Search Results for: budget

Saving Money in Gaming

December 9, 2019 By Susan Paige Leave a Comment

Digital gaming is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Whether through old video games, newer entries, or even the world of online gambling, the many forms which gaming takes never leaves us wanting for choice. The problem with this, especially when it comes to traditional video games, is that cost can often be an inhibiting factor.

A mobile phone or console can cost hundreds as a platform, whereas a gaming PC can easily cost over a thousand dollars. Games that cost upwards of $60 on top of this can be the straw breaking the camel’s back, so how might we save on this front, so our money goes further?

Searching Out Bonuses and Savings

One of the most important components of saving money when buying games comes from the fact that not all shops are made equal. It is only very rarely the case where physical stores will ever match up to the sales which you can find online. While second-hand games on consoles can buck this trend, the best bet is almost found online.

For traditional video game purchases, you might first check out a key selling service such as G2A. These services operate by buying digital keys of games when they’re on sale, or when they’re cheaper in another country. They can then sell these back to the consumer, legally, far cheaper than can usually be found with traditional storefronts.

For an example of this, we could look at the immensely popular GTA 5. The regular price for this game on storefront Steam sits at around $35. Using G2A, users could pay as low as $13. The savings here make this choice a no-brainer. Here is a handy screenshot from G2A so you can see what their interface looks like.

When it comes to online casinos to play, this concept is often much simpler. There are many comparison websites out there that search out promotions like a PartyCasino bonus code for a player. This means less time, money, and effort wasted searching the wide realm of online services, with benefits like deposit matches allowing more play for less investment.

Premium Gaming Services

Another growing path in the world of gaming comes from the rise of premium gaming services. Available over mobile, desktop, and consoles, these effectively act as subscription services, usually at a cost of around $1 to $20 a month. During the subscription period, players can gain access to dozens or even hundreds of games.

Many of these services even include access to new releases. For an example of this, we could use The Outer Worlds, which was released on the Xbox Game Pass as well as regular stores. To purchase the game would cost around $60 but, due to a special from Microsoft, users of the Game Pass could get a month’s access to this game and many others for just $1.

“The Outer Worlds” (CC BY 2.0) by SnakeDrone

The last part of this equation comes down to simple budgeting on a month to month basis. This is especially important when it comes to subscription services if you’re only after one or two specific games. Feel free to change your choice depending on new games you want to play, and what sort of time you have available, and you’re guaranteed to get all the more from your experience.

Whether for yourself or your family, check out these tips, and you’ll be surprised at just how much you can save.

5 Ways to Save on Utilities and Amazon

December 5, 2019 By MelissaB Leave a Comment

If money is tight and your income is lower than you’d like it to be, there are many ways you can save money. Several utility providers and even Amazon offer discounts to those with documented lower incomes. These discounts can provide necessary help to those who most need it. Here are five ways to save on utilities and Amazon.

Ways to Save on Utility

Depending on the season, utilities can cost several hundred dollars a month. If you’re at or near the poverty level, paying these bills is difficult. The following discounts can help customers meet their basic needs.

Gas and Electricity

5 Ways to Save on Utilities and Amazon — Photo by Clint Patterson on Unsplash

The Connecticut Legislature lists 11 states that are required to offer discounted gas and electricity to those with lower income. The states are Arizona, California, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Most states require an income level 150% or below the poverty level. However, some issue a maximum income based on a family of four. The discounts range from 25% to 35% off to a percentage off your utility bill. The amount depends on your income as based on the federal poverty level.

Phone Service

A number of phone and internet providers are part of the Lifeline Program. As part of this program, low income customers can receive reduced rates on phone and internet services. Only a few states are participating. These include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and D.C.

You are only allowed to receive Lifeline services from one provider, not multiple providers. Discounts and requirements vary by state.

