We use electricity to power almost everything that we use and we can’t really do anything to change this unless you were to make your entire house run on solar power. But there are little things that we can do to limit the amount of money we spend on this bill, turn off all appliances whenever they are not in use and you could also unplug them as well because even if the appliance is not on it is still using stand by power. This can really make a difference on your bill as well as switching you light bulb to the low energy fluorescent bulbs.

Another bill that is often high is our phone bills. Now almost everyone has a cell phone and most of the time we have unlimited cell phone to phone minutes. As well our landlines normally have unlimited landline to landline calls, strictly use you cell phones only to call cell phones and your landline only to call landlines and this should drastically reduce both your phone bills. These few tips along with using a few coupons and buy some store brands at the supermarkets can save you over $1000 a year on household bills.

• DO wait in line – queue jumping with your massive trolley of goods in front of me with my 2 items is frowned upon.
• DO NOT get mad at the staff if they ID you – yes you may look 45 to you, but it’s their job, give them a break.
• If you have a trolley, DO try and make sure it isn’t in the middle of the aisle so noone else can get past – the entire aisle does not belong to you.
• If you are staff, DO try to be polite – yes, it’s a boring job, but your job is to help people, even us annoying sods.
• DO let older people go first – it’s good manners, generally they have less stuff than you and your ten kids and the three trolleys of tortilla chips and Coke.
• DO avoid self scan tills – they seem ok at first but if I hear ‘unexpected item in bagging area’ one more time, the inventor of these things will be found and something bad done to them.

As with my previous article, if anyone has any other things they find annoying in their shopping trips, share! Righteous indignation loves to be spread around!

For my first article, I’m going to try and disprove some typical university myths!

• University is all about drinking

This is such a common misconception that even I had my worries before coming! Whilst I do enjoy a drink, I’m a once a week kind of girl and was worried that even this would not be enough judging by some things that I’ve heard. However this was not to be the case, and some of my closest friends at uni are in fact teetotal. We don’t go out every night and when we do it’s expected that people have a good time, not drink, which we are all perfectly capable of doing without getting wasted.

• Students do no work

If only this were the case! People see that some students have say only 10 hours of contact time a week and believe this must mean that the rest of the time they’re doing nothing but this is just not true. Whilst I’m not on one of these courses I know that a lot of the “free” time is in fact spent doing research and reading not just sleeping or drinking! However I’m actually on a course where my typical day is 9-5 in the uni, with added “self-study” time on top of this. I’m not complaining and I enjoy my course but to hear that students are lazy makes me want to scream sometimes!

• Students are rubbish at budgetting

It’s hard. I will definitely agree with that, and there are days, weeks and even months that I spend more than I mean to. But I have friends that can live off £40 a week and stick to it. And I tend to stick to a reasonable weekly budget. Uni is a difficult experience with a lot of 18 year olds suddenly learning how to live by themselves on their own income. However it is possible, and the better you get at it the more you realise that you can actually factor in a night or two of drinking, you may just have to sacrifice that extra pack of bacon (another student essential)

• A student diet is rubbish

Another misconception relating to number 3! It’s hard to plan a good grocery shop on a budget, but it is possible. Shopping later to get the deals, changing supermarkets depending on offers and planning recipes before going are all great ways to save money on the weekly shop. It can also be better to buy tinned/froze  fruit and veg as opposed to fresh if you tend to find you waste fresh food, and to bulk cook then put additional portions in the fridge or freezer.

Hopefully some misconceptions about uni life have been cleared up in this article, if there’s anything you’d like to say feel free to comment below!

Also see:

http://webupon.com/social-networks/how-to-waste-your-time-on-facebook/

http://quazen.com/shopping/is-it-ok-to-be-scared-about-uni/

http://quazen.com/reference/which-uni-is-right-for-you/

Many of my girlfriends also make lists. Sometimes when we meet we’ll have a good hearty laugh over our lists. And the many things we make not of. Why do we do it? We wonder though we unanimously agree that without it we just wouldn’t be ourselves!!! Do men also feel the same?

Wonder: Is list making a gender thing? 

If used accurately in an intelligent manner you can save a lot of your hard-earned money. There are big packages also available for electronics and automobiles. These coupons are beneficial for those travelling within the country or abroad. You will be benefited with low air fares and discounts in hotels. You will find new deals in the new areas by just one click. You can try new and different things and save at the same time by just being cautious.

Moreover there is overabundance of websites offering online coupons. Customers face substantial amount of confusion and run out of patience. Taking the time out of your busy schedule and searching for the best deals and discounts are sometimes troublesome. A smart customer must follow some simple rules before taking any deal. There are cases when the coupons are more costly than the actual price. You should always notice the UPC code on the coupon. It is eminent to confirm the deal on the coupon with the manufacture’s website. Never acknowledge photocopies of coupons from anyone. It is vital to know that the genuine coupons cannot be displayed as images. You should check for expiration dates and terms of usage as well.

