Restaurant.com has opened up their site once again, offering $25 gift certificates to great restaurants for the unbelievable price of TWO DOLLARS. If you want to get $25 in food for a tiny fraction of the price, head on over to Restaurant.com and use the coupon code: BITE when you check out.

I’ve actually used these coupons and they work out fabulously for my family and me. Different restaurants have different requirements, but the deal is still fabulous!

Here’s the kicker: you can join their Dinner of the Month Club and extend your savings for an entire year. Yes, pay just $24 and get $300 in high quality restaurant food at participating eateries. You’ll still use the same coupon code: BITE when you check out, so don’t delay. This offer ends March 16, 2010.

Sounds far fetched, I know, almost as crazy as our current administration banning the great American pastime of fishing. With bad news coming out of Washington so fast and furious that it’s hard to keep up, maybe someone from YNAB needs to educate our legislative and executive branches on what a budget really is and how it’s supposed to work. Deciding where to spend money on isn’t a real budget. Neither is deciding how much to spend. Deciding where NOT to spend is where a real budget begins. Once you understand that aspect, budgeting takes on a whole new meaning.

What would it look like if the government used YNAB?

First, we wouldn’t be operating on a month to month basis. Last month, the federal government went into the red $209 billion, 14 percent higher than the previous record set in February of last year. You Need A Budget (YNAB) teaches its users how to stop the paycheck to paycheck cycle by simply knowing where their money is spent and formulating a REAL plan to get out of this vicious cycle.

Second, every dollar would  have a job, a mission, a purpose. Some may claim that this is already happening to a degree in our federal, state, and local governments, but I disagree. These faux budgets our legislators are concocting are shams, they have no idea what’s being purchased, what’s being spent, or WHY. Some people even encourage legislators to “pass the bill to learn what’s in it.” YNAB eliminates that possibility because its proprietary software helps you not only track, but helps you dictate how to spend your money. You are in control, not your money, not your debt, not your bill collectors. YOU.

Third, by using YNAB, governments would be able to save for a rainy day. You know they’re coming – those 6 month car insurance premiums that eat your lunch – and this budgeting software helps you prepare for them. YNAB would help our government prepare for the upcoming rainy day known as the Baby Boomer Social Security Buster that’s looming on the horizon in about 10 to 15 years.

Fourth, YNAB would help governments roll with the punches. Things come up, like wars, recessions, and the need to payoff entire states to get your legislation passed.  YNAB makes small adjustments when you overspend, ensuring that you fix those mistakes before you go to the next month. What a concept! Can you imagine anyone in government actually admitting to overspending and doing something about it?

I know. It’s more than just a little far fetched to wish that any government, federal, state OR local, would budget the YNAB way, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Check out YNAB and see if it isn’t the most innovative, intuitive, and incredible way to take back control of your money, because if you don’t control your money, it will certainly control you. Don’t believe me? Just look at the Federal government’s projection of its own debt problems.

Photo by metimbers2000

It’s a funny little video, but it seems to represent how everyone involved in federal, state, and even local governments does math – badly. States and municipalities are increasingly running out of cash and on the verge of bankruptcy. Some municipalities have raised sales taxes as high as 12 percent! Just like the video shows us, there is a fundamental lack of understanding of the forces of economics and just plain old ignorance of basic math.

Just … wow. Eerily similar to how Congress works out their budget. Too bad they don’t use YNAB

.

Thanks to Brent for sending me this video.

That’s how many of your fellow readers checked out NetQuote last year after reading about it here at The Wisdom Journal. That’s a lot of people! One reader even took the time to email me about how much money he saved on his homeowners insurance using their service.

And what exactly IS NetQuote? Think of it as the Grand Pooh-Bah of insurance sites that helps you keep money in your pocket. How? They collect quotes from many different insurers, all high quality and reputable, and then funnel those back to you.

• No pushy agents.
• Only one form to fill out.
• No waiting on the phone for a quote.
• No driving all over town to meet with agents.
• No obligation.

It costs NOTHING to check rates!

