The Internet, with all it’s issues, has changed how we do just about everything, and best of all it can save you money. Here are five ways that surfing can save you big bucks.

Reviews: How often have you bought something and ended up hating it? With the Internet, you can find reviews on almost everything on the planet – books, soup, coffee, toys, cars, movies, electronics, real estate agents, and more. Best of all, most reviews are totally free. However, take reviews with a grain of salt. I always hit my most truested sources, like say, CNET for tech gear, and I always double check with other review sites.

Home, fun, & cooking: Kids crafts, adult crafts, patterns, coloring pages, recipes, DIY plans for a greenhouse, DIY sink fixes, and so much more are available online. It pretty much eliminates the needs for coloring books, cookbooks, and a lot more.

Banking fees: You can save on checks with online bill pay, save time and money by never actually setting foot in your bank – most offer all services online, and even learn about stocks and bonds. Banking and money transactions have come a long way online, and using these services can save you money.

Coupons & deals: For example, right here at Thrifty Mommy, Karen posts all kinds of sales, coupons, and deals for you to enjoy, and she’s not the only one. There are plenty of online sites completely dedicated to locating you the best deal possible on every item under the sun.

Music and movies: While I hate to think of the web as the best entertainment (get outside!) it’s true that there are tons of free entertainment options online. You can download or listen to music, watch movies, and even do away with cable but still watch your favorite television programs online.

Now – tell me how the Internet saves you money?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Although SavvyDollar has information specific to North Carolina, it can still be a source of saving information for those in other states.  I signed up for the website’s newsletter and this week I was emailed a huge list of triple coupon match-ups for Harris Teeter.  The list was compiled by Smart Spending Resources. 

Here’s a sample of the email I received:

Breyers Ice Cream BOGO Reg price $5.39 Sale 2.69 – .75q = .44

Pace Picante or salsa sale 2.00each – .75/2 q = .87 each (2 for 1.75)

Cheerios Honey Nut, Multigrain, Basic 4 sale $2.50 – various coupons including .75 multigrain and .55 honey nut = .25 to .85

Palmolive 25 oz BOGO sale 1.89 each sale price – .25 q = 1.35

Daisy Sour Cream 8 oz sale $1 – .50 or .60 q = FREE

Spot Shot sale BOGO reg $5.49 sale 2.74 – .55 q = 1.09

Skintimate shaving gel – trial size – $1.50
.75/1 4/26 SS = FREE

Rhodes Roll s- $2.19
.75/1 Rhodes Traditional Rolls, Any – 03-22-09 SS = FREE

Speed Stick 24/7 and Lady Speed Stick 24/7 – $2
.75/1 4/26 SS = FREE

Tabasco Pepper Sauce – Original Flavor 2oz – $1.79
Corona de Mayo beer booklet $0.75/1 = FREE
(booklet found at Food Lion)

Mahatma rice 1.49
50¢ /1=FREE (3/1 RP)

Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna Pouch In Water
3.00 oz ——Express Lane price $1.29
Blinkie at FL for .55/1 ———– FREE

8 oz French’s Yello Mustard – $1.50
.50/1 Great Recipes and Tips for the whole family – FRENCH’S® Foods = FREE

20oz Cherry Dr Pepper $1.49
.50/1 Tearpad Q = FREE

Dawn – small size – $1
.50/1 P&G $120 in Brand Savings homemailer = FREE (free now)

New YorkTexas Toast Croutons = 1.59
.55/1 4/5 Insert= FREE

Daisy Sour Cream – $1.00
.50/1 or .60/1 4/5 SS= FREE

Ortega Taco sauce, salsa or taco shells sale $1.50 each – .75/2 q = .37 each (2 for .75)

Ortega refried beans sale $1 each – .75/2 = FREE

Eat Smart Veggie Crisps sale 3.00 – .75 q = .75 each

Grande Tortilla chips sale 2.00 – .75 q = FREE

Nature’s Own Whitewheat bread sale 1.99 – .55 or .75q = FREE or .34

Enjoy the savings!

image from SavvyDollar.org

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1. Craigslist – This site is a great place to sell large items, but it is also an excellent way to advertise your yard sale absolutely free. The key to success with this seems to be posting your yard sale add the day before so that it isn’t pushed off the page by other ad posts.
2. The Yard Sale Queen has a very thorough tip list for having a successful yard sale.
3. Yard Sale Search is a good resource for listing (or looking for) yard sales.
4. Yard Hopper also lets you list and find sales, but what I like most is their feature to help you easily make signs for your yard sale.
5. eBay is still a smart choice for unique or high ticket items.

I noticed a lot of online consignment shops, but I don’t have personal experience with any of them, so didn’t want to list them as resources. Have any of you ever used an online consignment shop or do you stick to local stores?

