With the holidays right around the corner, you know it will only be a matter of time before you are shopping for those perfect gifts. While some people wait until the last minute to start saving and shopping, others realize that now is the time to take a close look at what the holidays will bring. How many people will you need to purchase gifts for? Do you have enough cash right now to get everything...
Why budget? Many people earn a paycheck, use credit cards, pay bills, and go shopping without ever knowing exactly how much money is actually coming in or going out. Any financially successful business must track earnings and expenditures to know whether or not they are making a profit. Why does an individual think that he could get ahead financially without doing the same? A budget is a money management plan, a roadmap to your financial destination....
Saving money doesn’t mean being cheap. We all love luxury, quality, and convenience. We also love security and freedom. It’s smart to save money where it’s easy, so you can redirect that cash to areas where you’ll benefit most, possibly a much needed vacation, kid’s college education, a better house, and an enjoyable retirement. Being frugal isn’t about depriving yourself; it’s about making smart financial decisions and getting the most for your money. Changing your spending...
Some people keep a close watch on their savings, knowing exactly what is going on at all times. Others, however, subscribe to the “set it and forget it” philosophy. In other words, they make a final decision and leave things that way for an extended period of time.You don’t have to review your strategy on a daily basis, however, it is a good idea to keep a close watch on what you are doing.Here are five...
With 2015 right around the bend, there is no better time than now to think about the steps you can take to maximize your savings potential. By implementing a few simple strategies, it won’t be long before you are saving more money than you ever imagined possible.Here are three ideas to consider:1. Automate your savings. You can’t spend money you never see. For this reason, you should have a portion of your paycheck deposited directly into...
Money market accounts are a popular choice among those who are looking to save money without taking any risk. From local financial institutions to online banks, opening one of these accounts has never been easier.Before you decide to open a money market account, it would be in your best interest to learn more about the benefits. Here are three you cannot afford to overlook:1. Interest rate. Generally speaking, the interest rate associated with a money market...
With the cost of college on a rise, a growing number of parents are researching the pros and cons of a 529 savings plan. This allows you to save money for your child’s college, all in an account that is not subject to federal income tax.Just the same as any type of financial decision, there are things you should and should not be doing. Unfortunately, there are several 529 savings plan mistakes that have held people...
Even if you have a food budget, you may soon find yourself wasting money. Over the course of a year, this can add up to hundreds of dollars or more of wasted cash that could have been used for other expenses.Are you aware of the common ways you may be wasting money on food? Let’s take a closer look at three:1. Shopping without a list. If you neglect to create a list before heading to the...
When you look at your savings account what do you see? While some people are excited at the number that stares back at them, many are wishing they had more money.Rather than hope for a miracle, there are steps you can take to boost your savings account. Soon enough, your balance will be on the rise.Here are three simple steps to take:1. Eliminate unnecessary spending. Take a closer look at what you are spending your money...
Like many, you may spend a lot of time in your car commuting to and from work. While this is all part of having a job, some find that they are spending much more on this part of their day than they would like.Fortunately, there are steps you can take to save money on your commute.Before we discuss some of your options, remember this: any change you make is going to be an adjustment to your...
