Showing posts with label saving money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saving money. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Money Smart--Oct 28

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom! This is the last class of the series.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

Home Ownership will be held on October 28 at 7pm at the Carpenter branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Money Smart--Oct 21

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

To Your Credit will be held on October 21 at 7pm at the Carpenter branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Money Smart--Oct 14

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account will be held on October 14 at 7pm at the Carpenter branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Money Smart--Oct 7

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

Money Matters will be held on October 7 at 7pm at the Carpenter branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Green Homes Festival--Sept 26

Grandel Square (between Grand Blvd and Spring Ave), the urban home of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center, will be transformed into a “green street promenade” of exhibitors, vendors and children’s activities at the 8th annual Green Homes Festival, Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10am to 6pm.

Enjoy expert workshops and demonstrations as you learn how to reduce your home’s energy costs while helping to protect the planet. The event is free and open to the public, presented by the Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

For more information check out the festival website or call 314-577-0220.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Money Smart--Sept 24

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

Home Ownership will be held on September 24 at 7pm at the Julia Davis branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Money Smart--Sept 17

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

To Your Credit will be held on September 17 at 7pm at the Julia Davis branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Money Smart--Sept 10

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account will be held on September 10 at 7pm at the Julia Davis branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Money Smart--September 3

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

Money Matters will be held on September 3 at 7pm at the Julia Davis branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Money Smart--Aug 27

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

Home Ownership will be held on August 27 at 7pm at the Schlafly branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Money Smart--Aug 20

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

To Your Credit will be held on August 20 at 7pm at the Schlafly branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Money Smart--Aug 13

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account will be held on August 13 at 7pm at the Schlafly branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Money Smart--Aug 6

The St Louis Public Library and U.S. Bank are teaming up to bring you a series of classes to help get you started on the path to financial freedom!

Money Matters: Pay Yourself First will teach you how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan and how that plan feeds goal savings.

How to Choose and Keep a Checking Account teaches you how to choose and use a checking account and credit card responsibly.

To Your Credit: Borrowing Basics teaches you how to build and repair your credit history.

Home Ownership: Buying Your First Home shows you the difference between renting or owning and the advantages and disadvantages of different mortgage options.

Money Matters will be held on August 6 at 7pm at the Schlafly branch of the St Louis Public Library.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Free Eye Screening--July 25 and 26

The St Louis Science Center will be hosting free vision screenings on July 25 and 26 in the St Louis Science Center Meeting Rooms AB.

The vision-screening program, sponsored by the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, offers a preliminary screening that can locate amblyopia, or "lazy eye", and detect glaucoma, as well as other vision problems that can lead to amblyopia and glaucoma if not corrected. The free screening for amblyopia is offered to children between 6 months and 6 years of age and the screening for glaucoma is offered to anyone over the age of 60.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

National Bike to Work Day--May 15

On National Bike to Work Day, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Missouri History Museum, and the City of Clayton will serve as three refueling stations for Trailnet’s 9th annual Bike to Work Day. Bicycle commuters are invited to stop for a light breakfast at any of these three spots from 6:30 to 9 a.m. For more information, check out Trailnet or call 314/436-1324 x 113.

In Partnership with: Bike St. Louis, City of Clayton, City of St. Louis, Companion Baking, The Great Rivers Greenway District, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum and St. Louis County Parks

Thursday, November 13, 2008

CFL light bulb sale--Nov 14 and 15

I try to keep my posts focused on things that are free but for those of you interested in cutting your utility bills and helping the environment, EarthWays Center will be hosting a light bulb sale on Nov 14 and 15 at the Ridgway Visitor Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Bulbs will be on sale for $2 each in the lower level of the visitor center from 10am-3pm both days and proceeds will benefit EarthWays Center public education programming.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Saving money moving

Money Saving Mom asked for frugal tips on moving. We've moved from Texas to Michigan, and then to Missouri as well as several smaller moves and always done it all ourselves. Here are some of my tips:

1. If at all possible, start planning about two months before your move. Write down all of the bills you receive as you receive them so you can make sure you get your address changed with everyone. Set up electronic billing if you don't want to worry about missing a bill. Find out how to get utilities set up in your new place and turned off in your old one. Some utility companies require deposits, so see if you will be getting any back and what you will need to pay to set up your new service. Check on any security deposits you may be getting back if you are renting and what you need to do to receive them in full. Make any repairs required to get your deposit back.

2. Find free boxes! For our first move, we scavenged boxes from store dumpsters. For our second move, I talked to receiving at work and was able to take home any boxes they didn't want. I also asked coworkers to save boxes for me. You should NEVER have to pay for boxes!

