Photo by joannelummy

Are you currently in the market for a new car? If your car is currently falling apart and is costing you more than $200 a month in repairs, then I would say yes, you are a great candidate for buying a new car. But, it’s not enough to just know that you need something else to drive, you need to learn quite a few details before making that official decision of what you’re driving next.

Selling Your Old Car

First of all, I beg you not to take your car with you to the dealership to trade it in. If your car is worth $4,000 according to the private party value on Kelley Blue Book, they’ll most likely only give you half that. If you don’t want to hassle that much with selling your car, just list it on Craigslist for $3,000. You’ll probably sell it in a day and you’ll make $1,000 more than if you would have let the dealer take it off your hands. I’d say that’s well worth a day’s work!

Buying With Cash or Credit?

In today’s society, it’s almost expected that you’ll be paying for your car with a bank loan. Hardly anyone pays with cash. But, what’s the best way? Well, that depends. First of all, I’m assuming that you’re being responsible and buying a car that is well within your means. If you earn $40,000 a year, there’s absolutely no reason for you to own a $20,000 car. It’s best to look for a dependable car that’s less than one quarter of your yearly salary, or in this case, $10,000.

Next, how much money do you have in the bank? If you have a fund that you’ve been throwing money into for a while in anticipation of needing a new car, then you’ll most likely be able to pay for your car with cash. But, if you have very little cash, or if you’ll be left with nothing after a cash purchase, then you’ll most likely have to buy your car with a bank loan.

If you’re taking out a loan, it would be wise to use a calculator like the Clydesdale Bank loan calculator. This will show you what your monthly payments will be. Sure, you could get a sweet car with slightly higher payments each month, but you don’t want to be strapped for cash at times either. It’s best to keep those payments as low as possible!

Is It a Lemon?

If you’re buying a brand new car, you’ll have no idea whether your new ride is a lemon or not because there is no history on it. If, however, you buy a used car that is 3 or 4 years old, you’ll be able to find consumer reviews from many different owners. You’ll know exactly what to look out for when you make your purchase and it will most likely keep you from buying a lemon! In addition to reviews, you’ll also want to take it to a mechanic, just to be certain it is road worthy and won’t cost you an arm and a leg shortly after the purchase.

Photo by Kikkerprinses

Would you consider yourself a handy-man? Or, maybe you’re a handy-woman? No matter if you’re handy or not though, I think that many home renovations can be done without the help of a contractor. All you need is a box full of tools, YouTube, and a little common sense.

So what is the current condition of your kitchen floor? How about your bathroom floors? Do you still have ugly laminate from the 80’s? Apparently it has withstood the test of time and was worth the price back in the day, but today, not only is this laminate outdated and ugly, but it’s taking down the value of your home.

Think about it. What is the one room that can sell a house? You got it, the kitchen. You could have a moldy basement, but if your buyers are enamored with the gourmet kitchen that you’ve created upstairs, they might just overlook that fuzzy green stuff and buy the house anyway. If, however, you have a laminate kitchen floor will a pretty decent looking basement, the buyers may not be so impressed (since there isn’t anything that wows them) and won’t put an offer in on your house.

Now, if you actually do have mold in your basement, I would suggest taking care of that before tiling, but maybe that’s just me. Today though, tile is absolutely the way to go. It’s classy, it’s easy to install, and it can last you for quite a long time! So what tools do you need in order to rip out your existing floor and lay down new tile? Let’s get into it!

Tools For the Job

To remove your old floor, you’ll first want to rip up the laminate and see what’s underneath it. If you see particle board or plywood, then you most likely have a subfloor beneath that (which is what you want to get down to in order to start laying your cement board and tile). In order to pry those boards up, you’ll most likely need a power drill (for removing screws) and a crowbar (to pry up the plywood).

