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Buying textbooks for college students can be an expensive proposition. Here are some tips on how to save a few dollars from the National Association of College Stores.

—Know your store’s refund policy, especially the deadlines. This way, you won’t be disappointed if you need to bring things back to the store.
—Keep your receipts. Most stores require receipts for course material returns.
—Don’t write in your books until you’re certain you’ll be keeping them. Most stores will not offer full credit for books that have been marked.
—Buy “used” books whenever possible. Working to help students save money, college stores strive to provide as many used textbooks as possible.
—Be cautious when making educational purchases online. The exact items you need may not be available right away causing you to fall behind in your studies. Also, don’t forget to calculate shipping expenses into the total cost of the textbook.
—If you have a choice between buying a textbook by itself, or the same text packaged with a study guide or software package, make sure you need both parts. Packages can be a great value but are often non-returnable once opened.

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Efforts to get Americans to eat healthier are often stymied by the perception that it costs more to eat healthy.

A burger, fries and drink from a fast-food restaurant’s dollar menu are usually cheaper than a by-the-pound salad or grilled chicken breast on whole wheat with a fruit cup on the side.

But there are other options in between.

The August 8 Moneywise feature in the Times-Dispatch focuses on getting fit on a budget, with the emphasis on getting more physical activity without breaking the bank.

Dietary choices are also part of the package. Here are some tips, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on eating healthy on a budget.

Shopping:
•Make a list of all the foods you need. Do this in your kitchen so you can check what you have on hand.
•Look for specials in the newspaper ads for the stores where you shop.
•Look for coupons for foods you plan to buy. Coupons save money only if you need the product. Also, other brands and store brands may be cheaper.
•Buy low-cost nutritious foods like potatoes and frozen orange juice concentrate. These foods keep well.
•Compare the cost of convenience foods such as frozen meals with the same foods made from scratch. Most cost more than similar foods prepared at home and you can use less fat, sugar, and salt in food you make at home.
•Try store brands. They usually cost less than name brands, but they taste as good and generally have the same nutritional value.
•Look for bargains on day-old bread and bakery products.
•Buy regular rice, oatmeal, and grits instead of the instant and flavored types.
•Look for large bags of frozen vegetables. They may be bargains and you can cook just the amount you need, close the bag tightly, and put the rest back in the freezer.
•Nonfat dry milk is the least expensive way to buy milk. When using it as a beverage, mix it several hours ahead and refrigerate so it can get cold before drinking.
•Look for specials at the meat counter. Buying cuts of meat on sale can mean big savings for you.
•Buy chuck or bottom round roast instead of sirloin. These cuts have less fat and cost less. They need to be covered during cooking and cooked longer to make the meat tender.
•Buy whole chickens and cut them into serving size pieces yourself.
•Buy dry beans and peas to use instead of meat, poultry or fish sometimes. They cost less and provide many of the same nutrients. They are also lower in fat.
•Buy bulk foods when they are available and suit your needs

Cooking :
•Use planned leftovers to save both time and money. For example, prepare a dish and serve half of it, and freeze the remaining half to use later. You also can freeze extra cooked meats and vegetables for soups or stews.
•Do batch cooking when your food budget and time allow. For example, cook a large batch of turkey chili, divide it into family-size portions, and freeze some for meals later in the month.
•Plan snacks that give your family the nutrients they need. Buy fresh fruits in season like apples or peaches.
•Limit the amount of fat, sugar, and salt in preparing foods.
•Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and other low-fat seasonings instead of using rich sauces and gravy.

Additional resources:
CDC site on healthy meals
MyPyramid.gov
USDA Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals

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Distressed properties can represent great buys for investors and buyers who have some cash. Some houses are selling for tens of thousdands of dollars less than their assessed values, particularly in new neighborhoods in Chesterfield County.

But buyers should be aware that the properties are sold “as is.” Some properties are not well maintained. Some have been vandalized. And closings can take much longer than a regular sale.

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You might guess that Hardee’s one-third pound bacon cheese Thickburger has a lot of calories, 850 in fact. Or that a Burger King Double Whopper has 920 calories.

But you might be a little fuzzy on some other foods. For instance, a six-inch Subway tuna sub has 530 calories, a few less than the 550 calories in KFC’s Original Recipe Double Down, with two pieces of bacon, two slices of cheese and sauce between two white meat chicken filets.

A 32-ounce McDonald’s Strawberry TripleThick Shake has 1,100 calories, compared to 330 calories in the chain’s 22 ounce Strawberry Banana Smoothie. Wendy’s Southwest Taco Salad has 680 calories, almost as many as a meal of a Double Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe (390 calories) and small fry (330 calories).

Today’s Moneywise feature in the business section of the newspaper is on a provision of federal health reform that would require chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to post calorie counts of standard items. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking public comment on the provision.

Putting calorie counts on menus and menu board is controversial. Health officials say the information can help people make healthier choices as the nation deals with an obesity crisis and more meals are eaten away from home. Business owners said it’s just more government regulation.

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If you’ve got an old piece of furniture or some clothes you want to get rid of, you can either donate them to your local thrift shop or sell them yourself to make a few bucks.

NARTS, an association for consignment shops and thrifts stores, has some tips on what to do before you take your merchandise in.

The following advice is geared to those sprucing items up for resale, but it works for anyone looking to part with their possessions.

Here’s what they recommend. Good luck and good selling:

What do you do with all those possessions that are perfectly fine, but you don’t have use for any more? Recycle them! How many times have you said, “This is too good to throw away. I wish I knew someone who could use it.”

Your local resale or consignment shop has the customers to help you clear out your closets and make some money too. It’s almost like having a money tree where you can pick up a few extra dollars if you’ll take a few extra steps.

Before you get your items ready for resale, contact your favorite shop to learn how they operate. Select the shop you will use with care. Does the shop consign or buy outright? Do they have the customers who want what you have to sell? Shop owners and managers can give you a good idea of the items they have the most demand for and what type and age of merchandise they accept. If the shop doesn’t sell what you want to recycle, ask for the name of a store whose clientele is looking for just that item.

Know how the shop will handle your items: How will they be priced? How long will they be displayed for sale? How and when will you be paid?

Also ask when is the best time to bring in seasonal items. Consigning or selling seasonal items at the optimal time will improve your chances for the fastest sale at the best price.

Make your articles sparkle with customer appeal! Clean, fresh merchandise will get you the best return:

Õ¤Clothing items must be spotless and fresh-smelling. A quick pressing will get you the best price.

Õ¤For household items, dust and polish. Wash glassware with a little vinegar to add extra brightness.

Õ¤If you are taking in a set of dishes or a child’s game, make sure all the necessary parts are included.

Õ¤Small repairs go a long way. A few minutes of time can result in a more desirable resale item.

If your resale shop cannot accept some of your items, they will let you know. Please don’t take a “No, Thank you” personally. Shop owners and managers are professional experts. They will not accept items they won’t be able to sell for you. Simply ask if they can refer you to another shop or recommend a charity that may accept your items as a donation.

Keep in touch with your shop. Is it time to bring in the next season’s items? Are there any unsold articles that should be removed?

For more information visit NARTS website.

 

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