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Best Things to Buy in September… and what NOT to buy

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We just got that first nippy morning that tells me fall is in the air.

Best Things to Buy in September salesWith the fall, new items are coming on sale, and that makes September a great month to go shopping.

What to Buy in September

September presents us with a great number of deals that are the best purchases either in the next few months or for the entire year.

Taking advantage of these deals now is a great way to save money on items we normally purchase when needed.  The principle of buying items when they are at their lowest prices instead of when we have to purchase them insures we are getting the best deal most of the time.

With any item on this list I recommend using one of the shopping rebate websites to make your purchase online, even if you are choosing the in-store pickup option for shipping.  This can save you an additional 1-15% depending on the retailer.

Featured Foods

Apparently, September is a popular month to feature major food items.  “Holidays” honoring foods in the month of September include:

  • Bacon
  • Cheeseburgers
  • Cheese Pizza
  • Chicken
  • Guacamole
  • Lobster
  • Potatoes
  • Rice

Expect to see restaurants and grocery stores run specials on these items some time throughout the month.

Clothing Sales

While Labor Day is the marquee event in September, the truth is that there will be clothing sales going on all month.  Summer clothes are on clearance and fall clothes will see their first sale prices.

Denim is a big buy in September because everyone usually buys their jeans for back to school.  Any overstock is going on sale now so look for great prices on some top line jeans.

If you miss any sales that you really wanted to take advantage of, there will be another round of sales next month for Columbus day.

Mattresses

Whenever you get a holiday sale the Mattress people seem to step up with a week of sales to lure you into their stores.  Expect labor day to be no different than any other holiday with deep discounts on mattresses and bedding.

Old Model iPhones

New iPhones and other Apple products are coming out soon so expect the older models to start seeing deep discounts.  That being said, you can always find comparable Android devices for less money.

Televisions

September sales are the best prices you will get on televisions until Black Friday.  So if you cannot hold out until the end of November now is the time to strike on a 55” or 32” television.  Judging by the way my favorite college football team played their first game, I am going to wait so their performance will look a little better with a blur.

Textbooks

College and high school are now in full swing.  This means any textbooks that did not get sold are losing value quickly.  With the rate that new editions of these books come out, any time a textbook goes unsold there is a chance it could end up worthless.  If you waited until after verifying with your professor that you actually need the book.

If any college guys are out there looking for a way to get to know the pretty girl in class.  This is your chance to ask if you can study together since the book store “ran out” of the text book and has yours ordered.  I cannot say this works 100% of the time, but you have at least a 75% chance at worst.

Cruises

The Cruise industry heats up in the summer and cools off quickly in the fall. They are looking to fill up ships as best they can.  Cruises make most of their money on stuff that happens on the boat and not on the rooms themselves.  This means they will sometime even take a small loss on the room to get you on the boat.

If you have the ability to take time off after Labor day to take a cruise, you can score and amazing deal.

Grills

It is finally here. Grill clearance is upon us.  If your big box retailer has a bunch of the grill you have been eyeing, then check back every few days to see if they have dropped the price more.  You can get up to 50% off the original price of that beautiful meat cooking piece of magic.

Airfare

Like cruises people travel less for pleasure during the school year.  If you can take your trip before the holiday travel days heat up the prices, then you can score a great deal for vacation spots.

Bikes

Anything outdoors is going to go down in price pretty quickly.  As the cold weather slowly rolls into the country bikes will go down in price.  They will bounce back as a Christmas gift, but now is the time to score a deal.  The last time my wife and I bought bikes we found them on cleareance at Target for 70% off.  Through in the 5% discount with a Target RedCard and you can really rack up the savings.

Broadway Tickets

I had no idea Broadway had a time of year where the tickets were cheaper. There is this amazing time called Broadway week which is actually two weeks (September 5-18th). You can frequently get BOGO tickets to top Broadway shows.

I am going to be checking with local theatres to see if they are going to offer any deals at the same time.  My wife being a chorus teacher, we try to hit a musical from time to time.

Cars

Next year’s model cars are hitting the market so the 2017 new cars are going to dip in price.  You can see up to 20% off the price of a new vehicle (some haggling with annoying sales managers may be required).

Plants

All the summer perennials are going on sale now.  If you live in a climate where it is too cold already to get them established to survive the winter, you can keep them potted inside until it is warm enough in the Spring to put them in your garden.

School Supplies

The school supply rush is over and all the stuff that is left over is clogging up the shelves.  Now is a great time to get next year’s items dirt cheap.  I am sure that 24 count crayons, glue sticks, and Kleenex will be on at least one of my kids supply lists so might as well get in on the deals.

Produce to Buy in September

September is a transitional month for produce.  This is your first chance to get some of the fall foods on sale and is your last chance at getting the summer produce at sale prices, before retailers have to start importing from warmer areas of the planet.  Produce that should be at low prices in September include:

  • Apples
  • Berries
  • Beets
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cauliflower
  • Eggplant
  • Grapes
  • Figs
  • Green Leafy vegetables (aka the food that my food eats)
  • Melons
  • Mushrooms
  • Pears
  • Squash
  • Sweet Potatoes

Expect the big discounters like Aldi and Wal-Mart to drop these prices significantly this month.

What Not to Buy in September

There are specific items that are not a good deal in the month of September or the good deals are so close that you want to wait a little longer to make that purchase.

Coffee

While this is technically a September buy you will want to wait until September 29th to buy high end coffee.  This is because the 29th is national coffee day and the big boys are going to cut prices on beans, grounds, and coffee drinks of all varieties.

The New iPhone

I never recommend buying an iPhone.  There is nothing frugal about the device, but if you are buying the latest model when it comes out, you are getting the absolute worst deal in all of cell phone shopping. At least wait until the initial rush is over and they start offering a little discount.

Appliances

If an appliance breaks down and you have to buy a new one then so be it, but if you can wait until November, you are going to get a MUCH better deal.

I purchased all new appliances for a new home that I moved into in December. I was able to score more than 20% off with sale pricing, 10% off with a store coupon, and $300 in gift cards.  That is how crazy it gets in November for the appliance market.

Halloween Costumes

Halloween costumes are at their most pricey when people are rushing to get the “good” costumes. If your children are not super picky and will go with you right before Halloween everything that is left over will be on sale.

If you are planning ahead, wait until after Halloween to pick up next year’s costume at up to 90% off.

If It’s Not on the List

If something isn’t listed in either of these lists then you can get some OK deals, but probably not the rock bottom price we are looking for. If it’s something you really need, then go for it, but

Overpaying on Your Car Insurance? – Top Ways to Save

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When you drive a car, no matter what kind it is, it’s a necessity for you to take out car insurance. Not only does this protect you in the event that you get into a collision that results in a totaled car or a smaller car accident that still needs attention, but it can also help you cover the costs of expenses should someone be injured due to the accident or collision. However, car insurance can often be a hefty expense that can put a burden on your financial situation if you’re not careful. Thankfully, there are ways to save money on car insurance that you need to explore right away.

overpaying on car insurance

Determine What Aspects of the Coverage You Don’t Need

Ever heard of bundled packages? Sometimes they sound like they are a good deal; however, if you don’t scrutinize what you’re paying for, you’re more than likely paying for services you don’t necessarily need.

In regards to auto insurance, it’s important to remember that an automobile policy actually consists of six different types of coverage: collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, property damage, bodily injury liability, medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, and uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage.

It’s natural to just accept a package deal when it comes to paying for car insurance, but determining what you need and don’t need in regards to your policy is the first step in saving money on car insurance. For example, if you’re insuring an older car that’s already paid off, you may want to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. Here’s a good rule of thumb: stick with an annual premium (the amount you pay for insurance) that’s less than 10 percent of the Blue Book value of your vehicle.

