Saving Money

Growing My Income Without Making More Money

February 27, 2020 By Trey LaRocca 1 Comment

This will be my first entry of the diary-style variety, and it is for a good reason. As a 21-year-old with no degree, a full time-job, and all of his very own bills, I think it is important to shine a light on one thing: I’m doing okay! As much as the media wants to tell you that young people are dying without free college or major social safety nets, it just isn’t true. You don’t have to game the system, milk any welfare, or strike it big to live happily in the US as a 20-something. With that said, there are some efforts I am making to ensure that I stay comfortable without finding a whole new job, or adding a side hustle to my already busy schedule. So this is about the two main ways I am growing my income in ways that any of you can replicate today!

I’m Selling My Car

I know, a scary first step. No, I’m not saying you all need to go carless to save money. In fact, that isn’t even what I’m doing. When I was 18, I had focused hard on working instead of going to school, and I had a full-time $13/hr job while still living with my parents. Up to this point, my family could never afford to get me a car– I didn’t even have my license. So once I could do it myself I got a used BMW 3 series for $10k that stuck me with a $190 car payment. This isn’t too bad a payment, but the insurance for someone my age makes my current car expenses ring in at around $380. So, to increase my usable income, I’m selling the car and buying a $2000 1990 Lincoln Town Car. No payment, and $70 liability insurance gives me around $310 more to play with each month.

Better Grocery Shopping

Today I had a little bit of time at the end of my work day, and I used it to check out my bank account. Specifically, I was looking at every time I bought food outside of my grocery shopping. Between a night out with my friend, a date with my girlfriend, the vending machine at work, and some “forgot my lunch at home” days at fast food spots, I managed to rack up about $300 in extra food expense. Noticing that the most common and preventable scenario was forgetting my lunch, my next grocery trip will be focused on good sandwich makings, meat, rice, and other packables that I can bring to work without much extra effort. Date night is important, and so is blowing off some steam with friends, but there is room to cut down. My goal for next month is to cut it down to $150, giving me the same amount in extra income to save or invest.

I hope you enjoyed this inside look into how I am bettering my situation. To all the young folks out there like me: You don’t need to have a degree or a high paying job to make it. I live in southern California, splitting rent with my girlfriend in a beautiful beach city I grew up in. No degree, no six-figure income (not even close), and no crazy internet fame. Just a reliable job and some good habits! As long as you stay smart, you can improve your situation and grow your income today!

Here’s How to Save Money Using Postal Services

February 27, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

Despite the rise of the internet over the past few decades, snail mail is still extremely important. Everybody loves the feeling of a hand-written letter or card, and sending gifts yourself allows you to pack them your way. Personal touch is more unique and special than ever, and postal services play a vital role. The issue, though, is mailing things can get expensive, especially in bulk. While we want you to be as frugal as possible, it isn’t worth it to give up the things that make life special. So, here are some great tips on how to save money using postal services.

Weigh it at Home

When sending gifts, don’t wait until you’re at the post office to weigh your package. This only limits your options, and can often pressure you into a more expensive choice. Weigh everything at home, and then look at what your options are online before going to ship it out. As is the case with most things in life, preparation and planning can save you a lot of trouble.

Use Private Services

USPS is a reliable option. Like most government entities, though, it isn’t always the most efficient. When it comes to heavier items, or valuables that need insurance, UPS and FedEx can be much better options. This plays into the previous note that planning is key, and you can save a lot by making sure you are headed the right direction when driving to mail your package.

Save Boxes

In an age where we get everything on amazon, boxes are not hard to come by. The issue is, most people just tear the boxes apart when opening, and toss them out after they have made them useless. Instead, carefully open your packages and break down the boxes in a manner that allow you to use them later. Store them away wherever you can (flat boxes don’t take up much space) to use them later on. Now, when Christmas comes around you have plenty of blank, sturdy boxes in which to ship your gifts!

Forever Stamps

For those of you who fancy cards and letters, stamp buying can be a pain. This is made even worse when you realize those stamps you bought in bulk have gone up in price, so you have to double up to reach the value you need. Forever stamps fix this issue, costing no more than regular stamps and having a value that never expires. This will reduce waste, and ensure that buying in bulk is as rewarding as possible.