Once you get down to the subfloor, you’re ready to start building back up! In order to support your heavy tile, you’ll need to install cement board. To do this, you’ll just need some screws and a power driver (or a screwdriver, but that would just take forever). Once the cement board is laid, it’s time to spread your mortar and lay tile! To do this, you’ll need a tile cutter, mesh tape for your seams, a trowel with “teeth” on the leading edge, mortar, spacers, and the tile. Tape and mortar your joints to make the entire surface smooth. Then evenly spread your mortar, place your tile, and space each tile with spacers.

Once all of your tile is laid and your mortar is set, it’s time to lay grout (Topps Tiles is an excellent choice). For this, you’ll need a rubber trowel. Evenly spread the grout over the space in between the tiles and after about 15 minutes (depending on your grout of course), remove the excess grout with a sponge. Once all of this dries, you’ve got yourself a brand new tile floor, and by doing it yourself it barely cost you anything and it added a ton of value to your house!

Photo by Kikkerprinses

Once you become a parent, it seems that much of your extra money goes to the kids.  They seem to outgrow clothes faster than you can blink, and shoes, well, shoes might need to be replaced every 6 months.  As they get older and involved in more extra-curricular activities, you’ll see more of your hard earned dollars disappear.  We haven’t even talked yet about college savings.

While you might not have had any monetary difficulties before kids appeared on the scene, that will likely change as the kids (and their financial needs) grow.

If you’d like to cut corners to make your dollars stretch further, there are plenty of ways you can do just that without sacrificing your lifestyle.  Try some of these tips:

1.  Make simpler meals.  You can eat nutritious foods without spending a lot of money.  Focus on meals that utilize basic and low cost vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and celery.  Have several meatless meals a week.  Don’t forget to have a breakfast for dinner; even though the price of eggs has increased recently, they are still a frugal protein choice.  Training your kids to eat this way when they are young will help when they are growing teens who want to eat everything that isn’t nailed down.

2.  Make your appliances last.  Appliances are costly investments.  Rather than replacing them at the first sign of trouble, look into getting them repaired.  For instance, for more on oven repairs, visit Repair and Protect.  If a repair is not possible, consider buying a used appliance as a replacement rather than a brand new one.

3.  Repurpose clothes.  To make your clothing budget stretch further, try to repurpose clothes.  Your child may have had a growth spurt that now makes his jeans high waters, but you don’t have to throw them out.  Jeans with holes in the knees can be cut up to create a cute denim skirt.  With some creativity, you can repurpose many of your own and your child’s clothes.  Cut them off at the knee and turn the pants into shorts.  Worn out t-shirts can become dusting rags.

There is no doubt that kids put a financial strain on a family, but most people wouldn’t change the number of kids they have, no matter the financial difficulty.  You can ease the pressure on your wallet by taking steps to be more frugal in ways that don’t affect the quality of your lifestyle.

With such a fear of being cold, March is a particularly trying month for me. The instant we see a tiny ray of sunshine, everyone ditches their winter coats. Men walk around in t-shirts, women gamely bring out the short skirts of summers past. ‘Hang on a minute, it’s still cold!’ I want to cry. Even a denim jacket or leather coat will not keep out the chill when the sun hides behind a cloud.

For many years I took to wearing my winter coat in any weather. Even in late June you would find me in the park with friends, wrapped in my red military trench coat, insisting that it was not warm enough to sunbathe. It was only when I moved to a house near the sea that I realised this could not go on indefinitely.

Luckily for me, this year there is a new type of coat widely available. The quilted jacket offers protection from our unpredictable climate whilst keeping the wearer looking fabulous.

Quilted jackets are thin, light-weight short coats which have a quilted layer inside. This helps to insulate the wearer, without the bulk associated with a winter coat. Coming in a range of colours and designs, there is a quilted jacket to suit any outfit or any occasion.

Surely a better option than either to wear a heavy coat in spring, or risking the elements with no coat at all, a quilted jacket is the halfway house between. Its cut and lightweight style make it a flattering choice for women of any size. This season, you could team your quilted jacket with skinny jeans and shoe boots to look on-trend. My particular favourite is a black leather quilted jacket, which makes the wearer look edgy and fun, whilst also keeping him or her warm.

A quilted jacket is your best fashion buy this spring. What are you waiting for – go and buy one today!

