Working toward financial stability can be a grueling task. Luckily, the Internet provides us with myriad opportunities to make the daily grind of trying to live financially responsible a bit easier – and it also offers us ways to reward ourselves for our hard work (without breaking the bank).

Here’s a look at two sites to help you work and play for a bargain.

Organize Your Groceries with ZipList.com

At the free Web site ZipList.com you can take a few minutes to type in the items you need at the grocery store before you leave the house. But these zip lists aren’t your typical shopping lists. The differences:

• Organization: Once you type in an item you need, like “Oatmeal”, the site plops it into a category. By the end, you’ll have a list sorted by grocery section, minimizing your chances of having to double back for end-of-the-list items.
• Simplicity: If you’re shopping for specific recipes, you can add online recipes to your list and the site will automatically put all needed ingredients on your list and sort them.
• Transportability: The list is easily printable and has satisfying checkboxes beside each item. Or, if you have a smart phone, you can have your list sent to your email account or download a ZipList app.
• Memory: You can save lists, so if you’re doing the usual weekly shop and just need the basics, you can pull up your standard list. Or you can create lists with specific purposes (e.g. “Sleepover Party List”).
• Diversity: The site also has a function that lets you choose which nearby store you plan to hit for each purchase. It will then sort your list into mini-lists by store.

The downside is that this site does not currently offer cross-references with coupon sites, but if you’re not a coupon clipper to begin with, that’s probably no major loss. You may see real savings right away on your watch, as streamlining these regular tasks can help you cut down on wasted time. And since time is money, this can help you stay out of debt.

Now Reward Yourself

When you’re finished responsibly planning your menus for the week, check out this post from GenXFinance.com. It details various freebies nationwide companies offer for birthdays – they range from food to travel to discounts on activities, but the variety means that most people should be able to find a bonus or two to sign up for.

Looking for ways to trim your costs gets difficult after a certain point: once you’ve cut out the extras like fancy television channels and deluxe cell phone plans, you may think you’ve gone as far as you can go without freezing or starving.

But you may have an alternative to dropping considerable sums at the grocery checkout each week. Enter gleaning.

What is Gleaning?

If you’ve read the biblical book of Ruth, you may have heard of gleaning. In ancient times, it involved following harvesters in the field and picking up any produce that fell to the ground. By gleaning fields, many poor people were able to eat.

Today, though, gleaning works a little differently. According to one writer, gleaning in 2010 works more like this:

• You find a gleaning group: A little online research should help you figure out whether a gleaning group already exists in your area. If not, you may be able to print a notice in a local paper or online to see if anyone is interested in starting one.
• You pay a slight fee: Some groups may have a nominal fee (the writer mentioned above pays $30 per year) to help the group with costs associated with gleaning.
• You pitch in: Every day, one member of the group is responsible for visiting the grocers and bakers that agreed to participate in the gleaning. The group member picks up (for free) any food that can no longer be sold because of freshness requirements but is still perfectly edible.
• You divvy up: Once the food is collected, the members of the cooperative each take a share. In this way, everyone gets some food every day.

The Positives

The positives here are pretty obvious:

• You get free food.
• You prevent food from going to waste.
• You get to know members of your community.
• You get a chance to try things you may never have bought.

The Negatives

But gleaning isn’t right for everyone. Consider the drawbacks:

• You can’t choose what you get, so if you have people in your household with allergies or restrictive diets, it may not work.
• You may get lots of perishables, like fruits and vegetables. This isn’t a problem if you can, preserve or can share with neighbors, but could otherwise lead to waste.
• You need to commit some time. The writer noted above estimates that the endeavor consumes about three to five hours of time every week.

Done right, gleaning can be one opportunity for you to cut back on costs and make some spare room in your budget. Have you tried gleaning? What are your thoughts on the process? Leave a comment below and let me know!

