Shopping List
Mostly Eastern Iowa based business that I like doing business with. Even though I did create a page on Non-commercial values if I have to buy something these are the places I would. another
Page I added for Student Discount
Page for Low Income Resources
I based the below list off of this the list on this website moneyforpoet.com
and also http://www.johntreed.com/shoppinglist.html
"The number of options are simply overwhelming. Even if you somehow have money for all them, you don’t have the time. Here’s a sample:"
Clothing
Theisen's
They make good work clothes for men women etc...
JC Penney
khakis - Foundry or Levi’s New Freedom Big & Tall Men (flat front)
Gold Toe white quarter socks size 12-15 ( in black too & crew)
Kohl’s
Khakis - Croft & Barrow Big & Tall Men (flat front)
100% cotton sheets (best), not microfiber (cheaper)
100% cotton quilt (cool, not hot) - polyester is hot
environmentally friendly clothes for men.
Eye care
https://www.millerfamilyeyecare.com/
Miller has some good deals glasses can be had for around $100 they also take Medicaid.
Computer & Electronics
Used Tech
Midwest Computer Brokers Link http://mcbia.com/
for used computer & accessories you can get a good used laptop for $100
Located in Walford you can call them at (319) 845-2075
Darrel's Video City
Specializes in used & New TVs along with repair.
They are in Marion you can call them at (319) 377-5621
TV I have Samsung 40" TV is UN40H5003AFXAZ,
New Tech
Kirkwood Eagle Tech http://bookstore.kirkwood.edu/eagletech
a great place to buy a New Apple product or other new tech thing with a warranty & discounts
"You'll get them tax-free and at the same academic pricing we offer our full-time staff, faculty and credit students."
Telecommunications
Cell Phone Service
is one of the cheapest phone providers out there. I have them along with a Free Google Voice number I mostly use Google Voice because it integrates with Google hangouts so I can use it cross platform.
$327 upfront for a year of AT&T Cellphone service unlimited talk and text and 8GB of data a month.
https://www.att.com/prepaid/multi-month-plans/
https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/e5yn2l/att_prepaid_300_for_12_months_promo_advice_when/
Why would I pick AT&T I like their network and to have them as a backup to my T-moblie hotspot
The other options I would think about would be Tello I think its around $7-10 a month for service with limited data or Red pocket
Internet
The best deal out there spend $750 get Join the Calyx Institute after the 1st year its $500 each additional year for unlimited 5G internet. On the back end it runs on T-Mobile network
Two Independent service providers
South Slope Cooperative Communications A member owned co-op that offers fiber to the home. https://www.southslope.com/
ImOn has Fiber to The Home (FTTH) http://www.imon.net/
Otherwise see if your town has a co-op.
Other main providers in Iowa would be Mediacom they used a hybrid fiber coax or (HFC) built plant. A lot of times their network sucks because the last mile of connection is on a shared bandwidth pool and when little Johnny is playing world of Warcraft or some such game good luck watching Youtube etc..
CenturyLink was Northwest Bell back in the Ma Bell days in pre 1980's divestiture era. The staff was union and they were the only choice for phone service there was no cellphones. They offer DSL service and if you are close enough to a CO or central office you can get some good speeds but if you are far away then good luck.
TV Movies & News
Over the Air TV is a great way to get free content after a cheap setup. If you can get a roof ananta get one your picture quality will greatly improve
getting some sort of DVR would be good.
Simple and cheap offline DVR setup that can be setup for under $100
WH 150 Homeworx DVR
https://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-HomeWorx-Converter-Recording-HW-150PVR/dp/B00I2ZBD1U
High end top dollar option
Tablo
this option ran about $400 when everything was said and done.
https://www.tablotv.com/products/tablo-quad-ota-dvr/
Netflix Staz HBOMax etc
both are commercial free subscription services
free to air international channels FTA via a Ku band dish
Dreamcatcher satellite data radio on L band https://othernet.is/
Eating out
Pizza
Leonardo's Pizzeria http://leonardospizzacr.com/
cool place to eat at best place on the West side of town
New Haven pizza is available downtown CR
BBQ
Nelson's Meat Market http://www.nelsonsmeat.com/
Good ribs Wednesdays Only great burgers cooked out weekdays in the summer.
Pies & more
Kathy's Pies the best shop in eastern Iowa located downtown CR.
http://kathyspies.com/
Coffee
Big 10 Mart has $1 coffee http://www.big10mart.com/
DountLand the last of them are in CR.
Transportation
Bus Service
I cover this a lot more in the Student Discounts page.
Cedar Rapids City Bus Website
info about times rates etc...
After Hours bus services
NTS (Neighborhood Transportation Service) operates a curb-to-curb van service, and provides affordable night and weekend transportation to work, school, or life skill classes during times when the fixed route city buses do not operate. http://www.horizonsfamily.org/how-we-help/transportation/
Gray hound
Megabus to Chicago or most other major Hubs around the midwest Website
Flying Service
Cedar Rapids Allegiant Air is a low-cost airline that flys out of
Grocery Stores
New Pioneer Food Co-op http://www.newpi.coop/
A member owned co-op that I am a member-owner
lots of high quality variety one of the most expensive Grocery store with prices that could rival Hy-Vee but everyone is paid fairly from the unionized employees to the food producers
Fareway for a good value you store with a fair section I have heard that if they dont have it you dont need it :) https://www.fareway.com/
ALDI for the opposite of the Paradox of Choice so one can spend ones time in money on other avenues https://www.aldi.us/
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/aldi-fareway-and-the-value-of-discount-grocery-stores/
I would also say Hy-Vee and Walmart service a good spot in the market as well.
Board Games & Comic books
Alter Ego Comics
http://alteregoia.blogspot.com/
Independent comic book shop in Marion
Mindbridge Game Library
a nonprofit group that promotes gaming website
Furniture & Appliances
I try to look at the utilitarian value one receives from this Beds are used a lot of hours so are desk & chairs if you are at your desk at a computer.
Mattress
Lebeda Mattress http://lebeda.com/
Marion Iowa based Mattress company good quality beds.
Office Equipment
Welter Storage Equipment Co Inc http://www.welterstorage.com/
Good deals on new & used office equipment based out of iowa
Iowa City futon
Full size house special
http://www.iowacityfutons.com/
My chair
The Joshua rocker recliner from La-Z-Boy is
https://www.slumberland.com/p/joshua-rocker-recliner/La-Z-BoyJoshuaRockerRecliner.html
A Green Lawn solution Lawn Mower Fiskars reel mower Link to Review.
Gifts & Holiday stuff
Balloons Etc And The Costume Emporium http://crballoonsetc.com/
Independently owned and operated over 3,000 thousand costumes & lots of other interesting things.
Sporting Equipment
I bought a bowling ball & shoes some years ago from a Bowling Shop in the area the shoes have paid for themselves with not having to pay shoe rental fees.
other low cost sports to play. http://www.budgetsaresexy.com/2013/01/9-cheap-sports-of-the-un-rich/
s
Gym home or Membership etc.
https://www.crmetroymca.org/join/
Low income under 20k a year $26.60 a month or $300 a year.
Or
the MAC the best gym in the CR area.
Just walk or do stuff at home or go to a park if you live near one.
Books
I love the Public library network in the area great books lots of education to be had :)
Subscriptions
Overall I avoid magazine or many other types of monthly Subscriptions. I use Free email subscriptions.
Music
none but I do enjoy listing to classical music & Rock!
Iowa Public Radio nonprofit noncommercial radio
Utility Discounts
A program that can save you money on LED light bulbs.
Save even more with Be Bright: Iowa utilities’ lighting discount program Be Bright is a program sponsored by participating utilities. http://iowabebright.com/whatisbebright
Bankruptcy Planning & Death
Death and bankruptcy planning
Donate your body to U of Iowa
https://medicine.uiowa.edu/acb/dbphowtodonate
prepaid burial plan from Iowa cremation
for under $2,500 you can get this paid off and taken care of.
https://www.iowacremation.com/
things that pay for themselves
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/12-items-that-pay-for-themselves-tenfold-or-better/
http://www.clarkhoward.com/7-things-that-will-pay-for-the
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/
http://www.cheapism.com/blog/3818/useless-things-you-dont-need
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2015/0405/Ten-purchases-that-may-pay-for-themselves
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/things-that-pay-for-themselves/
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/miggv/what_products_can_i_buy_that_will_pay_for/