Automotive Work

Everyone needs a car to get to work, and even your own car will cost you money to fix if it breaks down. Why not take a few courses on how to fix and maintain your vehicles? If you find you like it, you can go for your certificates to start getting ready to make some side money at garages. The work is dirty, but it also pays very well, and there will be no shortage of people with car problems as the years go on. They will have to fund the repairs somehow either with a cash advance lender or loans through families and friends. At the very least, you can save money by fixing and maintaining your own cars, instead of paying someone else to do it for you.

Vegetable Gardening

This is something anyone can do, whether they’ve got a backyard or not. In apartments, you can learn to grow fruits and vegetables on balconies, including tomatoes, lettuce, bell peppers, and even strawberries. If you have a back yard, it’s even better. You can grow plants that require lots of space like squash, cucumbers, and okra. Whatever you grow, you can use to help supplement your diet and reduce your grocery costs. Some people get so good at this they even help others to start their own gardens, for a fee, or they sell their produce at local farmer’s markets.

Artistic Work

If you like being creative, you can now learn to sell your wares online on places like Ebay.com and Etsy.com. Being an artist these days provides multiple opportunities for making friends and sales online through social networking sites. You will need to buy a digital camera to take pictures, and be okay about shipping things, but it can be not only a profitable way to make a side income, but also a highly rewarding way to do so. Once you start networking with other artists online, you will find that it’s not as hard as it seems to get your stuff noticed, and it can be fun too. You can combine your artistic skills with functional items, like making hand painted pots, custom greeting cards, and any household item that others might be interested in buying. You can even use your skills to decorate your own home too, saving you money on decorative ware.

While many people are able to avoid the addiction to drugs and alcohol, just as many people are finding themselves addicted to both major credit cards or store branded credit cards.  The addiction of compulsive spending is one that has swept the nation and many people don’t realize the severity of their situation until they hit rock bottom, just like any other addicts.  Compulsive spending can have many negative effects on a person’s finances, but also on their well being as well.  Debt causes stress which has both a physical and emotional effect on a person.

If you are a person who feels that they may have no power over their credit card and the influence it has in their money management skills then it may be time to take a step back and reevaluate your finances.  There are many warning signs that appear and luckily with each warning sign there is hope.  Hope to conquer the act of overspending and hope to be in charge of spending, instead of letting it be in charge of you, and don’t succumb to years of battling debt.

When it comes to dealing with an overspending addiction, honesty is the best policy.  Being honest with yourself and your family, or significant other, is crucial.  With the help of a family member or a spouse it is easy to sit down and identify what triggers the need to spend and then think of exercises that might curb these triggers.  For instance, if a person who over spends on a regular basis sees a commercial for a sale at their favorite retail store in which they have a credit card too they will more than likely begin making excuses on the spot to justify the spending they need to do.  An easy solution to this instance would be to change the channel or maybe go find a chore to do around the house.  Hiding credit cards in the freezer in a block of ice is a popular act many participate in to curb their spending, but if you are a hard core spender that has their hot water heater on high to melt that ice then an outside resource such as Debtors Anonymous might be for you.

First, decrease the amount of risk you take on. Whether it is the stock market or even your 401k, it is in your best interest to avoid risking money that you cannot afford to lose, especially in a shaky economy. What once was, and can still be, an outlet for the savvy investor to make large sums of money, those who are facing any form of financial hardship should decrease their level of risk as much as they can. If money is tight, it may be in your best interest to avoid investing in the stock market all together until the situation improves. You may also want to tone down the investments you have chosen for your 401k. It may be best to transition most of your money from high risk to lower, more stable funds, particularly if you are inching closer to retirement. While these funds may not generate as much money, receiving a steady return on your investment is better than losing your money all together.

Second, keep your cash in check. We all know that we need to have six months to a year’s worth of money kept in reserves should an emergency strike. The most common reason for this emergency fund is to help you pay your bills. An unsteady economy should make you re-assess what is required for a situation to be an emergency. While a job loss, decrease in pay, or family illness are all good examples of an emergency, you will want to avoid tapping into this cash for frivolous purchases like a dinner out or the season’s hottest designer shoes. Keep your emergency fund for emergencies only; otherwise, you could be out of money when you need it most.

Third, avoid taking on additional debt whenever possible. Whether it is in the form of a cash advance payday loan, or carrying a balance on your credit card, any form of debt can be one of the quickest ways to watch all your money walk out the door before you have even had the chance to earn it. In an unstable economy it’s best to try and pay cash for purchases whenever possible. This decreases your chance of piling on the debt in a time when you may not be able to afford to pay it off.

