I’m in the US but everywhere on this planet, men and women are seeing and feeling the crunch of these current times. They say, History Repeats itself and so it is… We are experiencing an economic crunch such as in the 30’s depression and the shortage of oil in the 70’s. All over the world our quality of life is relentlessly affecting us in a barrage of forms.

But the Times will Change and The Economy will too.

We can depend on change as it always comes…The economy is in transition constantly. It is like the saying, “What goes up must come down”. If we could just leave out the down part of the transition we wouldn’t have to tighten up our financial belt so much. But if we make good plans and use a budget we can and will survive these ups and downs of the economy.

But it is so hard to learn how to save money and pinch our pennies. We will see that it is essential to learn and find a way to stay within our budget. Whatever our budget might be, there are many ways to reach our goals or learn how to budget better. Here are a few ways we can accomplish our goals and there just might be something that we can do to improve on.

1. If you have not already done so then set up a budget.
2. Track your spending for a couple months to see if you can adjust your spending habits.
3. Shop sales and cut coupons then use the coupons with the sales whenever possible 
4. Shop stores that have bonus programs.
5. Shop online and utilize free shipping to save gas.
6. Make choices on what you can go without by separating essentials from non-essentials. 
7. Buy products based on quality not necessarily on brand name. Read Reviews whenever they are available.
8. Shop at stores the same way. What is the benefit to shopping in a Designer store like Macy’s when you can save money by shopping hundreds of other stores that are lower priced?
9. At Home, make things from scratch when you can like pancakes.
10. Plant a small garden or grow some vegetable plants in a bucket or pot.
11. Do your best Not to eat out in restaurants or fast food places.

There are many ways to save money and keep within a budget if we use just a few of them it can make the difference. We can then afford to treat ourselves for sticking to our goals. But keep things reasonable and don’t mess up what you have accomplished.

But this is not doomsday and it is Not the End of the World

Times Change that is certain as do our lifestyles. We must learn what to do and learn to cope and then just do it. We share this world and it is our responsibility to aim for the best for ourselves and our loved ones.

Keep seeking ways to improve your habits and turn your savings into a lifestyle so you can enjoy long-term results that will see you through the crunches in your life and our economic ups and downs.

So what can You Pinch a Penny in March?

Try this…
Want to make some Home Improvements before summer sets in?

A lot of building contractors are willing to negotiate their prices to save the homeowner money this time of the year. I have family members that have building for years and it is just traditionally slow around March.

As you get into negotiations on the work to be done please consider the weather is fickle this time of the year and that it can alter remodeling and building schedules. So, be sure to inform the contractor that you are quite wiling to be flexible.

You could save money on the cost of the remodel or building I would estimate at about 10 percent to 25 percent with good communications and flexibility.

Maybe you could even get them to just do the stuff that you can’t and say hey I’ll do that part. Never know…

If you give things a little there are more ways to save a buck than you might give regular thought to…

Now if we can just think of more ways to save money gasoline.

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You can save money in February
Here is how…

Go shopping for that laptop or desktop computer this month.
Why?
After the holidays many of the best deals can be found or negotiated now since the stores and sales people need to sell merchandise more than you need to buy it.

But word of warning, don’t be talked into overspending by the store clerk. You might want a lot of goodies for that super fast shiny new computer but you are out to save a buck here. So pinch those pennies if you don’t need the extra stuff. Keep it simple and get that cheap laptop. Maybe even buy a cheap laptop online and save that money.

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Someone was asking me about cheap laptops and cheap memory online the other day so I thought I would put this information up for pc computer memory upgrades.

Hope it helps.

Get Your computer memory upgrade here:

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These days many people need to think cheap or ummm Cheap Date.
Sorry, The economy got to me.

Anyway thinking save money these days, even for Valentines Day, isn’t such a bad idea.
In fact, some people might be thinking that spending say over $20 dollars these days for Valentines is rather an offense of some kind.

So  now what?

Well here are some Valentines Day Ideas for Dates that will be worth their weight in gold without costing you a fortune.

So here we go…

Can you write?
Instead of the normal Valentine’s poem try writing a letter, poem or sweet nothing every day for a week for your beloved Valentine. Tell your sweetie what is best about them that day.

How about a coffee mocha chocolate something date.
Find a coffee shop that entertains with maybe live music. Might have to get tickets but they will be cheap unlike a rock concert or opera and such.
Think a bit about where you could get live entertainment or music that you would both enjoy for under twenty. Sure beats the price of a ticket to a concert for a famous group.

