In the hit TV series, The X-Files, FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate the marginalized, unsolved government cases usually involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder played the role of the “believer”, having faith in the existence of aliens and the paranormal, while Scully was the skeptical scientist/medical doctor, initially assigned by her departmental superiors to debunk Mulder’s unconventional work. As the show progressed, Scully seemed to become more and more of a believer, or at least one who was curious as to what was going on with all these crazy events.

I watched the X-Files with my wife and we rarely missed an episode. Lately, after thinking about the show, I realized that a lot of its central themes are similar to how we work with and use our money.

The Truth Is Out There.

The show implied that there was a larger government conspiracy to hide information from the public and that Mulder and Scully were pawns in the game. If only Mulder could get ALL the information, he could break everything wide open.

Ever wonder how a few trips to the grocery store, a gift for your cousin’s wedding, one or two nights eating out, a tank of gas, and a haircut could possibly cost $850? The truth IS NOT “out there somewhere,” it’s in your pocket with all those receipts you collect all week and then throw away after stashing them in your dresser drawer for 4 months.

The truth is, you need a budget. You need to monitor where you money goes and even more importantly WHY you’re spending it so frivolously.

Take an afternoon and simply LOOK where your money is going. Gather a week or two worth of receipts and break down your spending into some sensible categories. Don’t set limits just yet, just notate the information. After a couple of weeks, or even a month, begin the budgeting process. Start with your gross pay and then list your payroll deductions. Set aside the proper amount of money for your personal priorities (charity, savings, etc) and also set aside some money for personal entertainment and fun. Allocate money toward your debts and monthly living expenses and see where you end up. Always be willing to tweak your budget and know where your money goes. The TRUTH is in your checkbook register.

Trust No One.

As the show matured, it began more and more to center around “the cigarette man,” a chain smoking, shadow government conspirator who saw that Mulder’s work could possibly endanger his devious plans, whatever they were. The implication was that there was a network of people who were seeking to hide something sinister from the eyes of the X-Files investigators.

In our real lives, and especially when it comes to our money and our identities, we shouldn’t trust anyone, or at least only those who we KNOW have good intentions. Trust usually isn’t a true black and white issue, but a matter of degrees. How much trust you show in someone, in a website, or in a certain situation is dependent on your level of confidence from previous encounters. When it comes to your identity, however, I’m in agreement with the show: Trust No One and monitor your credit file.

I Want To Believe.

The desire to hold onto our most tightly held beliefs can prevent us from making wise choices in our daily lives. It can also cause us to think we’re trapped into a life that will never make money, that will always be a slave to debt, or that will never finish your degree.

The best thing to do is to change your beliefs! Initiate actions that will improve your life. Always ask, “What’s my next step so that I can accomplish ___________ ?” Then take that step.

I think the truth is: You want to believe you CAN make a difference in your life. You want to believe you can get control of your money. You want to believe you can break free from the shackles of debt.

I believe it. Do you?

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It’s not uncommon to encounter people without a job these days. Anytime there’s a downturn in the economy, the first casualty is usually  jobs with some simply disappearing while others become scarce. You currently may be without a job, but you still have to pay for your home, rent, food, kids’ education, and home mortgage and car loans. And without a steady supply of income, paying those bills can be tough. In situations like these, enterprising people have learned to turn to the Internet to make extra money while their search for a job continues on. The good new is that the Internet is full of opportunities, it’s only a matter of how well you utilize them to see you through any difficult phases of your life.

Whether you’re photographer, a writer, a salesman, a teacher or some other professional you will not fail to make money online … if you do it right. When you first venture into the online world, you may be frustrated by the speed (or lack thereof) your endeavors produce any real income. This is the time you are supposed to remain calm and try harder! Once you have grasped the nuances of making extra money online, you may not want to give up! Once you get a taste of that freedom, you may even not want a day job. Thousands of men and women are already using the Internet to make big money online … could you be next?

