Since tax season has started, I want to make those of you who are not already aware of this, that if your yearly gross income was $56,000 or less you can e-file your taxes for free with the IRS using a Turbo Tax program. They figure everything for you, do all the math, etc. All you have to do is go to Irs.gov and click on the "It's Time to File" link. Near the bottom of the page that comes up (the entire page is dedicated to tax help and relief for distressed tax payers), it explains in detail about the e-file for free. You'll just need all your paperwork handy so that you can answer all the questions, and the program will do all the figuring for you. It's wonderful, and your refund will come within about 10 days or less, directly deposited into your bank account.
I've finally found somewhere to get all my hair services needs met! I'll be making my appointment later today for next week. It's 'Paul Mitchell The School -- Nashville'. Just Google it for all the information. It a Paul Mitchell school for cosmetology, and the students get part of their hands-on training by offering services to clients at incredibly low prices. They have two levels of students/stylists, based on experience. Phase I students offer hair styling at a mere $10, and $18 if you want coloring as well. For Phase II students, the price is $15/$22. They also offer facial and waxing services at very, very low prices. You just have to call the number under 'Guest Services' on their website to get their hours and to make an appointment. This is a wonderful program and in these hard economic times, it's a win/win situation for everyone! I'm thrilled at the idea of going there soon!
So, now we've covered an area of beauty; now let's move on to health. At the Coleman Community Center, 384 Thompson Lane, Nashville, you can use the gym and get a workout on the machines for only $2! They offer a variety of equipment and classes...even an indoor pool! A monthly membership is only $25. Now this is a deal that cannot be beat!
There's a very good website, if I haven't mentioned it already, called Nashvillest.com. You can find all sorts of local news and events, and deals, and wonderful, helpful, insightful information about local Nashville! I suggest checking it out, becoming a follower, whatever. I think you'll like it a lot.
I found this interesting fundraiser online for Nashville that needed some volunteers and sponsors, etc. At first I was interested, but the more I learned about it, the more I realized that only a portion was going to the cause it was supporting. That got me to wondering...just how much would go to the cause, and just how much was self-serving advertising for their own business? I decided not to volunteer with the fundraiser. Right now, the only organization I feel totally comfortable with is one called Charity Water. You can look them up at CharityWater.org. They build wells for people in developing nations that do not have safe drinking water. One hundred percent of the charity they raise goes to these projects. They have a wonderful website where you can see all the details. I heard the founder of this organization speak in person one night at my former church back in NJ. I fell in love with the organization totally, and the incredible work they are doing and how completely dedicated they are to these projects. I strongly suggest checking them out, and when you are even considering charitable donations, please think of their projects!
I think I've touched on a few penny-wise areas today and I'll save any more for next time!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Going Green and Saving Money
Why retail? I often ask myself this question. I don't see a really good reason to shop retail for very many items. OK, maybe a mattress...I'm a little picky about certain things. Maybe a really cute article of clothing that I know I won't find in a thrift shop. However, it makes the most sense to buy the majority of items we need second-hand. They're going to end up being 'used' as soon as I bring them into my house and use them! Furniture, appliances, electronics, automobiles, clothes...the list goes on and on. I don't think I'll ever purchase a new car again; I just don't see the point. Most of my furniture in my home was brought in here already used. Many of my kitchen items and appliances were purchased used. I have saved countless dollars getting things used. I saved hundreds of dollars alone on my purchase of some very expensive, high-end kitchen knives from a yard sale, for instance, at $1-$2 a piece...and they even threw in a sharpener for free. Those same knives would have been hundreds of dollars new. Of course, the best bargains are found at yard sales. Everyone goes home happy; the buyer has purchased something at an incredible savings, and the seller has not only purged but walked away with money that can go towards something they do need. However, it's not always the season for yard sales, and that's when you look elsewhere to purchase used. This entire process is also good for the earth, as well as for society, because now we're recycling to each other, helping each other out, and not being wasteful.
In my previous posting, I already mentioned thrift shops. Some of the other good thrift shops are Plato's Closet in Cool Springs (for clothes), the Salvation Army thrift shop in Nashville (for furniture and electronics), and of all the vintage shops my favorite one is Pre to Post Modern at 2110 8th Avenue South in Nashville. I've been to several of the area's vintage shops, and while this one is not the largest one, I find it to be the best. The prices are generally good, they often have some sales racks, and they have a lot of fun stuff. Several vintage reproductions on accessories and home items. If you do decide to check out the vintage shop, while you're already out that way you may as well check out the Goodwill thrift shop on Berry Road in Nashville. Just continue south on 8th Avenue until you come to Berry Road on your left. It's just about a block or so down on Berry, you can't miss it. It has a good selection of used clothes, it's clean and the staff is friendly and helpful. You may even find some designer labels and every now and then, a few vintage items. They sell furniture, as well. I always find it a lot of fun to see what bargains I found, what cool things I came across, and how little money I spent! These are also typically the things that people compliment the most, too..."Oh, WHERE did you get that jacket? I LOVE it!" I leave out the part that it only cost a couple of dollars. Sometimes I'm on a mission to replicate a look that I've seen in a high end, very expensive store that has vintage style fashion. I love the fact that an entire outfit can be put together for less than $50, accessories and all, and an almost identical outfit at the upscale stores would have cost about $500 or more!