However, saving money on your insurance doesn’t always mean to eliminate aspects of your coverage—you need to understand the minimum requirements according to your state laws. Usually, these requirements involve the liability aspect of the insurance. Sometimes, the minimum requirements are not enough to protect your assets when an accident occurs. When shopping around for car insurance, make sure to ask your agent about the minimum requirements for liability coverage in your state.

Ask About Car Insurance Discounts

Another way to save money on car insurance is asking about discounts. Your insurer may not initially offer these discounts, so it’s important that you’re upfront about the discounts that you may qualify for. Here’s a list of top discounts to ask for:

Education discount

While your teen driver is expensive to insure, but many insurers offer a good student discount. Your student must have a B average or better. If you are younger than 25 years old and living a home, you may still qualify under your parent’s insurance plan, which costs less than what you have to pay on your own.

Electronic funds transfer

You can save money on car insurance by adjusting how you pay. Consider setting up your account for automatic deduction from your bank account.

Low usage

If you don’t drive your car a lot during the week or only for short distance errands, it’s possible that you could qualify for a low mileage discount. Ask your insurance agent about the mileage requirements to receive this discount.

Multi-Car

Many insurers will give you discounts for having multiple vehicles insured under the same account. For some people this could lead to hundreds of dollars per year.

Multi-Policy

If you have life, renters, boat, homeowners, or any other type of insurance, consider grouping your insurance packages together through one company. By doing this, you will receive hefty discounts that save you money on all of your insurance rates, not just the vehicle ones.  The most common discount is for having both auto and homeowners, but some will even give you a discount for adding a term life insurance policy.

There are other discounts that may be unique to your company so make sure to push your agent to get you the best rates.  With that in mind there are several more ways to get better prices on auto insurance.

Shop Around or Use an Independent Agent

The best way to lower your car insurance is to compare the different rates offered by different insurance providers. Contact a local representative from insurance providers around you and talk with them about your car, your needs, and then ask for a quote. These individuals will be happy to help you, and you will be able to compare the costs between trusted professionals in your area. You can then use this information to make the best choice.

Raise Your Deductible

When you have a higher deductible, your monthly rates are usually lower. However, while this is a good idea for some people, keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying that higher deductible should you need to make a claim on your car. If you don’t have this type of cash on hand, then having a higher deductible could put you in a bad situation when it comes to claiming an accident.

Drive Safely

If you have a nice history of safe driving practice and a decent credit history, your insurance representative will be more than likely to do what they can to help you save money whenever possible. In fact, sometimes this great history can actually be what gets you the savings in the first place, so be sure to pay attention whenever you’re behind the wheel.

Bottom Line

Insurance can be a nuisance to purchase, but you’ll be happy you have it when the time comes. By using these tips, you can reduce the monthly cost of your car insurance and save that extra cash for a rainy day.

Best Things to Buy in July… and what not to buy

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In South Carolina July is when the weather really starts to heat up and the summer deals tend to follow suit.

best things to buy in July salesWhile there are a limited number of deals to be found in June, July sales work as a ramp up to the fall and then Christmas seasons.

Best Things to Buy in July Sales

As with every month the sales are all dependent on tradition and seasonal changes to the retail cycle. July brings eight opportunities to save cash on items you may need now or in the upcoming months.

Outdoor Gear

The fall is coming and people will be getting back into the school days routine. That means less outdoor activities.  The big outdoor stores know the time is short so they are discounting large parts of the store that are dependent on warm weather.

You can find deals as much as 60% off regular gear and last year we saw 90% some bike equipment and apparel.

House Paint

It is smoking hot outside at my house right now so indoor projects are much more preferable. The house paint manufacturers know this and drop their prices to attract more market share.

Last year I saw deals that were buy one get one free and 40% off from different major paint brands. If you know you will be painting sometime in the next 10 years and already know your colors, now is the time to stock up on that paint.  Unopened, a can of paint can easily last that long.

Christmas in July Sales

July is the beginning of the run up to Christmas. If you think the retailers are not already thinking about the holiday season then you are kidding yourself.

The Christmas in July sales are all over the map and are really hard to peg down as a trend. Online retailers have cut 50% off hotel deals, toys, and many other sales over the last several years. They will make a big advertising push so keep your eyes peeled for these sales.

Christmas Decorations

Just because Christmas in July doesn’t usually have anything to do with Christmas, doesn’t mean there won’t be Christmas deals. It may seem crazy, but July is actually a good time to buy Christmas decorations. The biggest deals are usually on artificial trees that can see over 50% off the price we will see in November and December.

Tools

Father’s day was last month, so all those tool kits and special Father’s Day handy items are now on deep clearance to get them off the shelves.

Clothing

Since July marks the beginning of back to school shopping, items like denim and khakis will go on sale across the major retailers. These sales will not just be on school needs, July also marks the beginning of summer clothing mark downs.

Swimwear

By this time in the summer most people have purchased this year’s bathing suit.  That means swimwear is dropping in price rapidly. I would check the big discounters like TJ Maxx and Ross to see what they have in their selection, as the big boxes are clearancing out their swimwear selection

Jewelry

There is almost no reason to push people to buy jewelry in the month of July, and that is why it goes on sale. Lat year Szul.com and Jewlery.com rant deals as much as 88% off. Bricks and mortar retailers also saw big discounts with as much as 60% off in mall stores.

If you are thinking of buying jewelry for a birthday or Christmas, July is the month to take advantage of the deals.

What Not to Buy

With every month there are several items that you should avoid buying. July gives us categories where people will spend more than what they should.

Amazon Junk Items

Amazon celebrates “Prime Day” on July 11th.  It is marked with some pretty great deals on a wide variety of items. It also presents AMAZING deals on items that have absolutely no real value. So stay away from the junk, no matter how cheap it is, and focus your Prime membership on getting something you really need.

Laptops

There will be some laptop deals that will be tempting as we ramp up for back to school, but the best deals tend to come out in the August sales. If you are not in need of an laptop right now I would hold off until at least August, and if you can wait even longer, maybe until November and Black Friday roll around.

Grills

I know, I know. Grills are on here almost every month leading up to when the bottom falls out on their pricing. The deals are coming and soon, so just hold off a little bit longer.

Pampers Rewards Review – Ultimate Guide to the Pampers Loyalty Program

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I have been purchasing diapers in some form for the last eight years.  This has allowed me to become a master at buying cheap diapers and maximizing my potential for savings.

Pampers rewards points reviewPampers is considered the Cadillac of disposable diapers and competes with Huggies for the most sales across the United States.

While it is does not offer the best rewards program on the planet, the Pampers Rewards program is very useful is you are buying diapers anyway (why not get rewards when you get them for free).

Right now my family has 2877 rewards points and that is after we have used some.  So, not only have I bough a lot of diapers, I have been using this program extensively.

How the Pampers Reward Program Works

Originally called the gifts to grow program, the points system is really simple on its face.  You sign up for an account, and start collecting rewards codes from Pampers products.  The codes translate into points.  The number of points will be different, depending on the products you purchase.

You can then redeem those points for prizes and discounts.  These are going to vary all the time, but right now the rewards include, coupons for more Pampers diapers, gift cards for discover toys, tons of different Shutterfly items, as well as some big point items for toys your kids can ride.

The codes themselves are kind of annoying because they are a random mishmash of 15 numbers and letters.  This is to make it easy to prevent fraud and give plenty of options for no repeats.  Still, when I am entering three to five at a time it isn’t the most fun transcription I have done.

Where to Get Pampers Rewards Codes

There are actual several ways to earn rewards and not all of them require you to make a purchase.

Purchase Pampers Products

I really wanted to be able to throw that alliteration out there.  The way most people earn their rewards is by purchasing Pampers products.  Every pack of pampers diapers, training pants, and wipes comes with a code.  The size of the package determines how many points you get for your purchase.

