How to live frugally and still have a good time!

Live Well and Save!

I haven't posted in a very long time.  Sorry to those who may have missed me and my posts.

I've decided to change the format from unemployment to tips on saving money even though you may still be unemployed, or even have a job but it pays less than what you were used to making. I've saved and continue to save during hard times, and YOU CAN TOO!

In each post, I will describe how I have become self sufficient by using freebie sites, sites to "earn" Amazon gift cards (my favorite) and social media sites.

A little background on my success:

I began receiving freebies in my mailbox back in 2006.  I found ways to get free items because companies like us to "try their product".  Grocery shopping has always been an adventure with the use of sale fliers and coupons.  Have any of you ever wrote to a company about their product?  Did you write because you weren't satisfied OR did you write to them because you liked their product?  I do both with great success, most companies send me coupons for cents off or even a coupon for a free product during my next shopping trip.  Several times, thanks to friends, I have even gone on vacation with very low airfare.  You have heard of "buddy passes", haven't you?

In most recent years, I have taken on "big business" with complaints, displeasure by keeping a log of my calls and how I got what I wanted.  For example, back in October 2010, while I was unemployed, I went to Washington DC to speak at the RFK Pre-Event Rally to the bigger rally on the National Mall on unemployment and the need for jobs.  I paid for airfare round trip, hotel stay, and even a rental car - CASH!  In short, there were issues with my return flight home, yes, I wrote to the airline and was refunded the cost of my return flight because my connecting flight left without me and 3 others.  During that same trip, I had a huge problem with the rental car, yes, again I complained by calling the location where I rented the car then again to the Branch Manager when I returned the car.  My bill went from almost $300 to $100.  If you wish to read about that trip, see my blog post from November 2010 "The Misadventures that didn't keep us down".

Have you had problems with wireless carriers, places that you have ordered from or any business that you deal with?  I have fought with Verizon, DirecTV, and others including a bank.  Yes, I have won!  Again, in short, Verizon couldn't prove to me how some months I went over my limit of 5gb of data one month then the next month not go over.  I was using their mobile device on my laptop at the time.  I was released from my contract, and given several nice credits, additionally, was placed on a month to month no contract service until I could replace their service.  Cha Ching!  With DirecTV, I had a consistent problem after moving to a new home.  Complaint after complaint they finally (almost a year later) escalated the issue.  During that time of the many phone calls to technical service, I called their billing department and requested a lower rate that every new customer was receiving.  At that time I was not under contract with them.  Because of the issues I was experiencing, and a bit of firmness in my voice, again, I was rewarded with a lower service payment for the same service I had paid more for.  Cha Ching!!  Savings of $40 month!

The key to this is be assertive and LOG EVERYTHING!  Each time I did so, my wishes came true!  So can yours!

Recently, I was expecting two packages.  One package was being delivered that day from Amazon.  I was home waiting for this package and noticed on the tracking that it had been delivered to my rental office.  One item was needed that night.  Immediately, I called the delivery company - ONTRAC.  I explained to them what happened and that the delivery person NEVER rang my doorbell, instead they left a delivery notice by my mailbox and off to the rental office they went with my package. By the time I had noticed, the rental office was closed.  I wanted them to know that their employee was not doing their job.  Next, I called Amazon.  I explained to the customer service representative what had happened.  Without me asking, she offered and issued me a $10 credit to be used on my next order from Amazon.  THAT is GREAT customer service!  Cha Ching!  Next, I had explained to her that in one of my prior orders there was a product that was totally unsatisfactory.  She asked which product and the order number, which I gladly provided.  Again, my account had been credited for the amount of the product, and when I asked where to send the unsatisfactory product, she told me that I didn't have to return it.  Cha Ching!

These are things that I do and want to share the sites I use, and how I use them to get FREE items that I use everyday.

Do you buy cookbooks?  I used to but no more.  Another saving by using what you have in front of you - YOUR COMPUTER or tablet or smartphone.

Do you crochet or knit?  Why buy patterns?  I use websites to search for these.  They even allow you to subscribe to their newsletters filled with patterns to use, print or save.  Easy, right?

Are you on Facebook?  There are many different freebie pages that I subscribe to.  They post freebies and discount programs.

Do you cook and want to use your favorite grocery store ads with coupons and find recipes to use sale items in?   That alone is a huge savings!  Yes, there are FREE websites for that too!  They even send you emails to remind you to use their service.

Additionally, do you take medications regularly that you can not afford?  Perhaps you have no health insurance as well.  I have found several different approved places, within the United States, to get your medications in 90 day or 180 day supplies between $25 - $50.  Yes, you must be eligible within a certain income range for the size of your family.  Even if you are single, it isn't difficult to be eligible.  It took some time to finally get "with the program" but once you start receiving your medications, it's easy.  I can explain in detail where, what and how!

That will be the new format and content.  As always, your comments are always welcome!  If you have any tips of your own on saving money, please pass them on!  I'll post them with credit to you!

Lastly, you must have noticed the Swagbucks widget on the right side of my blog.  Do you have questions about it?  Surely, you want to know what I do with my swagbucks (points)!  In the next few blog posts, I'll be explaining about their site and others!  Everyone loves something for FREE!

Until next time ---- stay tuned!

Live Well and Save!

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