JenOni

savings

How I Cut the Cord? How I Removed My Cable Bill?

a picture of scissors cutting a cord linked to the word TV

I finally decided to cut the cord and cancel my cable in September. The cost of cable adds up over time and the additional tax, sports package fee, equipment fees, and service fees make it an unnecessary expense. Wifi is not taxed and only requires a wifi/modem router.

What I Learned When I Cut the Cord?

  1. Wifi/Modem – purchased my own for under $200 this saved $14.00  per month renting from Xfinity. You can find Xfinity router/wifi compatable devices at Amazon or Best Buy.
  2. Added two Roku streaming devices $39.99 at Target for both tvs.  A Roku tv has Roku built-in so it eliminates need for the streaming device.
  3. If cable is an absolute must, a streaming device(i.e Roku) eliminates the need for a cable box which is $7.50 per month. 
  4. The Xfinity beta app is avaiable on streaming devices. This allows access to cable channels without renting the cable box.
  5. How to get local channels? Purchase a rabbit ear loop antenna and  an amplifier(improves reception) Check zip code at antennaweb.org  to see which channels are available for your area.
  6. There are options to add channels to streaming device without cable but all involve additional costs.   (YouTube TV $64.99 per month, Sling, ( 3 different packages  with a different lineup of channels blue $35.00 per month , orange $35.00 or combined package $50 per month) Philo $25 per month.  Hulu Live $64.99 per month.

Hulu, Netflix, and  Amazon Video provide options for movies or tv shows. If I want to add premium channels like Showtime or Startz on a short-term basis, I can add on my Roku or Amazon Video accounts.

After a month, the decision to cut the cord is working well. I have no issues with the antenna in terms of reception. I did not buy an amplifier because the reception with the antenna is great. For those who are avid sports fans, cutting the cord eliminates major sports networks. In order to view sports, adding one of the services above is required. The overall savings will come with purchasing a router and streaming device so the cable company’s equipment is returned.

How I Save on Shopping at Target with the Cartwheel App

In October 2018, a mini Target opened across the street from us.  Most of my purchases at Target are for essential items like toilet paper, feminine products, body wash, paper towels, napkins, paper plates, and food items.  

I am intentionally using my Cartwheel app on every visit because of the savings.   In addition to saving on specific items, I realized some online prices are lower than the store.   In this case, I ask an associate to adjust the price before I check out.   

If you are a regular Target shopper, it pays to download this app.  The best way is to scan the UPC code on each item as you shop.  

The shop section allows you to shop by category, weekly ad & catalogs, or cartwheel offers. If you click on the cartwheel offers and select a product it will add it to your “My List”.

When I click on “Wallet” I can scan at self-checkout before I hit Pay. If checking out in line, make sure the sales associate knows to scan your code so the savings are deducted.

On the my profile, I can set my store, using the store locator. It alslo lists my online order history, favorite items to track (click on the heart of an item), payment cards, gift cards, ship to addresses, and manage REDcard. Since I started using the app in 2015, I saved $142.66 and redeemed 316 offers.

Teaching Kids Money Habits Using Games, Apps, Tips, and Books

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by PSECU, a credit union in Pennsylvania.

Money Habits: Games, Books, and Tips to Teach Kids about Money

Good money habits begin to develop when you’re young.   That is why it’s important for parents to have an action plan on how to teach their children how to manage their money.

Learning about money can be fun and exciting for kids.   There are lots of engaging stories they can read that both entertain and teach.   When your child is old enough to play with a smartphone, you can download apps like Green$treets and Bankaroo to help them begin to track their savings and learn how to budget. You can come up with your own games or buy board games that revolve around money choices to help your children put their money knowledge to practice.
PSECU created the infographic below, which includes tips, smartphone apps, games and books for your child to read during every stage in life in order to prepare them to be financially savvy adults.

Consider opening a custodial account for your child. Custodial accounts can be opened for any child or young adult under 21 years of age.   While your child will be the sole owner of the account, they will not be able to withdraw funds without the custodian’s approval.   Custodians can be the parent, guardian, grandparent or relative of the child.   When the child turns 21 years old the custodian must turn the account over to the young adult.   Custodial accounts are great ways to help save for your child’s future while also teaching them how to manage their money online.

 

——->What are some fun ways you’ve found to teach your kids good money habits?<——–

Deals with Groupon Coupons Equals Food, Vacation, and Family Time for Summer

July4th

 

Deals with Groupon Coupons

Deals searching for Groupon coupons is worth the time and effort.  This weekend is the Memorial Day weekend which marks the first holiday before the summer season begins.   When the kids and I go out of town, Groupon is my go to site for saving on activities and meals.  Groupon is an online experience for saving on thousands of deals for activities, eateries, and a multitude of things to buy covering every category you can imagine in real time.   The Groupon app also allows you take advantage of these deals through your mobile device.

