Saturday, July 17, 2010

NH & MA Local Events and Deals

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Check out your local Parks and Recreation website for free local events.

For southern NH (Nashua area) you might try: GoNashua.com

For Boston I found: Free Fun Fridays

Boston also offers inexpensive swan boat rides in Boston Common, and across the street at the Public Garden you can walk through Frog Pond (a wading pool) and ride on the carousel nearby.

Search for zoos in your local area - there are so many more near me than I thought until I started looking - and check their website for a coupon! Don't forget York's Animal Kingdom in York, Maine (see their website for $2 per admission ticket)
and
Southwick's Zoo in Acton, MA (look on their website to find a coupon or buy 1 get 1 free admission for residents of surround states on certain days).

Local playgrounds and parks are a great place for yours kids to burn energy this summer. Go to your town's Parks & Recreation website and look for a listing of parks, and do the same for surrounding towns. If you live in or around Nashua, click HERE. You could find a hidden jewel you never knew existed! (I did.) This is a treat for the kids and gives everyone a new place to play. We even found a playground near a pond where many ducks and geese hang out. My daughter thought it was GREAT! Playing in the backyard is ok, but discovering something new and helping your children enjoy the outdoors can create memories to come.

Start With the Basics

Groceries. Everyone needs them. NOT everyone needs brand-name items. Coupons are great, but if you compare carefully, you might find, like I did, that many store-brand items are less expensive than brand name items, even when using coupons. I'll admit...there are certian items I just can't go generic on. Q-tips, for instance. I've tried the generics, but just can't stand them. BUT for most things, especially ingredients that will be mixed together to make a meal, generic is the way to go. Would you really know the difference between the store-brand flour and a name-brand flour? This goes for lots of items. My best recommendation would be to buy the store-brand version of all items and at least give them a try. THEN decide if you are ok with it or not. The flavor may not be the same, but you might find it to be good. You may think you're "only" saving $10 or $20 a week, but when you add it up over a year's time, it REALLY makes a difference.

With this idea comes my other thoughts. Don't go chasing sales at different stores. Yes, you could save money in the long-run, but I'd rather save my time. Pick the local store that is less expensive OVERALL. Maybe a couple items are more expensive or the same, but if MOST of the items are less expensive, it's worth it. These are the grocery stores you probably hate to shop at - because they're small and crowded and not as fancy-looking. It's ok. Go on different days and times until you find a time that is not nearly as busy. You might even find a way to take "grocery shopping" off you weekend to-do list. More time (and money) to spend with your family.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Welcome to My Blog!

When I was a teenager, I had a sense for saving money, but if I wanted something, I bought it, and didn't necessarily search for the beat deal. Now that I have a home and family, it's a more sensitive issue. Seems like I only purchase something after researching the best value for my money and checking to see if I have a coupon for it. At first glance, it may seem like a waste of time, or at the very least, a pain in the behind. BUT, I have to admit, I feel great afterwards, knowing I got the best deal I could. Spending needlessly makes me feel awful...like throwing food away. It's such a waste. Why give someone else my hard-earned money if I can get the same item or a similar item for less $$? In this blog I want to share some thoughts I have and some great deal finds. Many will apply to NH and MA because that's the area I'm from, but you might be able to apply the same principles in finding your own local deals. To thank you for following my blog, I'd like to start by turning you on to some great money-saving websites, which you may already be aware of...try checking out Craigslist.org and Freecycle.org. You can find lots of great deals or even free items that can come in handy...it's like an online yardsale...one person's trash is another person's treasure! Why pay full price for brand new, when you can buy it used and clean it up to make it look like new?!? I have especially used this theory regarding baby/toddler toys, gear, and clothes. I figure they will grow out of it in a few months anyway, so why do you need it to be new? Most people selling their items have only used them a few months, so they are practically new anyway. Besides...when you go to pick up the items, you have the option to change your mind if you decide it's not what you wanted, or not as described (not in good working order). Saving your money by using these sites will allow you spend it in a way that really counts...paying bills, taking the family out for the day, or going for a massage. Doesn't that sound nice? Oh - and an extra bonus - if you need to de-clutter, these sites are a great place to list items and maybe even make a few dollars. Either way, whether you're buying or selling, you can feel good about recycling.