Indulge yourself — for a bargain

Posted by Courtney September 24, 2008 at 11:42 am

If you love going to the spa but hate paying a fortune, you’re in luck.  Spa week is coming up.  From October 13-19th, more than 25 spas in the greater Boston area are offering treatments for just $50.  It’s your chance to get that organic sweet soy and pink grapefruit pedicure you’ve always wanted.  Check out spaweek.org for more info.

New energy saving ideas sprout from rooftops

Posted by asonfist September 24, 2008 at 10:09 am

Are you looking to save money on energy use? One company in Madison, Wisconsin suggests you work your way down from top to bottom — starting on your roof.

Our newest partner wants you in the “Clink” by morning

Posted by Ted McEnroe September 22, 2008 at 3:31 pm

A great deal on a luxury hotel room might sound a little surprising. Well, so is a luxury hotel at a former jail. But if somehow you’ve missed the buzz, the former Charles St. Jail is now the luxurious Liberty Hotel.

The hotel opened last year to great fanfare, and has lived up to the hype. Now you can experience Liberty at a very nice price. The ‘Big House Breakfast Package’ lets you do a little time there - just steps from Charles Street boutiques, the Boston Common, Public Garden and great historical sites - at a great price.

This luxury Boston hotel package includes overnight luxurious accommodations and breakfast for two, either in the signature restaurant ‘Clink’ or through what they refer to as ‘Solitary Dining.’

Packages start at $295, based on double occupancy, subject to availability.

The Liberty is the perfect home base for exploring Boston, it’s a conversation piece unto itself, and it’s our newest ‘Cut Your Costs’ partner.

CollegeFest 2008

Posted by Courtney September 22, 2008 at 11:36 am

Looking for something to do this weekend but don’t have a lot of money to spend?  You might want to check out CollegeFest in downtown Boston.  $10 admission gets you loads of free stuff –food, products and more.  Saturday & Sunday, 9/27-9/28, at Hynes Convention Center.  Doors open at noon.

Get rid of your old books — and make some extra cash

Posted by Courtney September 22, 2008 at 11:25 am

If you love to read but don’t know what to do with all those old books piling up–sell them.  The Booksmith  pays 15% of cover price in cash or 20% in store credit.  They’re one of the few remaining independent bookstores around, and their used selection is hard to beat.  In Brookline & Wellesley, MA.

A little free end-of-summer sand art

Posted by Ted McEnroe September 19, 2008 at 1:08 pm

Wanted to give a little shout out to one of Cut Your Costs partners - the Clarion Nantasket Beach Resort and Spa, which is sponsoring the “Endless Summer Sand Castle Competition” this Saturday as part of the Endless Summer Waterfront Festival in Hull, Massachusetts.

The contest features sculptors creating what they can from 30 tons of sand dumped right on Nantasket Avenue. The competition begins Saturday at 1pm, and there are even sandsculpting lessons starting at noon.

The contest, and the rest of the event Saturday, are free - you can find the schedule at hullchamber.com.

Because before long - those sandpails will be replaced with, umm, snow shovels.

Fare hikes for Worcester transit, but still beats driving

Posted by asonfist September 19, 2008 at 11:34 am

With the cost of gasoline sky-high these days, who wouldn’t opt for public transportation when accessible? The Worcester Regional Transit Authority’s advisory board has approved a 25 cent fare hike, but it still beats the price at the pumps.

However, the board has also eliminated the network’s “zone” system, which could drive up some fares that involve transfers.

A 31-day pass, which ranged in price from $38 to $50, has been replaced with a $48 flat rate pass.

The “zone” system included 25 cent transfers; they will now be replaced with a $1.50 flat rate for all trips.

The new fares take effect Jan. 1.

It still beats dishing out $40 or $50 with every trip to the gas station.

Click here to read the full article from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Government approves emergency heating aid

Posted by Courtney September 17, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Homeowners struggling to pay high heating bills will get some help this winter.  The Bush Administration is releasing more than $100 million in emergency heating aid for low-income residents.  An additional $25 million will be targeted at states with large numbers of families relying on oil heating, including those in New England.  New Hampshire is set to get more than $3 million in funding.

Barry Armstrong on credit sector turmoil

Posted by lholmes September 15, 2008 at 8:17 am

(NECN) - Lots of turmoil in the credit sector as Lehman Brothers announced it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

That plus a take over of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America should make for an interesting opening bell on Wall Street.

Joining us to discuss these topics is Barry Armstrong from Armstrong Advisory Group and a financial planner with Securities America Advisors.

‘File and suspend’ to increase Social Security benefits

Posted by asonfist September 8, 2008 at 9:43 am

Here are some tips to manage your money in a way to potentially increase your monthly Social Security benefits.

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