7 Simple Ways To Save Money
March 6, 2010
Each of us knows how to spend money, but do we really know how to save our money? No, I am not necessarily talking about setting aside funds for an investments purposes ? a good thing ? but saving money on everyday items. Here are seven simple ways you can save money:
1. Use Appliances That Are Energy Efficient. Chances are your old refrigerator or washer is a pig on fuel. When shopping for a new unit, make sure that the energy rating is high. However, do not pay hundreds of extra dollars for a product if only a slightly higher energy rating is achieved. Instead, find out which model gives to you the highest possible energy rating for the buck.
2. Click Coupons. You can save money on shopping by clipping coupons. Many stores will even double or triple manufacturers’ coupons up to a certain amount as an added "come on" to get you to shop.
3. Shop The Wholesale Clubs. BJs, Sam’s Club, and Costco all offer savings generally 10-30% lower than the supermarkets. They take coupons too.
Money Matters - Really!
February 26, 2010
One of the biggest challenges facing black RELATIONSHIPS today are finances. Many people mistakenly feel that money does NOT matter. In fact, money matters the MOST! Why? Most people do not have a clue about their own financial destiny.
You know you want to own a home and save some money toward retirement but have you PLANNED what it is you are saving each month and how that money will assist you in the future. Do you have a PLAN to empower yourself financially by NOT depending on your JOB to pay your salary and that’s your only source of income. Times have CHANGED. Jobs come and go(and so do SPOUSES). To protect yourself financially you need to be proactive and not depend on anyone else to solve your financial issues.
Strategies for Success
February 18, 2010
Holy Shenanigans! More STUFF?
Loosing one’s business due to lack of personal control is a sad thing. I’ve watched many people do just exactly that. Recently, a friend told me that her only money is in her business account and she’s been using it rather freely. The business is losing money. It’s going under, because it can’t support itself. She has another income, but she’s not living within her means.
So, what is she buying with ‘her money’? Frivolities, unnecessary trivialities, and ‘bargains’. She and I have discussed the ‘bargains’ she buys. She’s got more STUFF than any ten people NEED, and she still buys because it makes her ‘feel good’. The fact of the matter is, she owns a big old building completely full of ‘STUFF’ she refuses to ’sell’ because it’s got personal value, and it’s important to her, but the roof is falling in on the building, pigeons are in the building pooping on all of her prized possessions, so she buys more ‘STUFF’ to solve the problem. Ten dollar swimming pools to keep the rain from dripping onto her antique furniture and collectibles, plastic to cover them. Meanwhile the mice are eating through the upholstery and gnawing through the antique woods.
Bankruptcy Chapters Explained
February 10, 2010
Chapter 7
The potential chapter 7 debtor should understand that a straight bankruptcy case does not involve the filing of a plan of repayment as in chapter 13, but rather envisions the bankruptcy trustee’s gathering and sale of the debtor’s nonexempt assets, from which holders of claims (creditors) will receive distributions in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Part of the debtor’s property may be subject to liens and mortgages that pledge the property to other creditors. In addition, under chapter 7, the individual debtor is permitted to retain certain “exempt” property. The debtor’s remaining assets are liquidated by a trustee. Accordingly, potential debtors should realize that the filing of a petition under chapter 7 may result in the loss of property.
In order to qualify for relief under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, the debtor must be an individual, a partnership, or a corporation. 11 U.S.C. §§ 109(b); 101(41). Relief is available under chapter 7 irrespective of the amount of the debtor’s debts or whether the debtor is solvent or insolvent. An individual cannot file under chapter 7 or any other chapter, however, if during the preceding 180 days a prior bankruptcy petition was dismissed due to the debtor’s willful failure to appear before the court or comply with orders of the court or the debtor voluntarily dismissed the previous case after creditors sought relief from the bankruptcy court to recover property upon which they hold liens. 11 U.S.C. §§ 109(g), 362(d) and (e).
I Want to Buy a Home - Now What?
February 1, 2010
If you were to ask 100 women “What would you like to achieve financially?” Buying a home or apartment is usually one of the answers. Some women think that they can never own a home - which is not true! In fact, there are so many success stories of home buyers who never thought they would get there. In addition, homeowners tend to have greater financial success in the other areas of their finances life. I’ve seen it over and over.
The benefits of owning a home include: building equity, saving money on taxes and an integral step towards building wealth. With interest rates so low, this is a great environment to buy a home. This article is a checklist with tips and guidelines to buying a home. If you already own a home, some of these tips will be helpful for refinancing your home. Real estate is not a substitute for stocks but it plays a big part in your financial fitness.
1) CHECK YOUR CREDIT. Get a recent a copy of your credit report, especially your FICO score (the score lenders use to determine your interest rate). Check out www.myfico.com.
Save Money on Groceries: Part I
January 25, 2010
One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or where you come from, you have to eat. Unless you grow your own food, you will have to go to the grocery store to get it. That means money. Here are two very simple but highly effective methods for saving money on the food you buy.