Flat Rate Shipping

One of the best ways to avoid surprises at the post office is to use flat rate shipping. Knowing what you’re going to pay can absolutely save you money, and if it fits in the packaging, it qualifies. 1-3 days is the typical speed of flat rate, and this can reduce stress during holiday seasons when you want to make sure that gifts are under the tree by Christmas. Weight limits are generous, shipping is incredibly fast, and the value in this option is amazing.

3 Top Thrift Tips For Mardi Gras 2020

February 18, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

Mardi Gras is legendary in the United States. Few other events are so famous throughout the country. Not only that, but pretty much no other party in the US reaches the heights of this New Orleans tradition. Obviously, attending the biggest bash in the entire country usually comes with a hefty price tag. Travel, lodging, food, and fun will all add up to cost you both arms and both legs if you aren’t careful. Just like any other vacation, there are ways to maximize fun, and minimize financial burden. At such an overwhelming, city-wide festival, it’s easy to get carried away. Don’t fall for the trap; here are the top 3 thrift tips for Mardi Gras to keep your wallet safe!

Lodging

Location, location, location. The French Quarter is death (financially) and you should avoid it. If you can, try to stay in a suburb just outside New Orleans. Prices surge around Mardi Gras, and this effect is magnified the closer you are to the actual festival. With that said, the type of hotel you go to also matters. As usual, Airbnb and Homeaway are terrific tools to avoid crazy hotel rates. You can also look toward smaller hotels/motels or even hostels if you can swing it, as the large chains around the French Quarter are inordinately expensive. If you must stay within city limits, as I said before, get lodging outside of the FQ during Mardi Gras.

Food

New Orleans has some of the greatest food in the world. I will never tell you to go to Mardi Gras and now blow a little cash on some amazing food. Although, a lot of the inflated food costs comes from being stuck in a massive parade area and having to buy food from overpriced stands with so-so options. When you are heading out to the heart of the French Quarter for the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and events, bring snacks in a backpack. Bring a whole lunch if you can, and save the splurge money for the must-try food joints later on in the evening. Another way to save money is akin to the lodging strategy; look outside the heart of Mardi Gras. Check out the less trafficked neighborhoods and towns nearby, and you’ll find hidden gems that won’t break the bank. Amazing food doesn’t end at New Orleans city limits, so don’t be afraid to branch out while you’re in Louisiana.

Sightseeing

One of the best vacation tips I have ever gotten is that tours are overrated. While they can be an easy way to see the hot tourist locations all in a row, they are also pretty expensive. Tours can easily ring in at around $100-200, and they don’t typically give you all the time you’d want at each location. Instead, consider doing some research yourself and finding a few places you really want to spend time in. The Lower Ninth Ward can be traveled by cab, and there you can see the tragic outcome of Hurricane Katrina. The best way to explore the French Quarter is just to walk around and take it all in yourself. Find what you’re interested in seeing, and get there on your own. This will make sure you get as much time as you want at your desired locations, and you get to save all that tour cash.

Save Money On Pet Ownership With These Tips

February 12, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Many households drastically underestimate how expensive pets can be. For example, on average, a dog can cost $1,001 to $1,448 a year, depending on its size. And that total doesn’t include a variety of one-time expenses, such as spaying or neutering or the cost of a pet carrier. Cats can be similarly expensive, potentially costing up to $1,000 annually. While you don’t want to cut corners on your pet care, finding ways to save might be a must. Otherwise, affording your pet might be impossible. If you want to save money on pet ownership, here are some tips that can help.

Adopt When Possible

The cost of purchasing a pet is usually the first upfront cost households have to shoulder. If you want to keep that expense as low as possible, looking at adopting a pet from a rescue or shelter instead of buying from a pet store or breeder.

Typically, adoption fees are relatively affordable when compared to the $1,000 or more you might spend on a purebred. Plus, you don’t necessarily have to forgo getting your favorite breed. Some rescues focus on one or a small group of breeds, so you might find a suitable pet there.

Plus, most adopted pets come spayed or neutered, and their shots will be current. That’s mainly what the adoption fee covers, making it an expense you don’t have to shoulder after paying for your pet.

Find a Low-Cost Spay or Neuter Option

If you do need to handle the spay or neuter, then look for a low-cost clinic or provider. Most cities have at least one option or may operate a program that helps lower-income families own pets by covering a portion of the cost.

