Getting Started Tips
Read these 31 Getting Started Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Thrifty tips and hundreds of other topics.
Article - 5 Ways to Beat Penny-Pinching Fatigue
Go to http://www.thefamilycorner.com/family/frugal/fatigue.shtml to read an article called '5 ways to beat penny-pinching fatigue.'
Printable Checklists
Go to http://www.printablechecklists.com for FREE printable checklists for just about everything! There's about 250 checklists available, and most of them have more than one version! So check it out today!
List Organizer
GO to http://www.listorganizer.com where you can get numerous grocery, household and other helpful lists to keep you organized.
Don't Feel Deprived
A lot of times, we feel deprived when we are trying to cut back on expenses. In order to avoid feeling this way, be sure to treat yourself on a regular basis. Make a list of five things that you like to do that don't cost any money. Tape this on your bathroom mirror and do one of these things every week (or every day if you can).
Barter Whenever You Can
Do you have a product or a skill that someone else might need/want? Have you ever thought of bartering? This way, both parties get what they want/need without having to pay for it. It's a win-win situation.
Birthday Dates List
Here's a form to start a birthday date list of family and friends. http://members.tripod.com/~grambk11/BirthdayDates.html
Things To Do Today List
Go to this link to get a one-page list of things to do today. http://members.tripod.com/~grambk11/ThingsToDoToday.html
Refunding 101
Go to http://hometown.aol.com/testrada67/refunding101.html for some great tips on refunding.
Work-at-Home Schemes
For free information on work-at-home schemes, call 1-877-382-4357, or write to Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580. Some information you will receive include what types of fraudulent schemes are out there, questions to ask and where to complain.
Qualifiers
Qualifiers are also known as UPC codes, but can also be many other things, which are required for refunds. Some companies require that you send in different things (qualifiers) than the UPC code. These can be box tops, packaging, special seals or symbols, etc. that the manufacturer wants you to send in as proof of purchase.
POP
POP is a Proof of Purchase, which is also known as a UPC. Each company calls it something different, even though they usually mean the same thing. Although, it sometimes means other things too. For instance, a while back, Pop Secret was doing this huge promotion for free boxes of their popcorn with POP. The POP wasn't the UPC this time, instead it was called a Kernel Point, and it was located on one of the smaller flaps that you use to close the box. Usually manufacturers do this for their big promotions, and they don't want people using the UPCs that they've been saving, but going out and buying the product new, with the POP on it.
Psychology of Spending
Studies show that you will spend less if you pay by cash, because it hurts to see those $20 bills leaving your hand.
List of Coupons from Sunday's Paper
The best way to get ready for a shopping trip is to have your list, your coupons, and your sale items match. Everyone knows in advance what they need at the store, as well as what's going to be on sale next week (from the sale flyers). The only thing that you don't know is what coupons are going to be available for that same shopping trip. Well, now you can! Sign up for the weekly SundaySneakPeekers e-mail update to get that information delivered right to your e-mail box. Send an e-mail to SundaySneakPeekers@yahoogroups.com to sign up for this!
Yahoo! Groups
Go to http://groups.yahoo.com and find a great group to join. They have their own search engine that will locate groups in any topic that you enter in the search box. For instance, there are many groups on coupons and refunds and being thrifty. Give it a try.
Refunding Message Board
Go to http://pub227.ezboard.com/brefunding101 for a great refunding message board. Here is where people post information on refunding. It's a great place to get some good advice on specific questions too!!!
Telephone and Address Form
Make a telephone and address list with the help of this handy form. http://members.tripod.com/~grambk11/telephonelist.html
SMP
What is an SMP? It is a Specially Marked Package of a particular product. For instance, someone might tell you that there is a freebie on SMPs of Kellogg's cereal boxes. Go to the store and you'll see that the boxes are different - not all of them have the freebie, just the ones that have it noted on the box.
Before You Start Ordering Freebies
Before you start odering freebies, you may want to set up another e-mail account just for this purpose. A lot of times, these companies are giving away freebies just to get your e-mail address. If you have AOL, you can set up a FREE screen name (e-mail address) to your account just for freebies. You can also use free e-mail services such as www.Yahoo.com to get another e-mail address.
Printable URL Address List
Go here to print out a one-page form to help you create your own URL address list. This is a good idea for all of your important URLs, because if you have a computer malfunction and lose information, at least you'll have these URLs on paper so they're not completely lost. http://members.tripod.com/~grambk11/urladdy.html
M5M
An M5M is a Marlboro 5-mile UPC. Marlboro (the cigarette company) has their UPCs marked as 5 miles. These miles are collected to get stuff for free (you need to pay shipping and handling). You can find their catalogs just about anywhere you would find their cigarettes, but most commonly in convenience/liquor stores. You can get free things from t-shirts, hats, and coats to telescopes and pool tables.
TMF
What is a TMF offer? Well, TMF means Try Me Free. Usually these offers are available for new products, so that the manufacturer can attempt to get people to try a new product. Then, if you don't like the product, you can fill out the form that's provided, enclose the UPC code and/or the CRT, and mail it to the manufacturer for a refund (less any coupons or other discounts).
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