Extra Ways to Get Free Pampers Rewards Points

When you log into the rewards area of Pampers.com you will see a box somewhere on the screen that looks like this:
Pampers gifts to grow rewardsAs you can see from this screenshot, you can earn points from doing reviews, watching some short vides, and reading articles from Pampers.com.  The rewards are not always this easy, but they do pop up frequently.

Free Pampers Rewards Codes

From time to time, Pampers will release free codes.  You can get these through e-mails that you receive or from special promotions.  They generally are not easy to find and they are few and far between, but free points are fun.

Other Perks

Aside from accumulating points and getting stuff for making the purchases you already make, Pampers offers some extra bonuses for being a Pampers rewards member.

Grow On Program

This is where buying pampers on a regular basis really pays off.  If you redeem at least one code from a Pampers product (wipes/diapers) each month you will start to earn rewards each quarter.  For each consecutive three month period you will get better and better gifts for your loyalty. The current gifts for each milestone include:

  • 3 consecutive months choose from:
    100 Pampers Rewards points
    $5 Alex Toys Gift Cards
    24 personalized labels from shutterfly
  • 6 consecutive months choose from:
    200 Pampers Rewards points
    25 Shutterfly 4×8 flat photo cards
  • 9 consecutive months choose from:
    300 Pamers Rewards points
    Shutterfly photo wall calendar
  • 12 consecutive months choose from:
    400 Pamoers Rewards points
    12×12 Shutterfly hard cover photo book
    Fleece Blanket from Shutterfly

With any of the items that you choose from Shutterfly the gifts to grow on program gives you free shipping and handling, while any orders with Alex Toys will still require you to pay for the shipping costs.

Extra Coupons

I love me some diaper coupons.  The cost of diapers is ridiculous and being a part of the rewards program will get you updated with more coupons.  They can come in your e-mail, be printed online and sometimes you even get them in the mail.  Not bad for a free program.
pampers gifts to grow on rewards

Pampers Rewards App

Just like everything else these days there is an app for that.  The Pampers app is a nice addition and streamlines the process of redeeming your codes. The best features of the app include:

  • Scan and Go Codes – you can currently scan any diaper codes.  Wipes codes are not available yet and will probably come later.
  • Quick Updates – Any codes you scan from the app show up in your balance immediately.
  • Notifications – Get the latest program updates and new offers.
  • Grow On Tracking – You can easily check your gifts to grow on status and know that you are on track to the the next gift.

How to Maximize Your Rewards

There is no great way to increase the number of rewards you get with Pampers rewards.  They have the program clamped down to prevent any sort of abuse.  What you can do is stack your rewards with other programs. So when my local grocery store, that is a participant in the Fuel Rewards Network, runs a deal on pampers, I make sure to buy there an soak up a double reward purchase. If you throw in using a cash back or airline rewards credit card and you can triple dip on your rewards.

How I use My Rewards

The points don’t seem to have any expiration so I tend to let my points accumulate and save them for something we can really use.  The best deal is on gift cards for Discovery Toys which translate out to $10 for only 700 points.  Compare that to the diaper coupons which are $5 off for 700 points and you can see why they are very popular for most parents.

That being said, my kids have TONS of toys.  For that reason, I tend to get the $5 off coupons and bring my diaper prices down whenever I can. When you couple that big $5 off coupon with a deal from CVS or Rite Aid, you can get that diaper purchase down to almost free.

I have several friends who enter the Amazon $250 gift card drawing.  That will cost you 30 points each drawing, but if you do strike it you have paid for a bunch of diapers.

Summary of Pampers Rewards Review

The Pampers rewards program is, by no means, the end all and be all of rewards programs.  It isn’t even enough to keep me being brand loyal.  What it is, is free stuff.  If you are buying diapers and Pampers are the best deal from time to time, then you should absolutely go ahead and redeem your rewards codes.

While there are ways to get additional points, the program is not rewarding enough to make me take extra time out of my schedule to find those extra rewards or even go searching for free rewards codes.  So use the program, take advantage of it, but you are better off using other rewards programs to focus your extra efforts for more profits.

If you are a parent with diaper age children and haven’t signed up for the Pampers rewards program, sign up today!

Aldi Diapers and So Much More – Aldi Little Journey Baby Products Review

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I can remember how excited I was when I first discovered Aldi diapers and wipes. I immediately bought a pack of each to give them a try and was instantly hooked.

aldi little journey baby products reviewIf you aren’t aware, I have three children and as I write this review they are all under the age of eight years old.  My youngest has finally gotten out of diapers and into night time training pants and my middle child has crossed the big landmark of no training pants at night.  As you can tell, I know baby products and have been down there with you in the trenches, and that is why when the full line of Aldi Little Journey baby products were released I can honestly say I had not been that excited since the introduction of the Target RedCard or or when I first discovered ready to cook mail order meals.

What’s New With Aldi Little Journey Products

I have been shopping at Aldi in some capacity for more than 12 years and they have been carrying diapers size 3-5, baby wash, and wipes for a long time.  What the Little Journey product line does is expand into all forms of typical grocery related baby products.

This means that now you can get diapers from size 1-6, wipes, formula, infant/toddler snacks, baby wash, and even training pants all in one convenient section of Aldi.  As with almost everything at Aldi, the prices are GREAT!!!

Pricing on Aldi Baby Products

Obviously, a website that is dedicated to helping you with your finances HAS to have a section on how much this stuff costs and this is where the fun starts.

Aldi Diapers and Training Pants

As a person who has been obsessed with finding the best prices on diapers for the last seven plus years, I can tell you that the prices are the best you will find without using coupons stacked with sale prices.  Even with coupons stacked with sale prices you are going to find it difficult to beat the Aldi price on diapers.  The standard plastic wrapped jumbo pack of diapers are $4.99.  The even more cost effective boxes of diapers are $12.49.  Yes, that is ridiculously cheap.

I wouldn’t recommend something I haven’t tried, so we bought a pack of the newly labeled Little Journey diapers and they are very good.  My wife is pleased with them and we think they compare very favorably with Huggies brand diapers.  Now let me be clear, my children are huge.  My two year old just came in the 94th percentile for weight and 80th percentile for height so their chunky legs make it easier to form a seal with the diapers.  Since all my kids are built this way until they hit age three, if you have a less girthy child, please share in the comments your experience so we can all know how these work on different baby body types.

My middle child just got to where she doesn’t need training pants at night, so I cannot give you a personal experience on this product, but the price is definitely right.  It is only $5.99 for a pack of training pants.  That is better than any other standard price you can find and better than what you get with coupons.  You can beat that price with a coupon/sale/money back kind of deal, but if you want to avoid the hassle that is a VERY competitive price for training pants.

Aldi Little Journey Formula and Baby Food

As a father I am fiercely pro-breast feeding.  Now this has little to do with nutrition and mostly to do with making me useless, especially in the middle of the night, in the activity of feeding our children.

My wife mostly breast fed our children, but we did use formula when it was needed for both our girls.  That stuff is ridiculously expensive, so if you are able to breast feed, it will save you a ton of money, and it burns about 500 calories a day so that helps with getting back in those awesome jeans you love.

Formula is probably the biggest win for parents in the Aldi Little Journey products.  The 33 oz. generic that competes with Enfamil Gentlease powder is only $13.49.  For anyone that doesn’t know that is about 33% off what you pay for the Wal-Mart Brand and 67% off what you would pay for the Enfamil brand.  The same goes for the Similac Sensitive formula pricing.

