The Frugal Free Gal

When I took eye exams as a young child, I would always pass with 20/20 vision. I was proud of that and thought I’d have perfect vision forever. As I started getting older, my vision started to change. Sometimes I think it’s because of my excessive use of computers (glaring at the screen), two pregnancies, or just from getting older in general.

It’s best to visit your eye doctor on a yearly basis. Several years ago I was prescribed contacts and glasses for my no longer perfect vision. I had to accept that I would have to wear contacts or glasses for the rest of my life (unless I opted for Lasik surgery, something I’m actually afraid of!)

Eyeglasses can be very expensive. By the time you consider the frames, the lenses, and the special add-ons (anti-glare, etc.) this can add up, sometimes costing over $200. I allow myself to get a brand new pair of glasses each year at my annual eye appointment, but I don’t always want to pay the price that I see at the optometrists office. I wear my glasses most often when I am driving, at the movies, or watching TV. Because I don’t wear them all day, I’d like to stick with glasses that are inexpensive and usually very basic. I have owned four pairs of glasses in my lifetime and only have three of the four left. I like to have a few pair around–one pair to keep in my car at all times, one pair to keep at home at all times, and one in my purse to take everywhere with me.

I now resort to online eyeglass shopping for my eyeglass needs. I shop online for eyeglasses now because I find they are usually cheaper online. I have had great luck with shopping for eyeglasses online. If you are looking for eyeglasses online, you should visit Glasses.com. I like that they offer free shipping, price guarantees, and great customer service! They offer name brand frames at a great price. I have my eye on a few frames from their website.

I am currently looking into unique SPY sunglass styles because prescription sunglasses are on my wish list! With the summer coming up, I’d LOVE to have a pair of prescription sunglasses to wear outdoors and when driving! I don’t own a pair yet, but I think I will be placing my order soon so that I cam have them here before summer!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

How to Cheaply Handle the Woes of Winter

There isn’t much we can do about the change in weather. Fortunately, there are no shortage of steps we can take to ensure that the unforgiving wintry environment affects our day-to-day lives as little as possible. However, for those of us on limited budgets, preparing for winter can be easier said than done. While fancy new coats and state-of-the-art insulated windows are probably outside of most family budgets, the following is a list of cheap ways your household can handle the wintry weather:

Reverse ceiling rotation

When a ceiling fan is rotating counterclockwise warm air is sucked upwards while the “windchilled” air is returned to you. In the winter, a clockwise rotation on a low setting has the opposite effect; warmer air located near the ceiling is pushed by uplifted air from the fan and distributed better around the room. This is a simple way to get more warmth in the winter without turning up the heater.

Seal ducts, doors, and windows

There’s a reason it’s called duct tape. Purchase some inexpensive insulation material and close off all existing cracks and crevices around ductwork, doors, and windows. Warm air is simply going to escape through these spaces, forcing you to spend more on heating in order to remain comfortable.

Bring summer items indoors

Lawn chairs, mowers, and other items you typically leave outdoors in warmer weather are not always designed with the cold in mind. To prevent having to replace cracked lawn furniture or pay for a lawnmower repair, either store these items inside your home or rent a storage unit for a few months and throw them in there.

Pass down coats and frequent second-hand stores

There is simply no reason to be buying growing kids coats every winter when it’s certainty they won’t fit in them next year. Stick to hand-me-downs and used clothing store finds.

Skip haircuts

More hair on your head means more warmth. To save some extra money for the next few months, bar any member of the family from getting a haircut. Not only does skipping the stylist save you some money, but a warmer heads mean you’re less likely to turn up the heat in your home.

Going head-on into winter without taking the proper steps of preparation is silly to say the least. But so is the assumption that everyone can drop $1000 on an updated family winter wardrobe or new set of snow tires. For those of us who possess the foresight but lack the funds, cheaper alternatives must be explored. Take such inexpensive routes and your winter experience is sure to be more cost-effective.

This post is brought to you by Amanda Green.

10 Money Saving Tips for Booking a Hotel

By Andrew Kardon

Vacations are awesome, but your hotel room might be the biggest expense of your trip. And why would you want to spend a fortune on the place where you’re mostly just sleeping? If you’re willing to hunt out hotels that offer money saving amenities or forgo some of the luxuries you don’t really need, you can shave big bucks off the cost of your hotel stay. Just check out these 10 helpful tips, frugal traveller.

Book Early

You know how they say that the early bird gets the worm? Well, that may or may not be true, but he sure doesn’t overpay for his hotel room. Some of the more popular destinations sell out their cheap rooms months in advance. Booking as soon as you decide where you’re vacationing can often snag you the lowest rate. Best of all, if your room rate goes down for some reason, most hotels will let you rebook at the new lower rate (assuming you don’t book a nonrefundable rate).

