: Enemy of Debt

Save Money On Your Tax Preparation Software

Written by Travis on February 6, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Tax season is upon us as W2s, 1099s and interest statements are flooding inboxes and mailboxes. Some people choose to have a tax professional do their taxes, while many are able to save a little cash by doing their own taxes using tax preparation software. But just using tax preparation software may not be the end of the saving money train. You might just be able to save some extra cash just by choosing the right place to buy your tax preparation software. On my way home from work, I stopped by the electronics retailer Best Buy to pick up […] Read more »

4 Tips To Get Cheap Airline Tickets

Written by Travis on January 16, 2017 · 3 Comments

My son is planning to fly to Texas twice within a 4 week period later this spring. He wants to go once to attend a video game tournament in Auxtin, and again a few weeks later as he was asked to prom by one of his friends who lives in Houston. I used the word, “planning,” because he has some work to do in determining whether he can really afford it (he has to pay for it himself). The price of his airline tickets will be the largest determining factor in whether he can do both trips or not. Fortunately, […] Read more »

A Frugal Fun Spa Night For Teens

Written by Travis on December 19, 2016 · 1 Comment

If you are or have been the parent of a teenager, you know they love to hang out with their friends, but finding new, fun and exciting things to do is sometimes a challenge. My daughter enjoys having her friends come to our home, but she’s constantly worried that they always do the same thing and tries to come up with ways to make each get together unique. Whenever possible, my wife and I try to find inexpensive ways to help her out and this weekend we had the opportunity to make a sleep over with her friends a night […] Read more »

How Costco Can Save You Money On Gasoline Even If You’re Not A Member

Written by Travis on November 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment

One of the selling points of a Costco membership is that members can fill up their tanks for less at Costco. People shell out their $55 membership fee believing they’ll make up the fee simply by buying gas at Costco. The good news for people not interested in a Costco membership is they can take advantage of Costco gasoline prices without even being a member. Over the weekend I discovered something I’ve coined, “The Costco Effect.” My gas gauge was hovering just above ‘E,’ and I was looking to fill up. I checked prices on my way to the gym […] Read more »

I’m Not Spending a Penny On My Wife For Christmas, and She’s Going To Love It

Written by Travis on November 21, 2016 · 13 Comments

I’m not spending a penny on my wife for Christmas this year, and she’s going to absolutely be thrilled about it. With the holidays approaching, conversations of gift ideas are being had between spouses, family members and friends. My wife and I were having a discussion about tasks that needed to be done yet to prepare for hosting Thanksgiving at our home. She got a little off topic, listing other less Thanksgiving critical tasks she wanted to have done. Sensing I was about to go into my usual speech about prioritization and doing only the things absolutely needing completion by […] Read more »

Are You Wasting Money By Changing Your Oil Too Often?

Written by Travis on November 7, 2016 · 4 Comments

For my entire adult life, I’ve had the oil changed in my vehicles every 3,000 miles (or relatively close to that) just as my father had taught me when I was a teenager. In recent years, I had read articles online that suggested this paradigm was out of date but didn’t think much of it. I assumed since the employees at the oil change service stations kept slapping the sticker on my windshield reminding me to change my oil every 3000 miles, I’d better do it. That all changed when we bought our current mini-van a few years ago, and […] Read more »

Cosmetology School Students Can Save You Money On Hair And Spa Services

Written by Travis on October 24, 2016 · 4 Comments

A visit to the salon for my wife was on the list of discussed and approved expenditures for the weekend. A few hairs on her beautiful head had dared to turn the wrong color, and needed to be taught a lesson. She called around gathering current pricing information as well as potential time slots, finding she would be paying somewhere between $70 and $90 for a single all over color. She then remembered the name of another salon that had been used by our neighbor to have their daughters’ hair done for homecoming a few weeks prior. The salon had […] Read more »

Is Bed, Bath, And Beyond Getting Rid Of Their 20% Off Coupons?

Written by Travis on October 13, 2016 · 4 Comments

I have a lot of love for Bed, Bath, and Beyond. They’ve reduced the price of a large purchase just because we asked, they have a gift wrapping center, and they give out 20% off coupons like candy on Halloween. So my ears perked up when I saw a story on the news this week that stated Bed, Bath, and Beyond is thinking of discontinuing the 20% coupons. No more blue 20% off coupons in my mailbox? Bed, Bath and Beyond is contemplating discontinuing the well known coupons with a loyalty program. For a yearly membership fee of $29, members […] Read more »

2 More Reasons Amazon Prime May Be Worth The Cost

Written by Travis on October 3, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Recently my son purchased Amazon Prime for a year. I questioned whether he would really get his money’s worth out of it, and offered to pay half the cost if I could use it as well. My thought process was if we both used it, it would be worth our money. So, I gave him $50 and promptly placed an order utilizing the free 2 day shipping. We were off and running. I’m currently in the middle of a computer upgrade project, searching Amazon for the parts I want at the best price. When I got to the point of […] Read more »

Save Money With Outback Steakhouse’s Rewards Program

Written by Travis on September 28, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Friday night I found myself pulling into the parking lot of Outback Steakhouse. One teenager with a vehicle at work left another teenager (and her friends) in need of a ride to the high school football game. By the time that all got coordinated and executed, my wife and I were hungry and not willing to wait the time it would take to drive all the way across town back to our home and cook dinner. Thus Friday night was one of those times when I was actually OK with going out to eat. Even though I was voluntarily […] Read more »

DIY Money Saver: You Can Change ANY Light On Your Car Yourself!

Written by Travis on August 17, 2016 · 6 Comments

I was sitting in the waiting room of the quick lube oil change place when one of the employees sat down beside me to give the customary rundown of my vehicle’s status and additional suggested services. At the end of the summary, he mentioned that both license plate lamps were out. “Those lamps run $9.99 a piece. Would you like us to take care of those for you today?” If you were in my position, what would your answer be? Your answer should be an immediate, and resounding, “No, thank you.” Which is exactly what I said.As the man walked […] Read more »

Chef Boyardee Price Rollback You Won’t Believe At Walmart!

Written by Travis on August 16, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SaveOnChef #CollectiveBias With the back to school season approaching, my family is looking for easy weeknight meal solutions. By spending less time in the kitchen, we can enjoy other after-school activities together. Now through August 29, 2016, each 14.5 to 15 ounce can of Chef Boyardee is on Rollback at Walmart for only $0.80! Purchase five cans for $4 in a variety of flavors that include: Mini Ravioli, Beefaroni, and Spaghetti and Meatballs. You can enjoy a week’s worth of quality meals at […] Read more »