11 Best How To Save Money Articles February 2014, Frugal Auto Repair, Tips for Frugal Living

Top 11 Best How To Save Money Articles February 2014

February is a big month for many people: getting into the swing of a new year, Valentine's Day, and the beginning of tax season will all have an effect on our pocketbook and weekly/monthly expenses. The following is a list of 11 "How to" save money in one aspect whether auto repair or daily habits you can incorporate to live more frugally.

1. "Just because you have never done something doesn't mean you can't learn." 5 Simple Tips for Frugal Living.
2. "Stock up on non-perishable groceries, if available at discounted prices." 101 Tips for Frugal Living.
3. The Story of one man who received $578 of free food on his birthday. 
4. 3 Tips How To get free food on your birthday.
5. Performing your own car maintenance can save hundreds or thousands of dollars and is oftentimes as simple as Googling a description of the noise or problems your vehicle is experiencing. Save 30-50% on auto parts by shopping at auto salvage yards. More Frugal car tips.
6. Can You Live On The Minimum Wage? an op-ed in the New York Times, plug in your (estimated) expenses to see if you could live in the minimum wage in your state.
7. Frugal Life Lessons from Hong Kong Billionaire Li Ka-Shing: How To Buy a House & Car in 5 Years.
8. Looking to buy in bulk but don't want to pay for a Costco/Sam's Club membership? Visit a restaurant supply store. 
9. Couponing for beginners: 11 tips that will save you thousands. Great read for beginners to learn about the benefits of coupons. 
10. How To DIY Lego Board table CHEAP!
11. 25 ways to cut costs.
12. BONUS: How To Travel To Europe for 36 days for $1500. 

The above articles may help you to cut costs or save money in some way you had not thought of before. Continuing to lead a frugal lifestyle is important for many reasons, including continually improving and learning from our mistakes to create a better future. 

How To Cook Healthy, Nutritious, Tasty Meal for $.50, Save Money on Food Expenses

One of the cheapest, healthiest and best meals on the planet is available for the cost of around $.50-.75 in your area depending on prices, quantity, and quality of food.

Ingredients for Healthy, Nutritious, Tasty meal for $.50

1. Potatoes: Russet, Idaho or the many varieties of healthy, nutritious potato. In my area (North Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico) I have purchased a 10 lb bag of potatoes for $2.00 or $.20 per lb from a local "Village Market". Most of the time the price ranges from $.35/lb (Costco) to $.99/lb (Whole Foods). At these prices, a 8 oz (1/2 lb) potato is $.17 - $.50. Cost: $.20
2. 4 oz of milk and/or 2 oz of sour cream and/or 2 slices of butter, depending on recipe and personal preference. Cost: .13
3. 1 oz Shredded cheese. Cost: .08
4. Salt/Pepper. Cost: .03
   

   Total Cost for Healthy, Nutrious Meal: $.43

5. BONUS/EXTRA: Ham/Bacon/Shredded Beef. Cost: $.67

Recipe Ideas for Inexpensive and Healthy $.50 Meal

 Experimenting with a variety of recipes with potatoes can be a fun way to save money on your food bill. Many of the following recipes are my personal favorites and I enjoy a baked potato as both a side dish and a main entree.

1. 5 ways to bake Potatoes
2. Terrific Tin Foil Recipes for Potatoes
3. Potato Side Dish Recipes
4. Allrecipes.com Potato Recipes (Great Ideas!!)
5. How To: Soft and Pillowy Mashed Potatoes

What are some of your favorite potato-based recipes?

How To Lower AT & T Family Plan to $27 per line including data

Lowering AT & T Family Plan Cell Phone Bill

AT & T is lowering their 'family plan' rates:

• http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/att-reduces-rates-high-data-plans-22329987
• http://www.droid-life.com/2014/02/01/att-family-plan-pricing/
• http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/att-slashes-prices-some-family-plans-2D12044679

If you are an AT & T Family Plan customer, you must call AT & T to receive the lower rates! One frugal consumer was able to reduce their family plan of 8 (7 iPhones and 1 iPad) plus 10 GB data from $48 per line to $27.  By calling AT & T they lowered the bill from a base rate of $340 to $215 per month! More Tips: http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1xq8j9/att_lowering_rates_for_their_family_plans_but_you/

