile, you can allow yourself to have a treat. But it is very important that a person does not overdo themselves when it comes to treating themselves. You do not want to waste any of the money that you are using the coupons to try to save.

7. Check more than one coupon site

The seventh tip is to shop around the different coupon websites to get all of the coupons that you possibly can. You can also check the local newspapers and some of your friends to see if they were able to get different coupons than you. A person needs to remember that the most coupons that they have, the more money that the person is going to save on their grocery bill.

Constanze Morris is a stay at home mom who clips coupons to save while her husband is going back to school to get his Bachelor's degree! She took in savings on over $400 in the past month alone! Savings doesn't end with groceries though. When she need a lower health insurance rate, she checked out healthinsurancequotes.org for the best deal!

7 Tips to Save Everyday

Did you know that you are giving away money every single day? You are almost always tossing money out the window and you probably do not even realize it. Practically everyone is guilty of this habit, but with these seven tips and a bit of finger pointing, you can kick that bad habit out the door and start pocketing money for you and your family. You may not think you are spending as much as you do...but it is the little things that add up quickly.

1. Frugal Food
Food is a major expense. Your body must have food in order to live, so you go to the grocery store. Howeverm you can save TONS ofmoney by clipping coupons. You can also do so by hitting special sales. But the best tip - do not buy what you are not going to eat. If you buy a bunch of bananas (let's say 9 come in the bunch) on sale but only eat 3 before the rest spoil...you have thrown money away. If a recipe calls for an obscure ingredient you do not typically have on hand, but you buy it anyway, chances are pretty high you are going to throw the rest away after it has spoiled. You will save more money by simply not buying more than you will use, than by using every single coupon you run across.
2: Walk More
Gym memberships come with the best of intentions. However, most people do not use the gym as often as should to make it worth the price. A $50 membership could be a great deal or huge ripoff, depending on your habits. The solution is simple and right in front of you. If you want to be fit and healthy then exercise or walk at home or outdoors. With Youtube, a public library and a sidewalk in front of you, the sky's the limit!

3. ATM Fees
Banks have to charge money in order to make money. If you must have cash on hand, plan ahead and take out what you need at one time. It is better to pay one single ATM fee each week, versus multiple transaction fees.

4. Leave the Debit Card
Always carry a credit card with you, in case of an emergency. But you do not necessarily need to carry your debit card with you. How about leaving it hidden in your car? Having to forge for it will likely stop you from being tempted to swing through a fast food restaurant for a quick snack. It will stop that $3.50 coffee purchase. If you have to become accountable for every purchase, you will stop spending needlessly.

5. Batteries
This is easy. Switch to rechargeable batteries. You will save more in the long term and it is better for the environment. The same can be said for CFL bulbs. You'll save on both bulbs and energy bills, and you won't have to buy another bulb for a year.
6. Razor Blades
Razor blades are astronomically expensive and the damage they do to your skin is horrendous. Cut costs by switching to a rechargeable shaver. It may cost more initially, but you will save money over time in shaving cream and razors!

7. Internet
The Internet is your friend and you can save the most money on this every single day by just following a couple steps. If you need to purchase a large item, research it and shop around. Instead of dialing 411 from your cell phone, use the Internet to search for free. Sign up at websites for discounts or join forums for tips and suggestions.

Johnny Jorgenstern likes to save money, write & visit www.termlifeinsurance.org.