For those who live in an area without a program or who don’t qualify, shop around before you schedule an appointment. Spays and neuters are common for most veterinarians, so the vast majority will be incredibly experienced. As a result, it doesn’t hurt to see which clinic has the most competitive prices.

Shop Around for Pet Supplies

Comparison shopping is usually a good idea, particularly for pet supplies. A product’s price tag can vary wildly from one retailer to the next, so it’s worth taking a look. Examine the prices at nearby retail locations as well as those offered by online stores. By adding options like Amazon and Chewy.com to the mix, you can make sure you get the lowest price possible.

Additionally, many stores have price-match guarantees. Both Petco and PetSmart have price-match programs. By doing a little research, you might be able to save while still using your favorite store.

Consider a Subscribe and Save Arrangement

For pet supplies you’ll need regularly, explore subscription service options. Many retailers offer discounts if you are willing to commit to a particular schedule and set up auto-delivery.

Here are a few stores that offer price reductions for subscribing:

Amazon – 5 to 15 percent and free Prime shipping for members
Chewy – Save 30 percent on your first order on autoship and get up to 10 percent off select items in your future orders
PetSmart – 5 percent and orders over $49 get free shipping
Petco – Save up to 30 percent on your first repeat delivery order and get free shipping on orders above $49

Sign Up for Rewards Programs

Rewards programs can be a great way to save on pet supplies. In some cases, you’ll earn dollars-off coupons or percentage discounts on qualifying orders. In others, you may be able to cash in points for free items.

For example, both PetSmart and Petco have loyalty programs. Through PetSmart Treats, you earn points that can be exchanged for discounts. Through Petco PalsRewards, you earn points that can be converted into coupons.

Stock Up During Sales

Many retailers put certain items on sale on a somewhat regular schedule. A product might rotate on once every two or three months and, once you figure out the approximate timing, you can stock up at the right time.

Monitor sales on items like pet food, cat litter, or other staples where you might have a preferred brand. Once you see the price dip to a low point, buy enough to last until it goes on sale again. That way, you can always get the lowest price possible. Just make sure to check any expiration dates on the packages first, and you want to make sure your purchase will last until it’s time to buy again.

Don’t Buy Treats, Make Them Instead

Dog and cat treats can be surprisingly expensive. Plus, many of the options aren’t particularly healthy.

Luckily, you can save a bundle and offer something that’s better for your pet by making them yourself. For example, some dogs go nuts for ice cubes, while others consider sweet potato, carrots, or eggs to be excellent treats.

Hunt Down Discount Gift Cards

Many people end up with gift cards they don’t actually want. In some cases, they decide the best thing to do is sell them, usually for less than the value of the card.

By looking for discount gift cards for pet stores, you can save money by getting cards worth more than what you pay for them. Options like Raise, Card Cash, and Gift Card Granny could help you stretch your dollars, so considering checking out several sites to find the best deals.

Avoid Shopping at the Vet

In nearly all cases, the prices for collars, pet food, and medications are higher at the vet’s office than elsewhere. If your pet needs something specific, don’t automatically buy after your pet’s vet appointment.

Instead, ask your vet what they charge, get a copy of the prescription (if needed), and shop around to see if you can do better. Options like 1-800-PetMeds and Chewy can be great for a range of medications and other products, so they are worth exploring to see if they can offer you a better deal.

Handle Grooming Yourself

Most households can handle basic pet grooming. Brushing, bathing, and nail clipping aren’t typically difficult to learn how to do, and managing itself can save you a bundle.

A single trip to a groomer can cost $20 to $100 or more. By doing as much on your own as possible, you can limit (or eliminate) the need for a professional groomer. While you’ll spend a bit on supplies, you will usually save overall.

Do you have any tips that can help pet owners save? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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The 4-Figure Car Purchase: Why You Shouldn’t Spend $10k+

February 7, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

Car buying is a deeply emotional process. While most people think of it as a logical financial decision, feelings play a larger role than anything else. Constant thought of what others will think, how the car will look on Instagram– how “nice” it is; all of this can cloud your judgement. The fact is, while the “student debt crisis” takes over headline after headline, there is more outstanding car debt than student debt in the US. To the tune of $1.2 trillion, bad car buying decisions plague this country in a massive way. This needs to end, and so I am writing this so you have something to link your friends when they give your used wheels the side-eye. Without further adieu, here are the reasons the 4-figure car purchase is the way to go.

