Now that Christmas has come and gone you are probably looking at your gifts and playing around with them. But before you get too comfortable you should realize that there are some great deals out there right after the holidays.
Here's an idea: Use some of your money that you got from Christmas and put those deals to good use. Get your upcoming birthday gifts right now. If someone has a birthday coming up then get them something now while it is on sale. Maybe you could get them accessories for what Santa brought them. Or make something for it.
AND since you are most likely home from college with your parents, if you are out of any necessities for school then take them shopping to get you what you need such as shampoo, soap, razors, and such things.My school covers such things on our meal cards but maybe your school does not include that.
Use this semester break to your advantage. Take a break, relax, and prepare for your upcoming classes.
Read, Share, Comment, or Ignore this blog post. The choice is yours.
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Gift help- MAKE SOMETHING!
What is a better present than something awesome that came from the giver's own hard work and consideration? Why not make the people on your Christmas list, or whatever holiday you celebrate, gifts instead of buying things that will just be old technology in a month. You can make scarves, jewelry, little trinkets, artwork, or a plethora of other things. One of the best things is that less than $20 can get you a ton of supplies to make stuff for everyone on your list, most likely. And that's the price of 1 DVD.
Ideas:
jewelry
sew a bag
make accessories
scarves (knit, crochet, sew, there are even no sew options!)
no sew blankets with a favorite character, theme or design
framed photos or artwork
stenciled shirts
coasters
cards
TONS MORE!
Check out these websites for tutorials and inspiration:
http://www.craftster.org/
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/
etsy.com to get inspired
http://www.instructables.com/
There are tons of websites that will inspire you and even give you step by step instructions on how to make something. So google "how to make______" and I am sure that you will find something to your liking.
or google crafts for dads, fishermen, nascar fans, spongebob. Whatever the person you are gifting to likes and I guarantee that you will save money, have more fun making their gift, and put a smile on their face.
Ideas:
jewelry
sew a bag
make accessories
scarves (knit, crochet, sew, there are even no sew options!)
no sew blankets with a favorite character, theme or design
framed photos or artwork
stenciled shirts
coasters
cards
TONS MORE!
Check out these websites for tutorials and inspiration:
http://www.craftster.org/
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/
etsy.com to get inspired
http://www.instructables.com/
There are tons of websites that will inspire you and even give you step by step instructions on how to make something. So google "how to make______" and I am sure that you will find something to your liking.
or google crafts for dads, fishermen, nascar fans, spongebob. Whatever the person you are gifting to likes and I guarantee that you will save money, have more fun making their gift, and put a smile on their face.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
If you are an art kid
Here are some tips to save a little money if you are an art kid.
1. Go to local shops.
If you need something matted or framed professionally then go to a framer or local shop. They are almost always a lot cheaper than Michael's, JoAnn's, or Hobby Lobby even with the coupons that are in the mail. Supplies at local shops are usually cheaper also. Google, look around, or just ask most likely someone with similar interests will know a hol-in-the wall local seller. Also you support your community rather than a big store.
2. Shop around.
Go online or browse stores and find the deals that stores close to you are offering. Most likely some place will have what you want at a decent price.
3. Wholesale.
There are a lot of online retailers that will well you bulk supplies at a cheaper cost. Stock up and use that for awhile plus if you stock up then the shipping and handling fee will be less or sometimes free for larger orders. If you decide to shop at a store then you will not have to use the gas that you will have to if you go back in a week. Ebay and Etsy are both websites where you can buy large quantities for really cheap.
4. Ask around for free supplies.
Sometimes if you know someone in specific indistries they will let you have scrap metal, paint, or other supplies. A friend of mine was a welder, he took scrap metal from his company's trash and gave it to me. Occasionally you get free materials that you would have never thought to use that are just what you needed, pieces to practice on, or just free supplies. My father is a painter, if he has old paint that he does not use or paint in the garage then I can most likely use some of that. You can even mix the perfect color with those or find the perfect mixture already made and in gallon supplies.
5. Keep your eye out.
If you are walking down the street then most likely you will find a plethora of odds and ends that can aid in your art or crafting. Lost buttons, charms or just nature that is inspiring, free and you are being enviromentally friendly.
