$avvy $aving

Slowing down can save more then your life

2009-06-04T15:54:00.002-04:00

Getting a speeding ticket is not fun. Especially when you are just having “one of those” days. But did you know that approximately 1 in 6 drivers will get a speeding ticket this year? Before you speed off to work or school or where ever you may be going you may want to know some facts to prevent yourself from paying hefty fines.

Did you know that in the United States, more then 100,000 people receive a speeding ticket each day? That equals about 41,000,000 speeding tickets each year and the average ticket costs around $150. That’s a lot of money, about six billion to be exact. Speeding will affect your insurance as well. The average raise for one speeding ticket over 3 years will cost you about $900.

Did you know that you can contest your fine and in many cases have it dismissed or reduced and not put on your driving record? Over 95% of people just pay their fines and don’t bother going to court. For those who do go to court the officer who issued your ticket is supposed to show up but 30-50% of the time they don’t which are grounds for dismissal. If you have a chance of getting your case dismissed it would make sense to fight it right. Did you know that more women then men fight their speeding tickets?

So watch your speed not only for your safety and the safety of others but for your wallet as well. You can avoid these fines all together just by slowing down.

For more information about what types of cars stand out to cops and what states have the highest amount of speeding tickets check the link below.

Source: http://www.trafficticketsecrets.com/speeding-ticket-facts.html

How you can save up to $2,000 a year

2009-05-21T08:43:00.003-04:00

Making just a few changes in your everyday life could add up, maybe even up to $2,000 a year or more. An article posted on CNN Money gives some good tips on simple ways to save you some cash. Some of these include:

-Replacing your old washer and dryer with more energy efficient ones (such as the Energy Star Models)
-Using cash instead of credit for groceries and clothes
-Getting lower car insurance.

Can you think of anything you could do to save on your bills? Maybe turning off lights, using energy efficient light bulbs, making sure your refrigerator is running well, or unplugging or turning off your computer when not in use. If you really think about it for a minute you may be able to save more money then you realize. An extra $2,000 a year sounds pretty good for only making a few minor changes. Although, buying a new washer and dryer or other energy efficient appliances won’t save you right off the bat, they will wind up paying for themselves in the long run.

Inexpensive Wedding Gifts

2009-05-14T08:34:00.003-04:00

If you’re like me, you’ve already started to receive a ton of wedding invitations or maybe you’ve already been to a few weddings in the past few months. Hopefully you’ve got a lot of extra cash saved or maybe you don’t. Weddings can be expensive, even for those just attending. Maybe you even have four or five weddings to attend like me. Just one wedding can cut into your finances. From what you are going to wear, travel expenses, and wedding gifts, attending your best friend’s wedding could get pricey. Well if you are on a budget there are still ways to come up with creative gifts that don’t look cheap. Hey it’s the thought that counts right? Here are a few ideas from an article on about.com.

-find out where the couple is going for their honeymoon. If they are going to a beach maybe get them some supplies such as sunscreen and good quality beach towels, or some cute flip flops and put them in a nice bag

-put together a movie night for them. Buy a romantic comedy and throw in some popcorn or candy and maybe a blanket and a big popcorn bowl.

-Is the couple buying their first house? Buy them a subscription to a good do it yourself magazine or any magazine that might be useful to them.

-give them the ingredients for a romantic dinner. Buy some good pasta and sauce and maybe some candles and put it with a special note.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money for a great wedding gift. Many couples register at a few different places and have a wide price range. You may be able to afford some of the items they have registered for. If not, just be creative. Do a search online and talk with other friends to see what they will be bringing. Maybe you could even split a really expensive item with a few people. Don’t let the wedding gift put you into a financial bind. Weddings are always a lot of fun and you shouldn’t have to stress about the gift.

Tips for Recent Grads: Do This Not That

2009-05-08T10:19:00.001-04:00

So you’ve graduated from college and the world is at your fingertips. Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones to have already landed a full-time job. You’re ready to start your career, and ready for whatever life throws at you. You think you’ve got it all covered and then it hits you. The school loans, insurance, rent, and car payments. How do you handle it all? There are many do’s and don’ts that recent college grads and young professionals should consider when entering into the “real world” to save them money and headaches.

