Episode 13: In this episode, Marv updates on his new specs (purchased online on the cheap) and other updates, as well as shopping news for the affluent. Catalogs, cheap road trip tips and more. All that squeezed into just about 8 minutes. Not bad.

Did you ever wonder what the best blogs are to help you save money?

Yeah, me too.

I’ve only been blogging about savings for a little while. So I’m always finding and reading savings blogs now. Man, when I was putting myself through grad school … if I only knew then what I know now. Live and learn, right?

Anyway, savings blogs are really a very interesting animal. It seems like everyone has their own focus, style, and personality — but everyone genuinely wants to share their insights on how to save money, whether that’s through a coupon or a word of advice. There’s a huge range.

That’s a good thing. In times like these, that diversity and enthusiasm is super important. There’s something for everyone out there.

Here are my personal favorites. At least for now.

the simple dollar – There’s something very real, honest, and down-to-earth, about Trent Hamm’s financial wisdom. I swear, if everyone just followed Tren’ts 14 Money Rules, this country would be in a much better state.

The Frugal Find – Julia seems to know about every deal out there. Plus, she’s really nice.

Frugal Living – About.com always has good content, and Erin Huffstetler does her part with solid info on frugal living, money management, and ways to save by doing things yourself.

Entrepreneur Daily Dose – I’m fascinated by business. If you’re a small biz or entrepreneur interested in saving (and making) money, the Daily Dose is a constant contiuum of ways to save in running and marketing your business. With more and more people running their own small businesses every day, out of desire or necessity, this type of quality content is very valuable.

Pinching Your Pennies – Full of grocery deals and coupons, Pinching Your Pennies provides more than just penny pinching. It’s filled with kitchen logic and ways to stretch a dollar. The kind of things you never think about, but make complete sense.

Baby Cheapskate – Okay. I don’t really read this blog. I don’t have a baby. I subscribe to the RSS feed because I like the pictures. Maybe this is my way of prepping for someday when we do have a baby. I know. I’m weird. But if you have a baby, you’ll probably think it’s great.

SavingAdvice.com – Pure, practical advice. The Swiss Army Wrench of savings blogs.

Oh. Yeah. I forgot. YOURS.

There’s always room for more savings, so there’s always room for more savings blogs.

That’s why Gaucho launched Gaucho Pages — to make it easy for you to blog about savings without having to design a blog. Check it out.

Looking to eat healthy and still save money?

Whole Foods Market offers some online resources to help you do just that.

Here’s the Deal With the Whole Deal

The Whole Deal is a savings specific part of the Whole Foods site. First off, it offers some good Coupons that you can print out. Then there’s Sure Deals, which is a list of everyday low-priced items that give you high-quality goods for less. Lastly, there’s Three Under $3, which is exactly what it sounds like. That’s a nice bunch of specials to help you save when shopping at Whole Foods.

Get Cooking

On top of the deals, this section of the site offers some very useful information and resources.

Their money-saving meal plans can help you cook up some cost-conscious meal ideas for one or a whole family. Some of them are pretty tasty looking. Worth checking out.

Learn to Cook, Learn to Save empowers people to save money by teaching them to cook their own food. Right now, the focus is on quinoa.

Quinoa is a great Peruvian grain that’s very high in protein. It’s quite filling, but easily digestible and can be used like rice with just about any sort of food. It has a slightly nuttier, more roasted flavor than rice. Kids like it and it’s healthier for them than rice, too.

I’m really a huge quinoa fan. It’s great to mix with sauteed mushrooms, peas, dressings, or you serve as a side with almost anything. If you’re going to a BBQ or potluck, cook the quinoa with some soup stock and mix in some veggies after you cook it. Makes a great dish.

Anyway, check out the Whole Deal — good deals, good savings, and good grub.

Episode 12. In this episode, Marv talks pet savings (thanks to inspiration from Doug’s post on How to Save Money on Pets). Marv also talks about the Top and Bottom 5 times to splurge on a vacation.

In his latest effort to revitalize the economy, President Obama announced the HOMESTAR plan today. This program will provide homeowners with up to $3,000 in rebates as an incentive for homeowners to make their homes more energy-efficient.

According to the Associated Press:

Consumers would be eligible for between $1,000 and $1,500 in on-the-spot rebates for buying insulation, water heaters or other equipment to help their homes burn energy more efficiently. Rebates of $3,000 would be available to consumers who get a home energy audit and then make the changes needed to produce an energy savings of 20 percent.

