Fortunately with the rise of the internet, you can do some serious bargain hunting right from your living room. In a much more effective manner, too! Anything from airfares to local businesses can be looked up and compared on a variety of sites.

Image by balleyne

Airfares

Some of the most popular deal sites are those pertaining to air travel. Websites like Orbitz, Kayak, Priceline, and StudentUniverse all help you find great deals on airfares and decent prices. Best of all, they let you do side by side comparisons of multiple airlines so you know you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

Quick Tip: According to several frugal travel bloggers the best days for flying and/or purchasing airline tickets at great rates are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Cars

Yes, you can even compare new and used cars online. This cuts out the middle man of the annoying car dealership salesman that more often than not is trying to rip you off. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, don’t hesitate to look up all you can about a car including its mileage, its history, its performance, and of course its price. You can use websites like Carpoint to make side by side comparisons and see which car is best for you.

StarDeals – The Australian Groupon

Group discount shopping has spread across the internet like wildfire. It may have taken Groupon a while to finally make it to Australia, but lo and behold it has arrived! StarDeals by Groupon offers the same great services because it’s run by Groupon, just under a different alias.

If you haven’t signed up for this yet, give it some thought. You never know what kind of deals you’ll receive in your inbox!

Bank Services

What, did you honestly think your bank wouldn’t try to take money from you? Not so long ago, Australian banks were met with a giant class action lawsuit –the biggest in corporate history– for charging billions of dollars in ridiculous fees. Fortunately, there are comparison sites you can use to make sure you are getting the best interest, the best credit cards, and the best services without burning a hole in your wallet.

Online Comparison Shopping

You could try an all inclusive website that helps compare prices on just about anything, like GetPrice. This huge independent database scavenges thousands of retailers to get you the best products at the best prices without needing to leave your living room!

Thanks to the internet we don’t have to rely on clipping coupons and ads to get the best deals on just about anything. Just sit back, log on, and start saving!

Thanks very much to lifeinsuranceaustralia.com for this great post!

You hesitate to call the exterminator since you know he will charge a hefty fee, but you wonder what other options you have. Thankfully, there are a variety of inexpensive, natural ways to get rid of bugs in your home. Read on to learn about some of these easy remedies:

Image by A Florian

Get Rid of Ants

These pesky creatures, while virtually harmless, can be extremely annoying and can repopulate very quickly. Here are some tips to get rid of them:

• Baby powder. If you sprinkle some baby powder around the ants’ place of entry, they will lose the scent of what attracted them in the first place. Eventually they will give up on coming in that particular entrance.
• Peppermint spray. Spray a natural peppermint solution on ants in your home and they will die immediately. Be sure to liberally spray their points of entry, as well.
• Cucumber slices. Since ants apparently hate the taste of cucumbers, many find success with placing small bits of cucumbers around ant problem areas.

Get Rid of Spiders

Not only can spiders become household pests, but certain species (like the Brown Recluse or the Black Widow) can be extremely dangerous, as well. Here are some tips for keeping them at bay:

• Baking soda. Sprinkle some baking soda around areas where you typically find spiders, and you will see a significant decrease in numbers.
• Get rid of clutter. Spiders thrive in dark, cluttered areas where they can be hidden but also have freedom to explore. If you need some motivation for a spring-cleaning, this could be the perfect opportunity.
• Eucalyptus leaves. If you arrange these leaves in spider problem areas, you will find that spider numbers will decrease. You can find these handy leaves at a florist or a craft store.

Get Rid of Flies

House flies can be irritating if they aren’t kept at bay, so try these tips for getting rid of them:

• Homemade flypaper. Combine ¼ cup of corn syrup and ½ cup of sugar. Cut 4 or 5 long strips about 2 inches wide from brown paper bags. Spread the syrup/sugar mixture on the strips with a knife, and hang the strips over a bowl to catch drips.
• Citrus peel. Hang citrus peel on the doors. Flies don’t like the smell of citrus, so keeping peels around your kitchen can help keep them away.
• Cover fruit and meat. Houseflies are particularly attracted to meat (raw or cooked) and a variety of different fruits, so keeping these particular foods covered is a good idea.

If you do have a problem with ants, spiders, or flies in your home, these homemade repellents are great first steps to take in getting rid of them. If you don’t notice a difference over several days, though, it’s probably time to call in a professional to take a look, since they will know best how to handle the problem.

Did you try out any of these homemade bug repellents? Share your thoughts and feedback with us here!