Nowadays every plausible product has online coupons for it. All kinds of needs and wants like clothing, groceries, food outlets, travel and even electronics is satisfied at a discounted price through the use of online coupons. Shopping through online coupons involves some considerations as well. You must assure the authenticity of coupons. It is mandatory that these coupons are from reliable and genuine source. There are so many fraud websites who deceive innocent consumers by misleading you by their offers and steal your money.

Technology is increasing and so is innovation. Online coupon deals are gaining popularity as a way to save money. Intelligent and aware people try to use these online discount coupons in their everyday shopping. Coupons are beneficial for both the suppliers and the customers. This is a two-way cost-effective course of action as the sale of the commodity heightens and it leads to satisfying the customers.

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After paying all our household bills (the necessities), I realized there was not much money left to buy groceries.  Luckily I am a person who shops the sales, and stocks up on the things we eat the most, so I am not so worried.  However, what happens when we are not making enough money to pay our mortgage or pay the utility bill? What about the families who have to choose whether to buy food or pay the water bill? 

There are no programs to help the middle class family, however,  there are plenty programs to help those who are considered low income families.  There needs to be a program for the hard working middle class family, who have been hit by rising oil and gas prices, interest rate increases as well as auto and health insurance increases, all the necessities they used to be able to afford before their salaries were frozen or they were let go from their job of many years.  How and who will fund this program, I have no clue, but we’ve got to do something to help this county get back on track.

With rising prices, declining salaries, unemployment, I am afraid of what will become of the middle class husband and wife who work everyday to support their families, but are having a hard time making ends meet. Where’s the help for them?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated, “Although food price inflation was relatively weak for most of 2009 and 2010, higher food commodity and energy prices have recently placed pressure on wholesale and retail food prices”. Another report asserts that the rise in food prices is also caused by an increase in exported foods. Although the projection of this year’s inflation rate was predicted at two to three percent, the trend is appearing to be closer to four.

The world’s food prices rose in January to their highest level since 1990, the year when the United Nations first began keeping a record of food pricing. Compared to 2009, the price of beef products increased six percent, pork is up by eleven percent and the price for poultry has risen a little over one percent. When we compare some of the prices to 2010, eggs have increased six percent, dairy by three and a half percent and milk is up five percent. The USDA has also anticipated a price increase of two to three percent this year for bakery and cereal items.

According to a Morgan Stanley survey, customers are paying 4 percent more on their food bill since October. The owner of a butcher shop in Baltimore said he had to raise the prices of most items twenty percent in recent weeks. He stated that although he understands the complaints of his customers, if he didn’t raise the prices he wouldn’t be able to stay in business.

Now that the economy has been improving, the demand for meat has returned. After a period of low production, farmers are still working to rebuild their supply. It’s reported that in over half a century, cattle and hog supplies had reached their lowest levels. Meanwhile, commodity prices such as wheat, corn and soybeans have risen substantially since December.

Because of their low prices, McDonald’s sales boomed during the recession, however, they have stated that they will likely be increasing the price of their Big Mac and other items over two percent. Many grocery stores said they have been lowering their overhead costs as much as possible to avoid raising their prices for customers, but some have said it might become too difficult to continue and be profitable. The times are precarious and the food markets are not able to perceive future projections.

A spokeswoman for a store said, “Sometimes you can ride out some of these cost increases and sometimes you can’t. It’s too early to tell if we can this time”. A family-owned supermarket in Baltimore said they are always juggling rising food costs on different items. Also, during the current times they made the decision to not stock grapes because they will likely not sell when compared to less expensive food items.

We can make shopping less difficult make adjustments by purchasing more of the generic labels, items on sale, beans and less costly cuts of meat products. It also helps to view the store ads that come in the mail and are set out at the store entrances. These ads let us know what many of their sale items are for the given week. The store ads help to guide us to make a list and plan before going to the grocery store.   

Kroger

Kroger generally holds savings one items such as the following this week

(Manager special 1/2 cost of regular item) for larger families milk runs out quick and its best to find ways to save money on milk, bread really anything that’s going to be used in a few days anyway. Kroger’s has a variety of things that I buy on Manager special based on how quick it leaves the household.

Sales based on the rewards: (buy on get one free, etc) deals like 3/5 are great for families, individuals and any extended family get together that need a lot of items for a little.

Wal-Mart (generally the super centers or super stores)

toilet paper, cleaning supplies

Wal-Mart holds a large amount of low prices on these commodities that every household needs.