Spectrum Internet Assist

Spectrum offers phone, internet and television services. Customers who receive the National School Lunch Program, or The Community Eligibility Provision, or Supplemental Social Security are eligible for Spectrum Internet Assist.

Comcast Internet

Comcast offers internet for $9.95 per month (plus tax) as well as free installation to its low-income customers. Families can qualify if their child is eligible for the National School Lunch Program. Customers are also eligible if they receive HUD housing support. In addition, Comcast has rolled out a program for senior citizens, available in select locations. To qualify, the customer must by 62 or older and receive federal or state public assistance. Lastly, community college students are also eligible if they’re enrolled and are receiving a Pell Grant.

Ways to Save on Amazon Prime

An Amazon Prime membership is $10.99 a month. However, for low-income customers, Amazon Prime offers membership for $5.99 a month. To qualify, customers must have either an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card or Medicaid card. These customers can renew their memberships yearly up to four times.

Living on a tight budget can be difficult. Yet, with these five ways to save on utilities and Amazon, you can stretch your money further. Utility discounts help low-income customers have their most basic needs provided. In addition, internet and phone service discounts help people to work from home and students do their work. Amazon Prime provides families with low-cost entertainment and cheaper goods that are delivered right to their own doors. This is especially important if low-income customers live in food deserts.

What other discounts do you know of for low-income customers?

5 Benefits and Drawbacks of Keeping a Change Jar

November 28, 2019 By MelissaB 3 Comments

Do you keep a change jar? My mom keeps all of her change and has been saving it for the last two years for a vacation. She is not alone as many people hoard their change as a way to save money, especially if they feel they’d otherwise be unable to. However, just as many (or more) argue that keeping change is a waste of time and space. Both sides have valid points; I find there are 5 benefits and drawbacks of keeping a change jar.

Benefits to Keeping a Change Jar

There are benefits to keeping a change jar, which is why so many people do so, even in this age of prevalent credit card usage.

Save for Something Special

5 Benefits and Drawbacks of Keeping a Change Jar — Photo by Deanna Ritchie on Unsplash

Have you ever seen the big five-gallon jugs that people use to collect their change? One man saved for 10 years, and when he cashed it in, he had over $3,000, which he used for a trip to Europe. Would he have saved that money without keeping his change? He says no. If you don’t have the discipline to save, keeping your change is a good, mindless way to save.

Cash Emergency Fund

Another woman saves her change for a rainy day. She and her husband had an expensive car repair that they hadn’t planned for, and they robbed all of their budget categories to pay in cash for the expense. That left her with no grocery money for her family of four for the month, so she raided her change jar. She had $224 in there, which she used to feed her family. It was still a tight month, but she didn’t go into debt, and her family didn’t go hungry.

Drawbacks to Keeping a Change Jar

Unfortunately, there are risks and expenses with saving this way.

Could Earn Interest

One of the major drawbacks to keeping all of your change in a jar for years is that you miss out on the interest you could be receiving. Take the man who had $3,000 in change. He could have invested his money as he saved and been earning interest. He would have made more money than he did just leaving it in his closet.

May Lose It All

An even bigger drawback is that you have the potential to lose all of the change. A friend of mine had about $120 in change she’d been saving, and, unfortunately, her house was robbed. All of that money was gone. Even if your house isn’t broken into, you could lose the money if you have a fire. Even teens have been known to dig into their parents’ change jar for a little extra money.

You May Pay a Fee

A select few banks still offer coin counting machines for free, but many won’t take coin rolls. If you have to rely on CoinStar, you’ll pay an 11.9% fee, so if you turn in $300 in change, you’ll pay $36 in processing fees. If you need to pay a fee this high, is it still worthwhile to save your change?

Saving change has been a fun way to save money, but as these 5 benefits and drawbacks of keeping a change jar demonstrate, it’s becoming increasingly costly. If you can have enough self-discipline to save the money on your own in a bank or invest it, that is the better way to save.

Do you save your change? What benefits and drawbacks do you see?