By

Allan Roth /

MoneyWatch/ March 2, 2012, 7:39 AM

Save money every day: Ten painless tricks

rich and poor hands CBS/iStockphoto

I'm not ashamed to admit that I enjoy immediate gratification as much as the next person. I like my cable and internet. I have a 70 inch HDTV. I stay in nice hotels. I have good insurance and use my credit card whenever I can.

That said, I also hate paying full price. "Never pay retail" is my motto, and I try to abide by it whenever I can. Here are ten simple ways to be materialistic while still improving your finances.

32 Comments Add a Comment
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Allan_Roth says:
MikeOso100,

Thanks - nice comments are always appreciated by the authors!
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MikeOso100 says:
A quick note to say how much I appreciate your savvy tips-- and your crisp and friendly writing style. Value rules.
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his_doll618 says:
Now you are talking! I also, buy grocery & supplies when goes on sale.Even reheat the left overs for the next night. Or i make them into something else from them. We hardly waste any food here. And, whom has money to travel on. Or to invest money into CD's. What money? I live in Southern,IL. And, our area is real bad with no jobs here. We will be looking like Detroit soon. People here do good to pay there light bills, & buy food an gas.
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his_doll618 replies:
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This is a reply to mtb3333 comment.
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Allan_Roth says:
Tawster,

Thanks - a credit card gives more protection than a debit card. So the same 2% cash back with no fees so I'll stick to the credit card.
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tawster says:
Two things:

(1) Didn't know there was a 60 day thing with CDs out there. Good to know. For the rainy-day fund... I use IngDirect, but the interest rates are ... crap in comparison to your CDs. But more liquid.

(2) 2% credit card? Just get a 2% debit card instead: PerkStreet is the most prominent right now, but there are others.

-t
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Allan_Roth says:
tima410,

I'm not sure how you reached the conclusion on where I spend my money. I will tell you two things:

1) Fair competition is good and brings down prices.
2) Most issues are not as one sided as you and most politicians think.
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tima410 says:
While you admit to having "...killed off Borders...", you still thumb your nose at the local, hometown, main street, bricks-and-mortar merchant who has invested in your community, pays taxes so you can drive your old car on a decent road...or send your kids to school. Who's going to do that after you drive them all out of business. Thank you Brave New World.
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Allan_Roth says:
mtb3333,

I like most of these - especially #10. Cut your own hair?
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mtb3333 replies:
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yep, i do. : )
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Allan_Roth says:
JeffP7,

Not taking it personally at all. I'm neither pro or con big business. I could get into the psychology of teaser rates but the word "teaser" says it all. Don't have the smartphone app you refer to. Cost benefit of getting a newer smaller car with better gas mileage isn't close. Keep the car.
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Allan_Roth says:
JeffP7,

Not taking it personally at all. I'm neither pro or con big business. I could get into the psychology of teaser rates but the word "teaser" says it all. Don't have the smartphone app you refer to. Cost benefit of getting a newer smaller car with better gas mileage isn't close. Keep the car.
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