All that glitters is not gold...maybe Onyx?

Yesterday I discovered that Air Miles is soon offering a new deal as of August 13 th Air Miles will be able to be used to buy travel vouchers that can be used at a transait travel agent, such as Marlin Travel, Sell Off Vacations, Trip Central, Thomas and Carson are the agencies I am aware of.
For every $100 in vouchers it will cost 909 Air Miles.   This is a wonderful deal for me.  I am a teacher and when I am able to travel I always experience black out dates.   I have been there and felt the frustration summers, Christmas to visit family, long weekends, nope nadda for availability.

I almost booked my vacation yesterday with my Miles and would have been left paying the taxes, airport fees etc outside of Miles using cash. Almost 980$ oop. And  it was great until the lady told me about this deal and it can be used to cover the taxes. AWESOME!!!

This may not appear to be a great deal to some, let me break down my logic.

Air Miles advertises that New York has flights for 1125 miles. Anytime I can fly its peak season but I spent some time playing with it for fun. I was not able to find flights to this point level but did find flights for 1463 miles which is awesome! The taxes is $143 still great deal, but none of these are direct flights. They stop in either Toronto, Montreal or Boston and are 5 to 7 hours flying time each way.  I bought a direct flight in May for $500 which was about 2 hours 15 minutes each way for a direct  flight for the low miles can be a challenge, and you need travel flexibility.  I prefer direct flights if the difference is $300 or less. When I'm on vacation I want to get to my destination quickly for more discovery time. If the price was more than $300 in difference  I will explore the shortest milk route for the lower price.
EQUATE DEALS WITH THE PRICE OF YOUR TIME

I have another exception. If you have a lot of time for your trip I encourage the lay overs and call and ask for a night lay over so you have time to explore a new city for just the cost of a hotel room. Now that's a great deal!

Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook or Amazon A Guide to Collecting Air Miles in Canada

Host a Party

We all have friends in direct sales, some of us may even be involved in direct sales.  There are a few companies that sell items I enjoy and I try to  figure out the best way to enjoy the product on a budget.  I recently discovered Epicure and how it is dummy proof for even me to cook with ease.
I asked my friend that is in this direct sales  company to let me know when a hostess special fits my wants list.
 EVERY DIRECT SALES COMPANY HAS HOSTESS SPECIALS, the perk for you to host a party.
Hosting the party was simple.  The direct sales consultant created a Facebook group with a catalogue link.     I invited everyone that I could think of to come over on a Friday night. That was it.
I picked up a bottle of wine, 2 boxes of crackers, a can of lemonade, bag of tostitos, and a bag of chips.   Because the party is food centered, the sales consultant brought dips and I just had to provide the dip pairings.
I spent less than $25 on these party supplies.
I earned 2 products for half price, and  $75 items in free products and 2 host specials.
If you are interested in  products from a direct sales marketing company, I suggest hosting a party to maximize frugal deals!

Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook and on Amazon A Guide to Collecting Air Miles

What's Your Why

What's your why?

Everyone wants more money.   Maybe it's for travel or to be able to buy the newest fashion trend.   Once you figure out your why, you need to think about what you will sacrifice to achieve this goal.  I have 'sacrificed' the trendy clothes to achieve this goal. I don't have one of the ultra trendy Canada Goose Jackets that are $800. Our clothes are mostly second hand. Guess what, we are ok!
My why is to give my children a better life then I had. Don't get me wrong,  my childhood was amazing. I believe that each generation evolves and gets better.
I want to have our house paid off.  Not having a mortgage payment will allow us to put aside money for our children's RESP university tuition.  I want our kids to start life off without a large student loan debt.
Once you know your why, you can determine if the small sacrifices are worth it.   Know that these sacrifices aren't forever.   It is worth it!
Make your why specific to ensure it is achievable. Simply saying I want X amount in your bank account isn't good enough.
Once you know your specific why, you are ready to achieve it. Great things will happen!
Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook and on Amazon A Guide to Collecting Air Miles in Canada

Returns...can save you money

I am cheap, I am sure you have realized this by now!  Last week I went to the city an hour away from my house for a morning of shopping.  I wanted to hit up Value Village and Costco with a little visit to Walmart thrown in.

Have you seen the prices at Value Village lately? Holy Hannah they are high!  I was shocked at the prices of items now.  I was very selective there, and only spent $10 in items. I cashed in some of my loyalty points for 30% off. A trick that I do when shopping there with friends is taking turns redeeming the points discount. I rang my friend's items through first, then got a subtotal and added mine to the bill.

I don't know about you, but no matter how budget savvy I am, Costco breaks me down. I always walk through and think "if i don't buy it now, it won't be here" and pick up things that aren't on my list. My last visit was no exception. So, last Saturday I returned those impulse buys and got a refund of $103. I didn't need any of it.
Yet, I still bought things again I didn't need. For example, I picked up a lego friends set for my daughter. This will be returned on my next trip to Costco, she certainly doesn't need it. I came home and walked in the playroom and was reminded that enough lego is enough. It will be returned and $21 will be back in my pocket.

