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Three Things to Start Carrying With You to Save Money

May 13, 2014 by Justin Weinger

If you’ve ever read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you’ll remember that a good hitchhiker always carries a towel. There is some advanced (and comical) reasoning behind it, and in our own world, there are a few items that you can also carry with you to make your own life easier and reduce the footprint you create. I have recently become more vigilant about how much waste I create and knowing that in the end, this waste costs everyone more money. However, instead of focusing on recycling, which is the lowest part of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mantra, creating less waste means fewer costs in our business and personal lives.

1. Safe, reusable water bottle everywhere you spend time.

Did you know that the average office worker goes through about 500 disposable cups per year? It never seems like a lot of waste at the moment and since you’re not paying for it upfront, it’s often easy to get into the habit of using disposable cups wherever they’re available. But your company most definitely pays for those cups and they are not cheap. What if you had your own reusable cup? If you save 500 cups each year and influence others to do the same, then that can add up to real dollars in the bottom line. Even more importantly, it can reduce waste going to the landfill and the cost of hauling that waste, another cost that you as an employee may not think is yours but one that is certainly affecting the profits of your business. So if you really want to stop using plastic bottles and disposable cups every time you need a drink of water, check out some BPA-free reusable bottles and put one everywhere you spend time and don’t have access to regular glasses: at work, in your car and in your bag when you travel (notice how you always grab a cup of water at the hotel lobby where they have those cucumber-infused water stands? This time you can use your reusable cup). Now you can free yourself from ever buying a $3 water anywhere, even the airport. Just wait until you are past security and fill up your bottle for the flight.

2. Flip-flops or comfortable shoes

Hear me out. Have you ever noticed that when you’re tired you start spending more money? Ever gone to a restaurant after walking around all day and feel the urge to order three appetizers? Bought an extra snack or grabbed some clothes off the rack just to get out of the store faster, telling yourself you can return the item if it doesn’t fit? I bet at least half of those situations can be avoided if you had comfortable shoes to change into. Put a pair of flip-flops in your car and you’ll find that you can make smarter decisions on a long day instead of focusing on the immediate need to get off your feet.

3. Trail Mix

I think you see where I’m going here. Most of our bad spending decisions tend to happen when we’re tired, thirsty or hungry. Trail mix doesn’t expire quickly and if you throw a bag in your car or your desk, you can snack on something healthy and avoid the need to buy an overpriced or unhealthy snack. Get a bulk size and use your own reusable containers, and you are one eco-loving, cost-conscious citizen.

Starting your day prepared gets you off on the right foot. It’s easier to focus on your work when you have everything you need to sustain yourself. What must-have items have you started carrying with you?

Filed Under: Frugal, Self-Development

8 Ways to Earn Extra Money in Washington

March 5, 2014 by Justin Weinger

Everyone can use a little extra cash. Consider these eight ways to earn extra money in Washington. They could help you start saving more money for the future or expand your household budget so you can live more comfortably.

Sell Things Online

Many people make extra money by selling items on auction sites like eBay. You can start by selling items from around your home. If you don’t use it anymore, sell it. You’ll create more space for your home while making a few dollars.

You can also search thrift stores in cities like Seattle and Spokane to find unique items. Put them on your site to sell them at a profit.

Freelance

If you have a unique skill, use it to earn a little extra money outside of your typical work hours. Approximately 16 million people already do it, and that number is expected to grow considerably in the near future. In-demand skills include:

  • graphic design
  • search engine optimization
  • blogging
  • marketing
  • Web development
  • accounting

People who already have careers in these areas can tap into higher earning potential by supplementing their income with freelance gigs.

Participate in Medical Studies

Human guinea pigs can make thousands of dollars for participating in medical studies. In some cases, you can make a big paycheck just for spending a few days in the hospital.

This is a risky way to make extra money, but some people have turned it into a full-time career. Choose your studies carefully so you keep your body and mind healthy while making extra cash.

Start Investing

You might not know much about investing money in stocks, bonds, and other opportunities, but you can turn to professionals who will make the best use of every spare dollar you have. Visit Fisher Investments at their Washington address to learn more about how experienced professionals can make your money grow.

A lot of people like this option because they get to make money without spending spare time at work. They just let their money work for them.

Wait Tables

The restaurant industry has a high turnover rate, so businesses are constantly looking for new employees. That’s bad for restaurant owners, but it’s good for people who want to pick up a few shifts to earn extra money.

Coming home with a pocket full of tips feels great at the end of the night. You might never need to get cash from the ATM again if you just work a couple nights a week. That means you keep more money in the bank so you always have a financial cushion.