Photo: Steve Snodgrass

want to make sure your children are well rounded and have good exposure to different genres of music. Regardless of your motives, introducing your children to music at an early age is a smart idea and it’s easy to save money on a future instrument if there’s been an opportunity to try out the different instruments. Here are ideas to get started:

1. Have your child draw while listening to classical music. If you’re looking for a fun afternoon activity, give your children some paper and crayons and put on some classical music in the background. You can choose pieces that show a particular emotion, whether it is happiness, intensity, or sadness. Have your child draw what they are hearing so they stay engaged with the music and begin to interact with it.

2. Spend time at music stores. Many music stores have a variety of instruments your children can try out, so take a couple of hours and let them explore one near your home. You can see if they are really interested in pursuing a particular instrument or get bored quickly after playing it for a few minutes. Music stores also have a large variety of beginning music books your children could work through on their own.

3. Make band instruments with household items. A fun family activity to try with younger kids is to encourage your children to form a band using instruments they create with items they find around the house. They can beat pots with spatulas, blow into a straw with finger holes, tap on glasses with different levels of water, or be creative with other instrument ideas.

4. Play music around the house. Instead of turning on the TV for background noise for your day, put on some good classical music or another CD your family might enjoy. You can also encourage your children to fall asleep listening to music or put it on while they’re working on their homework.

5. Get moving! You can create priceless family memories—and expose your children to some great music—by cranking up some fun, upbeat songs and encouraging your children to dance and have fun. Be silly and enjoy one another as you dance together and experience the joy music brings to your family.

If you want to get your children involved in music lessons, a choir, or another sort of musical outlet, talk to your local music store about what options are available. You can also check local newspaper listings or discuss it with your child’s music teacher at school.

There are plenty of ways to allow your children to learn about and enjoy a variety of different music genres while saving money. Do you have some tips, too? Share them with us here!

1. People in need can use what you’re not using. Picture this: You look into a closet or room in your home and think, How did

Photo SinDesign

we ever get all this stuff? We don’t need it and really wish it weren’t crowding everything, Maybe you’ve kept it all because you feel guilty about throwing it away or want to save it just in case you might use it at one point down the road. Instead of rationalizing keeping the item, donate it charity. Local second-hand, thrift, or consignment shops welcome all sorts of second-hand goods, and it will be of much more use helping someone in need rather than collecting dust in your closet.

2. Your house will be and feel cleaner. It’s no secret that the less cluttered a place feels, the cleaner it seems. Rooms open up, your home feels bigger, and you’re not constantly tripping on toys or other items left lying around. Not only will your home just feelcleaner, though—keeping clutter away will also help to keep dust and bugs away. Spiders especially love burrowing in dark, cluttered areas, and keeping your home more open will guard against these pests.

3. You can make money by selling little-used items. If you have items in new or little-used condition, consider selling them on Craigslist, eBay, or at a garage sale. You could get a bit of money in exchange and unclutter your home in the process—a win-win situation.

4. Your children will learn a lesson in giving. The great thing about uncluttering your home is that the whole family can participate. Your children probably have boxes full of toys or other items they don’t use on a regular basis (and you don’t want to keep for sentimental reasons), so allow them to find some ways to unclutter their own rooms. They can then experience the joy of giving by donating the toys to a local charity, day care, or thrift store.

5. You will spend less time searching for lost items. The more cluttered your home is, the harder it is to find what you’re looking for. Items could be stuffed under beds, in the corners of closets, or in disarray in random piles throughout your house. Get organized, unclutter, and save time every day by being able to find what you need quickly and efficiently.

Getting rid of the clutter in your home has a large variety of benefits, and all you need is a little bit of time (and, of course, some motivation) to get started. Once you have gotten rid of what you don’t use regularly, you’ll be able to breathe easier and live in a more open, spacious environment.

Have you uncluttered your home recently? What tips would you like to share?

The Problem

Prior to recommendations on this topic, it is interesting to pause and consider the food budget.
Food and entertainment are the two popular categories where most households get themselves in trouble. Why is this the case? The answer is obvious – these are the areas where it is easy to splurge a little bit. After all, going out for a nice dinner and a movie, a sports game, or bowling, for instance, can be a great way to have some fun after a hard day at work.

Unfortunately, you can not literally invest in your food. It would be great if you could make up ground, though you could with excess funds in a savings account or in some term deposits. However, and as we look at ways to save money with food, you can make an investment to benefit the food-related category of your budget.

Upgrade Your Portfolio

Forget about eating out for a second. How many skills and tools do you have to eat well without spending money “going out?” If there aren’t too many, perhaps it’s time to look at investments you can make for food.