I then went to Marshalls to look at shoes. I found 2 lamps for my night side table that suit my decor perfectly. I bought them. When I got to the check out I was asked if I had a Marshalls or Winners loyalty card.  I asked if it was possible to purchase them on that day, and then return in my town at Winners and repurchase with my Winner's gift card that was home. The cashier said absolutely.  The following day I ran to Sobeys quickly, purchased a $50 gift card and added that to the balance I already had. Being that I run on gift cards, the money was already spent. I went to Winners and got a return of $68 and paid with my Winners Gift Card. Did I mention I love my lamps and had been looking for a pair?

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, or worth the effort to return items. But to us, it is worth $192 to make some returns. 

Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook and on Amazon A Guide to Collecting to Air Miles in Canada   

Pay Cash for Your Car

Pay cash for your car.
Simple.
I know what you are thinking, no way can I pay cash for my SUV or luxury car. Then you can't afford it.
You have to start somewhere. We leased our first cars. When we took out the 48 month lease payment in 2006 and 2008 we asked how much the buyout would be at the end.
We saved that additional amount each month for 48 months to be able to purchase the cars. Our 2008 is still going strong.  Start this plan if you are in a lease. It isn't too late.  Then use that car as a trade in or sell privately towards getting the car you want to have.
I have since had two new to us cars, each used, each paid for in cash.  Last year I traded in my car, and paid the difference on my credit card and paid off the balance the same day. I did this to earn many Air Miles.
My car doesn't turn any heads. It's a Toyota Corolla with almost 100,000km on it. But it is safe. It is reliable. It is great on gas. IT IS PAID FOR. 

According to the Globe and Mail, the average Canadian spends $570 in a loan, and $490 in lease payments. These prices are for periods between 48 months and 84 months!  That's a lot of money!!
Once your cars are paid for you can continue to save money for your dream car. Move up in car every other year and eventually you will get the car you want to drive. Or, be content with your paid for car and put the money towards your mortgage and other debt.
Photo Credit Dave Ramsey Website

Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook and on Amazon A Guide to Collecting Air Miles in Canada

Contentment

This quote came up on my Facebook today.  I read it a few times, as it is applicable to many parts of my life. Since this is a blog about money and being Debt Free I will focus on this aspect.
It is easy to get caught up in the wanting more and better of material things.  The Jones' are broke trying to have the best of the best.  And guess what? They probably aren't very happy.
We focus on 4 C's to get out of debt, and the hardest one is CONTENTMENT, yet I think it is one of the most important.
I drive a Toyota Corolla.  It is a 2013, almost 100,000 km and it's paid off. It was second hand, but great for me. I dream of a new 7 seater SUV and have test drove a few. Then I think why am I doing this? I have 2 kids, and when they have a friend over, a 3rd fits in just fine. My car fits my family and it is safe. I am content.

I  love Michael Kors brand. I love good quality shoes, and I have been buying this brand of shoes for ten years and I absolutely love the quality. They feel amazing. Would I love to buy all my clothes there, and my purses? Absolutely. I find many of this brand second hand, great for me! But I feel content and grateful that I have the products I have. I buy the splurge items time to time for me, because I love the item. I am content.

From time to time do I suffer from the bite of the green eye monster? Absolutely. Then I take a step back and talk to my husband about how I am feeling. Life quickly gets put back in check. 

I am content with what I have. Would I want a nicer vacation, car and clothing? Absolutely. But I have found CONTENTMENT. And I drive through parts of my town, and realize how blessed I really am. My family has clothes that are clean and fit us. We don't need to walk to get groceries, and we have a roof over our head and feel safe.
I AM BLESSED. I AM CONTENT. Someone else is dreaming of what we have right now.

Cancel Cable

We don't have cable.  Four years ago we cancelled our cable and home phone.  This has saved us almost $75 a month.  We went on Amazon and bought android boxes to stream TV shows and movies.
This has been great and I have found that it has cut down on our mindless watching of TV. We do binge watch shows, and having them all on the box makes it easier.
Sports was an area of concern for my husband.  After talking to other people that use the android box he has found places to watch his hockey and baseball games.
I also find that since we don't go to the movies often, we are ok watching older movies.
Our cell phones have fantastic plans.  We only use our cell phones, and do not have a home or land line.  The phones have great long distance plans to talk to our family.
I know this sounds extreme to quit your cable and phone line.  I took some convincing.  Four years, at $75 a month is $3600 !!! Read that again...$3600.  It's worth it!

Join Guess Who's Cheap on Facebook and Check out A Guide to Collecting Air Miles in Canada on Amazon