Thursday, April 4, 2013

Top Ways to Make Extra Money for Life's Little Emergencies

Top Ways to Make Extra Money for Life's Little Emergencies: If you don't have a substantial bulk of money saved up for life's little emergencies – such as a broken boiler or vet's bills – you probably have a niggling feeling in the back of your mind. While it's ideal to keep a small savings account to cover you in the event of accident and emergency, this isn’t always possible. Follow these few simple tips and you'll build up 
a safety net of cash in no time. You can also get a short term loan which you can repay on your next payday, maybe after you’ve made some money in the ways mentioned below?


Sell Things Online

Most people have mounds of clutter in their home that they never actually use. Are you one of them? Have a good look through every item in your home and decide whether or not you really need it. If not, could you sell it? Listing things on online retailers such as eBay or Gumtree is a great way to bring in a little extra cash.


Cancel Unnecessary Direct Debits

Are you up to date with all the payments being taken from your account every month? It's not uncommon for people to be paying for services they don't even use any more, such as magazine subscriptions they no longer read, a gym they don't attend any more, and sky-high mobile phone bills covering more minutes and data than you could ever possibly use. Take some time to go through your bank statements and assess each outgoing and whether it's really necessary. If it's not – cancel it!


Use Cashback Websites

Cashback websites are one of the easiest ways to secure a small stream of incoming money without having to go to any extra effort. Simply use a cashback site for all the things you would normally buy, and you could get between 0.5-5% back on everything you spend, which can add up to quite a nice sum at the year's end! If you find a good site, you should have no problem signing up for a cashback plan that lets you choose when you get your money back, weekly, quarterly or annually.  


Take in a Lodger

Have your kids grown up and left home, leaving you with an empty bedroom or two? You could bring in a handsome amount of extra cash each month simply by letting the room out to a lodger. And the best part is you don't even need to pay tax on the first £4250 you make.

These are just a few simple, easy ideas to bring in a little extra money to help tide you over during the lean months, and of course the short-term loan is still an option when you need a bit of money quickly. With a little imagination there are many other ways you could make some extra dough too, such as renting out a parking space, taking on a side job, or spending your free time filling out surveys online.



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For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Life insurance or long-term care

Which is Best : Life insurance or long-term care
Insurance is the way of paying for the financial loss incurred at times of emergency. It is the best way to get prepared for such circumstances. Today there are various types of insurance policies in the market offered by various insurers. Buyers often get confused as to which policy they should zero on. For many years, there have been comparison between life insurance and long-term care. Some people prefer buying life insurance plans while others go for long-
term care. There are many who like to combine these two plans and avail benefits. To understand which policy is best, you must have some basic information about these two types of plans.

What is Life Insurance?

A life insurance is a insurance policy that provides you a lump sum of money at a particular point of time. This is a way to secure your life. Many people invest money in such policies so that they can secure the financial future of their family members even in their absence. Besides these people also invest money with the purpose that they get huge amount of money during their old age when they cannot earn well and have limited income. The primary advantage of a life insurance plan is that it provides coverage for whole life and also provides a lump sum to the family members after the death of the policyholder. But if the policyholder is a no-family person, this type of policy becomes irrelevant. Another disadvantage is that you have to pay higher premiums as you get older.

What is Long-term care?

Long-term care, on the other hand, takes care of the medical and non-medical needs of people who suffer fromchronic illness, illness, or any sort of disability. These persons are unable to take care of themselves because of their condition. Usually long-term care is provided depending on the physical and emotional needs of the patient; temporary care for some weeks or months and ongoing care for many months or years. The major advantages of this plan is that it covers a number of conditions and can be customized. Usually these policies are very expensive and the cost of premiums can go up.
Because of the various advantages and disadvantages of these two plans, buyers remain baffled. The best option is to go for life insurance and long term plan combo. The following insurance information will help you take the right decision:
·         If you buy a life insurance policy with long-term care riders, you will receive a certain amount if you need long-term care.
·         If you die without using long-term carebenefits, your beneficiaries will get a certain fixed amount.
·         If you use some of your death benefit for long-term care, the rest of the amount will be passed on to the beneficiaries.
·         But if you do not use any benefit or make any withdrawal and want to change the plan, you will get back the initial premium.
The importance of life insurance and long-term care insurance cannot be avoided. You may compare different policies or take a combo offer for a financially secured future.