The “New Car Tax”

Everybody knows this one, and yet, we fall into the same old trap. The moment a new car is driven off of the lot, the value plummets. Is this due to mileage? No. New cars on dealer lots can rack up hundreds of miles due to test drives, and the value doesn’t change. Simply, the idea of a “new car” has value in our society. So you are, quite literally, paying for nothing. This causes people to buy from unreliable brands like Nissan and Kia in order to get a “new car” for a low price. I don’t have to tell you not to do this, because you probably can’t for less than $10k anyway!

Affordable Luxury

Just because a car is older and cheaper, doesn’t mean they can’t be pretty. $9999 is an amazing car budget. For example, the main picture on this article is a 1990’s Lincoln Town Car, which goes for $1000-3000 on the used market with decent mileage. Only a couple thousand for an amazing suspension, beautiful classic looks, and astoundingly comfy seats. On the higher end, E90 BMW 3 series are available easily for less than $10000. A wonderful combination of sport, luxury, and sex appeal. If you think cheap has to mean low-quality, you haven’t been looking.

Cost of Repair

This one’s easy. Older cars tend to have cheaper parts and better aftermarkets. This means whether you do the work yourself, or let the dealer take care of it, your repair bills are going down. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but it remains a general rule nonetheless.

Reliability

They just don’t make ’em like they used to. An early 2000’s Lexus LS400 was a luxury showstopper that could run forever. Costing about $2000-3000 for a decent example now, these absolute zombies could run for 300-400 thousand miles. No new car is expected to reach numbers like this, even from the same historic Toyota brand. Older cars were, in general, made to last much longer than the newer ones. Not only that, but there is better information out to inform your purchasing decisions. Odds are if you are buying a car for under $10k, your local mechanic has had enough time to get to know the reputation of most options pretty well. You’ll be paying much less to get much more out of your purchase.

5 Reasons Not to Add a Pool to Your Home

February 5, 2020 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

Backyard pools seem to be a staple of success in America. Everybody is talking about their dream home with a nice place for the kids to take a dip. Pools typically raise the value of homes that have them, and can tend to be status symbols primarily, with hardly any use outside of the summer months. There are many reasons, that everybody will rant and rave about, to have a pool. A more rare conversation, though, are the reasons not to add a pool to your home. That is the discussion I will be having with myself today.

Costs

The clear first topic for a website like ours, maintenance costs of owning a pool can be irritating. You have to pay someone to clean it, unless you want to do so yourself. You have to pay to keep it chlorinated, heated, and for the water used to fill it. This is not even to mention how much it costs to dig one. These are massive construction projects that can hit an insane number of roadblocks. Every issue and delay will cost you time and money. Be wary and hire a good contractor– your wallet will come out pretty banged up.

Safety

If you have kids, keeping a pool safe can be a pain. Pool covers are notorious for trapping kids, and having a gate or fence installed can be expensive and ugly. Even with all possible safety measures, slippery concrete will always pose a risk to your children. You have to decide how much you trust your kids, and make sure you educate them on safety around the pool. Just like anything else, you must put a fair amount of effort in to ensure your kids’ safety.

Space

My primary issue with pools is their opportunity cost. What else could that space be doing? Are you in a backyard where you’re going to have to choose between backyard football games and a new pool? Depending on the desired size, you can be losing out on a killer deck area or a beautifully landscaped yard for your kids to run around in. Make sure you don’t have any other big plans for the backyard before you use all of the decent space on a pool.

Seasonal Use

Unless you live in very specific areas, your pool time will be affected by the weather. For most of the year, and in most of the country, it isn’t exactly the right temperature for a swim. This ties in with the space and money issues, and begs the question: Could your money and real estate be put to better use on something more year-round? This should be a serious consideration when deciding whether to add a pool to your home, as you could end up paying to clean and fill a pool you aren’t using most of the year.

The “Special” Factor

My best memories of the pool were walking to the local community pool with my friends. This may make me biased, but I don’t think the pool needs to be something that is around all of the time. Whenever you add something to your home, you inevitably get used to it. For this reason, I think pool days are better spent out with a buttload of people getting out to hang with their community and cool off. As much fun as having everything you could ever want right there in your home is, I think there is something to be said about keeping things special.