By providing incentives for homeowners to make upgrades and renovations, Obama hopes to boost jobs for construction workers and contractors. The program would also help those companies producing energy-efficient windows, doors, HVAC units, insulation, and appliances.

According to an Obama quote on The White House Blog:

Here’s one of the best things about energy efficiency – it turns out that energy-efficient windows or insulation, those things are products that are almost exclusively manufactured right here in the United States of America. It’s very hard to ship windows from China. So a lot of these materials are made right here in America.

Not only that, but on top of helping to pay for renovations at the actual time of purchase, this Homestar proposal would create a source of real, ongoing money savings for those that invest in making their home more energy efficient.

This program must first win approval from Congress. In the meantime, to help you get the ball rolling with some things to think about, here are some ways to make your home more energy efficient.

1. Replace drafty windows and doors with better insulated, less leaky ones
2. Insulate walls and attic floors.
3. Replace your old heating system, sensors, and controls.
3. Upgrade old water heaters and fridges to new, more efficient products.

I’m no financial investment wizard, but I think we all know that when it comes to buying and selling anything, then ideally, you want to buy low and sell high.

Many people don’t even want to talk about buying stocks or investing their money. Either they’re simply unable, or they last their hat and are still bitter. Both are understandable.

In a NYTimes article published this weekend, it is reported that Buffett has been able to quickly steer his company back to profitability while also making some heavy investments. So, as evidence of why you should at least think about buying stocks while the market is low, I submit for your review these words from Warren E. Buffet, arguably America’s smartest investor:

[Buffett] described how he had used the last 18 months to scoop up a string of assets — a buying spree that culminated at the end of last year with the agreement to buy the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, his biggest bet yet.

Mr. Buffett wrote that his company, Berkshire Hathaway, had net income of $8.1 billion last year, or about $5,200 a share, 61 percent higher than in 2008. The company also reported a 19.8 percent rise in book value.

Why YOU Should Invest, Too

Generally speaking, many stocks may still be near their lowest prices in recent times. If the market recovers in the near future, which both Buffett and others are suggesting, then it might be time to get in on the ground floor while the gettin is good.

Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you what stocks to invest in. I’m just pointing out that it could be a good time for you to invest in something.

Start Small

Okay, we’re always telling you how to save money here on Gaucho. And giving you ways to save with all these coupons. But what are you doing with that savings?

Why not put some of that savings into a separate account and use it for investment purposes? Even if you start small — $25 or $50 a month — it will add up over time. The earlier you start, the more gains you’ll be likely to make.

Now, I’m not guaranteeing the market won’t take another dive, or perhaps explode all together. And I’m not advocating you pour all your savings into the stock market right now. But, we know (hope) the market and the economy is going to recover someday, history shows the market generally goes up over time, and we definitely know that investing wisely in stocks can yield big returns in efforts to save money.

Otherwise, the banks and Buffets of the world wouldn’t do it.

It’s that time again. If you drink wine and you live in California, you probably know about BevMo’s 5-cent Sale that’s going on right now.

If you don’t know about it, well then I’d like to welcome you to the wonderful world of wine exploration. There are very few things about living in California that you get at less expense than those living elsewhere. Great wine happens to be one of them. Take advantage of it.

The Real Deal About this Sale

With over 200 bottles to choose from, BevMo members can buy one bottle of wine and get the second one for 5-cents.

The BevMo Drama

Now, there are complaints online that BevMo marks up the cost on the first bottle. I’ve had friends mention this, too. However, this is really a ridiculous argument. Of course, the savings varies by bottle, but even if they mark a bottle up 30%, you’re getting 2-for-1. According to my English-major math, you’re usually coming out with a general savings of 20% – 35% on two bottles of wine.

That said, you do need to be a bit wary. On a day-to-day basis, BevMo has some questionable pricing on a few items and this can carry over to the sale.

Look Closely

You know, if you go to CostCo, you’re pretty sure you’re going to find a competitive price on whatever you’re looking to buy. That’s not the case at BevMo. Most of the time they have good prices, but then they’ll drastically overcharge on a few random items for rather mysterious reasons.

But, is it any real surprise to learn that you have to pay attention to find the best deal? Our savings savvy readers know this.