Ok dinner.
Get all fired up and romantic with a wonderful outdoor picnic somewhere beautiful and scenic. Maybe do this toward evening so you can see some shooting stars.

Want to stay at home well…how about dinner and a movie…no let’s change that to wine, popcorn and a movie-a-thon. Rent some movies, pop some corn, drink some good wine. Who needs a theater.
Save bucks here especially if you prepare and have something like a netflix account or Blockbuster.

Now want to go hunting.
Yuck for Valentines?
No no no…
Treasure hunting…have your Valentine search in some special or favorite places. Leave a clue in each spot about what they will get.

You can do this anywhere just use some imagination. At the last clue, after all the treasure searching is done…give your sweety a gift that won’t be forgotten.

For a little variation…leave some pieces to the gift or additions to the gift along the way. Of course, where you do this treasure hunt will determine what is possible.

Not that creative?
Try going skating or bowling. Take some kind of lessons together that you both would enjoy.

Like to dance? Even a little? Take some dancing lessons. Get all hot and salsy.

Go do some sight seeing or window shopping. Most people don’t have enough conversation time why not take some quality time on Valentines to cruise, look, talk,  and listen.
Look at old antiques, look at rich peoples houses, look at beautiful architecture, look at beautiful scenery…skies the limit here.

Want something a bit more thrilling than window shopping and gazing about then maybe some kind of Art or Bluegrass Festival is up your ally. Check out the local festivals or one within a fair driving range.

Want a great outdoor adventure. Well maybe not that much of an adventure but with the cold weather I’m sure it would be an experience. What is it you say?
Go Camping. For the day or overnight. Lookup local campgrounds. One that is popular KOA.

Ok back to the festival stuff. Try something similar like a wine festival but if that costs too much try some wine tasting at a local wine store. Some ABC or liquor stores do this regualrly.

The warm tingly from all the wine usually can enhance conversation between to valentines. So yes this can be romantic.

Want to have Valentines with more than your sweetheart. What you don’t have one but want to have Valentines with friends.

Well try this:

• Each friend have something planned. As in cooked up, ready to drink, play, ready to eat or do or consume.
• Then start at friend number ones location …Now this house hopping includes all of you!
• Then on to the next house and so on.

Meaning have a progression of say a drink and music and friendly chatter at first house then at the next Valentine friend’s house have a snack or an appetizer. Get the idea now? Yup. Cool

So then, the next friend would have another part of the meal. Last place would be hangout etc..

Could have all the meal, goodies, whatever – in total be under twenty…or each of you spend no more than $20 bucks. Think about how good of a meal and fun time that could be for all of You.

Okay, I’m numb now…no more to add at the moment.
Hope this gives you some Valentine’s date ideas that you can use and treasure for less than twenty bucks.

Technorati Tags: Holidays and Special Days, Valentine's date ideas, Valentines Day, Valentines Day celebrated under Twenty Bucks

Here is a way to save money in the month of January

Check with gyms this time of the year as often it is a slow period for them in January.
It is possible especially with the economy currently to find a sale anyway but still January is a good time to get reduced memberships fees or some extra benefits in the same price range.

But you have to ask first or I’m sure they will happily take you at full price too.
Save money at a gym today. Believe it because you can find many ways to save that you might not think of that will help you to pinch a penny.

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Cyber Monday Deals for You
Here a many cybermonday ads and deals for you. They are ready and waiting for you to do your online shopping Monday from the very comfort of your office desk or cubicle. Ummm, did I say something about work. Oh, I mean from home of course. Read the rest of this entry »

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Cyber Monday is Here
Well, guess what Black Friday is over or is it?
Okay, You didn’t want to deal with the Black Friday Crowds or you missed out on that item you wanted. Well, all is not lost I have good news for you. You won’t even have to get trampled to do this. All you have to do is start your computer or log on to the internet somewhere and shop. Read the rest of this entry »

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Cyber Monday
Today is like Black Friday and some do call this Black Monday. Cyber Monday is rung in on a Monday and is the very 1st day to bring in the workweek after the four day long Thanksgiving Holiday.

It is Time Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: best online deals, Black Friday, black monday deals, cyber monday, Cyber Monday Deals, online shopping

Black Friday all week long
You don’t have to wait for the day after Thanksgiving sale to get Black Friday prices.
Amazon has a sale running for Black Friday holiday sales All Week Long. You won’t have to drive anywhere Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: after Thanksgiving sale, Amazon deals, Black Friday, black friday shopping