Author Bio:

Frances Hamilton is a writer who loves to be warm at any time of year. Subsequently, she has invested in a quilted jacket to see her through the spring and summer of 2013.

M. Nota/SXC

While women often handle the day to day finances, men are the ones who are more comfortable investing and trading.  However, women, both single and married, do themselves a disservice by not learning about investments.

Statistically speaking, a woman will live longer, yet she often has less in retirement.  If women would like to find true financial security, they should learn to invest and make their money work for them.

In addition, a single woman is in charge of her own financial future and security, so knowing the basics of investing is essential.

If you’re a woman who would like to invest but doesn’t know where to start, there are plenty of places you can go to learn, if you’re willing.  Consider these sources:

The Library

The local public library has many books that can help you learn to invest.  There are books like Investing for Dummies, or other books written by financial experts and gurus.  In addition to learning general investment strategies, you can also learn by studying other investing greats like Warren Buffett.

Investment Clubs

Investment clubs are a great place to learn how to invest.  You and several other people invest money together.  You learn about stocks and investment opportunities together, and you also share in the profit (or loss) of those investments.  Because you are investing with others, you’re not risking a great deal of money, making this a good choice for beginners.

Demo Accounts

Once you gain knowledge about investing, it’s time to put it to work.  You can open a demo account at an online brokerage and practice investing money in stocks, bonds, and even foreign currency.  Once you feel confident, you can open a forex account, for example, and begin investing for real.  Start slowly the first year as you continue to learn so you don’t put your finances at risk.

Online Classes

Don’t forget that there are also free online investing classes.  These classes are often quite comprehensive and can give you a good working knowledge of the investing world.  You can also study at your own pace, which is great for those with a busy schedule.

If you are a women, it’s in your best interest to learn how to invest, even though it may seem overwhelming.  Take the time to study and learn, and within a year, you should be investing with confidence, and hopefully watching your money grow.

Choosing a health plan has never been a simple task. In addition to sorting through co-payments, deductibles and premiums, you need to consider new health laws that have recently been enacted. Here’s a list of some guidelines that can help sift through the confusion.

Choosing a Plan Type That Meets Your Needs

Typically, point-of-service plans (POS), preferred provider organizations (PPO) and health maintenance organizations (HMO) are the three types of health plans. With a PPO, you have the option to choose health care professionals out of network, but the primary care physician must be in network and provide you with a referral for a specialist. HMOs require an in-network physician. This option is more affordable but gives you less flexibility. With a PPO plan, you can go out of network for treatment, but out-of-pocket expenses are higher, and the cost is heftier than an HMO.

Review Changes before Re-enrolling

From time to time, health insurance plans change what’s covered and what’s not. To avoid unexpected surprises, it’s always best to take the time to review changes. You may find that services like chiropractic treatment are no longer covered or the cost of having your spouse on the plan may have been increased. In addition, the monthly premiums may have been increased due to the rising costs in healthcare treatment.

Consider Lifestyle Changes

Your needs may have changed due a major life change. For example, if you’re planning to start a family, it is essential to have maternity coverage. You may even find that adding a child back to your health insurance plan is less than arranging insurance for your child separately. The point is to make the necessary adjustments that best meet your current needs.

Review Prescription Drug Coverage

Year to year, health plans may drop specific drugs that were previously covered along with the addition of newly covered drugs. It’s a smart idea to stay-on-top of all the changes if you need specific drugs for your health. If you’re drug coverage has been changed, you may need to switch plans or invest in a specific drug coverage plan. You can also inquire as to whether or not there are discounts on generic prescriptions or receiving prescriptions via mail.

Do the Math

When sizing up the cost and value of a health coverage plan, be sure to factor in coinsurance for hospitalization and drug costs along with co-pays for physicians’ fees. Be sure to use a calculator to tally the costs. If you’re healthy and young, you may want to consider switching from a pricey monthly premium to a lower monthly premium with a higher deductible. With the savings, you’ll have more available cash for other things like a car payment or taking that rightly due vacation.