So, when shopping on a regular basis, frugal Gauchos who enjoy good wine will compare the prices of their favorites at places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

You’ll Probably Score a Deal

With the 5-cent sale, the chances are that you will get a good deal on anything on the sale list. There are exceptions to that, so it’s best to not go in totally blind, but this really is a sale worth checking out.

No one ever seems to know the exact end date for this sale, they always say it’s for a limited time, but it’s better to go sooner for best selection.

Why This is Great for Winos

Living in the Bay Area, everyone loves wine and many of the winos I know love to take advantage of this sale.

It’s perfect for stocking up on a favorite, but it’s also a great way to learn about new wines.

Half of the art of wine is knowing what type of meal to drink it with. So, take advantage of this sale and mix it up. Try a new bottle with dinner and think about what it would go well with. Store it away, then pair it with with more purpose later. It’s a fun way to explore wines and how they interplay with food.

What to Get

The BevMo employees might help you find a bottle, but they aren’t wine experts. I wouldn’t go in there seeking their council on what to get, or take it too seriously if it’s offered. You’re almost better off just guessing.

Now I’m no wine pro, but I did bartend my way through college and I’ve been to Napa enough to tell you what I like and why. If you don’t know what to get, here are my picks.

Cosentino “the Cab” – The classic big cab. Dark cherry and tobacco flavors. I don’t think it’s quite as good as it used to be, but, that goes for most of the Napa cabs. At $16, this is a great deal for 2 bottles of a big, well-rounded cab. You can’t get it at the winery that cheap. Great with steaks and heavy meats.
Elodian Cabernet ‘05 — I’m probably too cheap to spend $35 on a bottle of wine, let’s be honest here. But, for 2 bottles of wine, this is the type of thing that might catch my eye. Why is this a great deal? Because ‘05 was THE epic big year for cabs in Napa. This seems like a late release which means it could have some big flavors. Worth the gamble. This wine probably sells for $25 elsewhere, and they’re marking the price up here, but for 2 bottles of wine, $35 is better than $50. This is where I’d consider trying one sometime in the next few months, then saving another for a later date.
Shiloh Road Cabernet ‘07 — I’m not sure why, but BevMo really seems to push this wine. They must get a lot of it at a good price. If I was paying $17 a bottle, I wouldn’t get it. For 2, this is a good deal for a decent, middle-of-the-road cab. It’s not fantastic, but it’s pretty tasty.
Carneros Creek Pinot Noir Reserve ‘07 — Carneros Creek, which sits in a fog belt south of Napa, does a great job with sparkling wines and pinots. 2 bottles for $25 is a great deal.
Irony Pinot Noir ‘07 — I like Monterey County pinots. This one can usually be found at Safeway for $13 – $14 bucks. At $16 for 2, this would probably be my pick of the day.
Red Bicyclette Chardonnay ‘07 – $13 for 2. If you’re a chardonnay drinker, I think this one is worth a try.
Cosentino The Novelist Meeting — $17 for 2. A nice Sauvignon Blanc-based blend.

So those are my choices. What would yours be? I’d love to hear.

Wanna see some seriously funny savings entertainment? Tune into Live.Gaucho.com tonight at 9pm EST/6pm PST.

Our old buddy Marv will be talking to Julia from The Frugal Find!

There will be giveaways, shopping news, and all the requisite hilarious technical difficulties that go along with a first live streaming webcast. Tune in and say you were there from the very beginning!

Pets can be a great expense and some people aren’t aware of that going in.

So instead of trying to sell Spot to raise some cash, here are some ways to take good care of your pets while maintaining your savings savvy.

When Getting a Pet

Sometimes people really do have no other option but to put their pets up for adoption. So, whether you’re looking for a labradoodle or a cockatoo, you might be able to make a housebroken or already trained pet your new buddy.

On the other hand, an older pet that was poorly trained will require a significant investment of your time, or that of a trainer, to change their ways and get up to speed. So, if you try to go the cheap route, be prepared. Working with animals that have had a rough time can be extremely rewarding. It’s a nice thing to do. But it’s not without work.

Adopt a Pet

Getting a pet from a shelter can be another frugal way to find your new friend. It likely won’t be free, but they will usually help out with supplies, services, and health costs.

Pet Shops and Online

Sometimes smaller pet shops will have a litter of pups for a good price. Most commonly, pets are sold directly thought newspapers, Craigslist, etc. Try to negotiate price.