From there, you simply decide which company meets your needs from a financial standpoint. If, for example, your auto insurance is cheaper through Progressive, you can pursue it. If Nationwide, or Travelers, or Farmers fits the bill, you can go from there because NetQuote can get you an insurance quote from any or all of them.

NetQuote has access to all sorts of other insurances as well, from life, to health, to homeowners, to business, chances are, they have what you’re looking for. They even offer the lowest insurance rates by state and LOCAL markets – from the top national carriers to your neighborhood local agent – with competitive rates and plans to assist you with making the best decision for you, your family, or your company.

My bi-weekly roundups are great fun – no really. I enjoy the reading part, but the coding part sometimes takes up a lot of time. So, taking a cue from my friend Paul at Fiscal Geek, I created a roundup submission form similar (eerily similar, no?) to his. Matt from Debt Free Adventure created one as well. Hey, why not submit your article to all three of us?

This page will become a permanent part of the navigation bar at the top of my site.

Photo by Search Conversion

Experts in the field of team building recommend establishing a team charter – a document that spells out what it is the team is to accomplish, how, who is accountable for what, the boundaries of responsibilities, and a step by step action plan for achieving success. We charter yachts, planes, and teams, why don’t we charter our families – setting their direction, establishing their course, and determining (ahead of time) what principles will guide them?

Families are teams, too

Your family unit is also a team, with responsibilities to each other and to your community, your church, and your country. Maybe I missed it, but I‘ve never heard of a family establishing a family charter – a “why are we here” document that spells out the family’s goals, responsibilities, expectations, and vision for success as a family. We do this all the time with businesses, why don’t we do this with our family?

Just imagine the good could come from sitting down this weekend with your spouse and children and establishing your own family charter that defines the purpose of your “family team,” how it will work and the expected outcomes? What if you and your family established a set of “directions” that would guide each of you based on your shared values and visions of success for your family as a whole and each family member individually? Would that have any value to you?

The Family Charter

The charter must be specific enough to keep your family on track, but it should not restrictive or cumbersome. And, although there will certainly be disagreements and conflicts about the charter as it’s being developed, remember to use conflict resolution and negotiation skills to deal with any friction.

Make sure your family charter:

• Answers the question, “What is our family’s purpose?”
• Defines the values that will guide your family
• Spells out individual roles
• Sets boundaries
• Establishes the processes needed to manage familial relationships
• Encourages collaboration among family members
• Establishes responsibility and accountability
• Sets up how decisions will be made
• Addresses conflict resolution
• Sets the criteria for how success will be measured
• Identifies resources you’ll need to function successfully

I don’t currently have a family charter

But I’m going to sit down with my wife and children this weekend and open up a discussion. I plan to discuss our finances, our joint and individual goals, and our values. I also plan to discuss what and how we see our purpose as a family unit.

Additional family charter ideas

I’m planning to print ours out, frame it, and place it in a prominent area of our home. It might create discussions with others who visit on how we as a family unit view our role on this earth.

Decide as a group about how to budget for giving and insure that it matches the family’s values.

I think it would be a good idea to have each family member sign the family charter as a symbol of their agreement with the direction we’re heading.

Failing to plan is the same as planning to fail.

I’ll keep you posted on how this goes, but it’s something I’ve been turning over in my mind for quite some time.

Photo by Nick David Wright

There is no such thing as a recession proof job.

With the incredible amount of unemployed people vying for a position and thousands more losing their jobs on a weekly basis, it makes no sense to view your job as a lock. Your employer doesn’t. Since December 2006 (quick, think back to what other significant event occurred in late 2006), unemployment rates have risen from 4.4% to 10% at the end of 2009 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Books about “recession proofing” your job are flying off the shelves while the REAL unemployment rate is hovering north of 16 percent. Those numbers include people who have just given up or who aren’t working full time when they wish to. Unemployment among teens, those without high school diplomas, and minorities are even higher.

Understanding what your employer wants is critical and though each employment situation is unique, there is a definite benefit to knowing how to hang on to your job. What is your employer looking for? Here’s a general list of what employers look for in candidates that are applying for positions at your company and what they want to see in you.