While you don’t have to be a world-class chef to enjoy the food that you make, it does help to be comfortable in the kitchen. One investment that may be worth your while is a cooking class. Not only will you learn some valuable skills to apply in your kitchen, but you can explore new cuisines and dishes, meet some people, and enjoy the experience for a small price.
You also might be able to upgrade your tools. For instance, perhaps the following would be welcome additions to your home:
• Grill (indoor or outdoor)
• Rice Cooker
• Specialized Cooking Utensils
• Other Small Cooking Items
You’d be surprised what a difference one of these can make. If you’ve fallen in love with the rice at your local Chinese place, you could get a nice rice cooker and make it yourself. It would save you a great deal of money in a short amount of time.
Don’t forget about food. With your skills and knowledge (cookbooks anyone?) and with your tools, having the right food will help you move away from eating out as much. Find food that you love to take it easy on your budget, and likely your diet as well (if you do it right).

Realize Your Investment

Eating out isn’t a budgeting sin. However, it can be if you get too reliant upon it. And of course, there is the topic of eating out with your budget in mind.
Consider what you could do to invest in your food budget. What would a cooking class, a cookbook or two, and some cooking tools do for your eating habits? Perhaps some of these could be what you need to rely less on eating out.

Photo: Freedom Warrior

Last year Australians filed a massive class action suit against some of the biggest banks in the nation over outlandish bank fees. About half a million Aussies took these banks to court over the more than $5 billion AUD they raked in over the last few years. That’s right, $5 billion AUD.

Apparently banks were charging their customers upwards of $60 for over drafting, late payments or bounced checks. These fees alone accounted for about $1.1. billion in revenue for banks just in 2009. The basis of the suit was that these charges were illegal because they were astronomical compared to the actual costs of a bank. Since then multiple lawsuits have gone on under the same premise. It may be a while before any of this is resolved, so for now all you can do is try your best not to incur any of these ridiculous fees.

ATM Fees

Australian banks will charge $2 AUD for using an ATM that is not theirs. This can be avoided by taking out the amount of cash you think you will need at the beginning of each week. This simple step alone can save you tons of money in unnecessary bank fees.

Bank Fees

The best way to avoid the ridiculous charges on several bank fees is to stay on top of your game. Check your bank accounts daily and know exactly how much money you have. This can help you greatly in avoiding any financial missteps like over drafting.

Credit Card Fees

You might also want to check your credit card statements. Sometimes banks incur fees for credit protection or some sort of other service you don’t remember requesting. Sure, $3 here and there may not seem like much, but over time that can really add up. And please, make sure to pay your credit card on time! Sometimes banks may change your due date so make sure to keep an eye on that. Just because your credit card bill has always been due on the 5th of the month doesn’t mean it will stay that way.

Consider Using Online Banks

People may be apprehensive about online banks, but they actually offer some of the best deals around. Web only banks give their customers higher interest (about six to ten times higher) and very few fees if any because they don’t have all the expenses of brick and mortar banks. They also tend to have better customer service because they aren’t so big. The only down side is that since they don’t have brick and mortar banks along with tellers they also don’t have ATMs. However, many of them do offer check cards which allows you to track all of your spending online or even from your cell phone.

If the idea of using an online bank for all your financial needs doesn’t sit well with you, then just consider using them for savings accounts. They sink seamlessly to your regular bank for easy saving and higher interest. Banks are a staple in the financial picture, but their ridiculous fees shouldn’t have to be. For a complete list of the best banks around, including online banks, visit Banks.com.au.

Photo: Dottie Mae

Saving money and conserving energy weighs heavily on the minds of nearly every citizen on the planet. Knowing that our energy resources may be compromised creates a dilemma, in that we must fins ways – and funds – to meet the needs of our families. We kick off this series with those simple ways to save – with low or no cost to you.

Paying Too Much for Energy?

Take a look at your utility bills.  What are you paying each month and each year?

The cost can be great indeed; the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the typical household in the country spends $1,900 on home utility bills.  Much of that is wasted, and that means that many Americans may be wasting money.  Australians face the same dilemma, with rising energy costs – and little relief  in the foreseeable future. Finding ways to save on energy costs is a world-wide goal.

It’s also all about money, at least for those that are environmentally-conscious.  Inefficient items add a lot of carbon dioxide to the air, which is the subject of many green initiatives now.  Not only can you save on utility bills and add to the value of your home, potentially, but you can do your part in the environment.

