If you were asked the question, "Do you know where all your money goes every month?" How would you answer? What about this question, "Do you have a plan for the future or do you live paycheck to paycheck?" Which way would you answer this question? The fact of the matter is most Americans have no idea where their money goes each month and for them it's a struggle to get to the next paycheck.
If this is you then creating a household budget is the first step to taking back control of your financial situation. A budget shows you exactly what your money is doing, where it is going, and what you can do to make it work for you.
Think about it this way, what does every successful business do that ensures it cash flow is always good? It has a budget that tracks all their income and all their expenses. This gives the business owner the ability to make calculated decisions about their businesses cash flow that helps them grow and prosper. Now ask yourself would you run a business the same way you run your household finances?
A family budget allows you to create a cash flow plan for your money. You can control your spending as well as start setting aside money for savings, future large purchases, and retirement. You will also be able to track your monthly expenses over a long term which will better help you identify and cut expenses that are affecting your bottom line.
The first step to creating a household budget is writing down all your income and all your expenses for one month on a piece of paper. Do be aware that the first time you do this it may not be pretty, but if you stick with it you will be able to refine and perfect your budget. It is important to not miss anything. Go through all your bills, credit card statements, and check book register for one month and write it all down.
The first two or three budgets you create are good practice and will start to bring your household finances into a clearer view. This is the time to really take a look at where your money is going and start making some decisions about where you want your finances to be a year, two years, and ten years from now.
Creating a household budget will allow you to take back control of your money and how it works for you. You will have to have some patience as your new cash flow plan evolves but once you get the hang of it it will become an indispensable financial tool.
To learn more about how to create a household budget please visit the website Household Budgets by clicking here.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
First Steps for Saving Money
It is a rare person who can say they have enough money. Most of us believe a little (or a lot) more money would help life to be easier, problems to be solved, and more joy to be present in our lives. To have this extra money we either need to make more than we already do, or spend less than we are presently spending.
Often, spending less is the quicker way to have some extra money show up. But this requires some self-control and, as the psychologists put it, the ability to “delay gratification.”
Such self-control can be learned by almost everyone. However, it requires the conquering of the “itch” to buy things right now. If you can embark on a program of retraining your brain to save for future payoffs, then you can beat the “itch” and have abundance in your finances.
Unfortunately, we can so easily fall into fulfilling our immediate desires. If we get a bonus, inheritance, or even Friday’s paycheck, we often give in to the irresistible urge to splurge on anything we lay our eyes on. What a dangerous mistake! We squander the future for today’s appetites.
What is shiny and new today often fades by tomorrow. The trinkets pass into meaninglyness, the electronic doodads become outdated, and the expensive meals are consumed and forgotten. If only we could practice some patience and self-control, realizing and thinking about the really important things that might value in the future.
We might like to have the down payment on a mortgage, or the ability to take a longer vacation, or just the peace of mind of having a rainy day fund. This kind of financial success begins with our conscious effort to control our expenditures and save rather than spend.
So, how do we begin to learn the self-control, saving process? There are many ways that people take for granted. Here’s a list to get you started. These items might seem impossible, but they aren’t. I see people learn from them everyday.
1. For a week, assign yourself to be aware of each and every purchase. Decide whether it is a purchase that is based on impulse or prior planning. When in balance, there is nothing wrong with impulse buying, however, if you wish to save money, this is the place to start. When you notice the impulse, ask yourself if you will regret in the future not having saved this money.
2. Identify your needs and wants. A need is something that is basic to survival: food clothing, shelter, medical and dental care, and information like this on how to be successful in life. A want is something that is about more than just survival. It is something that gives you joy. Needs always come first, but we need to meet a few wants or life becomes rather dull.
3. Look for a person who can serve as a role model for you. Adopt a financial lifestyle similar to what this person does. It’s much easier to practice self-control and delayed gratification when you see it practiced by someone you respect.
This is just a beginning, but what a great start! If you can do just these three things, you're well on your way to some extra money in your bank account.
Steve Roberts is a Marriage & Family Therapist.
He's been helping Families cope with everyday life
for over 20 years.
Get Up To Date Info and Videos about Your Family Budget
at http://123whatworks.com/yourfamilybudget/
Often, spending less is the quicker way to have some extra money show up. But this requires some self-control and, as the psychologists put it, the ability to “delay gratification.”
