Sam’s Club has the perfect solution for their members. They are making saving simple with eValues. This is a system that personalizes offers for their members and loads them right onto their Plus Members’ Cards. When a member is purchasing a product with the coupon, it is automatically redeemed at the register. Coupon clipping can be a thing of the past for their members.

eValues one year anniversary is coming up, and to celebrate it, Sam’s Club is giving all of their members the offer to try the program for six days in September. During this savings event, Sam’s Club is offering their members more than $300 worth of the eValues on more than a dozen of their items. Those members who are already a Plus Member will receive the extra eValues as well as their personalized discounts on their account.

The savings are on a variety of products from everyday needs, such as $2 off on Tide detergent to food items such as $1 off red seedless grapes. It will also include electronics, such as $100 off an HP Desktop or Laptop. To find out more of the eValues offers, visit http://www.samsclub.com/evaluescelebration Sales are limited while supplies last.

They will also be giving their members access to the Early Shopping Hours, which start at 7AM (except on Sundays). Early Shopping Hours is another one of the benefits of being a Sam’s Club Plus Member.

As stated in Sam’s Club press release, “We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the one year anniversary of eValues than to give all 47 million members a chance to try eValues,” said Cindy Davis, executive vice president, Membership, Marketing and Dotcom at Sam’s Club. “We want to appreciate our members, and show them how simple it is to save even more money year-round.”

According to the Sam’s Club press release, “Since the launch of eValues last August, Sam’s Club estimates it is has offered more than $3.2 billion in additional savings to its Plus Members. On average, members who take advantage of eValues offers save nearly 20 percent on the featured items, over and above the 30 percent savings they receive every day^.”

Sam’s Club eValues Savings Event Starts September 1st (NYSE: WMT) was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Savings goals that families had set for themselves during the last year were the most committed attempts to control finances than the nation has seen in many years. The dedication to get serious about personal finances and reduce debt was a good thing for both families and the economy at large. But concern now is that those families feel they have gone without a lot of things in the last 12 months and may soon start falling back into old habits and not properly prepping for retirement. Financial experts say that consumers are feeling good about themselves when they look at the amount they managed to save. Instead of continuing on and building larger savings goals, many will be quick to spend the pile of cash recklessly.

Analysis of family finances are still important and the more frequently one reviews important information such as budget strategies, interest rates, and ratios of debt to income, the better off they will be to continue on their path to savings. As with the change in every new year, many resolutions will be made to stay financial secure and debt free but few will follow through by actually creating a reasonable and workable financial plan.

Personal finance advisors are still recommending the importance of automating a savings plan. The old adage of ‘what you don’t see, you don’t miss’ can dramatically increase savings. In addition to the automated savings deposits, those with a 401k can get back in shape by reviewing current contribution amounts and upping the amount for the new year also using automated deposits.

Debt elimination is still key for stabilizing finances. Those who are still carrying debts but have still managed to tuck away money may consider using the money for debt relief rather than luxury spending.

While it may feel as though the nation has found some relief from the recession and its impact on so many, the reality is security will only come from proper planning and the execution of a good financial plan. Despite the improvements in the economy recently, there is still no reason to abandon the hard work and good practices of personal finance we have adopted during tougher times. It’s easy to fall back into bad habits but also dangerous to your financial future.

Consumers Being Warned to Stick With Good Practices was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

It may not be big news that consumers have learned some valuable lessons from the recession, but it might be surprising at how quickly they have adjusted to economic conditions. 

New Savings Emphasis

The one driving factor towards higher savings is the fear of a lost job. This motivation is providing the fuel for the current savings rate, which economists see going up further in the coming months. And even though they are saving less than they were after the last major recession in 1982, it is a welcomed sign.

Consumers are reducing debt to make room for saving. This is good because even though the standard savings account does not offer much in terms of interest, it is better than allowing unsecured loans to eat up money month to month. Also, this is an important trend because homeowners are recognizing that because of the housing market, they are not going to be able to rely on rising property values as a source for loans in the near term.

Borrowing Changes

People are fed up with credit cards and are shedding their accounts in record numbers. Debit card usage is at all time high levels. Most consumers feel like they have been shut out of the credit market and are seeking different ways to obtain money for the things that they need. They are turning to credit unions in droves because they offer lower rates and a less restrictive attitude when it comes to loans, etc.

Also, the newest rage is peer-to-peer lending in which several Internet based companies become an arbiter between family and friends who decide to loan money to one another. This helps keep the process clear and understandable as well as helping to insure that the borrower repays any loans made.

Less Spending Attitudes

Even though spending is down and expenses are cut to the bone, that trend will change as the economy improves and consumers see more money in their pockets. That will help provide a recovery that is desperately needed by businesses that depend upon consumer cash.

In a matter of months, most consumers will look back on the economic recession with lamentable fondness. Here’s hoping however, that they will not soon forget the lessons learned.

Consumers Have Learned from the Recession was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Savings – Each time you get a paycheck, take some of the money from it and put it into your savings account. $30 is a solid amount to start with, but you can add more than that if your paycheck allows for it. By doing this you’ll insure than you at least have some money in the bank, and if the time calls for it, you won’t be in the hole. You’ll also be collecting interest on this money, helping your budget even more.

Credit Cards – Don’t buy very many things with your credit cards. Instead, buy things with cash or debit. If you use your credit card for everything, the interest will spike up the amount that you owe a lot faster than you may realize. By using cash or debit, you won’t be acquiring extra fees that were otherwise unnecessary.

Keeping Track – Make sure to keep track of everything that you do with your bank accounts. If you withdraw money, or deposit it, mark it down somewhere. Try using a book specifically for this to keep track of your activities. If you ever lose track of how you’ve been spending, it could cause you a lot of trouble later. You may become confused and forget where some of your money went or overdraw your account. Also make sure to keep all of your receipts, even if you spent cash. If you can keep track of your spending, you can better manage it.

Coins – It may seem like a miniscule thing, but saving your coins can be a simple form of money management. Whenever you have extra change in your wallet, try putting it somewhere out of mind. If you continue to do this, eventually you can go to somewhere such as a Coinstar kiosk, or the bank, and trade in your coins for cash. You’ll be surprised exactly how much money you get back from all of that loose change.

Money management is not limited to businesses. If you take a few steps to better manage your money, you may find that you’re spending less of it and saving more of it, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Different Money Management Techniques was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Everyone has probably heard of LendingTree – where the lenders compete for the chance at becoming your mortgage company. An extension of the money-auction concept is delivered by Money Aisle. At Money Aisle, you can search for the best rates on a high yield savings account or certificate of deposit product, as well as finding the best rates for creating a CD Ladder through a bank auction format.

You simply visit the website, choose whether you want a high yield savings account or a certificate of deposit, enter your deposit account (must be between $1,000 and $500,000), the state you live in and your zip code. In return, in about a minute’s time or less, you’ll receive the highest interest rate among participating banks and where you can get it. Then you have exactly 30 minutes to decide whether or not to take the offer and open your deposit account product with that bank.

Money Aisle does not have anything to do with your money. They are simply a website offering the ‘auction’ format to give you the highest interest rate among participating banks. All financial institutions participating through MoneyAisle.com are FDIC insured up to the federal limits for deposits.

The site claims the banks are bidding in real time, but part of me finds it difficult to believe bank workers are sitting in front of their computers on a holiday or Sunday waiting for requests to come through so they can bid on them. Personally, I think the bank simply updates their highest rates based on geographic location, and the system will automatically report it through the auction system and then show the site users their best option among participating banks. That seems far more likely than banks sitting around and “bidding” for your business – but the concept is still fun, and it’s fun to watch the rates flash across the screen.

You can do a test run with the website on either a Certificate of Deposit or a High Yield Savings account without any commitment – in fact, you don’t need to register an account unless you plan to try out a CD Ladder or take a bank up on their offer and actually open an account.

In addition to seeing the highest interest rate available to you from the MoneyAisle.com participating banks, you also get a handy chart that shows how that rate compares to the rest of the nation’s average interest rates, the US Treasury rates, and the average rate for that deposit account in your own state. Keep in mind that Money Aisle will return the best rate among the participating banks – but not all banks participate with Money Aisle so you could possibly find another bank outside of the system that offers higher rates. Make sure you compare the Money Aisle rates with other banks and other financial comparison tools to ensure you’re selecting your best option.

MoneyAisle.com Review: The Banks Compete For Your Cash was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

While the intention of better living is a wonderful one to have, the reality is there is no reason you can afford a healthier, better lifestyle by making changes that are free. Instead of jumping in with both feet, pull back a little bit and stick your toes in the water to start.

Here are some additional tips to make a change in routine or lifestyle without breaking the bank:

Instead of Expensive Gym Memberships – go to the library and get free workout videos or borrow a few from friends. You can work out in the privacy of your own home and save a ton of cash each month.

Instead of a Gym Equipment – take small steps and try committing to walking around your neighborhood for 30 minutes each day. If you can commit to doing this each day for  two months during the nice weather, you might want to start saving for the treadmill or, even better,  just commit to doing what you are already doing in the fresh air each day. If you are ready for the big equipment, keep your eyes peeled for such items at yard sales and in the newspaper as there will likely be lots of people who also had big ambitions but little attention spans.

Instead of Expensive Juicers – start researching healthy recipes you can easily make with the stuff you already have in the cabinets. There are plenty of free resources that allow you to find information about healthier eating that doesn’t involve brand new small appliances.