6. Do it yourself.
Frame and matte your art work on your own. Number 1 kind of mentioned this but still, you will save a lot in the long run. A local shop around me sells large things of matte board for $5 and scraps that still do the job for 50 cents. I can matte things at home without paying the framer a ridiculous price.
7. Sell your stuff.
There are plenty of websites that will let you sell your arts, crafts and supplies. Clean out your pile of art you have in the corner of your room and make some money. Etsy is a well-known site for this. Ebay can work too or start your own website. Those are just a few websites that I think are good.
8. Trade.
Ask another artist if they want to trade art for art. You get a free piece of art and get your stuff out there for possible future clients.
9. Give as presents.
You spend a lot of money on materials for the things that you are passionate about. This is the season for gifts. It's a pretty simple idea. Create a piece of artwork that you think someone will like and from there you can frame and gift it. It's free if you have the supplies handy and a gift that the person receiving will always remember.
The moral of this story is, don't be afraid to ask for supplies, go to a local shop, buy larger quantities, give homemade, or just look around and compare prices. It may seem like a chore to compare but most likely there is a website that will compare the things that you want to buy.
If you have any tips then post them in comments. I am just a broke college kid who is an arts and craft junkie, I enjoy all the tips that I am given.
1. Go to local shops.
If you need something matted or framed professionally then go to a framer or local shop. They are almost always a lot cheaper than Michael's, JoAnn's, or Hobby Lobby even with the coupons that are in the mail. Supplies at local shops are usually cheaper also. Google, look around, or just ask most likely someone with similar interests will know a hol-in-the wall local seller. Also you support your community rather than a big store.
2. Shop around.
Go online or browse stores and find the deals that stores close to you are offering. Most likely some place will have what you want at a decent price.
3. Wholesale.
There are a lot of online retailers that will well you bulk supplies at a cheaper cost. Stock up and use that for awhile plus if you stock up then the shipping and handling fee will be less or sometimes free for larger orders. If you decide to shop at a store then you will not have to use the gas that you will have to if you go back in a week. Ebay and Etsy are both websites where you can buy large quantities for really cheap.
4. Ask around for free supplies.
Sometimes if you know someone in specific indistries they will let you have scrap metal, paint, or other supplies. A friend of mine was a welder, he took scrap metal from his company's trash and gave it to me. Occasionally you get free materials that you would have never thought to use that are just what you needed, pieces to practice on, or just free supplies. My father is a painter, if he has old paint that he does not use or paint in the garage then I can most likely use some of that. You can even mix the perfect color with those or find the perfect mixture already made and in gallon supplies.
5. Keep your eye out.
If you are walking down the street then most likely you will find a plethora of odds and ends that can aid in your art or crafting. Lost buttons, charms or just nature that is inspiring, free and you are being enviromentally friendly.
6. Do it yourself.
Frame and matte your art work on your own. Number 1 kind of mentioned this but still, you will save a lot in the long run. A local shop around me sells large things of matte board for $5 and scraps that still do the job for 50 cents. I can matte things at home without paying the framer a ridiculous price.
7. Sell your stuff.
There are plenty of websites that will let you sell your arts, crafts and supplies. Clean out your pile of art you have in the corner of your room and make some money. Etsy is a well-known site for this. Ebay can work too or start your own website. Those are just a few websites that I think are good.
8. Trade.
Ask another artist if they want to trade art for art. You get a free piece of art and get your stuff out there for possible future clients.
9. Give as presents.
You spend a lot of money on materials for the things that you are passionate about. This is the season for gifts. It's a pretty simple idea. Create a piece of artwork that you think someone will like and from there you can frame and gift it. It's free if you have the supplies handy and a gift that the person receiving will always remember.
The moral of this story is, don't be afraid to ask for supplies, go to a local shop, buy larger quantities, give homemade, or just look around and compare prices. It may seem like a chore to compare but most likely there is a website that will compare the things that you want to buy.
