Drive a Porsche instead of a Mustang?

Special Post from FrugaChris

One of the things that Dave Ramsey claims is that you cannot afford to buy a new car unless you have one million dollars net worth.  Yes, that is right, one million big ones in the bank account!  Is this just over the top or is there validity to this claim!?


To give you a little background, I bought my brand new 2000 Honda Accord for $21,500 after I accepted my first job out of college and before my first paycheck.  And if you are wondering, Yes, it was before I married FrugaRita!!  Eleven years later my Honda is still kicking but only worth $4,500 (a $17,000 loss not including interest payments).


I honestly believe that the car purchase is one of the most critical decisions that a middle class family or single makes with their money.  This dramatically affects your future and ability to give and save.


Here is a section of the Consumer Reports article in the link below: "According to the used car savings analysis, buying a 2005 Toyota Camry with a V6 engine, for example, could save you about $13,000 over five years compared with buying a new 2008 version. At $4 per gallon, you could pay for all of your gas during that period (based on driving 12,000 miles a year) and still be almost $2,500 ahead."

I know most people are not looking for one of these, but it gets the point across, "Our analysis also highlights another appealing option of buying used: the ability to get a more upscale model with more features for the same owner cost as a less expensive new car. Buying a new $28,000 Ford Mustang V6 convertible, for example, would cost you about $42,500 over five years. For about the same five-year cost, you could buy a three-year-old Porsche Boxster roadster, which is priced at almost $50,000 when new and is a more highly rated, fun-to-drive sports car."
 
The article does a great job of explaining the new versus used cost comparison.   Only a millionaire can afford a 34% loss over the first five years without being affected financially.  This is the reason that Dave Ramsey teaches to buy used.

Read the Consumer Reports Article for more details:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/buying-advice/used-car-savings/overview/used-cars-ov.htm

School Supplies - Know what a good price is!!!!!

Our local church - Grace Church collects supplies for local schools every year. I am a big researcher and want to know what the normal price is for an item before I buy it.

I wanted to share the deals I found on the school supplies I bought this year.

Target
Bottle Hand Sanitizer - $2.19
Kleenex - $.99
Post it Notes (Cube) - $2 (Had Coupon for $1 Off)
Lined Index Cards - $.64
Kid Safety Scissors - $.74
2 Glue Sticks - $.40
Black Expos Markers (2pk) - $1.50
10ct Magic Markers - $.99
Black Marbled Composition Book - $.40
Ziplock Bags (Snack - 50ct) - $1.25 - I only had One Target Coupon or Ziplock Bags Sandwich $1.50 (120ct at some stores) (Target Coupon $1 off 2, Man. Coupon $1 off 2) You can use both coupons together.
24 no. 2 pencils - $.94

Office Depot
3 packs of Wide Ruled Paper - .25/each
Copy Paper - $1

I bought all the items for around $15!!!!

Good post about saving money!

Here is a good post from one of my favorite blogs, MoneySavingMom.com, about your time and money!!! -

Check it Out!

http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/09/why-i-dont-make-homemade-tortillas.html

I love Target

Target has great deals when they clearance which happens very often throughout the season. Last year, I got Emily a Summer Hat and Swim diaper for around $3/a piece which would typically cost $24 so big savings for example. I also get other things such as dish detergent, laundry detergent for good deals off of their clearance sections.

Basically you have to look down the end of the aisles for most of the clearance items but they can be found in the aisles too. Be sure to look around. I drive Chris crazy walking the aisles :) but there are good deals to be found and for good prices for not a lot of work.

Here is some more info about clearance shopping found here.

9 Baby Food Jars for a Total of $0.10. Awesome!

 

I am not a huge couponer, but there are good savings to use them. I use coupons on big items such as diapers, wipes, and toiletry items.  One common misconception that we hear is that coupons are only for junk food.  The key is to save the coupons each week and learn how to combine the sales with coupons for items your family uses (websites like SouthernSavers.com and MoneySavingmom.com are fantastic resources).  

These sites combine store and manufacturer coupons for huge savings.  I would strongly suggest spending the $10 to take lesson when the Southern Savers lady visits your area.  She will give you tips on how to organize, save time, and save your family money.

For my SC friends and Publix shoppers. Here is an awesome deal on baby food. You probably won't be able to do as good as me if you don't have a Publix Baby food coupon from the Publix baby club (but it is still a good deal without it).

I bought 9 jars which are on sale for  $0.40 a jar this week and used the following coupons:

$1.50 off 8 jars of Beech Nut Baby Food coupon (from Publix baby club - Sign up via a card in the store)
2 - $1 off 3 jars of Beech Nut Baby Food coupons- printable

Final bill after coupons = $0.10 for all 9 jars!!!!!! 

Cheap Eyeglasses

Ok, here's the scoop. I am slow to impulse buying but have been wanting some prescription sunglasses for a long time and have never got them because of the expense. I ordered some today for around $44.

If you wear contacts this could be a great way to get a pair of glasses. I am thinking about going to Walmart and Sears and trying out frames. Then I plan to see if the site has them and order a new pair of glasses for a great deal. I am in need of a new pair as these are several years old. Will keep you posted!!!


Coastal Contacts is hosting a Great American Glasses Giveaway and is giving away 100,000 pairs of prescription glasses. They will be giving away 2,000 coupon codes for a free pair on their Facebook Page every day beginning at 9 a.m. EST for the next 50 days.
Here’s how to get your free pair of glasses:

::Go to the Coastal Contacts Facebook Page and click on the ‘Free Glasses!’ tab on the left side of the page.
::Click on the “Like” button on the Coastal Contacts Facebook Page (if you haven’t already) and this will reveal your coupon code.
::Visit the Coastal Contacts website and select a pair of glasses.
::Place your order using the Facebook coupon code and you’ll just pay shipping (around $10-$15) for a pair of glasses.

Coastal Contacts will be giving away 2,000 pairs each day for the next 50 days.

Walmart Offers 10-Cents-a-Gallon Gas Savings at Participating Stations Nationwide

 

The discount applies to gas purchases made when using a reloadable Walmart gift card, reloadable Walmart MoneyCard® or Walmart credit card from June 29 through September 30, 2011.

Check out more below!

 http://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/10629.aspx?sourceid=gasrollback&ref=&loc=interstitialskip