The Wallet Saver

Still Available, Free Ebook From Suze Orman

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:40:00 +0000

Just in case some of you have missed downloading the free ebook from Suze Orman, it is still available at this site http://www.rapiduploader.com/170129.

Free Ebook from Suze Orman

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:57:00 +0000

To all you Suze Orman fans out there! Until Feb 14 8pm/7pm central Suze Orman is offering a free download of her book Women and Money on Orpah.com. The book is about 265 pages.

More information about the book can be found at http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200802/tows_past_20080213.jhtml?promocode=HP14

This is the direct download link: http://flv.oprah.com/suze_orman_eng.pdf

Baby Savings

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:59:00 +0000

In one of my posts I asked if anyone had any money saving tips regarding babies, and a reader by the name of “BB” responded. The advice given was to get as much used stuff as possible and BB was right on the dot. Our family and friends stepped up and bought us supplies, but also help us find used stuff. My wife and I soon learned that babies out grow their clothes and other essentials very quickly, and parents need to get rid of the old to make way for the new. While we were shopping for baby stuff we met two couples that had kids around six months old, and they gave us some excellent advice on what to buy. As the conversation continued the couples mentioned that they have some old stuff that they cannot use, and want to know if we were interested. It returned out that this was exactly what we needed and proven to be very useful. Here is a list of some of the things we received:

-Car seat/stroller combo
-Bath tub
-Bassinet
-Ton of clothes
-Pacifiers

We saved about $300-$500 dollars with all the free stuff. Best thing of all was that we got new friends and lots of great advice.

I would also highly recommend checking out your local thrift stores such as Salvation Army or Goodwill. There are a lot of parents that will donation old baby items out of the goodness of their hearts.

I Am Back

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:55:00 +0000

Hello Everyone,
I apologize for taking an unexpected break. I got caught up in preparing for the baby, taking care of my wife, and trying to balance work. We have a new health, happy baby boy, and we very proud parents. I am getting back a “normal” routine, but all you parents out there know what a challenge that can be. During my absence I saw that there were people visiting and supporting my site, and I wanted to say thank you. Well, it is back to the business of saving money.

A New Arrival

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:28:00 +0000

Sorry I have not posted anything in a while. I have been very busy lately, more than usual. The reason being is because my wife and I are expecting baby. We have been shopping for baby stuff and getting the house ready. I am very excited about our new addition to the family. Baby stuff is very expensive, and it seems more so that we are basically getting everything in a short amount of time. We still took our time looking for the best deals and using coupons. This helped us save a lot of money. If anyone has any money saving tips related to babies I would appreciate any ideas.

Are you paying too much for convenience?

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:38:00 +0000

There are times when I am reminded of a saying, “Pay for the convenience and suffer through the inconvenience.” How much many of us are paying for products and services just because they make life a little easier? I agree that having someone else do the work frees up a lot of time to do other things, but the question is how much money can be saved versus doing it yourself? There are times when it is worth the extra cost to pay for the convenience. If you are in a situation where you need to cut costs maybe this is an area that you could look into. Here is a list items that you can do yourself or do differently to save money:

Transportation – Try using public transportation or a bike.

Dining out – Limit the number of times eating out.

Car washes – Wash your car at home.

Clothes dryer – Dry your clothes outside. Save on electricity and/or gas.

PC service – There are many resources on the internet that you can find about PC repair for free. Best buy charges $129 in store and $249 in home to install Microsoft Windows. Chances are there is someone that you know that can do it for free or much cheaper.

Magazines and newspaper subscriptions – Most of what you find in magazines and newspapers can be found online. Look into cancelling your subscriptions.

Veggies – Grow your own garden.

Recycling – There are some areas that require you to separate your trash. Why not recycle yourself and get some money back.
Photos – If your PC and printer can process photos then do it yourself. There are lots of free photo editing software you can download.

Free Online Game

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:25:00 +0000

There is a free online game called Sword of the New World. I haven’t tried it yet, but the graphics look really good. The game has no level caps, no time limits, and no trade restrictions. If you have already tried it or know someone who has, I would appreciate any feedback.

The Money Blues

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:36:00 +0000

There is a psychological aspect to saving money, and requires to have a certain level of discipline. I think we have all been in those situations where we don’t feel good about ourselves because our friends have more money, or we walk into a store knowing that we can’t afford to buy anything. Giving into the temptation of impulse buying can be very damaging to your financial goals. This article from MSN Money talks about how to deal with these kinds of influences. I would like to add some advice from my own experiences.

