These days, just about any homeowner is looking for ways to seriously cut costs. When you’re in charge of owning a home you’ve got a lot on your plate. Typically, home ownership means that you’ve got a family that you’re taking care of, as well. This also means that you’ve got a lot of things to be responsible for on a very regular basis, and it’s definitely easy for all that responsibility to quickly get a little bit overwhelming. Not only this, but the economy hasn’t really been in the greatest of shape over the course of the last several...
More cars are on the road now than at any other point in history, and insurance is now required of drivers in many states. When driving uninsured is illegal, it’s more important than ever before to make sure you have the coverage you need. Car insurance premiums can be quite expensive, but there are a number of great discounts available for good drivers. A clean driving record may be able to save you big money if you’re eligible for any of these 5 discounts. Accident Free Driving Some of today’s most popular insurance providers offer a discount to drivers with...
Every month, when we’re sitting at the table and going through our bills, one of the main thoughts that cross many of our minds is “How can I find a way to get rid of some of the bills that I have?” Although you might be able to downsize your cable package or cell phone plan, one thing that you simply cannot go without (because it’s illegal to drive without it) is your car insurance policy. That doesn’t mean that you have to pay ridiculously high premiums, though. We actually have done a bit of research and come up with...
College is an incredibly important part of many individuals’ lives. No matter what it is that you want to do for a living, a college degree is more than likely going to help you do it, and earn a lot more money in the process. It’s a simple fact that job seekers who have earned degrees get better jobs and make more money doing them. If you’re thinking about going to college, you’re making a smart decision — there has arguably not been a time when going to college was as important as it is now. These days, it can...
If there’s one thing that weddings and Valentine’s Day seem to have in common, it’s that most of the focus tends to be on the woman when it’s really to be a day that celebrates the mutual love that exists between her and her significant other. That’s where we come in: To provide the ladies with some romantic yet inexpensive ideas on what to give the man in their life for Valentine’s Day. That way, the guy will feel like he’s not just an “extra” in a romance novel; that he has a starring role in your heart. Homemade coupons....
Health insurance costs can be significant expenses for those of us who don’t receive coverage from our employers. However, health care is something that everyone needs, regardless of race, age, profession or income level. Many people who are living under tight budget constraints find it difficult to manage their health insurance costs, but if you follow these 5 tips you can easily lower your expenses while retaining your coverage. Opt for a Higher Deductible Your insurance company will typically be willing to compromise with you on a couple of points. Raising your deductible, for example, will usually offer a benefit...
The holiday season may be in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean a family vacation can’t be on your mind. Winter break is just around the corner, and summer will be here before you know it. This is a tough time to travel as a family, as the recession has led to dwindling savings accounts yet no break in the normal costs of living. Airfare is more expensive than ever and offers fewer perks. Whether your decision stems from these financial concerns, a fear of flying or a simple love of the highways and byways of America, many people...
College is definitely one of those time periods where we’ve all got to make sure that we’re staying focused. Interestingly enough, it’s also one of those time periods where we can feel the most tempted to remain completely unfocused. No matter what your situation is, college is a lot of fun for a lot of people. One of the things that most college students don’t really get to enjoy a lot of, however, is money. Many times, college students can find themselves struggling financially. There are not really enough hours in the week to work a job full-time while you’re...
The fun of the holiday season may be well behind you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t set something exciting in your schedule to warm your thoughts during this long, cold winter. It can be very difficult to get back into the swing of things at work after all of that time off, so many people set a date for their next vacation to help remind them why they are working so hard. It’s a great strategy, and although your next trip may feel like quite a ways off the time will pass quickly once you get lost in the...
2013 has dawned a bit brighter than the past couple of years, at least as far as the economy is concerned. The US government managed to come together across the aisle to avoid the ‘fiscal cliff’, and most industries are now back to adding thousands of jobs each and every month. It’s an encouraging time to reinvest in the stock market, to launch that small business you’ve been planning, to book your dream vacation and to invest in upgrades around the house. But just because things have turned around a bit doesn’t mean you can spend without consideration. This is...
The four years you’ll spend at college may very well be one of the most memorable times of your life. As you get older the weeks, months and even years start to blur together. But college is packed with experiences. You’ll expand your mind far beyond anything available in high school, challenging your beliefs, growing as a citizen and hopefully discovering a subject matter you can turn into a lucrative future career. You’ll mature physically and emotionally, living on your own for the first time and handling more responsibility without oversight than ever before. You’ll broaden your social horizons, finding...
No matter your race, religion or country of origin, the one holiday that everyone celebrates is their birthday. Some are major milestones, others are just another notch along the way. Some people love their birthdays and go all out each year, relishing surprise parties and the big deal made over them for that day. Other people would rather their birthday pass quietly, with as little fanfare as possible. But everyone loves free stuff, and your birthday is the one day of the year that you are guaranteed to find fantastic free stuff offered up to you with a smile. Here’s...
Whether she is still crawling around the floor in diapers or strolling across the stage to pick up her high school diploma you never stop wanting the best life possible for your child. This is the person you love more than anything else in the world. You want to protect her, to teach her right, and to see her go on to a fruitful, rich future with her own family and great successes. It’s no secret that in this modern world of technology a college education is often the key to this bright future. But it’s also harder than ever...
