Lana Bandoim
Lana has a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry and graduated summa cum laude. She is a writer, scientist, sports analyst, movie critic, artist, ordained minister and wedding officiant. She has extensive writing experience in print and online publications. Lana has been featured on Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! Movies, Yahoo! TV and Yahoo! Finance. Please use the Filter Content by Site button on the right to see more of her work. Lana can be reached on Twitter @Lana_Bandoim, on Facebook at facebook.com/lana.bandoim or her blog WriterLana.blogspot.com. Please use the Contact Lana form on her blog to reach her, and please scroll down to see these links under Affiliations.
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- 11/7/2010
Education/Experience
B.S. Degree in Biology and Chemistry | Graduated summa cum laude | Writer | Scientist | Sports Analyst | Movie Critic | Artist | Ordained Minister | Wedding Officiant | Extensive Writing ExperienceInterests
sports, science, news, technology, movies, TV, product reviews, diet, nutrition, health, arts & entertainment, business & finance
Displaying Results 1 - 113 (of 113) for Yahoo! US Finance
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First Person: Balancing Finances While Working and Getting a DegreeThe financial challenges of continuing education can sometimes be overwhelming. It is a struggle with time management, but there are several methods to balance work and school.
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First Person: Maximizing the Value of My Consignment SalesConsignment shops offer a convenient way to make money from items in my home. I have used them frequently to sell clothing and accessories. However, I have learned several important steps that ensure I get the best prices for my items.
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First Person: Tracking My Spending the Easy WaySince starting my monthly budget, I have found that keeping track of spending is the most challenging part of the process. It is too easy to lose a receipt or forget to write something down. I have found several tips that are helping me track spending.
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First Person: Do Rechargeable Batteries Really Save Money?We have switched to using rechargeable batteries instead of standard batteries and saved money in the process. In our home, it seemed that we were constantly running out of batteries and having to restock them was expensive.
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First Person: I'll Be Regifting After the Holidays Are OverUnfortunately, the end of every holiday season means a collection of gifts from well-meaning friends and family members that no one will ever use in our home. I have found several ways to handle this problem, and regifting has been one of the solutions.
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First Person: What I Stock Up on in JanuaryThe sale cycles of January are almost here, and I am already preparing a list of items that I will stockpile. I plan on taking advantage of seasonal sales on the following items throughout the month of January.
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First Person: How My Slow Cooker Saves Me MoneyAfter I received a slow cooker as a gift last year, I initially hesitated to use it. However, I quickly discovered that this small machine could help us cut our grocery costs.
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First Person: Taking Control of My Holiday Decorating BudgetThe holidays can make sticking to a budget difficult, and decorations are an easy area to cut costs. However, I do not want to greet guests at holiday parties without adding something festive to our home. I have found several ways to reduce costs.
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First Person: Secrets of the Sample SalesSample sales offer consumers the opportunity to purchase designer items at extremely low prices. They provide the possibility of getting something for 70 to 90 percent off. I have found several ways of taking advantage of sample sales.
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First Person: My Outlet Mall Plan of AttackOutlet malls are the perfect hunting grounds for bargains. However, they are not immune from competition or rising prices, so I have found several ways to maximize my savings.
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First Person: Using Daily Deals to Save on GroceriesI have found that it is possible to save on groceries with daily deal websites. By using both aggregate and individual sites, I have been able to take advantage of many bargains.
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First Person: 6 Items I Avoid Buying in DecemberDecember can be a difficult time for shopping. The combination of long lines, crowded stores and elusive sales can make finding deals a challenge. After years of shopping, I have found six items are not worth buying in December.
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First Person: Entertaining on a Budget During the HolidaysThe holidays can be brutal with a budget, but I have found several ways to keep the costs down for entertaining guests in our home. Holiday parties can still be fun to celebrate without overspending.
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First Person: Making the Most of Coupon InsertsThe coupon inserts included with the Sunday paper are one of the easiest sources to save money on grocery shopping. However, I have found several tips to make the best use of these inserts and increase my savings.