What employers want:

• A record of achievements that match well with your employer’s greatest wants and needs. Nothing trumps having successfully “been there, done that,” so long as it’s relevant to what your employer wants.
• Intelligence, business savvy, and a willingness to learn.
• Honesty, integrity, and decency.
• A team player who meshes well with the company’s team and can integrate with the company’s culture.
• Likability, a positive attitude, and maybe a sense of humor. Be careful here, the wrong humor can get you in trouble.
• Excellent communication skills whether peaking, writing, talking on the phone, or using email.
• Dedication, flexibility, and a willingness to go the extra mile to achieve excellence.
• A goal setter with a clear sense of purpose.
• A high level of motivation and the enthusiasm to back it up.
• Confidence and leadership with an air of equanimity.

There are no guarantees. And while there may not be any such thing as a recession proof job, by knowing what your employer wants, you might be able to save your job … or more easily find another one.

I’m sick of my bank and their fees.

After getting researching the incredible differences between PerkStreet Financial^SM and traditional banks, I’m sold and I’m signing up. Why? The “PERKS” of course! Banks USE OUR MONEY and give us almost nothing in return – have you seen the rates in most savings accounts these days? Pitiful.

Visit PerkStreet.com to sign up for your free online checking account and the PerkStreet Financial^SM Visa® Debit Card. Read on and find out why.

More Rewards

• Finally, people (like me) who would rather spend using debit cards can earn the great rewards credit card users have been getting for years
• Spend $200 to earn a coffee ($2 value); Spend $100 to earn a song ($1 value) or spend $100 to earn $1 cash back, never a cap on what you earn
• Unlike other cards, they give me the same great rate no matter where I shop
• Never a fee, as long as I use my account at least 1x/month
• Other banks make their debit card rewards sound great, but they give me just a fraction of the rewards that PerkStreet gives me

More ATMs

• PerkStreet gives me access to the largest surcharge-free ATM network in the country (STARsf®)
• Located in the places I already go – like CVS®, Walgreen’s®, Target® and 7-Eleven®
• These ATMs aren’t branded PerkStreet Financial^SM but they are completely free to PerkStreet Financial^SM customers.  Some banks reimburse you for ATMs but you’ll owe taxes on that ‘income’.
• Never make a special trip to a branch again
• More free ATMs than the big banks

Join me in signing up today.

Yeah, I know, it’s still cold in many areas, but SPRING is coming and you know what that means! Yard sales, the smell of freshly cut grass, grilled hamburgers, baseball games, and pool parties! Woo Hoo! There’s nothing like the feeling of getting rid of your unused stuff and getting cash in return. Sweeeeet!

Why have a yard sale?

• It helps you get rid of clutter
• It helps you make extra money
• It can be a social event
• It helps your kids learn to be entrepreneurial

Here are some of my personal tips for having a great yard sale.

Clean and de-clutter

Put some elbow grease into cleaning out your garage, your basement, your closets, and your attic in preparation for your yard sale. Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last two years and don’t hold back! Just because you can’t imagine anyone wanting your junk doesn’t mean there isn’t someone who does. What have you got to lose by putting it up for sale? Budget plenty of time for the de-clutter step.

Make your yard sale an event

Involve the neighbors by asking them to have a yard sale the same day. Multi family yard sales attract a lot of people and the more “customers” you have viewing your wares, the better your chances of making some serious cash.

Advertise your yard sale

Remember the biggest principle of advertising – simplicity. Keep your signs simple and brightly colored. Post signs at busy intersections and on your front lawn. Big arrows pointing the way toward the sale make it easy for motorists to navigate their way to your wares.

And don’t forget to advertise in the newspaper (yes, there are still some around) and on Craigslist, at your church, and any other place where people gather.

Organize your yard sale the night before

Make sure you have some tables and a few chairs as well as plenty of change. Organize your products by what makes sense, baby items with other baby items, tools with tools, and toys with other toys. Hang any clothes and make sure you have an extension cord or a power strip ready for customers who want to test electronic items. Have a trash can nearby so people don’t drop trash in your yard.