While formula was a great deal, I didn’t find the baby food to be that special on pricing.  You can do just as well with baby food that is on sale and there are almost always coupons. That being said, it does make your life simpler to just go pick stuff up at a great low price.

aldi little journey baby food products

Aldi Little Journey Toddler Snacks

I decided to make this a separate category because they had a great selection of snacks for your toddlers. The prices are VERY competitive and beat Wal-Mart’s Parent’s Choice brand up and down the aisle.

The Yougurt bites and Puffs are about 10% off what you get on Wal-Mart brand and the squeezable fruit comes in just below Wal-Mart generic pricing.  On any of these snack categories the Little Journey products make Gerber look like they are ripping you off.  Overall you will save money with the new Aldi brand on their toddler snacking options.

Aldi Baby Wipes

I have been a huge fan of the Aldi baby wipes for a long time.  They don’t have too much scent to them and they are a good strong wipe without being harsh. We use them both for bottom cleanups and for wiping mouths with no complaints.

The wipes come in two quantities: three packs and singles.  There are 72 wipes in a pack, single packs cost $1.29, and the three packs are $3.49. This puts Aldi right in the mix as one of the least expensive baby wipes, but having a better quality than the cheapest variety.

Summary Review of Aldi Little Journey Products

I have been hoping Aldi would make a big push into baby products for a long time.  While I am on the final couple of years of needing these products, I am excited that so many people are going to be able to find amazing prices on their everyday baby needs.

I am a big Aldi fan and their prices are the major reason that I have turned into an Aldiphile.  What makes almost as big of an appeal to me is that they only have one type of each product on the shelves.  So when I pop in to get a pack of diapers, because my little angel had something that upset her stomach, I walk to the baby area, I find the one type of diapers in her size, I pick them up, pay for them and walk out.  There is no price comparison and spending brain power figuring out which brand with which coupon gets the best deal. One brand, one price on everything in the store.  It might be the perfect shopping experience for anyone who hates grocery shopping.

Best Things to Buy in June Sales

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Every month presents us with specific opportunities to buy certain items at rock bottom prices.

What to buy in June SalesBy knowing which month presents the best prices on an item or category of items we can make sure that we make purchases when the time is right and not when things wear out.

June has nine specific items you should buy during the month that will not be close to these prices for several months afterward.

What to Buy in June

Lingerie

June comes in as a great month for sale prices on lingerie.  Victoria’s Secret runs their semi-annual sale and it creates a ton of buzz throughout the industry.

Discounts tend to get better as the month goes on and they will start to do bundles of items like buy two bras get one free or $28 for five pairs of panties.

Competitors to VS, like Aerie, use the big publicity from the Semi-Annual sale to run their own sales and steal as much of the market as they can. Last year American Eagle, Kohl’s, Frederick’s, and Macy’s pushed big sales on unmentionables at the same time as the Semi-Annual Sale at VS.

Savings Tip – Go to the store of your choice, try on what you want and get the proper sizing, and then use one of the cashback sites to place your order and have it shipped to your home.

Tools

Father’s Day is in the middle of June so there will be a bunch of sales going on for tools of all kinds.  Keep checking the weekly sales flyers for Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sears and they will be the biggest discounters for these products.

Many years we have seen a deal where you buy one item on sale and get a second tool for free.  It’s a great month for buying new tools.

Doughnuts

June 2 is national doughnut day.  That means that everywhere you look will be some sort of deal for a free doughnut.  Most of the Doughnut stores will require the purchase of a drink or some other product.

Check the sites of these four major doughnut companies or your local shop for specifics:

Gym Memberships

The warm weather pushes people into full outdoor exercise mode.  That means all the gyms are losing members as they realize they can ditch their treadmill routine for the real road and as people who signed up as part of their New Year’s resolution are finally admitting they are not committed to losing weight.

In response, gyms will be offering a bunch of deals to lure in a new wave of people who choose not to show up to use their membership.

Vacations

Vacation spots that are usually considered a winter destination are trying to make enough to break even during the summer months.  There are other things to do in these towns and you can have a really great time for a big discount.

June also marks the beginning of hurricane season, so many people refuse to book tickets to the Caribbean during this time.  This means there will be deals to be had, but make sure to check the weather first.

Outdoor Gear

It seems counterintuitive, but outdoor gear sees its best deals in June until the temperature cools down. The Walmart brand Ozark will see some price drops along with fishing and camping gear.

The winter months are definitely the best time to get this gear but we can expect discounts in the 30%-40% range.

Family Movies

Summer marks the time when the movie theaters lure in parents with cheap movies.  These movies are usually second running of stuff we saw over a year ago and will run around $1. They also do minor discounts on movie food, but don’t expect a lot because they make their money on the food.

Check your local theaters to see which days they are offering the movies. If you have a few theaters in the area you may end up getting a bunch of great movies this summer for not much out of pocket.

Produce

Farmers markets go into full swing come June and you will see the full effects of the produce boom in your grocery store.  What goes on sale is very dependent on what part of the country you live in, but the more common produce to expect on sale includes:

  • Berries
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Leafy greens
  • Peaches
  • Summer squash
  • Tomatoes
  • Zucchini

Garden Supplies

The spring planting season is over so the garden supplies that go with spring are going on sale. These items don’t usually cost too much, but the prices are even lower starting in June.

What Not to Buy in June Sales

In every month, there are circumstances that lead to some items being more expensive than other times of year.  Here are a few things that you should avoid till another month when they will be less expensive.

Smart Speakers

Google Home and Amazon Alexa have taken the home smart device world by storm. Apple has finally gotten off its rear end and is set to announce their own blue tooth enabled speaker with Siri built in.  This should put some pressure on the market and Amazon will most likely lower prices in order to grab as much market share as possible.

Laptops

You are going to see the first of the back to school sales come out toward the end of the month.  These are just the tip of the ice burg.  The deals will start to really roll in from the middle of July to the middle of August.

Grills

Summer is the time when everyone wants to break out the grill and eat outdoors.  If your grill is ready for retirement or if you don’t have one, your best bet is to hold off until the fall. The prices will be much lower and you will see clearance pricing.

Televisions

Summer is a bad time for television deals. Once we hit fall and then Black Friday the deals will be plentiful.  If you need one now, your best value is in the 55” range.  You can get name brand sets for just over $500 and off-brand for $400 or less.

Get Paid for Shopping – Best Cashback Rebate Sites

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Getting cash back when you shop online has become easier than ever as more and more sites have joined the rebate game.

best cashback websitesThe problem is which programs actually pay out and have enough rebate offers to make it worth your time.

How Do Cashback Rebate Sites Work?

The way these cash back sites work is, whenever you want to shop online, you first log into your members area.  Next you click on a link that takes you to the site where you want to do your shopping.  This click gives the site you are using a commission for clicking on their link.  They take that commission and share a part of it with you.  Everybody wins.

Now I have set some criteria before I join a program.  These criteria include:

  • It has to be free to join – I am not going to go through the trouble of earning someone else some cash if they want me to pay for the “privilege” of joining.
  • The points have to be simple – Complex online rebate programs make it hard to really know if your efforts are worth the trouble.
  • The payout has to be reasonable – If I have to wait til I earn $100 to get a payout, then I’m out.  Most of these programs will pay you at $10 or less.

If you are like me you can use all of these programs but to get things started I wanted to give you a best of class list for anyone that wants to concentrate their efforts on one website.

Best Cashback Sites

While it would be easy for me to pick just one singe site, I thought it would be more helpful to highlight the best site in several categories.

1. Largest Rebates – TopCashBack

TopCashBack stormed on the cashback scene in the United States back in 2011. Compared to other sites this makes them a little on the young side, but very established in Internet years.  The company originated in Great Britain so they were really founded in 2006 and have a long history of paying out their users on time.

