U.S. Postal Service: Increasing their Rates on January 26, 2014

January 13, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: USPS

We are almost in the middle of January, and I still haven’t written the first thank you note from Christmas. As our home renovation has set me back a bit from our normal routine, I am taking it one step at a time.

Though I am not yet ready to mail any letters, I will stop by the post office or our shipping store to stock up on stamps. You see, the U.S. Postal Service is increasing their rates on January 26, 2014.

The price of a first-class postage stamp is rising from $.46 to $.49. As I am almost out of stamps, I would like to stock up on a coil of stamps (100 ct.) while I can save $.03 per stamp.

The increase is across the board. If I can get my act together, I would like to ship out my sister-in-law’s birthday gift a month early. This way, she will have her present, and I can pay the shipping before the prices go up.

NOTE: If you stop by a shipping store, ask if they charge post office prices. A few of our local shipping stores include an up-charge to the postal products. I always ask before purchasing as some charges are $5-10 more than the post office price.

If you know you will need stamps or have packages to mail, then join me and get stamps or mail your packages before Sunday, January 26, 2014. Keep stretching your dollars while using time wisely!

Question: How do you prefer purchasing stamps?

ArtsCow.com: FREE Credits for Calendars and Prints

January 4, 2014 by Tracy

ArtsCow.com: Personalized Calendars under $10

Photograph Credit: ArtsCow.com

My favorite photo service is ArtsCow.com. In using the FREE credits and discounts, I only pay for shipping when needing calendars, prints, and gifts. With over 100 FREE print credits per month through 2021, I only need to remember to order the pictures.

Currently ArtsCow.com has coupon codes for 19 FREE calendars and 1200 FREE prints. You do not need to order all these items. In fact, I tend to order the 11” x 8.5” wall calendars and ignore the other calendar options. If I need more than 5 calendars, then I save the project and wait for more credits and discounts because they will come.

If you are not currently an ArtsCow.com customer and would like to see what credits and discounts you can earn, then try it out. If you could use FREE credits for calendars and prints, then check out the following options at ArtsCow.com.

Registration

If you are interested in saving on your photo prints and using the services of ArtsCow.com, then register for free.

1. Go to ArtsCow.com.

NOTE: This is my referral link. By registering through this link, Using Time Wisely gets compensated without any cost to you. Your support of Using Time Wisely is greatly appreciated. For more information on my affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure policy.

2. At the top of the page, click on MY ACCOUNT.
3. Choose the green CONTINUE button under NEW MEMBER?
4. Complete the required fields, word verification, and click JOIN NOW.

Add Coupon Codes

Once you have joined, you can add the current coupon codes for up to 19 FREE calendars and 1200 FREE prints. These coupon codes expire on Monday, January 6 (Hong Kong time). Since ArtsCow.com is 13 hours ahead of EST, I complete these offers, at the latest, a day earlier than the expiration date.

You do not need to order your calendars and prints by Sunday, but you must validate the coupons by the deadline. The FREE calendars and prints will show in your list of credits with the expiration date. To add the coupon codes, you will need to access the CREDIT AND DISCOUNT page.

1. Go back to the HOME page (just click on ARTSCOW in the top left corner).
2. Go to MY ACCOUNT at the top of the page.
3. Login with your e-mail account and password.
4. On the left sidebar under Members Area, click on the 4^th option down, CREDIT AND DISCOUNT.
5. Add the coupon code WELCOMENEWYR and click VALIDATE. You will see the following in your list of credits:

5 Wall Calendars 11” x 8.5” (12-Months)
5 Wall Calendars 8.5” x 6”
3 Desktop Calendars 8.5” x 6”
3 Desktop Calendars 11” x 5”
3 Desktop Calendars 6” x 8.5”

6. Add the coupon code NEWYEARPRINT and click VALIDATE. You will see the following in your list of credits:

50 Prints 5″ x 7″
100 Prints 4″ x 6″
100 Prints 4″ x 6″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
100 Prints 4″ x 6″
100 Prints 4″ x 6″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
100 Prints 4″ x 6″
100 Prints 4″ x 6″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″
50 Prints 5″ x 7″

Using ArtsCow.com to order our photo prints, calendars, and gifts with our credits and discounts has helped to stretch our hard earned dollars. For more details on ArtsCow.com, check this introductory post and this post on how to place an order.

Once you have joined ArtsCow.com, you will get periodic credits and codes. When you get the codes, add them to your CREDIT AND DISCOUNT page and validate. You will then have the credits to order your prints and gifts.

The ArtsCow.com company produces great photos and calendars. Just know that shipping takes time, so order at least a month in advance of needing the ordered items. Happy savings!

Question: How do you stretch your dollars when purchasing photo prints and gifts?

Redbox: FREE Movie Rentals

November 30, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Redbox

While in the recovery lull after the visiting and playing at Thanksgiving and transitioning from one holiday to the next, our family is ready for a movie night. Though we have Netflix for streaming and movie rentals, we sometimes desire a new-movie rental without the wait.