If you have any tips then post them in comments. I am just a broke college kid who is an arts and craft junkie, I enjoy all the tips that I am given.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Another Blog
I deleted the other site I mentioned yesterday. I decided I would just combine my stuff on here, and if need be then make another blogspot for it. The other blog site was too complicated.
I joined this site on November 5th and just 5 days later I have earned $7.49 just by clicking on ads, visiting websites, taking quizzes (on what spongebob character I am, what dexter character I am, etc), and completing offers just to name a few.
Out of all of the GPT websites I am apart of this seems to be one that earns the quickest. Almost everyday there is a contest that helps you earn money and they have "squishy slots" where you take the casino chips you earn from offers and can use them to take a spin. It's really fun to try. The first time I won $2.
This site has a cash out of $20, either in check, paypal, or amazon gift card. Therefore five days later I am almost halfway there! I really recommend this site and will be posted more sites that I recommend on here so that you guys can take part in the cash. I hope you enjoy!
p.s. If you do decide to check it out could you please click the link above so I get a referral credit? I would appreciate it.
I joined this site on November 5th and just 5 days later I have earned $7.49 just by clicking on ads, visiting websites, taking quizzes (on what spongebob character I am, what dexter character I am, etc), and completing offers just to name a few.
Out of all of the GPT websites I am apart of this seems to be one that earns the quickest. Almost everyday there is a contest that helps you earn money and they have "squishy slots" where you take the casino chips you earn from offers and can use them to take a spin. It's really fun to try. The first time I won $2.
This site has a cash out of $20, either in check, paypal, or amazon gift card. Therefore five days later I am almost halfway there! I really recommend this site and will be posted more sites that I recommend on here so that you guys can take part in the cash. I hope you enjoy!
p.s. If you do decide to check it out could you please click the link above so I get a referral credit? I would appreciate it.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Save money if you are a smoker.
Now we all know smoking is bad, but still a lot of us do it. Here are a few tips to save some money if you are a smoker.
1. Quit Now.
It's the most obvious but hardest option. I do not think I will anytime soon but a few of you might think that saving money and health is important. Take the number of packs you buy a week x the price of your cigarettes x 52 weeks and get how much you would save on one year alone. Hundreds? maybe thousands?
2. Use coupons.
Get on your brands website sometimes you can get cheaper options and coupons. Camel is very good about sending out coupons. Or just google your brands coupons.
3. Buy by the carton online.
Find a site that sells your brand cheap. There are tons of those sites out there and can end up saving you a bundle.
4. Join your brands club if they have one.
Marlboro and Camel both have "clubs" online where you can join, receive deals, and often get free merchandise. If you are 21 then you can join these.
5. Switch to a cheaper brand.
Self explanatory.
6. Switch to electronic cigarettes.
They are often cheaper in the long run. Expensive to start up but once you buy the starter kit you will save money. They run on a battery and only emit water vapor so they can be smoked anywhere. Each refill cartridge is not too expensive. PLUS, it is better for you. There is no tobacco just liquid nicotine that gets heated up by the battery, therefore there is no actual smoke or second hand smoke. Overall, it is just a better decision.
7. Get free cigarettes.
Sometimes bars, concerts, or hookah bars have representatives from the tobacco companies there. They ask if you would like a free pack and you take it. I did this once and this is how it went:
lady asked if I would like a free pack of cigarettes
I said heck yes
She scanned my ID to make sure it was real
She gave me my cigarettes
I had to get a picture with their new item for their website
and I got the new item
(it was a sample pack of their new dissolvable tobaccos)
so in the end, I got a pack of cigarettes, my friends because she recently quit, and a sample pack of dissolvable tobacco that I gave to a friend who enjoyed it.
Smoking is bad for your wallet and health but if you are not gonna quit anytime soon then the above post is to help you save a little cash.
I am in no way encouraging any underage smoking or smoking at all. These are just tips that have helped me in the past.
1. Quit Now.
It's the most obvious but hardest option. I do not think I will anytime soon but a few of you might think that saving money and health is important. Take the number of packs you buy a week x the price of your cigarettes x 52 weeks and get how much you would save on one year alone. Hundreds? maybe thousands?
2. Use coupons.
Get on your brands website sometimes you can get cheaper options and coupons. Camel is very good about sending out coupons. Or just google your brands coupons.