Such self-control can be learned by almost everyone. However, it requires the conquering of the “itch” to buy things right now. If you can embark on a program of retraining your brain to save for future payoffs, then you can beat the “itch” and have abundance in your finances.
Unfortunately, we can so easily fall into fulfilling our immediate desires. If we get a bonus, inheritance, or even Friday’s paycheck, we often give in to the irresistible urge to splurge on anything we lay our eyes on. What a dangerous mistake! We squander the future for today’s appetites.
What is shiny and new today often fades by tomorrow. The trinkets pass into meaninglyness, the electronic doodads become outdated, and the expensive meals are consumed and forgotten. If only we could practice some patience and self-control, realizing and thinking about the really important things that might value in the future.
We might like to have the down payment on a mortgage, or the ability to take a longer vacation, or just the peace of mind of having a rainy day fund. This kind of financial success begins with our conscious effort to control our expenditures and save rather than spend.
So, how do we begin to learn the self-control, saving process? There are many ways that people take for granted. Here’s a list to get you started. These items might seem impossible, but they aren’t. I see people learn from them everyday.
1. For a week, assign yourself to be aware of each and every purchase. Decide whether it is a purchase that is based on impulse or prior planning. When in balance, there is nothing wrong with impulse buying, however, if you wish to save money, this is the place to start. When you notice the impulse, ask yourself if you will regret in the future not having saved this money.
2. Identify your needs and wants. A need is something that is basic to survival: food clothing, shelter, medical and dental care, and information like this on how to be successful in life. A want is something that is about more than just survival. It is something that gives you joy. Needs always come first, but we need to meet a few wants or life becomes rather dull.
3. Look for a person who can serve as a role model for you. Adopt a financial lifestyle similar to what this person does. It’s much easier to practice self-control and delayed gratification when you see it practiced by someone you respect.
This is just a beginning, but what a great start! If you can do just these three things, you're well on your way to some extra money in your bank account.
Steve Roberts is a Marriage & Family Therapist.
He's been helping Families cope with everyday life
for over 20 years.
Get Up To Date Info and Videos about Your Family Budget
at http://123whatworks.com/yourfamilybudget/
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Budget Travel - Season and Destination are Most Important
We all need some time out of our busy work schedules. Taking a travel package would be the best way to invigorate and unwind. Enjoying a vacation is the best way to spend a great time with family and simplest way to connect with yourself and your family.
Create your individual tour
Once you decide to take a trip, you need to gather all relevant travel information for having a good time. If you prefer a planned an organized holiday, you can book yourself with a travel package. In this system, you can enjoy visiting in a group and let others to handle all the details of tour package. There are many tour operators who can provide you enticing trips for providing you a great time. Adventurous people can choose packages that include multi-day hiking, trekking and river trips. Experience some of the exciting moments of having complete fun and entertainment with like-minded people.
Plan your trip:
If you don’t like someone else to guide you to enjoy your vacations, then you can make your plans. Start looking through internet and decide on a place that can refresh your senses. Savvy tourists can make their plans in much economical cost. Plan carefully and make proper arrangement for enjoying the trip.
Read guide books of the concerned area to get all the details on the chosen destination. You can get useful information via internet so they you can make plans accordingly. Once you make plans, you will need to look for a local travel agent. A local guide can help you to visit all important sights of a place. A guide will help you to find an affordable lodging and shopping places to complete your trip. Also, a guide will tell you the historical importance of the chosen place.
Create your individual tour
Once you decide to take a trip, you need to gather all relevant travel information for having a good time. If you prefer a planned an organized holiday, you can book yourself with a travel package. In this system, you can enjoy visiting in a group and let others to handle all the details of tour package. There are many tour operators who can provide you enticing trips for providing you a great time. Adventurous people can choose packages that include multi-day hiking, trekking and river trips. Experience some of the exciting moments of having complete fun and entertainment with like-minded people.
Plan your trip:
If you don’t like someone else to guide you to enjoy your vacations, then you can make your plans. Start looking through internet and decide on a place that can refresh your senses. Savvy tourists can make their plans in much economical cost. Plan carefully and make proper arrangement for enjoying the trip.