Did you know  Groupon offers coupons for savings and deals at some of your favorite brands and retailers? There are currently over 81,000 coupons for 11,911 stores.   Here are some stores you can find coupons for on Groupon.

Eateries:

Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Panera Bread

Vacations: 

Hilton, Hot Wire, Priceline, Marriott, Beaches, Apple Vacations

Family Time: 

New York.com, Best of Orlando, Ticketmaster, Ticket Liquidator, Go City Card

 

Just in time for the Memorial Day, check out the Groupon Coupons on Groupon!

Happy Saving!

 

Holiday Deals at Target for the July 4th Holiday Week

*this post contains affiliate post, which means I receive a commission if you click and purchase*

Holiday Deals at Target

20% off clothing, shoes & accessories with promo code JULY4. Valid 7/2-7/4

Save up to 25% on kitchen & dining items including Keurig and Ninja. Valid 7/2-7/8

Save $250 on Canon T6 DSLR bundle. Valid 7/2-7/8

Save up to 30% on furniture + an extra 15% off with promo code AMERICA. Valid 7/2-7/4

Save up to 30% on home items including bedding, bath, décor & rugs, lighting and dining + an extra 15% with promo code AMERICA. 7/2-7/4

BOGO 25% off on all Neutrogena sun care products. Valid 7/2-7/8

Save 5% and get Free Shipping at Target – Apply for a REDcard

DealSpotr Deals for Week of March 27th

Dealspotr Deals for This Week

How to Save on Deals at Dealspotr for the week of March 13

Saving with Dealspotr for the Week of March 6 – My Top Picks for Deals and Savings

Saving with Dealspotr

Savings with Ibotta vs. DealSpotr

Savings with Ibotta

As a mom, I love to shop for less and earn while I shop if possible.  One of my blogging friends shared information about Dealspotr in our mastermind group.   I am not a newbie to savings app as I have Ibotta loaded on my smartphone.   Ibotta allows you to earn while you shop in specific retail stores.   Typically, I use it for my grocery store runs.   While I have earned a few dollars in the past year and a half,  I find the app a bit restrictive.  You can only earn money on specific products each week.   Another feature with Ibotta that was disappointing about is the fact that the products each week are the same from retail store to retail store.     For example, whether I shop at Target or CVS I only have an opportunity to earn money on the same products.    My weekend errands include shopping at various stores because each store offers specific items.   This app  limits my earning potential each week and not using the app.

Savings with Dealspotr

On Dealspotr, I love the fact that I can connect with all of my favorite brands in one place.  If I’m out shopping on the weekend I can easily check the Dealspotr site from my smartphone for coupons and deals at top retailers or eateries in real time.  I can earn rewards and  income in a variety of ways.  This makes using the site really fun and engaging with other influencers within the Dealspotr community.  Brands can also promote their deals which gives you thousands of possibilities for savings.   As a social media influencer, Dealspotr allows you to connect with other influencers by reposting their deals, sharing on social media and following one another.    Also, there is a Dealspotr Facebook group if you have questions and concerns on using the platform.

As a member of Dealspotr,  the first step is to post deals.   You earn points by posting deals.   These points go toward earning an Amazon gift card.   For every 10,000 points earned, you are rewarded with an Amazon $10 gift card.    I find a lot of my deals from my  inbox or I  check the websites of my favorite retailers to see what is current.     Another step to getting started  is to follow your favorite stores and create a list of interests.  Interests include retail goods you have an interest in such as women’s fashions, women’s shoes, decor, dining, etc.   Once you get started you create will create a deal feed with your specific brands of interest.     From your deal feed, you can repost deals (sharing with your followers), share on social media or use the deal widget to share on your blog or website.  If there is a specific deal that you think has major appeal, you can spot the deal which ranks the deal.    Another way to earn points is to complete your daily checklist.   As an influencer, the network allows more earning potential and the ability to connect with other influencers.   Lastly, there is the opportunity to earn with referrals.

Ibotta vs. Dealspotr

In comparison to Ibotta, my earning potential with Dealspotr is greater.   There are no restrictions on the types of savings because there are thousands of brands and deals to choose from whenever I am shopping.  The best feature is the engagement as an influencer and the ability to grow my network with other influencers due to the community.  Dealspotr  offers opportunities to grow through the exchange of information within the community.   Also, the community is very focused on continuous improvement by encouraging members to share feedback as new features are added.

If you are interested in joining the Dealspotr community to save during your shopping experiences, you can use the link Dealspotr

 

dealspotr.com