Frugal Living - The Laughing Wallet Blog
The Laughing Wallet Blog is the easy way to keep up with changes at LaughingWallet.com, as well as special news and reports just for blog readers. Whether I’ve added a new page, enhanced an existing one or found a great news tidbit to share, the blog will let you know what's new – no searching required!
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Feb 22, 2012
A Rate Sleuth Making Rental Car Companies Squirm
Most of us don't have to rent cars very often, which is a good thing since car rental is an expense that can add up quickly. But if you need to rent a vehicle, New York Times columnist Ron Lieber has found a website that can help you find the best deal, and if it finds a better one after you've booked through the site, it will even automatically rebook you.
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Feb 18, 2012
12 Times That Being Cheap Will Cost You
Some people confuse "frugal" with "cheap." Frugal is not just about avoiding spending - it's also about knowing how to spend wisely. There are times that spending smart will save you money in the long run, and times that avoiding an expense can lead to a bigger one. Yahoo Finance looks at 12 times when being cheap can cost you.
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Feb 15, 2012
Groupon Getaways can help you get away for a deal
We recently talked about the importance of planning ahead for getting the best travel deals. Did you know that you can also get significant discounts on travel from one of your favorite coupon sites for restaurants and services? Groupon Getaways is the travel section of Laughing Wallet's favorite social-buying site, Groupon, and it advertises discounts as much as 50 percent at hotels around the world.
A couple of caveats, though, before you hit the "buy" button: hotel deals can come with a a lot more restrictions than restaurants. There can be blackout dates, high taxes and extra charges, such as cleaning fees, that are not included in the Groupon price. So be sure and check out the fine print and run the numbers. Also, some deals are better than others. Some deals offered on Groupon can be found elsewhere as well, sometimes even on hotels' own sites. But travel writers have reported finding some good discounts among the Groupon Getaways offers. So do your research, and only if all the details work with your plans and budget, grab a Groupon and get away!
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Feb 12, 2012
Valentine's Day doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg
Valentine's Day is almost here, and while some thrifty mavens don't believe in spending on a "Hallmark holiday," there are some romantic frugalistas out there who want the full Cupid treatment with a side of savings. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's Savvy Shopper, Rachel Hardy, tells you how to get all the traditional Valentine's Day sweets and treats without breaking your budget.
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Feb 6, 2012
File your taxes for free or at a discount
You can't avoid paying taxes, but you may be able to avoid paying to file your tax return. A number of companies help taxpayers file their federal returns online for free if they meet certain requirements. The IRS has a Free File page to help you find out if you meet the requirements and help you choose a participating Free File company.
If you don't qualify for a free program, there are several services that help taxpayers prepare and file their taxes for a discounted rate compared with some of the more well-known services. One that Laughing Wallet has used with success is CitizenTax . This easy-to-use site charges flat rates for tax return preparation and e-filing, from $19.99 to $29.99, depending on whether you're preparing a federal return, state return or both.
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Feb 3, 2012
Free onion rings at Burger King Feb. 4 and 5
Want to try Burger King's new onion rings for free? Well, this weekend is your chance! This Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4 and 5, everyone who visits a participating Burger King restaurant can get a free value size order of onion rings, while supplies last, no purchase necessary. Now, that sounds like having it the Laughing Wallet way - free!
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Jan 31, 2012
9 Things You Shouldn't Buy at Grocery Stores
Most grocery stores carry a variety of items that make them convenient one-stop shops. You have to stop for bread and eggs, so why not grab some light bulbs while you're there? But you may pay a premium on some things for that convenience. U.S. News and World Report lists nine items you're better off buying elsewhere.
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Jan 27, 2012
Cheapest Weekends to Travel in 2012
Last time, we shared with you some cheap travel destinations ideas for 2012. So, now you know where to go. This time we help you decide when to go! Yahoo Travel reveals which weekends will likely be the cheapest for airfare this year.
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Jan 23, 2012
Cheap-But-Fun Travel Destinations for 2012
With the holidays barely over, you might not be thinking about vacations for 2012 yet. But one of the things Laughing Wallet suggests on our Frugal Travel page is planning ahead. Planning early allows you to get deals and save up for your trip. So, check out some cheap-but-fun destination ideas from Money Talks, then start your travel planning!
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Jan 16, 2012
Several tax services offering free support
Tax season officially kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, the first day the IRS will accept tax forms. Forbes magazine reports that a number of professional tax services are offering free help for tax filers this year, including in-person assistance for simple tax returns from Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block at some Wal-Mart stores.
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