DO This NOT That

-DO develop a plan to repay your student loans. Even if you haven’t landed that dream job and you are still on the hunt, come up with a plan you know you can stick to. “According to statistics from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, the average student loan debt among graduating seniors is $19,237.”(http://ezinearticles.com/?Recent-Grads-Face-a-Bleak-Economy&id=1511123)

-DON’T default. This may result in trouble getting money for future education or a wage garnishment. If you do have trouble, contact your lender about a deferment or other options.

-DO consider public transportation if you live in a larger city. Carpooling may also be another option. This can save you money on gas, insurance, and car payments.

-DON’T rush into buying a new car after landing a job. Many people graduate and one of the first things they want to do is buy a new car or house. If you do buy a car or house, make sure the payment is not more than you can handle. If you are under 25 years old, you may wind up paying more for your car insurance due to your age.

-DO go out and have fun, meet new people and try new things, just be cautious.

-DON’T become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. Just because your friends can afford to eat out all the time and go shopping doesn’t mean you can. Or maybe you got accustomed to a certain lifestyle in college. It is ok to say no. Your salary at your new or current job may not be what you expect and you need to balance your money between what you NEED to survive and the things that you WANT.

Once you have that full-time job and make at least $1,000 a month, DO consider a payday loan if you get yourself stuck in a sticky situation. We all need a little help sometimes. It’s ok to ask for help, just DON’T abuse it.

DO make sure you balance your budget but DON’T stress yourself out. Just stick to a plan you can handle. Doing simple things like these can help you save enough money to start paying back those school loans, credit cards, payday loans or other expenses. Before you know it you WILL be prepared to combat whatever life throws at you.

Article on finding free stuff

2009-04-30T09:32:00.001-04:00

I was searching for free things on the internet and came across this site. SaveMoney.com has an article on how to get free things from companies in an effort to save money on commonly used products. The article also links to other sites that offer freebies and also things like contests and sweepstakes.

I also save money by requesting free samples from companies that offer food, health, home, and beauty products. Walmart offers a ton of free samples directly on their sites, in addition to coupons and free trials.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of doing a search for “free stuff” in your favorite search engine. You will have to weed through all of the spam and not so secure offers, but you can find a ton of wonderful free offers on the internet.

Freezer Cooking – A great way to save with savvy

2009-04-16T08:50:00.002-04:00

What is freezer cooking? Basically, this is the practice of cooking more than you need for a meal and then freezing the rest for later meals. People use freezer cooking in various ways. Some just simply freeze the leftovers from the previous night’s meal. Other people go to extremes and cook an entire month’s worth of meals in one sitting and then freeze individual portions.

Freezer cooking, or once a month cooking, is a great way for busy people to prepare nutritious meals with little hassle. This way is much more cost effective than the prepackaged frozen meals, take out, or fast food. In fact, you can cook the same lasagna that you can buy in the frozen section with more nutrients, less salt, and for less than half the cost.

Think about how much extra money you will have lying around to help out with household bills, pay down loans, and bulk up the savings account.

Quit smoking now to save money!

2009-04-09T11:04:00.001-04:00

We all know smoking is bad for your health, but smoking is now becoming increasingly bad for your wallet. On April 1^st, a federal tax increase on cigarettes of almost 62 cents was enacted. This means, that a carton of cigarettes in Denver, Colorado, that used to cost $49, now costs $58.

This article on CNN, talks about the benefits the tax increase will hold for government programs, as well as talks to some of the people who are affected by this tax increase…smokers. I am torn on the issue. I think that we should tax items like cigarettes in order to raise money for government programs, but I think we should also subsidize treatment for people who want to quit smoking as a result of the price increases. As of right now I don’t know of any government assistance to help people quit smoking. In fact, since most insurance do not cover prescription stop smoking aids like Chantix and there is no generic equivalent, the cost of paying for the medicine is more expensive than paying for the cigarettes for many smokers.

But, the fact of the matter is, if you want to save more money to pay down loans and other bills, you should quit smoking. That is a lot of money to burn!

