"Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten." - Cree Indian Prophecy

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Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Amanda Blankenship

Is Presidents’ Day the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?

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best time to buy a mattress

Most mattresses cost between $200 and $1,500. There are premium mattresses that can cost $5,000 or more, however, many people can find a quality one for around $1,000. A grand is still quite a bit of money to spend on a mattress, so you may want to wait until sales are happening. So, when is the best time to buy a mattress?

The Best Time to Buy a Mattress

If you are a savvy shopper, you’ve probably heard there are specific holidays and times during the year where you may be able to score a mattress on the cheap. That has changed slightly over the years with the increase in popularity of online shopping though.

Before setting out to purchase any big-ticket items it is a good idea for you to have a set budget in mind. Without a set budget and the money saved, you are more likely to overspend and possibly go into debt (and a mattress just isn’t worth that). Once you’ve decided on that, you can move forward with finding the best time to buy a mattress for you. That being said, there are a few days throughout the year that may prove to be cheaper than others.

Late Winter/Early Spring

It can be a good idea to plan and save for your mattress to be bought in the early spring. May seems to be a month where many retailers put their merchandise on sale to make room for the next year’s inventory. The biggest sales are typically seen around Memorial Day weekend. Discounts around this time on mattresses are typically up to 60% (a decent amount of savings).

Holiday Weekends

As mentioned above, Memorial Day weekend is a good time to go looking at mattresses. There are other holiday weekends that have proven to be good for sales too. You can discover discounts up to 60% on Presidents’ Day weekend, 4th of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving as well. If you’re in the market for a mattress, you may want to consider waiting for one of these holiday weekends to make a purchase.

Buy Online

Lastly, you can save even more money if you buy your mattress online. Many people still make their mattress purchases in person, but brick-and-mortar stores mark up the price in a huge way. Brands that typically sell for $2,000 to $3,000 in-store can be found for around $1,000 online.

This method of saving money on mattresses does have its downfalls though. You won’t be able to see (or try) the mattress before buying it. You will have to rely on online reviews. But, you will have a plethora of products to choose from, not to mention you won’t have any pressure from salespeople on the floor.

Mattress Coupons

As with anything else you buy, it is possible to find coupons, discounts, and promo codes for mattresses online. However, it is important that you verify the site and source of the coupon code if you are relying on it to be able to pay for the item. It is common for promo codes listed online and elsewhere to be expired.

If you are looking for a promo code, RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, and Groupon are the best, most reliable resources. Members of Costco and Sam’s Club may also find they can get some spectacular deals on mattresses. In fact, according to the Krazy Koupon Lady, Costco has the lowest mattress prices of any retailer.

Most mattress manufacturers don’t offer coupons, per se. Instead, they offer in-store deals and/or bundles. For instance, many mattress companies will give you a free boxspring with the purchase of a mattress or the deal you are getting is part of a larger sale. The Original Mattress Factory does offer printable internet coupons though, which you can access on their website.

Keep This in Mind…

As with all big-ticket purchases, it is important to remember you get what you pay for. Most mattresses under $500 will not come with warranties and may not use the best materials available to be constructed. Consider this before settling for cheaper models.

Readers, when was the last time you bought a mattress? How much did you spend? 

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Where to Find Rare Game Pieces for Albertsons Monopoly

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Rare Games Pieces for Albertsons Monopoly

If you’re familiar with the Albertsons’ Monopoly promotion, then you know it’s no secret that your chances of winning the jackpot prize are extremely difficult. This year, the big cash prize is $1,000,000 once again. But, don’t get your hopes up; the odds of winning aren’t great. This year though, they are a littler bit higher!

Finding Rare Game Pieces

In order to win one of the bigger rewards, such as the vacation home, luxury car or home makeover, you need to find rare and semi-rare pieces. These change every year, and with the competition just starting last week, it may take some time before all the rare pieces are revealed.

