SavvySugar

I'm Asking: What's the Best Thing You've Bought This Month?

SavvySugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:34 -0800

There's just one week left until Black Friday, the day most major retail and electronic stores slip into official holiday mode and host big sales. I plan on keeping my Black Friday budget pretty tight (that is if I spend anything), and considering the fact that most of us aren't sure the economy is getting better, I suspect most of you are planning the same.

That being said, 'tis the season of shopping, and spending a little on everyday purchases can actually help you save up for the big stuff. What's the best - or smartest - thing you've purchased so far this month?

How-to: Save by Spending on Select Days

SavvySugar — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:00:14 -0700

Making a calculated effort to snip your expenses isn't easy. While there are things you can do to ease the pain of cutting back, tracking spending requires daily budgeting and discipline. Clearly, some days are better than others. Most of you agree that weekends are the hardest time to keep your wallet in your purse, but there are some simple ways you can bank on time of day discounts throughout the week. How can you save by spending on the right days?

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I'm Asking: What Are Your Savvy Halloween Tips?

SavvySugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

It seems there are a couple of key trends for Halloween this year - thanks to Twilight, True Blood, and TV's other vampy dramas, vampires are hot this season. But, another major trend just may be savvy Halloween spending. While Halloween last year seemed an ideal opportunity to escape economic woes, a year later - and a year wiser - more people are practicing smarter spending when it comes to celebrating Halloween traditions.

According to a recent survey, Halloween shoppers are planning to spend an average of $56.31, down $10 from last year. Even among 18-24 year-olds, who are typically Halloween's big partiers - and spenders - projected spending is down nearly $20.

Though Bloomberg reports that people are less likely to celebrate Halloween at all this year, remember that being budget-conscious doesn't mean that you have to quit the festivities all together. So, tell me, do you have any saving tricks for making this Halloween a more wallet-friendly treat?

What $100,000 Would Have Bought 10 Years Ago

SavvySugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:18:50 -0700

You may not have thought about what $100,000 would have bought in 1998, being that many of us were at the prom and watching non-rerun episodes of 90210. But 10 years later, money is on all of our minds, and maybe we worry a little more than we'd like. Most of us have a much better understanding of the value of a dollar than we did back then and can now truly get a feel for some of the surprises in terms of what $100,000 would have bought in 1998.

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I'm Asking: What Are the Last 5 Things You Spent Money On?

SavvySugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:32:00 -0700

It's been a little while since I asked you to check in with your spending, and I could use a little check-up myself. Surveying the last five things that had me swiping my debit card or handing over dollar bills is a fun way to recap my most recent purchases. Here are the five things I've spent money on most recently; what are yours?

iPhone (my old phone broke)
Tank of gas
Acai Berry Smoothie
Coffee
Eyebrow wax

I'm Asking: What Inexpensive Splurges Make You Happy?

SavvySugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:30:45 -0700

Living on a budget can make you feel deprived if you're not making room for little splurges here and there. The stringent spending might give you a saver's high at first but it can cause a spending spree later on that undoes your hard work. Planning for things you find worthy of splurging can help keep you motivated to reach your money goals.

To name a few, I enjoy little splurges like frozen yogurt (with toppings) on a hot day, above average bottles of wine, taco Tuesdays at a local brewery, and buying quality ingredients to make a divine meal at home that costs less than it would in a restaurant (but isn't exactly an inexpensive evening in). What inexpensive splurges make you happy?

How Many Lunches Did You Buy This Week?

SavvySugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:30:41 -0700

I'm Asking: What's the Most You've Spent on a Meal Out?

SavvySugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:02 -0700

An expensive meal is pretty subjective. One person's $20 meal might be a stretch, someone else's $80 meal could be no biggie, while another eater's $200 meal is a weekly occurrence. What's the most you've ever spent on a meal out?

10 Ways to Spend Smarter at Starbucks

SavvySugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:30:12 -0700

You don't have to eliminate your favorite things when spending less is your goal; you just need to spend smarter. Starbucks knows how much you're seeking value these days, and invited me to discover the ultimate insider's tips on how to enjoy your Starbucks experience for less. Deanna, the store manager of a local Starbucks, taught me several awesome tricks I never would have known about otherwise. Check out these ten tips that the stores' baristas swear by.

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11 Things Not Worth the Money

SavvySugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:30:45 -0700

You work hard for your money, so spending it on things that just aren't worth it is a cruel thing to do to yourself. When it comes down to it, you're better off putting your cash toward some expenses than wasting it on others. I'd rather put my money elsewhere than spending it on these 11 things that aren't worth it to me.

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