The best ways to save money and never feel bad about it

This is a guest post by Mark Bennett of Saveology, a site that offers savings and latest news on Comcasttv.

Most people would like to save money; however, no one would like to publicize the fact fearing they will be considered stingy. Being stingy is quite different from being prudent. There is nothing wrong in planning your expenses and trying to live well within your means. Remember, it is pennies that add up to dollars; hence, being thrifty is a great means to save. While there are several ways and means to save small money, here are a few tips that you may never have heard of.

Everyone needs entertainment and now that it is available at your doorstep, most homes have Cable TV and other essential services like an internet connection. However, in your urgency to get connected immediately, you never bother about checking the options that may be available. What you would normally do is to start looking for service providers and when you come across a catchy advertisement that is really convincing, the tendency is to sign up immediately. However, what you don’t realize is that there could be other providers in the same area who provide similar services at more competitive prices. Signing up after researching thoroughly would help save a lot of money every month. Don’t forget to read the fine print and make sure you are not getting into any contracts without realizing it.

Buying used stuff instead of harping on something that is brand new, helps save a lot of money. Whenever you decide to go for a major purchase, look around a bit and maybe there is someone wanting to sell the same item which is almost useless for them. Send some e-mails to close friends and relatives (it doesn’t cost you any money) describing what you are looking for. More often than not you are bound to find exactly what you were looking for, and the best part is that you could clinch the deal for half the price. There are several web- sites that cater to such needs. Here, offers and requirements are posted and millions of dollars worth merchandise is being bought and sold every day.

Having a simple wardrobe would be a smart thing to do. You don’t have to appear sophisticated for someone else’s sake. For instance, never choose clothes that can serve only as outfits. Instead of buying a yellow and green striped blazer that can go only with a couple of outfits, buy a serge blazer in navy blue or black that will go with most clothes you wear. Don’t spend too much money on trendy stuff that cannot be in vogue for long. Instead, spend on quality wear that will look stylish, last longer and spell class as well.

Shopping prudently with a perfect sense of timing can help save a lot of money. Instead of buying seasonal stuff like holiday cards, decorations and gift wraps during the peak season, try to buy them off- season when there is a discount. Savings of up to 5 % is guaranteed. These items can be stored for as long as you want, as they won’t fade nor will they go out of fashion. Similarly, try shopping when others would rather stay indoors. For instance, during peak winters, when most people would rather huddle in front of the fireplace, you could brave the cold and save a pretty pile on the off-season discount.