Another user's experience Lowering AT & T Family Plan Bill:

I just chatted with AT&T, and I just switched my currently plan 700 minute family plan, 1 unlimited data, 1 3GB data, unlimited text plan(roughly $160 a month with my 17% military discount) to the new family share plan and now I'm at $113 a month for two lines. I'm incredibly impressed, and thanks for making this post!
ramul

How To Save Money on Energy Bills: Lower Heating, Natural Gas, Electricity Utility Bills

How To Your Lower Heating Bill

Utility Bills can be one of the largest monthly expenses, after housing and food. Many of the ways to be frugal about energy use are changes of habits, focusing on consuming less resources, and mindfully utilizing time-tested and proven methods:

• A programmable thermostat can save money by setting the optimal temperature, and models are available from Home Depot or Lowe's for $20.
• Reuse all heat: If you cook, open the oven door and let all the heat out.
• Invest in a (cheap) hot water bottle to use while sleeping rather than furnace or wood stove.
• Lower the temperature when you go to sleep. An extra blanket, heated electric blanket, or hot water bottles are an extremely inexpensive way to stay warm. 
• Lower the temperature of your home when you are gone. Also remember, it may be more efficient to keep your home warm rather than going from Hot-Cold. Make sure your thermostat only runs when necessary.
• Keep Curtains Closed.
• Installing inexpensive anti-draft insulation for doors and windows can make areas feel much more comfortable. Upcycle old blankets for use as insulation near windows and doors.
• Wear socks and a sweater indoors and keep thermostat set at a lower temperature.
• Heavy curtains act as insulation during both winter and summer. During the winter, they act as a buffer between warm indoor air and cool windows. During the summer, curtains reflect sunlight that can increase the temperature of the room significantly.
• Fix all air leaks: windows, doors, holes, cracks where your warm air escapes to the exterior. If your insulation is not working properly, you are paying to heat the outside world. Proper insulation is possibly the single most cost effective way to reduce expenses and save money. Use window-wrap during the winter and other insulating measures.

 How To Save Money on Electricity Bill:

• Switch as many bulbs as possible from incandescent to CFL. CFL's require 1/8th the energy and last much longer.
• Turn off lights in any room where you are not using. An old rule (pre wwii): one person-one light. Meaning: if you go to a different room and turn on a light, you must turn off the light you were using previously. This simple step can reduce your electricity bill by 10% or more. 
• Use Candles. Candles are cozy, romantic and a frugal alternative for lighting your house.
• Unplug your devices as soon as they hit 100% charge. Bonus: Unplug the charger after charging.

More Tips on Saving Money on Energy Bills: 

• http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1xn4du/how_to_save_money_on_energy/ 
• http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1yte00/tips_for_saving_money_on_energy_bill/cfnt7o9 
• http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/06/f2/energy_savers.pdf

How to Save Money on a Mattress: What I learned from Saving $300 on a brand new mattress

 How To Save $300 or More Buying a Brand New Mattress

Are you in the market for a new mattress? Purchasing a mattress can be a major investment, and you will spend time with a mattress like no other piece of furniture. Markups on a new mattress can be upwards of 100%, with each store carrying different brands and different models to discourage and prevent comparison shopping between stores and mattresses. the following website: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/17/how-to-buy-a-mattress/ contains many tips, including:

1. Mattresses are expensive. A great deal on a bed will still cost many hundreds of dollars, expect $600 or more after final discount and taxes. We are looking for savings from "sticker" (retail) price. 
2. Mattresses last 10 years. Expect to sleep on this purchase for the next 3,650 nights. Even if you sell your house, your mattress will most likely move with you to your next property.
3. Purchase Mattress Pads or Warranties at a discount. Very likely you can negotiate a discount on the Mattress Pad or Warranty at the same time purchasing a mattress.
4. If you don't like it at the store, you won't like it at home. Lay on the bed for 2-3 minutes or longer to give the bed a "test" sleep. 
5. Do not purchase an inexpensive bed. You will be using this bed for the next 10 years, it's worth a few extra hundred dollars.

