Lisa's Q&As

I often receive questions from subscribers like you asking me for ways they can save money or suggestions on things they can do with their family or friends. Here's a list of questions & answers to date:

Q. Lisa, where I can find the best deal on a new washer and dryer?
Melanie H.

A. You’ll find the best deals on the Internet. I would go to sites like BizRate, PriceGrabber, NexTag and Yahoo!Shopping first to compare brands/models, prices, and stores. These sites often include consumer reviews and ratings of products and merchants, too.

Q. My husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary and want to make the occasion special and romantic without being too extravagant. Any ideas?
Gina L.

A. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your anniversary memorable. For example, you could have a picnic on the beach, in the park or at the foot of a hill/mountain, and feast on finger sandwiches or a loaf of French bread with your favorite cheeses, strawberries dipped in chocolate, and a bottle of wine or sparkling cider.  Or, you could enjoy a special dinner at home on your balcony, deck or patio and set the mood with candles and soft music. Other ideas: go camping by a quiet lake or revisit the place you had your first date.

Q. How can we save on our family vacation and still make it fun for the kids?
Miguel G.

A. Set up a vacation fund and start saving every penny you can towards your vacation months in advance. Consider using tax returns, bonuses or unexpected windfalls to help fund your vacation. Make extra money by holding a garage sale or selling your used goods on eBay or Craig’s List. Have your kids earn their own money for souvenirs by babysitting, doing odd jobs in the neighborhood, or a paper route. You can save a lot by booking your hotel and airfare together at online travel sites like Orbitz, SmarterTravel, Expedia, and Travelocity, and traveling to places like Florida or Arizona during the off-season. You can find discounts on attractions online, too.

Q. My car doesn’t get the greatest gas mileage. What are some things I can do to improve it?
David B.
 
A. Here are a few things you can do right now to improve your gas mileage: stay at or below the posted speed limits (keeping it at 55 MPH or less can give you up to 20% better gas mileage than speeds of 65 or 70 MPH), remove excess weight in the back or trunk of your vehicle, avoid starting/stopping the engine needlessly, and be diligent about maintaining your vehicle with regular scheduled tune-ups and oil changes.

Do you have a question? Contact me now!