For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Short-Sale and Foreclosed Homes


Special Tips for Successfully Closing the Deal. 

Short sales and foreclosure sales are popular, especially while mortgage rates are so low. However, buying distressed properties is not always easy and the buyer must often jump through additional hoops. If you understand what each type of sale is, then it is easier to understand why you have to jump through certain hoops. A foreclosure sale is a property that the bank has already 
taken, determined a price and listed with an agent. A short sale is a sale by the seller for less than what is owed on the property.

Tips for Buying Short Sales


If you want to buy a property as a short sale, there are two different types: approved and not approved. An approved short sale is one where the bank 

made an agreement with the seller to take less than the outstanding mortgage amount. This is the easiest short sale. A non-approved short sale means that you have another negotiation to make: the negotiation with the bank.

In a non-approved short sale, the seller must give the bank permission to speak with you about the loan. Once you have permission, you must negotiate a price that the bank will take. You must also negotiate the price with the seller. The seller may be willing to take a $50,000 hit, but the bank may not agree to that. In addition, if you negotiate a price with the bank, the seller may not want to go that low. In a short sale, the difference between the price of the home and amount due on the loan is considered income to the seller; and the seller must pay taxes on the difference.

Tip #1: Contact the seller to ask if he or she wishes to take less than the amount owed on the loan. Work out an acceptable price with the seller. Have the seller sign an affidavit stating that the bank may discuss the seller’s mortgage with you. Make sure the loan number is on all correspondence.

Tip #2: Contact the bank after the seller forwards the appropriate documentation. Tell the bank you are working with the seller on a short sale and negotiate a price as close to the price you discussed with the seller.

Tip #3: Often banks do not return calls regarding short sales. You must be on your toes with them — call them often until you can get through to someone. If the bank does call you back, be sure you answer the phone. They may not call again.

Tip #4: Have cash ready or be ready to close with a loan as soon as the bank gives permission. When the bank gives you a time frame to close, you should have the loan ready to close at least a few days before so you don’t have any nasty surprises on closing day.


Tips for Buying Foreclosed Homes


Foreclosures are seldom ready to move in — you must do repairs to the house and freshen it up before you can move in. You may have just a little work, such as paint, new carpets and cleaning; or you could have extensive repairs such as roof leaks, repairing sheet rock and replacing appliances. Generally, if you use a conventional loan, you’ll get financing, but the mortgage rates are higher than Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac, VA and other government-backed loans. The problem is that the home you chose may not qualify for the government-backed loans because of the repairs that need to be completed.

Tip #1: Locate a home that is in decent condition. You don’t want to put money into a house to make it qualify for a loan only to have the loan denied.

Tip #2: When you buy a foreclosure, the price has been set with the repairs in mind. You may still be able to negotiate, but in most cases, the home is appraised as if it did not need repairs, then the approximate cost of repairs is subtracted from that value to get the listing price.

Tip #3: Check with private lenders. The mortgage rates are higher than any other loan, but if the repairs are extensive, you may be limited to paying cash or using a private lender. Generally, if you use a private lender, your credit must be as good as if you were using a bank that requires good to excellent credit.


Working short sales and foreclosures can be more difficult than buying a house that is listed as a regular sale, but with determination and some knowledge of how the system works, you can do it. You may not succeed the first time, but don’t let that stop you from trying again, especially if you can complete any needed repairs yourself.




For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

What Is Killing You Financially?


Identify what is killing you financially and see how to cure your financial woes.

Everyone has stress in their life, and usually everyone has at least some financial stress in their life. The difference between the people that suffer only from acute financial stress and those that struggle from chronic financial stress is the approach that each takes to these stressors.

People that are able to keep their financial worries to temporary situations identify the cause of their problems and resolve these issues, while those that suffer chronically fromfinancial problems fail to either identify the cause of their problems or they fail to resolve the causes. Below are four tips that will help you figure out what is killing you financially so you can improve your situation.

Do You Have Too Much Debt?

The most logically place to start your financial problem assessment is debt.
Gather all of your bills together and create a single spreadsheet that highlights each source of debt you have and how much each debt is worth. Tally all your debts and really examine that figure. Could this be why you are under so much stress each month?

Do You Have a Financial Cushion?

Another source of financial debt is a lack of a financial cushion to fall back on when cash flow is slow. Do you have a savings account? If so, what is its balance? Is this enough to cover your expenses for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months? A failure to have a safety net leaves you vulnerable to financial problems, even when you are doing okay. Remember, that most people are only one or two paychecks away from homelessness.

