Archive for money
Aligning Your Spending with Your Beliefs
Posted by: | CommentsI just got back from a local diner that has the best hamburgers around. It’s been there since 1924 and has 50s music playing. The owners and waitresses called many people by name. A grandpa was there with his young grandson. A group of of people that work together put tables together. An older lady hung out at the counter chatting with the owner. The place was very clean. My meal was probably $2 more than it would have been at fast food, but it was worth it to me.
I prefer to spend my money at local shops even if they cost a bit more. As we go into the holiday spending season, where do you plan to spend your money? I would rather get 1/2 a pound of candy at Mainstreet Sweet Shoppe, then get a pound at Sam’s Club. I love to get presents at Out of the Box game store since my daughter goes there on free game nights.
I no longer keep money in a big bank, but instead use a credit union where they welcome me by name every time I enter.
I love it when I can buy something environmentally friendly and chemical free. And I am willing to pay a little more for that.
When you buy less stuff, you can buy according to your beliefs easier.
It’s time to budget for the holidays and start making your lists. What can you buy locally or that aligns with your beliefs?
You can make a difference with your spending.
Is it Worth it?
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On my way to walk the beach this morning, I marveled at all the people out. Joggers and walkers. The 70 year-old man rollerblading. The elderly couple riding their bikes to the beach. A man walking his dog, holding coffee. They looked so fit and happy. I could tell this was a regular part of their day.
Many people would be envious. "They must have more time than me." "If I lived near a beach I would be out all of the time, too."
It reminded me of the chat last night I had with the money group. Someone said that it was a matter of making the time to set up their program so they know how much money they have. I posed the question,
"Is it worth it to you?"
Each person gets to make this choice, but only if they are conscious that I choice is being made.
Is it worth it to you to spend 10 min a night with the family picking up the house, so the kids can invite their friends over without you being embarrassed?
Is it worth it to you to set up mint.com so you can track your money and maybe make better money decisions?
Is it worth it to you to watch one less TV show so you can get up earlier to exercise and feel more energetic?
Is it worth it to you to drum up the energy to declutter and make decisions on what to give away?
The people that get fit or organized make different choices. They decide, "Yes, it’s worth it."
Now you get to choose.
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Photo by Ewen
Less Known Ways to Save Money
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- Change Cell Phone Plans. Use a comparison site to get the best deals in your zip code. We saved $20 a month by switching plans.
- Change to a digital calendar like Google Calendar. And digital planner like Remember the Milk. If you need a calendar or planner, wait until after the new year to get them when they are 50-75% off.
- Use a credit union instead of bank. The fees are usually lower.
- Don’t spend any coins. Put them all into savings or debt reduction.
- See if your neighbors have plants that need thinning instead of getting them at the yard center.
- Only drink water when you eat out. Drinks have one of the highest mark ups.
- Have a folder with menus and coupons for when you need to do take out. But, cook at home more often. And go out for lunch instead of dinner. Lunches are less expensive. Split meals with a friend. Most restaurant portions are too much for me.
- Consumer Reports’ auto-test department says that the air conditioner reduces your car’s fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. It suggests not using the air conditioner at speeds below 40 mph instead use the windows. At speeds above 40mph though the air conditioning is more efficient.
- Disconnect the landline or switch to something like Vongage.
- Swap for books, trade used books at a used book store or go to the library.
- Freeze fruit in season to use in pies and smoothies throughout the year. Go berry picking for even cheaper fruit.
- Wait at least a week before buying impulse items.
- Get rid of some subscriptions – magazines, gym, online memberships.
- Buy a 2 or 3 year old car instead of new. Cars lose so much value just getting driven off the lot.
- Shop at a grocery store that either has double coupon days, inexpensive products of gas coupons. I get 10-15 cents off per gallon from my grocery store.
- Look for alternatives to get what you want. Barter, trade, rent. Look in your own house for what you can use instead.
- Make a budget and then use a program that will tell you when you are about to go over budget.
- Go on a spending fast for a weekend, week or a month where you only spend on the necessities.
- Learn to fix things and teach your kids. My husband can fix just about anything saving us tons of money throughout the years. You can find how to articles all over the web.
- Give up cold cereal. Hot cereal, eggs and pancakes are less expensive than cold cereals.
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Photo by: Andrew Magill
Getting Your Financial House in Order
Posted by: | CommentsFinances are one of those things that is easier to let someone else handle – your husband or wife, an accountant, a broker. Maybe you think it’s too scary or over your head. Or you don’t like to deal with numbers.
But, you need to be involved in your finances. You need to know your net worth and how much debt you have. You need to know your credit score.
Otherwise, how will you make good decisions with your money?
If your budget is to pay the bills and if you have money left, do whatever you want with it, you may not be going where your goals are.
If I want to be able to travel or go to plays, then I need to save for them.
If you want to get out of debt, you need a plan.
If you aren’t spending and saving your money based on your values, you will not be as fulfilled no matter how much money you have.
So get together with your spouse or your checkbook and find out for yourself how much is coming in and how much is going out. And does the way you spend and save your money reflect your values?
How are you going to get your financial house in order?