Image courtesy of christine592/flickr.com

Visit Universal Studios

Florida is home to the Walt Disney World Resort and the most famous mouse in the world, Mickey Mouse, but while visiting Walt Disney World is clearly an attractive option, we have decided to suggest you buck the trend and visit Universal Studios if you only get the opportunity to go to one theme park this year. It is a tough choice to decide which Orlando theme park tickets you and your family are going to go for, but with cinematic spectaculars, The Simpsons Ride and Transformers The Ride 3D, you won’t be disappointed if you choose Universal Studios.

Your Universal tickets will allow you to immerse yourself in movie-based fun. Men in Black Alien Attack, E.T. Adventure, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and The Blues Brothers Show are just some of the attractions on offer.

Go shopping in Miami

Not everyone wants to go to the theme parks when they hit Florida. If you’re more into shopping than thrill rides then one of the best places to visit is Miami. One of America’s most stylish cities, Miami has plenty of places to purchase goodies. The gigantic Dolphin Mall is famous for its stores (and crowds), plus there are plenty of outlet shops to help stretch those dollars. Flex your plastic in the designer boutiques before heading for Miami Beach and making the final purchase that every Miami shopping trip has to end with: a kitsch pink flamingo. It’s the rules.

Visit Gatorland

Those who have always preferred the animal sections of theme parks will love Gatorland. Located between Orlando and Kissimmee, this alligator attraction has been open since 1949. You’ll find thousands of alligators and crocodiles at the theme park that is described as the Alligator Capital of the World, plus rides like the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line. There is even the chance to see the famous ‘white alligator’, an extremely rare species which, according to the Independent, is one of only 12 left in the world. For a true-blue Florida attraction, you can’t beat it.

Go into space

Okay, you won’t actually go into space, but the simulator at the John F Kennedy Space Centre might make you feel as if you did. Home to every manned American space flight since 1968, this is more than an attraction. It’s a part of history. Tour the centre, see the awesome rocket park and learn about how the American’s put men in space with the people who did it.

Ride the ’Glades

If Gatorland isn’t enough, you should take to the ’Glades. Airboat tours can take the whole family out onto Kissimmee’s Lake Tohopekaliga for around $30 per person. Depending on how lucky you are you’ll be able to see some of America’s finest wildlife. Osprey, otters, wild boar, bald eagles and alligators are all local inhabitants that you could catch a glimpse of.

From business bank accounts in the UAE to schools offering the finest of American-style education, this Persian Gulf country of around 8 million people has it all. It’s also making huge strides in the workplace battle of the sexes. At the end of 2012, UAE leaders made it compulsory for private companies and government agencies to appoint women to their boards.

Up until that point, only a quarter of female workers, making up half of the public sector workforce, had made it onto public sector boards. The private sector equivalent was more than 1 in 60. The historic decision has been widely welcomed.

Whether male or female, domestic or foreign, entrepreneurs in the UAE are a vital part of a dynamic business sector. It’s an environment that seems to breed success, which was underlined by a recent survey carried out by Virtuzone, one of the fastest growing business set-up operators in the UAE.

The survey found small businesses in Dubai, a city within the emirate of the same name and which is regarded as the economic powerhouse of the UAE, were making the most of the opportunities afforded by the Internet. Just under two-thirds of businesses polled said their performance had been better than expected. A similar proportion reported they were already in profit, with just under a half confident revenues would improve over the next 12 to 18 months.

Virtuzone Chairman Neil Petch said, “Despite global lacklustre conditions that are affecting people’s stance toward the economic recovery, we have seen first-hand that the entrepreneurial spirit and determination to succeed remains alive and well in the UAE.

“As a long-time entrepreneur, this validates my belief that there is a significant, vibrant community of start-ups and small businesses here that have the potential to boost the economy.”

Multinational banking giants such as HSBC have played a major part in the growth of online banking and more conventional business banking services in recent years, all of which has helped in the drive to diversify and push forward the UAE economy.