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First Person: Laundry Tips That Save Me MoneyI am always searching for energy saving ideas that can help my budget. I have found several laundry tips that have helped me save money without sacrificing time or effort.
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First Person: The Sales After the Black Friday and Cyber Monday SalesBlack Friday and Cyber Monday offer great opportunities to find bargains, but they are not the only days to find deals for the holidays. I have learned several time periods offer consumers sales to help reduce the cost of holiday shopping.
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First Person: My Approach to Holiday TippingHoliday tipping has become a tradition in my family, and I continue to do it while sticking to a budget. I have found several ways to thank people during the holidays without overspending.
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First Person: Sticking to My Holiday BudgetThe holidays are one of the most challenging times to stay on a budget. In addition to narrowing down the list of people who receive gifts and avoiding sale temptations, I have found five tips that help me. I avoid creating new debt during the holidays.
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First Person: How My Price Binder Saves Me MoneyI recently created a price binder to save money and track frequent purchases. Other frugal shoppers convinced me to try this idea. Although I initially started with a pencil and paper method, I have moved everything into a spreadsheet that can be printed.
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First Person: The 4 Places Where I Never Use My Debit CardAlthough I use debit cards for multiple purchases each month, there are four places I avoid. They are either too risky or could result in other problems.
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First Person: Phone Cards Don't Always Beat Long Distance RatesAfter hearing about a friend’s decision to get rid of her long distance phone plan and switch to phone cards, I decided to investigate this option. Unfortunately, the savings created by this change were insignificant.
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First Person: Taking Advantage of Catalina CouponsMany retail stores have installed Catalina coupon machines that are part of Catalina Category Marketing (CCM). These coupons are only available at the end of a transaction once the receipt is printing, and I have learned several tips for them.
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First Person: Making Sure I Don't Get Burned By Free Gift OffersThe offers of free gifts with purchases tend to increase during the holiday season. I plan on taking advantage of them, but I am still cautious and evaluate them carefully.
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First Person: Fighting Restocking Fees?Restocking fees are a common rule in many stores with electronics being affected more than other items. I recently had to return a defective product and challenged the restocking fee.
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First Person: I'm Using Twitter to Find Holiday DealsI have found many deals on Twitter in the past and plan to continue using social media. This tool is useful for holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
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First Person: How I'm Taking Advantage of Special Holiday Price GuaranteesRetailers are scrambling this season to attract consumers in a declining economy with high unemployment rates. One of the trends I have seen this year is the introduction of special holiday price guarantees.
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First Person: Is Shopping Around for Gas Really Worth It?I recently decided to test several phone apps for finding the cheapest gas in my local area. Although the apps promised a convenient way to search for the lowest prices, I discovered several problems with them.
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First Person: Team Shopping on Black FridayOne of my friends is organizing team shopping for Black Friday and has invited me to join her. I am still planning my own shopping, but I am strongly considering the team option.
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First Person: When Price Matching Policies ChangeI have taken advantage of price matching at retail locations multiple times. However, I have noticed a general trend that is making it more difficult for consumers to get the best prices on items.
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First Person: Putting My Vacation on LayawayThe return of layaway at many retail locations has also spread to other businesses. I recently discovered the option of putting a vacation on layaway.
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First Person: The Potential Bank Fees I Am WatchingThe defeat of the debit card fees at several banks has not erased my concerns about rising costs. Although they may have temporarily suspended their plans to charge for the use of debit cards, I have been noticing an increase in fees in other areas.
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First Person: Avoiding Scams on Black Friday and Cyber MondayBlack Friday and Cyber Monday are the perfect time to find bargains on a variety of items. However, the number of scams and phishing attacks increases exponentially on these days.
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First Person: Beating the Black Friday DealsBlack Friday offers the opportunity to save on the latest items, but online savings can often be higher. I was fortunate to take advantage of both of them last year. I was able to purchase a new MP3 player with a case for 45 percent off.
