How to get the BEST deals!

It's really easy!

1. The most important thing is to look around for what you want to purchase. Don't settle for the first site you find. Look for the sites that are offering Free shipping and/or already reduced prices merchandise.

2. Make sure your signed up at Ebates ! If the store you found a great deal at is part of their participating store then you can save an additional percentage depending on the store. The way Ebates works is: you go to the store you want to shop at from their website and shop at the store. When you finish your purchase a percentage is added to your a Ebatesaccount, every 3 months you can get a check mailed to you, as long as it is over $5.01. If its less or $5.01 then it will be carried over to the next 3 month window. The program is free to you. I ♥ when I just get checks in the mail.

3. Do a simple search at RetailMeNot and get a coupon code for the site you found a great deal at.

You'll be surprised how much you can save.

Financial Health Check Up!

Here are some links that have been very helpful to us! And some of the Dave Ramsey info as well.



First off every month should have a budget. Make budget planning a snap with this Microsoft Excel monthly budget sheet. Enter your planned and actual expenses and it will automatically calculate how well you're doing. From MomAdvice.com

Everyone should own the Dave Ramsey book "The Total Money Makeover, Revised and Updated", it has fantastic information and it very encouraging. Whenever you feel discouraged just pick up his book and read stories from real people who have overcome financial hardships. This would also be a great read for a young adult.

Here are the Baby Steps:

1. $1,000 to start an Emergency Fund: Any extra money goes to pay off Debts. For emergencies that cannot wait and to be payed back as you use it.

2. Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball: Pay smallest debt to larger Here is the link for the Debt Snowball

3. 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings: Just encase someone looses a job or a big emergency comes up. Pay it back as you use it.

4. Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement

5. College funding for children / Retirement: Here is a good Retirement Calculator

6. Pay off home early. Here is the Mortgage Calculator to pay off your house earlier.

7. Build wealth and give! Invest in mutual funds and real estate.

Also a great website is RefundPlease There are a number of online retailers that offer to credit buyers back cash on past purchases. For instance, if the product you purchased at Amazon.com within the last 30 days has dropped in price they will credit you back the difference.

A good financial website it Kiplingers


Ok one more thing to add! Here is a good Retirement Calculator

Have fun playing around with things!