1. Extend your printer’s ink. It’s no secret that ink is expensive (it costs more than human blood, according to this chart). Luckily, you can make it last longer: first download Ecofont to cut down on your ink usage by 25 percenmt. Then, when you “run out” of ink, take out the cartridge and loosen the drops in there with a hairdryer. This could add up to three months to your cartridge’s life.
2. Stretch your sponges. At a certain point, kitchen sponges get gross, but you can keep them chugging by wetting them and zapping them in the microwave for a minute or two to sterilize them. When they’ve really had it, shift them to bathroom or car-wash duty.
3. Take care of your vacuum cleaner. Save money by treating it like a vehicle (that is, maintaining it well). Check to make sure hair hasn’t clogged it (and remove any that has), replace the belt if necessary (check your manual) and clean the filter when you remove dirt buildup. Just soak it in soapy water, rinse it and let it air dry.
4. Cut your water usage. offers tips for how to seriously reduce your water usage (and thus lower your bills and your environmental impact). Check out the post for tips on showerheads, leaky faucets, thirsty lawns and more.
5. Keep your mattress young. Vacuum your mattress regularly to eliminate bacteria and mites, and flip it if you start to feel it sagging. If it’s getting really loose, consider putting some wooden planks on the frame to offer extra support.
6. Save on your shave. Be sure to dry your razor blades after using them, which prevents rusting and keeps your blades sharp longer.
7. Prolong your laptop battery’s life. Besides turning off and unplugging your computer at night (and other times you aren’t using it), you can save on electricity and keep your computer battery happy by running only programs you need, dimming the screen light, muting sounds when you’re not using them, and choosing sleep mode when you’ll be away for any significant period of time.

Similar Terms

Rather than searching several times using slightly different words (say, to find a coupon or a discount for a major purchase you want to make), try some of these search engine manipulation techniques:

• The ~ symbol: Like its use in mathematics, think of the ~ key as meaning approximately equals. Inserting this symbol before a word allows you to look for it and words with similar meanings. So typing camera ~ discount would give you results for discounts, coupons, promotions, deals, etc.
• The word OR: Typing OR between related terms you’re interested in is another way to search for specific (but slightly broadened) results. Looking for a good price on a camera would look like this: camera (discount OR coupon OR bargain).
• The * symbol: Known as the wildcard, this helps people who aren’t sure exactly what they want to buy. For example, if you wanted a digital camera but weren’t sure what brand or model. By typing something like * camera discount, you could explore discounts for a variety of models.

Find Exactly What You Want

If your search results are bringing up too many inaccurate results, you can search for specific terms, or exclude certain terms from the results.

• Put in in quotes: Use double quotes to search for a specific term of phrase, such as discount digital camera.
• Use the + sign: Likewise, putting a plus sign directly in front of a word will only include results with that word. So, if you’re only searching for discount Nikon cameras, you can search discount camera +Nikon.
• Exclude terms with the - sign: Understandably, the minus sign is the opposite of the plus sign, and it will return results that do not include the specified word. So, if you know you don’t want a Nikon, you can search discount camera -Nikon.

Find Relevant and Recent Results

Few things are more frustrating than spending time tracking down a great offer that has already expired. Luckily, Google provides tools that can help ensure the results you get are up to date. Here’s how to do it:

• Begin your search. Type in a search term. When you get to the results page, you should see a show options button toward the top of the page.
• Set time preferences. Click show options and scroll down until you see date and time parameters. Limit your search so that you know the results you’re getting are fresh.

Search a Specific Site

While many Internet users simply go to their favorite web sites to hunt for money-saving deals, sticking with Google may increase your odds of finding a stellar bargain. Because of the tools mentioned above (and others, found in advanced search options), you can do a much more detailed search using Google than you often can in a specific site.

To make this happen, simply type the command site:sitename.com.

Advanced Product Search

Now, using all of these functions in a single search may take a lot of patience. Luckily, Google has a shopping search that can help you find the products you want at the price you want. Their Advance Product Search lets you set a minimum and maximum price, and include and exclude specific terms.

Happy money (and time) savings!

Buying Gas

This is perhaps the most tangible expense for drivers, because we fill up constantly (or so it sometimes seems). To limit what you pay on gas:

• Keep track: Save receipts at the pump and figure out what kind of gas mileage you’re getting. If your MPGs decrease, it’s probably time for a tune-up.
• Keep it legal: Staying within the posted speed limit saves gas – according to the government, for every five mph you accelerate over 60, you’ll essentially pay an extra 24 cents per gallon of gas!
• Keep it steady: Quick acceleration and braking can eat gas, so maintain a steady pace (unless it’s an emergency!).
• Turn it off: If you’re idling for more than 10 seconds, it’s probably more efficient to turn off your car and restart it. That’s good to know if you’re waiting for someone or in bad traffic.
• Tune it up: Regularly checking your air filters, tire pressure and fluids can help you maintain optimal safety and optimal gas mileage. If you’re comfortable handling your car yourself, save money by performing minor maintenance on your own; if not, invest in a good mechanic.
• Clean it out: Extra weight in a vehicle can worsen gas mileage, so make sure you aren’t lugging around anything you don’t need to.

