When is an advertised bargain a real bargain? When it proves to be one by really saving your hard earned dollars. These money saving hints can provide best values and buys for your whole family.

The named best buys and services below have immediate dollar saving value and added convenience. Try any or all of them for a few months and make note of the money you have saved. Sometimes little niceties are needed so you don't feel that you are taking financial steps back instead of forward. You will find that these are Real Bargains!

• If you use a dial-up service for Internet access, you can be alerted to all of your incoming telephone calls and have the option of taking the call or transferring it to your cell phone. The company CallWave offers this service, which presently starts at a very low cost per month. When you are on your computer, you are able to see the incoming telephone number and hear the message. Also included in the service is a personal fax number and a toll-free home telephone number to give to family and friends who are on a tight budget but need to stay in touch with you. CallWave will bill directly to your telephone service. Well worth the money. www.callwave.com
  
  
• Are one of those people who only their cell phone to call home to check on family or to say "I am on my way", prepaid is definitely the way to go. Why spend $25 and upwards monthly when you minimally use your cell phone. TracFone offers stylish prepaid Nokia brand cell phones at very low prices. You can buy additional airtime online or from many large stores. Try prepaid for six months, you will be pleasantly surprised at the money you save. www.tracfone.com
  
  
• Even if you are not a coupon clipper, you can still save money by using a customer money saving card. Most supermarkets offer these free membership cards. Many pharmacy super stores offer them as well, Eckerds, etc. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. Generally, you receive these customer cards the same day. Get them and use them whenever possible, you can save hundreds of dollars a year. Get more savings by signing up for the stores e-mails also. You will receive helpful hints and special print out coupons. Don't just use the cards, use the money saving coupons that are attached to your receipts.
  Two useful online sites are CoolSavings and SmartSource.com