Why You Need a Website to Succeed Online

Having your own website can prove to be a very valuable asset for your endeavor. It will help you solicit business in ways you would never have imagined. Professional photographers use it for showcasing their skills at photography, writers use it for seeking writing assignments and e-commerce specialists use it for driving traffic to merchant websites. The little investment you make on your website is worth it, and fortunately it does not have to cost you a fortune. A website in itself is not a guarantee of success — you will have to promote your website or blog ferociously. You should consider spending time and some resources on optimizing your website, doing whatever it takes to get your website seen and discussed on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Using Content Management Systems for Building Websites

Building your websites was once a specialist’s profession but with the advent of content management systems (CMS) like Joomla, WordPress and Drupal, even those with little knowledge of HTML coding are able to build their website from scratch. The only prerequisite to building your own website is a basic knowledge of computers, Internet and web hosting, though there is a learning curve to it.

Fortunately for you, CMSs are easy to learn and the programs are downloadable for free. There are also hundreds of websites that you can scour for themes, templates and widgets to enhance your sites performance and appearance. Though you can download most of the resources free, we recommend you to consider ordering a paid version, and the reason for that is you are assured of support and great features.

Which CMS to Use for Your Website?

Joomla is primarily aimed at people who want an e-Commerce website, and WordPress is generally for blogs, though both have now evolved into multitasking programs. Drupal is somewhere between the two and has a smaller following worldwide though in terms of utility it matches the other two. Most web hosting service providers have CMS preinstalled, saving you the trouble of installing them yourself. However, we suggest you check that they have the latest version running on the host servers.

Before you select a hosting service provider, do some research on which one is best for you (this blog uses Bluehost). Some of them will offer you freebies which should not be the basis for your decision to order services. There are excellent resources in the Internet that you can access to educate yourself before you choose the right service provider. Price alone should not be the deciding factor.

Joomla, like WordPress is again a free to use CMS and has a very large user base. There is virtually nothing that you cannot do with it. From building blogs to mega e-Commerce websites, it performs beautifully. You can download the program from their official website and there are complete instructions on installing it on the host computer and on your local computer for trial run. You should spend some time on the program before you can actually build your website though it is easy. You can access the Joomla website by clicking here.

Where the Money is Online

We recommend 3 streams for making money online – Join an affiliate program like e-bay and drive traffic to website, join an affiliate like Commission Junction and/or choose Google’s PPC (Pay per Click) program, Adsense.

• To learn more about e-bay’s programs for publishers (that is you) click here 
• To learn more about Commission Junction program for publishers click here
• To learn more about Google’s PPC click here

If you have bigger plans and investments in mind, then you should become a merchant yourself and use your website as your front store. Whichever product you may want to promote on your website, be knowledgeable about it. Give your visitors value for money by way of free unbiased write-ups and product information.

Author Bio

Kathryn Smith is a tech and entertainment blogger who works for an online publication. She also identifies various distance learning programs in order to help the younger generation fulfill their career goals and dreams.

Links to products or services may be affiliate links. See my disclosure policy on the site or on my About page.

Car insurance rates have risen dramatically in the past few decades and there are several reasons why:

• Society is “sue happy” and insurers feel the brunt of it
• People are ditching their car insurance for financial reasons (a scary trend)
• Cars are more expensive to repair and replace
• Insurers have experienced high levels of losses in recent years

The reasons your car insurance is higher really don’t matter. What DOES matter is learning ways to reduce your car insurance premiums. Here’s how to do that:

1. Don’t drive

That’s right, one of the best ways to reduce your auto insurance premium is to use more mass transit. If it’s available, make certain your insurance agent knows that you drive less and that you want your premium rate to reflect that.

2. Shop around

If you’ve recently renewed your policy and the annual premium went gone up dramatically, shop around for a new insurer. The best first step is to use a company like InsureMe.com and possibly save a significant amount of money. Use that site every year or two since they shop your rate with top companies like Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Progressive, Allstate, and esurance (among others). One company is always cheaper than another from year to year.

