SmartyPig

By Jon Lal, founder of coupons and cash back website BeFrugal.com (http://www.befrugal.com), where for a limited time, shoppers who sign-up for free cash back get a $10 Sign-Up Bonus.

On TV we see the extreme couponers clip, save and carry loads of goodies home for next to nothing, but can real people score the same deals without turning it into a second job?

This is especially important at this time of year after the generous gift-giving season and holiday travel. For many of us, January means New Year resolutions like adding to our savings accounts.

Here is some advice to manage money better and shop smarter in 2012:

Get digital deals:

• Each time you shop, use the internet first to search for online promo codes and free shipping codes. Cash back and coupon savings sites like BeFrugal.com have a plethora of deals waiting for you. Search by store or category to quickly find a bargain!
• If you prefer to go to the store, get free printable coupons on many of these same savings sites. Just do a quick search for the stores you plan to go to and print them out before you leave the house. If there are stores you frequent, you can leave the printed coupons in your car or purse so you are always ready to save.
• Instead of driving from store to store, save time by looking online at weekly ads. They’re conveniently posted on many money-saving sites.

Free money? Yes, it does exist!

• It may seem too good to be true, but you can earn cash back (meaning you are earning a percentage of your transaction in a free account) when you shop online. It’s as easy as logging in, clicking a link to your favorite store and shopping online as usual. SmartyPig savers do this all the time with the SmartyPig Cash Rewards Card.
• Often a well-kept secret, here’s how to save even more: you can often use a promo code for a discount plus earn cash back on the same transaction.

Take advantage of tech tools:

• There are many handy money-saving calculators and other cool tools online. You can use them to plan trips, see how much you should spend on a car, and more. These tools are easy enough for anyone to use, and they’re totally free. Many are posted on money-saving and personal finance sites. A quick search can save you loads of cash and prevent you from spending foolishly.

Now that we are in 2012, it may not be such a surprise that each tip mentioned above incorporates the computer. Technology is everywhere, and it can help you spend less. Make it your goal to use the internet to save money on all your shopping in 2012!

“It’s time to roll out some 2012 resolutions that will make the balances in your 401(k), 529 plan and savings account go up — and make your mortgage payments, credit card debts and investment angst go down.” Adam Shell, I couldn’t have said it better myself. In Shell’s USA Today article, he notes the importance of not only slimming your waistline, but also boosting your bottom line this resolution season. And how to do it? He fills us in on the simple steps.

Don’t invest on news headlines or emotions, urges Shell. Ignore short-term market volatility and instead focus your time on saving for important things like your children’s 529 plans or your 401(k). Start early and contribute often to see the biggest impact on these very important accounts. Also keep plugging away at your emergency fund accounts with SmartyPig for unforeseeable emergencies, like a job loss. With the current econonomy, you can’t be too careful. Take Shell’s advice and stick your funds diligently where you know they’ll be most useful. Stick them with SmartyPig and rest a little easier each night.

Wishing you successful saving.

Sarah Foss, SmartyPig’s Media Mad Woman 
SFoss@SmartyPig.com