 Trusted Mattress Brands:

• Sealy Posturepedic
• Simmons "Beautyrest" or "Black" lines
• Tempurpedic
• Stearns & Foster 

Online Mattress Stores

• 1-800-Mattress
• US-Mattress.com 
• Tempurpedic Direct From the Factory (www.TheFoamFactory.com) : King Sized 4 lb ViscoPlush memory foam for 340.99.

How To Save Money Buying a Mattress

1. Research prices, features, and compare companies online. What type of bed are you looking for? What is your price range?
2. Scope out the particular mattress you want to purchase before a sale. 
3. If you are visiting a mattress or big-box store, attend a "Half-Off" sale during president's day, Labor Day, Black Friday.
4. Purchase using a credit card that has return protection.
5. Find out which bed you want online. Call other online retail/manufacturers to see if they will match that price. 
6. Purchase directly from the mattress manufacturer. "The Original Mattress Factory Locations" If you live in a city with a company like this, you can save 70% or more by purchasing directly from the manufacturer. 
7. Buy from Costco or Sam's Club. Costco has the limitation that you must use a debit card, which negates the protection of a credit card. But costco has great prices on mattresses.
8. Take pictures of mattress and its "Law Tags" before putting on the sheet. Make copies of all receipts and warranties, keep in a safe place in digital and paper format.
9.  Your strongest negotiating tactic is your ability to walk out the door. Always be willing to walk away from the deal and you will discover the dealer's lowest price.
10. DO NOT purchase a second hand mattress or receive a "free" mattress from craigslist. Bed bugs are a huge problem all over the united states, and will infest your entire household (furniture, clothing, drapes, EVERYTHING) if you accept a "free" mattress. Don't Do It!!

Buying a mattress is a high-stress, high-markup investment that you will be spending 1/3 of your life in for the next 10 years. By performing your research and searching for the best deal available, you will enjoy a high quality mattress at a bargain price and included 10 year warranty.

Have you ever purchased a mattress, and if so, what was your experience and do you have any tips to share?

Other tips on saving money on a buying a mattress: http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1xjzjt/i_negotiated_a_mattress_from_1000_to_700_and_got/

Convert coke bottle into soap or lotion dispenser, inexpensive gift idea

Here is an inexpensive (Less than $2.00) gift idea:

Vintage Glass Coca-Cola Bottle Converted to Soap Dispenser

Instructions available: http://keepcalmanddecorate.blogspot.com/2010/09/coke-bottle-soap-dispenser.html

How To Save Money February 2014, Inexpensive Valentine's Day Ideas

How To Save Money -- February 2014

Saving money is important whether your budget is $200 or $2,000 per month. More money means more freedom to pursue the hobbies and activities you desire, and invest more for future purchases such as retirement or paying for higher education. Many times we are living paycheck to paycheck simply because we do not know how much the small expenses (starbucks coffee, premium channels on TV) add up to monthly. 

Top 10 Ways to Save Money February 2014

1. Create a budget. By creating a budget, you know where your money goes each month and how much you can potentially save by reducing your monthly groceries budget, or reducing your utilities bill. 
2. 97 Ways to Save Money around the house. How often do you stock up when you find a deal?
3. Shop for a cheaper cell phone. Even if you are using Verizon, prepaid plans are offered that are 1/2 the cost of contracts. Wait out your contract and switch to prepaid or switch to T-mobile and have your contract termination fee paid by T-Mobile.
4. Create your own gifts for Valentine's Day. What is your special talent that you can share with your significant other? Check Out Pinterest.com for free Valentine's Day ideas:
   

   

   Cheap Valentine's Day Idea: Spell out Your Love in Scrabble Letters with Frame from Thrift Store.

5. 40+ Valentine's Day Ideas for Him. Many of these can be applied for the female in your life, and guaranteed that the person receiving your gift will cherish it much more than flowers or a card.
6. File your Income Taxes (And Receive your Refund) Early.
7. Reduce your heating, natural gas, and electricity bills by 30%. 
8. Reduce your Food Expenses/Monthly Grocery Bill. Buying Healthy, Nutritious and Inexpensive food is a great way to feel better while improving your financial and physical health.
9. Save Money on AT & T Family Plan $27/month including 10 GB Data. 
10. Save $300 when purchasing a brand new mattress. Your mattress will last 10 years. Do your homework when purchasing a new mattress.
11. BONUS: 11 Best How To Save Money Articles February 2014.