Stay Focused. It can be very difficult to stay focused on your goal of saving money, but it is worth it in the long run. Go through the numbers, and know how much you can and cannot spend. A reward here and there is okay, but don’t over do it. How do I stay focused? I first determine if it is a want or a need. If it is a need then I need to find out if I can afford to buy it now or if I have to save up for it. If it is a want then most of the time I don’t buy it. There are occasions that I do buy something that is a want, but I first figure out how this purchase will affect the finances. I also use my wife as inspiration to keep focused on saving money. I constantly ask myself how this purchase will affect her financially, and I always keep in mind that the money spent is ours not just mine.

Finding Support. Sometimes support from your family and friends can go along way in saving money. Try to find someone that you trust to know your financial situation and that you can confide. Let them know your goals and that sometimes you just need to talk it out.

Keep your priorities in mind, and it will become easier to avoid the temptation. Remember, saving money is about how much you keep, not how much you make.

Where’s the free money?

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:23:00 +0000

In a previous post Throwing Away Free Money I talked how people don’t’ invest in their company’s 401k plan and don’t take advantage of the free money that is matched by their employer. Unfortunately there are companies that do not match funds with their 401k. If you are in the situation you still should contribute. This article from CNN Money talks about why you should put your money into the 401k even though your company does not match. Your money will continue to grow without contributions from your company. Normally there is a fee involved when investing, but when you have your money taken out there is no fee. Saving money on investing, not a bad deal. The less money you bring home, the less you are tempted to spend it. If you change jobs you can roll over your 401k, and hopefully the new company will match. This will give you a good foundation for your new 401k. The free money is still there, just less of it in this case. You are still earning interest, and saving money by investing for free.

Credit Demons

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:06:00 +0000

Chances are that you or someone you know had some credit problems. Here is an excellent guide from MSN Money to help keep you out of trouble with your credit cards. I can’t stress enough on how important it is to pay off the balance at the end of the month. The money that would go to interest could be used for more important things.

I wanted to make several additions to this article. I have been able to lower my interest rate by keeping in good standing with my credit card company. Every six months I am eligible to request a lower rate. They may not have anything available at the time you call, but keep trying about every 2-4 weeks. My rate has been lowered on an average of 1% each time I call. It doesn’t seem like much but it is well worth it.

I also receive reward points for purchases that I can exchange for cash or other goods and services. About every 3 months I check to see how many points I have and exchange them for cash. If your card has a similar program you many want to check it more often depending upon your activity. It is also a good idea to check them on a regular basis because the points may have an expiration date. Since I pay off my balance every month and cash in the points, I actually make money off of the card. It isn’t much, but it is better than paying interest. I end up putting the money into my online savings account.

Low Cost Fun

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:16:00 +0000

The cost of having a good time can be a strain on a budget. A person can easily spend hundreds of dollars a day, and not realize until it is too late. Some of the key elements keeping your entertainment budget in line are moderation and planning.
Everyone loves a good film on the big screen at their local theatre along with their favorite snacks. We all know that the price of tickets and snacks continue to rise with no end in sight. Here are some tips to enjoy that movie, and still have something in your entertainment fund:

Go to an early show. Some theatres offer matinee shows before a certain time.
Discount movie passes. Some membership organizations such as credit unions, and AAA Auto Club offer these discounts. Also check with your employer's HR department. These passes may restrictions so check the conditions.
Sign up for a rewards club membership. You may receive discounts on snacks and tickets, and sometimes even receive free tickets.
Look for theatres that show older movies. They will generally show movies that are gone from most theatres. Not all areas have these types of theaters, but check around and you may get lucky.
Bring you own snacks. The markup on snacks is very high. A medium bag of popcorn can cost you around $6 versus a bag or two of microwave popcorn would cost you about $.50-$1. The check with the management before bringing them in. Some theaters have a very strict policy about bringing in outside food. I recommend eating a meal for before going to the movies that way you are not tempted to spend a lot of money on snacks.
Save your stubs. Surrounding businesses may offer discounts if you bring in your stubs. Check with your theater to see if they have these programs.

Dining out is a great way to enjoy the day. Let someone else do the cooking and cleaning for a change.

Trying finding coupons to your favorite restaurant a good resource is Restaurant.com.
Ask for the specials.
Ask if they offer discounts for membership organizations.
Try not to order appetizers unless you know that your meal is small. Sometimes they can fill you up and not leave room to finish your main course.
Order water, soft drinks, or juices. In most cases the refills are included.
If you and/or your group is really hungry then seek out a buffet. Depending upon your appetite a buffet may be a cheaper way to go.
Don't forget to save the leftovers.
If you have to use a credit card then at least try to pay the tip in cash. Do as much as you can to lower your credit card bill and reduce the interest.
Ask if they offer a rewards membership club.

Here are some general rules to follow to saving money and having a good time.

Plan ahead. Seek out those discounts and figure out how much you can spend.
Spend moderately. It is easy to lose track of how much you are spending through the day.
Use cash instead of your credit card. You might able to bargain if you have cash.
Consider free activities like going to the park or beach. Check your local newspaper or city website for free events.

