The deadline is nearing…TAX DAY!  I’ll be the first to say that preparing my taxes this year was a stress I put off until just this week.  There are several online services that can help you eliminate some of the stress and cost involved with doing your taxes.

1.  Turbo Tax

File your federal taxes with the FREE software from Turbo Tax and get your biggest refund!  The great thing about this FREE Online Software is that there is no need to pay someone to do your taxes! 

If you have a more complicated tax prep, choose one of the other low cost options.

2.  Tax Act

Similar to Turbo Tax, Tax Act will allow you to file your federal taxes online with their simple software.  The software is similar to what tax professionals use and will allow you to get your biggest refund.

Shopkick is one of the newest ways to earn gift cards from your smartphone!  Earn “kicks” (points) when you shop at certain stores or scan products.  Accumulate your points by doing simple tasks and redeem for gift cards!

It’s very simple and easy to use.  With just 500 “kicks” you can redeem for a Target Gift Card!  I joined yesterday and already have 60 “kicks”.

Join Shopkick HERE and follow the instructions to complete the simple set-up on your phone.

Earning cash with Jingit is easy!  Jingit is introducing a better way to shop.  With Jingit you can earn cash instantly online, in-store, and on the go with participating brands. You’ll also receive personalized cash back offers when you shop with Jingit on your mobile device!

In the coming weeks and months you will have the chance to interact with your favorite brands and retailers like:

• The folks that brought you Dr. Pepper TEN are at it again with five more TEN products to choose from. Try all five products: 7UP TEN, RC Cola TEN, A&W Root Beer TEN, Sunkist TEN, and Canada Dry TEN. 
• A new promotion coming for Bausch + Lomb allows you to download the FREE Jingit mobile app (click the banner below), and you’ll see participating Wal-Mart locations on the app where you can earn with Jingit.
• And lots of other products from Xbox, McAfee, Saving Star, Dean Foods, Wisk Detergent, and with Retailers like Target. 

It’s as easy as:

• Download the Jingit mobile app – it’s FREE!
• Check your phone or online to start watching a new engagements and give feedback to get paid REAL CASH in REAL TIME!
• Check In at your local retailer- Scan certain products and give feedback to get paid again.
• Starting in April buy products at the listed retailer- claim your offer and scan your receipt and get paid again. REAL CASH in REAL TIME!

JOIN Jingit Now!

Let’s face it, times are tough.  It’s harder now than ever before to make ends meet.  Understatement.

You can free your budget and find more money to use on the things you really need by following some of these tips that will get you shopping smarter and saving more!

Some people call this frugality, but I prefer the terms Fearless Saver or Smart Shopper.

Whatever you call it, it is a brilliant way to keep more money in your pocket and it is not brain surgery.   This is simple, but does require some strategy and a bit of time.  You can do it.

Smart shopping is a method of thinking, really.   You will learn it over time.  You will realize there is always a way to save money on the things you need, and you will learn that paying full price is totally unnecessary!

Step 1

Commit to becoming a fearless saver and a smart shopper.  Let go of your worries about what other people may think and go forward with saving.

Step 2

Be creative, very creative, and think outside the box however you can.  This can include grocery shopping, clothing, toiletries and more!

Tips to Saving

• Find Low Prices and Stockpile – Stocking up when the price is low, is the key to saving. Find your own method, whether it be using coupons, shopping at outlet stores or shopping online.  A combination of all three is my method of choice!
• Seek the Deals — Follow deals sites like MoneySavingMadness.com and keep up with daily posts.
• Stack the Deals — Use multiple methods of saving when you shop!  Cashback sites like Ebates can help you save more online, while Ibotta, Plink and SavingStar can add to your savings at the stores.  Sites like Plastic Jungle can save you even more by selling you gift cards at discounted prices.
• Earn Money – Use multiple methods of earning to add gift cards or PayPal cash to your budget each month.  I use Swagbucks and GiftHulk to earn Amazon gift cards and multiple other sites like Inbox Dollars or Opinion Outpost to earn money that goes into my PayPal account.  
• Meal Plan – Plan your meals for the week using the items you have on hand, then make a list of what you need, rather than shopping without a purpose.  Buy less processed, or prepackaged foods.
• Seek free or less expensive entertainment!
• Seek printable coupons!  My favorites are Coupons.com, Coupon Network, Smartsource, and Redplum, but there are more sources.  You will find new coupons listed daily right here at Money Saving Madness for those sources and more!
• Buy coupons online when you need to stockpile!  This is an important way to save BIG on groceries.  I use Coupon Dede, Capri Services or The Coupon Carry-Out along with Ebay.
• Amazon.com — watch for grocery deals and low prices on gifts with free shipping.  We will bring you multiple deals daily at Money Saving Madness
• Get to know your local stores and the deals they have.  My favorite is Aldi.  There are just certain things I buy there because I cannot find them for less.

My family has saved at least $400 per month by using all of these strategies!  Many months we save even more.  It’s not difficult or time consuming once you realize it is a way of life!

What is your best savings tip?