Technorati Tags: yard sale,online consignment shop,yard sale signs

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1. Walgreen’s Hot Buys page is where you can find the $5 off $20 and $10 off $40 coupons that are available several times a month for Friday and Saturday purchases.
2. Refund Cents has an amazingly comprehensive guide to all the different programs that Walgreen’s offers. You need to be a member to access the guide, but the $12 a year I spend on the membership is well worth it.
3. Hot Coupon World has comprehensive info about sales and Register Reward offers going on each week, as well as enough Walgreen’s drama and gossip to qualify as a daytime soap opera. "Will Emma be able to convince her manager that she is not an evil troll because she gets free items? Will Mary’s store really ban her for life because she bought six bottles of cough syrup? Tune in next week to find out!"
4. Money Saving Mom usually has a great list of Walgreen’s deals each week.
5. Centsible Sawyer also usually lists Walgreen’s deals. Plus, she has a fun Drugstore Divas post each week where you can link to your great shopping trip posts.

If you have a favorite place to go to for Walgreen’s deals, please feel free to share the link. You can never have too much info about sales before you go.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

My Bone Yard has a quick and easy online estimator that can tell you what your electronic device is worth, plus you get to ship for free (My Bone Yard will send you a shipping label). All you do is fill in a fast form, agree to give up your item, and ship it off. Easy and good for the environment. If your item is worth anything, you get to track your reward online.

Check them out and see if they can help you unload your computer, digital music device, or other electronic item in an ethical way. Oh, and they’re planning on adding more recycling options in the future as well – for things like game systems and cameras.

Visit My Bone Yard.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Are you a compulsive shopper?

1. Do you buy things you want, whether or not you can afford them at the moment? 2. Do you have trouble saving money? If you have a little extra available to save or invest, do you tend to think of something you’d rather spend it on? 3. Do you buy things to cheer yourself up or to reward yourself? 4. Does more than a third of your income, not including rent or mortgage payments, go to pay bills? 5. Do you juggle bill paying because you always seem to be living on the edge, financially? 6. Do you tend to keep buying more of your favorite things even if you don’t have a specific need for them? 7. If you have to deny yourself or put off buying something you really want, do you feel intensely deprived, angry or upset?

If you answered “yes,” “often,” or especially “hell yeah!” to a majority of the above questions, you are probably in the same spendaholic boat as I. All aboard to debtors island, folks! Stop the boat…there is hope. You can turn the boat around and save yourself, if you so choose. The answer lies in learning what triggers the compulsion to shop. Learn to recognize your feelings of excitement at the thought of buying something and then find something healthy that will create the same feeling. Your brain can be retrained to get that same feeling of enjoyment from other sources. You should also give up your credit cards to someone you trust, or destroy them. The best way to avoid temptation to spend, is to steer clear of shopping venues. It will take will power to change your ways, but it is possible. If you find that your will power is non-existent, however, then outside seek help.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

• 13 Ways to Make Your Own Swiffer Pads – The Consumerist.
• Many Unaware of Mortgage Help CNN Money
• Claim your Girl Scout cookies as a charitable donation Consumerist.
• How Green are Green Cars Really?  Planet Save
• Trade Your Child’s Books for New Ones with Swap Tree  Eco Child’s Play
• The High Cost of Using Less Water TheStar.com
• Miscellaneous Cleaning Tips Keeping the Castle
• 75 Tips to Keep Your Car in Top Notch Condition  Reader’s Digest
• DIY $200 PC Paul Stamatiou
• 3 Recipes for Home Spa Treatments The List Maven
• Gardening Giveaways at Mother Earth’s Garden
• Woo Hoo it’s Freebie Friday at the Mother Lode.
• 10 Ways to Save Money When Eating Out at Thrifty Mommy

How do you like the Weekend Thrifty Links? Are they working for you?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

After reading this item at The Consumerist, I couldn’t let it pass without bringing it to you. The post is entitled "7 Things to Regularly Check on Your Car to Save Money" and offers sound practical advice.

Everything here from checking your coolant and anti-freeze to changing your air filters are easy things you can do from your home garage. The list also tells you how much it will cost to make the repairs yourself and how much more money you’ll spend having someone do it for you.

No matter who handles the maintenance, it’s a good reminder of the things we need to do to keep our cars running, and save money on costly repairs.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

As much as I’d like for you to spend all of your time here, there are some other great places to find money saving news around the Internet. Whether it’s in the blogs or in the news, there’s so much great advice out there. Today I share with you some great money saving links!

