Unexpected Values

Every now and then, we discover items that do the job of a more expensive item at half the price or less. My first example of this is the Catalina swimsuit collection at Wal-Mart. Yes, I did say Wal-Mart. Catalina is proven swimsuit brand. Their suits don’t get wet and become transparent as some cheap brands do. It also keeps its shape. Currently, there are retro styles that allow you to be stylish while covering the parts you’d like not to share with the public. There are suits that feature secret slimmer panels too in a variety of sizes. I bought two pieces for a tankini for $25.  Since we are in the middle of summer, the suits might be even less.

The second cost saver is a product that does two jobs, make that three at once. Dove Go Fresh body wash with nutrium serves as body wash and lotion. A little bit does the trick, especially if you have soft water. Lather up your legs and use it has shaving cream. A typical 24-ounce bottle can run between five and seven dollars. Consider the fact you are using one product instead of three, which is a savings of almost four to six dollars. Dove is also very generous with coupons too. I can usually find at least a dollar coupon for this product.

My last product is probably the best buy. Ever create a free website? It’s all fun and games in the beginning until you need help. You fill out tickets for help that never comes. Sometimes the help ‘answer’ you get is no help due to it not making any sense. It may have undergone three translations before it even reached you. A few friends of mine bragged about how easy Weebly was to use, so I was game to try. I downloaded it and started designing away.

As fate would have it, I experienced a power failure or an unexpected shutdown while working on the website. Normally that would result in everything I had done up to that point disappearing. Weebly automatically saves everything.  In the last week, I came across a couple things I didn’t understand how to do. I contacted help and within twenty-four hours, I had easy to understand instructions that fixed my problem.

My last problem was I accidentally deleted my blog page. I totally wiped out the last eight blogs. I filled out an urgent request on this one since I was hosting a tour. Weebly rebuilt my site in less than four hours.  An amazing support staff is behind each Weebly website. They are so much better than the people we actually paid at my old job who never showed up even when expected.

Weebly has a variety of features. You can check out my Weebly site to see a few. www. writerwonderland.weebly.com

The Frugal Diva Does Car Repair Bargaining

I have been called one of the cheapest people in the world. I can squeeze a penny not only till it screams, but until it melts. My money-saving secrets allows my family to live well in uncertain financial times. It's been a necessity as opposed to just being cheap. I will not apologize for being cheap, but will share some of my frugal tricks with you.

I will start with one of my most amazing tools of all, bargaining. I know some of you think you can't do this, but you can. I thought the same thing too when faced with an overwhelming repair bill for my daughter's car. Keep in mind, if you want to bargain you have to do it with the owner or manager, not the minimum wage employees since they have no power.

I knew two things: my daughter needed her car fixed and I had limited money. The bill a well known chain presented me with was staggering. It totaled almost what I originally paid for the car. Remember mechanics must have your approval BEFORE working on your car. You must agree to the price before signing off on the receipt. Anyone who refuses to state a price or tells you they don't know until they get inside is not on the level. BEWARE.

When presented with the monster bill, I explained that I couldn't afford it. Never be afraid to admit something is too high. We often pay too much because we're embarrassed to admit a price is too much. My significant other goes around paying full price for everything unaware that people can adjust prices if you ask for it.

First after telling the manager the price is too high, ask if there is some way to work it out so you can do business with him. No stomping out of the building with a hair toss, but maintain your manners, your smile and even a sense of humor. Flattery doesn't hurt either. Nothing false, but along the lines of how his company is reputable and that's why you came.

Usually he'll ask what you can afford. Go slightly lower than what you think you can afford because this will not be his firm offer. Ask what the car absolutely has to have done. It is no good to replace tires if the alignment is out of whack. The tires will be ruined in six months. The mechanic may back off on some the piddly things when he sees you're not one of those people who pays without negotiating.

This may take up to ten minutes. He might ask if you can charge it. Bad deal, do not agree to this. Basically if you agree, he has no reason to lower the price. I finally lowered the price approximately $600 by eliminating minor items that did not need to be fixed on her aging car and insisting I could not go over a certain figure. The manager gave me some free labor and found, surprisingly, cheaper parts.

Once I established myself as Cheapee McCheap, he gave me the name of a tire dealership where I could get cheap tires for the car, but that's another column.