Travel During Off-peak Times

Just about every travel destination has an “off” season. Plan your trip during these less popular times and save some cash. Just remember that there’s usually a good reason for an off season, and it’s usually weather-related. Do a little research to make sure you’re not traveling during monsoon season.

It Pays to be Loyal

Every hotel chain has a loyalty program that lets you collect hotel points and/or airline miles for your stay. Sign up for free and try to stay in one hotel chain’s group of hotels (for example, Starwood PreferredGuest hotels include Sheratons, Westins and Four Points, while the Intercontinental Priority Club hotels include Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Candlewood Suites). When you sign up, you’ll need to select whether you want to earn hotel points or airline miles, though Hilton hotels allow you to earn both at the same time! And if you stay three or four times in one chain, your next hotel stay might be on the house.

Save Money with More Togetherness

Don’t pay extra for additional rooms for your large family. Get a room with two queen beds, then get an extra roll-away bed for one more person for as little as $20 extra per night. Or, consider a hotel that offers suites, like Embassy Suites, Hawthorne Suites by Wyndam, or Marriott Residence Inn. You get more sleeping space, and the in-suite kitchens let you cook meals in your room. Just remember that a “studio suite” means one big room and does not include a separate bedroom and living room.

Say “Amen” to Amenities

Look for hotels that offer free goodies, like free breakfast, free shuttle service and free wi-fi. Homewood Suites goes beyond the standard pastry and cereal breakfast and offers a full breakfast with hot yummies like waffles and eggs. And Monday through Thursday, they even serve a free light dinner!

Make Your Own Free Wi-fi

Hotels with free in-room wi-fi include Best Western, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. Some hotels that charge for in-room wi-fi may offer free wi-fi in the lobby or even have computers available for guests’ use. (Be sure to ask.) Or pick a hotel near a coffee shop that offers free wi-fi. Even an over-priced latte is cheaper than a $10 daily charge for in-room Internet access.

Ocean Front vs. Ocean View

If you’re traveling to a sandy beach, decide just how much of a view you really need. An ocean front room directly faces the ocean, while an ocean view room might show just a sliver of the sea. (Guess which is cheaper.) If you do shell out the big bucks for an ocean front view, don’t be afraid to politely complain if your view is obstructed in any way. Hotels are in the hospitality business, and that includes trying to make their guests happy whenever possible.

Watch for Hidden Fees

Be aware of parking charges if you’re driving or renting a car. It pays to ask before you book. Hotels often include a self-park option that’s cheaper than the valet. Check the fine print before booking to avoid any other unexpected fees.

Visit the Hotel Website and Call the Hotel Directly

By all means, check out the hotel booking sites like Priceline, Expedia and others. But take a few minutes to visit the hotel’s own website. You might find discounts or promotions that aren’t offered elsewhere on the web (including AAA and senior rates). And it never hurts to call the hotel to try to find the best deal. But don’t use the toll-free number for the hotel’s call center; call the hotel directly and ask for the sales department. You may be able to negotiate a deal to beat the online quotes. Or, if you’ve gotten a great deal from that hotel chain before, ask for the same deal!

Consider Paying More

It hurts to suggest this, but sometimes the best way to save money is to spend a little extra. If there’s a chance you might need to cancel your trip (kids get sick, jobs get hectic, life happens), you might get stuck with a large cancellation fee. Some of the cheapest deals do not allow for cancellations. So make sure your great deal has a small cancellation fee, or none at all, or you might get stuck with a big ol’ fee.

Finally, when you arrive at your vacation getaway, don’t forget to send me a postcard!

BIO: Andrew Kardon is the president and deals, price comparisons, product reviews, shopping blogs and more.

Great news! You can now find a Coupon Database located right here at The Frugal Free Gal! This feature is perfect for my coupon fans out there. You can search the database for coupons that are currently available to you, helping you to save money on your grocery bill! You will see what coupons are available and where they can be located. Some coupons are located in magazines such as “All You,” some coupons are eCoupons such as “SavingStar” and many of the coupons are the very popular “Printable Coupons” from Coupons.com, Redplum, and more. All of the coupons you need and want are found in one easy and convenient location.

Searching for coupons has never been easier. The Coupon Database is a tool for YOU to use and enjoy and a place where you can come to find all of your coupons in one place. To get access to the coupon database, you will need to click the tab “Coupon Database” located in my menu bar as seen below:

 You will be taken to the coupon database, where you can search for coupons. If you are interested in “Printable coupons,” simply select the “Coupon Source” drop down menu and find “Printable Coupons.” There are several categories to choose from including Target Store Coupons, Rite Aid Video Values Coupons, Kroger Store Coupons, and more.

If you would like to do a broad search for coupons on an item such as “ice cream,” you can type “ice cream” into the first search field. You will be given a list of the current ice cream coupons available. The first few search results were Lactaid Ice Cream, Dove, M&M, Snickers, Twix, 3 Musketeers ice cream bars, and Kroger Deluxe Ice cream. Remember that not all coupons are printable. Some coupons are located in your newspaper inserts, in magazines, and other locations.

