Christmas Time Cash

If your wallet is already taking a beating this holiday season, like mine, then you might want to try some damage control by earning a little cash on the side. I've talked about most of these in previous posts, but if you'd like to see the sites I've been spending time on lately, keep reading!

*Disclaimer: some of the links provided in this blog may contain a referral code that could give me points or cash for referring you. I'd appreciate if you'd use my link, but you definitely don't have to! Either way, you will also have the opportunity to earn money for referring all of your friends too!!*

• SurveySavvy - My Current Fav! - This site offers plenty of great surveys and other programs you can participate in. Lately I've been sending them my junk mail and they are going to pay me for it!! I know. It sounds ridiculous, but it's so easy.

• SwagBucks - I'm new to this site, but I really like it so far. It is easy to earn points for watching videos, taking quick polls, just viewing free offers, participating in offers, and much more!

• Springboard America - Taking surveys and making referrals add up to some nice side cash.

• InboxDollars - Lately I've been taking a lot of surveys, watching videos, reading emails, searching the web, and participating in some free offers. You can cash out after earning $30, but I usually rack up $50 before requesting a payment. I cash out at least every 3 months depending on how active I am on the site.

• OpinionOutpost - Quick and easy surveys that reward you with points! One dollar is equal to 10 points and you can cash out once you've reached 30 points (or $3.00). This site is trustworthy and easy to use.

• Ipsos Isay - Offers the most surveys out of all of the above. Usually if you don't qualify for a survey, you find out pretty soon into the survey. Also, you still earn 5 points even if you are disqualified. It's a win-win!

That's it. Those are the main sites that I've been focusing on lately to create some extra income. Let me know if you've tried any of these sites before and how you liked them. Also, if there are any great sites that I missed, leave them in the comments below!

*Spoe*

Saving during Black Friday/Cyber Monday

I just posted this on my main blog, but I figured this would actually be a more appropriate place to post. So here it goes... Since Today is Black Friday, I figured I'd make a post about how I go about saving money and getting really great deals during this time of year.

First of all, I don't go stand in line for hours on Black Friday. Of course, if you're into that type of thing, just check out any stores website to see what deals they will be having and to double check their policies for said deals. BUT! If you're like me and do most of your shopping online, hopefully these tips will help:

1. Get cash back for all of your online purchases!

If you're going to shop online at all you should try to use a third party website that will track your purchases and give you cash back for them. It sounds a bit taunting at first, but just reassure yourself - these 3rd party sites are are only tracking your purchases to collect data and improve your shopping experience in the long run. 

• My favorite site to use to get cash back is Ebates. This is a double-wammy because you not only get cash back for your purchases, but you can also access hundreds of coupon codes for discounts, free shipping, and even free samples. I wrote a post about this one back in August. I just can't stop:

• You can also get cash back through "GPT" sites like InboxDollars. You can earn money a lot of other ways on this website also, but one option is through shopping online.

• Also, check your personal banking website to see if they offer a similar service. I know that Bank of America offers cash back for certain online purchases through their BankAmeriDeals program. 

2. Comparison shop!
The process of finding the best deal doesn't have to be strenuous. I always check at least 3 top retailers for the product that I want before deciding. If you don't want to go to each individual site, you can check out a site like bizrate that will comparison shop for you. Just search for the item you want and bizrate will search for the best deal. You can also find product reviews on this site.

3. Use a "deals database" site
My final (and perhaps most useful) tip for Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings is to find a website that does all the footwork for you. During this stressful time of year, take shortcuts when you can. There are plenty of websites that search the internet high and low for excellent deals and compile them all in one place.

• My favorite site to use during this time of year is Raining Hot Coupons! The site is full of fresh posts about deals going on everywhere online and in stores... and it's constantly updated. This amazing site is run by a sweet girl named Sarah. She gives away hundreds of amazon gift cards each year on Thanksgiving weekend. It is so fun to try and find the hidden code before anyone else.
  

• Another great site for this is Hip2save! Once again, you can find deals from all over in one place on this website. Let Collin and her team do all the work finding all the deals and hidden gems, but still reap the benefits!

Alright, So those are my 3 top tips for saving during Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Let me know in the comments if you've scored any really awesome deals this season.

