Another GroupOn purchase!

(This post contains our affiliate link with GroupOn.)

GroupOn! I am sure you have heard of them, yet I am amazed as I talked with others who have not heard of them. For those familiar with GroupOn, you can just move on; but if you are not, read on.

So far this year, we have used GroupOn to purchase…

• Discount Zoo Tickets (Saving over $30)
• A Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Saving $10)
• Discount Museum Tickets (Saving over $15)
• A EBay Gift Certificate (Saving $7)
• And several more offers!

GroupOn is a great way to save money by taking advantage of some great deals either nationwide or in your local area. We have used GroupOn to purchase items in advance which we were going to do at some point, such as our recent visit to the zoo. We purchased the tickets more than two months in advance for our visit.

If you are not a GroupOn member, it is free to create an account by using our affiliate link: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu20837067

How have you just GroupOn to save money?

Just some thoughts,

Happy Independence Day

Several years ago, a group on men seeking to change the face of a nation sat down, each in his own right, and began to change the course of the world. Without taking regard for their lives, they placed everything on the line. Those men fought for our freedom without a gun, they used a pen, words and pride in a growing nation. May this nation grow in the ways they saw in the future.

To those who gave their lives for our country, whether using arms, pens or words, our nation gives you thanks. To those who are currently battling, whether by the use of arms or the use of pens and words, we thank you for your service.

Just my thoughts,

17 Ways to Save $20 in One Month

1. Stop buying stuff you do not need.
2. Buy generic (It’s not that icky.)
3. Cut the cable (or cut back the number of channels you have)
4. Stop going out to eat one time a month.
5. Rent at Redbox or Netflix instead of Blockbuster or a similar store. (Most of those stores rent movies for $4 a movie and Netflix is $8 a month.)
6. Use your library card.
7. Drive easier. (Most people driving easier can save gas and in turn save some dollars.)
8. Grow your own tomatoes.
9. Adjust your cell phone bill to fit your needs.
10. Stop going to the ATM.
11. Pay in cash. (Cash is harder to let go of when purchasing items.)
12. Stop paying with credit cards. (Or put your credit cars in a bowl of water and freeze it. If you still need the item when the unthaw, then you can make the purchase. I forget where i heard that tip, but it is excellent.)
13. Go to a park and picnic instead of eating out.
14. Go for a walk each evening. (You build time with family and  do not just “go out” to shop.)
15. Put $20 in an envelope and attach it to the fridge and put “DO NOT SPEND” on it.
16. Stop looking on Ebay for deals and deal with what you have.
17. Stop using bottled water and use the faucet.

Just some thoughts,

Over 1 Year on Netflix

The Gallagher Family is a Netflix family. Over one year ago we pulled the plug on cable/satellite  and we have not looked back. We decided to go with Netflix because we could get the major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, and Fox) over the antenna, while most of the shows appearing on television were the ones our children’s we found them all on Netflix at a fraction of the price.

Since adding Netflix we have also added Hulu Plus to the features streaming to our television. Below gives you a good look at our costs and the savings we current enjoy.

Just moving from cable/satellite to Netflix was a savings of $828.12

As you can see, the savings over cable is tremendous. Recently the cable/satellite packages have come down significantly in price. Even thought the price has dropped, the Gallagher family still enjoys and plans on sticking with Netflix and Hulu Plus streamed to our televisions.

(Currently, I have put our Hulu Plus subscription on hold for 8 weeks to re-evaluate the cost and shows.  Hulu Plus does not have the same shows they once were contracted with, so we will re-evaluate over the next 8 weeks to see if we should keep our subscription.)

Netflix Instant Streaming Recommendations:

• The Cosby Show – Who could not recommend this great show. Even though we have seen each episode, we still watch it over and over again. Our children are watching the same shows we watched growing up.

DVDs by Mail Recommendations:

• Believe in Me
• Flywheel
• Fireproof

Would We Do It Again?

Many have asked if we would drop cable/satellite and do the Netflix only again – YOU BET!!! We have found the older television shows on Netflix to be greater than the current television shows. Also, we are able to spend time doing other things than sitting in front of a television. Our children have discovered more books, old movies, board games, and riding bikes to be more fun than ever before. It was not that our family did not participate in those activities before, but now we are more active than with television.

Just some thoughts,

Car Insurance Savings = Profile Check

Carrie and I have been very frugal with our car insurance by checking out other companies, the features of each policy and the limits. Being a lawyer’s son, I have high liability limits in case something was to happen which adds a little each month, but also gives me more security.

With that being said, we recently found a $5 savings each month. Remember, we are saving as much as we can already, but I thought I would pass along this savings tip on to you.

This past year I began saving about $30 every six months on my car insurance by going through a profile check on my account. One little mistake has cost me about $60 every year on my car insurance.

During a recent customer service call to ask a question regarding my policy, I went through a profile check with the representative and found I was not listed as the owner of my home. I was listed as a "renter." Simply changing from a "renter" to a "home owner" saving me an extra $30 every 6 months.

While that may not seem like much, $30 is $30 in this and every economy.

Maybe it is time to review your insurance profile information.

Oh, by the way, that is not my car in the picture. I saw that VW Van at Wal-mart and had to take a picture.

Just some thoughts,