TCB operates on a different financial strategy than many of the other sites on this list.  Instead of you clicking their link and getting a portion of the commission, you get the entire commission the site makes. What they keep is any bonus money that might result of performance incentives.  For example, Amazon starts their affiliates out at 4% commission, but that goes all the way up to 8% as they sell more during a month.  TCB gives you 6% cashback and pockets the extra 2%.  This still makes them they best rebate for Amazon and they make money.  That’s good for all of us.

TopCashBack is consistently the highest paying rebate site and that includes huge retailers like Walmart.  If you are looking to get the most back without referring people or searching multiple rebate sites, then TCB is your best choice.

2. Most Ways to Earn Money – MyPoints.com

MyPoints is one of the oldest rewards programs on the Internet.  How old? I joined in 1997 and it was already a year old then.  While MyPoints is not my favorite for cashback rebates, they do have a good size list of stores that you can earn cash back from shopping and they have a ton of different ways to make money. The overall program sets them apart from the other rebate style sites.

This is not to say that the shopping rebates are bad.  They are competitive with other sites but you don’t have the same total number of retailers and they definitely do not compete with TopCashBack for the percentage back.

What you can do is earn points in multiple ways that include:

  • Doing internet searches
  • Taking Surveys
  • Watching Videos
  • Playing Games
  • Printing Grocery Coupons

And even more.  These extra ways to earn cash means you can consolidate all your efforts into one program and do very well. See all the ways to earn more cash in my MyPoints Review.

There are two other direct competitors to MyPoints, Swagbucks and InboxDollars.  Each one has some great options for earning money during your down time or for stuff you already do.

3. Best for Referrals – Mr Rebates

Mr. Rebates is the second longest running of these programs, getting their start in 2002.  They do not have as many stores as CouponCactus but they tend to pay a little bit higher percentage on the stores they do carry.

I used to use Ebates exclusively but found better cash back offers at this site and then added TopCashBack, so now I go back and forth between the three based off of who has the best rebate or carries the store I am shopping at.

This is the cashback site where I first started doing click throughs for printer ink and saved a TON. Learn more in our Mr Rebates review of how to use this site more effectively.

4. Largest Number of Stores Covered – CouponCactus.com

CouponCactus has the largest number of online retailers in their click through list and it isn’t even close.  With over 9,000 stores in their list, CouponCactus has twice as many store options as any of cashback rebate site.

The reason why they are not listed higher on the list is that they have worse rebate rates than TopCashback and Mr Rebates and a lot less ways to earn cash than Mypoints.

5. Best Sign Up Bonus – Ebates

While Ebates is not older than MyPoints they are the grandaddy of all the cashback rebate programs.  This is because when Ebates came on the scene, MyPoints was still mostly a get paid to read e-mails program.

The company was started in 1998.  That is an eternity in internet years and they have paid out consistently for me for over a decade.

They offer the most generous signup bonus with a free $10 when you make at least $25 in qualified purchases in the first 90 days.  This is really easy for most people and a good way to get your feet wet while earning some extra cash.

6. Best for Groceries – Ibotta

Ibotta was the first to really test this model and have done really well with it.  The way it works is you go into your account and connect your loyalty rewards card.  If you are shopping at a store that does not have a loyalty rewards card then you can submit your receipt with detailed purchases from the retailer.  Before you go shopping you have to unlock your rebates and then you get credit back into your account for the purchase.

While Ibotta focuses on grocery stores, it works with all sorts of retailers so if you are going shopping you should check to see if something you are going to purchase is on their list.

You might also want to take a look at Checkout 51.  They work in an almost identical fashion to Ibotta and many times you can submit the same receipt to each service.

How I Use Cashback Rebate Sites

I didn’t get the name “Saving Freak” by being happy when I get one discount. When I start to win at something I want to run up the score and that is exactly what I do by stacking my discounts. My strategy is to use multiple cashback and rewards programs all in one transaction.  This example is how it works on $50 Amazon.com purchase, but it can be applied to almost any major retailer.

  1. I go to my local grocery store and purchase a $50 Amazon gift card with my cash back rewards credit card that gives me 5% cash back on grocery store purchases.
  2. My local grocery store participates in the Fuel Rewards Network so I get 5¢ off per gallon with my next gasoline fill up at Shell (worth about $1 or 2% on a $50 purchase).
  3. I check Ibotta to make sure there are no rebates from them on my purchase.
  4. I then go to my TopCashBack account and use their link to click through to Amazon.com
  5. I make my purchase and get 6% cash back into my TopCashBack account.

So what does this rebate/reward stacking get me?  That $50 purchase is now the equivalent of a $43.50 and, let’s be honest, whatever I purchased on Amazon was also on sale.  If you can do better than that I want to know and you should leave your strategy in the comments for all of us to learn.

Best Cashback Rebate Websites – Summary

Reward Portal
# of Stores
Best For
Go To
TopCashBack
3,596
Largest cashback percentage
Review of TopCashBack
MyPoints
1,688
Most Ways to Earn
Review of MyPoints
Mr Rebates
2,617
Best referral program
Review of MrRebates
Ibotta
372
Grocery rebates
Review of Ibotta
Coupon Cactus
9671
Most stores
Ebates
2166
Longest running rebate site
Review of Ebates
Upromise
907
College savings
InboxDollars
17
Get paid for e-mails
Review of InboxDollars
Active Junkie
468
Outdoorsy stores
Checkout 51
Any store with items on receipt
Groceries
Review of Checkout 51
Swagbucks
1,721
Get paid to search
Review of Swagbucks
Fuel Rewards Network
142
Best for Gasoline Purchases
Review of FRN
BeFrugal
4073
Extra Rebates
1205
Extrabux
1955
Giving Assistant
2745
Glamour Rewards
957
Go Cashback
1248
Hoopla Doopla
1598
iConsumer
1609
Mainstreet Shares
961
Rebate Blast
1750
RebatesMe
621
Shop at Home
3367
Simply Best Coupons
4018
Sunshine Rewards
881
Yazing
1168

The Diversification Battle – [ETF vs Mutual Fund]

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Diversifying your investment portfolio is an important step in making sure you never lose too much in a market down turn and that is why comparing ETFs vs mutual funds will make it much easier for you to implement a diversification strategy.

etfs vs mutual fundsMutual funds and ETFs are very similar investment types.  Their similarities make it really difficult for people to understand which one is best for their needs.

This guide aims to get you as clear as possible on each one, and help you to work out which is the right one for you. If you’re looking to invest some money, read on to discover where it’s best going to so you can enjoy the highest rate of return and the most benefits from your choice.

What is a Mutual Fund?

A mutual fund is a managed portfolio of stocks, bonds, or both in some cases. A mutual fund is where a company that brings together a large group of people manages the investments made, and collectively invests the investor’s money into a portfolio on their behalf. Each investor holds a share of the mutual fund.

In short: it is a pool of money belonging to a large group of people who want to save or make more money. It could potentially be a smart investment to make for any investor, which is why it’s worth knowing about whatever stage of your investment journey you’re at.

To put it as simply as possible: mutual funds are like baskets. Each basket holds certain types of stocks and other investments. It’s important to remember that each investor owns shares of the mutual funds but not the holdings. Investing in a share of mutual funds is different to investing in shares of stock. Mutual fund shares don’t give investors any voting rights in a company.

An investor may earn a return from a mutual fund in a number of ways, including income earned on stocks and interest on bonds that are in the portfolio. There are a number of pros and cons to mutual funds, which we’ll talk about a little later on.

Basic Mutual Fund Types And Categories

Stock funds and bond funds are two of the most popular types of mutual funds. You then get three sub-categories of ​capitalization — small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap. These can be categorized further as either growth, value, or growth and income. Stocks can also be classified as international, global or foreign, however, they all similar objectives to one another.