*Spoe*

Shopping Online has its perks!

Since my last post was about saving money while shopping, I figured this would be a great time to tell you about Ebates! If you shop online at all, do yourself a favor and check it out:

www.ebates.com

Ebates is an awesome website that not only collects coupon codes for hundreds of popular sites all in one place, but they also reimburse you a certain percentage for shopping your favorite online stores as long as you use the link they provide. Creating an account through Ebates is extremely easy. Plus, you earn a $10 gift card just for signing up!

Each store has a different percentage rate on Ebates that determines how much cash back you will get on your purchase. Obviously the more you spend, the more cash back you get. If you make big ticket purchases online, like hotel rooms or plane tickets you could earn back hundreds of dollars by using Ebates. Plus, if you refer people (*winkwink*) you can earn money on that too!

This opportunity should be a no-brainer!! If you're already buying things online, why not get some of that money back? So, check it out and let me know what you think!

*Spoe*

Save Money while Shopping

These are some of my favorite tips to save money while shopping:

1. Write a list and stay focused. 

Don't let store merchandising and product placement distract you from getting what you need when you're at the store. Before you go shopping, get a clear picture of exactly what you need and write it down. When you stick to your list you leave with everything you came for and nothing you didn't. 

2. Use Coupons Responsibly

Coupons are extremely accessible these days, so take advantage of them when you can. However, don't buy everything just because you have a coupon it. Only use coupons that are for items on your pre-determined list of things to buy or else you may end up spending way more money than you intended to and not saving any at all.

3. Be Economical

Do the math when it comes to buying it bulk. Sometimes buying large sizes and bulk quantities are worth your money; other times it's not. For instance: When I buy contact solution, it makes sense to buy the pack of two bottles instead of one. Not only does this cut cost on each bottle, but the 2-pack often comes with a free contact case and occasionally a bonus travel sized bottle or coupons for your next purchase. However, when I buy laundry detergent, because I shop the sales and use coupons, it usually is more cost effective to buy a few smaller bottles instead of one huge jug. It only takes a few extra seconds to calculate, but doing the math can save you a lot of money in the long run.

4. Shop Weekly and Seasonal Sales

Take a moment each week to check store ads and research deals going on in your area. If already have a list of things you want, check around to see where you can get the best deals for those items. You would think that your local stores would want to keep costs similar to be competitive; but in some cases you'd be surprised that two stores near each other offer very different sale prices on the same item. 

5. Price Match

There are several stores that price match competitors' sale prices. If you find a good deal at one of your local stores but you don't want to make a special trip just for that one sale item, try a store like Walmart that will price match with competitors. This site gives an easy to follow comparison chart of popular stores that off price matching.

Remember to do your research, get creative, and be frugal so you can save the most out of your trip. I hope these tips help to save you some money from now on when you go shopping!

*Spoe*

Making Money Online

If you find yourself saying "I hardly make enough money to cover my bills, let alone to set some aside for savings", it may be time to be a bit more proactive. This post is full of different ideas to make some extra cash on the side. I hope you find it helpful.

Finding ways to make money on the internet can be somewhat overwhelming with the amount of scams and schemes out there these days. Rest-assured, there are still plenty of legitimate ways to make money online. As with any money-making venture, on or offline, you reap what you sew. The amount of money you can make is dependent on the amount of time and effort you want to put toward each endeavor.

 1. Sell Items Online: Keep an open mind when it comes to selling items online. You could start with selling unwanted items from around the house like clothes, antiques, video games, or your old books. Nothing around the house? - Find cheap items at thrift stores and garage sales to resell online. If you have a hobby like crocheting or making soaps, consider selling your crafts. Opportunities are endless. Check out these sites to get your started:
www.ebay.com
www.amazon.com
www.craigslist.com
www.etsy.com
www.cash4books.net


 2. Sell a Service – If you don't have a product to sell, try selling a service instead! People are constantly seeking help in specialty areas or looking to outsource work that you may be able to do. Everyone is good at something! So, find your niche and use it to help others all while getting paid! Here are some sites you can use to sell your services:
www.fiver.com
www.freelance.com
www.elance.com

