Simple Money Saving Tips
If you’re looking for ways to save up for that family vacation you’ve been wanting to take, or perhaps you’re trying to cut down on those student loans more quickly, there are many small lifestyle changes you can make with significant payback down the line. You know from your childhood that loose change really does add up over time, so why not take active measures to control the money in your wallet now? Below are some easy tips to be more thrifty starting today.
- Turn off the television, and turn on your computer instead. It’s no wonder that more and more people are turning to online streaming providers like Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Instant Video to watch their favorite shows. Paying $50 or more for cable each month can add up quickly, whereas on-demand services typically cost less than $10 per month. Another perk: watching shows at a time that’s convenient for you, with fewer commercials.
- Follow a 30 day rule. If you tend to be an impulsive buyer, forcing yourself to reassess how badly you want something is usually a good way to change or solidify your mind. Before buying something non-essential, give yourself 30 days to think it over. You may forget it in a week or two, or realize you’d rather save your money for something else.
- Drink more water. Spending your money on food rather than drinks when you eat out can be very cost-effective in the long run. Drinking a glass of water instead of soda before each meal will prevent you from overeating by making you feel full earlier.
- Kick expensive habits. We all have guilty pleasures that we know aren’t good for us that we spend money on anyway. These habits, like cigarettes and sugar-filled lattes, take money out of your pocket with no return. Develop the willpower to pass up that fix and put the money toward saving for something with real, tangible benefits.
- Turn off lights and use natural lighting when possible. This is simple and obvious, but so many people forget to capitalize on daylight by only using artificial lighting at night. When you turn a light on, be diligent about turning it off immediately when you leave the room. The energy bill savings can add up significantly over time.
- Plan meals around your grocery store’s flyer. Rather than look up recipes in a cookbook or online database, look at your local grocery store’s weekly flyer to come up with recipes to make. Decide on meals where the majority of ingredients are advertised, and you’re sure to find yourself with a much smaller grocery bill than usual.
- Get rid of memberships or services you use infrequently. If you have a golf club membership or online service you use less than several times a month, reconsider how much it’s worth. It is better to cancel something and miss it enough to sign up again versus spending money you can’t get back.
- Pack your lunch. Bring your lunch to work. Eating out gets expensive day after day. With some thoughtful preparation and a little extra time in the morning, you can make your favorite dishes on the cheap and look forward to them just as you would eating out, while enjoying the fact that you’re being fiscally savvy.
- Start a garden. Gardening is an inexpensive way to get some sunshine while cultivating some cheap food for your kitchen table at the end of the season. Plant tomato plants and other vegetables you regularly cook with. You can use them for homemade tomato juice, sauce, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, and other delicious, fresh recipes without the expenses of a trip to the store.
- Take alternative transportation when possible. If you live in or near a city, consider biking or taking the train to work. Not having a car can save thousands of dollars by eliminating the cost of gas and vehicle maintenance. Alternative transportation can be significantly cheaper to get around, and healthier too! Definitely a great way to get in that exercise you keep pushing off.
- Use money saving apps. Many free apps exist that can help save you cash by getting access to coupons and reward programs, browsing competitor prices, and tracking your spending. Look up RedLaser, Gas Buddy, WhatsApp, AA Parking for starters.
About Jim Leland
Best Midwestern Cities for Startups
Big cities often gain the best reputation for being entrepreneur-friendly, or a great environment for start-ups, but with the right resources and a great idea, you don’t need to move to the coast to start your own business. The Midwest is home to its own entrepreneurship hubs which offer the assistance needed to make your start up dream a reality. Here are three great Midwestern locations to start your business.
About Mikalah Jackson
Who Manages Your Business?
Take a moment and think about who you work for. Not necessarily just your company, but also your bosses, the culture, etc. Next, ask yourself this: Who benefits when you sell more? Who wins when your business is managed well?
I hope your answers were all “me.” Although people claim they work in sales for the challenge and experience, from a business perspective there is one reason to be in sales: money. If the monetary results are not what motivates you, can you really call yourself a legitimate salesperson?
Sales people are driven by rewards. Your company gives you a set of accounts or a territory and they give you a set of products or solutions to sell. On top of that they probably have some sort of reward scheme or commission plan that will earn you more the more you sell. It is now up to you to start putting these three elements together to get your earnings to their highest level. Sounds easy, right?
Like anything, it’s not always that simple. Why not? Well, you most likely have to deal with the sales prevention police. A great analogy is as follows: Consider how cells in your body can become warped and turn against you, attacking your own immune system instead of offering protection. The same can happen in business: the white cells – management – starts attacking the business through a number of bad decisions. Most of the time they don’t realize they’re doing it, and the result is dropped sales, high turnover, and more.
