LIVING ON 99 CENTS: How to survive (and thrive) in today’s ever-changing economy
April 22nd, 2010
By Wes Sass, Embracing My Journey Guest Blogger.
The news we hear every day is not promising. Unemployment is still high and most experts say a full recovery could be years away. In the meantime, those fortunate enough to have jobs in addition to those who do not still must cope with the day-to-day struggle of providing for themselves and their families. Though it seems there is not much help, there are strategies you can do to stretch the dollars you have into more!
I have spent a lifetime (or so it seems) searching for ways to save money. Here are some basic tips that I have found work the best:
-No waste: use everything you buy and use it all-don’t throw it away until it’s empty!
-Use coupons: In newspapers and online you can find a great number of coupons for just about every type of item that will save you money!
-E-how.com: this online service has many articles that will give you proven ideas on how to save money. I have written some there myself and I find their advice to be excellent.
-Discount stores: These stores generally offer many items at cheaper prices than you find in regular stores. ( Search carefully and compare always!)
-99 Cent or Dollar Stores: These stores are gold mines as far as saving money is concerned! You can save as much as 70% off the price of thousands of items in regular stores if you shop carefully!
Let’s talk about discount and dollar stores, which is what I specialize in and write about often. Although the prices are generally less here, you still must compare the items to what you can get in regular stores. For example: Let’s say that Clorox bleach sells in a regular store for $3.99 and they have it for sale in a discount store for $1.99-sounds like a bargain, right? Well, let’s look further: The bleach in the regular store is 64 ounces, while the bleach in the discount store is only 24 ounces. A quick check of numbers tells you that the discount store item is NOT a good deal in this case. Now if the discount store item was 42 ounces, it would be a smart purchase in the discount store!
In addition to weight, you also need to look at things like amount of items contained in the package! A box of Kleenex tissues selling for $1.98 in the regular store and 99 cents in the discount store sounds like a bargain, but not if the discount store brand offers many less tissues in the box!
What we are saying is that there are great bargains to be had in these discount and dollar stores if you shop carefully, and more and more Americans are discovering this! In a time where businessess are struggling to survive, for example, dollar stores are experiencing record profits and many are actually expanding and opening new locations, thus providing new jobs in this tough economy!
Please visit my website at http://livingon99cents.webs.com for more information that can help you save! The good shopping habits that you learn and use now can carry you for a lifetime!
BIO: Wes Sass has been writing on saving money for a number of years. He has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Newsday and many other publications, as well as numerous appearances on radio and television. His website is http://livingon99cents.webs.com . His self-help guidebooks include “Living on 99 Cents” and “Living on 99 Cents for the Holidays.”
EmbracingMyJourney L.L.C. was created by Caryn FitzGerald in 2008.
Caryn, known as "The Manifesting Queen" is a motivational columnist, speaker and writer, she has been featured in and published several books, including "Tulips In The Sand" "Fish Sticks, Books and Blue Jeans" “Manifest Success” “Visual Arts Junction Interviews” & “Online Marketing Success Stories..."
Caryn is a domestic violence survivor who has triumphed over a 10-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. She is a wife, mother, writer, speaker, blogger, coach and a health food enthusiast Click to connect with Caryn at her website Or click here to get inspired by her latest ebook “Living the Life of My Dreams” There may be paid links on this page, click here to read the blog disclaimer.
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Great Insight Wes,
Dollar Stores Got to Love Em! Also, Search out your local Pawn Shops, Good Will, Thrift Stores, Newspaper Freebie Columns, Garage Sales, Estate Sales (Especially Final Day), Auctions, Internet Auction sites (watch shipping charges), etc, etc.
Keep an open mind – You can negotiate anything and the big secret question: Is this the best you can do on price? This one question alone has saved me tens of thousands of dollars and I have also used it in negotiating many contracts. If they are serious about selling they will always do better on price!
The real question comes down to: Is this something you need or something you want? Something you need will be utilized and appreciated. Something you want will sit idle not long after purchase and will take up space – Check out your kids toy room, garage, basement or attic…..
Simple questions save big dollars and a little research goes a long way! You are an inspiration to us all Wes!
Blessings and Visions of Greatness for stepping up to the plate and assisting others with better choices for the future.
Brian J. Donley
Author, The Original Psychology of Success, Proven Methods to Attain a Positive, Powerful Winning Personality!!!