Instead of Expensive Instruments – if you are interested in expanding your musical skills, don’t spend thousands of dollars on an instrument you (or your kids) can not yet play and may not even like. Instead, rent or buy used until you see if those music lessons are paying off.

Keeping your life simple helps do many things for your proposed new lifestyle. First, it helps you save money for the things that are most important in your life. Second, it helps reduce and eliminate a ton of clutter you do not need to disorganize your life.

New Lifestyles Don’t Need New Purchases was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Here are some do’s and don’t to surviving the recession’s tough times:

The Do’s

Paying Off Debts – Even though it may mean sacrificing in other areas, it is very important that you continue focusing on the debts you have already accumulated. Falling behind will mean even bigger problems financially down the road. Don’t ignore the creditors and pay at least the minimum on your debts, if not more.

Continue to Pay Yourself – Keep putting money into your 401k and other savings and investment plans. It may be very tempting to withdraw that money to get you out of trouble in the short term but for the long-term it is best your money stays put. Even though the market is unsteady, it will settle down at some point. Withdrawing money now will certainly cost you money in fees, penalties and taxes.

Put More Effort in Your Taxes – Itemizing your taxes can help you qualify for additional tax breaks and deductions you might not find by only filling out only the simple forms. You must also be patient when it comes to waiting on your tax refund. Being too hasty and taking out an anticipation loan for speedy cash will cost you a lot more than you can probably afford to pay.

The Don’ts

Feel Guilty or Alone – Because so much of the nation is experiencing the same financial problems as you, there is not reason to feel bad for not being able to afford things. There are many consumers who can not afford a pricey dinner out or a big vacation this year. It is more important to be frugal with money and be grateful for all of the things you do have. You are certainly not the only one working hard to stay on financial track.

Forgo the Sales – While it is always great to find a bargain, it can also be too tempting to buy more than you need. If you are using coupons wisely and following sales on the items you truly need, it can be a great way to save money. However, if you are just jumping at every clearance rack you see, you are likely spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need.

The Do’s and Don’t of Recession Time was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

One particularly simple way to save cash is to automate the process. By establishing and an automated withdrawal and deposit of funds from one account to the other, you are more likely to stick to your savings plan. One reason is because the automated process doesn’t allow you to get your hands on the cash that you are likely to spend. Many people find saving money to be a nearly-impossible task. Because of the onslaught of bills and expenses each month, they have a hard time making saving cash a priority.  They feel that whatever money is “left over” will go into the savings account and are surprised each and every time when there is no money left over.

By establishing an automatic plan to save, you essentially set your mind to accepting the withdrawals each time. You no longer have a reason to worry about what’s left to save and as time goes on and you see the account grow, you will likely become a more motivated, more confident saver.

How Automation Makes It Easy

Setting up an automated savings plan is pretty simple. In fact, there is more than one way to do automatically deposit a set amount of money into your account on a regular basis. The first way you can automate your savings deposit is through your employer. If you have signed up for direct deposit of your paychecks, you can complete a form that allows you to direct deposit the bulk of your money into one account and assign another amount to your savings account. This way, each time your direct deposit goes into the bank, you will add a little more to your savings account on a regular basis without any extra steps.

For those who do not have access to direct deposits, you can visit your local bank branch and request that your checking and savings accounts link together so you can establish an automated transfer from one account to the other. Again, with automated money transfers, you never have to touch the cash or remember to make a deposit.

Set It and Forget It

Once you start depositing money into your savings account, forget about that money. Of course, you should always keep your eye on your banking statement for errors but as for the money, forget you ever had it. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you could “borrow” from your savings account unless it is for a true emergency. The likelihood of you paying yourself back early on is not realistic. Over time, as you begin to see the account growing, you may be less likely to use the money impulsively. But in the beginning, you have to learn to practice self-control and leave the money alone.

Keep the Accounts Updated

If you get a raise or other increase in income, don’t forget to make adjustments to your automated savings accordingly. Should you pay increase, it makes sense to have your savings deposit increase as well. Don’t forget to update your bank accounts and automated deposits of your paycheck. In the event you get a cash bonus or other unexpected windfall, plan to put it into the savings account and let it sit for awhile, otherwise it will probably burn a hole into your pocket.

Need To Save? Get Set to Automate was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Pop quiz – You know things are bad when the current financial crisis:

a) Has its own Wikipedia entry
b) Causes the Dow Jones to fall by nearly 50% in a single year
c) Necessitates several ‘bailout’ packages that have now ballooned to well over $3 trillion, or more than the combined GDP of Canada, Mexico and Australia
d) Ushers in the biggest global recession since the Great Depression
e) All of the above

If you don’t have time to read every article in the carnival (there’s a lot) you can just browse through this list of too-good-too-miss posts I’ve carefully selected for ya’all:

• Money Under 30 has a post on quarterly estimated tax payments.
• Investing in your Future has a post detailing a few ways to put some extra cash in your wallet.
• Destroy Debt explains the difference between Chapter 7 and Chaper 11 bankruptcy.
• Money Answer Guy answers the eternal question of whether you should rent or buy a house
• Discover Debt Freedom tells you how to correct a credit history error in 5 simple steps.
• Budgets are Sexy has a piece on why you should think of saving as just like paying an extra bill.

Carnival of Personal Finance #176 at Master Your Card was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

How can you pay yourself first when creditors are calling for their payments or you use your entire paycheck for necessities before the following payday?  Try one of the following methods to ensure you pay yourself first:

401K Plan: If you are lucky enough to work for an employer that offers a 401K plan, you absolutely must take advantage of it!  In some cases, the employer will match all or a percentage of what you put in, which is free money.  Even if your employer doesn’t match your contributions, the benefits of a 401K plan include automatic deposits- before you even get your paycheck the amount you specify is placed into your 401K plan.  Even if you use every last penny of your check now; you would get used to the slight reduction in your check if it was taken out before you even got your hands on it.  Best of all, the money you contribute into your 401K is taken before your taxes are paid.

Automatic Savings Account: If you don’t have a 401K plan option, you can create the same type of automatic-deposit situation with a savings account.  Look for one with high interest- many online savings accounts offer higher interest rates than your local bank.  Every week, set it up so a specific amount of money is taken from your checking account (or wherever you deposit your paycheck) and placed immediately and automatically into your savings account.  The idea is- if you don’t see it, you won’t miss it.  It is much more difficult to physically make a savings account deposit every week if you have to do it manually.  Also, to reduce the temptation to withdraw money from your savings account, don’t have it connected to another account and don’t get an ATM card for the account.

It’s not important how much you save at this time, only that you get into the habit of saving every week (or bi-weekly if you’re paid every other week).  After you get used to it, you can slowly increase the amount you “pay yourself”.

Pay Yourself Before Everything Else was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There are just too many uncertainties in life that can through a wrench in your finances in a quick minute. Your car breaks down and you can not get to work; you lose your job unexpectedly; you break your leg and can’t go back to work in construction. Establishing an emergency fund will take care of those little curveballs life is prone to throwing.

Many people understand the concept of saving but fail to understand how to get the ball rolling. So let’s break down what should constitute your emergency fund.

How Much Money

You must figure out how much money to work towards for establishing an emergency fund. To do that, you need to take your current income, added to your spouse if applicable, and multiply by the number of months you could be out of work at any one time. Say you make $2,000 a month and figure that you need to prepare for an 8 month leave of work. Your emergency fund will need to maintain $16,000.

Establishing the Fund

It won’t be easy or quick to save $16,000 so you will need to plan how to add money consistently and without stress to your budget. A good way to begin saving is to calculate the amount of one month’s worth of your income and make it your goal to save that much each year, roughly 8% of your income on a monthly basis. Whenever your income increases, your savings will in turn increase and you will be on your way to saving more money towards your goal each year. Anytime you get “extra” money, such as from a bonus, inheritance, income tax refund, or monetary gifts, put it directly into your account.

Holding the Money

Essentially you need to consider the amount you are to save each month as another bill that needs to be paid. Add it into your budget and make a commitment to paying it in full each month. It is advisable that you open an account for the money and not just keep the cash in your freezer. You may want to consider a money market account that pays a good interest rate and one that invests in tax-free securities so you do not end up paying taxes on any interest. A savings account is also an option but you may not earn as much interest. It is also advisable that you open an account with a bank that you do not already use to help avoid the temptation of touching. Set up a direct deposit from your paycheck or an automatic withdrawal from your checking account for each month instead of waiting to see how much money is left over. That method will never get you anywhere.

Financial Plan to Implement Now: Emergency Fund was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Use Direct Deposit – Utilizing the direct deposit service to deposit your payroll will help keep you from spending the cash in your hand. It makes sense to utilize direct deposit also to help you save money. Most payroll departments can help you set up a plan to have a certain amount of money deposited directly into a savings account so you can start saving on a continual basis.

401K Contribution – If your company offers a retirement plan, make sure you are putting as much into as you can afford, especially if the company matches your contribution. The money you put in is pretax money so your salary will be hit with less taxes.

Readjust your Withholdings – if you have consistently received a income tax refund, you are not working with the correct withholding numbers. Make sure you are paying in just enough to keep you from getting hit with a tax bill at the end of the year. The money you are overpaying to the government can add up fast and help expand our budget or add to your savings. This readjustment is especially important to remember if you get a raise or have another change in your financial situation. Double check your numbers after filing for the changes to make sure they have been processed.