Head to the Store Today

If you’re looking for simple, low-cost ways to save, take note of the following ideas:

• Programmable Thermostat: These versatile objects are great for making sure you are comfortable, regardless of the winter chill or the summer heat.  The ability to precisely warm or cool your home, and not waste money on such items when you’re not there, is often worth the initial cost of the item.
• Light Bulbs: How’s that for an idea?  At any rate, look for compact fluorescent light bulbs that have the Energy Star label.
• Energy Star: Any home appliances and products that you may be in the market for, immediately, should bear the Energy Star label for efficiency guidelines.  While you might choose to replace items later on, keep this in mind for upcoming purchases that you might make; we’ll get into the specifics in other articles where you might want to replace perfectly-fine appliances/products.

No Money – No Problem

You can save right now, at no cost.  Learn the following ideas to get your home on its way to saving on utilities:

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater
• Air dry dishes instead of using the drying cycle on the dishwasher
• Wash only full loads of dishes/clothes
• Aim for short showers instead of baths
• Use power strips for home electronics, and turn them off when not in use

Several of these items can become a part of how you operate in your home; combine them with other easy ideas to begin saving.

Overall, you should notice how some small items can make a difference in your energy costs.  Hopefully this has initiated some interest in “green” items for your home.  There is much more to learn about saving on energy – and its costs in your home.  Don’t stop now; keep on making your home more energy-efficient.

Photo: Walmart stores

Is Your Home Insulated?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, only 20% of homes build before 1980 are well insulated; older homes can be quite susceptible to lost energy due to insulation.

If you haven’t put much thought towards insulating your home – and saving money by doing so – consider some of the following reasons:

• You pay too much on energy bills.  It’s one thing to save a bit on home insurance, but sometimes other areas are more pressing – you might see a much more drastic effect with insulating your home.
• Comfort: If you’re hot in the summer and cold in the winter, your home could have something to do with it.  You will get to enjoy the benefits of having a more stable temperature indoors.
• Noise: Insulation will muffle the sound outside of your home.

Insulating Your Home

A book could perhaps be written on the types of insulation, what you can do to insulate your home, and advice with insulation on a new home.  That being said, here are some tips that can only get you started:

• Look for insulation materials with a higher R-value, which measures how well your home will resist the transfer of heat.  For instance, foam insulation can range from R-4 to R-6.5 based on thickness, which is quite good.
• Always consider climate, building design, and budget when choosing insulation R-values for your home.
• Ventilation can help reduce cooling bills and with moisture control.  You can ventilate your attic with vents along the ceiling cavity, though you shouldn’t ventilate your attic if you have insulation on the underside of the roof.  If you are able to do it, insulating your attic can translate as one of the best cost-effective ways to make your home more comfortable.
• Check with a qualified contractor for more information about insulating your home, as well as executing such plans.

Sealing Air Leaks

Related to insulation is the importance of sealing air leaks.  You can of course imagine the impact that air leaks can have on your home. Saving money by making sure your home is well-insulated can save hundreds of dollars annually.

Look to caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows, as well as caulk and seal air leaks where electrical wiring, ducting, and plumbing goes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.  There are a number of other items to look for, such as dirty spots in your insulation, ceiling paint, and carpet, as well as installing storm windows over single-pane windows (or replace with double-pane or more efficient windows).

For insulation and air leaks, you should consult with your contractor.  This is one area that is incredibly deep and could use the eyes and experience of such a professional.  Don’t hesitate to contact one today to reap the many rewards of this area of saving energy.

Photo by waltarrrr

1. Biking and Other Fitness Activities

One of the most common goals of people throughout the world is to try to be as physically fit as possible. Biking and other forms of fitness are excellent ways to achieve this goal because they are all forms of burning calories and fat. The only start up fees that would come with this is if you don’t already own a bike (although most people do), or the purchase of weights to use at home. Even simpler, you could just buy a pair of running shoes (if you don’t have some already) and go running in your local neighbourhood. If you have a dog, bring him too and get healthy together!

2. Volunteering

With a host of available organizations just waiting for volunteers to come and help, volunteering is a great hobby and an excellent way to take just a little time out of your busy schedule to help somebody else that is less fortunate than you. Here’s a few ideas for places you could volunteer at: United Planet, the Intensive English Centre, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Global Crossroads, and Australia World Wide Opportunities for Organic Farms.