Grocery store savings

2009-04-02T08:33:00.001-04:00

The price of food is something that is uncontrollable. Prices will rise…it is inevitable. However, what you can control is how much you spend on groceries. Simple changes can yield a huge result in the amount of money you are able to keep in your bank account.

Here are a few of the things I do to cut back on the amount I spend:

Plan out my meals and do all the shopping for them at once
Eat vegetarian frequently. Meat is expensive. A can of beans is a much cheaper option.
DO NOT go to the store hungry. I did this once and ended up spending twice as much as I intended.
Shop around. Different stores have different deals depending on the day. Just don’t waste a lot of gas driving around.
Don’t bring the kids or the spouse shopping. This eliminates any, “but I really want that!!!” arguments.
Bring a list and stick to it. Avoid the impulse buys at all costs.

Stop living paycheck to paycheck

2009-03-26T16:07:00.001-04:00

Living paycheck to paycheck is no way to get ahead in this life. However, for many Americans, this is a harsh reality. They are not saving any money, and this can lead to many financial troubles down the road. Thankfully there are payday loans to help with the emergencies that come up, but while these loans are great for short term help, they should not be used as a consistent income supplement.

Here are a few things you can do to stop living paycheck to paycheck.

Budget – Budgeting is an important way to stop spending above your means and start keeping track of things you spend money on. Then you can figure out where your “money bleed” is and fix that by cutting back on the spending in that category.
Go back to school – While you will have to pay for classes with student loans and start incurring debt, getting a degree or certificate is a great way to increase your earning potential. It may take a few years, but will pay off in the long run.
Start saving – Once you have fixed your budget, dedicate a small portion of your paycheck and have it direct deposited to a savings account. You won’t see the money, so you will not be tempted to spend it. If your company has a 401K, invest in it the same way.
Get help – Talk to a credit counselor, get your bills consolidated, and then get more tricks to help you save more.

Save money on household cleaning products

2009-03-20T09:18:00.000-04:00

Learning what the pros do when cleaning houses can save you a ton of money on cleaning supplies. I found this news article, out of Philadelphia, online and it talks about the tricks a pro uses to clean houses. Here are some of his suggestions:

Use an old toothbrush to clean tight areas like corners
Use baking soda to clean most surfaces, and deodorize the garbage disposal
Use a 50-50 mix of vinegar and water for glass cleaner
Reuse socks and dryer sheets for cleaning windows and mirrors
Dust a ceiling fan using a vacuum cleaner with attachments
Dust electronics using a hair dryer on low
Use coffee filters (unused) as non-abrasive cleaning cloths

What other tricks do you use to save money on cleaning products?

Cute story about a family finding lost change

2009-03-13T08:23:00.001-04:00

So last week I talked about taking loose change and sticking it in a jar to see how much you can save. Well I was searching around for stories of people who have been able to pay off debt doing this, and I came across this cute article about a family called the Humpherys.

Every day the family comes home and deposits their findings (lost change found on sidewalks, hallways, etc) into a plastic container. 3 ½ years later, this money has added up to almost $1100.

They blog about their money findings, and use these money findings to teach their kids a lesson about realizing that their father is not an endless supply of money. They are trying to instill the lesson that “every penny counts”.

I find this to be a wonderful way to teach kids the value of a dollar. What do you think?

Loose change

2009-03-05T14:11:00.002-05:00

What do you do with your loose change at the end of the day? I throw mine into a jar and when it fills up I roll it and take it to the bank. I have a special savings account set up just for all that money, and you will be surprised at how much it can amount to!

I had a standard vase that I dropped my loose change into for about a year, and I was surprised to find that at the end of the year the amount of money in that vase was close to $600. I find it absolutely amazing that you can take something as simple as spare change and turn it into that much money!

I used the some of the money to pay off a loan, and then the rest went to start that savings account. Since that first vase, I have successfully saved another $500 just in spare change and random pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters I have found on the street.

Do you save your change? If so, how much have you saved?

