Money-Saving Banking Tips

First-off, it is usually pretty easy to find a bank that will give you a "free" checking account, especially if you are willing to sign-up for direct deposit.  Don't pay for an account if you don't have to.  Be sure to check out your local credit union, too.  Sometimes they have the best deals.  You may even find a bank that will offer free checks, etc.  Shop around and don't be fooled by the "gifts" they offer if you open an account (a toaster, for example).  Having a free checking account or free checks will save you way more oney in the long run.

Most banks have no fee to use their own ATMs, but some even offer a limited number (per month) fees or will reimburse you for a limited number of fees (per month) when using another bank's ATM.  Make sure you understand the terms - for some banks, there is a specific "network" of banks in a program together where your fees will be forgiven while for other banks it may be for any ATM you choose.

Open a savings account for each child in your family and encourage them to put money away.  This will teach them great lessons about sacrifice and hard work as well as saving.  For very young children, any money they receive for birthday gifts should be deposited into the account immediately.  We also have a giant piggy bank in my daughter's room in which we deposit our daily pocket change.  When it fills up we deposit that money into her account.  It's a great way to save without thinking about it.

In addition to opening the accounts for the kids, you might want to think about having a certain sum of money directly deposited or automatically transferred into thier accounts each month.  Again...money you don't see (maybe $10 or $20 per month perhaps?) won't be missed. 

Is there anyone else you want to save for?  I've done this for my Goddaughter.  I decided that when she is older I will want to be able to give her a significant monetary gift when she graduates/gets married/buys a home.  Instead of worrying later where the money will come from, I opened an account in trust for her and started saving $10/month since she was little.  I don't miss the money because it is such a small amount, and it will be saved and ready to go when we need it (plus it will earn some interest over time).

Nowadays, savings accounts don't earn that much interest.  Although you may be required to open one, and keep a minimum amount of money in the account (mine is $5), consider opening a money market account.  These generally act similar to savings accounts but will earn more interest.

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) at your local bank is an ideal way to save money and make interest if you have money sitting in an account that you're not currently using.  This guarantees earnings and will typically earn more interest than a saving account.  You're in a great situation if you're saving a chunk of money for something specific and know what the timeframe will be (when you will need the money).  If you have money in a CD or have money to put in CD's at the bank, here's another tip...

Distribute money in as many accounts as you can (maybe in $1,000 increments), staggering their maturity dates. You won't have a large chunk of money stuck in a low-paying CD should interest rates increase, and you lock in the higher rates on some accounts if interest rates decrease.  Another benefit - should you have to tap into the CD before it's maturity date, you can close a couple small accounts if that's all you need, instead of closing one large account (this will save you money when paying the penalty).

Have a birthday or holiday coming up and don't know what to get for someone?  Think about getting a savings bond.  You will pay half the face value (a $50 bond will cost you $25).  These are especially great for kids because they will need to wait a while in order for it to earn interest.  Again, this is guaranteed earnings...the recipient will at least cash in for the amount you paid, or more if they don't cash it immediately.

Perhaps most imprtantly, be aware of how your accounts are set-up.  If the account is for a child, be sure the account is "in trust" for that child and that YOU (and your spouse or maybe that child's parent) are the trustees.  This means the child does not have access to the account (cannot withdraw from the account) but you can, and should anything happen to you, the money will go to that specific child. 

Also, be sure there is more than one name on all your accounts.  It is best for husband and wife (or child and parent) to have each other's names on all accounts, even if the accounts are used separately.  This will come in handy should someone pass away, the money will not go to probate court - where the spouse (or parent or child) will need to fight for it.  Since thier name is already on the account, they will have access to it.

Free Lighting Magazine from Better Homes & Gardens

Visit the following webpage to sign-up for your free Lighting magazine, valued at $6.99!  Click HERE to request your copy while supplies last!

More Meal Deals and Kids Eat Free!

This baseball season, if the Red Sox win, you can go to the 99 Restaurant the next day, and for each adult meal purchased, you can order a kid's meal for free!

T-Bones and Cactus Jack's - Kids eat free on Sunday August 22nd and Sunday August 28th.  Eat-in only.  Kids 12 & under.

If you eat at TGI Friday's, even occasionally, be sure to sign-up for their "Give Me More Stripes" program to earn points.  1 point for every $1 purchased with food.  For every $100 you spend, they will email you a coupon for $8 off a future purchase.

Papa Gino's and D'Angelo's - sign-up for their Rewards Program.  For every $50 you spend, you'll get a $5 coupon credited to your rewards card.

Free Samples!

Visit the following websites to claim your free sample now!

Always Thin Flexi-Style Pantiliner  Once you register or sign-in, you will see other offers for samples and coupons for Proctor & Gamble products, including Tide, Head & Shoulders Shampoo, Zest soap, and more!
Kotex Free Sample Packs
Powerbar - register or sign-in for free sample
Emergen-C
True Citrus True Lemon, True Lime, and True Orange!
Tasters Choice
Goodnights Underwear for Kids
Aveeno Hair Care
Playtex Sport
Depend Underpants for Adults
Oxy Acne Solutions
Attends Protective Underwear for Adults
Sun Crystals Sweetener
Stayfree
John Frieda Hair Care
Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel
Astroglide
Poise
Burt's Bees Natural Toothpaste
Post-it Durable Tabs & Label Pads
Parent's Choice Walmart-Brand Baby Products
Nexxus
Prevacid  and get a $4 off coupon HERE.
Cheetos Mighty Zingers

Pampers Gifts to Grow Codes

Are you a member of Pampers' free "Gifts to Grow" rewards program?  If so, I have some codes for you to enter to get additional points!  (see list below)  Not sure when they expire, unless noted below.

