http://www.billmanager.org Manage your bills. Manage your life. Mon, 12 Sep 2005 18:37:00 GMT Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0500 en-us A lot of the gas and power companies offer their customers what's known as budget billing. The theory is that they will calculate what you spent in the course of the previous year, add 'X' amount to cover anticipated inflation, and then they divide that by 12 (months). The end result is that you pay - usually via your bank account - that sum every month so you're never presented with a big quarterly bill that requires paying all at once.While it may be a good idea in principle, there are a number of things that can go wrong with budget billing. For example, if you use more than you did last year, then the following year, your payments may go up considerably. If on the other hand you don't use as much as you did last year, then your next year's monthly payments should go down. It's very rare to find a company who will refund you the money you under-spent in actual cash however... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/jbYT-fSvXT0/budget_billing_-_approach_with_caution.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/budget_billing_-_approach_with_caution.html Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:00:30 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/budget_billing_-_approach_with_caution.html One of the best ways to find cheap property to buy is to check out the HUD (Dept of Housing and Urban Development).Millions of people have bought HUD homes and the website is updated daily with new properties. These properties are specifically aimed at those on a low to average income as well as first time buyers. If you are eligible for a mortgage, or have the cash to buy outright, you are able to purchase HUD homes... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/AWFVW3QoHe0/save_money_when_you_buy_property.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_when_you_buy_property.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:54:54 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_when_you_buy_property.html You want your wedding to be a beautiful and special day and the good news is, it is possible to have the day of your dreams on a tight budget. Here are a few tips for doing just that-Cut down your guest list to just close family and friends. It\'s almost impossible to invite everyone anyway so at least you can honestly say it was close family and friends only if you encounter some disgruntled would-be guests. Hand-make your invitations, place cards and so on. You can also make your own wedding favors! Delivery your invitations by hand if possible and if not, try emailing an invite instead. There are hundreds of amazing and animated wedding invitations available on the internet and your guests will be able to RSVP too. .. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/q3lTgwFKRi0/save_money_on_your_wedding.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_your_wedding.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:49:42 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_your_wedding.html College costs more than ever at the moment so it's little wonder that many students find themselves in a lot of debt very quickly. Some students find that they are able to get federal aid and don't need any further financial assistance but many more find that this grant or loan runs out long before the end of the year. That being the case, many take out private loans, credit cards and overdrafts. It's then very easy for your finances to become out of control. Most young students aren't used to prioritizing or managing debt repayments, so here are a few tips for how best to manage student debt... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/SvrtTe74gxI/managing_your_student_loan.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/managing_your_student_loan.html Sat, 9 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/managing_your_student_loan.html It's amazing how many items can be tax deductible, yet we're not aware of them. You could be paying way too much tax, simply because you didn't realize you could list certain things.So here are just a few of the items you should list on your tax return-You can get tax deductions for:The interest on any student loan you might currently haveYour health insurance premiums if you're self-employed.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/LElPGjkN-2g/your_taxes_-_how_to_save_money.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/your_taxes_-_how_to_save_money.html Thu, 7 Aug 2008 17:05:02 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/your_taxes_-_how_to_save_money.html If the SBA in your state isn’t able to offer you any financial help, there are plenty of other places to look. For example, if you are a member of a credit union, apply to them. They offer their members business loans at very low rates of interest and reasonable repayment options.You can also apply for a home equity loan as mentioned in part 1 of this article. Don’t forget though that if your business doesn’t succeed, you are still eligible to repay the loan so be sure you can afford the repayments with or without an income from your new business... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/bFcJv4mUZhs/finding_start_up_funds_for_small_businesses_-_part_2.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/finding_start_up_funds_for_small_businesses_-_part_2.html Wed, 6 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/finding_start_up_funds_for_small_businesses_-_part_2.html Starting a new business of your own is often a scary time. You may have a great idea and be absolutely sure you can make it work, but what if you just don’t have the money to back your idea?There are a number of sources to help you get your business going including government help. Many states have money specifically allocated for new, small businesses, so that should be your first port of call. In addition to offering finance, you can get a ton of free advice and help with planning your business... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/jB58eCb3mr0/finding_start_up_funds_for_small_businesses_-_part_1.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/finding_start_up_funds_for_small_businesses_-_part_1.html Tue, 5 Aug 2008 23:38:54 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/finding_start_up_funds_for_small_businesses_-_part_1.html Are your prescription medications costing you a fortune? The cost of physician issued drugs is rising at an alarming rate, so here are our top 10 tips to save on the cost of your meds. However, if you’re in any doubt about any issue with your medications, always check with your doctor.When you go to the pharmacy to fill your prescription, ask if there is a generic brand equivalent of your drug available. They are usually much cheaper and with hardly any differences. Buy in bulk if possible. If the drug is one you’re going to take long term, you could save a lot of money by purchasing three months supply rather than a month at a time. New drugs may be recommended by your doctor, but if the drug you’re already taking works for you, and is cheaper than the new one, ask if there’s any good reason to change. If not, don’t! With many purchases, it’s good advice to shop around and buying medication is no different. You may also find that buying online saves a lot, but be sure you trust the seller. Use only reputable sellers who are backed by a recognized authority. .. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/FGIwnYA3bjk/how_to_save_money_on_prescription_meds.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/how_to_save_money_on_prescription_meds.html Mon, 4 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/how_to_save_money_on_prescription_meds.html Our electric bills seem to cost more every year so here’s our top 15 tips to reduce the amount of electric you use... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/qhNcwTsFybE/15_ways_to_reduce_your_electricity_bill.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/15_ways_to_reduce_your_electricity_bill.html Sun, 3 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/15_ways_to_reduce_your_electricity_bill.html When you\'re really struggling for money, pay day can seem a long way off so you might be tempted to get a Payday loan. These loans are usually fairly small amounts which you borrow until your next pay is due. You get cash and the lender asks you for a check - dated for your pay day - and a fee.The fees differ with each lender but the average is around $20 for every $100 that you borrow. It\'s expensive but it gets worse; if when the check is due to be cashed, you find you don\'t have enough money and want to ‘roll over\' the loan, you\'ll be accumulating a huge amount of interest on it. The APR on Payday loans is often around 400%!.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/qSWnEi491Xw/why_you_should_avoid_payday_loans.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/why_you_should_avoid_payday_loans.html Sat, 2 Aug 2008 16:40:53 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/why_you_should_avoid_payday_loans.html When we see a lender offering a credit card with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers and lots of other tempting money saving offers, it's easy to be swayed by them and to not check the fine print - but that's where you'll find information about the charges you may incur without even knowing it.There are dozens of fine print clauses and charges that credit card providers use to get a few dollars extra out of you each month, so here are a few that you should watch out for:.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/N9FzFinTN4U/credit_card_charges_-_how_to_avoid_them.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/credit_card_charges_-_how_to_avoid_them.html Fri, 1 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/credit_card_charges_-_how_to_avoid_them.html As a student you're bombarded with loans and credit cards and it's very tempting to spend every last cent, right? However, statistics show that in addition to your student loans, by the time you're in your final year, you may owe around $6,000 on credit cards. If the interest is an average of 17%, you could be in your thirties or even forties before you've paid that off.It's very easy to squander your student loan and to run up your credit cards on buying things that just make life more fun; DVDs, games consoles, even just ordering takeout, but if you do that, where do you get money from when you need books or to pay your rent? You may end up using your credit card to pay for those things and with added interest, you'll pay a lot more than if you'd budgeted and spread out your grants and loans... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/t49F8ofxpGA/student_finances_-_dos_and_donts.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/student_finances_-_dos_and_donts.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/student_finances_-_dos_and_donts.html In general, the less debt you have, the better. In fact, it\'s probably good to assume that all debt is technicaly \"bad\" and harm. That being said, there are some cases where debt can benefit you financially.Your primary example of beneficial debt is a mortgage used to pay for a home. Not only does it provide you a place to live while you build your equity but it also allows you to maintain ownership of the type of asset that has been historically likely to continuously grow in value. Real estate is, in general, a great investment and will most likely be your biggest in life. Luckily, it\'s usually your most profitable as well... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/XTnxtiAr2M4/fact_or_fiction_all_debt_is_bad_debt.