May 9, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
No matter what you’re shopping for, you’re likely to find substantial discounts with a little “surfing” time online. Here are six different expenses that can be reduced with online shopping:
Need a good lawyer?
Legal fees can be incredibly expensive, and finding a good lawyer amid all the choices could be a daunting task. Now, consumers are able to have many legal services right at their computers, with pre-
set prices dependent on the service, not an hourly fee. Services include wills, business incorporations, trademarks, divorce and many more.
Comparison shopping
If there is a product, there is a site to tell you where to get it, and where to get it the cheapest. Many sites detail where to find the least expensive versions of the exact same product, and the difference in pricing can be quite large in some cases. Consumers can also compare the price of having a product shipped from an online store to driving to the store to purchase it there.
Insurance
Multiple sites on the internet offer specific breakdowns and quotes for insurance in several areas. There are many sites dedicated to auto insurance, as well as homeowners, health, business, life and even vacation insurance. You can compare coverage, price, services and agents. You can receive a quote from a specific insurance company, or have one site compare many different companies.
Find the cheapest gas in town
There are several sites that will help you find gas prices listed at each gas station by county, city, zip code or even street address. The prices are typically updated daily – sometimes hourly - by local “spotters” and show where the greatest savings are. There are maps and directions to each station and different sites have other typically auto related specials and advertisements listed.
Online coupons
Companies often use online coupon offers as a way of attracting as many people as possible to their site. You can find coupons through sites that handle multiple companies, or products, with both printable coupons and online codes to use for free shipping, or other promotional pricing. If your favorite product has a website, chances are you can get a deal on it through the site. Companies will also frequently have promotional prices on new products that can often be more expensive when they are first launched.
Get away from it all
When it comes time to spend all these savings on a vacation, the internet can be an incredibly valuable tool to help keep the savings going. There are sites that will compare package prices, hotel, plane and car rental prices, all-inclusive rates – whatever is needed to go as far as you want to go. Also, many sites offer reviews from other travelers, so that you can get an idea of which vacation will truly be the one you enjoy. Also, many of these sites offer “guarantees” to help ensure your vacation is relaxing.
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This is a guest post provided by Emily Browning, a student of MakeMoneyFromWriting.com, where she is learning how to find freelance writing jobs and start her own profitable freelance writing business.
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Posted in budgeting, entertainment, financial plans, online savings, purchasing, saving money, savings, shopping 
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May 8, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
In this age of technology and increased concerns of security, it is more important than ever that you protect your personal 
information, especially your social security number, from falling into the hands of someone else. It’s important to note that online security concerns are not the only thing you need to be worried about when protecting your personal identity and information. In fact, most of the tips listed here have nothing to do with the internet.
Here are some tips that can help keep you safer and keep you conscious of security concerns.
Internet Security
Hire a professional when setting up your computer if you do not understand the necessities of computer security programs. If you have your computer set up properly the first time and you employ the appropriate software, you will be assured your computer will be safe when you sign on to the world wide web.
Shred All of Your Paper Records
Before crumpling a receipt or account statement, think twice. Keep a stack of your important papers and shred them before disposing in the trash. Once your garbage goes curbside, anyone can access your private information.
Don’t Give Away Too Much
Often marketing practices will involve some pretty specific questions in order to get information, such as when you fill out warranty cards or when you sign up for in-store offers. You do not need to tell anyone your date of birth, the ages of your children, or the amount of your yearly income. All of the extra information is used for marketing purposes and is not required to get a warranty or apply for a store rewards card.
Find a Job Safely
Many people take to the internet to find their next job. Posting resumes online or with agencies have become common practice. Before posting anything, check into the privacy policies of the website. Some, you may be surprised to learn, will tell you they are allowed to sell your information to others for any reason. Never, ever put your social security number or other private information on your resume. Employers do not need that information unless they plan to hire you.
Keep PINS Hidden
PIN numbers as well as social security numbers should always be kept in a safe place, which does not include your wallet or other obvious place inside your home. In the event of a break-in or a lost wallet, you want to have access to your information and make sure no one else does. It’s also important to make sure the PIN numbers you create aren’t obvious - like your phone number, address, or birth date, even if they may be easier to remember.