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I have worked since I was a child.  I would pull weeds from my neighbors garden for just a few bucks.  I think I was maybe 7 years old when I started.  By the age of 13 I gained a work-release form from school so I could help my mom pay bills.  I worked cleaning a theater after school, and then becaime a hotel maid.  Not great jobs, but definitely hard ones, and they put a few dollars in my pocket.  I was proud to hand over my paycheck to my mom, who was struggling by herself with 8 children.

Well, since then I have always held a job.  My most recent, I kept for 16 and a half years, but I got laid-off in this recent economy.  I know my story has the ashes of many fires that have burned people lately.  I know I’m not alone. 

I had a home I was paying for, a nice vehicle, was able to take a vacation now and then, and didn’t want for much at all.  Not to say I was by any means “rich” because my job didn’t pay that well.  But, I did have health insurance and vacation pay, and I managed to make ends meet.

Now, where am I?  My vehicle has been repossesed, my home is in foreclosure, and I am reduced to unemployment, which in my state, pays 1200 a month. There are no food stamps because the limit on income is 1100 a month. (Thank you Mr. President for the extra 25 dollars a week that make me inelligible for 200 in food). It is a sweltering summer, and my my last electric bill was 264.00  (pretty much 1 week of pay).  I add to that 105.00 in groceries, my telephone and water bill, and my one luxury the internet, and there’s not much left.  I have to have help even getting to the grocery store because my car is gone.  I’m supposed to be looking for work, but my car is gone.  I depend on friends…my independence is gone.  My pride doesn’t exist because I’ve lost everything I was proud of.

How do we cope?  We are resiliant, dynamic Americans…that’s how!  I have found the only hospital around that will treat a poor person.  I have learned to walk to the nearest store and carry grocieries, so I don’t “over-burden” my friends asking for transportation.  I cut my own grass.  I eat hot dogs and beans while I’m learning they are no good for me.  All of the expensive food is the “good for you” food.  I eat dollar frozen meals, and skip the whole-wheat bread. I bathe with the cheapest products and brush my teeth with the lowest grade toothpaste.  Things that I absolutely need, like healthcare, and dentistry, just don’t happen.  I drink more alcohol than I should to drown out the silence of my day.

Is anyone else here?  I suspect some have it worse.  Homelessness is increasing.  What in the world do you do when you have kids in this situation?  Good lord where are the uplifting benifits we should be reaping when we offer our lives up to better our society and end up here in this hole?  No wonder people would rather rob banks and sell drugs or their bodies to get along.  I don’t condone it, but hey, they aren’t working for peanuts for 16 years, and then get fed the gruel at the bottom of the silo!  They dress better than me, eat better than me, have more recreation than me, and don’t even pay taxes! What a deal!

Somewhere I know something will change and get better. Things will look up.  For now, my credit is destroyed and my self esteem has taken a mighty blow.  The people at the top are still eating steak (When was the last time you had one Mr. Obama ?) and going on vacation and sipping fancy drinks.  I’m good if I can get Natural Light beer.  So enjoy- you fat cats, because as long as I can’t buy your product, or shop in your malls you loose too! 

O.k. so I vented a bit. Really there’s so much more to say on the subject, but I want to extend a prayer and a hope to all in this situation or worse.  May God come back into our lives and our country, and may we recognize Him as our one true source, for Life, Liberty and Happiness.  We have the right to persue them all!

I recently encountered a scam that Walmart is running through Facebook. They tell you that you “qualify” for $250 worth of free groceries from any Walmart.

Excitedly I clicked on the offer, as of course it was sent to me by a friend. Little did I know, that after I had spent about 30 minutes answering dozens of questions, that only help market their products to people further, that to even “qualify” for this $250 of free groceries at Walmart, you MUST accept at least 13 offers from people that they have partnered up with, to make them more money. Most of these offers are so outrageous, you would never agree to any of them, let alone 13 of them, just to “qualify” for $250 worth of groceries.

Such offers that you MUST accept are, changing over your current balances on your credit cards, to one with one of their partners, that is probably at a much higher rate then yours. Another such one is joining a credit protection group, at a cost of almost $14 a month, that never stops, which no one in their right mind would do anyways. If you are smart enough to know that you can get your own credit report for free, either once a year, or ANYTIME that you are turned down for anything, then you can dispute any incorrect items yourself. Why would you ever pay anyone, to do something that you can do for yourself? Of course they will probably “give” you the $250 worth of groceries, once you have completed the 13 necessary offers. By that time, they have probably made 10 times what they are going to “give” to you for free!

Walmart places theses ads, which I have checked out, and they target them to your exact age and sex, to make you think that you are the only ones that are getting this deal. When in fact, they have an ad for basically every age, sex, race and religion out there. Don’t fall for their scams.

Walmart has become an evil corrupt corportation now, which saddens me very much. I hate to see a business that started out so great, to become on of the most corrupt places of all.

Don’t we all have enough to worry about, then being taken advantage of by a big corporation like Walmart?