3. Find free packing material! Newspaper works great as a packing material and you can usually ask friends and family to save some for you. Again, scavenge paper recycling dumpsters or places at work. Even better than newspaper (since you have to dispose of the newspaper when you arrive!) is to use t-shirts. Most people have plenty of clothes and linens to move, so use your clean t-shirts, shorts, socks, towels, etc., to cushion your breakables. If you really plan ahead, you can use all t-shirts to pack the kitchen, all long-sleeved shirts to pack the bedroom/bathroom/Christmas decorations, etc., so that everything is organized when you arrive and have to unpack! (If you're going to do that, make sure you use clothes that you want unpacked first for the things you will be using--i.e., don't use your winter coats to pack your kitchen if you're moving to Alabama in July!)

If you use newspaper, be sure to wrap your dishes in something else to keep the newsprint off. I prefer to use plastic shopping bags--one for each plate--and then cushion in-between the plates with newspaper when you put them in the box. Then everything arrives as clean as when you packed it!

4. Leave your dresser drawers packed. If you've used tip #2 with t-shirts, you will have some extra room in your dressers. Use the drawers to pack your breakables. Wrap them in whatever packing material you are using and put them in the drawers. They will be well-cushioned by your clothes and safe from being crushed by being in your dresser. This also saves you a lot of room in the truck and you won't need as many boxes! You can also pack your hanging clothes in your drawers. It is a waste of truck space to move an empty dresser!!

5. Find a cheap truck rental. I hesitate to say "cheap", because I wouldn't always go with the cheapest rental. Personally, we will never use one specific company because we've had problems with them and known many other people who've had problems with them. That said, decide on two or three companies you would be willing to use. Call each one to get a quote on your move, including mileage and any accessories like a car carrier. Then, bargain. Call each one again and say "Company XYZ will give me the same truck for $xx. Can you beat that price?" If no, see if they will discount the car carrier, or throw in free moving blankets for furniture (careful--these are sometimes already included in the quote!). For our moves, we went back and forth between two companies to get the best price, and it worked great. I wouldn't recommend calling the companies 6 or 7 times--there's only so much they can do. But it never hurts to ask if they can discount or beat another companies price. I was honest with our company and told them I really wanted to use them but the other company had a better price. The company we wanted to use lowered their price so we got the benefit of using the company we wanted as well as a significant discount!

6. Ask for help. Chances are good you know someone who has moved a few times, and they would probably be more than happy to come over to help you pack the truck. It takes a certain amount of finesse to pack a moving truck in such a way that everything fits and nothing will shift too much. Most people are very willing to help you move with a couple of caveats--provide some food and drink if it's going to take a while, and already have things packed!! If you need help packing, have a packing party one day and a truck loading party another day.

7. Be smart when packing your truck. Put things like your headboard or very large pictures in between your mattress and your box spring to protect them. If at all possible, put your couches and chairs on top of a row of boxes. It's usually best to put no more than one stack of boxes (depending on weight, of course) on furniture with springs, so this will help with your truck space. Pack cleaning supplies last, as you will need them to clean your now-empty house and possibly to clean whenever you get where you're going (it's amazing how dirty people leave places!). Pack a small bag with a change of clothes, travel size shampoo and soap, and any medications you may need--even if it's only supposed to be a one-day trip. This way, if your truck breaks down by the side of the road (it happens!) you won't be trying to dig through the back of your truck for things you need.

Leave as little empty space as possible, as those are areas that things can fall. Stuff pillows or furniture cushions into areas that are empty. Plan around your awkward items, and don't forget things outside the house like patio furniture or yard tools!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Great sale on saving money!

For a few months, I've been a big fan of MoneySavingMom Crystal Paine. She's helped me save a lot of money on household goods and food through her blog, and her personal blog is a great encouragement to me as well!

TODAY ONLY you can get an incredible ebook package from MoneySavingMom--over $100 worth of money-saving ebooks, homemaking helps, and encouragement for only $5.97! I can't believe she's offering such a great price and I'd highly recommend you run over here and check it out. What makes this deal so good is that this ebook package includes the ecourse Supermarket Savings 101--this course alone is worth much more than $5.97 and will teach you how to drastically reduce your grocery bill. You'll learn how to cut your grocery bill by up to 50% or more and have fun saving money at the same time!Go here to read more about this huge sale! Hurry, though, the price goes up tomorrow by $3 and then another $3 on Friday. After Friday at midnight all of the ebooks will be their regular prices again. Don't miss this!

For those of you who may not know, an ebook is a book that you download instantly to your computer, so there are no shipping fees and no long wait for your book to arrive. After your quick and easy download, you can then print out your ebook or read or listen to it on your computer.