Lastly, be careful with who you borrow money from and what you borrow it for. While you will still need to borrow money to purchase a home or for a college education, make sure to apply for a loan with a payment that you can actually afford. One of the biggest causes for the failure of so many banks was the fact that they approved loans for jumbo, and no asset, no income mortgages that the bank knew the borrower could not afford. Applications were commonly doctored to make an applicant look better on paper so the loan would be approved. Many of these loans ended up in foreclosure simply because the borrower could not afford to keep up with the payments. In an unstable economy, if you can afford to apply for a mortgage, make sure to obtain a payment that does not fall outside your comfort level. The payment should be within a range that you are comfortable with. If you feel there is a chance you cannot afford the payment, than it may just be more than you can afford.

These are just a few of the tips that can help you keep your money safe in an unstable economy. Avoid taking on any form of debt whenever possible, and decrease your level of risk, and you are sure to keep your money safe and secure no matter how rocky the economy may get.

Why You Should Get Renter’s Insurance

For as low as $12 per month, you can get coverage in the event of a fire, theft, and other types of financial disasters. While you can control your own behaviors and may not smoke, you have no idea what types of activities your neighbors are engaging in and whether they are putting your residence at risk. Maybe they smoke in bed, raising the possibility of a fire. Maybe they are into illegal activities, and thus attracting thieves into your area. When you live in close proximity to other people who are going about their business, and you haven’t a clue what that is, it can create additional risks to you and your home.

Can You Cover Your Losses Without Insurance?

If you can cover your losses without insurance, and you know that it will cost you $150 to $250 a year to get it, you might want to forgo it. However, how big will those losses be? There’s no way to ascertain whether you’ll lose everything you own in a fire, or whether someone will just decide to steal your flat-screen TV. If you were to lose everything you own, the probability is that you’re looking at thousands of dollars in damages. Your landlord may cover some of those losses depending on whether they are liable or not. If you have separate renter’s insurance and you are not at fault for the disaster, odds are you’ll stand to make up all the premiums you paid over the course of four years or more, in just one disaster.

Risk Management For Very Little

As it stands, renter’s insurance is much less than what it costs to insure a home, should you own it. If the structure you live in burns to the ground, you can file a claim and get a good start on a new living arrangement and peace of mind, helping you to move on much faster. Even if you don’t own the home you live in, you should consider obtaining renter’s insurance as a way to manage future risks for very little upfront. You’ll be happy you did the day your upstairs neighbor’s bathroom overflows and your furniture is flooded or your favorite diamond ring is missing. Just be sure to check the terms and confirm ahead of time what to cover on your policy. Always know what is covered and what is not before a disaster strikes.

When you utter the term budget, many people think that they need to deprive themselves by cutting out all luxury expenses in order to save some cash for a rainy day. While this may be true if your current financial situation is in dire straits, it should not be the case for those who would like to get a better handle on their finances and don’t know exactly where to start. Here are some simple tips to successfully living on a budget while still having the option to enjoy the luxuries that matter to you most.

First, eliminate your debt. One of the biggest strains on anyone’s finances is the monthly payments they need to make to the credit card companies, or the pay day advance lenders. When you are struggling to make ends meet, your debt is the one that tends to take the most money out of your pocket, leaving little left for luxury expenses. This may then force you to use even more credit in order to pay for the additional luxury expenses that you must have like your daily coffee or an expensive dinner out with friends. In order to successfully live on a budget you need to do your best to eliminate all your current debt as soon as possible and avoid taking on new debt whenever you can. Once the creditors have been paid in full, you will now find that you have more free money that can be dedicated to other expenses.

Second, prioritize your luxury expenses. Once you finally sit down and realize all the expenses you incur in a month’s time, odds are you may find that there are certain things that you can’t live without. While this is completely normal, you will need to cut other expenses in order to pay for the ones you want the most. Whether your night out with friends is your one must have, or you love to go to the movies with your spouse, you need to find ways to pay for these expenses without racking up even more debt. You may find that you will need to kill off the magazine subscriptions that you never read in order to cover your daily coffee, night out, or the occasional shopping trip. Regardless of what it is, you need to find the money to pay for it. Be honest with yourself and you will find you can still enjoy some of life’s little luxuries without having to live like a pauper to get it.

Third, turn cooking at home into a fun event. Even if you are all thumbs in the kitchen, cooking the majority of your meals at home can actually be a fun and rewarding experience. Don’t assume that all of your cooking has to be from scratch. It can be as simple as a meal in a box, or as complex as an elegant four course meal from one of the cookbooks that has been collecting dust on the bookshelf. Cooking at home can actually give you a feeling of accomplishment because you will have the chance to try, and potentially succeed at something you would commonly not do. The best part is all the money you will save. The next time you find yourself considering calling for takeout, take a look in your fridge and pantry. You may just have all the ingredients on hand to make a completely unique dish. Worst case it doesn’t quite come out as you would have liked, but you should have at least had fun getting there.