Are You in the Red or Black at the End of Each Month?

Another source of financial stress is not having enough income to balance normal monthly costs. To figure out if this is your source of financial stress, then compare your income to your monthly bills. If you have more expenses than income then your budget is out of balance.

Do You Have an Upcoming Major Expense?

Another big source of financial stress is having a large expense looming on the horizon. This expense can be a wedding, a college education for your kids, a medical procedure, a major home repair or retirement. These expenses are not inherently good or bad, but they still put a lot of stress on you.

So What Now?

Once you have identified the things that are killing you financially, your next step is to find solutions to these problems or concerns. If you cannot cure the cause of your financial stress, then find ways to mediate thestress.

Guest Author Byline: Meeka Samuel has been writing about personal finances for 18 years. Her articles have been published on multiple websites.




For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Extend Microloans to Help the Low-Income Entrepreneurs


Extend Microloans

Within last few years, many third world countries have achieved constant economic growth and development. But millions of people in these countries still live in these countries without access to clean water, sanitation, renewable energy, primary healthcare and secondary education. Similarly, many rural entrepreneurs find it difficult to get small businesses loans from commercial banks to become self-sustaining.

Despite being a relatively new investment option, micro loans have been effective in transforming the lives of millions of small and rural entrepreneur entrepreneurs living in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other third world countries. Normally, these loans are small to medium sized, but you can make a huge difference to the lives of underprivileged people by granting a loan amounting to a few dollars. In addition to getting you constant returns, the micro loan will also have a substantial impact on small entrepreneurs who fail to meet the lending criterions of commercial banks.

Low Rate of Interest

In comparison to the commercial banks, the organizations facilitation peer to peer lending offer micro loans at a much lower interest rate. Further, the size of the microloan is decided to suit the occupation and capital requirements of the borrowers. So the borrower can repay the entire loan amount a per the predetermined repayment schedule without increasing his financial burden.

No Collateral

Many small and rural entrepreneurs do not have any asset to use as collateral while taking loans from commercial banks. As an investor, you may hesitate to grant a large sized loan without any collateral. But you can easily grant a microloan amounting to a few dollars by evaluating the business model and repayment plan of the entrepreneur. The investment can further make a huge difference to the living standard of the borrower and his family.

Flexible Repayment Schedule

The commercial banks normally require borrowers to repayment the loan as per a predetermined schedule. So the lending model is not suitable for the small and rural entrepreneurs. The organization offering microfinance in India often decide the repayment schedule for a borrower by keeping in mind his nature and type of business. Further, the EMIs are adjusted by keeping in mind the monthly income and expenditure of the borrower.

Peer to Peer Lending

Many people donate money to charitable organization and NGOs to run developmental and welfare projects in third world countries. But the donor does not have any option to evaluate the impact of his donation on an individual borrower. Unlike the charitable institution, the microfinance institutions will treat your contribution as a small business loan. Also, you can extend the microloans through online peer to peer lending platforms to extend your financial support to a borrower of your choice, after checking his identity, location, occupation and capital needs.

Complete Transparency

Often the NGOs and microfinance institutions are criticized for lack of efficiency and transparency. But many online micro lending organizations have built a reputation in accepting microloans from investors after explaining the repayment mechanism and risk factors in a clear and transparent way. Once you grant the microloan, the institution will lend the money out to the borrower selected by you. Further, the entrepreneurs are asked to keep the lenders informed about the utilization of funds and repayment progress.

Option to Decide Risk Acceptability

You have options to achieve a number of objectives by granting microloans. In addition to helping the third world entrepreneur, you can also distribute the money as securities and guaranteed loan. Many investors even distribute microloans as an investment option to get constant returns and supplement their primary income source. So you can easily decide the micro lending options to suit your investment plan and amount of acceptable risk.

There are a number of online peer to peer lending platforms that have made it convenient for the lenders to extend micro loans with minimum time and efforts. You can even refer to various online sources to choose the right organization providing microfinance in India for a cause you are passionate about.




For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

How to Invest Money for Your Business Development


Investing Money for Your Business Development

Even if you have an excellent business idea and plan for your business development; you just can’t start it without knowing how to invest money for the overall business development.

