The Economizer

• Set your goals: Write down short and long-term goals that are realistic, measurable, and attainable. For example, paying off a credit card, or saving X amount a month.
• Make a budget for yourself- This may be hard, but the first step is to write down all of your monthly expenses and keep track of it. By doing so, you're able to see exactly how you use your money. After evaluating your monthly expenses, the next step is to set a monthly budget while still being able to achieve your goals. 

Youlayaway 2011 Holiday Budgeting Guide

The holiday season has officially begun and Youlayaway is here to offer some holiday shopping tips. Follow our guide and become a smarter shopper this holiday season!

• How much can you spend? The number one rule of thumb is to set a spending budget so you know how much you can spend. You'll be surprised how setting a budget can help you stick to the shopping list and avoid unplanned unnecessary things when you're shopping. Spending money that you don't have is the biggest mistake you can make during the holiday season. 
• Add up every holiday expense! Remember to include non gift expenses such as decorations,  drinks and food for parties, gift wrap, greeting cards, travel, etc. Make sure to account for these items in your budget because every little thing adds up. 

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break with their family & friends. This year, after devouring a 6 course meal, my sister and I decided to embark on our first Black Friday journey with my sister. Call me crazy, but I've never ever experienced Black Friday so I figured that I might as well do it once in my lifetime. Sis and I decided to go to Herald Square, 34th Street (NYC) to try and score some big deals.

Image: nymag

Destination #1: Macy's

We arrived at Macy's around 9 pm and there was already a line around the corner. Bundled up in layers and armed with 2 cups of piping hot coffee, we were prepared to wait until midnight. Once midnight struck, the line was moving. At 12:15 pm we were in the door. We ran downstairs to the cellar, where household goods were sold and quickly scanned the deals. We grabbed a Black & Decker toaster oven for $19.99 and a Haier microwave for $20. Next, we headed to the first floor to look for some jewelry deals. Many costume jewelry were on sale for $10-$30. My sister and I each purchased some Charter Club pearl looking earrings for $10. The crowd was exponentially increasing by the minute so my sister and I decided it was time to move onto the next destination. 

Image: Right From The Heart

Thanksgiving is just 3 days away. For all the last minute folks (including me), here are some great tips to save some money on Thanksgiving if you're playing host this year to your family and friends.

Tip #1: Make sure you know how many people are coming to dinner so you don't waste money and make too much food. 

Tip #2: Before you go shopping, sit down and make a list of all the things you need. This will help you buy only the things you need when you're at the grocery store. 

Tip #3: Take advantage of "free turkey" offers from supermarkets or grocery stores. Some stores give free turkeys when you spend a certain amount of money or when you sign up for their store loyalty program.

Image: Black Friday Countdown

Get ready for Black Friday! Walmart released their Black Friday online ad yesterday and announced that there will be not one, but three Black Friday events. Starting on Thursday, November 24 at 10 p.m., shoppers can score great deals on toys, apparel, and on home goods. When midnight strikes, shoppers can pounce on electronic deals. The last Black Friday event, on Friday, November 25, at 8 a.m. will feature electronics and more.

Here's a breakdown of the schedule:

1st Black Friday event: Thursday, November 24 at 10 p.m.

2nd Black Friday event: Friday, November 25 at 12 a.m.

3rd Black Friday event: Friday, November 25 at 8 a.m.

Before you run to your nearest drugstore or supermarket to buy a bottle of household cleaner, have you ever thought of making your own? Between the struggling economy and the soaring price of every day items, why bother spending more money on store bought cleaners when you can make your own? Also, aside from the financial consideration, many of the store bought cleansers are full of toxic fumes. Besides, most modern cleaning products are made from natural ingredients that you already have in your home. Not only will you be saving money by making your own cleaners, but your home will also become a non-toxic, healthy environment. 

Image: Inhabitots

Most homemade cleaners require these basic ingredients:

• Baking Soda- Deodorizes and clean due to mild abrasive action property
• Rubbing Alcohol- Disinfects

November is here and that means the beginning of the holiday season. This also means a great time to maximize your savings by buying certain items that are on sale.

Image: Androidos

Candy

Instead of forking over $7 for a bag of Halloween candy, go to your nearest drugstore or supermarket to score big deals on candy. Stores often slash their prices on leftover candy, so this mean huge savings for you. Plus, you can always save the candy for next Halloween.

Tablets

Many tablets will go on sale due to two things: a) the holiday season is approaching and b) competitors are releasing cheaper alternatives to Apple's pricey iPad. A new tablet that is quickly gaining popularity is Amazon's Kindle Fire for $199. In this economy, many people are finding cheaper tablets that are capable of performing as well as the iPad.

There is nothing worse than having someone steal your personal information and using it to hurt your personal finances. Here are some easy steps you can take to prevent your identity from being stolen:

Image: Reputation

• Don't carry your social security card around. This is a simple step to prevent identity theft. Almost 99% of the time, you don't need your SS card for everyday life, unless you are applying for a job that day, etc. There is no need to carry your card around, so leave your social security card at home.

• Do  not give out your social security number. This is the key that defines your personal identity. Often, some doctor offices will ask for a SS# when filling out a general form. You do not have to fill this portion because there is no reason why a doctor's office would need your SS number. Don't give out your social security number unless it is absolutely required.

There are deals year round, but October is the best time to buy the following things:

Image: Bankrate

Denim

You can wait until Black Friday to get denim, but most retailers are slashing prices on jeans in October. Many retailers who are trying to get rid of their last year inventory, began discounting denim since September, but prices are even cheaper in October.

Lingerie

Many deep discounts have been offered by retailers on lingerie in October. As retailers are focusing on holiday-related items, the cost last season's lingerie drops significantly.

Outdoor Living & Gardening Items

With summer behind us, many retailers are marking down their outdoor living and gardening items. During the month of October, stores such as Sears are offering the lowest prices on patio sets. So if you're looking to replace your old patio set, don't wait until next summer, buy one now.

Many people, including me have bought some type of grocery from a drug store before. For many, it's the convenience of one stop shopping, picking up milk and aspirin in one shot. In a report released by Consumer World, a pricing comparison study was conducted in the Boston suburb of Somerville on 25 household and grocery items from six stores: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid,  Market Basket, Shaw's, and Stop & Shop. The results? On average, drugstore prices were 36% higher than the average supermarket prices. A gallon of whole milk (the least expensive brand) was $3.69 at Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS. Meanwhile, a gallon of milk from Stop & Shop was $2.69 and even cheaper at Market Basket, for $2.69.

Image: Consumer World

The report found that the most expensive drugstore was Rite Aid, with a total of $107.96 for the 25 items. Walgreens came in second place, with a total of $102.75. CVS was the least expensive drugstore, with a total of $98.12. Among the supermarkets, Shaw's was the most expensive, at $83.56 followed by Stop & Shop, at $74.69. Market Basket had the lowest total cost of the 25 items, at $68.55.