Of course, we all know about Craigslist and eBay. These are great websites for purchasing items at great savings, or even finding some free items on Craigslist. However, not everyone seems to be aware of Freecycle.org, which is a website that is all about recycling to each other. Just go to Freecycle.org and type in your city and state, and you'll be directed to a group in your area. You have to sign up and join, but I've gotten some really great stuff from there, and also given away very useful things on there like beds, dressers, etc. Go check it out.
One last item for now on the subject of buying used and going green at the same time....tires. Recently, my son's tire blew out on the interstate. It wasn't able to be patched, so we went to a local garage to find out what a new tire would cost. For the tire and the labor, it was going to cost at least $160. Being the poor college student that he is, my son did not have the funds for that. We decided to check out a used tire shop nearby. We stopped in at A & S Tire at 7101A Charolotte Pike in Nashville, across from the Wal-Mart. For a total of $40, we were able to get a barely used brand name tire and have it mounted while we waited! We only waited about 5 minutes, too! I picked out the tire I wanted and turned around, and before I knew it the men were putting it on immediately. The service was incredibly fast, the mechanics were polite and helpful, and they were certainly honest and fair. I'd recommend them to everyone! I also felt good about recycling the tires, along with the huge savings that went along with doing so.
OK, until next time. Go Green!
In my previous posting, I already mentioned thrift shops. Some of the other good thrift shops are Plato's Closet in Cool Springs (for clothes), the Salvation Army thrift shop in Nashville (for furniture and electronics), and of all the vintage shops my favorite one is Pre to Post Modern at 2110 8th Avenue South in Nashville. I've been to several of the area's vintage shops, and while this one is not the largest one, I find it to be the best. The prices are generally good, they often have some sales racks, and they have a lot of fun stuff. Several vintage reproductions on accessories and home items. If you do decide to check out the vintage shop, while you're already out that way you may as well check out the Goodwill thrift shop on Berry Road in Nashville. Just continue south on 8th Avenue until you come to Berry Road on your left. It's just about a block or so down on Berry, you can't miss it. It has a good selection of used clothes, it's clean and the staff is friendly and helpful. You may even find some designer labels and every now and then, a few vintage items. They sell furniture, as well. I always find it a lot of fun to see what bargains I found, what cool things I came across, and how little money I spent! These are also typically the things that people compliment the most, too..."Oh, WHERE did you get that jacket? I LOVE it!" I leave out the part that it only cost a couple of dollars. Sometimes I'm on a mission to replicate a look that I've seen in a high end, very expensive store that has vintage style fashion. I love the fact that an entire outfit can be put together for less than $50, accessories and all, and an almost identical outfit at the upscale stores would have cost about $500 or more!
Of course, we all know about Craigslist and eBay. These are great websites for purchasing items at great savings, or even finding some free items on Craigslist. However, not everyone seems to be aware of Freecycle.org, which is a website that is all about recycling to each other. Just go to Freecycle.org and type in your city and state, and you'll be directed to a group in your area. You have to sign up and join, but I've gotten some really great stuff from there, and also given away very useful things on there like beds, dressers, etc. Go check it out.
One last item for now on the subject of buying used and going green at the same time....tires. Recently, my son's tire blew out on the interstate. It wasn't able to be patched, so we went to a local garage to find out what a new tire would cost. For the tire and the labor, it was going to cost at least $160. Being the poor college student that he is, my son did not have the funds for that. We decided to check out a used tire shop nearby. We stopped in at A & S Tire at 7101A Charolotte Pike in Nashville, across from the Wal-Mart. For a total of $40, we were able to get a barely used brand name tire and have it mounted while we waited! We only waited about 5 minutes, too! I picked out the tire I wanted and turned around, and before I knew it the men were putting it on immediately. The service was incredibly fast, the mechanics were polite and helpful, and they were certainly honest and fair. I'd recommend them to everyone! I also felt good about recycling the tires, along with the huge savings that went along with doing so.