When you are in the process of developing your business, you need to think about how much money you need to invest and how much money you currently have while you are in the initial stages of starting your business.
There are several options on how to invest money for your business development. For instance, you can invest your own money into your business and also at the same to you can fund your start-up business with the help of loans, any availability of grants from the government or from your family and friends.

The following things must be considered while investing money for your business development:

  • Ø  How much money you can invest into your business?
  • Ø  Where will you operate your business?
  • Ø  How much extra funding will you investment in your business?
  • Ø  How will you manage risks in business after investment?

The steps to be followed before making any investments are:
  • Save as much money as you can for better investments
  • Make a wise decision whether to invest or clear your debts or to make an emergency fund
  • Read the investment offer document very carefully before investing
  • Choose the best available investment options
The smart ways to invest money for developing your business solely depends on you and in which equity you are going to invest your money. For instance, you can make investment in private equity, venture capital, being a business partner etc.

Basically, you can invest your money in private equity if you have a very large amount to do so, since the objective of private equity expects big returns in the short duration of time. Whereas, the venture capitalists are the hopeful business entrepreneurs which are in the process of development and have less profit when compared to private equity.

You can also invest money in your business by joining partners or family and friends to promote your business and gain more profit from it.
The best investment options available for generating good wealth are:
  • Fixed Deposits or Term Deposits
  • Mutual Funds
  • Insurances
  • Stocks or Shares or Bonds
  • Real Estate
In order to develop your business, you need to properly invest your money to earn a good profit. The practical tips to invest money are as follows:
  • Before making any investment, clear all your debts
  • Make a proper target for your business before investing
  • Learn how to invest
  • Evaluate your investments plan
  • Make your investments diversified
In case you have insufficient funds during your investment into business, then you can get financial help through cash loans.

For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Don't Let a Car Accident Ruin Your Finances


FACTORS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN INVOLOVED IN AN ACCIDENT

There are few things in life as bad as being in a nasty car accident. Apart from the physical pain involved would your finances be ruined if this happened to you? There are many factors to take into account if you are involved in an accident, but one thing you will want to make sure that you do is get hold of a good car accident attorney to help you out.

DON'T TAKE THE BLAME

You might be perfectly sure that you weren't to blame but what if the other driver has a good injury attorney and you don't? It could end up being a costly accident for you even if you were just going about your business without doing anything wrong. This is why it is important that you protect yourself first of all. The most recent statistics for automobile accidents in Colorado show a downwards trend, but we are still talking about tens of thousands of crashes all across the state. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in one of them then the last thing you want is to get the blame for something you weren't responsible for.

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

Even a relatively minor accident can have some fairly serious effects on your health. Not all of these will be evident right away, and the pain might not appear for a day or more after the impact. In 2010, well over 2 million people were injured in car crashes across the US. It is clear that among all those drivers and passengers there was a mixture of different levels of injury sustained. However, what you should bear in mind is that with a personal injury attorney working on your behalf, you will have a greater chance of successfully claiming for the injuries you have suffered, and any other damage caused by the accident. There are many different causes of accidents, including red light running, fatigue and improper cell phone use. No matter what the cause of your crash, you need to make the effort to show that you are the victim and should be paid for the damages caused, and the financial hardship you have suffered as a result.

GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE

One of the biggest risks with a car accident is that the paperwork and the hassle can take over your life afterwards. This can be especially tough on self employed workers, as dealing with the aftermath of the crash can mean taking a lot of time off work and therefore not earning money. This means that it makes perfect sense to hand over the case to a personal injury and accident attorney who can deal with it on your behalf and let you get on with life. If it was a really bad accident then you will probably just want to try and forget about it, which can be difficult to do if you need to deal with the paperwork on your own. In this case, you could face a lot of stress as well as the financial impact of the incident.
Featured images:  Photo provided by: smartphotostock.com
Thanks for checking out the article for further information on this topic please visit injury attorney.



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******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Secure bigger Pie


FAIL TO RECOUP A SETTLEMENT

The vast majority of accident victims fail to recoup a sizeable settlement simply because they never consult a personal injury attorney. In fact, the responsible party often misleads the injured person, and dupes them into signing away their legal rights for a meager settlement. Even if you are not injured, accidents can often expose you indirectly to civil liability, fines, and financial loss, and the other side is counting on your failure to get legal representation.

SECURING A LARGER SETTLEMENT

When choosing a personal injury attorney, Denver lawyersoffer the expertise needed to substantiate claims, and this is where proper planning pays off.