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/fact_or_fiction_all_debt_is_bad_debt.html Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:50:22 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/fact_or_fiction_all_debt_is_bad_debt.html If you've had the same card for years, you could well be paying far too much for it. If you have a good credit history, your card should cost you less than 12% APR. If it doesn't, transfer your balance to one that's much lower. You could get one that not only suspends charging you interest for a given amount of time but also only reverts to around 8% APR when your interest free period is over. Check out some comparison sites such as moneyexpert.com to find some of the best deals available.However, if you do this, be wary of what the interest rate goes up to once your introductory rate expires. If it's a much higher rate than the one you're paying now, ultimately the balance transfer will have cost a lot more... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/fA9QkF3TrpQ/save_money_on_your_credit_cards.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_your_credit_cards.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:38:04 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_your_credit_cards.html Making sure that your credit file is up-to-date and, more importantly, correct, is an effective way of ensuring that no false or incorrect data is being held about you. It's best to do this at least once a year and it's easy and cheap to do. You can usually get your first credit check for free. Visit a site such as www.equifax.com and just follow the on-screen instructions. You'll need to have your social security number handy as well as your current and possibly previous addresses. There are three credit reference agencies; Equifax, Transunion and Experian and each one allows one free access per year. If you're worried about identity theft or having your details fraudulently used, you can check as often as every 4 months... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/60f6t_jou9o/checking_your_credit_status.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/checking_your_credit_status.html Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/checking_your_credit_status.html We all have lots of items in our homes that we can use in ways other than what they are intended for. For example, mayonnaise makes an excellent conditioner for your hair - give it a try! Your hair will be super shiny after a dose of mayo. Also, if you want to have some highlights in your hair, use lemon instead of buying highlighting product.Banana skins are great for polishing your shoes, so you don't have to buy products for that purpose. The inside of a banana skin is rich in potassium which is one of the primary ingredients of commercially produced shoe polish. What's more, it helps to prolong the life of leather. Just rub with the skin then buff with a soft cloth... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/ZeSDtzMyikA/use_household_items_in_new_ways.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/use_household_items_in_new_ways.html Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/use_household_items_in_new_ways.html Continued from our recent article entitled Desperate Times, Desperate Measures, here are some more ways to save - and make - yourself some money. If you have a spare room in your home, consider renting it out. Or if, for example, your kids each have a room, get them to share one large room to free up space for a renter. You may not like the idea of having a stranger in your home, but if you initially offer a three month lease, you don't have to re-let the room if it doesn't work. The extra income from a renter could make a huge difference to your finances, but of course, be very careful to thoroughly interview anyone you let through your door... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/pfOeIObnkFM/desperate_times_desperate_measures_part_2.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/desperate_times_desperate_measures_part_2.html Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:10:56 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/desperate_times_desperate_measures_part_2.html Each and every year more than $450 billion is given away by the government to millions of people, but they are the lucky ones who realised they could claim it! The majority of Americans have no idea that this money exists. Are you one of them? The reason that this money is given away is simply that it is allocated for certain grants but goes unclaimed. Therefore, what remains is given to those who ordinarily wouldn't qualify, but if they take the time to fill out an application, they may just get the money. Federal grants can be awarded for a variety of things from help with debt to home repairs and improvements. They're also issued for educational purposes and to assist in making your home more environmentally friendly. What's more, they aren't loans; they are literally cash in your hand grants that do not need to be paid back. The only requirement is that you prove you used the money as specified on your application. .. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/nusPII-76w4/could_you_claim_free_government_money.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/could_you_claim_free_government_money.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/could_you_claim_free_government_money.html The price of gasoline is rising, as all us drivers know, so if you just have to have a car, then here's how you can cut down on the amount of gas you use. Obviously, one of the biggest gas-money savers is to only use your car when you absolutely have to. It's very easy to just hop in your car and drive to the local store, but if it's only a short distance away, walk instead. In terms of miles per gallon (MPG) short trips use more gas per mile than long trips. Driving more slowly will also consume less gas as will using cruise control if you're driving on the highway... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/QNMZ7OodpjQ/save_money_on_gas.