A Frugal family Fourth

Posted by admin June 30, 2008 at 6:06 pm

If you’re looking to a 4th of July holiday that won’t explode your budget, Louise Sacco of The Frugal Yankee has some ideas on how to make the holiday weekend an affordable family event.

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Coming soon…

Posted by admin June 30, 2008 at 3:45 pm

Check back here for great deals from NECN Cut Your Costs Partners and other merchants.

Got an idea? Share it here!

Posted by admin June 30, 2008 at 3:44 pm

If you have a way you save money that you want to share with the Cut Your Costs campaign community, you can share it here. Write it up and send it in to cutyourcosts@necn.com, and we’ll post it here.

Fresher, better, and *maybe* cheaper

Posted by admin June 20, 2008 at 1:04 pm

NECN’s Peter Howe covers a trend that may not actually be cheaper, but will likely give you more for your money. The number of farms offering Community Supported Agriculture shares, or CSA’s, is growing in New England. You pay up front for a share of the harvest - and get producefar fresher than what you’ll find in your store.

Jennifer Lane answers our cost-cutting questions

Posted by admin June 17, 2008 at 7:26 pm

NECN) – After a week of cost-cutting suggestions on “Good Morning Live,” we knew you’d have questions of your own. Financial planner Jennifer Lane asked for your questions — and has some great ideas on credit cards for college students, financial lessons for kids, what to do about that sagging 401(k), and whether long-term care insurance is a good investment.

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Driving: smarter, safer, cheaper

Posted by admin June 17, 2008 at 7:20 pm

(NECN) - With the average price of gasoline now averaging nearly four dollars a gallon, many drivers are looking for new ways to save on fuel costs.

Joining us with a few tips and tricks is Phil Gott, Director of Automotive consulting for Global Insight.

Some of his suggestions include:

1) How you drive
light foot
Coast to stops, anticipating the need to stop as much as possible (no sense burning up fuel only to burn up brakes)
Keep speeds moderate
Accelerate moderately
Keep a steady foot on the accelerator - no pumping the throttle as you go along - and maintain at least once car length for every 10 mph between you and the car in front. Not only is this a safety tip, but it gives you a buffer to
Use cruise control as much as possible to maintain a steady speed.
Don’t “rev” the engine more than needed to get up to speed

2) Maintenance
Tire pressure
Wheel alignment
Air filter
Good brand and type of engine oil
Differential/final drive - synthetic oils with friction modifiers - wear out after ~35,000 miles and should be drained and replaced
Brakes
No roof racks/bike racks in the air stream
No junk in your trunk! Every pound of excess load costs about 1 gallon of fuel in 100,000 miles.

3) Buy only the vehicle you need
Buy for your every day use. need something bigger for trips? Rent it!
Urban driving, small engine, hybrid
Highway driving, small engine with turbo charger
Diesel is advantageous for fuel consumption - especially good for towing, but with the price of diesel now the fuel economy advantage is neutralized due to the high cost of the fuel.

Barry Armstrong: 12 ways to trim the household budget

Posted by admin June 17, 2008 at 7:14 pm

(NECN) - The cost of living is rising in just about every measurable way these days. If you think things are getting to out of hand our next guest may be able to help.

Barry Armstrong, financial advisor for Securities America and host of Money Matters on WBIX shares some easy steps to take towards balancing your family budget.

12 Steps Towards A Balanced Family Budget

Everyone is always asking us, “How can I save money?” Here at Money Matters with Barry Armstrong our financial professionals have come up with some simple ways for you to save money just by adjusting some existing expenses you may already have.

It also doesn’t hurt to attempt to increase your income at the same time. We would recommend working overtime or maybe even getting a second job. For some that may mean doing something you enjoy, like officiating sporting events or freelance writing. You may also have the option of going back to school. Improving your education may be a catalyst for future success in business.

If those options aren’t for you, Barry Armstrong, host of Money Matters with Barry Armstrong, has created a 12 step program to dramatically cut costs and start saving immediately!

Money Saving Tip

Step 1: Reduce Your Cable Package

If what you desire is to save, you need not look further than your television set. We understand that it may be hard to part with that premium sports package but the truth is eliminating the movie channels and special packages could save you upwards of $125 a month. For example Comcast, a leading cable provider in the United States, offers an array of options for the couch potatoes delight but their Digital Starter Package ($29.99 a month) may be all you need.

Step 2: Examine Your Cell Phone and Home Phone Packages

When is the last time someone asked you for your home phone number? The fact is that cell phones are the easiest and best way to contact someone. If you’re already paying $70 or more a month on your cell phone bill, it may be best to eliminate your home landline. That alone could save you $30 dollars a month. If that’s not enough, consider restructuring your cell phone deal. There are many different packages to choose from and it may not be necessary to have 2000 text messages a month.

Step 3: Take Lunch with You

Just because all of your co-workers want to go out to lunch or get take out, doesn’t mean you have to. Just by packing your own lunch, you can save approximately $40 dollars a week

Step 4: Make Coffee at Home

If you stop every morning to get a coffee, do just that. Stop! Each stop at Dunkin Donuts will run you at least $2.00 a day. You can buy coffee beans at the grocery store and avoid the time restraints of waiting in line at your favorite coffee establishment. If you do this, expect to save $40 or more a month.