1. Always seek help when injured. The injured party wants to avoid moving. Request an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital. Most likely, you do not have medical training, and cannot assess your own injuries. It's always 
best to see a doctor immediately.

2. Do not make any statements and never discuss your injuries. Victims often minimize their pain with statements such as "It's not that bad," and "It looks worse than it feels." These statements minimize your pain and suffering, and you can count on the responsible party using these statements to their advantage.

3. Take photographs of the injuries and accident. When possible, document everything with photographs. Pictures can be used as evidence in court, and long after the bruises have healed, the pictures can demonstrate your pain and suffering.


4. Document all expenses. You will have to substantiate damages, but this will increase the amount of the settlement. Keep a journal of all medical treatments and costs, prescription purchases, any indirect costs like crutches, bandages, walking canes, ace bandages, etc.

5. Contact an injury attorney to evaluate your case. When victims are unrepresented, the other party has an advantage.

HOW AN INJURY ATTORNEY SNAGS BIGGER PIE

In a perfect world, the responsible party in all accidents would confess, and do the right thing. How often does that happen? It is almost guaranteed when the other party is at fault their insurance adjusters will try and charm the zest off a lemon if you allow it.

Adjusters will definitely de-emphasize your need for a personal injury attorney, especially when they are aware of their client's fault in the accident.

Damages are recoverable under several legal principles when people are injured, and choosing the right lawyer makes the difference between a meager settlement, and a bigger piece of that pie. This is why it's crucial to select an experienced Colorado personal injury attorney who can negotiate your settlement.

SMALLER SETTLEMENT, WRONG LAWYER

When choosing a personal injury law firm, Colorado certainly offers an assortment of lawyers yet many are inexperienced in negotiating the correct worth of a case. Have you really thought about what items are compensable?
  • Shock, mental anguish, embarrassment
  • Depression
  • Loss of sexual pleasure
  • Loss of regular wages or overtime
  • Loss of your job
  • Expenses of a job search

Building a strong case takes strategy, and expert knowledge of proving fault, and this only happens with the right personal injury representation.
Featured images:
  •  Photo credit: My Blog Guest community
Thanks for reading the article for more information on this topic please visit colorado personal injury attorney.


For The User 

******Usman ahmed owner of this blog created this post with his knowledge.All content provided on this blog is not copied from any other blog and site and is for informational purposes only and  The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

How to Avoid getting into Debts

How to make sure you don’t have to go through debts again

Want to avoid being in debt again now that you have your debt behind you? Even if you can’t totally get out of debt this time around, you can still use these methods to save some money.

One of the ways to you can improve your life in general is to learn better money management. Think this means reusing plastic bags and driving a 15-year old car? Not at all. There are some very simple things you can do in everyday life which can add up to huge savings over the course of a month or year.

The “B” word – budget
Are you one of those people who needs to learn how to manage your money better? 
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
 Do you feel really strapped all of the time for money, just barely covering your living expenses?
 Do you see your credit cards as the only means to go on vacation, buy Christmas presents, or clothes for you or your family.

Track your expenses
You don’t have to go crazy here, but you would be amazed how many people are unaware of home much money goes in and out of their bank accounts on a regular basis. You don’t need to know your cash flow to the penny, but it helps.

Tools you can use to track your expenses:
 Microsoft Money or Quicken.
 You could use a spreadsheet program like Excel or Lotus.
 You can even track you spending on some notebook paper.

Whatever you choose, write down everything. If you buy a can of soda at the gas station when you pay for gasoline, write down how much you spent for 
"gas" and how much you spent on "meals eaten out". I know, a can of soda doesn't sound like a meal; if you don’t like it, then make up your own categories. You'll want to do this for three months, then average the amount spent for each category. Hopefully, your average monthly expenses will be less than your monthly income.

Prioritize
Once you have established your list of categories (and you can’t really be done until you’ve tracked yourself for the three months) is to put them in some kind of priority.

Put the most important on top, but don’t number them yet. For example: your mortgage, groceries, utilities, health insurance, etc. Now above, whatever you have put at the top of your list, put savings and investments. Already there? GOOD! You’re learning. Hopefully, the things you have listed at the bottom of your list will be things like movie rentals, dining out, etc.

Examine what you’ve spent each month on each category
You may be surprised at how much you've spent on items you believe are very frivolous. When I did this, myStarbucks expenditures were startling. Write down what you would like to spend next to what you are actually spending. Remember, the total of what you'd like to spend can't exceed your monthly take-home pay.