Mail Box Safety
Unless your mailbox is locked, do not leave mail in the box overnight, especially important papers that contain your social security numbers or account numbers. Leaving mail in the mailbox, especially one with a red flag, signals to thieves your information is fair game. Plus, you may never know your information has been taken until it is too late.
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Posted in fraud, identity theft, lifestyle, personal behavior, security No Comments »
May 7, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
“I hate paying bills.” Have you ever said that? I have. But it was more than just hate. I loathed the whole idea. Probably the most disgusting thing I had to do was pay bills. It wasn‘t because I disliked writing checks or licking stamps or even going in person to hand somebody I didn’t know my hard earned money. I hated paying bills because I didn’t have the money in the bank. It was like being held captive. I couldn’t buy gas until I balanced the check book. I couldn’t even go to the drive-in and buy a root beer float. I had absolutely no freedom to do anything that involved money. I was in financial bondage and I wanted desperately to be free. Then one day I woke up.
I woke up to the reality that I needed to make some decisions. Decisions would change my life for ever and put me on the right path to freedom, financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Maybe you are at a point in your life where it’s time for you to make some decisions, let me recommend some.
Physically some of us are a wreck. We have wasted money on food and the wrong food at that. Eating for some is what we do when we start to worry. We also get off the fast track to freedom and get side tracked to the point that we get lazy. Exercise is the last thing we do. Decide today to starting right and exercise even if it’s just one less bite and a short walk.
Emotionally some of us are falling apart. We have no time to love and encourage others because we are so gummed up with our own problems. We can’t think straight because all our attention is given to the mess we have gotten into. Decide today to refocus your thinking on the positives in your life. See yourself out of debt and head for what you see.
Financially some of us are just plain broke. We even get depressed when money news comes on. As the old saying goes, “some of us are so broke we can’t even pay attention”. Decide today to use what little you have wisely. Start a savings account even it it’s just a “change jar”. Drop those pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters in and listen to your future ad up.
Spiritually some of us are bankrupt. We have no place in our life for God, a higher power or anything bigger than our problems. Understand that everything that happens to us must first pass through the hands of God. Decide today to find someone who can help you connect with God.
Financial freedom comes from doing the right things, some physical, some emotional, some financial and some spiritual. It all begins with decisions.
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This is a guest post written by Lee Martin, a student of MakeMoneyFromWriting.com, where he is learning about the online writing process, how to secure freelance writing jobs and establish a profitable writing business.
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Posted in Christianity, Giving, What God Has To Say About Money, budgeting, education, family, financial plans, food, happiness, health, lifestyle, personal behavior, personal finance No Comments »
May 7, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Is it costing you a fortune to maintain the best lawn on the block? Believe it or not, it is possible to sustain 
a beautiful yard and flourishing garden without spending too much money. From new mowing techniques to making your own fertilizer, there are many approaches to becoming a frugal green thumb. Below are eight simple ways to save money on lawn and garden care.
1. Mow your own grass. Many busy professionals opt for a grass-cutting service. Although each session may seem inexpensive, this luxury can really nickel and dime you during the warmer months. Mowing your grass may seem like a pain, but it will save money and provide some exercise.
2. Make it a close cut. By setting your lawn mower blade to cut your lawn very short, you can go longer periods of time without cutting it again. This saves you gas and maintenance for the lawn mower.
3. Take good care of your lawn mower. At the beginning of each mowing season, you should take the time to thoroughly tune up your mower. Clean out the air filter, sharpen the blade and change the oil. Just like your car, a well-maintained lawn mower will cost less in repairs down the line.
4. Don’t water the lawn too often. If you are merely watering out of habit, you may be unnecessarily running up your water bill. Is rain in the forecast, for instance? Put away the soaker hose and rely on Mother Nature.
5. Water the lawn during dusk or dawn. Never run the water during the hottest part of the day, as you will lose much of the moisture due to evaporation, which is wasteful and expensive.