Easy ways to save $100 per week

2009-02-26T14:12:00.001-05:00

I was searching around for a topic for this week’s post and I came across this great website called WalletPop.com. In a section called “economizer”, I ran across an article called “7 Easy Ways to Save $100 a Week”. In this article they give you some ideas to help you save money like eliminating mani/pedis and dumping your land line.

Most of these ideas are things that I am already doing so it isn’t going to quite save me $100 per week, but it will save me some, and that is the important part.

20 foods…$1 a piece

2009-02-19T13:05:00.003-05:00

When you feel like you are going to have to take out a loan to pay for groceries these days, and the food prices keep climbing, know that you can still feed your family healthy and nutritious food for around $1 a piece. I found this article on DevineCaroline.com, talking about 20 foods that are around $1 a piece.

Here’s the list (and remember that most of these are under $1 per serving) and you can read the full article by clicking the link above.

Oats
Eggs
Kale
Potatoes
Apples
Nuts
Bananas
Garbanzo Beans
Broccoli
Watermelon
Wild Rice
Beets
Butternut Squash
Whole Grain Pasta
Sardines (not my favorite…in fact…YUCK)
Spinach
Tofu
Lowfat milk
Pumpkin seeds
Coffee

Print those holiday photos at a discount!

2009-02-13T09:07:00.002-05:00

Still have holiday photos sitting on your computer, or worse yet, your camera? Well get them off of your hard drive and into your hands with great photo printing deals from some top online photo printing companies.

Right now if you join Shutterfly you get free unlimited photo storage, 25% off of photo books, and 25 free 4 x 6 prints. Each additional photo print is 15 cents which can be a huge savings! The nice part is, Shutterfly has a deal with Target where you can pick up your prints there and not have to pay shipping and handling!

Snapfish gives you free photo storage, 20 free prints for signing up, and their prints start at 9 cents apiece. You have to pay shipping and handling because they have to in store pick up, but you can always find online coupons that usually include free shipping.

Photoworks has a deal now where you get 50 free prints just for signing up and they offer free shipping on orders over $10. They offer volume discounts on prints, so depending on how many you want to order, you can get prints for as low as 9 cents per print.

These are three of my favorite sites to use for photo printing and there are a ton of other sites out there where you can find great deals on photo printing. Just shop around and you can be sure to find a deal that is right for you!

Don’t have a money tree? Grow your own!

2009-02-05T13:59:00.000-05:00

And I’m actually not talking about a real live money tree. I’m talking about a nest egg to keep yourself and your family happy in the future. It really isn’t that hard. All principles of regular saving apply. You simply have to cut some spending on meals out and lattes, invest in a 401K or Roth IRA, and read up on retirement planning.

There is a ton of free online help to get you started on retirement nest egg saving. Take advantage of the calculators that show you how much you will need, when you should start saving, and when you can retire based off of your current savings strategy. In fact, CNN and Money Magazine just put out the ultimate guide to retirement, where you can find all of these tools and articles.

Every little bit you save will help that money tree grow. Trust me, when retirement comes, you will be happy you have nurtured your own money tree ever time you have to pick from it.

Save Money by Reducing Your Utility Costs

2009-01-29T14:05:00.001-05:00

Light Bulbs
Replace conventional light bulbs with the new compact fluorescent bulbs, they are four times as powerful and will last ten times as long.

Thermostat
Keep your thermostat set no higher than 68 degrees in winter and no lower than 78 degrees in summer. In winter, every degree higher can raise heating costs by 3%. In summer, every degree lower can raise cooling costs by 6%.

Water
Set your hot water heater temperature between 110 and 120 degrees. Having the temperature any higher is unnecessary and is wasted energy.

For laundry, stick to doing large loads of laundry which use about 21 gallons of water. Avoid doing several small loads, which each use about 14 gallons of water. By doing one large load instead of several small ones, you can save around 7 gallons of water. It might not seem like much, but over the course of a year, it will add up.

Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s a full load and instead of using the heat cycle, let the dishes air dry.

New Year, New Resolutions, New Budget

2009-01-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

You toasted with champagne, watched the ball drop in Times Square, and resolved to get your financial life back on track this year. What do you do now? Are you going to let this resolution fall by the wayside like so many other people’s do? Or are you actually going to follow through this year?

