Save Money by Avoiding the Shiny Object Syndrome

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Five quick ways to save more by controlling your spending.

Shiny objects ... impulse buys ... they're everywhere.  For some it's clothing or electronics.  For others it may be training courses or business products.  You thrill at purchasing the shiniest, only to discover an even shinier one somewhere else.  You move from object to object, leaving a trail of receipts as you go. They're all needed, you reason.  Each one will help you do something better, faster, neater, prettier.  After all, you have to keep up with the times. But if your ... Continue Reading

Websites For The Savvy Fashionista

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Thought fashion online shopping couldn’t happen? Try out these sites and see.

As a busy mother and wife, my days are filled to the brim with errands and to-do's around the house. It is quite rare that I get a spare moment to wander aimlessly through a shopping mall or browse the racks at my favorite fashion boutiques. Aside from time being a factor, a necessary family budget also plays a role in how, when, and where I shop. I (like many others) refuse to sacrifice the quality of the products I purchase for my family solely for the purpose of saving a few dollars. But ... Continue Reading

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Five Ways to Shop Local Using the Internet

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Make an effort to shop local, support small businesses in your neighborhood, and save money!

If one of your green goals is to shop local and support more businesses in your area, you do not have to abandon the Internet altogether. You can use the web to locate the best shops, services, and restaurants in your area. Research local gems and avoid dud spots using these five sites: LocalHarvest.org This site contains the most complete listings of local farms, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), farmer’s markets, and restaurants that serve local fare. You can often get great deals ... Continue Reading

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The New Cool: Shopping Smarter

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Shopping smarter means using coupons, shopping online, and joining rewards programs.

Gaining nearly as much acceptance as going green, shopping smart has become the new normal and a practice that is gaining in popularity; even the reality television explosion includes shows on saving big. Whether you are a novice at couponing or a certified coupon queen, there are significant savings to be had if you take a comprehensive and organized approach to your shopping. The largest areas of focus are couponing, both online and through print media; online shopping, to take advantage of ... Continue Reading

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SocialMom of the Month: Meet Shelly Oakley!

Lynchburg Coupon Mama

SocialMom of the Month Shelly Oakley is the Lynchburg Coupon Mama, bringing moms ideas for saving money and shopping smart.

As I sped around town, making all our post-holiday returns, my mood brightened with each dollar refunded. I even talked the liquor store owner into taking back an expensive bottle of champagne I knew we wouldn't consume. (Let's just say the man won a customer for life!) Who doesn't love saving a buck? But then there are the coupon gurus—those women who take saving money to near-professional levels. Our new SocialMom of the Month is one of those women. Meet Shelly Oakley, 27, an ... Continue Reading

Do You Shop Cyber Monday?

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Learn more about Cyber Monday and why you should be shopping.

Just about everyone knows about Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. People getting up before the sun to get to the stores in hopes of grabbing that unbelievable deal on the must have Christmas list item. Most people I know are Black Friday shoppers, but are you a Cyber Monday shopper too? Cyber Monday is one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. The term "Cyber Monday" was coined by Shop.org (a division of the National Retailers Federation) when a spike in sales was noticed ... Continue Reading

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Pinktober and Beyond – Shopping with Purpose

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Shop for products for Pinktober and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I come from a long line of community activists, so it's no surprise I jumped at the chance to talk about shopping with purpose for Breast Cancer Awareness month. In addition to being hard-working and instilling within me strong work ethics, my parents, my grandparents and my great-grandparents taught me to not just leave things better than I found them, but make a difference by improving them. Volunteerism and being an Activist were lessons learned at a very early age. My grandmother was a ... Continue Reading

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How Not to Overspend on Labor Day Sales

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Follow these tips to get the most enjoyment from Labor Day sales while protecting your wallet.

When you think of Labor Day, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  If you said Labor Day sales, then you are in good company. Retailers across the board have created a shopping holiday by offering great Labor Day sales on appliances, clothing, and even cars.  While some people celebrate the unofficial end of summer by barbecuing and spending time with family, many flock to the malls to take advantage of the Labor Day sales.  Even though there are many opportunities to save money, you ... Continue Reading

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Back to School Shopping – Restock Your Closet Without Breaking the Bank

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With fall just around the corner, the Back to School shopping frenzy has begun. Learn how to round out your wardrobe today.

With fall just around the corner, the Back to School shopping frenzy has begun. Even if you aren’t going back to school, there is always a feeling of renewal, and getting back to routines in September, so why not join in on the fun and do some Back to Fall shopping yourself? To help you keep from getting carried away, here are some tips to ensure you refresh your wardrobe style without going overboard: Take stock. Make good use of a rainy Saturday or Sunday (or a lull in your summer ... Continue Reading

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