3. Start a Blog - This method probably won't be as financially lucrative until you have invested quite a bit of time and effort. Keep in mind, not every blog makes money, but every blog has the potential to. If you are the type of person who has strong opinions or if you just like to express yourself, you should consider creating a blog. If you are consistent, post about one of your passions, and take time to create a connection with your readers, blogging could eventually be very rewarding. The two most popular blogging platforms:
www.blogger.com
www.wordpress.com

4. Start a YouTube channel – Like blogging creating youtube videos does not guarantee a stream of income, but could potentially become your full time job with the right formula. With a YouTube channel, you can focus on one or many topics of your choosing. If you are knowledgeable and passionate about a particular subject it will show in your videos and others will be automatically drawn to you. Once you start racking up views and if your videos meet certain guidelines on YouTube, you may become a “partner”. This will allow you to earn money from views. Ads on your videos can earn you cash too through Google AdSense. There is also the chance you may become an affiliate of many different companies and earn money that way as well.
www.youtube.com

 5. Take online surveys - Companies need feedback to improve their product or service in order to better serve customers and, in theory, increase revenue. Not only can you earn money for taking surveys, you often get a sneak peek of new products and even movie previews before they are released to the public. In some cases you may receive free products or samples to provide feedback on. I suggest signing up for multiple survey sites so you have a better chance of qualifying for more surveys and earning more money.
www.opinionoutpost.com
www.epollsurvey.com
www.surveysavvy.com 
www.springboardamerica.com

6. "Get paid to" sites - Websites that offer compensation for completing certain tasks are usually referred to as "Get Paid To" websites. The type of tasks you complete vary depending on the website. Tasks can consist of doing web searches, providing feedback, writing song reviews, taking surveys, and much more. The list is endless. Here are some of my favorite GPT sites:
www.inboxdollars.com - Get paid to read emails, take surveys, print coupons, search and more!
www.ebates.com - Earn cash back on your online purchases.
www.cashcrate.com - Complete offers to earn money.
www.clickworker.com - Complete tasks to earn money.
www.slicethepie.com - Get paid to review music!

I hope this information is helpful and not overwhelming. If you have any questions about any of these sites, ask me and I will try to help. If there are any other legitimate websites I missed that you really enjoy, please leave them in the comments.

*Spoe*

Money Saving Sites

 These are some of my favorite websites I use for saving money:

www.groupon.com - A great way to save at local restaurants and shops. Buy gift certificates at a discounted rate for places you plan on visiting.

www.shoplocal.com - This site allows you to search for competitive prices of a particular item in your area.

www.livingsocial.com - This website provides you with daily deals of local businesses in your area.

www.ibotta.com - This site allows you to earn cash back by using a store rewards card or by sending in a picture of your receipt of the deals they offer at your favorite stores.

www.ebates.com - This website is great if you do a lot of online shopping. Use the link they provide to shop on your favorite websites. This site will track your purchase and give you a percentage back on what you spend.

www.retailmenot.com - Search for coupon codes for samples, free shipping, and other discounts.

The following websites cover all of your saving needs. These sites not only give you weekly ad match ups, but also provide store coupon policies, hot deals, freebies, and samples.
www.coupondivas.com
www.raininghotcoupons.com
www.hip2save.com
www.allyou.com

These are some classic sites to find deals and coupons for brand names you love:
www.coupons.com
www.smartsource.com
www.redplum.com
www.pgeverday.com
www.kelloggsfamilyrewards.com

I hope you discovered some new sites here today and they come in helpful for you! Please let me know in the comments if I missed your favorite money saving website! Also, stay tuned for a future blog post about my favorite sites to MAKE money! See you guys in the next blog!

<3 Spoe

Creating a Budget

If you want to start saving money you need a clear picture of your finances. It is very important to see exactly how much money you have coming in and going out each month before you can set a goal of how much you want to save. Remember these tips when creating a budget:

1. Be realistic - Work with what you have. Be truthful about your spending habits.
2. List every detail - Include indulgences you are prone to and all unavoidable fees.
3. Over-estimate expenses - Always leave room for inflation and emergencies.