This post from FiveCentNickel.com also suggests keeping the inside and outside of your car clean. In addition to preventing rust, the blog wisely points out that regular cleaning will lower your chances of craving a new car for its pristine feel.

Paying for Insurance

Be sure to comparison shop for insurance—rates often vary widely at different companies. And keep track of your policy—many offer discounts for blemish-free driving records or for having a vehicle with certain safety equipment.

Another place you may find savings is in memberships you have: some groups offer discounted auto insurance, so be sure to check membership information you have for all your groups!

Getting a New Car

Financing a car is expensive. If you plan ahead and open a savings account exclusively for your next vehicle, you can save thousands on interest when it comes time to make the purchase. Experts suggest socking away the amount of a car payment each month so you’ll be ready to pay cash when you need new wheels.

More Bucks for Fancy Starbucks Drinks

A report from msnbc.com notes that Starbucks has raised the prices on its “fancy” drinks. Many stores have apparently made these specific changes:

• Extra espresso shots will be 70 cents (up form 55);
• Syrup shots will be 40 cents (up from 30); BUT
• Regular coffee drinks will be about 10 cents cheaper.

The verdict? Gourmet coffee is still a budget-buster if you’re indulging on a daily basis, no matter how simple your order. Treat it like a luxury if you’re watching the dollars.

Struggling Chains Facing a Tough 2010

This Forbes.com story highlights some big U.S. chains that have been struggling to stay afloat lately and may see significant closures in the coming months.

Stores reportedly in financial difficulty of varying levels include:

• Circuit City
• KB Toys
• Blockbuster
• Borders
• Zales Corp

Many of these companies face tough competition from online retailers like Amazon and NexFlix or have seen lower-cost, high-convenience alternatives (like RedBox movie renters) edge them out. As consumers, we’re likely already saving money thanks to online business models.

Eco-Friendlier Fish at Target

This Associated Press article notes that Target stores will begin phasing out their farmed salmon and carrying only the wild-caught version. The move, the company reports, is intended to lessen Target’s environmental impact.

The article doesn’t note what effect (if any) the decision might have on in-store prices, but the bold step seems like one in the right direction.

Booze at Burger King

Last but not least, here’s an Associated Press story that reports Burger King will begin serving beer at “select locations” in 2010, beginning with its Miami Beach restaurant. So how much would a burger, fries and a bottle of beer set you back? A reasonable $7.99, according to sources.

Some of these practices may seem a little off-putting when done by a food service establishment, but we common folk could stand to learn a thing or two. So read on for some ideas about saving money and food in your home (but hopefully not if you plan on starting a restaurant soon).

• Cut your portions. How often do you scrape a little bit of food off your plate after a meal? Me too. But I’ve found that dishing up a little at a time keeps me from tossing amounts that seem too small to save, but that I’m sure build up over time.
• Check your water. If you’re still guzzling bottled water, you could save serious moola by switching to filtered tap water. Bonus: you’ll cut down on your plastic waste.
• Recycle old food. This one was particularly troublesome to me in the context of restaurants. But in your own family, using leftover portions of things (yes, even from people’s plates) in soups, stews or stir-fry dishes is a great way to save.
• Redefine rotten. I’m pretty picky about produce, but I discovered that many fruits and veggies I consider inedible are actually just fine when cooked up somehow. Applesauce is easy to make and has rescued more than a few of my mealy apples from the trashcan.
• Cut the paper. I’ve written before about saving money by turning to cloth napkins and rags, and this is something restaurants have caught on to, although admittedly, many are apparently just using cheaper paper products.
• Try substitutions. While I don’t condone restaurants printing one product in their menu (like veal) and serving another (like pork), this may be a good strategy to save money in your home. For meals that involve spices and side dishes, trying a cheaper meat, fish, vegetable or grain could save you money and help you discover new flavors.
• Shop less. Since rising oil prices mean higher shipping costs, some restaurants are reportedly ordering ingredients less frequently, in larger quantities. This leads to less-fresh ingredients, but applied to your own shopping, could mean fewer impulse buys and trips to the store. So if you don’t already, try heading to the store as seldom as possible.

While this may not be the most pleasant imagination exercise, it’s an important one to go through if you don’t want hefty credit card bills to follow you home from vacation this year.

Plan for Everything

Luckily, taking the time to think ahead now can save you time, money and frustration when you’re trying to enjoy yourself later. Here are some tips to help you prepare for terrific time off.