Step 5: Save Those Grocery Store Coupons

Don’t be afraid to cut out the coupons you see in advertisements. Standing in line at the grocery store just the other day, a woman compiled over $200 worth of groceries but saved $40 just on coupons alone. You can’t expect to save $40 dollars every visit, but you can expect to save at least $150 a month just by getting out a pair of scissors.

Step 6: Turn Down Your Thermostat

You hear it everyday, so start doing it. Go green! Just by lowering the temperature on your thermostat, you will save 5% off your energy bill for every degree.

Money Saving Tip

Step 7: Stop Your Newspaper Subscription

The majority of people get their news everyday from the website of their favorite newspaper. On nearly every major newspaper in the United States, you can access the day’s stories for free. The newspaper industry is struggling right now and will most likely eventually go completely online. Start now and save at least $30 a month.

Step 8: Examine and Reduce Insurance Costs

As consumers we have many different options for insurance. Do your research and find an option that satisfies your needs and your wallet. Whatever type of insurance you are looking for, you have options and they are affordable.

Step 9: Refinance

With interest rates down, it is the perfect time to refinance. It will allow you more time to pay off debts and give you more time to make the payments.

Step 10: Enroll in State Universities

If you or your children are in college, look at state universities. You will save a lot of money without compromising a great education. Tuition at the University of Boston costs $4,428.50 for a Massachusetts resident per semester. Compare that with a school like Tufts University, which runs a cool $17,921 per semester. That’s a savings of more than $26,000 a year. Convincing enough?

Step 11: Eat In

The restaurant industry predicts that in 2008 Americans will spend more than $367 million eating out. If you simply chose to stay in and make dinner, the average America would save more than $200 a month.

Step 12: Use Your Credit Card

Some may argue not to put expenses on credit cards but if your credit card company has a cash back or points rewards program, we argue yes. Just make sure that you are able to make the payments in their entirety every month.

Total Estimated Savings Per Month: $885+

Eating well (and cheaply) on the road

Posted by admin June 17, 2008 at 7:12 pm

(NECN) - We mark the second day of our Cut Your Costs campaign here on Good Morning Live.

All week long we’ll be bringing you tricks and tips to cut down on your expenses throughout the year.

Joining us now with some tips to save on food during the summer vacation season is Annie Copps, senior food editor of Yankee Magazine.

SAVING MONEY ON FOOD WHILE ON VACATION

1. Bring a cooler with you and pack snacks & beverages

2. Eat your big meal at lunch.

3. Eat seasonal foods.

4.Ask the locals (or cab drivers) and avoid the tourist traps

5. Get the local paper and look for

a. food festivals (chowder fest)

b. pancake breakfast fund-raisers

c. coupons

d. early bird specials

e. senior and “under 5″ discounts

6. Eat at the grocery store (soup and salad bars)

7. Avoid the mini bar (bring your own)

8. Happy hour — they’re not just for cocktails, there is always food, too (tip well)

9. Appetizers — 2 appetizers and a salad rather than an appetizer and entree

10. Drink filtered water rather than bottled at restaurants

Finding affordable summer fun

Posted by admin June 16, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Summertime, but the living isn’t all that easy, if you’re trying to find summer activities that won’t break the bank.

But fear not, Louise Sacco, co-host of The Frugal Yankee has some ideas that could keep the fun affordable.

Here are some of Louise’s suggestions:

1. Take a hike - check out local state parks; pick up a guide book to your area. Take your camera, some lunch, and insect repellant. You don’t have to be in the wilderness to enjoy a hike. You can plot your route through cities or towns that you’ve been meaning to explore. This can be geared for any age and any level of fitness.

2. Become a tourist - right where you are. Check your state or region’s tourism website. I’ll bet you haven’t seen all the sights they recommend for visitors. Have you taken the Duck Tour? visited the Harbor Islands? You may discover a museum or historic site right in your home town. I’ve just learned about the Black History Trail in Boston - I plan to walk that one soon.

If you’re expecting out-of-town visitors this summer, do the tourist bit with them.

3. Can’t afford a Red Sox game? Even if you can, chances are you can’t get tickets. You probably know about the Paw Sox - it’s a lot of fun. But did you know there are minor league games in New Britain & Norwich CT, Lowell MA, Manchester NH, Burlington VT? And, of course, the Cape Cod League. This is a especially good for younger kids who would be exhausted with a long drive and a long game. For really little kids - the 3-5 year olds, take them to a local Little League or Babe Ruth game. They’ll see some baseball, you can tell them a bit about the game and leave when they get restless.

4. Read the local newspaper. The churches, schools, civic organizations, and local towns can keep you busy. You’ll meet your neighbors and have a good time at a church supper, concert on the green, library book sale, fair, farmers’ market, or parade. You might volunteer to help out.

5. Go fishing. There may be a fishing pole in your basement. If not, get a pole and a fishing license - and check out the rules and regs in your state. This outing can include some hiking, a picnic lunch, and a chance for quiet talk. You don’t have to clean and eat the fish. Take a photo and throw it back.

6. State Parks. There’s probably a state park near you. Get hold of their schedule of events. Many of them organize guided walks. You’ll learn a lot about the plants and animals in your area and enjoy a leisurely walk. They may also have talks, workshops, and kids events.