Hustle and Cash-flo

Let's save some money, shall we? Full-effect Christmas shopping is about to jump in front of everyone...so with that in mind, and also the fact that some of my ex-coworkers have gotten a recent layoff, here are some tips to save you a little dough.

Greasy: Don't pay full price for an oil change! Lube shops often take competitor coupons, or you can always just plain ask "for a little off". It's been a while since I paid full price. Maybe they'll push back, and so will you, but then you can remind them about how you recently saw their guy outside sporting a "$14.95 oil change right now" sandwich board. $29.95? Booo.

Shiny: If you're gonna drop some big coin at the gem shop, ask for a discount. I have been approached very quickly about 30-percent off on a very nice Swiss watch brand. I was already walking around with a previous shiny buy, so I didn't feel like shelling $550+ or whatever the thing would be. Buuuuuuut, a few doors down at another mall bling shop - less pricey - I spied a nice watch and said something like "hey man, can you do 30-percent off this one?" Reply: calculator out...buttons pushed..."yea." Caution: you'll look foolish if you try this one at like Tiffany's or C.D. Peacock.

Eggy: Simple. Buy the 18-egg pack over the dozen. You will eat them. And if you think they'll go stale, make yourself a huge-ass frittata. The thing will last for days and you can eat it whenever. How 'bout a beer with that? More butter and salt, and you got yourself a tapas party, if you just cook up more tapas.

Paper-y: Go with bargain-basement toilet paper. For all bathrooms that are not the master bath. Sorry guys. Or even cheapify it for your own patootie, if you need all the quarters you can spare. But I'm keeping the fluffy Cottonelle or its sister brand Charmin...because that's how I unroll.

Webby: Do sign up for retail rewards programs - you're likely to get more email coupons than you could shake a wreath at. I've already netted 40-percent off on some crunk from Borders. If I motor out to the shopping hinterlands, (beautiful Huntley, IL) I think another 40-70 percent off awaits me in a couple days. Read the fine print to see if you can opt out of third-party info sharing.

Goodie, you've saved enough for a grande redeye at Starbucks. Now you're back to zero, or at least I am.