Many people have good intentions and they want to save their money. But when there’s a limited amount of disposable income each month, increasing one’s personal savings can prove difficult. Although many families recognize the value of coupon-ing and reducing unnecessary spending to save money, these are not the only options available. Several families have had success with less common methods of saving. Savings options with your bank Speak with your bank and you’ll discover that saving money is easier than you think. Practically every bank has a product to help increase your personal savings. While traditional bank accounts feature...
Buying a home, even in these times, can be a great investment. At the very least, you’ll get tax benefits from the purchase. Plus, you can stop paying hundreds of dollars every month for rent and having nothing to show for it except a place to camp out every night. When you buy a home, those monthly mortgage payments build equity that – as long as there’s not another housing crisis – won’t go away. But with a mortgage will come a requirement that you didn’t have as a renter: Your lender will require you to buy a home insurance...
In the current financial climate, it is commonplace for our financial statuses to change for the worse at a moment’s notice, leaving us feeling trapped and incapable of alleviating the situation. Rising energy costs and fuel prices coupled with stagnating rates of pay mean outgoings can quickly get on top of us, and something has to give. Luckily for you, we are here to help you ease your financial worries quickly and effectively. Downgrade your home If it is the aforementioned energy bills that are the main drain on your finances, you may be wasting extra money heating and powering...
With the price of cable television services surging, many homes have cancelled their television service outright. Although adjusting to life without an always-on cable connection can be a challenge, cancelling the cable doesn’t mean learning to live without television altogether. Instead, there are several easy ways to stay current with popular television shows and programming content, all without spending a small fortune to do so. From streaming content online to signing up for unlimited subscription-based services, the following alternatives present a fantastic way to keep watching TV without a traditional contract. Network TV Online Many of the most popular television...
Children nowadays are smarter and bolder to take on more challenging roles at their tender age. Most of these pre-teens and teenagers know a little something about money, which is actually not taught in school. For these kids, taking on a summer job or some work after school is a form of taking charge of their lives while earning a decent income. Of course, it gives them a good subject for their “What I did Last Summer” paper. Today, the US government provides a different approach to saving for the future of these children. They urge the parents to pursue...
In tougher economic times, stretching your finances and curbing your expenses can be an important concern. More effective ways to save money can ensure that you are able to make ends meet, no matter what the future holds. Heck, maybe try easy access savings accounts. Simple steps that can give you ways to improve your savings might make a big difference the next time you are faced with a rainy day. One: Keep a Budget Working without a budget to track your income and expenses could leave you without the insight and information needed to save money effectively. Outlining your...
The Holidays are fast approaching and as such many will be looking for gift ideas and also ways to save. Although the economy has improved somewhat and many are back at full time employment, we are still wanting to save money when out and about shopping. Just because you have a list of items to buy and gifts to get doesn’t mean you want to pay full price. You can still avail yourself of deals, discounts and goodies to keep more greenbacks in your wallet. To enjoy the Holidays and remain debt free, see our three tips below on ways...
The classic path to personal wealth is very simple: get a good education, latch on with a large, promising company, move up until you are invaluable and cash in. Every step on this ladder (aside from education) is accompanied by solid wages which will steadily accrue over time and leave you very wealthy indeed. Not to suggest that earnings are unimportant (doing so would be ludicrous), yet a solid wage is not enough anymore to guarantee financial freedom – in this turbulent economic setting good financial planning has never been more important. Here’s why. Global Economic Change Redundancy and cataclysmic...
Home should be a sweet home to relax your tired bones, to refresh yourself, to have fun with the family. We all want home to be comfortable, stylish and beautiful. If one feels that their home is not up to your expectation, then it is high time, they do require a renovation. The Internet has emerged as a massive resource of information, and the most important of the many services that it offers is that it helps people to learn things and also share their thoughts. Begin with some on line research for the perfect look for your dream home....
The Summer brings about outdoor play, lots of Sunshine and plenty of family time via backyard BBQ fun. However the past few Summers have also brought about increased heat and high temperature days, so we thought it a good idea to come up with a few smart ideas on how to beat the heat and do it while saving a good penny as well. There’s no reason why you should have to pay retail for your home cooling needs including a window a/c unit, a state of the art central air system, improved appliances and so on. If you’re in...
bitzcelt / Foter With the ever increasing oil prices these days, fueling has become one of the biggest monthly expenses for many families, especially if they own more than one vehicle. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can about the price of fuel, but the good news is that there are a few things you can try to make your tank go further. Check out these tips to make 2012 your most frugal year yet, and don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest that you cycle to work every day or haul large bags of groceries home on foot after your...
If you’re like most Americans these days, then you’re probably a bit wary when it comes to making any moves with your money, and particularly your savings. But in these troubled economic times, being totally shutdown to certain financial options can often only serve to further hinder your future finances. When it comes to savings in particular, by doing just a bit of research about the various options out there, you can easily grow your savings without taking huge, unnecessary risks. Here we look at three of the reasons to consider switching your savings over to a certificate of deposit,...
