Max Levine is the founder of Cheapism, a “review site for all things budget”. Recently he filled us in on some tips to saving money this summer – from saving on gas to season passes to “staycations”.
HookedUP: What’s the story behind Cheapism?
Max Levitte: It all started when I was looking to buy an inexpensive vacuum cleaner, and realized that often the products recommended on review sites are above the budget of the frugal consumer. It could be that Dyson is the best, but many people can’t afford to spend over $400 on a vacuum. What we do at Cheapism is limit the budget for various product categories, then sift through online reviews and try to find the best products within that price range. Of course one of our first categories was cheap vacuum cleaners and I am a proud owner of an excellent $100 Kenmore vacuum we recommend.
As time went by, we started looking at other areas where people are looking to spend less besides products. On our local pages we recommend cheap restaurants, hotels, and activities in most metro areas around the country. We also have a blog where we discuss topics related to what we call the “frugalsphere,” or the budget shopping universe.
HU: Gas prices are a big concern for summertime. Is there anything people can do that will save money on gas?
ML: There are many solutions out there for finding gas for less including our cheapest gas map which uses GasBuddy’s heat map to display gas prices across the country. If you have a smartphone, the free GasBuddy app, tells you where to find cheap gas nearby. Keep in mind that the information comes from other users who report prices as they pass cheap gas stations, so it’s not 100% guaranteed. I’ve used it, and often the price has changed by the time you get there, but it’s generally helpful. AAA’s free TripTik app also provides gas station locations and prices, as do websites such as GasPriceWatch.com and Motor Trend magazine. Of course, if you own a car, get rid of that gas-guzzling SUV and opt for a hybrid car, or at least a model with better fuel economy. We’ve rounded up news and information on this topic under the keyword “cheap gas.”
HU: Obviously, Cheapism makes comparison shopping easier. Are there other sites you can recommend that are good tools for finding deals?
ML: Use price comparison engines such as Shopping.com, Shopzilla, PriceGrabber, and Google Product Search. Make sure to buy only from credible online retailers with high ratings on those engines. You don’t want to wind up with a refurbished product or lousy customer service.
Look for used items on eBay and Craigslist. Other review sites include ConsumerSearch and Consumer Reports, although that one requires a subscription. Daily deal sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial are very popular these days and can help you save money but make sure you buy what you really need. The daily deals can often tempt you to buy something you’ll never use. We recently did a series of posts reviewing and identifying the best coupon sites which include Money Saving Mom, Scoutmob, and Brad’s Deals.
Before you buy anything, always search for coupons for the product or the retailer. I bought an AC the other day from Home Depot. I made sure to take advantage of an online special and get free delivery. I also had a $10 coupon on top of that, which I found by doing searches for “air conditioner coupons” and “Home Depot coupons.” I am not an extreme couponer but if there is already a discount for something I make sure I use it.
HU: Most families won’t be taking vacations this summer. Can you recommend some alternatives?
ML: The term “staycation” came into vogue during the recent recession to describe the trend of people staying home and exploring their own locales and backyards — both figuratively and literally. Camping in the backyard or an hour away can be a lot of more fun.
Staying closer to home is always more economical than venturing out. Consumers can avoid spending hundreds on plane tickets and hotels by staying in their area and looking for day trips that don’t require flying or spending the night, which is the pricey part. Check out a local tourist attraction you wouldn’t normally think of unless you had guests in town. Plan a hike or a day at the beach. Things like that can actually be more rewarding. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit in front of the TV for an evening or read a book.
If you’d still like to take a vacation, consider swapping houses. Many websites now offer that so search “house swap” on Google. You can also swap with friends in other cities if you don’t want strangers in your own house. You can also couch surf, but be careful. You don’t want to wind up on an unfriendly couch. Try to stay within driving range rather than flying and renting a car.
HU: Season passes to things: Good idea or bad?
ML: Personally I’m not a big fan because they cash in on impulse buying. Often you don’t actually go more than once, so you wind up paying more to go just one time. On the other hand, a season pass to Six Flags is only $10 more. So if you live within, say, 20 miles and you’re not going away this summer, that’s something to consider. But make sure you’re going to use it more than once; otherwise it’s just a waste of money. A lot of what we buy is excess because we never use it.
HU: Is there anything that a family can invest in that is better for recreation over a long time than, say, a one day trip to an amusement park?
ML: My sister bought a trampoline for $300, which is about what it would cost a family to go to an amusement park. Her daughter and her friends have been bouncing on it non-stop for weeks. Spend that money on something for your yard or some good bikes — or some not-so-good bikes at Target. Anything that is right there in your garage or yard you will use more often. Plus you won’t have to shell out for food and drinks and treats all day. However, if the kids have their hearts set on an amusement park, we published this week a post on how to buy cheaper amusement park tickets, so make sure you read it.