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First Person: How I Find the Best Deals on Cyber MondayI actually prefer to shop on Cyber Monday instead of Black Friday. Although I search for deals on both days, I have been avoiding some Black Friday sales and finding better deals online.
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First Person: Planning for Black Friday SalesI have taken advantage of Black Friday sales in the past. However, I carefully plan and select the best deals before wasting hours in a line in front of a store.
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First Person: 7 Things I Never Buy in NovemberI have found that November is not the best time to purchase several items. The cooler temperatures and anticipation of holiday shopping have a direct impact on deals.
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First Person: Taking Advantage of Sale CyclesAfter years of shopping, I have noticed a common pattern among stores. By taking advantage of sale cycles, I can maximize my savings. There are specific sale cycles that stores use for every month of the year.
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First Person: Is Online Grocery Shopping Really Worth It?I occasionally purchase groceries online and stock up on bargains. Although it is a fast and convenient way to do the shopping, I have discovered a few problems. However, buying groceries online is still an easy way to take advantage of great deals.
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First Person: Making the Most of a Rain CheckI frequently use rain checks at stores and have found several techniques that increase their benefits. Most retailers offer consumers this option, so they can take advantage of the sale prices even if the items are sold out.
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First Person: Making the Most of LayawayMany stores are bringing back the option of layaway, and I am considering using it for my holiday shopping. Although I am still in the process of shopping, I have already discovered several tips and cautions for using layaway.
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First Person: Why I Am Concerned About GrouponI have used Groupon multiple times in the past year to get discounts from a variety of local stores and businesses. I have even purchased Groupon gift cards as gifts during the holiday season.
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First Person: My $0 Halloween CostumesI have always celebrated Halloween and attended parties even with a limited budget. In college, there were several times that I could not afford to purchase a new costume. Instead, I found free and beautiful alternatives to buying new costumes.
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First Person: 6 Simple Tips That Help Me Stay on BudgetI have found six simple tips that help me stay on a budget. I discovered them by experimenting with several methods.
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First Person: The Trouble With Free Product OffersI am constantly searching for free product offers, but I have learned to be careful with them. One of my most recent experiences with a free product offer from an online retailer reiterated the problems I have often encountered.
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First Person: The Reality of Refinancing My Car LoanRefinancing a car loan seemed like an easy process that would help reduce my bills. However, I discovered it was much more complex and riddled with problems.
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First Person: Reusable Bags Easily Save Me $50Reusable bags have been a part of the green movement for several years, and stores have responded with additional savings for customers who use them. I always bring my own reusable bags while shopping.
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First Person: The Pitfalls of Store Credit CardsAlthough I have several store credit cards, I am very picky about them. I always carefully evaluate store credit cards because they have high interest rates and limited benefits.
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First Person: Overcoming the Hassles of Online ShoppingI regularly make online purchases and have found great deals on products ranging from shoes to shampoo. However, there are several common problems I have experienced while shopping online and now have learned to accept and fix them.
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First Person: Avoiding Long Distance Phone ScamsI was almost a victim of a long distance phone scam recently. Someone left an urgent message on my cell phone that required immediate attention. The number did not look familiar, and after a little research I discovered it was a scam.Also published on:
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First Person: Pay-As-You-Drive Car Insurance?I have been hearing more about pay-as-you-drive car insurance, but it is still not available in my location. Rumors of expansions to more areas have encouraged me to investigate this new type of insurance, but I am not sure if I will be switching.
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First Person: How I Avoid Losing Money During a RecallUnfortunately, recalls seems to be on the rise. New concerns about products ranging from cantaloupes to cold medicine are constantly being found. I have been the victim of several recalls, but I avoided losing money during the process.
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First Person: Stacking Coupons to Save 20%I am constantly trying to increase my savings and reduce my spending at stores. Although the total amount saved varies with each shopping trip, in general, coupon stacking has helped me cut an additional 20% to 30% off of my grocery bills.Also published on:
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First Person: Dimmers Save Me an Extra 10% on My Energy BillsWe have been trying to cut our energy bills through several methods. Recently, I installed several dimmer switches to increase our savings by an additional 10 percent.
