Money-stretching tips

It seems like most everyone I'm coming across lately is experiencing some type of financial setback. In line with our mission to help you create the life you want with resources you have, I'm posting several tips to stretch your dollar here.

• Sign up to be available to market research groups. There are several reputable companies that do not charge you to be in their databases (e.g. Fieldwork Minneapolis, Orman Guidance Research). If you qualify for a research study, they will pay you for your opinions and time. Other research companies such as e-rewards programs award you with incentive points each time you complete a survey. Points can be exchanged for movie rentals or magazine subscriptions.
  

• To receive a free pass for two to the Waterpark of America or Grand Rios (both in the Twin Cities, MN) simply for visiting a website for moms, go to www.momtalk.com for details.

• Notice how many of your meetings are off-site. Plenty of ideas can be exchanged over e-mail or phone. If you do plan an off-site meeting, consider a place that you can walk or take public transportation. It’s better for the environment and your pocketbook.

• When renewing your newspaper subscription, instead of automatically renewing your payment call customer service to ask if there is a current special. We subscribe to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Every single time we renew, we ask for the special and usually save almost 50% off the renewal rate. (Also, magazines will often lower your subscription rate if you wait until after the first renewal notice.)

• Be sure to contact your insurance agent each year to ask if you qualify for any discounts. If not, get various quotes to make sure you are paying a fair rate. We made the costly mistake of ignoring that tip and trusting our agent when she said there weren’t lower available rates. After twelve years with the same agent, we finally compared rates and found home and auto policies with better coverage at half the price. Ouch, all those years of paying way too much!

• Make your first stop the library when looking for a movie or music to enjoy. Libraries aren’t just for books anymore. Some patrons will reserve the movies or music that interests them. Myself, I like the spontaneity of seeing what’s available and finding something I might not have searched out otherwise. We save at least $150 a year by borrowing from the library versus renting.

If you have a tip to share, please post it as a comment for the benefit of others.