Price your goods to sell … but not too low

As much as it pains you, others probably don’t value your goods as highly as you do, but don’t sell yourself short. I’ve been to yard sales where things were priced 10 percent under retail and others where things were all 10 cents. Neither approach makes sense but selling most items at 10 to 20 percent of their retail value is a good rule of thumb.

You can also make group offers — “everything in this box for $10” for example.

What day should you have a yard sale?

Saturdays are by far the most popular day, but I’ve seen very successful yard sales start on Thursdays or Fridays. If you decide to have your yard sale only on a Saturday, be prepared to start early. I’ve had people show up at 6am, knocking on my door in an attempt to get the best deals on the freshest merchandise. Don’t be afraid to tell them what time your sale starts but remember that you don’t want this stuff! Sell it as soon as possible!

Other yard sale tips

• Don’t hover over your customers
• Be prepared to haggle
• Don’t stick to your prices so firmly you miss every sale
• Set up limits of where you want customers to wander
• Let your kids sell cookies and lemonade
• Watch your cash box and keep most of your money inside your home
• HAVE FUN!

A yard sale can be a great source of quick cash. Use these tips to convert your stash of stuff to cash to pay off debt, pay for a vacation, or whatever you want.

Yard sale photo by by ‘SeraphimC
Yard sale sign photo by by AndreJenny.com

I’ve fallen behind with my reading and still have about 7 more books to review, but I did some quick reads of three books this week:

In Master Your Debt, Jordan Goodman presents readers with some of the best debt elimination and reduction tips, and credit management that I have read in long time.

He packs the book with more than just information on mastering your debt, he also gets readers to fill in various worksheets to see where they can make changes to their financial lives. He covers credit reports, how to fix credit errors, how to select and properly use credit cards, and a great chapter on understanding mortgages. If you didn’t know what an ArcLoan, a Harmony loan, a HELOC, or a reverse mortgage is, you will after you read Chapter 5!

If it has ANYTHING to do with debt, from student loans to car loans to mortgages, Goodman has it covered. Since we live in such a debt laden society, this book is a great resource to help you understand debt and master it. I really liked his formula for becoming mortgage free in only seven years – that one idea is worth the book right there.

In Who Owns The World: The surprising truth about every piece of land on the planet, author Kevin Cahill presents the first comprehensive land ownership survey of all 197 countries and 66 territories in the world. You’ll never believe who the world’s top landowner is. Care for a spot of tea?

If you’re interested in geography at all, you’ll be fascinated by the fact that only 15% of the world’s population owns land. The author believes (as do I) that these staggeringly low numbers of landowners is possibly the single greatest cause of poverty.

So who are these huge landowners? Here is the top 5 with the number of acres they own and the approximate value:

Yes, Queen Elizabeth II owns ONE SIXTH of the land mass of the earth. Staggering isn’t it? That’s three times the size of the USA.

Speaking of the USA:

• The largest landowner in the US? Surprise, surprise – the US Federal Government.
• The largest corporate landowner? Plum Creek (a lumber company) with 7.3 million acres in 19 states.
• The biggest private landowner? Ted Turner at 1.8 million acres in 7 states.

This was a very interesting book with much more than just charts and graphs. The author explores how land ownership actually changes a society for the better.

How To Achieve A Heaven On Earth is a compilation of essays edited by John Wade. After asking himself how “a” heaven on earth could be achieved, he set out to read what other people thought about the subject and this book was the result. With articles and essays from a wide variety of people from different walks of life (from George Bush to Tony Blair to Paul Prudhomme to Alice Schroeder), the book has a distinct leftward slant but it isn’t too over the top. The chapters include peace, security, freedom, democracies, prosperity, spiritual harmony, racial harmony, ecological harmony, health, moral purpose and meaning, and individual paths to heaven on earth.

The book is easily read in snippets since there are 101 essays covering these topics, but personally, I’m not looking for heaven on earth because it isn’t here on earth.

Perhaps we could get closer to “heaven on earth” if some of these wealthy landowners would sell/grant/transfer/give land holdings to ordinary citizens. I’m not holding my breath …