Where do you start?

The key part of getting your financial life back on track is planning, making, and sticking with a budget. I know…that dreaded “b” word! But, if you are going to actually do it this year…that is the only way to go.

If you are like me, you overspent and overindulged during the holiday season. The bills are probably just starting to come in, and as you watch your credit card balance go up and your bank account balance go down, you have got to be thinking “why me?!?”. If you had a budget you wouldn’t be dealing with that right now. You would have spent as much as you had allotted for holiday gifts and parties, and that would have been it. I know this sounds harsh, but that is why you need a budget!

So where do you go to get started? CNN Money has this wonderful little section called “Money 101”. It can help to walk you through the first steps of creating a budget, and also offers a plethora of information on other financial decisions like buying a car, saving for retirement, and investing in the stock market. But stick with the budgeting section for now, and you can worry about the other financial tutorials when you get your financial life back on track.

And, even after you finish making your budget; know that you can always turn to payday loans to get you that extra boost to pay off those holiday bills. They can be just the extra padding your budget can use when you are getting started.

Savvy Saving Black Friday Strategies

2008-11-21T09:24:00.001-05:00

We’re just a week away from what I like to call the Black Friday Bonanza! It’s not here yet, but as usual the hype starts early. There are people who are already frantically searching for circulars and comparing early bird prices online, while getting themselves in a tizzy over which stores to hit first.

Now, I understand not everyone is into Black Friday. It can be a hassle trying to maneuver through malls when it seems everyone is out and about. But, some of the deals you can get are probably some of the best you’ll find. Notice I said some!

So without further ado, I’d like to share my savvy saving Black Friday strategies. Why? Because, I am here to help you.

1) Shop for Deals First – You can find deals online and in newspapers long before Black Friday gets here. Do some price comparisons to see who is offering the best deals. And by all means, please know what you want before you start looking for stuff you don’t necessarily need.
2) Mark Your Territory – Figure out which stores you need to hit and at what times. A lot of stores will give you what I call a window of opportunity. That simply means you’ll only be able to buy certain items at certain prices during certain times, like from 6AM-10AM.
3) Map Out a Route – If you know where you’re going, then it’s really easy to figure out the best way to get there. First of all, Black Friday traffic (for lack of a better word) sucks! Have a map or an outline of the best ways to maneuver from mall to mall or store to store. If you don’t know the shortcuts, then start looking for them.

Now, all of these things probably sound great. But, if your pockets are empty, it sounds like you’re putting the cart before the horse. If your next paycheck isn’t coming in before Black Friday, then go online and get a payday loan. Did you know you could qualify for up to $1500? Did you know there were new customer discounts and cash rewards for referrals? So, think about that for a minute. They are going to pay you just for doing business with them? It really doesn’t get any better than that.

So, whether you’re shopping for cash, gifts, or those little things you want for yourself, keep all of these Black Friday strategies in mind and most importantly…be savvy and save!

To Invest or Not to Invest: The Stock Market Samba

2008-11-14T09:04:00.002-05:00

Surely, you haven’t pulled completely out of the market. And, yes I just called you Shirley! If you aren’t familiar with that line, it is only one of the most memorable quotes from the 1980 comedy Airplane. In the movie, Ted Striker saves the day and the passengers aboard a commercial flight after crew members get so sick they are unable to fly the plane.

By now you’re probably wondering what in the world does that have to do with investing. It’s simple! Just as Striker steered the plane to safety, so should you when it comes to steering your finances. Just a few months ago, we saw the stock market take one of the biggest nosedives in U.S. history. Now it’s time to figure out if it’s okay to get back onboard for a little stock market samba.

Don’t Knock it ‘til you Try it!

This rule applies to everything you do. If you’ve never invested in the stock market, it’s not as scary a beast as it’s sometimes made out to be. However, if you are not careful, the stock market can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. It’s a big system full of stocks and bonds from a number of companies and the prices are based on supply and demand. There’s the buyer, the seller, and the guy in between who’s often called the stockbroker.