It’s worth knowing the exact type of mutual fund you are looking at, as things can change depending on the various factors.

The Benefits Of Mutual Funds

Although there are different types of mutual funds, let’s talk a little more about the general benefits of them.

  • Professional Management – your mutual fund investment is professionally managed by a skilled person with experienced. You do not have to pick stocks and manage your investment yourself. An investment manager takes care of all of this using their specialist trading skills. This means you can free up time to do other things, without having to worry about your investments. You will have more time and less stress. If you choose the right company, you may have more money too.
  • Diversification – you get diversification when you select a mutual fund. Your risk is spread out across many different holdings in this type of investment. Large mutual funds typically own hundreds of different stocks in different industries. If you know anything about investing, you’ll know how important diversification is for success. The majority of investors will tell you not to put all your eggs in one basket, and with a mutual fund, you’re automatically diversifying.
  • Simplicity – with a mutual fund, you get simplicity. The process is fairly straightforward, and the initial investment can usually be quite small. Most people do not have the knowledge and experience required when first starting out, or even the big bucks to invest. If you’re feeling lost and want something easy, a mutual fund could be the way you begin your investment portfolio.
  • Transparency – Some people worry about working with vague companies and not knowing where their money is really going. Accountability and fairness to investors is ensured thanks to industry regulation. You won’t need to worry about anything going awry with your mutual funds without you knowing about it first.
  • Ease of Use – this process can be much easier than investing in stocks and bonds on your own. Even if you know what you’re doing, a mutual fund could free up more time for you.
  • Low Initial Investment – you can get started with as little as $100 for most mutual funds. If you pledge to invest $100 a month, you will usually be better off as there are less fees to contend with.

Disadvantages of Mutual Funds

As beneficial as mutual funds can be, there are some disadvantages you will want to think about too. Take a look at them below:

  • Active Management – Although investing in mutual funds can be attractive thanks to the managed investment portfolio, some investors debate whether the managers are better than the average investor at selecting stocks. Even if the fund loses money, the manager still gets paid, so it doesn’t matter to them too much how well they handle it. Some people believe that they could do a similar job, if not a better job, depending on who is managing the mutual fund. There’s no guarantee that the person managing your fund will be a total expert and get you the best results.
  • Costs and fees – creating and running a mutual fund can be expensive. Fees can vary from fund to fund. All of the money you spend on fees is money you have not invested to grow over time. If you were to go for a more cost effective fund, you would also have more money to invest, and earn a higher rate of return in the long run.
  • Dilution – you could potentially get poor returns due to too much diversification. This can also result from a successful fund that has grown too big. While diversification is important, dilution is the last thing you want to happen. Most don’t realize that dilution is a problem.

Best Places To Invest In Mutual Funds

Most investors will have some kind of mutual fund in their portfolio. If this is something you’re looking to add to yours, there are a few places you should look at first. The following places offer high quality selection, affordability, service, and tools to help your mutual fund investment prosper.  Some of the best companies include:

  • Ally Invest – Ally bank recently bought out TradeKing and converted them to Ally Invest.  This is the best place for beginners because they do not require a minimum amount to get started. Any mutual fund that has a load requires zero transaction fees and no load mutual funds are only $9.95 per trade.
  • Vanguard – I have one of our Roth IRA’s in Vanguard and they offer all their funds for no fees.  The only reason I do not suggest them for everyone is that many of their funds require s $3,000 investment to get started.  I know several people who have started with an Ally account and then rolled that money over to Vanguard once they had enough.

Pretty much any brokerage will allow you to invest in mutual funds, so remember to look into each individual company carefully before you decide who should handle your mutual fund investment.

What is an ETF?

The abbreviation ETF is short for ‘Exchange Traded Fund’. Although it is very similar to a mutual fund, there are some notable differences. The main difference is that an ETF is a marketable security that tracks an index, a commodity, bonds, or a basket of assets similar to an index fund.

Just like when you buy a share of stock, ETFs experience price changes throughout the day as they are bought and sold. They have higher liquidity, and make an attractive alternative for individual investors who do not want to invest the larger sums it takes to buy into a mutual fund.

An investor may get residual value in case the fund is liquidated, and ETF shareholders are entitled to a proportion of the profits, such as earned interest or dividends paid. ETF shares are traded on public stock exchanges. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and some of the disadvantages of an ETF.

Benefits Of ETFs

ETFs have many benefits that you’ll want to consider.

  • Trading Flexibility – You get trading flexibility when you choose an ETF. ETFs are bought and sold during the day when the markets are open, and pricing is continuous through normal trading hours.
  • Diversification and Risk Management – ETFs provide an investor easy access to a desired market segment, which is easier for investors who may not have expertise in those areas.
  • Lower Costs – operating costs come with all managed funds, but you can expect them to be significantly lower with an ETF. Marketing expenses, custody costs, and more are all things you will need to think about with most funds. Costs can be more streamlined with ETFs, however. You will get lower expenses in the case of monthly statements, tax reports, quarterly reports, and more.
  • Tax Benefits – mutual funds typically incur more capital gains tax than ETFs due to differences in structure. The tax benefits are one of the most attractive benefits of ETFs.
  • One Transaction – you can usually purchase an ETF with one easy transaction. It has a  simple structure and is fairly easy to understand, so it is very useful for beginners. However, any level of investor can put their money into an ETF.
  • Accountability – the company sponsor, designer, and creator of the ETF publishes a list of assets in the fund on a daily basis. This means you know exactly what is going on with your ETF. These are investments that are known for their transparency.
  • Passive Management – minor adjustments are needed for an ETF, as opposed to other funds that are aggressively managed. This is how the risk and management fees are lowered.
  • Immediate Dividends – with ETFs, dividends can be immediately invested back into the funds.

Disadvantages Of ETFs

There are many advantages to an ETF, but you can’t ignore the disadvantages if you want to make a well informed decision.

  • International Limitations – There are some international limitations with an ETF. The US has many ETF products for investors to look at, however, some countries only have a handful.
  • Low Trading Volumes – when ETFs have low trading volumes, the other advantages diminish. Bid ask can be spread too wide to be cost effective in some cases.
  • Inactivity – some ETFs aren’t traded as actively as others. This can be due to sector or regional issues.
  • Tax Implications – tax laws vary from country to country, so this is worth bearing in mind if you are looking to invest in foreign ETFs.

Best Places To Invest In ETFs

Knowing the best places to invest in ETFs is crucial if you want the best place for your money. The following places offer high quality selection, cost effectiveness, great customer service, and tools to help your ETF give you the highest return. Two of the major providers of ETFs are:

  • Betterment – Betterment is the best way to invest in ETFs for new investors or for people who want a hands off approach to investing.  Instead of having to pick ETFs yourself, Betterment gives you a shot questionnaire to gauge your risk tolerance and then does all the investing for you.  In my review of Betterment we discuss how they use ETFs to make all the investments.
  • TD Ameritrade – If you are going to pick ETFs for yourself then TD Ameritrade is the best option.  They offer over 100 different ETFs that you can purchase for no trading fee.  They are, by far, the best at offering no fee trading for ETFs.

Mutual Funds vs ETFs – The Real Differences

So, with all of this in mind, what is the real difference between mutual funds and ETFs? They are similar as both instruments bundle together anywhere from 100-3000 securities to offer investors a diversified portfolio. However, ETFs trade throughout the trading day, like stocks, while mutual funds trade only at the end of the day at the net asset value (NAV) price.