If you're not a part of the program yet, learn more and sign-up at Pampers.com.

AUG2010FACEBOOK (Expired Aug 31,2010)
WELCOME2GTG2010
WELCOME2VILLAGE
GTGLEARNMORE089
GTGSUMMERFUN5PT
GTGPLAY3USA2010
15GTGSUMMERFUN
GTGGETREADYSOON
WELCOME2PAMPERS
THRIFTYMOMMYGTG
GTGFIVEMONTHS10
GETSTARTEDNOW10
25GTGSUMMER2010
OHAMANDAAWGTG08
HAPPYHOLIDAY089

Kids Eat Free!

Follow the links below to find restaurants in your area where Kids Eat Free!  Be sure to check the details of the offer, as some are for specific days of the week, etc.

MyKidsEatFree.com

KidsMealDeals.com

KidsEat4Free.com

Also, Mondays, 5-7pm Kids eat free (with purchase of adult meal) at Smokey Bones.

If you know of any restaurants that offer free kids meals, let me know so we can pass along the savings!

More Deals at Walgreens

Walgreens has Softsoap on sale...Buy One, Get One Free.  You can find a coupon for additional savings HERE.

While you're there, pick-up a bottle of Palmolive.  The Walgreens flyer has a coupon in it to bring the price down to $.99.  In addition, click HERE to print a $.25 off coupon.

Walgreens also has Aleve on sale for $4.99, and you can click HERE for an additional $1 off coupon.

Get these for FREE or close to free...

CVS has Right Guard Total Defense deoderant for Buy One, Get One Free. With that special, use the $3 off 2 coupon from Coupons.com. Thanks for the tip from MoneySavingMom.com.  According to their Sunday flyer, Walgreens also has this same deal.  When I went to my Walgreens, they were $4.49 each, so after the BOGO deal and coupon, it costs $1.50 for both.  Not bad if this is something you would use all the time.  At Walmart, they were $2.50 (no BOGO deal) so after coupons it would cost $2.00 for 2.

Some Walgreens locations has a display set up for Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets (2 ct) for $.99. Use this $1.00 off coupon to get them for FREE! Thanks for the tip from DealSeekingMom.com.  They didn't have these at my Walgreens, but if you're stopping anyway, take a look for them at yours.

Take Our Poll!

Visit our Facebook page for "Saving for Something" and take our poll...we want to know...Which diapers do you prefer to buy?

Click HERE to visit the poll

Baby/Toddler Orajel Coupons (Teething Relief and Toothpaste)

Have your printer ready, these will print automatically when you click "HERE".

$1 off any One Baby Orajel Teething Pain Relief Product HERE

$1 off any Orajel Toddler Training Toothpaste Product HERE

$1 off any Baby Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser Product HERE

Concerts and Events in and around Boston (most are free!)

Only a couple weeks left of summer - make sure you take advantage of upcoming concerts and events in the area. Visit the following websites to see if anything appeals to you and your family!

Boston City Hall Concerts & Christopher Columbus ParkARTS - August 17
Hatch Shell Free Friday Flicks - August 20, 27, and Septemeber 3
South Station Events August 17, 19, 24, 31, and Septemebr 16
Seaport Districts Concerts - August 19, 26
Boston Harbor Hotel - August 17-September 3
Prudential Center Summer Concerts & Movies - August 21
Saint Anthony's Feast, North End - August 27-29
Harbor Fest to Benefit MDA - August 21
Lowell Summer Concert Series - August 20-September 11
K.C. and the Sunshine Band Free Concert - September 10
Life is Good Festival at the Prowse Farm- September 11-12
Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, FREE Outdoor Festival - September 15-25
Boston Film Festival - September 17-23
Phantom Gourmet Food Festival - September 25
Hub On Wheels Citywide Bike Ride - September 26

A Word on Movie Rentals

Want to have an inexpensive movie night? Let's brainstorm some ideas to "rent" movies on the cheap. Instead of making a special trip to Blockbuster or your local movie rental store and spending several dollars on a movie, consider one of the following options:

*Borrow or swap movies with friends (Free!)
*Borrow movies from the library (You usually have about a week to return it, and it's free!)
*RedBox - conveniently located at your local Walmart or grocery store. You return after 1 night, but it only costs $1.

Some people who watch LOTS of movies swear by Netflix, although I haven't tried it myself.

If you have other suggestions or ideas on this topic, feel free to comment on this post so we can share...

MA Half-Off Gift Certificates

I found a few websites that offer 1/2 off gift certificates in MA. These are great for gifts or even for yourself. Buy now for half-price and enjoy later...restaurants, entertainment, and more!

HalfOffAmerica.com
HalfOffDeals.com
HalfOffDepot.com
NECN.ProjectHalfPrice.com