With conveniently located kiosks, we turn to Redbox. We wait for a FREE promotional code and then choose a time that works for us. Right now, there are at least 3 promotional codes for a FREE one-night movie rental at the kiosk only (not on Redbox.com):

43ZJW74M – valid through Sunday, 12/1

9MXW4LPC – valid through Thursday, 12/5

NW2PCLP3 – not sure of expiration date

If you want to rent 3 movies at the same time, you can use the same credit card (which will not be charged unless you do not return the movie by 9:00 p.m. the next night). However, you will need to process 3 transactions using one code per transaction.

To Rent from a Redbox Kiosk

On the main screen, touch RENT A MOVIE or RENT A GAME.
Browse through titles and touch any movie to learn more about it.
Ready to rent it? Press ADD TO CART.
Follow the same process to add more movies to the cart.
Press CHECK OUT.
To pay, follow the instructions to swipe a credit or debit card and press CONTINUE.
Consumers will be asked for an email address so that Redbox can send a rental receipt. After typing in an email address using the touch screen keyboard, press CONTINUE.
Grab the rentals and go!

How to Return a Redbox Rental

On the main touch screen, press RETURN.
Follow the on-screen instructions and place the disc case in the slot.
Once the Redbox kiosk verifies the disc was inserted properly, the return process is complete.

For more FREE Redbox rental codes, signup on their e-mail list and refer friends. Enjoy your FREE movie rentals and keep stretching your dollars by returning your movies by the 9:00 p.m. deadline. Happy relaxing!

Question: How do you prefer to get your movie fix?

Reminder: Tax Deadline Approaching – April 15, 2013

March 30, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

For those of us in the United States, our tax deadline is just around the corner. If you feel unqualified to prepare your own taxes, then you are not alone. I used to read the instruction booklet and fill out our taxes manually.

Around 2009, I remember getting a letter from the IRS stating that I had not taken a deduction for which we qualified. Yes, they adjusted our taxes and gave us a refund.

I went back to the instruction booklet and discovered that no information existed for that deduction. Realizing I was over my head, I have since chosen to use TaxACT.

Tax Service Benefits

Having used the TaxACT service for multiple years, I can transfer our information from year to year making the process efficient. When filing for 2012, I did get a little confused with some of the wording. Thankfully, TaxACT has a help button for almost every question.

Tax Service Options

If you are seeking options for filing your taxes, then one of the following services may help you meet that Monday, April 15, 2013 deadline:

1. TaxACT

2. H & R Block

3. TurboTax

In using time wisely last weekend, I finished organizing, filing, and updating our records before filing our 2012 taxes. Beginning the tax process with all the documentation in hand prevented wasting time searching for a document.

You still have some time, but the tax deadline is approaching quickly. Do your research and file, and enjoy marking that task off your to-do list. Happy calculating!

Question: Do you file your own taxes or hire a professional?

Medical Expenses: Payment Plans

March 23, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With the rising cost of living, higher taxes, and cuts in the job market, most families are looking for ways to stretch their dollars.

With every little bit helping, spreading out payments gives you time to recover from those expenses.

Back in 2010 when Paul discovered that he had 100% blockage in his nasal cavity, we chose the immediate solution of out-patient surgery.

Having delivered our third child that year, I along with my daughter had maxed out our family deductible, so the surgery cost us 20% with our insurance paying 80%.

Payment Options

Even with the insurance paying the majority, we were still left with a $3,000 bill that was not originally in our medical budget. In working with the doctor’s office, we were not offered any additional discounts for paying in full. So, I asked if there were other options for payment.

The billing specialist immediately offered the following two solutions:

1. Full payment, or

2. Partial payment – with half due after surgery and the remainder due the next month

After she finished explaining these options, I waited. About 20 seconds later, she offered a payment plan whereby we pay $100 per month until the balance was satisfied.

When asked about any additional fees or interest cost, I was informed that as long as we made the full $100 payment within the month, then we would not incur any fees. Satisfied with this option, we agreed to $100 per month until the balance was paid in full.

Payment Plan Option

I found the payment plan best for our family for these reasons:

1. Allowed us to spread out the payment without draining our medical spending account in the middle of the year;

2. Gave us time to save for the final payments; and

3. Payment was taken over the phone with a receipt mailed for verification.

In 2011, we made our final payment which was close to a year past the original due date.

Paying the Bill

To pay this medical bill in full, we had to get creative. We did not have the money sitting around, so we used the following resources:

1. Used our medical spending account to make as many $100 payments as possible for 2010.

2. During the months we used the medical spending account, we shaved $20 to $30 dollars from our monthly food budget.

3. Kept family nights at home with fun activities and date nights with a Netflix movie and popcorn.

4. Planned errands to limit making multiple trips saving on fuel costs.

5. Deposited any extra money into our savings account for these payments.

With a little creativity and much patience, we were able to make the full payment without dipping into our emergency fund. I treasure that emergency fund in that I do not like to touch it. For me, it is a safety net. If we still have resources and options available, then we don’t touch that account.

If you are looking at a medical procedure with large dollar signs, try to relax. Contact the billing supervisor and ask for a discount. If none is available, ask for your payment options. If no payment plan is offered, request one.

If it works for you, then use your resources to make payments without incurring any additional charges. In using time wisely, making that phone call will help you access your options for stretching your dollars. Happy savings!

Question: How do you save on medical expenses?

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