ETFs offer lower operating expenses more than mutual funds as they usually track to a particular index, this savings can mean you may get a better rate of return in the long run. ETFs have no investment minimums either. Take a look at the differences in a nutshell below:

Mutual Funds

  • Trade at closing NAV price
  • Operating expenses will vary
  • Have investment minimums
  • Are less tax efficient
  • May have sales load

ETFs

  • Trade during daily trading
  • Have low operating expenses
  • No investment minimums
  • More tax efficient
  • No sales loads

Both Mutual Funds and ETFs have a place in a varied investment portfolio. However, while a mutual fund is still a solid choice, ETFs are something you should definitely incorporate for maximum benefit and returns on your investments.

That being said, it’s so important to do your own research on any financial asset before making either long or short trades. Just because an ETF has many benefits, does not mean it will be the right choice for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Save Money on All Your Online Shopping – TopCashback Review

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TopCashback started out in 2005 as a cash back rebate site that only serviced the U.K, but expanded to the United States in 2011.

topcashback reviewWhile the American cash back rebate space was already crowded, TopCashback has taken on the more established websites, like Ebates, and become a real competitor for helping people save money on their online shopping.

Whether you are looking for information on www.topCashback.com or topCashback.co.uk, you are dealing with the same larger company and they work in identical fashion.

How Does TopCashback Work?

Like other Cashback rebate websites, TopCashback works by you signing up for an account, logging in, and using their website to click over to other merchant websites (Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, etc.).  TopCashback has set up relationships where they get paid for sending traffic to these different online retailers.

Instead of keeping all the money for themselves, they send the percentage of sales back to you, the person who clicked on their link.

This presents all of us with options for getting a discount on almost any purchase we make online

Is TopCashback Legit?

Yes, TopCashback is completely legit. The site has paid out as promised for years.  With a 12 year history in the UK and six years in the USA, the site has proven to be a top flight Cashback rebate program.

Having personally used this particular cashback rebate site, I have had no problems with tracking of my purchases and have received payment in a very timely fashion.

Ways to Earn

There are three ways to earn money with TopCashback.com.

Click and Shop

The obvious way to earn money with a Cashback rebate site is to use the portal to click through to all your online shopping.  You get the affiliate revenue that TCB earns.

Bonus Offers

One of my favorite features of TCB is that they run bonus offers that allow you to get items even more cheaply.  When I first signed up for this service I was able to get a free copy of Big Hero 6 by signing up and clicking the Walmart link.

The bonus offers only come every so often, but they are really awesome when they do show up. You have to keep up with their e-mails where all these announcements come through.

Refer a Friend

When you refer other people to TopCashback.com you will get a $10 when they sign up with your link and then earn $10 in Cashback themselves.  If you have a bunch of friends on Facebook or Twitter this can add up very quickly.

Top Cashback vs Ebates and other Top Sites

So what do we get when we compare TopCashback versus Ebates or Mr Rebates?  You get a really great battle that’s what you get.  I compare these three services on four criteria: Cashback rebate, number of stores, referral program, and payout minimum.

Cashback Rebates

Now each of the Cashback rebate sites has its strong point when it comes to being the best, but I look for three specific stores to do my evaluation.

  1. Amazon.com – Amazon is the number on online retailer and where I buy a ton of stuff that is shipped for free to my house. TopCashback wins this one with 6% back, while MrRebates and Ebates give you 5% and 3% respectively.
  2. Walmart.com – Walmart is the number one retailer in the world and the second largest online retailer. TopCashback, once again, take top prize with 3% cash back while MrRebates gets 2% and Ebates 1%
  3. 4inkjest.com – Printer ink is MUCH cheaper online. When you get Cashback on top of that you get amazingly low prices.  4inkjets.com is one of the top sites for low cost ink and TCB wins again with up to 20% Cashback, while Ebates has 11% and MrRebates 8%.

When it comes to straight Cashback offers TopCashback is the clear winner.  If you aren’t going refer people and they carry the store you need then this is the program for you.

Number of Stores

As of this writing, Ebates has 2,140 online retailers that they have relationships with, MrRebates.com has 2,603, and TCB has 3,351.  Ebates seems to have been resting on their laurels and advertising while other services have passed them by on the number of stores metric.

TCB has already clinched themselves as the best of the three, but there is still one more and it is a game changer for some people.

Referral Program

Top Cashback and Ebates have very similar programs.  TCB still beats Ebates by giving you a $10 referral fee when your friend earns $10 in reward, while Ebates gives you $5 when your friend earns $25.  MrRebates program is where this gets interesting.

MrRebates does not give you a lump sum when you get a friend to sign up through your link.  Instead they give you 20% of whatever that friend earns forever. That’s right, you get 20% of everything your referral gets in cashback in perpetuity.

This make MrRebates the program to go to if you are able to refer people who will use the service. That 20% referral bonus can lead to tons of money over the life of that program.

Payout Minimum

This criteria isn’t as big a deal as the other three for me because when I receive the money isn’t as important as the fact that I get the most back eventually.  That being said they all have a low payout threshold.  MrRebates and Ebates require that you cash out with at least $5 while TCB does not have a minimum.  So if you want access to the cash the fastest, TCB wins again.

For me personally, I recommend signing up for all three.  I am always looking to get the most cashback on every purchase and each program beats the others on specific retailers.  If you do not want the hassle of multiple programs and want the best cashback bang for your buck, then Top Cashback is the clear winner.

Complaints

With any company that has a reasonably long history there are going to be some complaints.  The only complaint that I have seen that happens with any sort of frequency is that every once in a while, a purchase does not register in their system.

This is pretty common in the cashback rebate site world.  When you click though to a site, there are a few things that can mess up the cookie that tracks your purchase.  This could be anything from using a coupon code that erases the affiliate or accidentally clicking on someone else’s tracking link after you have clicked on the link from the rebate site.

The complaints do not seem to be plentiful enough to make this a major concern.

Is Top Cashback Worth it?

TCB is worth it because it takes almost no time and makes a real difference in your total purchase price for online purchases.  With more bricks and mortar stores allowing you to buy online and pick up in store the savings are getting more and more substantial.

If you are looking for a single cashback rebate site that will get you the best reabtes then TopCashback is currently making the strongest case for your business.

25 Ways to Save Money on Air Conditioning Costs

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It is now May and we are really starting to heat up in South Carolina.  By the end of the month we should be steadily in the 90 degree temps every day.

While this is a welcome change for my kids who are already dreaming of the neighborhood pool, my Electric bill is starting to quiver with fear.

Since the three small people in my house don’t seem to be able to close the doors, finding some ways to cut the cost of AC is a big money saver.  I put in some research time and came up with these 25 ways to save money on air conditioning.

how to save money on air conditioningKeep Yourself Cool Other Ways

If you aren’t using air conditioning, then they cannot charge you for it.  The reality is that you can save the most money on air conditioning by using less.

Install Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans make it feel three to eight degrees cooler in whatever room you are in.  The principal is that ceiling fans move the air around you, this gets the hot air that your body is emitting away from you and also allows any small amounts of perspiration to evaporate quickly.  Both of these actions cool you down.

If you do install ceiling fans you need to make sure that they are blowing in the right direction. If you are using the fan in conjunction with the air conditioning, then have the fan push air away from you.  If you are using it for the purpose of moving air around your body, then you want it to be pointing down and blowing directly on you.  For most ceiling fans, the fan will blow down when it is spinning counter-clockwise.

Use a Bed Fan

Frequently used for people who experience night sweats or hot flashes, bed fans run a gentle breeze under your sheets as you sleep.  This can allow you to save money on the AC by turning up the temperature on your thermostat at night.

There are some REALLY expensive ones out there, but this one runs $80 and doesn’t take up a ton of space so you stub your toe in the middle of the night.

Use a Chilling Pillow

There are water cooled pillows that help keep your head cooled down while you sleep. The most famous is called “The Chillow” and the reviews of them are all very good.

They are pretty affordable and they even advertise to help with relief for flu, fever, headaches and several other maladies.  I could see this being a big help for sunburn.