Reevaluate your Health Insurance – Those who have been at their jobs for a significant period of time often do not take the time or remember to check in with their health care plan. Go over the coverage you have and the amount you are paying then check with your human resource department to discuss alternative plans that may fit your needs but be less expensive. Also, make sure you have the best insurance plan for your family. Perhaps your spouse’s new job offers a better program at better rates and it may be worthwhile to switch to the new plan.

Check Out All of the Company Benefits – Depending on the size of your company and the policies they keep, many offer benefits that go unused simply because people do not know they exist. Take time to read through the company manual or your own employment contract and see what is actually available to company employees. Take advantage of employer-reimbursed tuition, group insurance plans, stock discounts, and other benefits often overlooked.

Request Reimbursements - Companies that offer allowances, especially for travel, often provide additional money to cover the cost of travel. However, this money is added to your income and is therefore taxed. Instead, opt for a reimbursement check for mileage or other travel costs that will not be subjected to additional taxes.

Use Raises/Bonuses Wisely – Whatever percentage raise you earn, increase your contribution to your savings account and your 401k account by the same amount. Since you haven’t been used to having the extra money, you won’t miss it if you direct it away immediately.

How to Get the Most Money Out of Your Paycheck was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

When looking for a new bank, take the time to consider what aspects of banking mean the most to you, Write down a list of important items and any corresponding questions you may have for the manager. Schedule an appointment if necessary to go over your concerns. Cover everything from ATM fees to the cost of an account, ask questions about direct deposits and any other service you are already used to having and see how it compares to your current bank. Check out the interest rates as well. The banking industry is competing for your business so it is in your best interest to see which bank will best fulfill all of your needs.

If you find a new bank that undeniably beats out your bank for services and fees, do not jump right in. It may be worth your time to approach the manger at your current bank and discuss your concerns, as well as the terms of the competition. They may be will to work with you and give you comparable service, saving you the hassle of transferring your money and information to a new bank.

Re-Evaluating Your Bank May Save You Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

After reviewing your policy, take some time to shop around for a better deal. If you find a better price, make sure you look at other factors including the new company’s ability to provide discounts and the services and coverage your require. Take into consideration that by switching insurance company, you may lose out on customer loyalty discounts and other special offers reserved for long term customers.

Make sure the terms of your policy are still financial acceptable. If you are making more money a year later, you may want to consider increasing your deductible and paying smaller premiums. Just make sure you will have enough cash to put out in the event you need to file a claim and have your vehicle repaired.

If you make a move to a new company, stick with a company who has a good reputation and not just the company with the lowest quote. In the event you ever need to file a claim, you want to be sure your insurance company has your back.  While you may never need to file a claim, those who do will soon learn how important it is to be able to rely on the company’s assistance. Because there are so many new companies springing up online offering what seems like great rates, it is always worth it to do a little homework and make sure the company is legit and that they are licensed to provide insurance in your state.

Last but no least, make sure if you are changing insurance companies that your coverage does not lapse. Ensure with the new company that your new policy will begin as soon as your current policy expires, usually at midnight on the expiration date. If you switch to a new company in the middle of a policy term, be sure to cancel your old policy in writing and follow up with the company to see if you qualify for a refund of the unused portion of your paid premium.

Take the Necessary Steps to Save on Auto Insurance was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The idea began when several entrepreneurs started seeking out savings plans that operated similarly to the 529 College Savings Plan. In theory, the small amount of money taken from each paycheck to save for the kids college education, eventually added up to quite a nice sum of cash. Using that same theory, Smartypig.com was created as a way to save money for vacations, special occasions, or even a nice big screen television.

Once registered on Smartypig, users can set up an account and establish goals for which they are saving. The account is free to set up and use. You provide information about the item or event you are saving for, how much it costs, how much you can afford to spend, and your target date to have all of the money. Smartypig will recommend how much money you should deposit and you conveniently set up an automatic deduction from your bank account. There is a minimum opening deposit of $25 required and a minimum savings goal of $250.  In addition to the money you deposit, Smartypig also enables you to allow your friends and family to help you meet your money goal. Each money transfer will cost a small fee. You can invite them or visitors can search for your account by entering your email address and easily contribute to your account.

The money collected in the Smartypig account will continue to add up and collect interest until your savings goal has met at which time you can opt to retrieve your money via a Smartypig MasterCard or by selecting a gift card from one of many participating retailers. The retailers may also offer bonus incentives towards the item for which you are saving.

Smartypig has a lot of the same terms as a bank account and is still carefully monitored to protect against national security concerns and other illegal money practices. When registering, you will need to be a US Citizen and over the age of 18 (unless you open an account with a parent). You will be asked to provide several forms of identification including your drivers license number, social security number, current and previous address information, email address, date of birth, and phone number.

Smartypig appears to be a one-of-a-kind savings plan for consumers who are looking to avoid credit card debt and instead, use cash savings to make purchases, afford vacations, or any item they are looking to get. It may be a new kind of incentive for people to start saving money towards fun things instead of just for paying bills.

For more information, visit http://www.smartypig.com/.

WEBSITE REVIEW: SMARTYPIG.COM was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Some markets are seasonal, usually open during the summer months on select days of the week and some markets are open year round. Markets can be set up inside a permanent building but oftentimes they are open air markets, where most stands are set up outdoors or under canopies or tents.  Farmers from around the local area sell their wares, including fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, and other homegrown produce items. Plus you can also find homemade baked goods, spices, meats, and other treats at a price often considerably less than the local grocery store. The produce and meat is fresh from the local gardens and farms. There is usually a large selection of local items you can not find anywhere else.

In addition to the fresh produce and food items, some markets also include other vendors who sell their homemade products for relatively inexpensive prices. You can find all type of craft items, decorations, lawn and garden supplies and many more things you couldn’t get just anywhere. Many markets feature work from local artisans, crafters, and people from the local community. You can find handcrafted furniture, ornamental items, paintings, jewelry, and more.

Farmer’s markets can also be a great place to visit while traveling or on vacation. You get an upfront and personal look at the lives of the local community and have a great opportunity to take home some very unique souvenirs, like local cookbooks, novelty items, or food specialties. You also may chat up the vendors and learn some things first hand from the farmers and craftspeople themselves who can provide insight into the location you happen to be visiting.

For a list of the nearest farmer’s market in your area, click on to http://farmersmarket.com/ and select your state. Lists are then sorted by city or town where the farmer’s market operates and provides information about the operating times, dates, and directions. If you are planning to take a vacation, consider jotting down some information about local farmer’s markets and stop at one or two during your travels.

Explore A Farmer’s Market – More than Just Fresh Produce was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

USE COUPONS

I know what you’re thinking…”Trite!  Everyone says that, but I don’t have the time. (Or something similar.)”  If you don’t have the time to cut coupons, I can commiserate.  With working, exercising, and spending time with your family, who really does have the time?  Plus, who really wants to get the newspaper just to save a few bucks here and there.

Understandable…however there are some great websites who now offer downloadable coupons that you can access through your e-mail.  Some of my favorites are Coupons.com, Smartsource.com, and CoolSavings.com.  You can access their website any time before you leave to shop and simply click on any and all of the coupons you would like to print at once.  With three to four printable coupons per page, you can simply take along the pages and have them scanned by the cashier without ever cutting a single coupon. 

SHOP THE SALES

Although it may be tempting to only buy the items you like, you can easily save 25% of every shopping trip if you simply buy only the items that are on sale.  Each week, every store discounts hundreds and even thousands of different items making it possible for you to get the lowest prices.  A common sale is 10 Items for $10, although you never really have to buy all 10 of those items.  These sales can actually make items at a regular grocery store cost less then the items at a Grocery Club. 

BUY THE SMALLEST ITEMS

When you combine the coupons with sales items, you will find that the final purchase price is a lot less then what you would normally pay anywhere else.  However, by buying the smallest size allowed by the coupon, you may find yourself getting the item for free.  While in the store, make a quick comparison of which item would cost you less, and you will take a huge chunk out of your total tally. 

SHOP AT THE RIGHT STORES

Don’t just shop at any store simply because it’s the closest to your house.  Instead, look for grocery stores that double or even triple coupons.  By doing so, the average $1 Coupon will subtract $2 from the item you are buying, and again the item could be free.  For example, cereal is usually priced between $4 to $5 and often goes on sale for $2.  One-dollar coupons for cereal are especially easy to find, which could mean that all of your cereal purchases would be free.  That alone is a great reason to shop at local grocery stores. 

WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEK

Unless you need the product right away, wait until something goes on sale before making your purchase.  Many times something you will buy this week will go on sale in just a few more days.  Therefore, unless it’s absolutely necessary, move onto the next aisle and make a note on your shopping list to look again next week.  

USE REBATES

Anyone who has bought a computer knows that rebates can be a great little bonus when buying a product.  Using the websites mentioned above, you can actually also find rebates that will refund a bit more money to you.  You can also find rebate forms at the products websites.  Simply save your receipts for these items and mail them in to make a several dollars more each time you shop. 

 Now that you know, have fun with it.  Buy as much as you can when it goes on sale so that when you need something, you will have it and have purchased it for pennies on the dollar.  Eventually, you will find yourself saving much more then 75% every week. 