6. Make your own fertilizer. This is quite simple if you start a compost pile. Both eco-friendly and frugal, a compost pile will create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your lawn. It will also serve as a great way to recycle your table scraps.
7. Only spot treat weeds. If you see a few weeds sprout up here and there, it is prudent to take care of them immediately. However, a few weeds do not warrant weed killer being sprayed all over the yard! You can save money by spot treating the problem. Better yet, use something natural to kill the weeds, such as vinegar. This will not only save money, it will help the environment.
8. Use handheld tools whenever possible. For smaller projects, try to tidy up your grass and hedges with handheld tools. You don’t always have to drag out the gas-guzzling power tools.
Spring has sprung and we are back to dealing with a growing yard and blossoming plants. This year, enjoy the beauty of your turf without stressing out about extra costs. By following the tips above, you will save money while still maintaining an excellent lawn and garden.
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This is a guest post from Heather Johnson. Heather is an industry critic, as well as a regular contributor on the subject of business credit cards. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com.
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Posted in environment, family, frugality in motion, getting green, home improvement, lifestyle, miscellaneous, recreation 1 Comment »
May 7, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
It used to be that consumers had a little more breathing room when it came time to pay the bills. Knowing your paycheck 
would be deposited on a Friday, many people felt comfortable writing checks early to cover the bills and were confident there would be at least a week’s worth of waiting time before the check would actually clear and the funds would be removed from their account. However, in 2003, the “Check 21″ measure, passed by Congress allowed banks to substitute check images in place of an actual check in order to process the transactions quicker and more efficiently. Thus, companies can now cash your check within a 48 hour period instead of a 7 day time frame.
While it is no longer safe to rely on floating time, there are some ways you can help protect yourself and still pay your bills on time while living check to check.
Direct Deposit Your Paycheck
While the Check 21 Act may make it faster for companies to take your money, the measure did nothing to increase the speed of depositing a check into your account. You may still have to wait several days for a check to clear and allow the funds to be available in your account. Direct depositing your check will ensure not only that the funds will be available to you faster, most times your direct deposit will be put into your account ahead of those getting payroll checks. Generally, direct deposits will be available by midnight on the day of payroll.
Write Yourself a Check
$100, $500, $1000 - whatever you can afford at the time. Deduct the money from your account but don’t cash the check. You will always have a cushion in your checking account to help you avoid overdraft fees.
Bank Online
Most banks allow you to control your accounts completely online. You have access to your account activity at any time and you can always be aware of how much money you have and where it is going. Contrary to popular belief, banking online is safe due to encryption technology and you may be more likely to be “hacked” when sending payments through the mail.
Request New Payment Dates
Take a look at the due dates for all of your bills. If you see that they all fall in the same time period, contact some of your creditors and ask if you can change your due dates so you have a more even split between paychecks, making it easier to pay on time. Many companies will accommodate your requests but be warned - some may charge you a fee to switch the dates so ask about this when speaking to an authorized representative.
Use Email Alerts
Companies often offer account management on their websites. You can set up your account to notify you by email when a bill is due, when your balance reaches a certain point, and confirmations of payments made. Busy lives often make us overlook due dates so having an instant reminder will help reduce missed payments and the resulting late fees.
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Posted in banking, budgeting, debt, financial planners, money, personal behavior No Comments »
May 6, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Kimberly Palmer of Alpha Consumer has posted the latest carnival, and there are a number of terrific articles this week. Here are my top picks (other than the article posted from here, of course!)
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Posted in blog carnivals 2 Comments »
May 6, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
Eating healthy can seem more expensive than the dollar menu at the local fast food drive thru, but there are a number of tips you can use to help make your healthy eating a cheap habit!
- 1. For meat eating families, couples or even single people - buy your meat in the family pack size. It is almost always cheaper per “unit” than buying smaller packages. For example, a package containing 3 chicken breasts might cost $4.20 but the family pack of chicken breasts containing 8 or more breasts may be about $11. Simply repackage the meat when you get home in single-use portions (what you would cook at one time) and freeze.