Get a Mutt

Unless you’re crazy or obsessed, there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars to purchase a specific breed. Mutts, mixes, and hybrids have a more diverse gene pool and therefore aren’t usually as susceptible to the health problems that many pure breed pets inherit.

Pet Care

First and foremost, the best way to save on pet care is to make sure your pet gets enough exercise and is fed a good diet.

This doesn’t mean buying the cheapest dog food you can find. Let’s not think too long on what they’re likely to be putting in those products. While a quality dog food might cost more, you will be less likely to have a pet with health problems. Like many Americans, our pets are overweight because they eat too much. This often leads to exacerbated health conditions later in their life.

Talk to your vet about what food they recommend and how much to feed. Your cat isn’t supposed be the size of a real-life Garfield. Feeding a high grade food product, while more expensive, almost always means you’re feeding them less in quantity. Feed them a little less, give them high-quality foods, and chances are you’ll spend less money on pet care.

When it comes to exercise, remember, walks are free and they’re good for you, too.

Regular Vet Exams

Preventative care helps to avoid costly complications later. Make sure your pet has regular check-ups to prevent something more serious from sneaking up.

Vaccination Clinics

Vets, large pet stores, and others often offer specials on vaccinations, dental cleanings, spaying and neutering, and exams several times a year. Check with your vet or local pet store.

Pet Insurance

I know, I know. Health insurance for your pet? It sounds crazy, right? But this is exactly what one very experienced emergency care vet I know in San Francisco recommends. Why? Well, health care treatments for pets, especially in an emergency situation, can be extremely expensive. Not unlike what us humans experience. If Fido gets hit by a car or is diagnosed with cancer, that can mean a big bill to take care of your best friend.

I have two dogs and pet insurance for both. It costs around $25 a month for each. It’s been my experience that you’re going to have the same issues of payment with pet insurance that you’ll encounter with any insurance, but in the case of a major event, it will be ruffer on the wallet to go without. Pet insurance can also help cover the cost of check-ups.

Pet Savings

Some people pet insurance is a total waste of money. They argue that you’re better off putting that money into a pet savings account to use for ongoing care or to have a designated fund on hand for a pet emergency.

Who’s right? I don’t know. Seems like a roll of the dice. What do you think?

Have a Heart to Heart

If nothing else, be honest with your vet about your financial situation. You may not want to admit to being broke, but if you explain things, many vets will work to keep your bill a bit lower by not charging for certain services.

Ask for an Estimate

In wanting to provide the best for your pet, sometimes you’ll say yes, yes, yes to vet suggestions without realizing what you’re saying yes to, or without knowing exactly what is and isn’t needed. Get an estimate first to make this clearer and to avoid surprises.

Visit a Vet School

If you can’t afford pet care with your vet, see if there is a veterinary school near you that might offer service from students at a lower rate.

Buy Medicine Online

Your vet may prescribe medication that you can buy cheaper from a place like PetCareRx than you from them. If you purchase a prescription med from an online pharmacy, they will contact your vet for approval.

Some vets may not like this, but who cares? You’re trying to take care of your pet and save money. If you can get the same thing cheaper online, don’t be afraid to tell them you’re going to do so. PetCareRx and other online pet pharmacies often run sales and offer coupons, plus offer free shipping with minimum purchase ($35).

Pet Supplies

Coupons. Of course there are always coupons for pet supplies. Pets are big business and the Petcos and PetSmarts of the world are always fighting for your dollar. Use their online and in-store coupons and deals as much as you can. Check weekly ads and the phone book for coupons.

Pet Food

Find a store with a good rewards program and stick to buying there, and if you can, buy in bulk. Again, use coupons.

Make your own pet food. This is a growing trend and something many vets recommend. Ask your vet for a recipe or do some research online. I know of several vets that actually have a monthly class on this now. If you have the time, you can make a big vat of food once a week and feed your pet healthier diet, for less money than it costs to buy commercial food. Win and win.

Alternative diets. Non-dog food-based diets are becoming more popular for pets. For instance, and this is true, our vet recommended we put our dachshund on a green been and carrot diet. We can easily feed him that diet for $1 a day. This isn’t for every dog, though. Many vets recommend raw meat diets for certain dogs. Pre-made raw meat products aren’t exactly cheap, so check with local butchers or buy these products in volume to save.