Save 50% or More on Your Grocery Bills was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The price increase results from the increased demand but decreased production of wheat. Farmers who have traditionally planted the fields of wheat are beginning to replace some of the wheat and are planting corn fields instead. Why the change? Mostly it is due to the high demand for the alternative energy source, ethanol. Ethanol is being touted as a promising alternative to gasoline. It is relatively easy to manufacture and process and can be created from common materials like corn. Because corn can be used as a chief component in the processing of Ethanol, farmers are now discovering a renewed and profitable demand for corn so they are growing more of it to meet that demand.

While most wheat farmers still grow wheat, the production is limited and causing a wheat shortage worldwide. Some countries are now forbidding any wheat products to cross over the border and others have had to man the wheat production facilities with armed guards. All over, manufacturers have to increase prices of products made from wheat to cover the additional expenses of the ingredients. Experts are noting that with the wheat prices increase, it is the fastest rising food inflation in the last 15 years. Many farmers have not seen prices this high in their lifetime.

If you are partial to wheat products but find you can not afford the raise in prices, there are substitute items you can use to replace wheat ingredients. Because many people have an allergy to wheat, there are plenty of cost-effective ideas that can be found online, such substituting wheat flour with rye flour, oat flour, and potato flour. Try baking your own breads and pastries at home that include a less-expensive alternative. Cereals are already an expensive grocery item so keep your eyes open for special deals and coupons and stock up.

HOW TO DEAL WHEN THE CUPBOARD STAPLES ARE GETTING EXPENSIVE was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. Moonlight:  One way to supplement your income is to start your own side business where you can utilize the skills you have acquired while “on the job.”  There are many benefits to creating your own business, one of the biggest being the tax deductions that can save you thousands of dollars per year.  Another benefit to moonlighting is that you do the work when you can fit it in, and you charge however much you want to charge.  Go to Craigslist to find moonlighting possibilities in your area and begin your own company.  Eventually, you may be able to quit your day job altogether. 

2. Ask for a Raise: What easier way can you think of to get more money?  Although for some, this may seem impossible, for most it will be easy to achieve without having to do more work.  To be taken seriously, be prepared when you approach your boss.  On a blank sheet of paper, create two columns.  One column will list all of the jobs that were part of your job description when you got your last raise.  In the other column, list all of the jobs that you have taken on in addition to the previous jobs.  Be thorough and hold nothing back.  (Quantity often counts more then quality when negotiating.)  Approach your boss and show them the list.  Let them know that you are willing to continue the extra jobs, but only if you can get paid for them as well.  They will most likely ask you how much more you would like to be paid.  Have a high number in mind ahead of time so that when your boss comes back with a lower amount, you won’t be totally disappointed.  Then again, how stoked will you be if you get what you are asking for? 

3. Change your deductions at work:  When you began working at your job, you probably filled out a W-4 (also known as an Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate).  This form is needed to know how much money an employer is going to deduct from your paycheck.  If you would like to take a little bit more money each pay period, go to the person who prints your payroll checks and let them know you would like to fill out a new W-4.  When you do, increase the number of deductions you claim.  This may mean a smaller tax refund at the end of the year, but it also means you will have more money in your pocket daily that you can spend or save as you see fit.  Why loan the money to the government all year long when you can use it to turn your own profit? 

4. create an Online Store:  Consider opening an eBay store for auctioning sellable items.  You can find a plethora of products to auction at Freecycle.org, a Yahoo company where people go to get rid of items they no longer want.   If you sign up for an account at eBay, be aware that you can also set up an online store at the same time listing all of your different products.  Paypal can also help you set up an online store for free and it is easy to link to your personal / business website.  Cafepress and Amazon are two other sites that can help you set up online stores quickly and easily. 

5. SWITCH YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO A MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT:  Why get less then 1% interest on your money when you could be making much more?  Begin shuttling your money into a money market account and you can see the interest quickly accumulate.  I recommend ING Direct since they have a wide variety of high-yield savings accounts and mutual funds.  ING Direct’s Global Real Estate Fund has an average 19.94% growth since its November 2001 inception date (a highly risky money market account), while it’s average Money Market Fund has had an average growth rate of 4.03% since it’s April 1994 inception date (a much safer rate).  Having recently acquired Sharebuilder (where you can trade stocks yourself), Sharebuilder’s Money Market Account through ING Direct has a 7-day yield as high as 3.18% as of February 20, 2008.  The best thing about using ING Direct and Sharebuilder is that you can transfer as little as $25 to your account on a monthly basis and have it transferred back to your checking for free within 24 hours of the request date. 

6. MAKE BETTER SALES:  Everybody sells something whether they intend to or not.  When you tell your family about a great movie you saw and convince them to go see it, you have just sold that movie.  Sincerely suggesting a product that you believe someone will benefit from is selling.  When dealing with customers, you want to find out what they are looking for so that any sale you make to them is one that they will love and not return.  Here are a couple ways to make that sale even better. 

6. 1. NEVER SELL THE FEATURES…SELL THE BENEFIT.  A customer does not want to hear what the features of a product are.  Features are boring!  They don’t care if it’s the best product of its kind on the market, or even if it’s the best priced.  They just want to hear what the product is going to do for them…how it’s going to make their life better.  If you go on and on about your product’s features, you will lose your customer’s attention and you will lose the sale.  All your customer wants to know is WHY they should buy what you’re selling, and focusing on that is what will close the sale. 

6. 2. USE SUGGESTIVE SELLING TO INCREASE EACH SALE.  No matter what your customer is buying, always suggest a complimentary product BY NAME.  By suggesting to your customers that they will be happier trying new products alongside the one they are buying, you open up the opportunity for future sales, and increase the current sale.  By naming the product, you give them a chance to visualize what they are buying.  This is a common trick used in restaurants.  When a waitress asks a customer if they would “like dessert with that,” the common response is no.  The customer is full and they can’t imagine taking another bite of anything.  But, when a waitress suggests a piece of “chocolate mud pie for dessert,” the customer is no longer thinking about how hungry they are.  They are thinking about how good chocolate mud pie might taste.  Use this trick when suggesting other products and you improve the odds of increasing the sale. 

Now that you have an idea of how to greatly increase your income, also check out the other three articles in this series:  “Cut Your Expenses,” “Get the Best Deals,” and “Supplement Your Income.”  Also check out “20 Free Things You Can Do to Put Cash In Your Pocket” for more ideas. 

Keep Your Money to Yourself Part 4: Make More Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

In Free College Money Part 3 of this five-part series, college grants were defined as “a gift of money…not a reward that you have to pay back or compete for…” Unlike grants, you do have to compete to win scholarships and they are awarded based on prearranged criterion, creativity and a unique application. While grants are usually given from a budget and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, scholarships are given all year long and have definitive deadlines that you must keep in mind when applying. Also, where grants are given to any number of students, scholarships are awarded to a select few applicants.

In the past, it was common for scholarships to be awarded largely based on merit, but nowadays, scholarships are awarded for a large variety of reasons including where a student lives, goes to school, the profession they are pursuing, and personal interests. The key in searching for scholarships is to apply where your student fulfills the largest number of criteria, thereby eliminating the competition and increasing the odds of taking home the award.

Listed here are seven places to begin your scholarship search:

1. Federal Student Aid: The U.S. Department of Education has set up a website (Student Aid) to provide free college money information, as well as money for technical schools, trade schools or career enhancement. This handy little website has a Scholarship Matching Wizard that anyone can use to create a search for free college money. You simply enter as much of the student’s information as possible to find all types of related scholarships. Once entered, this site will match you with hundreds of potential scholarships based on race, ethnicity, high school, college, national merit status, Greek organization, sports, religion, disability, profession, affiliations, marital status, art, interests and other miscellaneous criteria.

2. By State: One of the best ways to find available grants and scholarships is to do a search at the website of the state a student resides in or is planning to attend school in. State websites gather information for legally registered programs within their boundaries, and scholarships listed there have the best chance of being legitimate as well as having a more narrowed criterion. These scholarships are often state-related and generally awarded first to residents of the state.

3. By College: Each college a student may wish to attend (whether community college, trade school or university) has a financial aid office. This is an excellent place to begin a search for free college money since they have lists of scholarships created strictly for their own attendees. These scholarships often come from local contributors and corporations, but the college financial aid office will also have the 4-1-1 on other scholarships frequently awarded to their students. Drop by the prospective colleges and find out from their financial aid officers exactly which scholarships your student might receive for attending their college instead of another.

4. By Major/Minor: Once a student has stated their desired major, they will be able to find a long list of scholarships awarded strictly to that major. However, just because a student has declared a major, this does not mean they cannot qualify for scholarships in other fields as well. Declared minors also open up the possibility of winning more free college money. Therefore, apply for everything your student is interested in regardless of whether you think your student will qualify or not.

5. By Trade Affiliations: Checking with your job is an excellent way to find money for students. Not only can you deduct up to $5,250 of money given to you by a job for college expenses, but it gives your employer tax advantages as well. If this is out of the question, look for trade associations related to your student’s future profession since many of these trade associations offer discounts or scholarships that are never awarded. These programs are not advertised as widely as other scholarships, so your student will have a better chance of winning them.

6. Online: Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard.com are three excellent online resources to begin your search for college scholarships. You simply fill out a free application and within minutes, thousands of scholarships will be listed that are related specifically to your student’s future. Through these websites, you can also download scholarship applications, apply directly in some instances, find out the amount of the awards before you apply, review detailed deadlines at a glimpse, and quite possibly win hundreds of thousands of dollars for your student’s college education. As an added bonus, these companies will e-mail you whenever a new scholarship becomes available that fits your students application.