2. Skip the processed foods and eat the real thing. It’s often more convenient to grab a box of something and whip it up for dinner, but it costs more per serving and it’s just not as healthy as getting the raw ingredients and making it yourself. If time is an issue, you can always spend an hour or two on the weekend preparing meals and freezing, but honestly- can you really not find 30 minutes to prepare a healthy dinner?
3. Drink water. Your coffee habit isn’t healthy, and it’s costing you money. So is the soda, kool-aid, powdered drink mixes and anything else you drink on a regular basis. Switch to tap water (get a Brita or other filter if you’re afraid it’s not safe to drink) and not only are you giving your body something healthy that it needs, but you’ll save unnecessary money on other beverages. Save your other beverage selections for special occasions and lunch dates and make water your primary every-day drink.
4. Plan ahead, make and use a shopping list. You can literally plan your meals in advance to make sure you use up all of the items you buy. Have you ever bought broccoli for a recipe and had some left over that just went to waste? Plan your meals so that you use every last bit of the produce and meats you purchase, and your food budget will go further with less waste. Shopping from a list stops impulse buys, too.
5. Plant a garden or shop from the local farmer’s market. If produce is expensive at your local grocery store, plant your own garden. You can grow most of your own vegetables and herbs and save considerable amounts of money. Your vegetables can be cut and frozen to last into the fall and winter months, as well. If you can’t make time to garden, visit the local farmer’s market for your produce purchases- they usually have healthier produce with lower prices.
You can save money on healthy eating with a little planning, but it’s not the only benefit of eating healthier. Healthier eating gives you a healthier body, which will result in less trips to the doctor. Healthy means feeling good, too, which effects everything you do!
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Posted in family, food, health, lifestyle No Comments »
May 6, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
As spring weather gets more noticeable around the country, it is time to keep your eyes on the sales fliers before making 
big seasonal purchases. Each month, specific items go on sale as retailers try to be the first to display this season’s finds. While the sales patterns may not always follow these rules for each store; generally there are trends you will notice when shopping seasonal.
So, for the current month of May and the upcoming month of June, here are some items you may find the biggest bargain prices of the season.
MAY
Prior to Memorial Day, the biggest pre-season bargains on the store shelves are for:
Bathing Suits - It seems each year swim apparel is put out earlier and earlier. However, early May is a prime time to get a discount on swim wear.
Beach Accessories - Along with swimsuits, you will also be able to get a good deal on related merchandise, such as skin protection lotion, towels, beach bags, beach toys, and other beach bound accessories.
Picnic Supplies - You will often find special aisles devoted to outdoor cookouts and picnic supplies, including grills, tables, outdoor furniture, food, plastic ware, and other necessities needed for an outdoor dining experience.
Summer Purses - Complementing the beach wardrobe, there may be savings on summer purses and accessories.
Sandals - Store shoe departments may be featuring sales on sandals and water shoes during this time.
Major Appliances - Memorial Day weekend typically will bring you big time savings on major appliance purchases.
JUNE
In keeping with the summer theme, the biggest discounts will be found on:
Summer Clothing - While they have been on the shelves for a month or two, in June you can usually find the best deals on the summer stock of clothing.
Home Improvement Materials - Do-it-yourself projects are popular when the warm weather stays around. There are often discounts and deals on materials, supplies, and hardware necessary to do home improvements.
Televisions/Music Players - You may find good deals on television sets, radios, CD players, and other audio/video products.
Dairy Products - June is National Dairy Month and to coincide with that, there are often specials on dairy items.
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May 5, 2008 By Debbie Dragon
How many times have you heard parents complaining that they don’t have enough time with their 
children, or that they repeatedly have to miss school events because they have to work? There are a number of families who would prefer to have one parent stay home with the kids while the other parent works, but most believe without a doubt that it would be financially impossible to raise the family on one income.
Despite some trying economic times, the majority of two-income earning families could absolutely find a way for one of the parents to stay home if they adjusted their lifestyles to a single-income earning family. What happens for most people is this:
The More We Earn, The More We Need to Spend.