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First Person: Why I Passed on 'Wallet Protection' for My Credit CardIn their constant pursuit to add more fees to a monthly bill, credit card companies are now offering wallet protection. This plan is supposed to help consumers deal with a lost or stolen wallet. However, I decided to pass on this offer.
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First Person: How I Saved 30% on My College LifeDuring my college years, I tried my best to stick to a budget. The expense of tuition and unexpected student activity fees made this a necessity. I found several ways to cut my budget by an additional 30% while I was in college to compensate for the fees.
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First Person: My Money and the New Debit Card Transaction RulesOn October 1, the Durbin Amendment officially goes into effect. These new debit card rules place a cap on transaction fees and limit the amount of money retailers have to pay. How will this change affect me and other consumers?
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First Person: Why I Say 'No' to Credit Card Loss InsuranceMany companies are now offering credit card loss insurance. Also known as credit card fraud protection insurance, I decided to pass on this product because it was a waste of money and completely unnecessary.
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First Person: Why I Avoid Credit Card Cash AdvancesCredit card companies have been busy sending consumers cash advance offers, and I have received several of these letters recently. However, I avoid cash advances because of high fees and interest rates.
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First Person: 5 Steps I'm Taking to Deal With the RecessionAlthough new surveys predict that a second recession is coming, I have continued to follow the same steps from the last recession. It is difficult to plan for an uncertain economy, but I have found five steps that help.
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First Person: Here's Why Penny Auctions Don't Make Sense for BuyersI admit I was intrigued by the idea of penny auctions. After signing up for one of the legitimate sites amid a sea of scams, I still lost money and will avoid them in the future
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First Person: Cashing in My Old ElectronicsI had several old electronic products that no longer functioned. I did not want them to end up in a landfill and could not sell them online for a decent price. Instead, I recycled them and earned $75 in the process.
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First Person: The Rental Traps and Scams I Look Out ForIn college, I learned to avoid several rental traps and scams. Renting a property was a difficult process that required recognizing and avoiding several problems.
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First Person: Saving 50% on My Thanksgiving MealThanksgiving is always a big celebration in my family. I have found several ways to cut the cost of the meal by 50%.
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First Person: 5 Items I Prefer Buy in OctoberI always try to plan my purchases ahead of time. October is the perfect time to purchase five types of items, and I have saved money in the past by shopping for them.
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First Person: Saving 30% on ProduceI always find it difficult to save money on produce. It is hard to find coupons for fruits and vegetables, they do not last long, and stores are constantly raising prices. Despite all of these problems, I have been able to save 30% on produce.
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First Person: Saving 20% on My Car RentalsI have learned several tips to save money on car rentals. Unfortunately, there have been unavoidable circumstances that required me to get a rental. Timing, negotiating and searching for deals are the most important aspects that helped me save 20%.
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First Person: Why I Passed on Credit Card InsuranceAfter examining the cost and details, I have decided not to get credit card insurance. The company had a strong sales pitch, but this insurance was not necessary and too expensive.
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First Person: 5 Money Wasting Cleaning Products I AvoidI have been able to save $200 a year by avoiding five types of cleaning products. Although I still purchase laundry detergent, dish soap and other items, there are five products that I do not need.
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First Person: I Scored Free Cereal for a YearCereal is one of my family’s breakfast staples. I eventually discovered several methods that allowed me to purchase free cereal for a year, and I hope to reproduce this success for next year.
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First Person: Saving $100 on Yard MaintenanceWe have always tried to maintain our small yard and stay within our budget. I discovered that eliminating several items and changing some things in the yard could save me even more money.
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First Person: Can Dog Ownership Really Lower My Car Insurance Rates?I am always searching for a way to reduce my car insurance rate. I recently received a letter from an insurance company that claimed I could reduce my rate because of dog ownership.
