Gift Cards vs. Cash Back

I, for one, have been using the Cash Back program from Discover to make all of my monthly purchases since 2004....that's almost a decade!

Recently, I decided to review their gift card program.  Since I am planning a trip, I have found that it is worth the money to cash in my cash back for gift cards instead of cash. 

If you dine out often, travel or shop at one of their affiliates often, it is definitely worth your time to investigate the program.  You can get gift cards for less cash than the cost of the card.  For example: $50 Red Lobster gift card for $45.  Same deal with Best Western.

An even better deal thru the Discover card is their Hyatt gift certificate.  You can get a $100 Hyatt gift certificate for only $40 cash back dollars.  If you are going to be staying at the Hyatt on vacation, why not save $60!  What a great deal.

Check with your other credit cards and bank accounts as well.  I recently signed up for a bank account that gives 1 point for $2 spent.  The points can be cashed in for gift cards, gift items, and more.  I received 5000 points for signing up for the program.  When I referred someone, I received another 5000 points.  I'll end up with about $75 worth of gift cards with just the sign up points. 

What an easy way to pay for vacation.

Where There's a Will...

I titled this one, Where There's a Will, because I have always believed if you want to do something, Where there's a will, there's a way!

So, let me just tell you how 5 people went to the Brickyard 400 this past Sunday for only $147.00.

I'll begin by letting you know that we found a deal for free NASCAR tickets.  We received 4, but then decided to buy a 5th ticket, for a designated driver at the last minute.

We could only buy tickets by the set.  So we purchased 2 discounted tickets on Stub Hub, for $40 each.  After shipping and fees, we ended up spending $105.  Sold the 2nd ticket for $55, so we only had $50 in the extra ticket.

Next, we spent $47 in gas, roundtrip.  We brought most of our drinks and food, but ended up spending about $50 between the 5 of us.

Not bad for a professional sporting event!

So, the next time you decide you want to do something different, or just getaway, don't say you can't afford it.  Instead say, "Where there's a will, there's a way!"

Look for free or discounted tickets.  Find someone to split the gas.  Bring sandwiches and drinks along, so that you don't have to pay high convenience store and venue prices.

Homemade Hand Lotion

Time to save a little money by making your own homemade hand lotion.

My aunt made this and was giving it away at a family gathering recently.  It smells great, and really moisturizing the skin.

I believe she said you could pick up these small containers at any of the dollar shops, or you can purchase the hand lotion bottles at some craft stores.

Here are the ingredients.

8 ounces vaseline or cocoa butter
8 ounces vitamin e cream
16 ounces baby lotion

This will make a lot of lotion after you get it all mixed together.  Why not give some as gifts to family and friends!  You could even make your own labels to put on the bottles.

Save Your Ignition Tumbler

This may sound a little off the concept of the An Inexpensive Way of Life Blog, however, it is not.

If you have to replace the ignition tumbler/switch on your car or truck, it could essentially cost you hundreds of dollars.

For one, the part is pretty inexpensive with a price range from $15 to $30 if you have an older GM or other domestic vehicle.  Plus, about an hour and a half of labor costs (which could range from $60 to $90 an hour).

Although, if you have a newer car, the sky could be the limit for the replacement, up to $650 or more.  Consider the fact that newer model cars have coded keys and ignitions.

So, here's how to save your ignition switch.  The next time you sign up for a new rewards program at the grocery store, put that little tag on a different key ring.  Put your library card, gas card, pharmacy card, all on a different key ring than your car keys.  Even put your house key on a different key ring if you can.

The only thing that should be on your set of car keys is the keys to your car, and the key fob if you have one. 

Prepare for Power Outage

Storm season is upon us.  In preparation for power outages, one of my utility companies has sent me this list of "Items to have ready in the event of a prolonged power outage".  So, I thought I would share them with you.

• Water - one gallon of water per person per day (for at least three days)
• Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods
• Manual can opener
• Battery-powered radio
• NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Candles with containers
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in waterproof container
• First Aid Kit, prescription medication
• Moist towelettes, trash bags and ties for personal sanitation
• Cell phone chargers that plug into car (or solar charger)
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Important family documents in a waterproof container (insurance policies, identification, bank account info)
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each family member
• Change of clothing and personal hygiene supplies
• Paper cups, plates, towels and plastic utensils
• For baby: formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, medications

Hopefully you won't need this list, but it is a good idea to have these items handy, just in case.

How to Save $40 on Your Electric Bill

How to save $40 this summer on your AEP bill….

If you live in Indiana, log in to http://indianamichiganpower.com/save . If you live in a different state and you are an AEP customer, check your AEP web site for more details.

Click the Residential Peak Reduction tab in the lefthand column.

In order to qualify:

• You must be an I&M customer living in Indiana.
• Your home must have central air conditioning in good working condition. Window and wall air conditioning units do not qualify for the program.
• You must own your home or have the property owner’s permission to participate.

Click enroll online.

Have your bill handy, as you will need your account number.

Agree to allow authorized Indiana Michigan Power representatives to install a control device on your home near your outside air conditioning unit. This device will allow Indiana Michigan Power to adjust the air conditioner compressor so it will run at 50 percent cycling during periods of high electricity demand May through September on non-holiday weekdays ending by 8 p.m., not to exceed fifteen non-emergency and ten emergency events per year.

By participating in this important program, you are helping to reduce peak demand on the electric grid and promote the reliability of electric service when it is needed most. As a program participant, you will receive an $8.00 monthly bill credit during the months of May through September, totaling $40 per year.

Homemade Weed Killer

This is a great time of year to wipe out the weeds along the cracks and crevices of the sidewalk, along the fence row, and other places you will need to weed eat throughout the year.  Get these things sprayed now, and you won't need to worry about breaking out the weed eater so often this summer.

Here is a great Homemade Weed Killer Recipe for you to try.

Ingredients:

4 cups white vinegar
1/4 cup salt
2 teaspoons of dish liquid

Mix the ingredients together and pour into a sprayer. 

Remember this is not a weed and feed, this is just a weed killer.  So only spray in locations where you want to complete get rid of all vegetation.

Please let me know if you have any weed killer recipes you would like to share!