Throwing Away Free Money

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 06:10:00 +0000

There are many people who throw away free money everyday by not taking advantage of their retirement plan that their employers offer. If you have not signed up now is a good time to start. There a lot of young adults that don’t start their retirement, here is a good article from MSN Money.

Most companies will match up to a certain percent of what you contribute to your 401k retirement plan. You can designate a certain percent to be taken out of your paycheck automatically for your 401k. There is a limit on how much pre-tax dollars you can set aside for your 401k so check with your company because it varies every year. There are no fees involved to contribute to your 401k, and you can choose how your money can be invested such as stocks and bonds. You have the flexibility to change your contribution percentage, and move money around into other funds. If you change jobs you can roll it over to the new company.

If you have some extra money you can set aside for your retirement an IRA account is an option. The Motley Fool has some good information regarding IRAs.

I would highly recommend contacting a financial planner to help meet your financial goals.

Freebies

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 23:11:00 +0000

Getting something for free is always a nice feeling. Let’s be honest the word “free” grabs everyone’s attention. There are many things that you can find for free on the internet: software, clothes, samples, webhosting, and more. When you have a very limited income, free is the way to go.

One site that I would highly recommend is Freecycle. People will post stuff that they do not want, and are willing to give it away for free. You can find free computers, monitors, furniture, clothes, sporting goods, and a whole lot more. Keep a few things in mind when you are searching through this site. If you see something that you want, reply quickly. Generally whoever replies first gets it. The owners may expect you to pick up the item so make sure that you are within the area. Don’t reply with the intention to resell. This is very disrespectful to the members of this community. They are taking the time to post something for free and are not making any money off of it. If there is something that you are looking for, you can also post it.

Slickdeals and Fatwallet are two sites that I check out on a daily basis. The readers post a large range of freebies on the forums. Some of them expires quickly so act fast. These sites also have great deals on products and services. Some are free after rebate, and some you can get for a very low price.

Staying Cool

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:41:00 +0000

This is a good article from MSN Money to help keep your house cool without the cost of your air conditioning unit. Like the article states not everyone can take advantage of this, but if you can’t its still worth reading. You can also pass this on and help someone else save on their energy bill. What if you can’t use these alternatives to cool your house? Don’t worry, all hope not is lost. Here are some low cost suggestions to get you out of the oven that has taken over your home.

Go shopping. No, I am not suggesting that you spend a lot of money to escape the heat. I am saying to go to your local indoor mall and do some window shopping or perhaps get some errands out of the way. A great way to cool off for a few hours, and it is free.

Swimming at your local community center or gym is a low cost or free method to cooling off for a few hours, plus it is good exercise.

If you like to read go to the library, a means of escaping the heat and reality by getting into your favorite book. Some libraries have free internet so you can bring your laptop, or use their computers. Make it a family event, and have the kids get their homework out of the way.

Enjoy your favorite brew. Sit down at your local coffee shop with a friend or by yourself with a nice cup of coffee. Engage with some conversation, or just read a magazine. Most shops offer free internet so this is a good opportunity to catch up on your e-mails.

One of my favorites is ice skating. Most rinks offer group discounts, but give them a call first.

Any other low cost suggestions are welcomed.

To Clip or Not To Clip?

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:28:00 +0000

Trips to the grocery store can be a big expense to your monthly budget, but there are many ways to reduce your spending. Start out with making a list. Be conservative and try to only write down items that are needed. Also try to be flexible with brand names. You might be able to find something just as good, but cheaper.

Coupons are a great way to save money. Here are some ways to find them:

-Local newspaper ads
-Store ads
-Internet
-Friends, Relatives, Neighbors, Co-workers
-Contact the manufacturer
-Look on labels or inside boxes
-Hanging on the store shelves

There are some people don't bother with coupons because they think that it takes too much time to save only a small amount of money. If you take advantage of this you may be able to save a lot of money in the long run. Some people cut 50% to 80% off of their bill, while others save as much as $5,000 per year.

Give yourself plenty of time when clipping coupons. If you are in a hurry then you might miss out on some great deals. Never throw out coupons thinking that you won't need them. These items may be on sale or clearance, and may be only a few cents or free after using the coupon. Others may benefit from what you don't use. You can give that coupon to someone, buy the product for a friend or relative and pass on the savings, or donate the items and get a tax deduction. Set aside one day out of the month take out expired coupons.

Some stores offer double coupon or triple coupon savings. The value of the coupon will doubled or tripled. There maybe limitations so check with your local store about their policies.

Don't over look the clearance section. You never know when you might find something that you are looking for at a great price.

You might be able to find stores that offer a rewards club card. They are usually free to join. This is another great way to provide you with additional savings.