Lastly, consider investing in a quality used car. While you may have always dreamed of being the first owner of a shiny new automobile, that new car smell tends to come at a cost. When you purchase a car brand new, you are the one that gets stuck with the loss of value due to depreciation. Buying used can also help you save money on both your insurance as well as the cost of a car payment. This is also a great way to own one of the more expensive car brands that you may have not been able to afford when it was new. A three or four year old luxury car, like a BMW or even Audi can afford you the luxury of owning the brand while avoiding the luxury price tag.

These are just a few tips that can help you live life on a budget while still being able to enjoy life. Eliminate your debt while prioritizing your luxury expenses, and you may just find you have more fun with a budget than you may have thought was even possible.

When In Doubt, Paint It

Painting is the least expensive way and dramatic way to remodel rooms for a minor investment. Today’s real estate buyers have been flooded with images of model homes on TV and in new developments. What you can expect is that most of these newer homes have a neutral color scheme, with white trim. If your home has lovely wood grained trim and cabinets, it may suit your taste, but today’s buyers want white, off-white, or beige. Paint the trim, the doors, the cabinets, and anything that looks like it could look a modern lift. This makes rooms look fresh and bigger.

Remove Clutter

Another way to make rooms look bigger is simply to remove much of the furniture or decorations. Less is better. You don’t want it to look like no one lives there, but you don’t want it to seem that you’re hosting three kids and a big dog too, even if you are. Remove items from counter tops, refrigerators, and closets. If you don’t have storage space to store these items while you’re selling, put them in a storage bin and keep there then until you move.

Keep Floors Sparkling Clean

If your carpets are stained, get them cleaned thoroughly. Better yet, if you’ve got some remodeling skills, add some new neutral colored carpet tiles or lay down a wood-looking floor. You can get some decent laminates that are click install, that will update the look of a home in no time flat. You can even get bamboo flooring pretty cheap at places like Lumberliquidators.com. If you are installing yourself, you’ll be able to avoid the cost of manual labor.

Prepare To Dazzle With Curb Appeal

The first thing prospective buyers will see is the curb of your home. Make sure it is has appropriate curb appeal. Paint any steps or fencing that looks worn. Take a pressure washer to the outside of the home and make it as sparkling clean as you can. Remove overgrown bushes, and plant flowers to entice buyers to get out of the car and come inside. Add some lighting for night visits. Keep the lawn mowed and the vegetation trimmed. Add big focal points of flowers here and there. In the end, if you can’t get them to get out of the car, you’re certainly not going to get an offer. Make that first impression count, as it may be the only chance you have of getting people to go inside too.

First, determine what your needs will be and start saving as soon as possible. In order to accumulate the amount of money you will need in order to support your current or desired standard of living in retirement, you first need to calculate exactly what you will need. Take a look at your monthly expenses and consider any additional expenses you would like to add once you retire. If you plan to travel and would like to eat out every night of the week, you will need to come up with a budget of how much each expense will cost. Those who have a taste for the good things in life may need to budget more money than those who prefer more frugal living. Similar to creating a budget while you were working, you will need to create a budget for your retirement. Look and see if there are any expenses you can do without once you retire. Anything you can cut out now will be less money that you need to set aside for that expense later in life.

Second, consider taking on some form of work when you retire. The term “retirement” is commonly interpreted to mean days spent enjoying your hobbies or any other leisurely activity you were unable to participate in when you had a full time job. Regardless of how many years you have worked for, odds are the last thing you want to consider is working even when you are retired, but it may be an advantageous to helping you support your current lifestyle. Don’t assume that you need to go out and get a job that requires you to work 40 hours a week stuck in a cubicle. You could investigate ways to make a profit from your hobbies, or consider picking up a part time job where you only work one or two days a week. Either option still gives you the chance to enjoy retirement while making some extra cash that can help support your lifestyle, without draining your retirement balance quicker than you can possibly afford.

Third, avoid incurring any form of debt and pay off what you have before you retire. Once you hit retirement age it would be best to have as few bills as possible. You should not be carrying a mortgage, and you should not need the assistance of a cash advance lender because by the time you retire you should have already saved up enough money to live comfortably. If you are rapidly approaching retirement age and you still have some debt lingering around, work on paying that off before you officially retire and your steady income is gone for good. Debt has a way of taking money out of your pocket and when you are retired it can be much harder to replace the funds, resulting in you outlasting your money instead of the other way around.

Lastly, take the time to create a budget. While you probably already have a good idea of how much money you will need to continue with the same lifestyle in retirement, you will still need to take a look at your expenses. Are there any expenses you currently have that you could potentially do away with once you retire? Could you afford to downsize your home, or do you still need all the room for when the kids and grandkids visit? Odds are you can probably find at least a few expenses that you could do without in order to free up more cash for the expenses that matter the most to you.

These are just a few things that will help you save the money you need to live comfortably in retirement. Avoid taking on debt, and consider taking on some part time work if needed, and you may just be able to find the funds needed to support your current lifestyle long into your golden years.