7. Books: Although I would recommend doing a search online before getting a book, there are many books available that provide excellent resources on scholarships and their qualifying criteria. Some of these books include: the Fiske Guide to Colleges, The College Board Scholarship Handbook 2008, and Kaplan Scholarships: Billions of Dollars in Free Money for College. However, you can also find books dedicated specifically to your student’s criteria, grades or major, like College Guide for Performing Arts Majors 2008: Real-World Admission Guide for All Dance, Music, and Theater Majors, Financial Aid for Asian Americans 2006-2008, and Technology Grant News : Everything Technology 2008. These are just a few that you could look for in your local bookstore.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

A scholarship or grant is free money…money you should never need to pay for. Beware of companies that charge an application fee, demand money to pay out an awarded scholarship, claim you’re a finalist in a scholarship contest but need money for that scholarship, or request your social security number, credit card number or bank account information in relation to “holding a scholarship or grant for you.” Be wary of free seminars that turn into high-pressure sales pitches regarding financial aid since financial aid information is easy to find for free. Also, do not believe companies that “guarantee” a scholarship. Any and all claims should include qualifications or disclaimers.

Now that you have an idea of where to begin looking for scholarships, don’t forget to check out Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series (Starting with Pennies, Tax Programs and Hundreds of Grants) for other great resources on Free College Money. Also, check back next week for the last article in this five-part series: “Free College Money Part 5: Rock Bottom College Alternatives.” This last article discusses the little-known options that can help your student get their degree for a fraction of the cost.

Free College Money Part 4: Searching for Scholarships was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. Affiliate Programs: I mentioned Affiliate Programs in Part 2 of this series, and I am revisiting this issue because of its effectiveness. You see, even though having affiliate links on your website can save you money, it can also supplement your income when your customers, family and friends shop through your website. The best part about being an affiliate is that you are able to find out first what discounts an affiliate company is offering. By placing linked coupons on your website, your website will soon become the place where your acquaintances will look first for the best deals, thus supplementing your income when your affiliates pay you a commission. A few excellent choices are Commission Junction, Affiliate Showcase, and ClickBank.

2. Google AdSense: For anyone running a website or blog who does not want to go to the trouble of searching for and picking out affiliates, then Google AdSense is the perfect solution. When you sign up, you go through a three step process to create an HTML that you then paste on your website or blog. Google AdSense then reads the tags you create for your site and posts related ads that it changes constantly. It’s a sweat free way to make extra money that takes you less then a half hour to set up.

3. Blogging: Whether you own a business or are just looking to make some extra cash, a blog can actually help you achieve both goals. By writing something interesting and informative, you can build up a loyal readership that can easily turn into a clientele. Post some affiliate banners or ads from Google AdSense on your blog pages, and soon you will be adding bit by bit to your bank account, plus building your expertise and credibility among your “fans.” Check out HubPages or WordPress for a few places to get started blogging for free.

4. Freelance Writing: By occasionally writing articles for websites like Helium or Constant Content, you will be able to supplement your income a little at a time. Both companies sell articles to other websites giving you cash in your pocket as well as giving you a chance to become an expert in your field. Post links to your articles on your websites and your colleagues will soon believe you are an expert and look to you first for advice on shopping.

5. Surveys: If you have very little time to create a supplemental income, then I recommend you try filling out surveys. They are delivered to your e-mail inbox and you fill them out on your own time. (Just be sure to create a new e-mail to receive these offers or you will soon be inundated.) MyPoints has many wonderful survey offers which they give you points for, and those points can be turned in for gift certificates. Also check out Cash Crate for a plethora of offers that will net you cash fast.

6. Secret Shopping: Secret Shopping is a valuable tool to many businesses when they want to know exactly how customer-oriented their employees are. Obviously, when they watch their own employees to decipher this information, an employee is going to be on their best behavior. Many companies hire Secret Shopping Companies to gather this information on the sly. When you apply for these assignments, you are given a time frame, a scenario to play out, and a target to watch and review. You complete the project in your free time and then fill out a survey later. The Secret Shopping Company pays you once a month (usually the month after you complete the shop). Just be sure to NEVER PAY to become a secret shopper, as making you pay is a common Secret Shopping Scam. I’ve worked with SG Marketing, Bare International and Shop N Chek in the past, and all three have paid when they said they would. Also, check out this thorough list at Moms Wallet for other companies.

7. Online Auctions: Whether you are looking to sell a business product or something from your home, online auctions are a great way to move your items without spending a lot of time or effort to get the best price for your goods. Sign up for a free eBay account and you will soon be moving your product without investing much of your own capital. If you do go this route, be sure to always respond quickly to any comments and to do your best to keep your ratings up. By doing so, you will make more sales since ratings give people a sense of confidence in you and your products.

8. Use a Card that Offers Cash back Bonuses: Although I brought up getting a rewards card in Part 1 of this series, it bears mentioning again. A rewards credit card is always a better decision then a regular credit card since you can receive annual cash bonuses. Discover, Citibank and Chase all offer low interest cards that have no annual fees, plus you can cash in any time of year.

Be sure to check out the first two articles in this series (Cut Your Expenses and Get the Best Deals). Also, come back next week for the final article on strategies for increasing your income.

Keep Your Money to Yourself Part 3: Supplement Your Income was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

FEDERAL GRANTS

To qualify for federal grants, you have to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Be sure to submit this free application between January 1^st and June 30^th of any given year to qualify for the next school year’s enrollment. Although sometimes you are able to submit the FAFSA after these deadlines for the current year, it is always best to get your application in as soon as possible to qualify for funds that may be limited by federal budgets. Once you’ve submitted your FAFSA, you will be notified if you qualify for any of the following grants:

1) Federal Pell Grant: Pell Grant eligibility is based on financial need. Although students with a family income as high as $45,000 may be eligible, most awards go to students with a family income below $20,000. For the award year of 2007 – 2008, the maximum grant is $4,310 and will increase to $4,731 for the 2008 – 2009. By 2012, the award will be as high as $5,400. This grant can be used for tuition, fees, and education-related expenses. To receive a Pell Grant, here are some of the basic criteria:

a) Submit a FAFSA and qualify as a financially needy student;

b) Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. national, or eligible non-citizen,

c) Have a high school diploma, a GED Certificate, or pass an approved test;

d) Meet satisfactory academic progress as determined by your institution;

e) Be enrolled in an eligible post-secondary school; and

f) Be working toward a first undergrad degree or teaching credential;

2) Federal SEOG (Supplemental Equal Opportunity) Grants: This grant awards money to undergrad students who have extraordinary need. The student can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, financial need, the funding at the chosen school, and the policies of the financial aid office at that school. To further qualify, you must:

a) Fill out a FAFSA.

b) Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen,

c) Not have a Bachelors degree.

d) Not be in default on any federal student loan; and

e) Not have a Federal Pell Grant overpayment.

3) SMART Grants: This grant gifts up to $4,000 for third and fourth-year full-time undergrad students who are studying science (physical, life or computer), mathematics, technology, engineering, or a foreign language important to national security. To be eligible for the SMART Grant, students must:

a) Fill out a FAFSA.

b) Qualify for a Pell Grant.

c) Choose a major.

d) Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale); and,

e) The maximum grant can only be awarded for two years.

4) TEACH Grant: The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program was established to benefit current and prospective teachers. This new grant offers up to $4,000 per academic year for a maximum of $16,000 for undergrad students or $8,000 for graduate students. When combined with other aid, the award cannot exceed the cost of attendance and is prorated for those attending less than full-time. To be eligible, students must:

a) Fill out a FAFSA.

b) Meet basic eligibility requirements.

c) Be currently completing coursework or plan on completing coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching.

5) Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG): This grant is offered to full-time eligible undergrad students and provides up to $750 for the first year and $1,300 for the second year of study. When combined with a Pell Grant, this award may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:

a) Be a U.S. citizen;

b) Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient;

c) Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;

d) Be enrolled in the first or second academic year at a two or four-year eligible institution;

e) Have completed a demanding secondary school program of study;

f) Not have been previously enrolled in an undergrad program (if a first-year student); and

g) Have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year (if a second-year student).

While these are the most common grants currently offered, there are hundreds more awarded every year by the US Department of Education. Click here to see a more thorough list. To see their newest grants, click here for their Federal Register.

STATE GRANTS

Almost every state in America features a wide variety of grants for their student residents. A lot of the money for these grants is funded by local lotteries. State budgets earmark portions of the gaming profits and set them aside specifically for education. This increases a resident student’s odds of financing their future whether they choose to attend a college, university, community college, technical or career school. Here are a few specific student categories that this money is set aside for:

• Minority grants: There are two main categories of minority grants. The first is grants for ethnic minorities designed to offer assistance based on ethnic challenges. The second is non-ethnic minority grants offered to individuals who may be challenged or disadvantaged. This category includes grants for students with disabilities, and grants for women.
• Low-income and disadvantaged students grants: These grants are awarded specifically to low-income and disadvantaged students.

Every state offers different grants to their students who attend one of their qualified education institutions. Click here for a list of State-Based College Grants from CollegeScholarships.org. Also, click here for a list of 101 fabulous grants, which anyone can apply for.

INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS

Every college provides institutional grants to their students in order to help make up the difference between college costs and family contributions. Many of these grants are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, while some are offered only to students whose families demonstrate financial need. Still more are awarded regardless of a family’s finances, while others come with special privileges or obligations. Be sure to find out about the types of grants awarded by every college your student is considering since these grants vary from institution to institution.

Grants-for-Service programs

Also known as Grants for High-Need Fields of Study, Grant-for-Service programs are administered by many government and university sources. They are set up as mutually beneficial service agreement where a student agrees to work for the state in a medically underserved facility or educationally underserved school after graduation. In exchange, the state will cover the student’s tuition in nursing school or as a student teacher. Click here for a list of nursing and teaching grants-for-service programs.

Now that you have an idea of where to find grants, don’t forget to check out articles 1 and 2 in this series (“Free College Money Part 1: Starting with Pennies,” and “Free College Money Part 2: Tax Programs”) to learn about additional college funds available to everyone. Also, return here next week to see the fourth article, “Free College Money Part 4: Searching for Scholarships.”

Free College Money Part 3: Hundreds of Grants was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The most convenient feature is the shopping list, located to the right of the screen. As you scroll through the various categories and find something you are interested in, you simply click the “Add to List” button and the product appears on the customizable list. You can continue adding items and once you are finished reviewing the products, you can quickly print out your custom shopping list. You can also email the list for your convenience. Your shopping list contains all of the information including product, price, sale end date, quantity and reward card requirements, as well as the name of the participating store. The list is broken down alphabetically by store.

Other information available on mygrocerydeals.com includes the Nutri-Know section that contains each product’s nutritional information and looks similar to the nutrition and ingredient charts found on the product packaging. For added savings, the Coupon Gallery allows you to seek out traditional clipped coupons which you can print at home and redeem at any participating store.

mygrocerydeals.com allows both members and non-members (guests) the ability to search for sales information and print shopping lists and coupons. Registration is free and the advantage members have over non-registered guests is essentially time savings. By creating a profile and customizing stores options, creating future shopping lists will be easier and manageable.

Not long ago I was wishing I could find just such a website. I personally found this site to be extremely helpful because there are certain stores I will shop in for select deals. Using the mygrocerydeals.com site is the perfect way for me to stay up-to-date on the sales and more importantly, I can create an easy-to-read shopping list to take with me each time. The website is very easy to navigate and simply to understand. Not only is the site good for beginners new to the computer world, it also makes shopping and saving a whole lot easier for time-sensitive people like myself.

WEBSITE REVIEW: mygrocerydeals.com was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1. Download the Upromise Toolbar, even if you don’t need college money. Upromise.com has a free toolbar you can use to find the best deals on absolutely any NEW product you could possibly want. By simply typing the name of the product you are looking for, you will be given a list of thousands of matching items, prices, and the stores where you can buy your desired product. Once you have your list, you can then narrow it down by features, lowest price, brand, store, and cash rebate amount. With just a few clicks, you can find the absolute best deal whether you decide to buy it from www.Upromise.com or another website.

2. SIGN UP FOR A FREE EBATES.COM OR SAVINGSWATCH.COM ACCOUNT. Although I have no experience with www.SavingsWatch.com, many of my readers have commented that it is an excellent website to purchase products from and receive large rebates in return. I do, however, have a history with www.Ebates.com and I know that they do pay you on a quarterly basis no matter how little or how large your earnings are. Once you have found the best deals on Upromise.com, pop over to Ebates.com or Savingswatch.com to buy the product for the price you’ve found and receive up to an additional 30% off. By doing so, you will always get the best prices and make a little extra cash back on the side. (Right now, Ebates.com is having a sign-up special. If you have a friend who has an Ebates.com account, enter their email address to earn $5 instantly for you and your friend.)

3. SHOP AT HALF.COM FOR CHEAP BOOKS, MOVIES AND CDS. www.Half.com is an eBay company that allows everyday people to post their new and used books, music and movies for sale without paying a posting fee. A customer can then purchase the item for as little as $0.75 and spend approximately $3 for shipping and handling. Within one to two weeks, the items are delivered to your door. Compared to walking into a book or movie store, you can save a lot of money over a relatively short period of time. Just be sure to read the condition comments to avoid any surprises, and only buy from sellers with a good rating.

4. SHOP AT EBAY FOR MANY OTHER ITEMS (AND COUPONS). Since I mentioned Half.com, I may as well bring up www.eBay.com as well. Just like Half.com, you can find a wide variety of new and used products that people have put up for auction. Also just like Half.com, be sure to buy from sellers with good ratings and email them requesting details should you require more information. One more thing to look for at eBay would be coupons. Many people get hold of coupons for everything from travel to groceries, and you can purchase those coupons and save yourself a whole lot of money.

5. USE COMPETITOR PRICING TO DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN. Whether you are an entrepreneur trying to get the best pricing on your business purchases or a thrifty shopper, you can use competitor’s pricing to your advantage. By getting quotes from one company and presenting them to the place where you normally make your purchases, you can get your favorite stores to consider lowering the price just for you. In fact, many large department stores (like Sears and Home Depot) have price matching policies. They will often meet or beat a competitor’s pricing on a product, but only if you can present an ad listing the item you wish to buy. Just be aware, it has to be exactly the same item to get the best deal. Not only will this get you the best pricing, but it will also get you the best financing deals with companies you may already have credit with. (Check out competitor’s websites for printable weekly ads if you don’t receive the newspaper.)

6. USE COUPONS AND REBATES TO SAVE EVEN MORE. Many office supply stores have an “online rebate center” where you can see all the rebates being offered for their in-store and online products. It’s a great place to start when looking to make a large purchase. www.Coupons.com and www.Smartsource.com both offer hundreds of manufacturers coupons every month on grocery store products. www.Wow-Coupons.com offers rebates and coupons for restaurants, travel, retail and grocery items. Sign up for newsletters at your favorite shops and websites and you will soon receive exclusive coupons via mail and e-mail.

7. BECOME AN AFFILIATE. If you have a website, join an affiliate company. Not only will it help you supplement your monthly income when your friends, family and customers make purchases through your websites, but it will also help you find the absolute best deals on anything you want. One really good company to join for free is Commission Junction (www.cj.com). You can immediately search for thousands of products and make your selections based on price, available coupons, and commission. Every time you net $25, they mail you a check the following monthly pay period. By doing so, you can easily “earn” hundreds of dollars per year while also finding the best prices.

8. ALWAYS SHOP THE CLEARANCE SECTIONS. There is one in every store, and you can save as much as 80% off of regular-priced items by browsing this section first. Several times a year, the stores will slash clearance prices even lower to clear away out-of-season products and make room for new products. January, especially, is a great time to begin your search since stores over-purchased items for the Christmas Season.

9. TRADE SERVICES FOR WHAT YOU NEED. If you know someone who offers a product or service you need (like website development or video production), offer to trade services with them. Look for a need they have which you might be able to provide free-of-charge in exchange for something you need free-of-charge. This kind of win-win situation benefits everyone.
   

Try some of these tips today and see how much money you are able to save. Don’t forget to read article one in this series (“Keep Your Money to Yourself – Part 1: Cut Your Expenses”) to save even more. Also look for article 3, “Keep Your Money for Yourself – Part 3: Supplement Your Income” where I show you a few simple things you can do instantly to supplement your income.

Keep Your Money for Yourself – Part 2: Get the Best Deals was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

1) Use a rewards credit card. A rewards card offers just that…rewards. Often, these rewards can be turned in for free products or cash.

2) JOURNAL EVERY MILE YOU DRIVE. In November of 2007, the IRS announced that business miles could now be written off at $0.505 per mile, medical or moving miles at $0.19 per mile and charity service miles at $.14 per mile. Therefore, whether for business or personal, add these miles up at the end of the year and get back a bigger refund, or pay less tax.

3) BECOME A NETWORKER. Word-of-Mouth advertising is the best and cheapest method for advertising. It gives you credibility, saves you money, and increases your odds of “getting the job.” Therefore, create your own networking group by asking friends and family to put you in touch with other business professionals. In no time, you will have a powerful sales force looking for customers and you will be doing the same for them.

4) GET A FREE PAYPAL ACCOUNT. www.PayPal.com offers the lowest fees for accepting credit cards whether you are a business owner or selling on eBay. For as low as 1.9% of a sale, you can accept any credit card through your computer instantly and transfer it into your bank account within 24 hours. Not only will you increase your sales, but also you will be able to create a free 24/7 online catalog.

5) TELECOMMUTE. With companies like www.GoToMyPC.com and www.PCNow.WebEx.com, you can now logon to any computer from anywhere and see all your files instantly. By telecommuting, you will be able to save on gas money, travel time, automobile expenses and office overhead, while at the same time acquiring several money-saving tax deductions.

6) USE THE UPROMISE.COM TOOLBAR TO FIND THE BEST DEALS. Upromise is a website dedicated to helping people accumulate money for college. However, they also have a free toolbar that you can download and utilize to find the best deals on the Internet. Simply type in what you are looking for, and then narrow the selection by features, price, and store. Not only can you save hundreds of dollars a year, but you can also get money back that can be used for anyone’s college education, or to pay down student loans.

7) JOIN AFFILIATE PROGRAMS. Affiliate programs are free to join and allow you to sell hundred of products on your website instantly without ever investing in an inventory. Furthermore, if you have a product to sell, you can offer a commission to affiliates who want to sell your product, and you pay nothing until they make a sale. Commission Junction (www.cj.com) is one of these companies that have some of the best affiliates on the web.

