Electronic Highways
Saving money through the Internet
With the bleak economic climate, most people are looking for quick solutions to save money, as well as protect their investments. You might already have eliminated that daily trip to Starbucks or cancelled your gym membership to cut corners, but there are some unique ways to reduce spending and protect your family during this unsettling time.
One of the most common complaints for families remains the weekly cost of groceries. The cost for staples like rice, milk, eggs and fresh produce are on the rise. Thegrocerygame.com is a Web site that claims it can save the average family hundreds of dollars on their grocery bill each month, including baby and pet products, paper products, drugstore items and other toiletries. Through a database, it tracks product prices and coupons, and provides a weekly list of which sales at your local grocery or drugstore are truly "rock bottom" prices. It costs $1 for a one-month trial to see any or all of the "List stores" in your area. After the trial period, you pay $10 for one List store for every eight weeks. A skeptic? Visit the Web site to see testimonials by people claiming to be saving up to 47 percent a month on groceries.
Prescription medicine also can put a significant crimp into one’s monthly budget. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Web site provides crucial information on obtaining generic drugs; advice and caution about purchasing cheaper drugs from foreign countries, including price comparison charts and talking to your physician about application forms for patient assistance programs; referrals for state-sponsored services; and community assistance programs.
When faced with an unexpected emergency purchase, it’s never fun when you notice something you’ve acquired has suddenly gone on sale. Priceprotectr.com helps you get money back if items you bought have dropped in price. You simply need to register your purchases and emails will arrive when the prices have fallen. Refunds can be claimed through an email, phone call or store visit.
While being frugal will help with day-to-day financial demands, don’t forget about planning for the future. The HomeLoanLearningCenter.com provides step-by-step information on how to become “financially literate” and offers free courses for home buyers, tips on how to avoid foreclosure and answers to common retirement and estate planning questions, like: Will I have enough savings or retirement income? How do I plan for unexpected long-term health care costs? Americans 50 and older should visit the AARP site for tips on dealing with the economic crisis, investment planning and social security benefits.
Living in a cold climate can be financially draining. The U. S. Department of Energy provides advice on how to not let your savings go up in smoke. The Energy Savers section outlines free and inexpensive strategies for saving energy and money. You can learn about energy-saving investments that can provide savings over the long term and also find information on financial assistance for energy-saving improvements.
The Dollar Stretcher aims to help the average person live better for less” with a plethora of tips on keeping your budget on track, including suggestions on how to trim college costs to eating healthy without breaking the bank.
And don’t forget the University Libraries' Multi-Search, available from the Libraries' home page. Students and staff can search resources like The Wall Street Journal or other popular magazines that publish money and life-saving tips.
Maybe if you save enough this year, there will be some funds left over to spend on a much-needed vacation!
—Laura Taddeo, University Libraries
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