One way to cut down on all your medical costs is to go exclusively to Dr. Mario, an impersonator of whom is pictured.
saving money
![Are Dollar Stores Really That Cheap?](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/071409-006-dollarmania.png?w=158&h=158&crop=1)
Are Dollar Stores Really That Cheap?
Kim McGrigg at Blogging for Change took a look at the dollar stores in her neighborhood and found that it can take some work to make sure you’re actually saving money. In fact, on a couple of items she actually paid a fraction more than what she would have at a superstore like Walmart. This matches what Consumer Reports’ shopping mag, ShopSmart, discovered in their recent “Dollar Mania” report (free PDF download).
![10 Things You Should Know About Gas Stations](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/070709-004-gas-pump.png?w=158&h=158&crop=1)
10 Things You Should Know About Gas Stations
MSN Money has a list of 10 secrets about gas stations that could cost you money if you don’t know about them. The best ones are about why you shouldn’t use a debit card. For example, some stations will ask banks to place a hold on some of the cash in your account to cover your purchase, and won’t report the real purchase amount for a few days, leaving your cash in limbo.
![How Being Lazy Costs You Money](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/062309-004-lazy-lazy-dog.png?w=158&h=158&crop=1)
How Being Lazy Costs You Money
Forbes is tired of you sitting around all the time staring at the TV. They’ve put together a list of all the ways you’re losing money by not trying just a little bit harder. For example, by not taking the time to choose the best rate on your savings account (which usually means looking at online banks instead of the local one where you do your checking), you’re missing out on extra interest. Another area: not paying close attention to deadlines on 0% finance offers, where one slip can cost you dearly.
![How To Save At An Amusement Park](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/ferriswheel.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
How To Save At An Amusement Park
For those of us thinking about hitting an amusement park this year, Smart Money has some suggestions for how to save some money including:
![Older Drugs Can Be Just As Good And Cheaper](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/rexall.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
Older Drugs Can Be Just As Good And Cheaper
Newfangled doesn’t necessarily mean that much better, especially when it comes to taking medicine. Getting prescribed the latest and greatest pill could mean you’re paying more when there’s a perfectly good drug out there that can do the same job, minus the jacked-up new drug patent cost. Vanguard says:
![Make A Budget That Leaves You With No Money](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/laptoping.jpg?w=158&h=119&crop=1)
Make A Budget That Leaves You With No Money
Budgets are supposed to leave you money left over, right? Well, the zero-based budget takes the opposite view, and thinks you should allocate every single dollar from every paycheck so that you’re left with nothing. Well, nothing that you don’t know what you’re going to do with. The allocation can, and probably should, include savings, for example. Getting Finances Done shows you how to get started with this budgeting technique that can save you time, headache, and yes, money. To jumpstart things, here’s a spreadsheet template you can use.
![Walgreens Cancels EasySaver Program, But That Doesn't Mean You Can't Still Play "The Drugstore Game"](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/060309-005-walgreens.png?w=158&h=158&crop=1)
Walgreens Cancels EasySaver Program, But That Doesn't Mean You Can't Still Play "The Drugstore Game"
Mitchell wrote to us complaining about Walgreen’s decision to cancel its EasySaver Rebate program, where customers could submit multiple rebate requests at once and get the money back along with a 10% bonus applied to a gift card. Although the program is no longer with us, it’s still very possible to game the reward/discount systems at Walgreens and other chain drugstores to accumulate huge savings. Sometimes you can even make money back.
![Amazon Releases June '09 Coupon Codes](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/amazoncat.jpg?w=165&h=144&crop=1)
Amazon Releases June '09 Coupon Codes
Amazon.com has released the latest batch of special coupon codes and Probargainhunter has the roundup. This month, they seem to all be for groceries.
![What's Your Favorite Recipe Site?](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/cookbookpennypinchers.jpg?w=158&h=211&crop=1)
What's Your Favorite Recipe Site?
As numerous commenters on our “50 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free Or Cheap” pointed out, it’s easier to get good food at a good price with a nice home-cooked meal with fresh ingredients. Then we have the perpetual dilemma, what to make, and how to make it?
![Inspiration To Save Money](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/coinfinger.jpg?w=158&h=106&crop=1)
Inspiration To Save Money
“Save a part of your income and begin now, for the man with a surplus controls circumstances and the man without a surplus is controlled by circumstances.” – Henry H Buckley
![50 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free Or Cheap](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dairyqueenad.jpg?w=300&h=225&crop=1)
50 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free Or Cheap
With times calling for tighter wallets and tighter belts, FrugalLivingTv’s list of 50 restaurants where kids eat free or cheap is like manna from heaven.
![Study Shows Mortuaries Vary Widely In Pricing](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/052609-004-funeral-home.png?w=158&h=158&crop=1)
Study Shows Mortuaries Vary Widely In Pricing
A non-profit group recently surveyed the prices at 49 different mortuaries and crematoriums in San Diego, and found that “prices vary widely, with some mortuaries charging nearly twice as much as others for similar combinations of services.” Although the study focuses on one city, it’s a good reminder that you should check around and not assume that pricing is consistent throughout the industry.
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Did you know that in California, if you ask the Subway sandwich mechanic (or whatever they’re called) to toast your sandwich, you’ll be charged a sales tax, whereas if you go untoasted you won’t? Crazy! Thomas Hawk says you should always order your coffee to go at California restaurants, even if you plan on drinking it there, to avoid a similar crazy tax. [Thomas Hawk] (Thanks to Glenn!)
![Freeze Your Food To Save Money, Time, And, Of Course, Food!](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/frozepeas.jpg?w=158&h=141&crop=1)
Freeze Your Food To Save Money, Time, And, Of Course, Food!
You’re not getting the most out of your freezer, reports NYT. Have you tried freezing more food? It’s a two-pronged process – 1) Take raw ingredients you have too much of: freeze them. 2) Take stuff you’ve cooked: and freeze it. Remember that a full freezer is more efficient, fight freezer burn by double and triple-wrapping food, and don’t forget to label. Check the article for advice on strategies and tips for freezing various kinds of food.
![Create A Phone Stand For Free With A Business Card](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/050409-004-free-iphone-stand-small.png?w=158&h=158&crop=1)
Create A Phone Stand For Free With A Business Card
Some PR person just sent us a notice about a new wallet-sized iPhone stand, which reminded us that there’s an easy and free alternative, and it most probably works for a lot of other (fairly thin) media devices as well.