OK, until next time. Go Green!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hidden Treasures
It goes without saying; in these incredibly tough economic times, we all could use as much help as we can get in finding the best places in the Nashville area to find great deals, great service, and get the most out of our hard-earned money. I am on a perpetual quest to do this, whatever my financial circumstances may be at the time. However, during this period of unemployment, my mission is greater than ever. Since my arrival to Nashville at the end of the summer, I have explored as many places as I could and done as many internet searches as possible to find out all sorts of things about this town. With each post, I'll share some of those with you.
One of my favorite little hidden treasures is located right on Charlotte Ave. in Nashville. It's called the Global Education Center. Inside you'll find all sorts of treasures from all around the world at incredible prices. From handmade clothing and jewelry, to handmade instruments, the prices absolutely cannot be beat. They're a non-profit organization which promotes multicultural arts within local schools. They also offer dance and music classes on the premises at very low prices. I cannot sing their praises enough! Here is their link: http://www.globaleducationcenter.net/
Just a couple of doors down from the Global Education Center, in that same row of store fronts, is a thrift shop that just opened right before Christmas. They are definitely one of the better thrift shops around. The store is neat and clean, the manager is extremely friendly and courteous, the merchandise is very nice and very well-priced. It is not over-crowded with items, and there is no junk. You may not necessarily find a lot of vintage here, but you'll certainly find some bargains. The name may have changed when the store changed hands, but it was formerly New Life Thrift, 4802 Charlotte Ave.
The best place to go for car repairs, hands down, is Oil Change Plus. Ollie (the owner) is located at 6320 Charlotte Pike, Nashville. I'm telling you, Charlotte Pike (turns into Ave.) is the place for one-stop shopping for the frugal shopper! Ollie is not only undoubtedly honest, but his prices are the fairest around. He's also quick in getting things done. Not that I'm biased at all, but Ollie is formerly a fellow New Jerseyan! More importantly, he is the best-priced mechanic around.
Since you're already going to Charlotte Pike for everything else, you may as well stop in at McKay's Used Books (and cd's, videos, dvd's, and video games) for some bargains. Look in the back of the store for the best prices, at the over-sized books. There you can find used books for $2 and $3. You can also trade in your used books, etc. for money or merchandise credit.
I know I'm being all business in this blog thus far, simply informative and not much 'fun', but... this is just the first of many postings and I've only touched the tip of the iceberg as far as bargain-hunting in Nashville. Rest assured, I'll post many more great places to shop, websites to join, special sales I come across....bargains galore! I'll also get a bit more fun as time goes on. Right now, it's all about gettin' it done!
If you're new to Nashville, I'll tell you all I know. We can also learn together as we go!
Happy frugaling!
One of my favorite little hidden treasures is located right on Charlotte Ave. in Nashville. It's called the Global Education Center. Inside you'll find all sorts of treasures from all around the world at incredible prices. From handmade clothing and jewelry, to handmade instruments, the prices absolutely cannot be beat. They're a non-profit organization which promotes multicultural arts within local schools. They also offer dance and music classes on the premises at very low prices. I cannot sing their praises enough! Here is their link: http://www.globaleducationcenter.net/
Just a couple of doors down from the Global Education Center, in that same row of store fronts, is a thrift shop that just opened right before Christmas. They are definitely one of the better thrift shops around. The store is neat and clean, the manager is extremely friendly and courteous, the merchandise is very nice and very well-priced. It is not over-crowded with items, and there is no junk. You may not necessarily find a lot of vintage here, but you'll certainly find some bargains. The name may have changed when the store changed hands, but it was formerly New Life Thrift, 4802 Charlotte Ave.
The best place to go for car repairs, hands down, is Oil Change Plus. Ollie (the owner) is located at 6320 Charlotte Pike, Nashville. I'm telling you, Charlotte Pike (turns into Ave.) is the place for one-stop shopping for the frugal shopper! Ollie is not only undoubtedly honest, but his prices are the fairest around. He's also quick in getting things done. Not that I'm biased at all, but Ollie is formerly a fellow New Jerseyan! More importantly, he is the best-priced mechanic around.
Since you're already going to Charlotte Pike for everything else, you may as well stop in at McKay's Used Books (and cd's, videos, dvd's, and video games) for some bargains. Look in the back of the store for the best prices, at the over-sized books. There you can find used books for $2 and $3. You can also trade in your used books, etc. for money or merchandise credit.
I know I'm being all business in this blog thus far, simply informative and not much 'fun', but... this is just the first of many postings and I've only touched the tip of the iceberg as far as bargain-hunting in Nashville. Rest assured, I'll post many more great places to shop, websites to join, special sales I come across....bargains galore! I'll also get a bit more fun as time goes on. Right now, it's all about gettin' it done!
If you're new to Nashville, I'll tell you all I know. We can also learn together as we go!
Happy frugaling!
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