Get Naked

You should probably make sure all the blinds and curtains are closed before doing this, but at least try switching to lighter types of clothing. The one real argument for going full out in the buff is that you will also save money on doing the laundry.

Rinse off In the Shower

A quick cool shower can cool you down for a good period of time.  Make sure you are not using warm water as that will heat up the bathroom and make your A/C work hard to remove the heat.

Reducing Heat

One area where we frequently forget to keep it cool is reducing the heat we use around the house.  If you don’t heat things up, then your AC unit doesn’t have to work to cool it down again.  Here are three areas we can easily reduce the amount of heat we produce inside.

Take a Break from Baking

Now don’t get the idea that apple pie is not necessary for the 4th of July, but baking less can really save you.  The oven will heat up your house which you then have to cool down again.

If you are doing small meals try using a good toaster oven. We purchased one that has a convection feature and it does a great job for small meals.  We just started cooking chicken fritters from Zaycon Fresh and they turned out AWESOME!

This is a great time of year to grill out and keep all that cooking heat outside.  Even using the stove top instead of the oven will save you.

Take a Cold (or colder) Shower

You may think this funny but it will save you money on two fronts.  First you are not heating up your home with steam.  If you have a vent that you run you are also moving air out of your house and like me you may forget and leave that fan running which then wastes the AC.  Also, you will lose less hot water which means that you will put less strain on your hot water heater.  Even if you have a tankless water heater you will use less energy by taking cooler shorter showers.

Keep the Lights Low

Depending on which type of lights you use you could be heating up your rooms.  CFLs are better than Incandescent bulbs, but LEDs produce the least heat of the group. LED lighting has gotten much cheaper over the last couple of years, they last longer, and they cost less to use.  So start switching your lighting out as your incandescent and CFL bulbs go bad.

I found LED bulbs on Amazon for just under $3 a bulb.  That is not a great price now a days, so I would try Lowes and Home Depot for their best deals.

Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are the gateways to our homes.  They are also the gateway for all the heat outside.  Here are some ideas

Plug The Holes

You have to treat the “paid for air” like it is vaporized gold seeping out of your home.  So check your windows and doors for places you may be losing your air.  You can repair most of these with inexpensive caulk, weather strips, or foam that you can find at your local hardware store.

Use Thermal Window Panels

In the same vein, they actually make window panels that are attractive and decorative, but also have thermal properties as well as light and sound reducing properties.  The best of these window panels are the Eclipse Thermaback Blackout Panels.  These panels will block 99% of light and 40% of sound from your windows.  The most amazing property is they are specially made to help insulate your windows from the rest of your house.  These can save you as much as 25% off your heating and cooling bills (not letting light or heat in) and are great for a home theatre room.  Obviously if you have high end windows it will be less and if you are using plastic wrap with duct tape it will be more.   The best price I could find was $14.99 on Amazon.com (free shipping if you spend $35 or more or have Amazon Prime).

Put Solar Screens on the Windows

There are actual solar screens that are made with a special mesh that blocks the sunlight.  You can get these screens to block up to 90% of the sunlight. Most people really do well with 60% to 70% blocking, that way you don’t have to use the lights in your house that also produce heat.

This option is great for rooms that are not frequently used and can stand to be a bit darker.

Use Storm Windows and Doors

If you have an older home with single pane windows or doors that are leaking air, then storm windows and doors are an affordable way to go.  You can go pretty cheap with these and still get up to 50% benefit over the leaky alternatives.

Install Reflective Film on Windows and Storm Doors

Reflective film is a great way to block the heat from the sun.  This film can reflect 40-60% of heat while still letting in the visible light that makes your room.  These reflective films are relatively inexpensive at less than $2 per square foot if you want to pull a DIY.

Attic and Roof Changes that Save Money on AC

Since the sun beats down on your roof and the attic is just below, making slight changes to these two important parts of your home can make big differences in your cooling bills.  Some of these are worth doing when you have to make a replacement and others are worth the investment any time.

Proper Insulation of Attic

If you do not have good insulation in your attic you are looking at up to a 40% heat loss.  Older homes frequently have 2-3 inches of insulation.  If you increase this to 8-14 inches you can save up to $145 per year (based on 1200 square feet of ceiling). Check out how much insulation you need in the attic on the Department of Energy website.

Radiant Barrier

Radiant barriers are kind of like aluminum foil or a special paint that goes on the underside of your roof.  It blocks the radiant heat that leaks into your home and saves you in the range of 3-8%.

Metal Roofing

I always think of metal as something that heats up in the sun, but metal rooves actually reflect more heat than asphalt shingles.  If you aren’t into the old country home style of roofing, they now make metal shingles that resemble the very nice wooden shingles.  Metal rooves are made to be permanent so if you are thinking this is your longer term home the investment will save you in the long run.

Get a White Roof

If you don’t feel like metal is the option for you then you can do a white roof.  These shingles reflect the sun instead of absorbing it.  This will get you 10-20% in savings on your air conditioning.

Plant Shade Trees

While this is not exactly a roof change it does keep the sun off your roof.  You can reduce the temperature in your home by up to 20 degrees and get a good 40% energy savings just by having some nice shady trees in strategic places around your home.

HVAC System Changes that Can Save Money

Some of these are SUPER simple and others require a big investment.  Making sure your system is working at its best will save you a ton in the long run.

Change or Wash Your Filters

Making it easy for your home cooling system to move air helps it work more efficiently.  I am as guilty as anyone for not changing or cleaning the filters on a regular basis.  I recommend spending the little bit of extra cash and getting reusable filters that you can just rinse with a hose, but either way get those filters clean so the unit works the most efficiently.

Get Duct Work Checked for Leaks

Leaky ducts cost the average home 27% of the cooling or heating.  Having leaks in your ducts and poor insulation around those ducts makes a huge difference in your energy bills. You can save in the range of $200 a year on electric bills.

Programmable Thermostat

If you are not at home you do not want to be paying for cooling (or heating for that matter).  Also, with temperatures dipping in the evening you want to let your AC have a rest while you are sleeping.  The best way to do this is with a programmable thermostat.

Now I know some people are worried about keeping it cool for your cat, but cats are evil and are close friends of the devil so they should already be used to a little heat.  Having a properly programmed thermostat can save as much as 30% of your costs on an annual basis.  If you don’t have a programmable thermostat I found them on Amazon for around $25.

Window Units

Yes they look terrible, but central AC is the most convenient not the most efficient means of cooling your home.  Cooling rooms that do not need it makes the biggest difference.  If you switch to window units and only cool the rooms you use you will save big bucks.

My wife and I know this one first hand. When we purchased our home it was a foreclosure and the upstairs unit was dead.  At the time it was just me and Amy so we only cooled and heated our master bedroom. When we started using the central system upstairs the bills did go up.  Of course that coincided with keeping our new baby boy cool during the summer so we were good with it.

Mini-Split Systems

These systems are relatively new and are still on the expensive side, but you get the advantage of a unit in each room with no duct work. The units are mounted to the wall so some people are not keen on their appearance.  The big savings, once again, is in having cooling only in rooms that you need it.

Geothermal Systems

I have met two people with these types of systems and they are a pretty awesome idea.  You have a series of piping that goes under the ground and circulates water through those pipes. The heat gets taken out of your house and pushed into the water.  Then it goes into the ground.

The upfront cost of these systems is what keeps most people from getting them.  You are looking at almost twice the cost of your standard air system. What you get is 30-60% less energy usage.  This means the system should pay for itself in about 6 years. Did I mention they are still giving a 30% tax credit to help with the costs on these systems?

Overall you can save a bundle if you do just implement a few of these tactics for reducing your air conditioning bill.  Now, if only my wife could decide what color of thermal window panels she wants.