Aught Nine, Save A Dime: Ramit's Not So Hot Tips

Now on the flipside, here are Ramit's tips that I don't think work as well as these:

Tip #3: Sell something on eBay today

Do to increases in PayPal fees and postage fees, it is becoming increasingly harder to sell something on eBay for a profit. Accordingly, it's harder to find a deal on eBay. The Wall Street Journal just ran an article on eBay's changing identity in the marketplace.

I still buy things from eBay (recent purchases: sheets, bedskirt, laptop case, duvet cover, makeup brushes). Here is how I search for something on eBay:

1. Enter your search term
2. Click the "Buy it now only" button
3. Sort by "price+shipping: lowest first"

I don't waste my time with auctions or high shipping costs. Another tip is to ask for a price reduction, even if it doesn't say "or best offer". I've gotten reduced shipping and a reduction in the price of the item itself. This is actually a tip I learned from the Boyfriend's dad.

Tip #11: Never pay full retail price for clothes or eyeglasses again

I'm planning on buying glasses at some point in 2009 over the internet. I haven't done it yet but here are two helpful reviews if you are thinking of doing the same thing: this one by Matthew Haughey and this one on Want Not.

Tip #12: How I’m saving $2,000+ on eating out in 2009
Tip #15: Forget going to a bar — ask people over for dinner

I think the Entertainment Book is a waste. And yes, I'm bitter about having to sell this when I was in high school because my own parents were reluctant to pay the $30-40 on something they knew they would never use.

I do purchase Restaurant.com coupons, using the insane coupon codes they offer ($25 certificate for $3, etc.). But these are SOOOOO tricky to use that it's not worth it. The base amount you need to spend is usually reasonable to slightly more than you'd usually spend but often can't include alcohol. Then sometimes they automatically add 18% gratuity. Son of a bee sting, says my cheap heart! That stings! (A refresher on my thoughts on tipping) Also, much like the Entertainment Book, the restaurants are obscure and not somewhere you would usually dine.

As for going out to the bar, I don't know about you and your friends, but all my friends only drink when we go out. I'm the one usually wanting to get food. So if you just drink and don't order munchies, the tab is a lot less.

Tip #19: Save Money, Eat Well and Look Hot in Less Than an Hour

I get e-mails from both Shop It to Me and Gilt Groupe through the generosity of my friends. But I've found that this is not how I like to shop. I will not buy something just because I got an e-mail saying "this item you've never seen before by this designer is now on sale!". Besides, the prices of the items on these sites are still high regardless of the sale discounts.

Also, I can't shop at Target for clothing. I know that the items sold there and at J.Crew are probably made in the same factory somewhere. But the quality and wearability of Target apparel does not justify the price. I'd rather not spend full price on something at Target and save my money for a sale at J.Crew (a store where I have their credit card that gives me rewards). This means I buy less clothing, but it also means I have less junk in my closet (IMHO).

Tip #29: Stop being a loser and spend money to save money

I love this when it works. But it's hard to convince people to let you buy something for them so you can get the rewards, points, miles, etc. The Boyfriend let me do it for some new J.Crew sweaters. That's love.