Tutoring

It doesn’t take much to become a tutor. Anyone with a college degree and an expertise in one or two subjects can market themselves to local students. If you’re a teacher, then you have an advantage.

Contact tutoring agencies in your area to see if they have any part-time positions open. You can also advertise your services at local schools and online bulletin boards. You can even hang your ads on college campuses to attract undergraduate students who need a little help with their studies.

Deliver Newspapers

Even in today’s digital world, newspapers still need people to deliver their products door-to-door. You might think of this as a kid’s job, but the truth is that you can make a lot more money in less time when you’re old enough to drive a car.

This job suits people who don’t mind waking up early in the morning. The bad news is that getting up before the sun could leave you feeling tired for the rest of the day. The good news is that you can finish your “second job” before clocking in at your primary job.

Sell Extra Produce From Your Garden

GardenIf you have a large garden, consider selling your extra produce. You could sell tomatoes, basil, beans, and other items from your home, or you could find a Washington farmers’ market that allows small producers. Let your green thumb earn you some extra green!

Do any of these money-making opportunities appeal to you? What skills do you have that could help you earn some extra cash?

[Image via Flickr by wallygrom]

Filed Under: Frugal

Make Your Surf Trip Fun and Frugal

March 4, 2014 by Justin Weinger

Planning a surf trip?  Just remember: keep it frugal.  The experience of surfing an epic alien break creates more than enough serotonin.  Some people, including myself at times have thought that going “big” during a surf trip will only add to the thrill of the trip.  For myself, I always thought the word SPLURGE was an exciting, and necessary part of going on a surf trip.

Saving money on lodging and food can become crucial considering how much money you will spend traveling to that dream destination. First, you need to get there.  Plane ticket prices will vary wildly depending on distance, high season, and availability.  Plane tickets can range from $500 to $3,000 for places like Indonesia. Let’s say I wanted to go to Costa Rica from Los Angeles, and an average ticket would cost around $600.  The next expense will be your surfboards.  Airlines charge an average of $75 per board each way.  Costa Rica being a destination with many different surfing conditions and scenarios, you will want to have multiple boards for the different waves.  So three boards at $75 per board equals $225 each way.  It is very common for a surfer to buy a few boards before a big surf trip.  Newer boards are naturally stronger than used boards as they haven’t experienced the wear and tear of a used board, as well as the exposure to salt water and sun.  For example, on my first trip to the North Shore of Oahu, I purchased three boards at $500 per board even with my local discount.  That hypothetical Costa Rica trip as of right now with plane ticket and board fees (round trip) would be at $1,050.  Lets add two brand new surfboards at $500 a pop, because every surfer knows the feeling of going on a trip with old gear, and that gear failing mid trip.  I am now at $2,050 before I’ve even left the airport!

Every surfer feels that initial feeling after landing at his or her destination airport no matter how far you have to travel to get to where you will be staying.  It’s a rush to feel that warm tropical air and know you will be taking in new sights, smells, foods, and most of all riding warm waves in boardshorts for the next few weeks (months if you’re lucky).

At the airport, your frugality meter should start weighing options to get to your lodging.

In Costa Rica there are three options

Option 1 and most convenient is a rental car.  In my opinion, having money in your budget for a rental car is a priority.  You do not want to find yourself at the surf destination of your dreams, and realize you are limited to a break out front of where you are staying and there are no waves there.  When you are on a trip like this, and the waves are flat in your area, but good two hours up the coast, you go find the waves.  This is where a rental car is crucial.

Option 2 in Costa Rica is the Tica Bus.  The Tica Bus is a bus that travels the coast of Central America stopping at every town and beach area along the way.  This option is the cheapest, and has its benefits.  You can buy a pass, and get on the bus in Panama, and take it all the way up to the southern border of Mexico.  You can stop and stay in different surf areas like La Libertad, El Salvador, Popoya, Nicaragua, and Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.

Option 3 and least recommended is a taxi.  This is the most expensive way, and the driver will probably rip you off.

A place to lay your head…

There are many cozy, affordable places to stay in a surf destination.  My advice is to reserve a place you found online for your first night, and go look for a cheaper place that you can inspect for yourself when you are there.  The reason behind this strategy is because places you find online tend to be more expensive due to the fact that many places in smaller countries and little beach areas just don’t advertise online.  Most travelers like to have their lodging planned before arriving, but those online options aren’t all the area actually has to offer. When on a surf trip the main goal is to surf as much as possible.  Having a clean place to lay your head with indoor plumbing, and hot water to share with the woman you love is all you need to have an epic trip.  Remember that when you are about to hit the book button for an all-inclusive resort and save your money for all of the other experiences your destination will have to offer.

Featured image by http://dribbble.com/M18

Filed Under: Frugal

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