#perkypal

We all go through this unless you live with your parents forever. We all need to leave home and move into a place with four walls, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Now, some people move in with friends or move into a place already furnished, but most of us find ourselves having to buy our own supplies i.e. silverware, dishes, cups, a bed. So, for those of us who find ourselves looking to furnish our new place we call home I suggest going to a thrift store. Maybe it's the economy but thrift stores are not what they used to be. You can find some really cool and excellent condition stuff. The most important thing for all of us in these situations is to bring a list of things you NEED and stick to the list. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a really cool pair of jeans instead of a fork to eat with. Some thrift stores like Goodwill will e-mail coupons to you each month so make sure you sign up for their e-mails so you can get their 20% off coupons. Also, most thrift stores are a charitable entity so they do not charge local taxes. Good luck and save your money for gas! Thank you for recycling!

Now, I have had my run with Skype but paying for a subscription to make phone calls to a land line is not my idea of cheap. Nor is the fact that Skype charges a person to have a phone number just so people can call them. So, to avoid all of this nonsense I have found that if a person opens a Gmail account and adds Google Voice they are given a FREE phone number, and are able to make FREE phone calls, and receive FREE phone calls. My favorite way to use this service is to open my browser to my Gmail account and turn on the chat options. Then I am given the option to Text or Call for FREE. I also use the Google Voice App on my iPhone...Sweet! Thank you for bringing back FREE phone calls and now FREE texts.

Thank you for not begging.

Now, believe it or not most banks don't want to lose your business. Therefore, I have found if you threaten to take your business to another bank they will waive your overdraft fee or fees. Simply, explain that you have enough money to cover the overdraft amount without the overdraft charge and you can't decide whether to keep the account versus opening a new account at the bank across the street. Most of the time they will waive the fee. Thank you for waiving those overdraft fees.

Every year college students scramble to get textbooks required for their classes. However, when money is tight many students look for other ways to get their books for cheap or no cost at all. One of the ways I have saved money on textbooks is by looking for the textbook at public libraries or even at the college library. Interlibrary loan is another way to find textbooks that are not available at the other libraries. Although, it is important to note that Interlibrary loans are only for a limited time such as a month or two and may not cover the entire semester. Renting textbooks is my current favorite way to save money on textbooks because there is little to no hassle. The books are available to rent from the school bookstore and are usually in excellent condition. The only thing to remember is to return the books by their due date at the end of the semester otherwise you will be charged for the book. Buying textbooks on-line at a website like Amazon or Half.com is another option but the cost can vary so it is important to look for the book well in advance of the course starting because availability is usually limited. Enjoy your semester! Thank you for not robbing me blind.

This one I learned the hard way. I went to meet some friends at a popular restaurant on Mill Ave. in Tempe, AZ. When I got there I couldn't find any open parking spaces. So, I parked my car in a parking lot across from the restaurant. I literally just walked away from my car when my friends pointed out that my car was being towed. I ran back to my car and the tow truck was already down the street with my car on the back. I called a friend who was going to law school but he didn't answer. I went to the location posted on the signs and paid the $75 dollars to get my car out of the tow shop. When my friend who was going to law school finally called me back he said I should have called the police and reported it stolen. Apparently, towing companies are not allowed to take your car and hold it for ransom. Thank you for not stealing my car.