Click HERE to find out what your new car insurance rate could be!

3. Take a defensive driving course

Sometimes insurance companies will provide a discount customers who complete an approved defensive driving course.

4. Ask for discounts

Another aspect of shopping around is to ask for discounts. Sometimes simply asking can score you some big-time savings! Ask about discounts for :

• Your occupation
• Multiple vehicles insured with the same company
• Multiple insurance lines with the same company
• New vehicle safety features
• Senior citizens
• New parents
• Those who have been accident free for multiple years
• Alternative fuel vehicles
• Anti-theft devices installed on the vehicle (including On-Star)
• Taking defensive driving courses
• Low annual mileage driven
• Not driving after midnight
• Having no traffic citations
• Good students

5. Choose a policy with a high deductible ($1,500 and up).

I’ve seen a statistic that the average car accident is minor and costs less than $1,200. Insurers are willing to charge a much smaller premium to avoid the hassle of a $1,000 fender-bender. If you’ve built your emergency fund properly, a $1,500 deductible won’t ruin your bank account!

6. Maintain a clean driving record.

Lay off the lead foot! Use your cruise control when on the highway (set for the speed limit) and pay attention to traffic signs and signals. I tell my 16 year old — “Do what you know is right” and you won’t have to worry with getting pulled over.

7. Improve your credit score

A driver’s record is obviously a big factor in determining auto insurance costs. After all, it makes sense that a driver who has been in lots of accidents could cost the insurance company lots of money. However, folks are sometimes surprised to find that insurance companies may also consider their credit score  when determining insurance premiums.

8. Lower your coverage on older cars.

Drop collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars that are worth less than ten times the premium –  these cars aren’t worth the cost of that type of coverage.

9. Buy a used vehicle with safety features, such as airbags or anti-lock brakes.

Remember that not only is your likelihood of filing a claim an important consideration, but also how large your claim might be. Buying a car with safety features no only protects you and your loved ones in case of an accident, but also protects the insurance company from higher claims.

10. Insure more than one car or driver

If you obtain a quote from a car insurance company to insure a single vehicle, you might end up getting a higher quote per vehicle than if you asked about insuring several drivers and/or vehicles with that company. Insurance companies will offer a bulk rate for more of your business because they want (and need) your insurance premium, and under some circumstances, they are willing to give you a deal if it means you’ll bring in more of it. You may be able to bundle your life insurance or homeowners insurance as well.

Cutting your premiums is easy

As long as you’re willing to put in a little effort you can easily reduce your car insurance premiums … so get to it!

Links to products or services may be affiliate links. See my disclosure policy on the site or on my About page.

Bug-out bags have long been the rage among the “what-if crowd” and they’re quickly becoming more popular in mainstream circles too. These bags are designed to be grabbed quickly in case “something” happens. They can contain anything from several days worth of meals, to survival gear, to weapons, to water purifiers, to several day’s worth of clothing. I suppose it always makes sense to be prepared – after all, you never know when you’ll need to escape into the strip of woods between Elm Street and Highland Drive when civilization collapses.

What makes a lot more sense (to me anyway) is to have a Financial Bug-Out Bag. This is a bag, a three-sided file folder, or an accordion file with your critical financial documents and possibly even some cash. If you found yourself having to quickly take shelter from a natural disaster (flood, wildfire, windstorm), this bag could potentially help you get back on your feet more quickly.

Most of these items should already be in your safe deposit box or in a secured, fire resistant safe at your home, so copies would be your best bet for your Financial Bug-Out Bag.