Figure Out Your Budget First

If you haven’t been saving all year for the holidays, like some people do with a Christmas Club fund, you will have to start now to budget it in. How much extra cash do you realistically expect to have by Christmas or Thanksgiving? How can you expand that budget by saving on other areas of your budget? Once you know how much you have, you will know what you can afford to spend this year.

Understanding Your Expenses

There are numerous expenses that come with the holidays. They can range from travel plans to increased food costs, decorations, and gifts. Before you think that you can put all that money towards gifts, think again. You will have to determine where you’re spending the holidays, with whom, and what kind of gift-giving arrangements you will have. Once you have that nailed down, you can start to design some holiday seasons that are not only memorable, but within your budget too.

What Do You Enjoy Most About The Holidays?

Is it the food? Is it the company? Is it the decorations or outings? Once you know what makes your soul sing, concentrate on paying more for those and less for other things. If you want a sumptuous meal, maybe you can be a little sparse on the decorations or use last year’s models. If you want to travel, plan ahead of time to avoid increased fares and the holiday rush. Plan gift grab bags, if most of the people in your circle of acquaintances are grown up, or set a dollar limit for small gifts. Make home-made crafts for decorations instead of using store-bought. Go Christmas caroling instead of seeing the The Nutcracker at the theater or symphony. Bunch up on accommodations, or stay with relatives to reduce travel expenses. Or, if being at the Hilton is what makes your holiday, then make sure you can save money on meals by planning get together with family as often as possible. Splurge where the impact makes the most sense, for you, and sacrifice where you’re sure no one will mind or notice. In the end, it’s family and friends that make a holiday season special, and that doesn’t cost any money at all.

Examine Your Habits

Everyone knows that turning off the lights when you leave a room is going to save you money on your electricity bill, but there are less well known habits people can implement that will lower their expenses over time, for a minimal upfront investment.

• Replace your light bulbs - The new energy saving light bulbs use only a fraction of the electricity as old carbon bulbs, and they last longer.
• Grow your own food - It’s not as hard as it sounds, and can even be done in an apartment. It just takes some soil, some sunshine, some water, and seeds. Once you get hooked on growing a portion of what you eat, you’ll wonder why you bothered to spend so much at the grocery stores anyway.
• Wait to turn on the heat or air - Some people naturally turn on the air conditioning, once the winter is over, without waiting to see how long they can go without it. Similarly, you can wait a few months to turn on the heating and enjoy the cool air outside during some months of fall. If you live in certain areas like the Southeast, it’s possible to not use any heating or cooling for four months out of every year, quite comfortably. This can impact your usage and help you acclimate to changing seasons.

Examine Your Services

If you haven’t looked at what you’re paying for cable, Internet, phone, and other household services, get into the habit of doing it yearly. Even reviewing your insurance needs can save you money by lowering premiums at certain points, just for asking. In particular, stay ahead of technologies that can replace more expensive services with free or low cost alternatives. You may find cable isn’t even necessary anymore, if you’re quite content to watch recorded DVDs, tapes, and/or use Hulu.tv to watch reruns. Land lines for phones are quickly becoming obsolete as more and more people use cell phones. Get a prepaid phone, and keep tight control of those costs too.

Examine Small Fixes

• Add low flow shower heads - For $15 to $40, you can get a low flow shower head for each of your bathrooms. Shorten the time in the shower, and you can impact both your water and your gas or electricity bill at the same time.
• Check the toilet tank - You can add a few bricks or even a water-filled 2-liter soda bottle (recycling!) to your tank to make it an instant low-flow toilet. If it works, no reason to replace. If it doesn’t, consider getting a new toilet. There are rebates for this right now in many states.
• Re-caulk and winterize windows and doors - Every winter get the house ready by recaulking areas that can cause loss of your heating. Check for drafts and winterize to keep your home warm and cozy.

There are ways to save on gas prices as well as cut down on fuel costs. The way you drive has an effect on the amount of gas you use as do fees such as those imposed by credit card merchant. Many gas stations will cut you a break on the price of gas if you use cash rather than credit. You can save up to $.45 per gallon by using cash, which is one incentive to skip the credit card. Not only can you save by using cash, but you can also take note of the lowest prices along routes that you use on a daily basis and by planning your commutes to pass by the least expensive gas stations, you can save more money that you ever thought possible, because station prices vary often widely in the same areas.

Also, besides the great discounts on food, warehouse clubs like Costco and BJ’s have on-premise gas pumps that allow you to save, but membership is required. Lastly, you could just go ahead and trade your car in for a fuel-efficient hybrid or a car with better gas mileage. Although experts disagree on how long it would normally take to recoup the extra money spent on the vehicle to justify its purchase, you will see instant savings upon purchase.