Atlantic City Bus Trip

As I've said before, I believe everyone deserves a vacation and there are some vacations that are quite affordable.  I went on an Atlantic City bus trip yesterday.  It was a great way to get away from the computer (yes, I know - amazing!) and have fun.  This is an annual trip sponsored by my apartment building.  I live in Baltimore and it the only cost was $25!  Imagine, an entire day trip from Baltimore to Atlantic City for just $25.

I realize that gambling is not for everyone, but a $20 gambling voucher came along with the trip.  Basically, my goal is to always try to win back what I spent on the trip.  This time, I happened to win $85.  So not only did the trip pay for itself, but I made money.  I also did not spend anything beyond the voucher.  It is important to remember if you go on your own low-budget Atlantic City trip, do not spend beyond the voucher.  If you come out ahead, excellent!  If not, hey, you just got a trip for $25 - enjoy it!  There are plenty of awesome bus trip deals like that in the Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania area, so why not take advantage of one? 

Even if you do not want to gamble, there is plenty of shopping and a nice beach.  You can pack a beach towel and just hang out on the beach all day.  You can also walk along the boardwalk.  You can eat lots of food or even play some games in the arcade.  If you have the opportunity to take a trip to Atlantic City, you totally should do it!

Stop Shopping So Much!

Do you like to shop?  I have to admit, I am guilty of shopping too much sometimes.  Sometimes I just feel bummed out and shopping cheers me up.  Other times, it can be part of the quality time I spend with friends or family.  However, being a shopping addict, which I daresay I have been in the past, can cause a number of issues.

I will admit my credit cards are not so great.  My financial situation could be better.  So I realized I needed to start spending differently, but it does hurt sometimes.  There are times when I just want or need to go shopping.  So I've creating some tips on shopping less.  Please click to read more!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips-to-Help-You-Stop-Shopping-Too-Much

Superfresh is Closing! Get Your Cheap Groceries Now!

I will be the first to admit I always feel a little guilty when a store is closing and I run in to buy cheap stuff as fast as possible.  In all honesty, it is cashing in on someone else's failure.  It is really sad.  It almost feels like a loved one has died and I am combing through their stuff looking for valuables.

Sadly, I do feel like this when it comes to the supermarket Superfresh closing.  It was once A & P and has been opened for decades.  Slowly, the stores have been closing one by one.  Now, one of the last in this area is closing.  If you live in the Baltimore area, start looking around at the Superfresh stores and ask when they are shutting down and when the Going Out of Business Sale will begin. 

No matter how sad I am about it closing, the store now has 30% off on practically everything.  In some areas you may only see 10% off or even as much as 50% off, but for now, most items are 30%.  Even though it is sad - 30% off!  Come on, if you don't buy it, some other bargain hunter will.  So for now, it is the right time to scope out the last remaining Superfresh stores and get a good deal. 

Making a Deal with Comcast

OK, let's face it, we all like cable television.  Especially now with digital cable, there are so many channels - who can stay away?  Also, the fact is that cable is expensive.  Have you ever just called Comcast and refused to pay a high price?  Because you can!

There is a lot of competition out there now and Comcast does not want to lose you.  Quite frankly, no one can afford their prices when it is at the regular rate.  Don't just sit there and pay high prices when your deal ends.  You can call Comcast and simply ask them to lower the price.  Don't believe me?  I have not paid full price for cable in 7 years.  As soon as my deal ends, I call them and ask if they are running any promotions.  Need some ideas on how to start the conversation?  Here are several examples:

"I just got my bill and I simply can't pay this every month.  Is there anything you can do for me?"

"I need to cancel my cable if we can't figure out a better price."

"Are you running any current promotions?  My bill is too high, but I do not want to cancel my cable."

All of these are great ways to begin the conversation.  Every now and then, you will get a sales person that wants to play tough.  You are going to have to either threaten to cancel, threaten to switch to Verizon, or cancel a premium channel or two to show them you mean business.  I recommend calling back about 6 months later to see what type of deal you can get if you are forced to get rid of something and want it back.  However, you may determine you don't even miss HBO.  I discovered that myself a few years ago.

It is important not to annoy the hell out of Comcast on a regular basis.  Remember to only call once one of your promotions end.  This is usually anytime from 6 months to a year.  Also, if you have Dish Network, I've heard they are willing to negotiate as well.  Let's face it, companies do not want to lose you as a customer and they know they are overpriced anyway.  Most are willing to work with you when it comes to cable.

Dorm Shopping - For You!

It is that time of year again.  As soon as summer begins, the stores start thinking about fall.  Most specifically, they start thinking about college kids going away and the sales it will bring them. 

Anyone going away to college for the first time needs a lot of items.  As more college students get tired of dorm living or do not have that option at all, students are finding they need to live in an apartment.  As everyone knows, whether you live in an apartment or a dorm, you need lots of items.  This is when stores see a great opportunity to make some extra money. 

Don't let the dorm sales fool you - you don't have to be a student or the parent of a student to find some awesome bargains.  Do you need a new rug for your livingroom?  Do you need a new low-priced vacuum?  Maybe you need a new full size comforter?  Right now is the time to shop for all of those items.

College students shopping for the fall means you can get great bargains, as well.  This is the perfect time of year to buy something cute and new.  Because these sales are geared towards college students, not only are the prices lower than normal, but the colors are usually brighter and the patterns more vivid.  If you are a fun person and you want your home to express that, this is time to start shopping.  Don't let those college students have all the fun.

Just Don't Buy It!

Never underestimate how much money you can save just from not buying a few things.  Currently, I am still on my mission: Send Jeannie to the Beach.  Of course, I can't really afford to go, but sometimes you just must take a break.  There are things I really want to buy, but I just won't purchase them for now.  I've created a little list of things I really want, but I am currently living without:

Shower gels on sale at Bath & Body Works - $3 a piece

New MP3 Player - $30

New beach towel - $10

New CD - $15

Basically, if you add all of this together, I am saving around $60 just by not buying some items I really want.  I am instead using older products and simply dealing with it.  I have to remember the goal and continue:

Start Clearing Some Stuff Out

Of course, anyone that knows me knows I am all about a bargain.  If you know me, you may know I am all about going on a vacation, too.  For years I have not been able to afford to go on a "real" vacation.  It has been all about day trips for me.  Well, I am trying to change that. 

One of my friends is going to the beach next month and she has invited me to come with her.  This means I need to come up with some cash and I need to do it fast.  So you might ask, "How can a person come up with cash as quickly as possible?"  The answer is: sell some stuff. 

I am trying to determine if I want to participate in a community yard sale this weekend.  Quite frankly, I work in customer service and I do not feel like dealing with people trying to bargain hunt at a yard sale.  I've determined a better course of action is to sell stuff to stores.  In my area, there is a music store that buys DVDs and CDs, and there is a book store that buys used books.  The time has come to start clearing some stuff out.  I need some cash and I need it fast! 

I highly recommend cleaning out your own closets and seeing if you can sell items.  Don't forget - you can always sell clothes at consignment shops, too.  I don't seem to have luck with that, but books always seem to bring in money.  If all else fails, you can post items on Craigslist.  People are usually willing to buy the craziest things on Craigslist. 

The time has come!  I need to start clearing out and cashing in.  I hope you do the same!