Change Jar Savings » Living – Frugal

Reading Labels – Sugar Free

Jim — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:00:25 +0000

Watch your packages. Sugar free does not mean sweetener free. Many sugar free products contain other man-made sweeteners that are worse than the normal sugared products. By managing your serving size of the sugar product you should have less cravings than the man-made sweeteners because you are satisfying not substituting the craving. Just because it is labeled “healthy” doesn’t mean it is.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Money and Time – Diaper Bags

Jim — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:20:31 +0000

Recently on Twitter Mercedes from Common Sense With Money
made the following statement:

“Why most diaper bags are such monsters, you need room to pack for hours not days. Still looking for minimalistic diaper bag with no luck “

My wife had a solution. Our daughter packs a huge diaper bag for our grand kids for the weekends when they stay by us but we do not want to carry it around to go to the store. My wife started using one of her old purses or her expensive but rugged backpack from her college days. She went back to school when our kids were teenagers.

With both the backpack and the old purse they are large enough for a can of formula a bottle, diapers, wipes and an extra set of clothes. If we need more we either pack two bags or take the one “Mom” packed for the weekend.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Money – See the Game

Jim — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:00:27 +0000

Did you know most Major League baseball parks allow you to bring food in to the park?

Chicago Cubs = “Visitors may bring food or drink items into the ballpark, which are packaged in acceptable containers.”

Milwaukee Brewers = “Guests may bring food items into Miller Park using appropriate containers. All bags, purses, fanny packs or soft sided coolers must be 16″ x 16″ x 8″ or smaller and are subject to inspection. Hard-sided coolers are not allowed in the ballpark. Only food purchased within Miller Park will be allowed into suite areas. Please see Prohibited Items for a listing.”

Check out you teams website to see what their policy is.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save by Going Green – Water

Jim — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:00:39 +0000

Got an old toilet? You can cut 5-8% of your water usage by putting a brick or a water filled milk jug in your toilet tank.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Money – Hotels

Jim — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:32 +0000

Do you stay at hotels a lot? Going on a two week vacation? Have you checked out the hotel loyalty programs? Many hotel chains give discounts and free nights after so many paid nights. Years ago I stayed for business at Hampton Inn 5 nights a week. After a few weeks I was able to take my family on a weekend trip and spend the night in a hotel free.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save by Going Green – Electricity

Jim — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:00:58 +0000

Vampire Power! No this is not a post say that rule. Vampire Power is the power sucked by devices that do not fully shut off when we “turn them off”. This can amount to 20% of your electric bill. What causes vampire power use? Cell phone charges, laptop chargers or anything that has a block instead of a normal plug (or a brick with in a couple of feet from the plug). Also anything that has a clock. Think microwave, coffee maker, etc. The game system (Wii, Xbox, Playsation). The TV, VCR/DVR that you turn off with a remote also use power while they are off. Start unplugging or turning the off with a power strip and pocket that 20% savings while going green.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Time and Money – Tolls

Jim — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:41 +0000

If you are so lucky to live by toll roads, invest a pass for your state toll roads, such as New Jersey’s E-Z Pass, Illinois’ I Pass and Florida’s SunPass. You can preload money on the pass and not waste gas or your time waiting in line. Some programs offer discounts to you when you use a pass too.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save by Going Green – Meals

Jim — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:00:53 +0000

Cut out meat from one meal per week. You can call it a vegetarian meal but I don’t like too. I call it a macaroni and cheese dinner. Buttered noodles with seasoning. A salad. It just does not have to have the label of “Vegetarian” making your kids turn up their noses. By doing this once a week you can save your green and reduce the amount of agricultural related pollutants.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save Your Money – Loaded Car

Jim — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:44 +0000

No your car is not drunk. But it could be overweight! All that junk in the trunk you know. What is in your trunk or in the bed of your pickup could be costing you money in decreased gas mileage. Losing 100 pounds of weight in your car can give you up to a 2% better mileage.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com

How to Save by Going Green – Paper Towels

Jim — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:17 +0000

Eliminate paper towels or reduce the amount that you use. Buy some bar rags. The rags used by bars are super absorbent and tough. You can wash and reuse them too. The nice thing is most stores sell them in packs of 10 or 20. And they are white so you can bleach them to keep them looking newer longer saving your green.

Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com