My Top 10 favorite websites to save or make money!

I remember vividly back to my high school days, which frighteningly ended 16 years ago, and being given instructions on how to properly use the library card catalog.  A big cube with seemingly hundreds of drawers and millions of tiny cards.  Micro-fiche, phonebooks, the telephone "info-line", 2 inch thick Sears and JC Penney catalogs (and Witmark for you Michiganders), VHS and Beta tapes, and cassettes - all just 15-20 years ago.  The advances in technology have made many things more efficient, and many things obsolete.  For someone trying to be fiscally wise, the advances in technology leave us with much greater tools to be certain we are always getting the best deal.


My most recent example of this comes from an experience I had this week.  Jill and I are in the process of upgrading from a Queen bed to a King.  Four kids have made this a must.  We have purchased everything necessary for a King bed (sheets, comforter, quilt, pillows, etc.) except the actual mattress.  While researching bed skirts (I don't what purpose these serve, or why they are necessary) Jill found just the one she wanted from Target.  The price in the store is $54.99.  She decided to check Target's website, and it happened that the very same bed skirt online was being clearanced for $16.99 with free shipping.  That's a deal!


I am going to need your help to make this post most worthwhile.  I want to layout some of the best websites I've found for us fiscally conscience folks.  But, most importantly, I'd love for you to share any great sites you've come across for the benefit of everyone else reading this.  I'm going to group these into a few categories with a very brief description of the site.  I will check most of these sites every day to keep current on any good deals available.


Sites to MAKE MONEY


- www.fieldagent.net - search for "jobs" in your area and make some quick dough.  I made $2.20 completing a 5 minute Best Buy survey the other day.  They Paypal the money to me and that's it.  Most jobs have you take pictures of specific displays in certain stores and send them in.  Site is still in its infancy, so there are time when no jobs are available.


- www.craigslist.org - Sell, sell, sell your stuff for free.  It's easy to do and possible to make good money in a very short time period.  We made $113 in 18 hours this last weekend.


Sites to SAVE MONEY


- www.groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com - are the two most popular "deal-a-day" sites.  You can many times find very good deals, BUT, only buy things you would normally buy anyway.  For example, paying $150 for $300 worth of teeth whitening is only a good deal if you were already planning on seeking out that service. 


- www.woot.com - They sell one item every day, often at a deep discount.  It tends to be mostly electronic items, but you never know what you'll find.  I made several purchases from this site.


- www.craigslist.org - yes, again.  This can be a great place to get great deals on things.  I've purchased anything from boats and cars to small items like saw blades and hand tools.  I always prefer to buy from individuals rather than dealers or companies as I can often get the price down much more aggressively.


- www.gasbuddy.com - This is a must.  You can always be assured you're getting the lowest price on gas no matter where you happen to be.  Their mobile app is great (and free). 


- www.thedealmap.com - Great site to quickly find great local deals anywhere in the US.  Restaurant deals, discounts on goods and services, etc.


- www.savingaddiction.com - Granted, this tends to be more West Michigan focused, but it serves not only as a local resource for great specials, it serves as a great resource for ways to find and locate good deals.


- www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com - Provides great and inexpensive ways to decorate your home (Jill loves this site)


Sites to help with BUDGETING

- www.mint.com - There are lots of budgeting sites, but many charge a fee and aren't easy to use or very comprehensive.  I'm just starting to tinker with this site, so I can't give a full review, but I've found it helpful so far and it gets very good reviews - plus it's completely free!

My list is by no means exhaustive, but it's a start.  Now it's your turn.  What sites have you found helpful?  What sites can you not live without?  Please leave your comments below, or better yet, leave them at The Low Down Facebook page so everyone can view them more easily.  I'm looking forward to learning from you! 

Until we meet again...