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_gas.html Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:00:57 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_gas.html Many Americans are dipping into their retirement savings, according to reports from retirement plan administrators. Many of us are finding that robbing Peter to pay Paul is unavoidable in the present climate, but of course, if 'Peter' is your retirement plan, this leaves your retirement fund less likely to provide you with a decent income when you retire. There's another problem too -- any money you withdraw from your plan is taxable and you could face a penalty of up to 10% if you are 59 years old or under.Cutting short your 401(k) even for a short time isn't necessarily the best course of action to take but if you see no alternative, you need to seriously consider the long term effect that delving into your future income may bring. While retirement plan withdrawals may help out with your current financial problems, just keep in mind that retirement age shouldn't be a time you're struggling for money, so think instead about taking a loan out against your plan... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/-aNQd1cWK48/dipping_into_retirement_is_it_wise.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/dipping_into_retirement_is_it_wise.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/dipping_into_retirement_is_it_wise.html If your money situation is getting really critical, there are things you can do to take the pressure off. You might not like them, they may well sting, but when the chips are down, do you have much choice but to make radical changes to the way you live? No? Then maybe some of these suggestions will help.Do you own a car and if so, is it feasible to use public transport instead? If you can get a bus or train - or even walk or cycle - to work and everywhere else you need to be, consider selling your vehicle. You'll make money on the sale, or at least get enough to pay off any finance you may have on it, and of course you'll no longer have all the sundry expenses of running a car, such as fuel and insurance. If you can walk or cycle, you'll get fit too!.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/wYlFKz3p9E8/desperate_times_desperate_measures.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/desperate_times_desperate_measures.html Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/desperate_times_desperate_measures.html The cost of groceries are rising all the time, so what can you do to save on your weekly shop? One of the most fundamental things is to make a list, and stick to it! Sit down and work out what you need for each and every meal, for each and every day of the week. From breakfast to supper and everything your family eats in between those times. Make sure you include all snacks and beverages as well. Once you've worked all that out, don't buy anything that isn't on your list. Even a few packs of chips that you don't really need will add up quickly.Make sure you check your local papers and magazines for coupons that you can cut out and keep, and make sure they're in your purse or wallet before you leave home to do the shopping! For grocery basics, many stores compete on the prices of a few items to drag you in and hope you'll do your whole shop there. Don't be tempted because chances are, they've put up other prices to balance out the reductions. Shopping in more than one store is the best way to make sure you get the bargains from each store... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/GpFXdiNAyz8/saving_money_on_your_grocery_shopping.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/saving_money_on_your_grocery_shopping.html Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:16:42 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/saving_money_on_your_grocery_shopping.html The cost of home heating and cooling has risen yet again this year, and will probably continue to do so, so if you haven't already done it, now is a good time to start reducing your home energy costs. Heating and cooling our homes uses around 57% of the total energy consumed in most homes, and the easiest way to save money is to adjust the thermostat on the appliances used for heating and cooling. Down or up by as little a two degrees can make a difference of $100 or more per year. Older appliances may well be using a great deal more energy than they should so it could be worth investing in a newer, more energy efficient appliance... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/oCHD96Wzjy8/save_money_on_home_energy.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_home_energy.html Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:34:24 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_home_energy.html When you're moving out of mom and dad's house or you can't find an affordable house to buy, renting is your next-best option. You can rent anything from a studio apartment all the way up to a house and based on a few factors, one or the other might be the best way to go for you.To decide which way to go, you need to figure out a few things first:How much can you afford to spend every month?Where are you willing to live?Will you have roommates to split the bills with?Obviously, the more you can afford, the better your location can be and the better your rental will be overall. In order to figure out how much you should be spending on rent, you should take 25-30% of your gross monthly income (that's your pay before taxes are deducted). So for example, if you are earning $30,000.00 per year (or $2,500.00 per month), you know you shouldn't pay more than $700.00 for rent each month... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/UExQawg10bA/save_money_when_you_rent.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_when_you_rent.