• Thrifty Mommy has 20 Ways to Save On Your Wedding. Easy, practical advice. As a former wedding writer I can tell you she’s dead on with the tips.
• Jennifer at Tree Hugging Family has a few good, practical resolutions many of us should consider.
• Noreen at Hankering for Yarn teaches us how to carry anything without a bag. Oh Noreen, if only they made a scarf big enough for all my paraphernalia. 
• Linette at Mother Natures Garden has a recipe for making minted sugar. What a great, inexpensive gift idea! I might try this for next year’s Christmas goody bag.
• Floating wind generators at unplugged living.  I wouldn’t mind learning more about wind power. If I ever build a house I’m looking into wind and solar power.
• The Consumerist tells us to say "No" to prepaid funeral planning.
• Food prices are going up. From the Wall Street Journal.
• The Frugal Duchess recommends a book to help us make changes.
• Bay Area Solar Rebates at Green Building Elements.
• Super Fuel Efficient Cars at Sustain a Blog.
• Wire Your Home on the Cheap at Lifehacker.
• Biodegradable coffins at MadConomist – My family was actually discussing this during Christmas dinner.
• Sustainable Homes for Furry Friends at Offbeat Homes.
• On Money Making tells us to Stop Planning and offers 50 Ways to Improve Your Finances today.
• It’s Freebie Friday at the Mother Load. I look forward to this all week!

That should keep you reading for a while! Enjoy!

- Deb

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

You know what I love about the Internet? You can find courses, tutorials and lessons for almost anything – and many of them are free. Are you interested in learning to crochet or designing your own website but don’t know when you’ll have the time?

Have you thought about taking up an instrument or learning to dance but can’t afford the cost of a class? Would you like to perform a few simple repairs but have no clue where to start? Here are a great list of things you can learn online for free any time, any where there’s an Internet connection.

1. Web Design from Scratch – Your Complete Guide to Web Design.
2. Learn to Crochet – From the Lion Brand yarn company.
3. Learn to Draw Portraits – I couldn’t draw my way out of a paper bag. I still can’t after watching this. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
4. Bartending 101 – The American Bartending Association is offering a free instructional DVD.
5. HomeDecorating.com – Lists simple tutorials on how to hang wallpaper, decorating within your budget, color misconceptions, laying tile and more.
6. Learn Spanish – Online courses, quizzes, games and more.
7. Learn to Juggle – Might be fun.
8. Learn to Waltz – A nice way to spend a romantic evening at home.
9. Learn how to script Microsoft Windows.
10. Learn to Play Craps – I still don’t get it.
11. An Introduction to Reading Music – If you ever wanted to learn to site read music, this tutorial is a great place to start.
12. Learn to Spin a Pencil – Could be useful.
13. Learn to Snowboard – 10 simple steps to read before you hit the slopes.
14. Learn to Draw – Learn basics, caricatures and how to draw people. There’s good practical advice as well as some things to think about.
15. Learn Harmonica – Video lessons are coming soon!
16. Learn to Chant – Is Byzantine music you’re thing? Have I got a site for you!
17. Learn to Dance Merengue – Looks easy enough.
18. Learn to Belly Dance – My husband is rolling his eyes as I type this. I hear it’s great exercise though.
19. How to Play Bridge – Something I’ve always wanted to learn but never have the time for.
20. Learn to Change a Car Battery – It’s always good to take in a few automotive maintenance tips.
21. Learn to Wakeboard – It looks like a lot of fun.
22. Learn to Sew – It’s always good to know a few basic stitches.
23. Learn to Speak Japanese – Second and third languages are always handy.
24. Learn to Speak Mandarin – See above.
25. Learn to Play Slot Machines – Not that there’s much to it.
26. Learn to JamSkate - Not that I know what jamskating is.
27. Here’s a free online spelling course. It’s for homeschooling, but I doubt you have to homeschool to take advantage.
28. Learn Fly Tying – My Dad was into this. He paid for a class, you don’t have to.
29. Learn to Blog – Hey, it works for me.
30. Learn to Make Money Online – There are lots of ways to do it. Shai helps you find the ways that aren’t scammy.
31. Learn to Dance Bachata – Assuming you have a partner who wants to dance. Mine doesn’t. : (
32. Learn to Massage – Looks relaxing!
33. Learn to Disco – This video is worth it for the laughter factor more than anything else.
34. Learn to Play Slide Guitar – Now we’re talkin’!
35. Learn to Play the Ukulele – It worked for Don Ho.
36. Learn to Break Dance – There are no words.
37. Learn to Cook Peking Duck – Bet I impress my mother in law with this one!
38. Learn to Drive an 19-Wheeler – Looking for a career change?
39. Learn to Play Drums – Your neighbors will love you.
40. Learn to Knit – I can use a new hat.
41. Learn How to Make a Power Tool Drag Racer – I’m so not letting my husband and son see this.
42. Learn BMX Bike Tricks – I can’t watch.
43. How to Apply Evening Eye Color – You mean you have to change it for night time?
44. How to Find Clothing Bargains - Now this is a skill we can all use.
45. Learn to Talk Like a Pirate – My five year old is good at this.

This list isn’t complete by any means. But it does give you an idea of some cool things you can learn if you look hard enough.

Also see:

• 100 Things You Can Make Yourself
• 100 More Things You Can Make Yourself
• 50 Things You Can Make From Scratch
• 13 Things You Can Make From Your Old Blue Jeans
• 50 Holiday Things You Can Make Youself

Post from: Thrifty Mommy