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Saving Money on Summer Entertainment

June 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Summer is finally here.  The kids are out of school.  Everyone is looking for some family fun.  Providing that summer of fun, with gas prices at an all time high and family budgets stretched to the breaking point, can be challenging.  Yet with a few simple tricks, you can re-envision your summer entertainment choices and put the elasticity back in your budget.

Tour locally

Too often the only time we visit our local parks, museums, and points of interest is when we have out-of-town visitors.  So do a little research and make a list of all the great places you can visit within 50 miles of home.  You’ll have a great summer and you’ll be an ever better host for your out-of-town visitors.  To further increase you savings, explore your local bus and rail options.

Group it Up

Many entertainment amusement parks, concerts, sporting events etc., offer a group rate at a substantial savings.  Pull together a group and you’ll not only save a lot of money but you’ll expand your community and amp up your fun.

Look for Mid-week Discounts

Now more than any other time, entertainment retailers are discounting midweek tickets to get customers in the door.   Always call first and ask about discounts. If you don’t ask, they won’t always offer it.   In addition to mid-week discounts, many retailers have discounts for military families, seniors, and children under 12.

Add to your savings by using coupons.  Entertainment retailers compete hard for your business.  Most offer coupons to get your in the door.

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Tips for Summer Energy Savings

June 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A microwave oven

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Summer is heating up and so is the cost of energy.  To keep cool this summer while keeping your energy costs down, you will need to use every trick in the book.

If possible, replace your windows with high efficiency windows.  This will bring your savings in the winter as well as the summer.  So it’s a good investment and so far, it still qualifies you for a federal energy tax credit.  However, not everyone has the ability to replace their windows this year. So here are some other energy savings tips that will also keep you cool.

Did you know that a full refrigerator is more energy efficient than a half-full refrigerator.  It’s true.  The more cold food you have in the refrigerator, the less likely that the frequent opening of the refrigerator door will cause the refrigerator to cycle on.

Microwave cooking is a double energy saver in the summer.  First it takes 2/3 less energy than cooking on your stovetop.  And second, it doesn’t heat up your kitchen which would increase your energy costs to cool it down.

Turn off and unplug any electrical device you are not currently using.  Many of today’s electronics still use electricity even when they are turned off!  Turn computers and printers off at the power grid.

Simple adjustments to your thermostat can realize substantial savings.  Most energy experts recommend that you set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees when you are away. You’ll save 1 to 3 percent on your energy bill for each degree your thermostat is set over 72 degrees.

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How to Save Big on a New TV

June 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Buying an HDTV and saving money in the process can be a daunting experience because, in the world of electronics,  there is a lot to consider. Start by researching HDTV’s, the different brands and their features. Determine whether you would prefer a LED or LCD   HDTVs.  Make sure your outlets are ready for hook up to cable or satellite.  Also, research the warranty policy and be sure the warranty period begins on the date of purchase.

Knowing when to buy a TV can also be a big money saver. Black Friday is considered the best time to get huge savings on electronics, including TVs. This time is also a madhouse and requires some planning. After Christmas is another excellent savings opportunity and of course, there is always Super Bowl season.

Deciding where to buy the TV is the last step. Check stores regularly for bargains, including factory or store rebates and coupons. Also think about opened box, refurbished, and returned TVs; these can be real savings of $150 to $250. Online shopping websites like Offers.com are a popular choice when buying a HDTV because the major makes and models are available for comparison from the comfort of home. Shopping for an HDTV online is as simple as picking the TV to buy and makng the purchase. If the TV can be picked up locally, rather than shipping it, there is even more savings.

The process is actually simple: research, decide, buy, hook it up – and enjoy.

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Understanding Your Credit Score

June 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Factors contributing to someone's credit score...

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Your credit score like it or not, touches almost every corner of your public life.  It effects your employment, your ability to rent, and your access to credit.  Yet few people truly understand how it is computed and what they can do to raise their credit score.

Your credit score is often referred to as a FICO score.  FICO stands for Fair Isaac Company, which is the company that computes the credit score.  Your overall score is measured in five separate areas.

  1. How well you pay your bills.  Delinquencies damage your credit score.  Although an occasional 30 to 60 day delinquency will minimally impact your score.  Frequent delinquencies with a number of different companies is extremely damaging.
  2. How much of the credit available to you are you using? Are your credit cards maxed out? Even if you are paying on time, this damages your overall credit score.  Ideally you should strive to use 20-30 percent of your available credit.
  3. Looking for and opening new accounts. Many people unwittingly damage their credit scores by applying for store credit cards because they offer an incentive.  For instance, 15 percent of today’s purchase if you open an account.  Don’t do it.
  4. Your ratio of installment debt vs. credit card debt. Strive for no more than 60-70 percent credit card debt to 30-40 percent installment debt.
  5. Length of your credit relationships. A long credit relationship improves your credit rating.  So try to hold on to one card for at least five years.

Knowing how your score is computed is the first step to improving it.

 

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This is a test

June 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

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Aproaching Automation

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Advantages and Disadvantages to Online Commodities Trading

May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As the lure of trading commodities becomes easier through online trading, many people are finding that trading online is a saving grace while others have found that it is their downfall. There are both advantages and disadvantages to trading commodities online, therefore you need to understand exactly what you are doing before you begin.