Pet Toys and Chews

Again, buy in bulk. Check out Craigslist, where people might be giving away products and toys after losing a pet of their own. Visit yard sales and your local thrift store to find second-hand products.

Skip the Pet Jewelry

Your cat probably doesn’t need a diamond-studded collar, and you’re dog probably doesn’t need a parka with matching booties. They don’t care about fashion, they don’t need a new collar and leash every month, and it’s really okay to let them go outside naked — in just fur and paws.

Can you believe it? According to the IRS, people have been e-filing their taxes for 20 years.

In fact, 4.2 million tax returns were filed electronically in 1990, the first year the service was offered. Last year, 95 million tax returns, or 66% of taxpayers, filed their returns electronically.

Starting in 2003, taxpayers have been able to e-file for free.

Where to File for Free

According to the IRS, there are three ways to e-file: via tax preparers, through the tax prep apps and products provided by private companies like H&R Block, TurboTax, etc., or through the IRS Free File program.

Tax Preparer

If you hire a tax preparer, these pros can use e-services to file your return for free. If you have a standard Federal and state filing, then last year the average fee for tax preparation varied between $115 to $188.

So, in reality, your Federal filing will still cost you. Also, the charges for filing your taxes are likely to increase for complicated and poorly organized returns.

However, the more complex the tax return, the more benefit you’ll derive from a tax preparer. So, if you’re self-employed, run a small business, or sold a lot of stocks last year, you should probably hire an accountant or other tax pro for the best shot at the most savings.

Traditional Free File Software

This year, you can use tax software to file your Federal return for free if you had an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $57,000 or less in 2009.

The IRS will help you choose a free file company, but here are some of the most popular:

H&R Block — They offer the ability to file your taxes by using their online app, or by downloading their free H&R Block software.

Online: Free package for the most basic tax situations, a Deluxe package for investors and homeowners that costs $29.95, and a Premium product for self-employed people and rental property owners that’s available for $49.95. State filing is $29.95.

Download: $19.95 for Basic, plus $29.95 for State. Download Deluxe is $44.95 and Premium is $59.95. Download Deluxe and Premium packages include State filing.

TaxAct — Claims free Federal filing for everyone, but we have to think this can’t be entirely true — based on the max income level for free filing. Despite this, we can forgive TaxAct because of their low prices. Free for basic, $9.95 for Deluxe, and $17.95 for the Ultimate Bundle – which includes State e-filing.

TurboTax — TuboTax offers a whole suite of tax products at various levels of sophistication for personal and small business use. Both online and downloadable/cd versions are available.

Free Edition. Online only. State is $27.95.

Basic. Online: $14.95 for Federal and $36.95 for State. Buy CD/Download: $24.95 for Federal (e-file up to 5 Federal returns for free) and $19.95 State.

Deluxe. For maximizing deductions. For Online: $29.95 for Federal and $36.95 for State. Buy CD/Download: $59.95 for Federal (e-file up to 5 Federal returns for free). State included.

Premier. For investments and rental property. Online: $49.95 for Federal and $36.95 for State. Buy CD/Download: $59.95 for Federal (e-file up to 5 Federal returns for free). State included.

Home & Business. For self-employed, income from side jobs, sole proprietors, consultants, 1099 contractors, or single-owner LLCs. Online: $79.95 for Federal and $36.95 for State. Buy CD/Download: $99.95 for Federal (e-file up to 5 Federal returns for free). State included.

Business. For S Corps, partnerships, C Corps, or multi-owner LLCs. Only desktop version available. $129 for Federal (e-file up to 5 Federal returns for free) and $19.95 State.

OLT OnLine Taxes — Free Federal and State return filing for everyone 20 and under. For everyone else, Federal and State returns are $7.95 each.

IRS Free File Program

With all of the companies above advertising free e-filing for Federal returns, many people go ahead and do their taxes, only to wonder why they end up getting charged for it at the end. It’s because their AGI was over the limit.

However, even if your AGI is over $57,000, you can still file your Federal return for free.

There are no income limitations if you use the Free File Fillable Forms. You fill in their forms and file them without the tax software. Not recommended for the faint of heart. Of course, this doesn’t apply to State returns, which you’ll have to take care of elsewhere.

What’s the Best Deal?

Well, it depends on the level of support you need.

H&R Block and TurboTax have great prices for people who have more complex tax situation, but can still do their taxes themselves. OLT has some killer pricing for those filing simple returns.