A recent poll shows that most Americans have been shaken by the recession and are no longer optimistic about the economy improving any time soon. In addition, researchers found that many people, especially women are fearful about their personal financial future. In many cases, women admitted to saving less for retirement because they are “just getting by” or are desperately trying to pay off current debts, including school loans. The poll’s results have many financial experts concerned that individuals are not building a large enough retirement nest egg. This is especially true for the female respondents who stand to suffer … Continue reading →

If you are a tight rope walker you know how important a safety net is, but everyone needs a safety net, not just circus performers. I’ve read time and again that everyone should have $500 in an emergency account. In the grand scheme of things $500 isn’t a lot of money, but when you are living paycheck to paycheck the amount may seem unreachable. I’ve learned lately how important that $500 is and how much it’s saved me in the long run. First, my dog needed surgery, it was $800 but that $500 sitting in the savings account sure helped … Continue reading →

When you go to make a purchase, how often do you ask yourself whether you can afford it? Now, I don’t mean whether you actually physically have a method of paying for it such as cash or a credit card, because being able to truly afford something goes beyond the simple question of whether there is enough money in your wallet, checking account, or available credit limit to make the purchase today. Believe it or not, even for small purchases this is a very important question – one that I wish I had asked myself a lot more often in … Continue reading →

You already know that safe driving can score you a discount on your car insurance. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. The good news is that there are plenty of other things that you can do to keep your car insurance costs in check. For example, when you do your annual comparison shopping for car insurance, ask for quotes to insure all of your household’s vehicles. You do comparison shop for car insurance annually, don’t you? Insurance companies offer better rates when more than one vehicle and/or driver is insured. Some companies may even be able to meet your other … Continue reading →

You probably know that there are times when certain items are at their best prices, and times when they are not. Of course, since the things that we buy are so numerous and varied it can be very hard to keep track of what to buy when. One good resource is a book called “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon” by Mark DiVincenzo. Not only does this book offer valuable money – saving information, it also offers other suggestions for the best times to do certain things and go certain places which can save you time and make … Continue reading →

There are many ways that people can save themselves some money on things that they use every day. Today, I came across a few simple things that you can do if any of the situations involved are relevant to products or services that you use in your day to day life. The more quick and simple ways that you can find to save a little here and there, the faster your savings will add up. If you pay an annual fee for a credit card, why not take a little time to look around online and see whether there is … Continue reading →

There are a couple of basic ways to have more money – earning more and spending less. Both involve time and effort, but there are a few simple things that you can do to make sure that you are spending as little as possible on certain items. If you go through this list and check off an item or two each week, in a few weeks you will have started the New Year with the knowledge that you are not overpaying for a few different things. One thing that you can do is to make sure that you are not … Continue reading →

Did you know that there are a few things that many people buy that are, for the most part, pretty useless? Okay, so there probably more than a few useless things out there but I have decided to focus on just a handful of common items that are simply not worth the money that you spend on them. Please keep in mind that this is just my opinion – you might agree with some of the things on this list and disagree with others, or you may disagree with the whole thing. Many people do not need unlimited cell phone … Continue reading →

Here’s some food for thought as we countdown to the holiday season: According to Consumer Reports, 13.6 million Americans are still repaying bills they racked up from last Christmas. Not exactly the type of red you want to be sporting as the gift-giving season approaches. Money is a huge concern for cash-strapped consumers throughout the year, but during the months of November and December, coming up with ways to fund a festive holiday is a worry that seems to grow as fast as the mercury dips. With less than two weeks until Thanksgiving and just over a month until Christmas, … Continue reading →

With the holidays fast approaching now is the time to review your food budget to adjust for upcoming celebrations. Whether you are hosting extended family or you’ve been asked to bring a dish to pass for a holiday potluck, it helps to find ways to stretch your food dollar. One of the best ways I’ve found to feed the masses on a budget is to skip the steak and opt for chicken. Save the fancier meats for the main holiday meal and use chicken to feed friends and family on the nights that precede or follow the celebratory meal. Preparing … Continue reading →