However, there are a few places to look and a few things for you to know when beginning your search for rare Monopoly pieces:

  • Get creative. Leave no stone unturned when searching for these items or leads. Many blogs share the full list of items as well as continuously update as the promotion continues. We suspect you will be able to find more of these by the end of February or beginning of March all over the internet. People seem to really ban together for this event as it is knowingly challenging to fill your game board. Some online forums we found were on YouTube.com with a search for Albertsons Monopoly.
  • Get out of the area. You probably will not have much luck if you only shop in the participating stores in your area. If you are really dedicated to winning this year, you are going to need to shovel out some gas money and consider taking a road trip or two (both long and short) to increase your chances of finding these rare game pieces. As a reminder of the game rules, you can even make a small purchase in order to receive a ticket, but there are exceptions such as no tickets provided with purchases of tobacco products and lottery tickets.
  • Start early. The sooner you start, the better as you will believe to collect more over time. However, expect to see a large distribution of tickets in April since the contest ends May 5. You may be able to lock in some last-minute prizes at this time and having some decent tickets to trade will help your chances.
  • Share the wealth. There are participants who are willing to buy, trade and sell tickets they need for this Albertsons’ Monopoly promotion. Individuals will sell on eBay as well as trading sites like this one. Of course, the rare pieces will be a bit costly as the seller may be potentially helping you win $1,000,000. You, too, can cash in, though, by selling tickets you don’t need or even trading groups of tickets with other competitors in order to fill in a color on the board.
  • Be careful. Be quite cautious when you are hunting for areas to buy and sell these rare game pieces. The world is full of scammers, and the internet is no exception. Do your research, review the seller and make sure you are submitting your credit card numbers through a safe and secure site.

What Are The Rare Game Pieces in 2019?

Below, is a list of the rare game marker list for Albertsons’ Monopoly 2020 Collect & Win game.  These may be updated as more information is collected throughout the promotion. All of these have cash value (from $1 million to $5 cash):

  • A606F
  • B611D
  • M656A
  • J643B
  • J646E
  • F630D
  • C615E
  • P667D
  • N663C
  • L653B
  • K649B
  • H641A
  • G635C
  • E625C
  • D623A

The Odds of Winning

Albertsons Play Monopoly promotion site notes that the odds for the top three Collect & Win prizes are as follows:

  • $1,000,000 Cash (30-year annuity) – 552,501,000: 1
  • $250,000 Vacation Home – 368,334,000: 1
  • $100,000 Cash or Boat – 110,500,200: 1

Additionally, there are a number of instant win opportunities and small prizes available as well. The smaller the prize, the more likely you are to win.

These odds are based on finding the rare game piece. Many people have been able to win in the past by trading these game pieces online. Visit the Saving Advice forums Albertsons Monopoly trading thread. 

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Is the Stock Market Open on Presidents’ Day 2020?

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Stock market open presidents day

Monday is a federal holiday, which means different things for different types of business. Most retail stores and grocers will remain open, while non-essential government offices will be closed. What does that mean for investors? Is the stock market open Presidents’ Day?

Will The Stock Market Be Open on Presidents’ Day?

Oftentimes, when people refer to the stock market they are referring to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The NYSE, NASDAQ, and bond markets don’t all run on the same schedule. So, it is important to differentiate.

However, the stock market is closed on Presidents’ Day. You can buy, sell, and trade regularly on Friday, February 14 and will be able to do so again at start-of-business Tuesday, February 18.

Will NASDAQ Be Open on Presidents’ Day?

NASDAQ will be closed on Monday, February 17. While the bond market has its own schedule, the NYSE and NASDAQ have the same holiday schedule. Therefore, the NASDAQ will also be closed Presidents’ Day.

Will the Bond Market Be Open on Presidents’ Day?

The bond market (SIMFA) will be also closed on Presidents’ Day. If you have any business to do with bonds, you need to get it done on Friday, February 14, or make sure it can wait until Tuesday, February 18.

Stock Market Holidays

The stock market (NYSE and NASDAQ) is closed each year in observance of the following federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The stock market also closes the day before Independence Day.

Normally, the stock market closes at 5 p.m. EST. However, there are a few days during the year where the market closes early. These days are usually Black Friday and Christmas Eve.  No dates around Presidents’ Day are affected in this way.

If you are an active trader or have holdings in the NASDAQ, NYSE or bond market, you should become aware of what days these markets are open and closed. The stock market does not always follow a federal holiday schedule and can be confusing at times.

Readers, how do you plan to spend your Presidents’ Day weekend?

Photo: Flickr: Randy Lemoine

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Is There a Science to Saving Money?

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science to saving money

Personal finance doesn’t come easily for most people. Finding a way to manage a budget, saving money, and invest in your future can be stressful. But, as it turns out, there may actually be a science to saving money that will make your financial goals a little easier to reach.

What’s the Science to Saving Money?

Many people find it difficult to save money because they feel like they are missing out on something, especially in the age of “FOMO.” Living in the present is in your genes, Brad Klontz, a certified financial planner and financial psychologist pointed out.