It is the broker’s job to do all the wheeling and dealing, but both the buyer and the seller must agree on a price before any transaction takes place. If you’re the buyer, your goal is to buy at a low price, so that you can sell later when the price goes up. When the price does go up, you can either hold on to it or sell it. That’s when you become a seller. (Told ya this was easier than it looks…)

Taking on the Stock Market

The good news is, you can make money in the stock market. The bad news is, there are no guarantees. That’s why you always want to invest wisely so that you will know what you’re getting yourself into. That’s also where your broker comes into play. Ask question after question after question after question…until you are sure you get it.

In my quest to keep it simple, I’ll bullet point the next steps to take if you decide to take on the stock market.

Set goals and determine needs – This will help you figure out how much you should invest.
Determine value of stocks – Don’t just look at the price, look at the company’s worth.
Diversify – Don’t risk it all in one place. Protect your money and invest in high and low risk stocks!

Hopefully, these little tidbits will help you decide whether to invest or not to invest. Just remember though, the stock market is a long term financial strategy. If you’re looking for a short term fix, then you may want to consider taking out a short term online loan. It’s one of the easiest and convenient ways I know of when it comes to getting ahead. More is surely to come…and yes, I just called you Shirley once again!

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul…with Bad Credit

2008-11-07T14:26:00.000-05:00

I’m not really sure where the phrase came from, but it’s one I’ve referred to quite often. Many of you reading this post may be thinking…”hmmm I don’t think I fit into this category, so I’ll just ignore this one.” That would be problem #1. If you know what the title implies, then you might want to think twice about skipping this article.

When you have bad credit, you have very few options when it comes to borrowing money. If you go to a bank, you run the risk of getting rejected and further ruining your credit. If you go to a payday loan store, you run the risk of being seen by people you know. I, personally, would rather keep my personal finances separate from personal friends, but that’s just me.

There is always a way out of a bad situation, even when your personal forecast calls for even cloudier days ahead. It’s not easy, but it can be done.

First, don’t follow the rob Peter to pay Paul method. This will only end up getting you deeper and deeper in debt. (As the saying implies, you will owe Peter even if you do pay Paul. So, what’s the point?) Shying away from this approach is especially important when you have bad credit because this could lead to bills not being paid on time, which could then lead to more negative marks on your credit report…and well, I think you get the point.

What’s more important is for you to identify where you stand financially, right now. That’s something only you can answer. You know what goals you want to reach. You also know how far off or close to those goals you are. As my father always says, “if you don’t understand where you are, then how will you know how to get where you’re going.”

Make Arrangements! Say you’re in a tight spot and you just cannot figure out a way to pay the bills. I know it sucks, but you can make arrangements. It is a much better idea to do that, instead of messing up your credit even more. For those of you saying to yourself, ‘my credit can’t get any worse,’ think again! Your credit status includes information like the amount of debt you have and your payment history. The last thing you need is for a company you’re dealing with to submit negative information to the credit bureaus. That doesn’t go away overnight, no matter how quickly you resolve the issue.

Pay on Time! If you have a mortgage, always pay it first and pay it on time. Make that a habit and don’t break it. For reasons I won’t get into, mortgage payments carry a lot of weight. I hate to do this…but if for some reason, you are abducted by a space alien for two weeks and lose your job as a result, then by all means call your lender and see if something can be worked out. I don’t think the story will work, but at least make the phone call.

Get Help! As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I have gotten help before and quite frankly I am not afraid or ashamed to do it again. In the past, when all else failed, I turned to online lending companies for help. Again, the key here is not to bite off more than you can chew. Figure out how much you need, then compare it to how much you can pay back. The really good thing about them is that I know for a fact they will work with you. And, don’t worry about your credit. They accept all kinds.

All I’m saying is don’t keep robbing Peter to pay Paul if you don’t have to. There are ways to get out of the financial rut you’re in. Just dig in your heels and get going on a path to financial sanity.

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

2008-10-31T09:23:00.002-04:00

Ring a bell? Let’s go back shall we…”Here’s a little song I wrote. You might want to sing it note for note. Don’t worry, be happy.” I could go on, but surely you recognize the lyrics to Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” I’m willing to bet you’re probably singing it to yourself, huh? – Me too!