Figure out what you’d like to spend next month on each category
Most people can’t stick to a budget because the one they make for themselves is too complicated, is not fully supported by a spouse, does not plan for the unexpected, or is unrealistic, so they stop doing it. Here are some tips to help you come up with a winning formula:

 GOALS - Don't make your budget goals something that you've got nothing to strive for. If you are spending $150/month dining out and you budget $125, you'll likely just become a poor tipper.
 REALITY - If you're spending $80/month on gas, don't think you'll be able to drop that amount in half. Unless you are changing jobs so you're closer to home or thinking about biking to work, gasoline is a pretty static cost. The same goes with groceries and utility bills. These are fairly fixed costs. Don’t short yourself here or you will find yourself scrambling to find enough each month to pay basic living expenses.
 UNITY – Is there a particular goal you are working toward? Maybe the goal is for Momto be able to stay home with the kids or the family paying off all credit cards and gettingout of debt. Budgets work best when everyone in the family understands and agrees on the end goal.
 CONSISTENCY - An exercise program won't work if you don't stick with it. Neither will a budget. You have to be consistent, not on-again-off-again. If you spend more than you should one month, it's not the end of the world. Just buckle down and commit to doing better next month.
 FLEXIBILITY - It takes time and experimentation to find a system that works for you. Also, things happen all the time that are unplanned. Do you have a little rubber in your budget? Be flexible.

Easy ways to find extra dollars in your current income
Save energy. Deregulation in some states has allowed electric and natural gas suppliers to compete for your business. Shop around for better deals. A more energy-efficient home can also help. There are some services both on line and in person which can give you an analysis of your home and make suggestions.

How about doing the simple things like turning up the thermostat in the summer and down in the winter to save on heating and cooling costs? Shutting down the computer when not in use? Turning off the lights when you leave the room?

Mortgage. Are mortgage rates so favorable right now that you could refinance and get a lower payment? How about getting rid of PMI (mortgage insurance)? Mortgage insurance is very expensive, but you can usually stop paying it once you have 20% equity in your home. If the value of your home has increased, contact your bank to learn how to stop paying this insurance.

Lower your long-distance bill. Examine your phone bills to see what you're paying for local, long-distance and wireless service. There are so many choices now to choose from, you are bound to find a better deal. Also, many people are choosing to use their cell phone free long distance minutes rather than the more expensive land-line calls.

Coupons. We all hate ‘em, but they do help to save you money. Do a little homework: can cutting coupons make a difference in your grocery bills?

Use your local library. Do you really need things like cable TV? How about borrowing movies from the library rather than renting them. And while we’re talking about the library, how about borrowing books rather than buying them? I’ve also heard many libraries have computer games for rent as well. Most libraries allow free use of the Internet as well, so you can think about canceling your internet access account.

Cut down on the use of your car. The expenses here are not just gas, but the wear and tear on your car. Can you use public transportation, walk or bike to work, carpool? Not only are these great ways to save money, but you’ll have a better social life and be in better physicalshape to boot?

Pack Your Lunch
Most people spend $5 - $9 each time they go out to lunch while at work. Most packed lunches of an apple, cookies or chips and a sandwich cost about $2 to make. Many micro-wavable lunches cost $1.50 - $2.50. You do the math.

Convenience foods are expensive
Have you heard the one about the frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or the frozen microwavable baked potatoes? It’s not a rumor. A little extra effort in the kitchen can save you large dollars.

Avoid buying coffee in coffee houses
If you stop for coffee each morning on your way to work you're probably spending between $1 and $3. Bringing a thermos of coffee from home to work could save you $5 to $15 per week.

Free Checking
Another no-brainer way to pare expenses is by finding a checking account that's right for you. Don't let bank fees steal your money. Many programs offer reduced or no fees if you keep an account balance above a certain limit.

Avoid recreational shopping
For some people shopping at the mall is a way to unwind and relax. However, this can get very expensive if you’re buying things you don’t need. Find another outlet for yourself or cut down on trips to the mall.

Pay your bills on time to save on fees and penalties.
Credit card companies charge errant customers hefty fees for minor infractions. Pay your bill a day late and you could get slapped with a $29 fee. If the fee pushes you over your credit limit, bang, another $29 can hit your account. That's $58, for nada.

For other tips on saving money, we like the http://www.stretcher.com website.



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