Frugal This!

I just received an email about another little nifty site that can help you save gas. Yes I know gas has come down a bit (it’s now $2.23 near me according to Gasbuddy) but this also serves as a great mapping tool. Living in Los Angeles, I have friends that live all over the city and when it’s time to meet and catch up we are often searching for a place somewhere in the middle. Hence Meetways, a cool little site that will do all the searching for you. Enter the two address and Meetways will find the middle ground and all of the restaurants at that halfway point.

Couldn’t ask for more could you. If you like sites like this be sure to check out my post on “On The Way“.

Again, do a little research and the world is at your door.

I know you hate going to the doctor and you really hate spending money going to see someone who may cause you pain. But I bet if you think about it, now is the perfect for an appointment. Why? Because I bet you met your out of pocket deductible for the year.

Remember back in January when you had the flu? And then in May when your allergies were acting up. How about the physical you had last month. All of those appointments drained your wallet and savings account but it also did one other thing. It when against your yearly deductible. Double check and I bet you will be in the same position that I am in right now. Sitting pretty with a paid off deductible and a check list of things to take care of.

That puts us in a big money savings situation because outside of an office co-pay which is anywhere from $20 – $30, other fees will be paid 100% by your insurance. That includes the expensive blood work and lab fees that occur on any typical visit. Schedule a yearly physical with full blood work and see how much you save while you are taking care of yourself. Just think what you would have to pay if you made that appointment, in the new year.

Go see the podiatrist about that unsightly foot odor – it’s paid for. What to have a mole checked out and removed make an appointment to see a dermatologist – it’s paid for.

Save even more money if you are on a family plan and have matched your family deductible, make sure everyone schedules appointment for what they want and more importantly what they need.

Again this money saving tip is for your own good and has no side effects.

Grocery Shopping, I know you hate to do it, so you make it quick. Just run in and run out grabbing the things that you need for the next few days. If you go at all. You would be surprise how many people skip the grocery store and order take out every night.  But grocery shopping is a necessary evil especially if you are trying to save money. And you can’t buy your Mr. Clean from Domino’s. Taking the time to plan your visit will save you money every month. And yes you will notice the savings.

Grocery Stores Sales

If you are like me, you have 2-4 different grocery chains within a few miles from one another. And each one every week has specials for you to take advantage of. I’m not telling you to go to every store every week and I’m not telling you to buy something you wouldn’t normally buy. But if boneless chicken breasts are on sale for $1.99 / pound why would you just buy enough for one meal? Priced normally at $5.99 and up, buying several pounds of chicken and freezing it for future meals adds up to huge savings.

Only use Tide to do laundry. Well guess what, when it goes on sale by two or (gasp) even three and you have enough to last you until the next time it goes on sale. Only use Gillette razors – well you get what I’m talking about. It’s called the art of stock piling. And it saves people $$$$ every time you shop.

Every week, grocery stores send you their weekly specials in the mail and more than likely every week, you throw them out, without looking at them. Well glance at them next time you are eating your shrimp fried rice.

Find out which store has the most items of your favorite items on sale, MAKE A LIST, and spend some time visiting the aisles of your grocery stores, stocking up on your favorite items. Look at that insert, Cereal is only $2.00! There are pages of sale items every week from stores begging for you to visit them.

Note, If you don’t get the sale circulars in the mail you can always go on-line and view the weekly sales from the store’s website. Most even have the ability to create a shopping list on line so you can print a ready to go list. 

Also, in order to take advantage of most sales, you have to join their club. DO IT! It’s harmless. If you don’t want to carry a card every where you go or if you are prone to losing them, several stores can look you up by phone number. And if you are still paranoid more than likely, the cashier or the customer next to you in line can offer you one to scan – especially since they are getting the credit for your purchases which adds up to bigger savings (for another post, don’t want to confuse you).

I admit, I feel funny when I have four boxes of Cocoa Puffs in my cart and on my shelfs but I can’t live without my chocolate fix. And if I can have it and save money at the same time, I’m CucKoo for them (sorry, had to throw that in)

This is a cool site. Lets say you have to go to the dentist and while you are out you need to drop off a package at the post office and go grocery shopping oh you also have to stop off at your bank to pay a bill.

Grab everything and lets go. But wait! Your dentist is on the other side of town and the grocery store  is in the opposite direction. You aren’t sure where the nearest post office is but you know that your bank is by your grocery store.  You are slowly seeing the fuel guage in your car sink to empty as you dart all over the place to get stuff done. Think about it, every mile out of your way is about .15 out of your pocket. I know, I know it doesn’t seem like much but add it up for a Saturday of errand running and you can see how much money is wasted. Honestly, I would rather spend that extra money on a latte instead of on gas. Or better yet, put it in my pocket where I can put it towards something better than gas or coffee.

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Before you leave, check out FindItOnMyWay.com This cool little site is perfect for when you want to find things on the way to your destination. Type in your starting point, your destination and then type in the places you need to hit up along the way.

Again, do your research before your errands and no one will be the wiser. In fact they will think you know your town like the back of your hand.