What to put in your Financial Bug-Out Bag

• Cash – a few days worth (ATM’s could be down)
• Credit card statements and copies of your cards (front and back)
• Birth certificates for you and your loved ones
• Marriage certificate
• Social Security cards
• Driver’s licenses
• Health insurance cards
• Any important medical records or information on prescriptions
• Eyeglasses or contact lens prescriptions
• Passports
• Any titles, deeds, or registrations for real estate
• Titles, or registrations for any vehicles you own
• Mortgage and other loan information
• Insurance policies or at least the policy numbers
• Property appraisals
• A list of high value items (jewelry, guns, artwork, collections, furs, etc)
• Investment and IRA records
• Income tax returns
• Wills
• Trusts
• Bank account records
• Employer benefit statements

I’d consider putting a small notebook with a few pens in your bug-out bag as well. Inside, write down any important phone numbers (your family and extended family, your doctor, your pharmacist, your bank or financial institution, your employer, your insurance agent, your insurance company’s claims number and the phone numbers to local utilities). Include any information you may need to remember since you may not be thinking clearly when a disaster strikes. The notebook will also come in handy for keeping a diary of what happened, where you went, and what you spent.

Another important item to include is pictures or a video of your home, inside and out, with all your personal property on display. I know one customer of mine who wasn’t being fairly treated by his homeowner’s insurer after he lost his home in a fire (total loss from a faulty electric blanket). Only when his niece reminded him that she had taken a very detailed video of the entire home, including inside the closets, did his insurance company relent and pay him what the home and its contents were worth. That video was worth its weight in gold!

You may never need a Financial Bug-Out Bag

Let’s hope you don’t. But in the meantime, get your valuables appraised and make sure your current homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy provides enough coverage for the appraised items. You can also attach insurance riders for most of those items.

Links to products or services may be affiliate links. See my disclosure policy on the site or on my About page.

To eliminate debt, you have to be both patient and persistent. There is no overnight solution to owing lots of money, but there are ways to minimize the obligations over time. Some of the most common techniques are reducing spending, making larger credit card payments and getting a second job.

These strategies will definitely help you obtain relief from a financial burden and get you on the road to debt recovery. However, you may be missing other steps that will not only help you get out of debt but speed up the process. Here are secrets you shouldn’t overlook:

Eliminate of the Enticement

Begin with pinpointing the weaknesses that got you into financial trouble. There may be several reasons why you entered into debt, like buying things you could not afford or going out on the town too often. Determine what the causes are and don’t consider anything in the future that will get you more in debt. You need to make extra money … not spend it!

Put away your credit cards so you are not tempted to use them. Refuse any new credit offers, no matter how attractive the incentives may be. Think small: if your dream is to start your own law firm, getting that loan may have to wait until you have paid down your personal credit cards.

Reduce Your Interest Rates

Call credit card companies to see if they can reduce your payments. This can be achieved by simply asking for a lower interest rate if you have a good credit score. The technique will significantly reduce your monthly bill. If they won’t honor your request, seek another company that will offer a lower rate and transfer the balances. Check out the Credit Card Page to see if there are any offers that you could utilize to get into a lower rate card.

Reach Out to Someone Who Successfully Did It

Many people have successfully gotten out of debt, and their stories can be a great help in your road to debt improvement. It could be a family member, friend or co-worker. Listening and learning from those who have been where you heading will motivate and encourage you. Try reading How I Paid Over $120,000 in Debt in 52 Months.

Your Budget Should Reflect Your Needs

When you make the decision to get out of debt, there will be sacrifices. One of them is changing your desires to live on a budget that reflects your needs.

Go over your budget thoroughly to see what expenses you can live without. The obvious bills that are huge will stick out to you, but don’t forget about the smaller ones like a smartphone plan and cable TV.

If you don’t need an item or service, you should get rid of it or at least look for ways to lower the bill. It can be $15 here or $25 there, but can add up significantly. Maintaining this type of budget can feel uncomfortable at first, but if you stick to it, it will be a vital part in getting you and your family out of debt.

About the Author: Katie Elizabeth is a freelance blogger and finance guru. She is a consultant for a securities law firm, real estate agency and several local banks. She also has a strong interest in social media.

Links to products or services may be affiliate links. See my disclosure policy on the site or on my About page.