Well, I’m dedicating this post to the title for several reasons...mainly the economy. For the past few weeks now, we’ve seen headlines that include phrases like “worry on wall street” and “worried about your money” because of the decline of the global market.

For a few minutes, I did worry about my money and whether any would be left of it if the economy continued to slide downhill. I don’t worry anymore though. Know why? It’s because I have a back-up plan. It may sound a little conceited, but it’s true and I want to help you develop a plan of your own so that you won’t worry either.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few nifty tricks that have helped me put a little bit away for those rainy days. And, like most people there are some things I had to learn the hard way, but I guess it is all part of the growing process. Below, you’ll find a few tips that might help you create a back-up plan for you and your family.

Save – This is one of the best things I’ve seen since sliced bread. All you have to do is deposit your money into an account that earns interest based on the banks’ rates. As much as I hate to say this…I feel that I must. If you don’t put any money into your account or if you consistently take money out, you won’t save nearly as much as you could. The key word here is SAVE. So, before you begin to take any money out of a savings account, make sure you have, at the very least, two months of your salary in there. Hey, times are tough, you never know!
Invest – Now, this one can be tricky, especially with the way the stock market has been plummeting. Despite what some financial experts may be saying, it’s okay to invest your money. You just have to be reasonable. If you’re young, it’s okay to take a risk because this is a long term investment. However, if you are close to retirement, it might be a better idea to get out so that you don’t run the risk of losing it all. And if you’re confused, don’t try to do this all by yourself. There are a number of financial experts out there, who are more than willing to help you out.
STICK TO IT! STICK TO IT! STICK TO IT! STICK TO IT! - Did you get that? Well, let me repeat it once more. Stick to it! There is no way you are going to be able to have a financial back-up plan, if you don’t discipline yourself. Compare this principal to your own job. If you don’t go to work Monday-Friday from 9AM-5PM, then you won’t be paid. If you don’t stick to your financial guns now, there may not be any money out there, when you need it the most.

Almost everything I’ve written is part of a long term financial plan. But, let’s face it. There are times when you will likely need a short-term financial fix. I’ve been there and done that before. It won’t hurt to try an advance loan. And, it actually kept me from having to dip into my savings. Advance loans are quick and you can still qualify for these online loans even if you have bad credit. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, don’t be greedy. Borrow only what you need and by all means…don’t worry, be happy!

Financially Frazzled?

2008-10-23T13:44:00.003-04:00

Yes, gas prices are high. Yes, your utility company is raising its rates. And yes, your paycheck is and will remain the same. We’ve all seen it before and sadly, I must say, we will all probably see days like this again.

I would absolutely love to tell you that the financially frazzled mindset you have will magically disappear when you actually do find that winning lottery ticket. There’s just one problem. The odds of you winning the lottery are so slim…well, I won’t even go into it.

So, as I’ve said before, here’s the deal. You can either grab the bull by the horns (not literally people…this could be detrimental to your health) or you can sink even deeper into a hole of financial distress and well-being (actually this could be detrimental too).

The point is, if you don’t do something about your financial state, no one will. And that could cause you more problems like late fees, a bad credit rating, and possibly higher interest rates.

So, here are three things I always keep in mind when life’s nasty bumps get in my way:

1. Perspective. Be honest with yourself and put everything in perspective. Look over all the things you’re paying for and see what you can temporarily do without. Movies are great, but do you really need to rent one or two movies every week? Girls night out is even better, but do you really need to go to a bar once a week?
2. Practicality. If you’ve read previous postings, then you already know that I’m a straight shooter when it comes to advice. So, be level-headed about your spending. Don’t go out and buy something out of anger or on a whim…especially if you know it’s not something you really need. Be patient and practical, and this will pass.
3. Position. Now, once you’re halfway through your crisis, just remember to position yourself for future hurdles. Always have a game plan in place, just in case the unexpected comes up. As my grandfather once said, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Now, here’s the tough part. Let’s say you went through the three P’s and you’re still not out of the water. Well, guess what? I have been there too. And, now I think I understand what my grandfather was talking about.

