Archive for July, 2009
Way to Save #12: Keep Receipts & Mail Rebates
Jul 31, 2009 - Keep receipts and send in rebate slips. Very few consumers actually return rebate coupons. Which is, of course, exactly what the manufacturers are hoping for. Don’t be a sap… get what you’ve got coming. Keep your receipts and don’t hesitate to return anything that disappoints you in even the slightest way. Keep in mind that [...]
Way to Save #11: Don't Shop Alone
Jul 30, 2009 - Shop alone. Kids and spouses that act like kids will often whine, cajole or otherwise try to influence you into impulse buys. Leave ‘em at home.
Way to Save #10: Don't Shop Hungry
Jul 29, 2009 - Don’t shop hungry. If you’re shopping for food, it’ll make you buy more. If you’re shopping for anything else, it’ll make you hurry. Also avoid shopping depressed. Buying stuff you don’t need won’t make you feel better, but if you’re not careful you’ll do it anyway.
Dealing With Debt: Bankruptcy
Jul 29, 2009 - This year, estimates are that nearly 500,000 Americans will file for bankruptcy. It's one way to deal with debt, but who should file and how does it work?
Dealing With Debt: Credit Counseling
Jul 28, 2009 - You see it advertised: cut your interest rates in half, get help paying off your debts. Can credit counseling help you deal with debt?
Way to Save #9: Always Use A List
Jul 28, 2009 - Always use a list. And don’t buy anything that isn’t on it. Depending on what you’re shopping for, you can easily save 10% to 15% with this tip alone.
Manage Your 401(K) in 1 Minute
Jul 27, 2009 - Millions of Americans are upside down in their 401(k) or other retirement plan. Are you ready for a one-minute lesson that's going to make you a better investor?
Way to Save #8: Holiday Sales
Jul 27, 2009 - The calendar is your friend. Consider the times of the year that retailers love most: holidays! Halloween, Valentines Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving are all great times to save money… if you’re willing to wait a bit. You’ll often see big pre-holiday sales that happen prior to these holiday times, but those savings pale compared to [...]
Way to Save #7: Shop Early
Jul 26, 2009 - Don’t wait till the last minute to shop. Obviously, less time gives you less flexibility. The seasons, the start of school, birthdays, Christmas: nearly everything we shop for is pretty darn predictable, so buy things “out of season” when they’re on sale.
Way to Save #6: Stop Buying Extended Warranties
Jul 25, 2009 - Don’t buy extended warrantees. Eighty percent are never used, and they’re a major profit item for the vendor. That’s why they push you so hard to buy them!
Way to Save #5: Cash Is King
Jul 24, 2009 - Cash is king. Again, if you’re buying something expensive, ask for a discount for using cash. Did you know that when you use a credit card, the merchant has to pay two to four percent to the bank? Therefore, when you pay cash (or write a check) you’re saving them that money. Ask for it!
Way to Save #4: Be A Bargainer
Jul 23, 2009 - Be a bargainer. When you’re buying something expensive, or buying a service, always bargain on price. It never hurts to ask, and if you’re buying something big, like a TV, a refrigerator or a computer, you might save yourself 10 to 20%.
Way to Save #3: Get Your Family On Board
Jul 22, 2009 - Make sure everybody’s on the bus. Changing your spending habits is hard to do if everyone else in your life isn’t reading from the same page. Make sure everyone in the family is committed to the trip before you leave the curb.
Way to Save #2: Make a Spending Plan
Jul 21, 2009 - Make a simple spending plan. You wouldn’t think of setting off on a long trip without a map. A spending plan is simply a map to help guide you to where you’re going financially. It allows you to set goals and evaluate your progress. There’s no successful company that doesn’t plan their cash outlays. Why [...]
Facing Foreclosure? Turn The Tables On Your Bank
Jul 20, 2009 - With more and more homeowners falling behind on their mortgages, many are seeking help in unconventional ways.