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First Person: Are Groceries Really Shrinking?Manufacturers are shrinking their products in grocery stores. A pint of ice cream has been reduced to 14 oz while a 12 oz bag of chips is now 10 oz. I have found several ways to deal with this problem.
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First Person: Avoiding Grocery Savings Club ScamsI have noticed a rise in the number of grocery savings club scams. In addition to flooding the Internet and email inboxes with offers, they are becoming more aggressive. I have received mail and phone calls from these companies.
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First Person: Entertaining at Home, Saving 60%Entertaining at home has helped me stay within my budget. I can still attend a wonderful party without worrying about the cost of a night out. I use several tips to save 60% by entertaining at home.
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First Person: How I Saved $600 on a New Washing MachineAfter our old washing machine completely failed, we were forced to shop for a new one. I found a new washing machine and saved $600 in the process.
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First Person: My $150 Kitchen MakeoverAfter moving into our home, fixing the kitchen was one of my biggest projects. The kitchen cabinets were very old, and some of them were falling apart. Instead of paying a professional $20,000, I fixed and repainted them for $150.
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First Person: Substituting Ingredients to Cut My Grocery Bills By 30%I have found several ways to substitute ingredients and save 30% on my grocery bills. The taste and flavor of the final cooked meals is usually not greatly affected by using these substitutes.
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First Person: Saving 40% on Meat at the Grocery StoreI am always searching for ways to save money on groceries. I have found several methods to cut down our spending on meat at the grocery store.
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First Person: 6 Things I Never Purchase in OctoberOctober offers the opportunity to save on several items, but there are some things I never buy during the month. Years of watching sales and evaluating deals have taught me that October is not suitable for the purchase of the following six items.
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First Person: Negotiating My Credit Card Interest RateI have successfully negotiated with my credit card company to lower the interest rate. It was a tedious and difficult process, but it has saved me money.
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First Person: 5 Items I Never Buy at Dollar StoresAlthough I love hunting for bargains, there are certain items that I avoid buying at dollar stores. The prices may be low, but these products are either dangerous or ineffective.
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First Person: Cutting My Water Bill By 40%I have used several methods to cut our water bill by 40%. A few simple observations and some adjustments helped me save money. In addition, we have been able to conserve water by adding some parts to our appliances.
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First Person: 5 Simple Tools That Save Me $500 a YearStaying organized has helped me save a tremendous amount of money every year. There are five simple tools that help me save $500 a year.
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First Person: How I Save 50% at the DrugstoreI make purchases at multiple stores. If I am shopping at a drugstore, I have developed specific strategies to save money. I can reduce my spending by 50% at a drugstore with a few simple steps.
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First Person: Why I Start My Holiday Shopping in SeptemberAlthough Christmas is still several months away, I start my holiday shopping in September. There are several items that go on sale during this month that can result in significant savings.
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First Person: How I Save 40% by Stockpiling the Smart WayI stockpile certain items to increase my savings and reduce my spending by 40%. However, I am not an extreme coupon fanatic and do not have enough room for many products.
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First Person: Dealing With Changing Coupon PoliciesMany stores are changing their coupon policies in this difficult economy. Unfortunately, the adjustments actually make saving money more difficult, but I have found several strategies for dealing with the changes.
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First Person: My Mail-in Rebate Success StrategyI have developed an effective way of using mail-in rebates to maximize my savings. Although they may be time consuming, they are still an easy way to save money.
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First Person: 5 Items I Avoid Buying at Warehouse ClubsI have memberships at warehouse clubs, but I am still careful about my purchases. There are five items I avoid buying at warehouse clubs because they are rarely a bargain.
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First Person: Cutting My Clothing Budget By 50%I admit that I love shopping for clothes and shoes. However, I still have a strict clothing budget and save 50% on my wardrobe.
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First Person: 5 Things I Always Buy OnlineI usually combine shopping online with traditional brick and mortar stores. However, there are five things I always buy online because it saves me money.
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First Person: How My Freezer Saves Me 40% on GroceriesI have been freezing a variety of food items for several years and noticed a reduction of 40% on my grocery bills.