I personally like to keep a spreadsheet to help me list all of my bills and expenses. It is a helpful way to keep track of when your bills are due and your confirmation numbers after payment. For others that may just be starting out, start simple. Create a basic table or checklist in a notebook or word document. 

Here is a basic example of a simple budget to get you started. Feel free to copy and paste it in to your own word document and alter it to fit your budget.

Monthly Budget:

Income 1	+$1000
Income 2	+$1000
Income 3	N/A
Rent	-$400
Gas bill	-$50
Electricity bill	-$75
Water bill	-$35
Trash Bill	-$25
Car payment	-$300
Insurance	-$150
Cell phone bill	-$100
Groceries	-$350
Gasoline	-$150
Internet	-$60
Miscellaneous expenses	-$85
Splurge items	-$20
Approx. Remaining balance	$200
Transfer to savings	$100
Goal: save $100/month	$50 per paycheck to savings

 Please let me know if this was helpful to you or if you have any tips for creating a budget.

~Spoe~

The basics

You should be saving money on a regular basis; but let's face it, some of us are better at this than others. Don't worry, I'm here to help those of you who may not have the best financial habits. Since this blog is brand spankin' new, let's start with the basics. 

1. Create a budget. 

This may take a bit of time, but it is extremely important for you to sit down and write out a monthly budget. This should reflect all of your income, a calculated 6-month average for each of your bills, and list all other monthly expenses. It may be helpful to gather all of this data into an spreadsheet or document for easy accessibility and visual aid. Once you have clearly outlined your budget, stick to it. Use it as a guideline for how much you spend each month. Do not stray from this list. 

2. Open a savings account or 401k

If you don't already have a savings account - you need to get one ASAP. Take advantage of the overdraft protection and different saving incentive programs offered. Don't forget, you will earn interest on whatever balance you have in your savings account. The more you save, the more interest you earn. Some banks or credit unions offer better rates than others. Just ask around and do your research to find the best fit for you. If you DO have a savings account, consider opening a 401k. This is especially recommended if your employer matches a percentage of your savings. It is never to early to think about your future.

3. Plan to save. 

One of my favorite quotes is "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". I find this to be true in many aspects in life, with finance being no exception. You need to make a solid plan for how much money you'd like to save. Set a tangible goal of exactly how much money you want to save in a year or 6 months. Once you have that figure in mind, break it down into how much you need to save per month/per paycheck.

4. Build a healthy relationship with money. 

Most money gurus will tell you that in order to attract more money, you need to have a healthy outlook on it. Do not become desperate for money or you will only push it further away. Respect your money and do not take it for granted. You work hard for your money, so don't blow it on impulse. The next time you are tempted to purchase something on impulse, stop and think how long you had to work to earn that money. Sometimes when you stop to think about how worked for 3 days to earn the amount of that purse you want, it may not seem worth it. 

5. Shop sales and use coupons. 

Personally, this is my favorite tip. I hardly ever buy anything if it isn't on sale or if I don't have a coupon for it. Why pay full price when you can easily get an item for less? Try to research the best sales and price match when possible. Sure, not everyone has the time or patience to become an “extreme couponer”, but clipping a few deals each week can really add up to save you good money. Flip through ads in the Sunday paper to find deals on items you already plan on buying. There are hundreds of websites and blogs dedicated to couponing. Also, you can easily sign up for emails from your favorite companies and restaurants to receive exclusive deals and coupons. 

Hopefully this is enough to get you motivated to start saving money. These are the most basic steps, so please stay tuned for more money saving tips and different ways to get your finances in order.



<3 Spoe

Intro to SpoeSaves

So, you want to save money? Well, you're in the right place. This is my newest blog, dedicated solely to saving and making you money. In this blog I will share my favorite resources for saving money and making a little extra on the side.

 Growing up my parents, like most, lived paycheck to paycheck. My mom was always very frugal and used her resources wisely in order to survive. She passed down tips on how to save money and stretch what you already have. I hope to pass along some of that information to help young adults find a way to not only survive, but supersede their own financial expectations. Please subscribe to my blog for free to ensure you don't miss these great tips! Feel free to leave questions and requests!

Remember - saving money can be fun!

*Spoe*