“It’s why we were able to survive as a species. What you’re asking yourself to do [when saving for the future] goes against your entire biology,” he told CNBC. Instead of fearing you’ll miss out, visualize something you want really bad. For instance, if you would like to retire early, or you would like to take a vacation, or you want to be debt-free.

Then, imagine how much happier you’ll be once you reach that goal versus the fleeting enjoyment you’ll get out of going to an event or spending the money on something else rather than saving. It sounds kind of crazy but this visualization is the science behind saving.

The Study

Klontz conducted a study to see how emotions tie into saving money. According to his findings, people save 73% more if they are emotionally tied to the reason they are stashing money away.

Because of something called the “status quo bias,” it goes against human nature to change and takes a significant amount of effort. “If you can get clear about why you want to save, why it matters, who you’re saving for, and execute while you’re excited about it, it can have dramatic effects,” Klontz stated.

There is some good news though! You can adopt a positive mindset around saving and why you are saving to help you reach your financial goals. The most important thing is that you know what will make you happy in the long run.

Vision Boards

Since visualizing your goals and dreams can be beneficial in helping you reach them, vision boards have become more popular in recent years. Jackie Beck, who, along with her husband, has paid off $147,000 in debt, told CNBC a vision board helped her take a dream trip to Africa.

For Beck, it was easiest to create her vision board digitally via Pinterest. “I added pictures and kept thinking, when are we going to make it happen?” she stated. “If you see it regularly, you make it happen.” Just one year after creating her board she and her husband were on their way to Kenya.

Others may find it best to create a physical vision board to hang in their office, on the refrigerators, or on the mirror in your bathroom. The key is to put it somewhere you will see every day. When you have a visual reminder of your goals and dreams, you’ll be more likely to reach them, especially if it involves saving money.

It’s science!

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How to Find Cheap Super Bowl Tickets

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cheap superbowl tickets

While the world won’t know which teams are headed to the 2020 Super Bowl until Sunday, February 2, people are already working to secure tickets. For some, whether their favorite team is playing isn’t as important as being there for the big game. However, if you want to see the event live, tickets are usually pretty expensive. Luckily, there are things you can do to secure relatively cheap Super Bowl tickets.

Be a Season Ticket Holder

Current season ticket holders for any NFL team have the best shot at only paying face value for Super Bowl tickets. The NFL distributes a set number of tickets to each team, with the most going to the AFC and NFC championship winners.

The teams that become the AFC and NFC champions secure 17.5 percent of the available tickets each. Season ticket holders for those team usually get the first crack at them, after certain other VIPs (like owners, managers, players, and players’ families) get their tickets.

In 2020, the Miami Dolphins get access to 6.2 percent of the tickets, as the host team gets more than the remaining 28 teams. Everyone else divvies up 33.6 percent, meaning each of those 28 teams only gain access to 1.2 percent of the available tickets. Again, after VIPs, season ticket holders likely have the best odds of getting a reasonably priced ticket.

Usually, the teams hold a lottery drawing to determine which season ticket holders get a chance to buy tickets. They draw names until their available pool is sold out.

The NFL controls the initial destinies of the remaining 25.2 percent of tickets. They make their way to various partners, sponsors, media organizations, and networks.

Shop the Resale Market for Cheap Super Bowl Tickets

If you aren’t a season ticket holder, then heading to the resale market is your best option. People who purchase tickets but aren’t able to attend the Super Bowl will sell their tickets through various exchanges, giving anyone a chance to buy them.

It’s important to note, if you were hoping to find cheap Super Bowl tickets selling at or below face value, that isn’t going to happen in nearly every case. The secondary market sets prices based on the principles of supply and demand and, for the Super Bowl, demand always exceeds supply.

However, by shopping around, you may be able to find seats for less with one resale site than on another. Additionally, the price for tickets may fluctuate as teams are eliminated during the playoffs. The strength of a teams fanbase plays a role. Similarly, season ticket holders whose team is in contention today but doesn’t end up in the Super Bowl may be offloading their tickets later, impacting supply at that moment.

The Only Cheap Super Bowl Tickets Are…

As you can see, calling any Super Bowl tickets cheap is pretty hard. However, it is possible to get your hands on tickets without paying a bundle; you just have to win them.

Radio stations, media groups, news outlets, and a variety of other entertainment organizations often hold contests where Super Bowl tickets are the prize. Food and beverage manufacturers or restaurants and businesses that sponsor the NFL or the Super Bowl may also offer some up in sweepstakes or contests.

