Unlimited Calls for $3 per month?

Have you ever heard of Skype? I use it all the time, its a service that allows you to call people via your computer for as little as $3 per month!

http://www.skype.com/

Top Ways to Start Living the Frugal Life

• Befriend the Library - Buying books and movies gets expensive, and even renting can add up. Take a trip to your local library; and you'll find all of the latest books and movies available free of charge. Still like the idea of renting? Then, sign up for Netflix or Blockbuster. With plans starting at $5, the damage to your budget will be mimimal.

• Clip Coupons
  Take the time to clip coupons for the grocery items that you buy regularly, and shave an easy 25 percent off of your weekly grocery bill.

• Eat Out Less OftenEating out is fun, but far more expensive than eating at home. Challenge yourself to eat at home more often--even if it's just once more a month, and watch your bank account grow.

• Switch to Online Bill Pay
  Save yourself a stamp, and avoid late fees by paying your bills online. You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank; and take yourself out of the equation entirely.

• Group Errands
  Reduce your gas bill by grouping your errands and only driving when you need to. For even more savings, consider biking or walking when you don't have far to go.

• Seek Freebies
  Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers, and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you

• Wash in Cold
  Cut your electric bill substantially by washing your laundry in cold water. Your clothes will still come out clean, and your hot water heater won't have to work nearly as hard.

• Flip a SwitchReduce your electric bill even further by turning off lights and other electronics when they aren't in use. It may seem like a small thing, but you're sure to see the difference on your next electric bill

Top 5 Painless Ways to Cut Your Spending

1. Switch to Store Brands -
Name brand products are good, but store brand products are often just as good (if not identical). Make the switch to the bargain labels, and you'll shave 25-50 percent off of your weekly grocery bill. With more and more grocery chains launching their own line of organics and other premium products, there's never been an easier time to switch.


2. Shop with a List -
Ever gone to the store for a few items and come out with a whole cartload? Who hasn't? To keep impulse shopping from taking hold of your budget, make a habit of shopping with a list. Jot down everything you need, and then only shop for those items.
Still tempted to add an extra item to your cart? Go home and think about it first. If you still want the item you can always add it to your next shopping list.

3. Carry Snacks -
Eating out always costs more than eating at home--whether it's a quick snack from a convenience store, a vending machine or a fast food restaurant. Avoid this cost entirely by keeping snacks on hand at all times. Toss a granola bar and a bottle of water in your purse before running errands; stash some goodies in your desk drawer at work--just be ready for that hunger attack wherever and whenever it decides to strike.

4. Use It Up -
Whether it's food in your pantry, hobby supplies or beauty care products, you probably have lots of unused or partly used items around your house. Before you run to the store to buy your next "must-have," look around and see if you can find something at home to fill your need. This simple exercise will not only help you to spend less, but also to clear out some of the clutter in your home.

5. Shop to Save -
Challenge yourself to save more every time you shop. If you normally buy something at regular price, challenge yourself to find it on sale. If you normally buy something on sale, challenge yourself to find it on clearance. When you're always on the lookout for a bargain, there's no end to the money that you can save; and soon it becomes a game that you look forward to playing.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Guilt and Money

Guilt and Money
How much money can you blow on frivolous things before you start to feel guilty about it? That's the question raised in a post over at Simple Dollar, and I think it's an important one.
For me, it would be a fairly small amount--maybe $2? Not very much, I know, but it's enough to allow for the occasional treat (a tasty pomegranate raspberry smoothie comes to mind) without losing sight of my financial goals.

Now, does this mean that I never go out to eat or indulge in other things that I like? Not at all. It just means that I plan for those things, so that I can have them without feeling guilty about them.

How about you? What's your guilt threshold?

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

Curves® Cereal

With more and more people jumping on the health bandwagon, it’s nice to know there’s a cereal that’s delicious and good for you. Curves® Cereal is a sensible approach to help take weight off — and keep it off, too, with at least 1/3 of the recommended daily whole grain.* When you're in the mood for something that's nutritious and satisfying, choose from either Honey Crunch or Whole Grain Crunch. Or have a little of both


http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid18562.aspx

Free Local Information with Google Voice

If you have ever used the 411 information service from your cell phone provider to find a local business you were probably outraged when you got the bill. They typically charge you anywhere from 25 cents to $1.25 per call. Why pay, when you can get the same service for free?
Use Google Voice Local Search to Get Local Business Information

What if you're out and about and can't remember the address of your destination? No problem - call Google Voice Local Search and get the information (business listings only) quickly and easily.

Here's how it works:

Using your mobile phone, call 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411).

This is a voice-activated menu, so be sure to speak slowly and carefully. Say what you're looking for and follow the voice prompts that Google gives you.

Google will find the first three (approximately) listings found for your query, and ask you if they fit what you're looking for. Again, follow the voice prompts - it's pretty self-explanatory.

Enjoy
Lorette
http://www.make-up-tip.com

SunSweet Dried Fruit Samples

When I first saw this offer I thought that it had to be a very clever "fake offer site," but it's not. It is the actual SunSweet site and the domain has been registered since 1996. The reason for my suspicion was that it looked too good to be true. That said, I don't think the offer is going to last long since I'm sure it will cost them lots of money if they send out all the samples they are advertising. For that reason, I'm only blogging this instead of creating an offer profile for it. They didn't include a privacy policy, so I would use a junk email address just in case they get a little over zealous with email notices.


http://www.sunsweet.com/products/samples.asp