3. Buy by the carton online.
Find a site that sells your brand cheap. There are tons of those sites out there and can end up saving you a bundle.
4. Join your brands club if they have one.
Marlboro and Camel both have "clubs" online where you can join, receive deals, and often get free merchandise. If you are 21 then you can join these.
5. Switch to a cheaper brand.
Self explanatory.
6. Switch to electronic cigarettes.
They are often cheaper in the long run. Expensive to start up but once you buy the starter kit you will save money. They run on a battery and only emit water vapor so they can be smoked anywhere. Each refill cartridge is not too expensive. PLUS, it is better for you. There is no tobacco just liquid nicotine that gets heated up by the battery, therefore there is no actual smoke or second hand smoke. Overall, it is just a better decision.
7. Get free cigarettes.
Sometimes bars, concerts, or hookah bars have representatives from the tobacco companies there. They ask if you would like a free pack and you take it. I did this once and this is how it went:
lady asked if I would like a free pack of cigarettes
I said heck yes
She scanned my ID to make sure it was real
She gave me my cigarettes
I had to get a picture with their new item for their website
and I got the new item
(it was a sample pack of their new dissolvable tobaccos)
so in the end, I got a pack of cigarettes, my friends because she recently quit, and a sample pack of dissolvable tobacco that I gave to a friend who enjoyed it.
Smoking is bad for your wallet and health but if you are not gonna quit anytime soon then the above post is to help you save a little cash.
I am in no way encouraging any underage smoking or smoking at all. These are just tips that have helped me in the past.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Cheaper Gas
Here are a few of my tips on how to save a little on gas.
1. Get the rewards cards.
Sign up for the free reward cards and get perks. If you buy certain products then you will accumulate a certain amount that you can get off of each gallon of gas. A few cents off here and there will add up. Fill up 20 gallons with 3 cents off per gallon and you just saved 60 cents. It might not seem like a lot but once a week for a month and you end up saving $2.40.
Examples are: F.E. perks or speedway reward cards
2.Use other cards to get money off.
Some shell gas stations allow you to get up to 10 cents off each gallon just by presenting your Kroger card. Just look at promotions and you might save a considerable amount over a long period of time. 10 cents off of 20 gallons can add up to $2 a week and $8 a month.
3. Buy prepaid gas cards.
Walmart will let you buy their gift cards and you can save 3 cents (i believe) off each gallon. Plus if you use your reward based debit card then you can get points towards that too.
These are just a few promotions that I remember, they might not be active forever but for the time being they can save you a little money.
1. Get the rewards cards.
Sign up for the free reward cards and get perks. If you buy certain products then you will accumulate a certain amount that you can get off of each gallon of gas. A few cents off here and there will add up. Fill up 20 gallons with 3 cents off per gallon and you just saved 60 cents. It might not seem like a lot but once a week for a month and you end up saving $2.40.
Examples are: F.E. perks or speedway reward cards
2.Use other cards to get money off.
Some shell gas stations allow you to get up to 10 cents off each gallon just by presenting your Kroger card. Just look at promotions and you might save a considerable amount over a long period of time. 10 cents off of 20 gallons can add up to $2 a week and $8 a month.
3. Buy prepaid gas cards.
Walmart will let you buy their gift cards and you can save 3 cents (i believe) off each gallon. Plus if you use your reward based debit card then you can get points towards that too.
These are just a few promotions that I remember, they might not be active forever but for the time being they can save you a little money.
First Post
Hello, I'm Claire. I am a college kid trying to get by with as little money as possible. If you are in college or just a broke kid then I hope this blog helps you. Mainly this site will be a compiliation of links to places to buy things cheap, make (a little extra) money online, or just other things that I find useful. If you have any comments, questions, concerns, or ideas for posts then let me know. I am always willing to take suggestions.
I hope to make this blog interesting and one that people will come back to see new posts.
Nice to meet you,
Claire.
aka just some random broke college kid
I hope to make this blog interesting and one that people will come back to see new posts.
Nice to meet you,
Claire.
aka just some random broke college kid
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