SUGGESTIVE SELL. Whether you are selling at a garage sale or selling to maintain your livelihood, ALWAYS suggest a second item or third item to go with the first. However, be certain to name a product and not just ask “Would you like anything else?” By naming an associated product, you create a mental image in the buyer’s mind and give them a chance to give you more of their money.

9) ELIMINATE TROUBLESOME CUSTOMERS. While it would seem that eliminating customers will cost you money, freeing up the time that troublesome customers consume will allow you to find better customers who order regularly with or without you. Stick to the customers you enjoy working with, and you will increase your cash flow immensely while also reducing your stress level.

10) CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN. This is recommended for every business for several reasons. Not only does it help focus your business and your goals, but it can also help guide your business’s choices and get you funding when most needed. Look online for free business-plan templates and just fill in the blanks.

11) SIGN UP FOR MILEAGE PROGRAMS. www.United.com is one of the best mileage programs available since you can earn miles by simply registering for their grocery and dining programs. As soon as you’ve accumulated as little as 13,000 miles, you can earn a free flight in the off-season to hundreds of locations. Programs such as these are free to join and make it easy to earn free flights.

12) UTILIZE DROP SHIPPING. Drop Ship companies are designed to ship out the products that you sell to your customers while charging you a flat fee. Not only can this save you money on paying for a shipping staff and postage embezzlement, but it can also save you from having to pay for a storage area for your inventory. Go to www.WorldWideBrands.com to find companies that can help you with your products.

13) GO TO WWW.SCORE.ORG FOR FREE BUSINESS ADVICE. This company is comprised of retired entrepreneurs who spend all their time mentoring people into thriving businesses. You can get free advice regarding everything from venture capital to business plans.

14) START A BLOG. Whether you own a business or are just looking to make some extra cash, a blog can actually help you achieve that. By writing something interesting and informative, you can build up a loyal readership. Post some ads from Google AdSense on your blog pages, and soon you will be adding bit by bit to your bank account, plus building your expertise and credibility among your “fans.”

15) USE TESTIMONIALS. People want to know that you are a good company. By asking your current clients and friends to give a testimonial about you that you can place on your website and in your brochures, you gain credibility and increase the odds of making new sales.

16) DEDICATE AN AREA OF YOUR LIVING SPACE TO A HOME OFFICE. If the home office is used for business purposes, you can deduct a portion of your mortgage/rent, utilities and supplies legally.

17) OPEN AN IRA. Although you may not consider putting money into an account a profitable situation, at this time of year, shuttling $2,000 into an IRA before April 15^th can actually reduce your tax bill or even get you a larger refund. Plus, you are keeping that $2,000 for use at a later date.

18) OPEN A HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT. If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you should consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA). This money is tax deductible and can be used immediately for any kind of medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability. Just like an IRA, you can write off the money you set aside and have more money in your pocket at the end of the year.

19) OPEN A COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR A CHILD. Also like an IRA, there are several college savings accounts that offer tax deductions, thus keeping more money in your pocket and earning interest to boot. Some of these plans include a 529 Plan or a Coverdell ESA.

20) SIGN UP FOR TRAVELOCITY’S EMAIL ALERTS. If you are looking to travel, Travelocity’s e-mail alerts can alert you to the best prices on the flights you want on a daily basis. By signing up for their free e-mail alerts, you will never pay retail again, thus saving hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

20 FREE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PUT MONEY IN YOUR POCKET was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Tip 1 – Use your Profit and Loss Report

For businesses owners, a Profit and Loss Report (P&L) is a common tool. For everyone else, this would be the same as a Spending Journal with one little extra: your income. Your P&L (or Spending Journal) adds income and subtracts expenses. When totaled, the profit or loss (a.k.a. cash flow) is left behind. By carefully analyzing this report for a specified period of time, you can deduce where you are spending too much money and which expenses should be cut.

TIP 2 – CONSIDER SWITCHING BANKS

Since the banking industry is extremely competitive, you can renegotiate all kinds of banking fees. This includes your monthly fee, bounced check fees, and over-the-limit fees. Contact your banker and ask them to reverse these unnecessary expenses and to convert your account into a free checking account. Banks will often cooperate just to keep you happy, or they will upgrade your account at no extra charge based on your banking history. If you use QuickBooks to do your bookkeeping, make sure your bank can create a QuickBooks Web Connect file and you will be able to reduce your bookkeeping expenses as well when you download all your transactions instantly. Bank of America, Citibank and Wells Fargo are three banks that work well with QuickBooks.

TIP 3 – ASK YOUR CREDIT CARDS FOR BETTER INTEREST RATES

It is common for credit card companies to raise your interest rate to as much as 24% if you are even 24 hours late. Most people never notice because they are not contacted separately, it is simply presented discreetly in your next bill. Contact your credit card company and ask them to lower your interest rate and you can cut your monthly bill in half instantly. Also ask for Balance Transfer Deals and you can wipe out interest altogether for a period of several months to a year or more.

TIP 4 – GET A REWARDS CREDIT CARD

If you do not have a credit card with rewards or a low interest rate, you should consider switching. Rewards cards can supplement your annual income, or be used to reduce other business expenses (such as airline tickets or hotel rooms). By paying for all of your needs on a credit card and then paying that credit card off every month, you can accumulate interest on the money in your bank account while also rapidly accumulating rewards. Both Citibank and Chase offer excellent rewards cards with no annual fee.

TIP 5 – REDUCE YOUR COMMUTING EXPENSES

While in the past, the best way to reduce your commuting expenses was to carpool to and from work, there are many other ways to cut commuting expenses. One would be to invest in an energy-efficient vehicle, like an electric car or scooter. Another would be to ride a bicycle to get where you need to go (also a healthy option). The best recommendation I can make, however, is to begin “Telecommuting” to work. Thanks to technology today, people can work from home and become more productive and efficient then when working in the office. Another added bonus here is that you could cut daycare costs (if you have children) and work whenever your child is sleeping. You will find you have focus on your work, freedom from micro-managers and more time with your family…all while saving commuting time and costs. (If you need advice on getting your boss to approve of telecommuting, get Timothy Ferris’s book “The Four Hour Workweek.” He will walk you through the process step by step.)

TIP 6 – DON’T SPEND DOLLARS ON PENNY JOBS

The Mary Kay Company has always taught their 1.2-million+ consultants to never waste their valuable time doing jobs that you could pay someone else less money to complete. For example, if you make $50 an hour working at the things you do best, then why spend your spare time cleaning your house when you can pay someone else $10 an hour to do it and you spend your time bonding with your family instead. Whether your boss does or does not allow you to telecommute, there are many things that you could outsource saving you time and therefore money. Elance.com is a great website that connects with independent contractors from all over the world to complete all kinds of jobs, and many of these jobs can be completed for as little as $2 (American) per hour. Why not use them to research your competition or develop a website for you instead of spending days doing it yourself? Or, why not simply use them to research business grants or college scholarships instead of struggling to find them yourself?

TIP 7 – REEVALUATE YOUR DUES

It is a good practice to look at your insurance every year. Premiums generally increase on your anniversary date. By simply “shopping around,” you may find that you can get a better rate somewhere else. If you choose to stay with the company you are with, you may be able to bargain them to a lower price by simply having their competitors’ quotes in your hand. Also, ask them what their best-discounted specials are. You may find that by adding another policy, you can actually save money. For example, State Farm Insurance offers a large discount on auto insurance when you add life insurance or homeowners insurance to your policy. Often, the discount is large enough to pay for the new policy while also giving you a discount and protecting your assets. Reconsider your networking fees, Internet fees, telephone and cell fees…anything you regularly spend money on. By shopping around, you will be able to renegotiate and cut expenses instantly.

These are just a few things to look at today. Hopefully, they will inspire you to reevaluate your spending habits and find where you can increase your cash flow. Also, check out article 2, “Keep Your Money to Yourself – Part 2: Get the Best Deal” on ways to always get the best deal on what is on your shopping list.

Keep Your Money to Yourself – Part 1: Cut Your Expenses was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Of course it isn’t a lot of money being put into the cup weekly, but over time is adds up. It has come in handy when I need to grab some lunch money, Girls Scout dues, or parking meter money as I am walking out the door. I also make it a point to occasionally collect all of the spare change in other areas of the house and roll them into coin wrappers to be deposited into my daughter’s savings account. Sometimes I just grab a handful of change and let my daughter put it in her own piggy bank. At five, she has a decent concept of saving her own money and any loose change she finds on her own, goes right into her piggy.

In the past, I have used laundry change as my spending money on a trip to the Bahamas. Saving for a year, I managed to collect over $300 dollars in spare change alone. I have an aunt that collects all of her change and uses them at Easter time as prizes in the plastic eggs that are hidden for the kids. It’s also a nice bonus for trick-or-treaters.

Spare change can also lead to a fun family adventure. Make a rule that all spare change be collected in a jar. Each month or so, count and roll the change together and based on the amount, pick a fun thing to do for a family night out. While spare change from the laundry may be irritating and seemingly miniscule, it can also be a forgotten treasure you can use with a little imagination.

Pocket Change was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Initially, it was all about the thrill of finding a bargain but has now become a necessity since a tankful of gas, a gallon of milk, and a box of cereal can just about destroy a family’s weekly budget. Today’s dollar stores are much different than when I began frequenting the isles. In the past, discount and dollar stores seemed a bit disorganized and perhaps not as clean as one might hope.

