5 Web Sites That Will Save You Money

5 Web Sites That Will Save You Money

A penny saved is a penny earned, as the saying goes. Seeing as I’ve been accused of still having the first dollar I earned when I was a 10 year old delivering newspapers, it’s safe to say I believe in that mantra. The great thing is the internet makes is really easy to save money!

Here are some favorites that I encourage you to visit to put more money in your wallet:

Budgeting: (www.mint.com/)

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The first step in reducing expenses is to know where the money is going in the first place. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, Mint.com is almost a “must-have” financial site. Mint allows you to upload all of your account information so you can check it on a periodic basis. It also allows you to categorize checking and credit card expenditures so you know exactly where your money is going. Best of all – the site is free!

RI Treasurer: Unclaimed property (www.treasury.ri.gov/unclaimedproperty/search.php)

This is one of my favorite sites and one of the first places I go when I get a new client. It’s like a treasure hunt and the state of Rhode Island has hidden the money! You simply go to the Treasurer’s Web site and search for your name. If you see your name and a familiar address, the state is holding your money. It’s a simple as putting in a claim and receiving your check. I’ve seen people collect over $3,000 that they never knew existed.

Compare oil prices: (www.newenglandoil.com/ri.htm)

Oil prices are on the rise again this winter and people are feeling it. This site is a great way to reduce your heating bill by comparing rates for many local groups. If you’re locked in a contract with an oil company, you may be paying 20 to 30 cents more per gallon than necessary. By keeping an eye on your fuel level and scheduling deliveries accordingly, you may be able to chop almost 10% off your oil costs.

Buying a car: (www.carbuyingtips.com/)

Before hitting the dealership to pick up that new hybrid, you MUST educate yourself about the process. This not only includes the car itself but also available extras, a trade-in value for your car and financing options. The closer you can estimate how much the dealership paid to get your car of choice on the lot, the more money you’ll be able to save on the price.

Coupons: (www.coupons.com)

And, finally, an oldie-but-goodie: the coupon! For those of you used to clipping them out of the paper, this one should feel familiar. Did you realize that the internet provides an array of different savings options, including coupons and discount codes when you buy on the Web? I would argue that you shouldn’t make a large purchase without first checking the Web for internet promotion codes. And currently in development - you’ll be downloading coupons into your cell phone for use at local stores. 

Dan Forbes is a regular contributor on business financial issues. His office is in Providence, RI. He leads the firm Forbes Financial Planning and can be reached at [email protected]