Saving Grace Archives

Week of 3/7/2007

Travel Savings

With Spring Break fast approaching, I thought it wise to offer some advice on travel savings. While pouring over the Sunday Travel Section of the newspaper, I ran across an article on a most interesting way to move around the world -- CouchSurfing . The company's mission statement is: "CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding."

What a great idea. Offer your "couch" for travelers' use for as many days as you feel comfortable -- for FREE. You, in turn, travel using other member's couches for FREE. Think you can do Europe on $50 a day this way? I know I could. I signed up immediately and am dreaming about my Grand Tour. This is truly affordable travel if not downright cheap.

Week of 3/14/2007

Save On Home Repairs

Aren't the handyman type? Don't know one end of monkey wrench from another? Well, you're not alone. Many people are not inclined to do home repairs that are best left to the pros like plumbing and electricity among others. The problem has always been how to find a reputable repairman that won't rip you off. Asking friends or family is never a sure thing. The Yellow Pages is hit or miss at best.

Now there is a way to get referrals for virtually any kind of home repair or service you might need with relative certainty they will do an adequate job and not rip you off. Angie's List  is an online rating service that takes recommendations for service providers from users in your neighborhood and posts them online. You can find out who used Joe's Plumbing Service, the kind of work Joe performed and how satisfied the consumer was with his price and service. Of course there are no guarantees, but Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. does try to negotiate a settlement in the event there is a dispute. And if a contractor values his reputation, something is usually worked out.

The Saving Lady is a long-time user of Angie's List. and has yet to be snookered. Every service by every contractor used so far has performed well and at a price I was willing to pay.

Week of 4/4/2007

Online Savings

Are you an Amazon.com shopper? If so, you'll find that not only is Amazon.com an extremely convenient place to shop, but there are more ways to save money on the site than may readily be apparent. Go to MySavingPlace.com to discover how to get some really great deals at Amazon.com.

Week of 5/23/2007

Telephone Savings

Remember when directory assistance calls were free? Today we're paying $0.75 and as much as $3.49 for each directory assistance call we make, and that can add up big time. GREAT NEWS!! FREE directory assitance is back -- as long as you're willing to listen to one very short ad. For local and national listings, there's 1-800-FREE-411 (1-800-373-3411). Before you receive the number you ask for, there is a 15-second ad. It's painless compared to the savings. So put this number in your cell phone directory and keep it handy next to every land line you use. Pretty soon you won't know how you did without this.

Week of 6/6/2007

Dial A Human

How many times each week do you get on the phone trying to reach customer service for a bank, credit card company, phone company or any of hundreds of businesses that have automated voice answering systems? How long does it take you reach a human voice? Minutes, hours, or maybe never!!

Although these numbers and directions have't been confirmed, DialAHuman.com  has compiled a list of phone hundreds of well-known and much-used businesses and the directions on how to reach a human voice when you dial.  If time is money (and it is), this information could save you a lot. At the least it could save you tons of aggravation.

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