My 2009 financial resolutions
What are your financial goals for 2009? Next year I resolve to...
- Make time to review my total spending by category every 30 days and compare it to the previous month's expenses. That way I can see where I am spending and plug the holes.
- Set a firm limit for how much I can charge on my credit card each month. Set a sub-amount specifically for groceries, which I tend to overspend on (see next item).
- Cut back on expensive grocery items. I'm a sucker for pre-made dip, fresh orange juice, organic milk, and other pricey food items.
- Start shopping for...
...Christmas and birthday gifts now. Buying ahead of need saves money.
- Make a stranger out of the take out delivery guy. At the end of the month, take out charges on my credit card always seems avoidable.
- Cut back on toiletry expenses. Seems like I am always running out of lotion, toner, face cream, make up, sun screen, or goop for my frizzy hair. I still want to use these items, but I'm wondering if there are off-brands that work just as well, discount sources, or other options for reducing my toiletry costs.
- Separate my down payment savings fund and my emergency fund. That way, my down payment fund does not suffer when an emergency comes up.
What are your financial goals for 2009?
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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I think that cutting back on your toiletry expenses will be way easier than you think between coupons and sales at CVS, Walgreens & Rite Aid.
Every week each of these drugstores has "free after rebate" items that are even sweeter deals when you have coupons. For example, Excedrin was on sale at CVS this week for $3.99 and you got back $3.99 in Extra Care Bucks to use at CVS. But, there was a $2 off printable coupon, so you'd pay $1.99, get back $3.99 to use next time, and get free Excedrin!
I've gotten so many free toiletries by stocking up during these sales -- Crest & Colgate toothpaste, GUM toothbrushes, Crest Pro-Health dental rinse, Sure deodorant, Playtex tampons, etc. etc. etc.
On Sundays I do a post on my blog called "What's Free this Week" where I show you what you can get for free at each of the big drugstores. I hope you'll check it out!
Erin
CouponCravings.com
Excellent, I will make a point of checking out your free deals. Thanks for the tip. ~Julia
Hoarde good deals on beauty! I use to clip coupons for target and drug stores and manage some good deals. However, every so often, the Lancome Outlet in Camarillo has great sales where I pocket creams that run $30 - 60 for a mere $4 - 8. Post Thanksgiving there was a 3 for $9 dollar deal on generous trial size jars of creams. This was a steal!
Also, ocassionally ebay sells lots of products. I bought L'Occitane Immortelle Eye Balm for $10. Good luck.
Good tips, thanks! I will keep an eye on the Camarillo outlets. ~Julia