3. Gardening

Want to make your home look nicer? Gardening is an excellent way to occupy your free time and also has the benefit of sprucing up your home and making it look beautiful. One way that you can garden is with flowers or other plants and putting them in your yard to give your house a splash of colour. While this method would involve the purchasing of plants, you could always just rearrange whatever flowers you have already or simply spruce up the plants you already possess. Another idea is to plant vegetables such as tomatoes, squashes, and others in your backyard. This allows you to actually care and nurture your plants and could eventually produce some delicious, home grown foods.

4. Reading

Reading novels is a cheap way to boost your knowledge while having fun at the same time. In most communities there is a cheap book store where you can purchase classic books for only a few dollars (or even less online). But by far the cheapest way to make reading your new favourite hobby,  is to find books at your local library. Reading is a fun, rewarding activity, that will relax you and inform you.

5. Writing and Blogging

Why not express your opinion and write about something that interests you? It allows you to increase your understanding of events going on around you and throughout the rest of the world. But most of all, it’s a great way to create something that will inform others of matters near and dear to your heart. Whether you keep a private diary or aim for a massive online readership, writing can be a wonderful hobby that won’t cost you anything.

6. Learn another Language

Whether you’re learning a language just for fun or for a trip abroad, engaging in another language and its culture is an excellent way to get a deeper understanding of a civilization other than your own. There are dozens of affordable ways to learn a language available today, taking the cost factor out of your list of excuses not to learn a new language. Language can provide an in depth analysis of a country and how it functions. Learning another language is intriguing, beneficial, and is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. The best part of this is at the end of it all, you can put your skills to the test and go to the country of the language you learned. Adventures and amazing experiences are sure to follow!

7. Art

Art is a great way to express your creativity and create something magical. With the only start-up fee being the art supplies, you can easily create wonderful works of art that you can either place in your own home, sell (maybe make a profit on), or give to friends and family as presents. The personal touches that you add to your art are sure to please anyone that you give or show them to.

Granted, most of us have very busy lives, but if and when you have a free minute and you want to have a blast without breaking the bank, consider the hobbies above. Free hobbies can often be more fun and rewarding than costly activities.

Photo: John DeWar

Many parents, after this moment of realization, and a blow up at the child in question, don’t do much else.  But that’s not going to solve the problem.  The problem with a spoiled child is deeper than a surface correction.  If you want it to change, you have to make some changes in the way you and your child think.

Talk to your child

This is the most important thing you can do.  Do not skip this step!  Not even if your child is relatively young.  Sit down with your child at a time when you’re both calm.  Explain and identify the behaviour you don’t like, without accusing or blaming.  Make sure to have specific examples.  Be ready to tell your child a consequence for continued selfish behaviour.

Why?

Raising a child should not be like training a dog.  Your dog doesn’t speak English, so when you resolve to train your dog to stop barking at night, you don’t sit down and explain.  The training will go no faster.  A child is different.  A child knows what their world has been like, and can understand that things must sometimes change.  Instead of being surprised and appalled by your sudden refusal to give them twenty dollars, they will remember your conversation.  This is not to say that they won’t give you a hard time, either in subtle ways, with whining or with outright rebellion.  It just allows you to state “this change is about to happen, and this is how I expect you to behave from now on.”

Help your child see the value of a dollar

Sometimes children seem selfish because they don’t actually understand how demanding they are being.  They don’t understand the value of money, or budgeting… so they can’t comprehend why you won’t spend it on them.  You can explain, without necessarily saying your exact salary, about how much you make and how much your bills are.  If you’re at a clothing or grocery store, you can remark on what prices are ‘good’, how to save money, and what is expensive.

Give an allowance, and nothing more

Tell your child that they will get X number of dollars per week or month, and nothing else.  Make sure they know what they’ll be expected to spend their money on: are they responsible for putting petrol in the car, buying clothes, etc?  Remind them of this if you’re at the store and they won’t stop pestering you for a toy or candy bar, or at home when they want cash to go out with friends, and they haven’t taken the steps to save money.

Be ready to stand firm

Anyone who has been given what they want, nonstop, will resist that privilege being taken away.   You’ll have to be ready for a struggle at least the first two or three times you enforce your new rules.  This is natural: you child needs to test you to find out if you really mean it.  So don’t give in!  As a less selfish attitude becomes the new normal for your child, it will be easier.

Once you have put in a bit of work, you’ll no longer have to worry about your child becoming a brat you hardly recognize.  Of course, all of this is not to say that you should never get your child anything they ask for.  It is a constant attitude of entitlement or having requests that turn into tantrums that is a problem.  The idea is to find a new and better balance of give and take that works for both of you, not just your child.