• Do some digging. If you’re visiting a new location or looking to try new things at a familiar spot, hit your library and check out some travel guides of the area. Once you find one you like, consider buying a copy to mark up and keep handy on the road.
• Determine your priorities. Figure out what activities are important to you and your family members. If the “traditional” mini-golf game has everyone rolling eyes this year, scrapping it is a great way to save money.
• Make an estimate. Once you have an idea what you want to include in your vacation, you can guess what it’s likely to cost. This would be a good time to guess a little high.
• Trim the fat. Knowing what the most important parts of the vacation are will help you find activities you can eliminate without upsetting anyone. Sometimes, you can save serious money on gas by simply deciding to go places in a different order.
• Start saving. It’s not too late to begin a vacation budget. And, once you’ve spent time plotting out your trip, it will likely seem more real and much easier to save for.

If you have young children, you and your spouse may want to have a discussion about how much spending money to allow them for the trip. Once you’ve decided on a number, take the opportunity to explain to your kids how their allowance will work.

This is a great opportunity to teach some basic money lessons and will help you prevent over-spending on last-minute souvenirs.

American Express & Taxes

A post from CreditBloggers.com reports on some odd tax-season news: American Express has apparently decided to allow customers to use their rewards points to pay for taxes this year. Here’s the deal:

• If you’re a qualified cardholder interested in using your rewards points, you visit one of these web sites: OfficialPayments.com or Pay1040.com.
• You fill out the information required on the page, indicating the amount you wish to pay and to satisfy which taxes.
• You cash in your rewards points for money you owe Uncle Sam.

But before you rush off to cash in, note the catch: each tax dollar costs 200 points, a rate of exchange that is, according to sources, not that great. Other rewards items available from AmEx come to fewer points-per-dollar.

So, if you’re looking to get rid of rewards points, this may be an option for you. Otherwise, no big loss.

Savings from Verizon and AT&T?

If you’re looking for expenses to cut as part of a new budget, you may be in luck if you have a cell phone plan with either Verizon or AT&T. This post from Five Cent Nickel indicates that both companies have been cutting prices on their unlimited plans by up to 30 percent.

All you have to do to see if you qualify is visit your provider’s website, call their customer service number or go into a store. Whichever option you choose, make sure you have your account details handy to make any changes as easy as possible.

Maximize Your Warehouse Membership Benefits

If you shop at warehouse-style retailers that require membership payments, this post from Wise Bread is a must-read. It offers sixteen tips for making sure you get all the benefits the warehouse has to offer.

Highlights include:

• Crunch the numbers: Make sure you know what fees are. Determine how much money you’re likely to save in each visit and see how many visits it will take to make a membership worthwhile.
• Check per-unit prices: If you don’t already read per-unit prices in the grocery store and elsewhere, now’s the time to start. They’re listed below the retail price and will let you know whether or not you’re actually getting a bargain in an apples-to-apples comparison.
• Be realistic: Remember to take into account your family’s eating habits and storage capabilities. If something will go bad before you can eat it, it’s not a good value!

Coupons: To Print or Not to Print?

This post from Wise Bread lists web sites that offer printable coupons to help you save money. While the information is valuable, I’m not sure whether printing coupons is, in the long-term, a good way to save money.

After all, printer ink is pretty expensive, so if you’re hitting the print key too often, you may end up spending all the money you save on refilling your cartridges. The Debtress’s opinion: Print coupons only for items you’d buy anyway and that could save you serious money. Otherwise, don’t bother.

Where the Money Goes

This post on Get Rich Slowly explores some of the less obvious ways your income is depleted. It’s worth taking a look at, since it offers important reminders about how our money dissipates.

When planning your finances, it’s important to remember these sneaky income depleters:

• Foundation expenses: Any dues, licensing fees, travel expenses for conferences or similar costs can creep up on you but significantly cut into your income.
• Commuting expenses: The cost of gas is what comes to mind first here, but remember you also have to pay to maintain your vehicle, buy bus fares, keep your shoes in good repair or otherwise make sure you’re able to get to and from work.
• Food & drink costs: Don’t assume your grocery bill is the only place you’ll spend money on eatables. When planning your finances, remember to include snacks you might buy, trips to restaurants and mid-day coffee runs when you need a lift.
• Health & Beauty: Makeup, vitamins, perfume, hair accessories and similar expenses are easy to overlook because many people only spend money on them once in a while. But many of these items are fairly expensive, so be sure to keep them in mind when plotting your finances.

One of the most important parts of maintaining financial responsibility is examining your spending habits carefully. These two posts offer useful tips to help you make sure you’re not steering yourself astray at the beginning of a new year.