Buying in bulk can also save you money. Stores like Sam's Club and Costco are examples of membership warehouses. There is a yearly membership fee, but the savings will more than out weigh the costs.

There are books that can be found at Amazon that go into more detail about cutting your grocery bills. Here are some examples:
Real World Grocery Savings
The Secrets To Saving Big Bucks In The Grocery Store
50 Secrets Your Grocer Doesn't Want You to Know

The Unexpected Deal

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:59:00 +0000

Last week I saw an ad on a bulletin board for a computer for sale. I have been looking for a new computer for a while, and the research I had done so far I was expecting to pay about $2000. After I called the guy to see if it was still available, I researched the value of the components and found out that this was really a good deal. The system that I originally wanted was on the high end, but I figured it would last me a long time. My previous one was about seven years old, and it is still working. Here is what the computer came with:

· AMD Athlon 64 4000+ CPU
· ASUS A8N 32-SLI Motherborad
· 2GB(4x512) DDR 400 (PC3200) Dual Channel Ram
· Geforce 7950 GX2 1GB SLI Video Card
· Sound Blaster X-Fi 7.1 Sound Card
· 2x320GB hard drives
· 16 DVD/CD Burner with Lighscribe
· Tower Case
· 500w power supply
· Windows XP Pro

This PC was basically new. The guy built this for his friend, but due to unfortunately circumstances his friend was not able to pay for it. The seller could not just keep it because he was moving so he had to sell it quickly. The computer booted up okay and functioned normally, and it had a new installation of windows. The inside was very clean and all the wires were tied very neatly. I could tell that he did a really good job in building this system.

My mind was already made up, I wanted this computer, it was too good to pass up. I tried to talk him down in the price, but I already knew that chances are he couldn’t go down. It never hurts to ask.

My research showed that this would have cost me about $1600 retail, and that doesn’t including shipping if it bought it online. The guy said that he built it for about $1400, but I ended up buying the system for $800.

Sure, this system was not what I wanted in the beginning, however this was one excellent buy. If I need to upgrade anything, it probably won’t be for at least a couple of years, and I won’t need to buy much. I could have gone through Ebay and maybe gotten it for less, but I didn’t want to deal with any possible problems online.

I always keep an eye out for great deals, and this was a great example of one. I almost didn’t see the ad, and would have missed an opportunity. More importantly I took the time to research the value of the system, and checked it out before buying. Not only did I get a great price, but I didn’t have to spend time building it. How many people can say that they saved about 50% off of retail for a brand new computer? My guess is not many. I admit that I got lucky, but the bottom line is that I took advantage of it.

Check out some of my photos of my new computer. Inside; Front; Box

The Almighty Budget

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:40:00 +0000

Your computer is a very powerful tool to create and manage your budget. I would recommend using word processing and spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Word and Excel. If you can't afford these then try using a free online service like Thinkfree. There are many free Excel spreadsheets that you can download to help manage your budget. You can try using this one, which will calculate and recalculate your totals automatically. This will tell you if you have gone over or stayed within your plan. Customize your spreadsheet to list your monthly income and expenses. For each month create a new worksheet. Be sure that you backup your file.

Financial software is another great tool to keep track of your money. Good examples are Microsoft Money and Quicken. The software is very user friendly and is able to connect to thousands of banks and automatically balance your account, track your investments, protect multiple accounts with one password.

There are some other great ideas to keep track your expenses such a debt manager and credit card log.

When it is finally completed you will be able to see where your cash is going. Chances are you will need to go back and adjust certain areas of your allowed spending to meet your bottom line.

Where did my money go?

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:56:00 +0000

Many of us have looked at our wallets, bank accounts, and credit card statements and asked ourselves, "Where did all my money go?" Keeping tracking of your cash flow is essential to your financial stability.

In order to save money you first need to know what your income is versus your spending. Having a good budget will help visualize your spending and aid in accomplishing your goal. Creating a budget may not be easy at first and can be time consuming, so be patient and hang in there. Make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time and a large workspace would be helpful.

First you need to gather all the paperwork for your monthly steady sources of income such as paycheck stubs, side jobs, loans, scholarships, alimony, child support, etc. Use after tax figures, and estimate on the low side for variable income. Do not include any unreliable income.

Second list all your monthly fixed expenses that you pay on a regular basis; rent, car insurance, tuition, and loans.

Third list all your monthly variable expenses; utilities, entertainment, food, clothes, pets, credit cards, etc. Be sure to keep all your receipts. You are probably thinking I have all this paperwork, now what? The next step is creating the budget.

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (The Wallet Saver) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:41:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to my blog. I am just an average guy with a passion about saving money. Just like you I have a very limited income, and always looking for new ways to make every penny count. I hope that you will find this information useful, and please share your comments and money saving tips.

Thank You,
The Wallet Saver