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First Person: 5 Things I Never Buy UsedI love bargains and hunting for sales, but there are several items I never purchase used. The reasons range from health concerns to the likelihood of mechanical malfunctions and complete failure.
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First Person: I Save 50% on Halloween Every YearI am able to save 50% on Halloween every year by following simple guidelines. I begin planning several weeks before the holiday and start searching for savings.
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First Person: How I Save 50% By Shopping After Labor DayI have discovered that shopping for items after Labor Day can often save me 50% or more. There are specific items that many stores put on sale after Labor Day, so I wait for this time period to purchase them.
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First Person: Why I Never Purchase Extended Warranties for ElectronicsI never purchase extended warranties for electronics because they are usually a waste of money. They always benefit the store selling the warranties instead of the consumer.
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First Person: Saving 30% on My Winter Home Energy BillI am constantly searching for new ways to reduce our electric bills and conserve energy. I have found several tips that have helped me save 30% on my electric bills in the winter.
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First Person: Why I Avoid Secured Credit CardsI have noticed an increase in the number of secured credit card offers. Unfortunately, many companies are trying to take advantage of people who are attempting to rebuild their credit history.
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First Person: My $10 DIY Room Repainting ProjectOur living room was in desperate need of a new paint job. However, I was not prepared to pay $200, the lowest estimate we received, for a professional to do the job. Instead, my DIY room repainting project saved us money and only cost $10.
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First Person: Why I Avoided a Group Savings PlanMy college alumni association has been busy sending out letters offering members a group savings plan on car insurance. After carefully examining the plan, I decided to avoid it.
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First Person: Keeping My Information Safe While Shopping OnlineI frequently make online purchases and take several measures to keep my financial information secure.
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First Person: How I Handled Credit Card Inactivity ProblemsI recently received a letter from one of my credit card companies that threatened to close my account for inactivity.
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First Person: Dealing With Evolving Fees on My Debit CardWells Fargo recently revealed that it will implement a new policy charging customers $3 a month for using a debit card in some states. My bank has not instituted debit card fees at this point, but I am prepared to deal with them in the future.
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First Person: I Save $60 a Month With Online CouponsI have been using online coupon codes for several years and usually save an average of $60 a month on purchases. I use multiple sources to find the coupon codes and verify them.
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First Person: Identifying Bank Phishing ScamsI have noticed an increase in the number of bank phishing scams recently. The emails are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from legitimate communication. However, I have found several ways to identify these phishing scams.
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First Person: Why I Avoid Credit Cards With Annual FeesI always avoid credit cards with annual fees because they are rarely worth the extra cost. Many companies try to compensate for high fees with reward programs, but there are cards that offer the same benefits without fees.
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First Person: Why I Still Use Frequent Flier Credit CardsThe popularity of frequent flier credit cards and loyalty cards has waned in recent years, but I still have several cards. Although I do not fly 100,000 miles a year, I have found several benefits to keeping these cards.
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First Person: Why I Avoid Online Payday LoansDuring my undergraduate years, I experienced several situations that tempted me to consider online payday loans. I needed money urgently to pay college expenses. After thoroughly investigating the payday loan programs, I decided to avoid them.Also published on:
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First Person: How I Save Up to 50% Off School SuppliesAs a college student on a budget, I found several unique ways to save money on school supplies.
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First Person: I Shop for Car Insurance Every 6 MonthsAlthough I have stayed with one car insurance company for several years, I still shop for car insurance every six months to compare prices and ensure I am getting the best deal.
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First Person: Why I Never Purchase Cell Phone InsuranceThe last time I purchased a new cell phone, I decided not to be swayed by the salespeople and avoided buying insurance for the phone.
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First Person: Decorating a Dorm Room on Less Than $50During my undergraduate years, I never spent more than $50 to decorate a dorm room.
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First Person: How I Cut My College Textbook Costs in HalfTextbooks are one of the most expensive parts of getting an education.Also published on: