Pain in the…Gas?!

By now, you’ve probably accepted the fact that gas prices are unbelievably high. I mean, it was unbelievable when last year we paid more than $3 a gallon for the first time in U.S. history. Quite frankly, I’d rather not have another ‘unbelievable’ moment at the pump.

But, unfortunately I did have another moment. It happened when signs at gas stations across the country were suddenly changed to $4, and in some places $5, for one gallon of gas. Sorry guys, I have to say it again…unbelievable!

What’s even more unbelievable is the fact that we seem to have little to no control over the situation…forcing all of us to suck it up just as our wallets are being sucked dry. And now I’m facing what’s commonly referred to as a cash shortage! (I would ask Calgon to take me away, but I can’t afford to buy the Calgon.)

I understand that hurricanes will come and go. I even understand that there will be highs and lows in the oil industry. But, does anyone care about my highs and lows? Probably not! So, you know what I’ve been doing to get through the storm? First, I’ve been cutting back on what I do and how often I do it. Yeah, it’s painful to do, but it has also been working. Need some suggestions? Read on…

· Lay off the gas. Okay, so if you’re anything like me, you constantly drive fast because you’re running late. Well, here’s the problem. The faster you drive, the more fuel you burn. So, leave earlier, drive slower, and save some gas.
· Plan ahead. I’ve saved a ton just by planning my daily trips. If I need something from the store, I stop on the way. At this point, I absolutely refuse to make any special trips anywhere, unless I just have to.
· Car pool. Find friends or co-workers who live near you and get a carpool going. It doesn’t have to be every day, but every little bit helps. If everyone is chipping in, then everyone is saving money…including you.

Now, if all else fails and you’re still having trouble just getting by. There is nothing wrong with getting a little financial help. I’ve gone online several times and applied for personal loans, with great success. I am smart about it, though. As tempting as it may be, I refuse to go beyond my financial means and only deal with online loan companies that I trust. I hope this brief article will help you trust your gut when it comes to dealing with life’s high and lows at the pump and beyond…

K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid)

So, you’re broke…I get it. I’ve been there before and boy does it suck! It gets so bad that you start to wonder how you got to this point in the first place. I, for one, started looking back at my checking account ledger just to see where all my hard-earned money went. But, why spend time mulling over things you can’t change, when you should be trying to get yourself out of a financial rut?

One of my favorite acronyms is…you guessed it…K.I.S.S. or Keep it Simple Stupid. You know what that means to me? Quit doing stupid stuff with money you don’t have. Grab the bull by the horns and take control of your life, because you and I both know money does not grow on trees. (And, yes I happen to like cliches’ too…)

In keeping this money thing simple, you simply have to realize that this ain’t rocket science. Money is money and it’s all about how you treat it. It can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Either way, you need it and you cannot live without it.

Thanks to the billion or so financial experts who have posted money-saving tips on every corner and crevice of the world-wide web, there’s really no need for me to repeat what they’ve already said. But, there are some things I want to share with you…in a pretty bold fashion, if you don’t mind.

1. If your checking account ledger has a zero balance, DON’T WRITE A CHECK! Simple concept. I know the “beat the check” game, but seriously the banking industry is a lot smarter now. And, trust me they will beat you to the punch, then charge you a fee you can’t afford because you’re already broke.

2. $20-$20=$0 Simple math. If you spend all that you have, then there’s nothing left. Remember that whole “money does not grow on trees” bit? Well, I didn’t make that up. It’s true. I’ve been around for awhile and the only money tree I’ve ever seen was at a wedding…and the guests put the money on the tree.

3. Too many bills and not enough income? Simple solution. Sometimes it gets to the point where you just can’t get your head above water. It happens…even to some of the best people. An online cash advance could help you get back on your feet. But, make sure you borrow responsibly!

Again, the whole theme here is to (say it with me) keep it simple, just don’t be stupid.