While your odds of winning may be low, if you do get chosen, you could end up with free tickets. However, you will have to pay taxes on the value of the tickets when you file in 2021, so keep them in mind if you are lucky enough to win.

Do you have plans to score cheap Super Bowl tickets? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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5 Tips for Hosting a Cheap Super Bowl Party on a Budget

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cheap superbowl party

Millions of people around the country are preparing to kick back and enjoy one of the biggest sporting events of the year – the Super Bowl. In some cases, Super Bowl parties are massive affairs involving dozens of partygoers, full food spreads, décor, and more. Whether your party is going to be big or small, finding ways to save money is always a wise move. If you need to host a cheap Super Bowl party on a budget, here are five tips to help you get started.

1. Consider a Potluck

Since food can be one of the largest expenses for any Super Bowl gathering, hosting the event as a potluck can help you stretch your budget. Plus, most partygoers will be happy to bring a dish, as it is a small thing to do to enjoy time with friends, family, and the big game.

Now, if you want your potluck to go smoothly, you may either want to assign dishes or have people announce what they want to bring in advance. This can help ensure that you don’t end up with half-a-dozen veggie platters or every attendee just bringing chips, as you can intervene if there is not enough variety or keep all of the items aligned with a theme.

Not only is a potluck cost-effective, but it can also reduce the amount of stress you experience. After all, not having to create every dish yourself is a huge weight off your shoulders.

2. Make It BYOB

If you want to have a party with adult beverages, making your Super Bowl party BYOB (bring your own booze) may be your best option. Alcohol can great incredibly expensive, so requesting that everyone bring their own can be a gamechanger for your budget.

Plus, you get the added bonus of not hearing any complaints about what kind of drinks are or are not available. You do not have to worry about anyone’s taste but your own, as they can bring what they want to drink.

However, do make a few conveniences available. For example, make sure you have plenty of ice, cups, stir sticks, corkscrews, bottle openers, and similar items on-hand and highly accessible. If you have a cocktail shaker or other barware, consider making it available as well if you are okay with the items being used during a party.

Additionally, clear out your fridge as much as possible or have a cooler filled with ice at the ready. That way, your guests can cool their drinks easily once they arrive. You may also want to give attendees a way to mark their drinks, such as a Sharpie, so they can identify which ones belong to them with greater ease.

3. Figure Out What You Have

Instead of heading straight to the store, take a moment and see what you may already own. Go through your cupboards to see what food and drink items are there and plan your menu around what you’ve already bought. Then, check closets or storage areas for decorations you may have kept from other events or a previous Super Bowl party.

Any time that you can use an item you already own is an opportunity to save money. Do not plan your shopping list until you take full stock of what you have on-hand. Otherwise, you might buy something you did not actually need.

4. Seek Out Coupons and Sales

Certain foods are incredibly popular during the Super Bowl, so stores and manufacturers offer deals to entice you to buy specific options. Before you shop, take some time to review sales flyers and find coupons. Go through your mail, get the Sunday paper, or get online to see what may be available and then plan your purchase from there.

Additionally, if you have a rewards club or other members at your supermarket, make sure to check for any unique deals that may be available. If you aren’t a member, then signing up may be wise, as it really can help you save all year-round.

5. Consider Delivery or Takeout

If you are hosting a large party, sometimes opting for delivery or takeout is actually a smart choice. Many pizza places and similar restaurants that offer takeout or delivery may run specials in conjunction with the big game, so you could actually score a pretty great deal if you compare your options.

Plus, by going with delivery or takeout, you do not have to dedicate any time to cooking. Instead, you can spend time with friends and family or handle other tasks you need to finish.

If ordering out doesn’t seem like your thing, check out these easy, cheap Super Bowl recipes.

Bonus Tip: Get An Accurate Headcount

Just make sure that, before you order, you get a fairly accurate headcount. That way, you can estimate how much food you will need so you can find a deal that best suits your needs. Otherwise, if you order too much food, not only are you spending more than you needed to, but the leftovers may go to waste if you can’t finish them in a timely manner. If you didn’t order enough, you would risk needing to make an emergency food run during the game or disappointing your guests, both of which are not ideal.

Ultimately, all of the five tips above can help you host a great Super Bowl party on a budget. Consider giving one, a few, or all of them a try and see which options are best for you.

Do you have any tips for hosting an amazing Super Bowl party on a budget? Share them in the comments below.

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