It’s pretty simple, actually. I personally know a family who insists that both parents must work in order to raise their family and pay the bills. They have three children, one in school and the other two in daycare while both parents work. Daycare for the two younger children costs $320 a week. It seems obvious to me right away, that if one parent was home in that family, they’d save $320 a week in expenses, immediately. That’s $1280 per month! I also know that the wife’s income, after taxes is about $1800 per month, so after paying daycare expenses, she is really only earning $520 per month, or $130 a week (for 40 hours of worktime).
Seems to be, that if the wife was to stay home the way she says she would like to, she would only need to save an additional $130 a week in order to live off the husband’s income- since they would no longer be paying $1280 a month for daycare out of her paycheck.
Because both parents work full time, they also have a housekeeper come in twice a week to help keep the home tidy. I don’t know exactly what they pay the housekeeper, but it seems the average hourly rate for housekeepers is around $15. I can make an educated guess that the housekeeper is costing them $60 to $90 per week, based on 4 to 6 hours.
They’re also probably too busy to concern themselves with using coupons at the grocery store or looking for sales, clearance prices and discounted items. Their lifestyle would not even have to change all that much to accommodate the wife staying home with the children- which is where she wants to be. (I’m all for parents working if they want to work- but I can’t stand it when people work when they’d rather be home with their children, just because they think there are no other options financially). There’d no longer be a need for full time daycare for two children, and they wouldn’t require a housekeeper. Those expenses alone are almost equivalent to what the wife makes a month!
There are always ways to cut back on your living expenses. Some may not seem obvious until you actually sit down and take a close look at what you pay for each month, and why you need it. It could be that you built your lifestyle around two incomes; and that with very little changes, you could very well afford to be a stay at home parent in a one-income home.
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Posted in careers, children, family, financial plans, financial problems, happiness, jobs, lifestyle, marriage, parenting, personal finance, work 2 Comments »
May 5, 2008 By Tisha Kulak
Camps of yesteryear bring back fond memories of nature trails, fun games, and stories around the campfire. But today’s 
camps are a-changin’, especially when it comes to the costs associated with the camps. Many places have institutes special programs or amenities that will increase the total cost of camp quite significantly for both day and sleep over camps.
Here are a few ways to keep camps costs reasonable and still give your child a great experience.
Research Camps
Families may not be aware of all the camp opportunities within their local area. It is smart to check out each camp program available and then make a decision based on your own family’s budget. You can visit http://www.summercamp.org/ for information about the programs and costs. Typically, there is a camp for every budget that still offer a rewarding camp experience.
Financial Aid is Available
A large majority of camps offer opportunities for some form of financial aid. There are often scholarship-type programs that will pay for part of the tuition, if not cover all of it. Contacting the camps that interest you and inquiring about the financial assistance available will be a step in the right direction for choosing the right camp for your budget.
Enroll Early
Start making your decisions about camp early. Often, early registrations will receive the biggest discounts plus it increases the likelihood your child will get into the camp of choice and possibly a scholarship. At the end of this year’s camp, ask the camp administration about registering for the following year. It may protect you from increasing tuition costs the following year.
Pay In Advance
Some camps will offer a big savings if you pay the tuition ahead of time. The camp can use the money for operating costs and may reward you with a discount if you pay early.
Ask About Payment Plans
Some camps will allow you to make affordable installment payments in order to send your kids to camp. Contact the camp administrator directly to find out what kind of plans they can offer to help you out.
Send More Than One Child
Depending on the willingness of your other children, you may be able to secure a discount on the tuition by enrolling more than one of your children into a camp program.
Provide Family and Friends with Camp Information
Many camps make gift certificates available for campers. Arming friends and family with the camp contact information will allow them the option to purchase the certificates for birthdays and other presents throughout the year for your child.
Find Out About Refunds
It is not uncommon for first-timers to get the homesick blues and want to leave camp. Make sure you find out what the policy on refunds is in this situation before completing registration or you could end up losing a lot of money.
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Posted in children, education, entertainment, family, financial plans, parenting, saving money, vacations 1 Comment »
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