One of the benefits of online trading is that everything you need to trade is right at your finger tips. Because everything is online, you will have access to quotes, news, technical analysis, and charts available for you to make educated decisions. Another benefit is that if you are trading online and you have a strategy for making money, you will be able to pocket all of your profits without paying a broker. However, if you are interested in using a broker to trade commodities online, a benefit of trading online is that commissions for brokers are much less than if you paid someone to trade in person.

If you do not know a great deal about trading commodities, trading online can be difficult. Many people who are new to trading will make foolish mistakes that will cost them dearly. As there is no person to watch over you and let you know when you are making a mistake, trading online is not for everyone.  You really need to know a great deal about the commodities market before entering to make money.

 

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How to Manage Personal Finance

May 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Managing personal finance is very important to live a debt-free life. Therefore, the most important aspect of personal finance is to pay off all debts. There are several methods to pay off debt, but the best one is to keep a check on the expenditures. Here are few ways to manage personal finance.

NEW YORK - MAY 20: In this photo illustration...

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The most important thing to keep a check on personal finance is the budget and this is recommended by many people in the finance department. Budgeting helps a person to determine what they can really afford and how far they can control their expenses according to their earnings. The typical element in the budget is the income and expenditure, and this helps a person to stay within the limit.

Credit cards are something that should not be used and usage should be reduced. Credit cards are the real trouble maker in finance and reducing the usage of credit cards help to reduce the expenses. It is always a good practice to use cash to buy all the necessary items and this also helps to maintain the debt very low.

Another good method to manage personal finance is to pay off all the debt within time. A person should try to save some amount every month and it is better to deposit this money in a savings account. This way, one will have some amount saved that can be used in case of emergencies. Another idea is implementing strategical buy, that is a person should analyze everything before buying and should buy a thing only if they really need it.

 

 

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What to Know About Bankruptcy

May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are times that you just hit the end of the road with your debt. You have tried everything you can think of and there is nothing left to do. It is the time you know it is right for you to file for bankruptcy. It is never an easy choice but it is one that many Americans have to do. If you decided that you must declare bankruptcy then here are a few things that you should know.

First, you should know that in a bankruptcy case you will likely get to keep a few things. There is rarely a time when a bankruptcy case will rob you blind and leave you with nothing. They will take anything they decided but in most cases they will let you keep your house and or your car.

Another thing you might want to consider is that it will affect what you can buy down the road. You are going to be greatly affected by your past mistakes if they resulted in you having to file for bankruptcy. You will likely not be able to get approval for a car, house, or even a credit card without the help of someone else.

These might seem like tough breaks but the relief of debt is worth it. If you have to file make sure you talk with an attorney that will help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities. It is not the end of the world to file. It may help you in the long run.

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Find the Best Deals for Fashion on the Internet

May 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Air Jordan 1, Blue & Black these are NOT nike ...

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Just because the money is tight, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear your favorite styles. A smart shopper knows how to look good while living on a budget. The internet is easily the best way to shop for the best prices on the most hip fashions today. Not only are there online stores that offer great discounts, but there are online magazines that are great resources for finding those online stores.

Nike has long been at the forefront of urban fashion. Not only does the brand appeal to athletes, but it also makes a great style for the urban hipster. However, anyone who practices budgeted living may have to avoid the top name brands to keep finances in check. Fortunately, Nike clothes are one of those brands that can be found at a discount.  Look for those websites that offer savings programs. You’ll likely find what you’re looking for on the magazine sites. They’re usually full of advice on how to look contemporary on a budget. Since the major brands know that people like to read these zines, they’ll often offer discounts and savings programs through the website.

Not only will the designers offer deals, but the retailers will, too. Fashion is a very competitive business, so a smart consumer can find some of the best deals at online magazine sites. Therefore, check these sites often. Finding the best deals means you have to stay on top of the game. Also consider some of the newsocial coupon savings programs that require a group of people to sign up to get a good deal. They make saving money on fashion fun.

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Tips for Budgeted Living

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Today, every family requires to plan efficiently on their monthly budget so that they won’t run out of money. Therefore, everyone has to prepare a home budget to calculate their earnings and expenses each month. Budgeted living is not difficult or complicated and this can be easily achieved by spending less than the earnings and allocating money for monthly savings. The main part of the budgeted living is that one has to stick with their budget and should be determined. Here are few ways to live on the budget.

Various Federal Reserve Notes, c.1995. Only th...

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First, one should prepare a simple list of all the monthly expenses and should compare it with the monthly income. The budget should be adjusted every month according to the need, increase in funds, and change in the expenses. The budget should always have some fund allocated for emergencies and this should be used only when the need arises. The emergency fund should not be used unnecessarily. Every month, some amount should be added to this emergency fund.

Also, entertainment and fun is very important for anyone and therefore, an individual should allocate some amount of money for entertainment each month. Budget does not have to be tighter and one does not have to cut down their passion or beliefs. For example, if a person loves to go swimming or gym, then some amount should be allocated for that and it should be considered something important.

Every month, personal, financial, and professional goals should be reviewed and this should reflect on the budget. An individual should reward themselves every month for sticking on the budget as this encourages to stay focused.

 

 

 

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