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:37:57 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_when_you_rent.html Although the word 'budget' might send shivers down your spine, it's really not as bad or as difficult as you might think. Budgeting does require some discipline, yes but if more people used it in their daily lives, far fewer people would file for bankruptcy on an annual basis.In fact, according to an ABC News report, more than 100,000 people under the age of 26 filed for bankruptcy in 2003. This was due largely to credit card and student loan debt.So in other words, these people were spending more than they were earning and certainly more than they could pay off on a monthly basis. Sure, it might seem obvious to you now that you should pay all your bills off completely at the end of each month and have enough left for savings and living in general. But without a budget, how will you know what the right amounts for these things are?.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/kinhVvZUEok/why_you_need_a_budget.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/why_you_need_a_budget.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:07:24 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/why_you_need_a_budget.html I bet you've heard every reason not to get a credit card: debt is bad, credit cards are for people who don't know how to manage money, etc., but do you know why you should have a credit card?Aside from being handy in the case of an emergency, there are some very good reasons for getting a credit card even if you're just turning 18.The first and probably most important reason is to establish your credit history. Whenever you apply for a loan of any type, the institution you're borrowing from will look at your credit history. If you have no credit history, you most likely won't be considered for anything more than a few hundred dollars.However, if you want to avoid that situation, you can establish yourself quickly just by filling out an application for a credit card. All you have to do to qualify is be 18 or older with a job. Sure, you'll only get a limit of about $500-1,000 but in about six months, you can ask for a line increase... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/l8YV3ZrRTNE/why_you_should_have_a_credit_card.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/why_you_should_have_a_credit_card.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:42:41 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/why_you_should_have_a_credit_card.html Automatic Teller Machines have been around for quite some time now. Since the late 1960s, the use of ATMs has grown quite wide and for a good reason: people use them a lot!What ATMs are great for is quick cash if you need it and you're far from your bank's machines, but problems surface when people don't think and just use them any time they need a bit of cash.If you don't pay attention, you can rack up quite a bill each month just using ATMs, so of course we'd like to give you five great tips for avoiding those fees!.. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/0Fi8c4GGypk/five_tips_for_cutting_atm_fees.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/five_tips_for_cutting_atm_fees.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:24:13 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/five_tips_for_cutting_atm_fees.html As much as we hate to think about it when we're young or how much we look forward to it when we're older, retirement can be a scary thing if you don't prepare yourself. Although there are some people who still hold a firm belief that the government will take care of them, there is strong evidence that things like Social Security might not last much longer. This is why it's important to plan as if it won't be there. That way, if you are given a supplemental income from Social Security, it will be extra money that will keep you going for years to come.So read these tips to brush up on your retirement options so that you're more than prepared when the time comes... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/91MJN5r1bAk/planning_for_retirement.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/planning_for_retirement.html Tue, 8 Jul 2008 15:06:25 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/planning_for_retirement.html It's not how much you earn that matters, it's how much you keep. There are people that make three times as much as you but end up keeping way less, if anything at all. These are the kind of people that end up bankrupt. As long as you end up saving as much as possible, you won't end up in the same situation.We save because we want a comfortable future where we can relax and enjoy life. Bill Manager can help you save by reminding you when your bills are due, but we also have some other tips for your bills that you might appreciate... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/t_AZ08JWPhE/save_money_on_bills.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_bills.html Tue, 8 Jul 2008 03:40:39 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/save_money_on_bills.html Like millions of other people, if you have trouble holding onto your hard-earned dollars, then we've got some excellent tips to help you stay in great financial shape. These days, it's all too common to hear or read about families who have gone overboard on their debts, be it with home loans, car loans or the worst -- credit cards. Trust me, it's no fun. The great part about it is that it can all be avoided with the right mind-frame and some determination.A lot of it involves taking advantage of free money, but more so, it involves keeping as much money as possible. So without further adieu, here are our top ten tips for success with personal finance... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BillManager/~3/rOi3p_uq5EY/ten_tips_for_personal_finance.html http://www.billmanager.org/articles/ten_tips_for_personal_finance.html Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:15:46 -0500 http://www.billmanager.org/articles/ten_tips_for_personal_finance.html