About Alfredo Rodriguez
Be Smart: Trade the Card for Cash
When you’ve got a credit card in your hand, it’s easy to fall victim to the “I Don’t Have to Pay This Off Until Later” syndrome. Plastic that seems to equate to money seems to make all of your wants a reality. You may start splurging on your favorite latte every day, wearing expensive designer jeans and even buying the best home theater system in existence. Well, here’s a fact that will blow those ambitions and attitudes away: sooner or later, you’ll have to pay up with actual cash. Then you’ll be bumming….majorly bumming. You’ll find yourself overcome with stress, worry and fear over debt. But this can all be avoided by following a few simple rules.
1. Cash or debit is the wisest choice
First off, instead of using a credit card, think about the impact using a debit card or cash would have on your spending. All money you spend would have to be available right away, so you’d always be making sure you have enough for what you really need. Reserve credit card use for things like gas or bills you pay online.
About Alfredo Rodriguez
Using Your Talents to Make Grands
Let’s explore how to use your talents to earn the extra money you need to get out of debt. What’s exciting about this concept is you can literally make extra money using the skills you currently have.
Think about this question, “Has anybody ever told you that there’s something that you can do right now that’s awesome? Has anybody ever told you that there’s something that you do right now that’s absolutely fantastic?” Think about it, and think real hard.
Some of you are good at cooking and cooking literally can become a part time income for you because you can become a personal chef and you can start selling some of the things you cook as meals for people on the go. That’s just an idea you can use if people have told you that, “Oh my goodness, you’re really a good cook”.
Another thing that you can do if you don’t want to really stay in the kitchen and cook for other people, is put together a book of some of your favorite down-home recipes and you can sell them, you can sell them as an e-book or you can sell it to some of your family and friends.
About Israel Daily
Benefits and Drawbacks of a Reverse Takeover
A reverse takeover, otherwise known as a reverse merger or reverse ITO, is when private companies take certain steps to become a publicly traded company without needing an initial public offering. Investopedia goes more in depth about this process, but there are advantages and disadvantages to it.
Advantages
There are many benefits to the reverse takeover of a company. In fact, the financing options available to a public company that undergoes such a takeover are the main reason that this process occurs. Stockholders and other types of investors can purchase further company shares at set prices, giving the company further capital funds. Securities can be traded publicly allowing for increased stock liquidity, increased company value, better access to varied capital markets, ability to do acquisitions of other companies, and the ability to retain or attract employees with stock incentives. Though not every company is taken over in reverse, it is the process most companies prefer.
About Alfredo Rodriguez
The Different Aspects of Forex Trading
Buying and selling with all types of currency available in the market is what Forex trading deals with. The history of Forex currency trading dates back to the middle ages. Forex trading began when international merchant bankers devised the system of using bills of exchange. The international market that we find today around us is a result of many changes that have given rise to it.
Until the 1930s, the British pound was seen as the leading trading currency but after the Second World War the British leadership in this market was destroyed and the US dollar took over. For a more extensive history and more information, look here.
About Alfredo Rodriguez
Are You Responsible for a Deceased Loved One’s Credit Card Debt?
This is a good question and one that I certainly have been struggling with. Ever since my mom died, I’ve been getting these calls from Citibank basically saying that we are responsible for her balance. Not that its a big balance or anything like that. I find the whole thing interesting.
When I finally did some research, I found out that in many states, the estate of a family IS responsible for the credit card debt of a deceased relative. If the assets of a person cannot cover the bills then it could present a problem for the credit card company and they can lose out. But normally the estate goes through probate, your administrator or executor will look at your assets and debts and, guided by law, determine in what order bills should be paid. But if the assets don’t cover the debt then it won’t get paid and the credit card company will have to just deal with the debt.
About Alfredo Rodriguez
Did You Choose to be Poor During College?
Before we begin, we must warn you: This post has a bit of a “tough love” vibe, but we’re not being anything but truthful.
There is a joke that one of the shortest books ever written is titled “Career Choices for History Majors.” That’s pretty funny, though it’s probably not funny to history majors. The fact is, choosing your major is a critical decision that people are forced to make at when you don’t know much about life – age 19. Who really knew what they wanted to do, were capable of doing, and would enjoy doing, at that time?
I had two roommates in college. One was a sociology major, one was pre-med, and I majored in finance. Everyone was happy with their choices – everyone did ok grade-wise. After graduation, the sociology major became a social worker. The pre-med roommate attempted but failed to get into medical school, and went into dentistry instead. I got a job in finance.
About Alfredo Rodriguez
Pool Cover Money Savings
Inspect Your Pool Covers
Swimming pool covers protect your pool from the elements. They are generally used when the pool is shut down for extended periods, such as in the winter. Some pool owners use them routinely to reduce the time they spend on pool maintenance. Regularly inspect your pool cover for damage. In the winter, icy build up can cause punctures to the covers, as well as freezing temperatures could cause it to tear easily. Warmer elements producing wind and heavy rains can cause the cover to become very dirty or warped in excessive heat. Any improper handling of your pool cover could cause damage, particularly if it’s cheap. For minor infractions to your cover you might try repairing it yourself. However, extensive damage might require the services of a qualified repair technician.