Start-up and marketing support were also vital elements, according to the survey findings, with many respondents who hired the services of business set-up operators claiming they were better prepared for the usual and unique demands of being a greenhorn in the business arena.

Jessica Brett, Group Sales Director of Virtuzone, said, “Small businesses are a major driver in the region’s economic development. It’s beneficial to hear directly from these businesses about their challenges and opportunities, so we can better assist them and help them grow.

“Entrepreneurship helps people fulfil their dreams and turn a creative idea or passion into a successful business. Our team is here to provide a swift and flexible company set-up process to our customers from start to finish, along with a suite of professional advice they need to achieve success.”

So if you’re looking for fresh challenges over the coming year then why not begin by checking out the services offered by Virtuzone here. Go here for lots of useful information on the availability of schools in Dubai.

Photo by joannelummy

Children are blessings, but they are also expensive. While there are many benefits to having children two years or less apart, there is no doubt that doing so is expensive. You are looking at double the expenses simultaneously. You’ll first notice the hit when you consider sending your children to daycare together. Then there are double the fees for dance class or sports. Braces at $3,000? Times that by two for your two children who are 1 to 2 years apart. Same with prom, weddings, and the biggie, college.

If you have more than two children close together, you may find your finances in shambles.

Many parents turn to credit cards out of desperation, but then you will likely reach a point where either the credit cards are maxed out or you can no longer afford the monthly payment. If you have reached this point, don’t be hard on yourself. You are not the first parent who has underestimated the cost of having your children close together.

If you are facing this situation, the first thing to do is to face up to your situation. While you may feel desperate and not see a way out of the situation, remember that many people have been in your place before and have gone on to become debt free. It is possible, but it will require work.

Steps to Take to Eliminate Your Debt

1. The first step is to call your credit card companies and negotiate for a lower interest rate. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can work with a debt relief company such as http://www.debt.ca who can negotiate with creditors on your behalf.

2. Take an extra job. Working extra is not something you or your spouse will have to do permanently, but it can help you get out of the hole faster. A year of an extra side income can work wonders with your debt elimination.

3. Lower your expenses. Give up luxuries like cable television. Find ways to buy necessities for less. Consider buying second hand clothes and using coupons for groceries, for example.

4. Sell your stuff. Almost everyone has extra stuff around the house that they don’t use. Sell that stuff on eBay or Craigslist or have a garage sale. This will help kick start your debt repayment plan.

With careful diligence, you can get yourself out of debt and learn new skills that will help you financially with the expenses of two children born close together.

Photo by Kikkerprinses

Your home is the single biggest expense you will likely make in your lifetime. Your home can be a wonderful place to create memories with your family. In many cases, it can appreciate in value, which can give you more money to pad your retirement fund when you decide it is time to sell. The majority of the time, buying a home is a wise decision.

However, you can make buying a home an even wiser decision by making smart financial decisions throughout the entire home buying and home ownership process. Consider taking these actions:

1. Compare mortgage rates. Don’t just go to one bank to see if you qualify for a mortgage. Make sure to compare bank mortgage rates so that you get the lowest interest rate possible. If you are in the United States, you can also use a mortgage broker to help you with this. Those in Canada can use a site such as MortgageRates.ca. Comparing rates takes a bit more time, but you will save tens of thousands of dollars doing so.

2. Pay extra. Once you have your mortgage, try to pay a bit extra every month. You don’t have to make double payments. Paying extra can be as simple as rounding up to the nearest hundred, so instead of the minimum payment of $1565, you pay $1600. You’ll be surprised how fast that bit of extra money reduces the number of years you have to pay back your loan. Another idea is to put any extra money you get such as a rebate or a tax refund onto the mortgage.

3. Avoid home equity lines of credit. A home equity line of credit can be tempting, but try to avoid taking one out. Many homeowners have felt comfortable in their financial situation to take out a home equity line of credit, but job loss or injury can wreak havoc with your finances. Being conservative is always best.

Owning a home is exciting and an important part of your overall financial health. However, be sure to shop smarter and try to pay off the mortgage ahead of time to reduce both the number of years you have to pay as well as the interest.