There is also a misnomer about the word “dollar” included in many of the stores names. While there are some stores who sell all merchandise for a dollar or less, many price brand-named merchandise at up to 70% off the regular price you would find in another popular store. You may not actually be paying a buck for your stuff, but you are still saving a lot of money. Dollar may also translate as low-quality to some consumers.

Merchandise sold at discount stores are typically the same items you would find at any other retailer. The products sold through a dollar store are often overstock items or products purchased from other retailers, who have gone out of business. The dollar store is able to purchase the merchandise at a discount and, in turn, passes the savings along to the consumer. The biggest difference between a dollar store and other retailers is the selection available. Shopping at a grocery store, you are more likely to find the same products consistently. At a dollar store, what is there one day may not be on the shelves the next.

In addition to the already-discounted prices, dollar stores are stepping up their game and often host even more sales and deals through a weekly circular or special coupon. The most popular dollar stores in the country are currently Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Fred’s Super Dollar and 99 Cents Only. Each store will feature different stock which changes frequently.

If you have never taken the opportunity to check out your local dollar store, give it a try. You may be surprised at what you save on your regular brand-named products like toilet paper, laundry soap, shampoo, craft items, gift wrapping supplies, kid’s books, snacks, and more.

DON’T DIS THE DOLLAR STORE was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

We need to keep a good balance of risk and reward in our investments in order to ensure that we are earning a decent interest rate, but not take on too much risk. In order to determine how much risk you can take on with your investment, you first have to ask yourself what this money is for.

Is it for short term savings that you might need to use in the near future? Is it for emergencies only in case you lose your job or there’s a medical problem? Is this money for a savings goal that is under five years, say maybe a down-payment for a mortgage on a house? If this is the case, you want to avoid taking on any significant amount of risk. You don’t have the luxury of waiting for your investment to recover if it drops in value for the short term, so you want to be sure that the money’s there. You should put this money in a high-yield savings account at a place such as Emigrant Direct, ING Direct or HSBC Direct. You’ll earn around 4% to 5% APY on your money, and it will be 100% FDIC insured.

If the money that you have to invest is for retirement, or for long term wealth building, it’s okay to take on some more risk. You’re investing for the long hall, at least 5 years and probably a lot closer to 20 or 30 years down the road. If your investment goes down in the short term, it’s not a big deal because you won’t need that money for a few decades. If this is the case, you should not feel hesitant about investing money into quality mutual funds or rental real estate (if you really want to become a landlord).

Before you invest money any where that’s not federally guaranteed, you really need to do your homework. Make sure that you understand the investment and why it will make money. You also want to make sure that the investment has made money in the past and has a proven track record. Don’t put your money into any security lightly! It’s definitely worth contacting a fee-only financial advisor to help you choose your investments if you are not extremely comfortable with investing and business.

Why a Higher Interest Rate Isn’t Always Better When Investing was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Currently UnivestDirect is offering a 4.50% APY on any money in one of their online savings accounts. The minimum to open the account is $1.00 and your money is FDIC insured. Interest is compounded daily and credited monthly. Unlike many banks that have limitations on how much money you can transfer in and out of the account, UnivestDirect has no limitations on their online checking and savings for transfers. There are no monthly fees to speak of and they offer free online banking.

A great feature of the UnivestDirect online savings account is that you can get a free ATM card with your account, so you can withdraw money at any ATM machine. UnivestDirect has a deal with the Allpoint network so that you can use ATM machines on the Allpoint network without paying any sort of usage fee. Since Allpoint has ATMs just about anywhere, it’s very easy to get money out of your account.

UnivestDirect is also offering a very competitive online checking account. It’s not the best we’ve seen, but it’s definitely up there. The current annual percentage yield is 3.55% and your money is FDIC insured. You need $100.00 to open the account and need to maintain a balance of $1.00 to accrue interest. Interest is compounded monthly and credited monthly. You’ll receive $500 in overdraft protection and a free debit card with the same functionality as the ATM card provided with their savings account. Online banking and online bill-pay is completely free as well. The one downside of the account is that they do not offer free checks. They cost $18.85 for 120 checks, but you can get cheaper checks elsewhere from places such as Current and get a good deal that way.

Overall UnivestDirect has a very competitive offering in a market that’s been flooded by all sorts of banks who want to get in on the online savings market. It’s definitely worth taking a look at if you want to open an online savings account in the near future.

Banking Reviews: UnivestDirect Offering Amazing Deals on Online Checking and Online Savings was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

I’m not talking about the handful of change you might find under the couch cushions, either (although if you look and find money in there you may as well put it in your piggy bank!)  First, consider where your money is going.

Make a list of all the things you pay for each month: your car loan, insurance, house payments or rent, utility bills, gasoline, phones, etc.  At this point, you should see that you have money left over from your income after you pay each of these expenses- and you’re probably thinking that you definitely don’t have all of that money every month!

That’s normal.  You forgot to write down the “extras”.  Do you get a cup of coffee on your way to work every morning?  Do you grab lunch every afternoon someplace?  How often do you order take-out as a family or go out to dinner?  While you may think your coffee is only $1.50; if you get one cup a day, five days a week, you’re looking at  $7.50 a week, or $30 per month. (What about those of you who grab two cups of coffee out every day?!)  As a coffee adict myself, I would never recommend anyone skip their morning coffee- but it certainly makes financial sense to make the coffee at home and put it in a travel mug on your way to work!

Getting take out once or twice a week is common in many families.  If the average take-out dinner is $35 for the family and you did this just once a week- you’ve spent about $140!  Cut back the take-out to just once a month and save the rest and you’ll see a considerable difference in the amount of money you have available for saving each month.

The point of this exercise is to show you that there are places you spend money that you probably don’t think about, and could easily be altered to save that money.  What do you do with all of your loose change? Most people would find at the end of the week they’ve accumulated an extra $5 or so in change- or $20 a month.  Small change adds up when it’s saved, and if you’re looking to build a savings now for when you retire, getting into good habits will help you grow your savings faster.

You Do To Have $100 – $200 a Month That Could Be Saved was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There are many benefits to teaching your kids about money.  Immediate benefits include the children being able to grasp the concept of why they can’t always have everything they want- so when they see the endless toy commercials on television or an ad for the latest electronic gadget, they  may not be as quick to beg for it.  Children who are taught about money often develop good saving habits that are carried into their adult lives- and many children are even able to understand things like “investments” and how to make good purchase decisions. 

Long term benefits of teaching children about money is that the education prepares them to avoid excessive debt.  As they’re learning how to save and make careful decisions regarding money- they’re developing an understanding about why debt is bad and how they can avoid it with financial security.

Allowances

Many parents choose to give their children allowances for helping out around the home with chores; while other parents give a weekly allowances whether the child helps out or not.  Whichever you decide is right for your family, it’s important that you teach your child how to handle the allowance he or she receives as it is a long term lesson in money management that can be adapted to paychecks when the child becomes a working adult.

Out of each allowance, you could have your child set a portion aside for long term savings, a portion aside for short term savings- for that toy he or she is dying to get, a portion for charity, and perhaps a small portion for immediate spending.  As long as the child is saving his or her money each and every time they get it, they are learning about the importance of responsible money management.  You may wish to provide “interest” on the long term savings, just like a bank would, or even open a bank account for the child.

Start Early- Teach Your Children How to Manage Money Before it’s Too Late was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Have you ever considered why you chose the bank that you bank at? Was it because your parent’s bank there, it’s close to your house, or that it was the first place you stopped at? Most of us end up banking at large mega-banks with billions of dollars in assets, even though these types of banks offer some of the worst deals out there when it comes to savings and investments.

These major mega-banks are not terribly concerned that average Americans with average incomes become their customers, rather they put their emphasis on scoring big accounts because those are much more profitable to hold. Many of them don’t put much of an effort in the products they create or the marketing that they do for the average customer.

Many of these banks have very lousy products for the average consumer, especially when it comes to savings accounts. Wells Fargo is offering a meager 0.1% on their standard goal savings. Bank of America is offering a 0.2% interest rate on their regular savings and Wachovia is offering 0.15% on their “Premium” savings.

Most of these banks have very lousy checking accounts as well. You might get a free checking account with the first set of checks for free, but that’s about it. No ATM refunds to speak of, no free checks later on, and if you want to just about anything out of the normal, you’re going to end up paying a fee to make it happen.

There are so many better options when it comes to your checking and savings accounts, especially when you shop for them online. There are a number of banks, such as HSBC Direct, ING Direct, Emigrant Direct, IGO Banking and E-Loan that are offering high-yield savings accounts to their internet customers offering rates anywhere between 4.0% and 5.25% APY. AmTrust Direct is currently offering a savings rate of 5.26% APY, that’s 53 times more than Wells Fargo will give you with their basic savings!

When it comes to checking accounts, you probably won’t earn a dime in interest from any major bank, but when you go online you can easily get from 3% to 4% APY on the money that’s sitting in your checking account. Some of the accounts available will even refund any ATM fees that you incur!

Major mega-banks have been giving their regular customers a raw deal for far too long, if you still keep your money at one of these banks offering you an abysmal savings rate, it’s time to move your money.

Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Wachovia and Other Major Banks are Ripping You Off. was created by and is property of American Consumer News.