If you would like to look for a specific brand, such as “Huggies,” type “Huggies” into the first search field and you will be given a list of all Huggies brand coupons currently available. Some of the coupons are listed as Target.com coupons, Walgreen IVC, and All You. You can also see a “Huggies” Home Mailer source, which means that these coupons could have been mailed directly to you. There was a printable coupon available at the end of the list.

Searching for coupons is easy with the coupon database. I hope you come by often to check out the current coupons available to you. Tell your friends and family about the coupon database. Coupons are added and removed on a regular basis. You do not want to miss out on any great savings! If you have any questions about the new coupon database, feel free to contact me.

*Note: This is a new feature. Please let me know if you are having any trouble accessing any of it by leaving a comment below.

Setting Up a Savings Account: What You Need to Know

Setting up a savings account is the first step towards saving for the future. Consumers need to do more than just save for retirement. They also need to have an emergency fund they can rely on in case they lose their job or decide to take on an expensive project, like home remodeling. Unless a person has a safe place to store their extra money, they will be much less likely to save.

Different Types of Savings Accounts

Financial institutions offer more than one type of savings account. Before setting up an account, consumers will need to evaluate their needs and goals in order to choose the most beneficial option.

If a consumer is saving for their child’s college education, they will want to consider opening a 529 account. 529 accounts give parents a tax-free way to save for their child’s future. The downside is that the money must be used for education related purposes. This type of account will not suit those that need more flexibility.

A money market account is another option that consumers will want to consider. A money market account is similar to a savings account, with a few key differences. The first difference is that money market accounts offer customers higher interest rates. The second key difference is that these accounts require account holders to maintain a large minimum balance. If an account holder falls below this minimum balance, they will be charged a fee.

If neither of these two options meet a consumer’s needs, they can open a regular savings account. Savings accounts allow savers to earn interest on their money, while enjoying the freedom of accessing their money whenever they need. Most of these accounts don’t have minimum balance requirements, and if they do, the requirement is usually very low.

3 Questions that Savers Need to Ask Themselves Before Setting Up a Savings Account

1. Is my money insured?

It is absolutely necessary that your money is insured. Most savings accounts offered by banks and credit unions will be insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000. This means that if the bank were to go under, your money would be safe. If a financial institution does not let customers know that their money is FDIC-insured, do not open an account.

2. Am I getting the best interest rate?

One of the greatest perks of opening a savings account is that you will earn interest on your savings. Before setting up an account, consumers will want to check the rates offered by a few different banks to make sure they are getting a good rate.

3. What features does the account offer?

When setting up a savings account, make sure that your money will be easily accessible. Look for a savings account that offers online services, ATM access, overdraft protection, and if possible, check writing privileges. Many savings accounts even give customers the option of having money automatically withdrawn from their checking account at regular intervals. This helps savers fight the temptation of spending, instead of saving, their money.

When setting up a savings account, many people simply open an account at a financial institution close to their home, without exploring their options. However, consumers do need to consider which type of account they need, as well as the features the account offers, in order to get the most from their savings.

This is a guest post by David Spader.

Many people are discouraged when they have to pay for a new computer.  Computers can be expensive investments, but it is possible to cut the cost of your purchase considerably if you know what you are doing.

First of all, you need to know what you do and don’t need when you buy your machine.  The perfect computer for a power gamer or multimedia developer may not be what you are looking for if you just need a compact machine while you work in Starbucks.  Say no to any major cards and peripherals that you don’t need.

You can also consider purchasing the previous year’s model.  Believe it or not, the functionality probably won’t change that much.  While the newer models may be a tad faster, last year’s model should have no problem keeping up with your needs.  You may be concerned that you have to replace it faster, but since you are getting such a great discount on it you will it is a great return on your investment.

On a similar note, you can consider buying a refurbished model as well.  These computers have been returned for minor problems, but have been repaired.  The chances of you having any functionality problems with a refurbished computer shouldn’t be any higher than any other new machine.  However, the cost should be significantly lower.

When you make your purchase, decide whether or not you want to have for a warranty.  A warranty is pretty important, but how long do you need to extend it for?  Many warranties are just extended to bring in a little extra money for the retailers.  They may only be helpful to you if you feel that you have to have a machine for a specified period of time before it is replaced.  However, statistically if a machine lasts for a year without giving you any problems, then the chances of it being defective are relatively low.  An extended warranty may be helpful if you carry your computer around a lot where there is a higher risk of it being damaged or stolen.

Finally, take advantage of all coupons and incentives you have.  If you can get a computer at a 20% discount, then you should seriously consider taking the opportunity.  You may not get a better deal in the future.

Computers are typically significant expenses, but that doesn’t mean they have to actually be expensive.
They are like any other product.  Make sure you do your research ahead of time and take advantage of any opportunity to save some money.

This is a guest post by Kalen Smith.