Fortunately for me, I have online loan companies. Yes, I’ve done it and I’m proud of it. And, contrary to popular belief, I had no problems whatsoever. I got the cash advance I was looking for, paid the bills I needed to pay, and was… footloose and fancy free (okay forget I wrote that…bad, bad cliché) …more than relieved that I had found a solution to my financial problems. And, you know what? I am no longer financially frazzled. Woo-hoo!

Spent! Literally…

2008-10-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

There has been a lot of talk lately about the possibility of the United States falling into yet another depression. My great-aunt was around during the 1930’s depression. Know what? She doesn’t remember a thing about it, because her family was poor when it hit.

Now, I’ve been poor, broke, down-trodden, financially challenged and everything in between. So, at this point I can truly say that I’ve been there and done that. But, I have never seen the economy in the shape it is in, which is why I am now spent! This time, I’m not talking about cash flow. I’m talking about a mindset. (And yes, I still want Calgon to take me away…)

This is not just about Wall Street. There are people out there who are hitting rock bottom left and right. They are losing their jobs, homes, and livelihoods because of this negative economic shift. They too are spent and now there is no more for them to spend!

If you are one of those people, then there is hope. It’s not too late to pick up the pieces because help is available. Four score and seven words ago, I mentioned that I have been poor, broke, down-trodden, etc. Well, I got the help I needed with some fast cash.

The fast cash online loan process was quick, too. I did my research, found the right online loan company, and applied. It really was that easy! I mean, I didn’t even have to have collateral to get this particular unsecured online loan.

Now, this is obviously not for everyone. I mean, let’s use our five common senses here. If you just lost your job, do you really think any lender is going to approve a loan for you? Better yet, do you really think it would be a good idea to borrow money right now anyway? Probably not.

I would never force my opinions or beliefs on anyone. I can only tell you what has helped me in the past. I figure since I won’t be winning the lottery any time soon, this is my winning lottery ticket, when I need cash and need it fast.

Desperate Times & Drastic Measures

2008-10-08T17:05:00.002-04:00

For quite a while now, we’ve seen the economy take what seems like an uncontrollable nosedive. I mean every financial expert and analyst out there is being interviewed by almost every news organization…pointing the finger at the mortgage industry or the government. But, I really don’t think any one entity can be blamed for the economic downturn we’ve seen.

Nothing that’s happened, actually happened overnight. Multi-million dollar companies don’t ask for help after having one bad day on Wall Street. This was triggered by a series of events. And in some cases, these desperate times have called for drastic measures.

Obviously, you and I are on a much smaller financial scale, but there are some lessons to be learned from these financial fiascos. Here are just a few things I’ve picked up along the way.

· Plan Ahead. Lay out your bills for one month. Now, look at your monthly income and plan accordingly. Create a budget for yourself and try to stick to it. I know it’s hard, but it’s certainly not as drastic as filing for bankruptcy. Remember what I said in my first post…it’s simple math.
· Spend Wisely. In no way would I encourage you to pay your bills and that’s it. We all have to live and if you’re being that disciplined with your money, you deserve to treat yourself to something special every now and then. Here’s the key in doing so…don’t overdo it.
· Act Quickly. If you’re in the middle of a credit crunch, don’t be afraid or ashamed to get help. I mean think about it. The longer you wait, the more interest accruals you might see or the more ‘past due’ letters you might receive. It’s probably best that you seek help at the first sign of financial distress.

Don’t let desperate times make you resort to drastic measures. Help is out there and you can find it in many different ways. Take online cash loans for example. They can help you pay your bills on time and avoid all those unnecessary late fees. If you were to apply today, you could be approved as early as the next business day. Then you’ll have the money you need, and pay the bills that are standing in your way. BTW, this is not a game show where you get to walk away with the grand prize and never look back. When you borrow money, you agree to pay it back. So, keep that in mind when it comes to how much of a small personal loan you really should be taking out.

Pain in the…Gas?!

2008-09-30T10:51:00.003-04:00

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)

2008-09-15T14:15:00.005-04:00

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.