Save Money on Groceries: Coupons
While you can find them everywhere, people rarely use coupons. If you are one of those people who does not use coupons, this phrase may change your mind. Free money. That’s exactly what coupons are, free money. If someone were to put money in your hand, no matter how small the amount, you wouldn’t throw it in the trash. That is exactly what takes place when you throw away coupons for things you buy; you throw away free money that the manufacturer gives you for buying their product. That $0.30 here and $1.00 there starts to add up.
Save Money on Groceries: Plan Your Meals
Benefits of Personal Finance Software
January 17, 2010
In this age of information, keeping track of your finances does not mean an archaic jumble of ledgers, calculators, and papers filled with calculations in chicken scratch. Now everything can be taken care of on your computer through personal finance software.
Personal Finance Software: Organize Your Finances
Your finances are complicated. You have money coming in and money going out. You have bills and investments as well as multiple bank accounts. Personal finance software will keep everything organized for you.
Depending on the software you use, it may be able to separate portions of your finances into various categories for you. For example, Quicken 2005 separates your checking accounts from your savings accounts and allows you to track your investments all at the same time.
Organization saves time. Taking a few minutes to input your purchases and paychecks eliminates those hassles associated with staying on top of your finances. Rather than rifling though bank statements and bills for hours, everything is right here in the program. As long as you put each purchase and paycheck into the software, your checkbook will automatically be balanced. Some programs also feature functions that will create a budget for you; yet another time saver.
Reporting Identity Theft
January 8, 2010
Would you know what to do if you suspect that your personal information had been stolen and used by thieves to open new accounts? It’s important that you take the right actions to clear your name as quickly as possible.
In 2005, the laws were changed to allow anyone to review their credit report yearly without having to pay a fee. You can also get a free credit report if you were denied credit during the previous 60 days. By reviewing your credit report periodically, you have a better chance of stopping any unauthorized activity more quickly. There are services that, for a small fee, will monitor your information each business day to ensure that no one else has access to your accounts.
If the worst should happen and your identity is stolen, do you know what to do first and where to report the crime? Are you aware of what forms need to be filled out, or where to send them? Often, the police won’t take an active role or even open an investigation. There will be considerable paperwork to complete and send to all of the responsible companies and agencies.
Top 10 Ways Managing Your Money Is Just Like Riding a Bike
December 30, 2009
An avid cyclist and bike racing fan, I sit transfixed during the many hours of Tour de France coverage every July when the race rolls around. This year, during some of the less-than-scintillating early miles of the sprint stages, my mind wandered a bit, and it occurred to me that there are some interesting parallels between winning the Tour de France and winning at personal finance. Having watched Lance Armstrong pull off the win for 7 years in a row, I’ve compiled this list of the Top 10 Ways Managing Your Money Is Just Like Riding a Bike: 1. If you take safety precautions (e.g. helmet/emergency fund), you’ll feel a whole lot more relaxed and confident on the journey. 2. The better prepared you are, the greater your chances of succeeding. It’s important to learn from the past, but you must also scout out the road ahead and evolve with the constantly changing environment. 3. Crashes happen. The actions of other participants, bystanders, and the media can sometimes distract you from your goal. If you expect the unexpected and are able to respond with a level head, you’ll be better off. 4. If you take too many unnecessary risks, you might end up out of the race, and sometimes it can take quite a while to recover. 5. But you’ll probably have to take at least some calculated risks to come out ahead. For example, you might improve your performance by using cutting edge products, e.g. ultra-light wheels for big uphill climbs or, in the financial world, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs.) But you also make some tradeoffs, e.g. less stability going downhill or, with HSAs, penalties if you withdraw the money for something besides health care. 6. There will be rainy days, and there most certainly will be ups and downs. The one who weathers the tough days the best usually comes out ahead in the end. 7. You don’t have to come out on top ("beat the market," so to speak) every day ? or any particular day, for that matter ? to win the overall race, the race that really matters. 8. You can go a lot farther if the team you surround yourself with has skills, experience, a well-defined goal, and the right motivation. 9. Even if you start at a huge disadvantage, you can emerge victorious if you have the right attitude, understand the rules of the game, and persist despite setbacks. 10. A little bit of luck never hurts! So the next time you’re in doubt as to which road to take on your personal financial journey, consider looking to the peloton for guidance and inspiration. Whether your goal is a yellow jersey on the Champs-Elysées in July or a secure retirement, there’s a surprising amount to learn from watching a bunch of bike racers circumnavigate France. Congratulations, Lance!
How To Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
December 24, 2009
Identity theft is a serious crime that continues to grow. If you become a victim of identity theft, you may spend months, or years, trying to repair the damage. A compromised credit report can ruin your chances of getting a new job, a loan, insurance or even housing. It’s true that it is possible that you could be arrested for a crime you didn’t commit if someone else has used your identity to break a law.
Unfortunately, many of the methods that thieves use to steal identities are completely beyond your control. Although it’s rare, some store clerks have been known to use their position to give or sell information to identity thieves. There are some measures you can take, however, that will make it harder for them to steal your identity.
Protect Your Credit Card Number When Making Purchases:
After you make a purchase and your credit or debit card has been swiped through a credit card terminal, check to make sure that the printed receipt hides all but the last four digits of your credit card account number (there will usually be an x in place of the first twelve digits).
