SavvySugar

Take Stock of Your In-Home Media Memberships

SavvySugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:00:55 -0800

There's no greater time than the beginning of the year to check in with your in-home entertainment memberships and make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck and relishing the packages you have signed up for. The upkeep will not only help you maintain your resolve to live below your means, but it will allow you take stock of whether or not your services or habits are sustainable. Check in with the following before the end of the month in an effort to get organized.

Video Store vs. Netflix: Ask yourself if you are an infrequent movie renter and would rather spend the $5 Netflix fee (for one rental per month) for the convenience, or have the option of popping into the quaint rental shop on the way home. If you are a real movie nut explore the Netflix three-at-a-time plan (unlimited rentals per month and unlimited movies downloaded to your PC), which is $17. If you research the right plan you can save on gas and time, and kill late fees. Similarly, if you don't watch the movies that show up in the little red envelope opt to put your Netflix account on hold for three months at no cost until you want it again. Remember the cost looks small, but even the $5-per-month plan adds up to $60 a year (the $17 plan is $204 for a year!). You can always rent DVDs for free - or a tiny fee - at your local library.
Cable and Satellite TV: Do you get your money out of your HBO, Showtime, and an expanded sports package? If so, more power to you. If not, ditch them or call your service provider and let them know you are spending too much each month and would like a better plan for your lifestyle. Your provider wants to keep you as a customer so they will work with you, even if it's just cutting a couple of dollars.
DVR Service and TiVo: Is your TV provider charging you extra for a DVR service you aren't using? Are you paying $13 monthly for TiVo when your cable provider offers a less expensive DVR service? Call them up and check. If you only record a couple shows a month cruise websites like Hulu or network websites to see if the shows stream online or if you can purchase the shows from iTunes for less than the DVR price. Single episode downloads from iTunes are generally $1.99 each.

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When Does Advertising Affect Your Decisions?

SavvySugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:37:48 -0700

Advertising must be effective for companies to continue paying the big bucks for commercial airtime, print features, and celebrity endorsements, but many consumers praise TiVo for its ability to skip commercials and wish magazines could exist without advertising covering half the pages.

Brand recognition is the most obvious effect of advertising - first-time buyers of a product are far more likely to choose a brand they know over one they don't. So although most of us don't enjoy having our favorite TV show interrupted by advertisements, they do tend to stick with us in some form.

Advertising has become more sly as of late with product placement in movies and on television. For example, you can head to the Gossip Girl website after each episode and find where to buy items as seen on the fabulously fashionable gossip girls and guys.

When does advertising affect your decisions?

Photo courtesy of The CW

Make Your Life Easier in Five Minutes

SavvySugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:01:26 -0700

When you're setting yourself up for some major TiVo catchup this weekend, don't forget to bring your wallet and phone to the couch with you. Five minutes - of multi-tasking, no less - will save you money and time if your credit and debit card-filled wallet is ever stolen. My card has a toll-free number on the back that should be called in the event my card is lost or stolen, but that's no use to me if some thief is in possession of my card. Enter the 24-hour customer service numbers into your cell phone, so that in the event your wallet is swiped from your purse, you don't have to fumble around with a phone book or waste time calling 411. Preparation will always make you feel more in control - especially when your emotions are already heightened.

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