Read guide books of the concerned area to get all the details on the chosen destination. You can get useful information via internet so they you can make plans accordingly. Once you make plans, you will need to look for a local travel agent. A local guide can help you to visit all important sights of a place. A guide will help you to find an affordable lodging and shopping places to complete your trip. Also, a guide will tell you the historical importance of the chosen place.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Discount Gas Cards - A Way To Save
Discount Gas Cards - 1 Way to Save
When gas prices were one dollar a gallon, you rarely heard anyone complaining about the gas prices. Once they hit that three dollar a gallon mark, it seemed like the whole country went mad. Like anything in life, there are plenty of ways to save money on gas. Below, we've listed a few ways on how you can save money so you don't have to pay the full price at the pump.
Check the Internet
The Internet is filled with a ton of information, you basically have the world at your fingertips. There are plenty of web sites out there that will show you how much gas is in your area. Believe it or not, a few miles can make a difference when it comes to a price per gallon. Check web sites like gasbuddy.com and gaspricewatch.com when it comes to checking out gas prices in your area. When you find a cheap price, make sure you drive or make way for that gas station.
Target the poor areas
If you live in a fairly moderate neighborhood, you may want to jump to the other side of town and go to that gas station. Make sure that neighborhood is safe before you fill up. The reason poorer areas have cheaper gas is due to the property taxes, etc. Poorer areas generally have lower taxes, therefore making gas prices a lot cheaper than the wealthy areas.
Sign up for for a wholesale club
Places like CostCo and Sam's Club always have cheaper gas that the mainstream gas stations. This is because of their membership fees. In order to fill up with gas at these gas stations, you're going to have to have a membership to fill up. Sometimes you may find that these memberships pay off for you in the long run because of the savings. Other than saving on gas, you'll also find that the prices of goods in the store pay off as well.
Consider a discount gas card
As mentioned in the title, this is probably the best way to save on gas. There are so many credit card offers out there, some people forget to realize that there are ways to save money on gas. A gas rebate credit card generally allows you save about five percent per gallon. This may not sound like a lot but this is five cents per dollar. If gas is at three dollars a gallon, you're saving fifteen cents a gallon! As you can imagine, this can add up quite quickly.
Use your imagination when it comes to saving on gas. Other ways to find out how to save on gas are local gas price wars, where the owners will compete by lowering their gas prices, look for cash only gas stations as these gas stations offer lower prices, and another way is to look for coupons. Yes, gas stations sometimes do offer gas coupons. There are a ton of ways to save on gas and you shouldn't be paying full price for your gas anymore.
Tom Tessin
Tom Tessin is the president of the T2 Web Network, LLC creating websites such as http://www.findcollegecards.com
When gas prices were one dollar a gallon, you rarely heard anyone complaining about the gas prices. Once they hit that three dollar a gallon mark, it seemed like the whole country went mad. Like anything in life, there are plenty of ways to save money on gas. Below, we've listed a few ways on how you can save money so you don't have to pay the full price at the pump.
Check the Internet
The Internet is filled with a ton of information, you basically have the world at your fingertips. There are plenty of web sites out there that will show you how much gas is in your area. Believe it or not, a few miles can make a difference when it comes to a price per gallon. Check web sites like gasbuddy.com and gaspricewatch.com when it comes to checking out gas prices in your area. When you find a cheap price, make sure you drive or make way for that gas station.
Target the poor areas
If you live in a fairly moderate neighborhood, you may want to jump to the other side of town and go to that gas station. Make sure that neighborhood is safe before you fill up. The reason poorer areas have cheaper gas is due to the property taxes, etc. Poorer areas generally have lower taxes, therefore making gas prices a lot cheaper than the wealthy areas.
Sign up for for a wholesale club
Places like CostCo and Sam's Club always have cheaper gas that the mainstream gas stations. This is because of their membership fees. In order to fill up with gas at these gas stations, you're going to have to have a membership to fill up. Sometimes you may find that these memberships pay off for you in the long run because of the savings. Other than saving on gas, you'll also find that the prices of goods in the store pay off as well.
Consider a discount gas card
As mentioned in the title, this is probably the best way to save on gas. There are so many credit card offers out there, some people forget to realize that there are ways to save money on gas. A gas rebate credit card generally allows you save about five percent per gallon. This may not sound like a lot but this is five cents per dollar. If gas is at three dollars a gallon, you're saving fifteen cents a gallon! As you can imagine, this can add up quite quickly.
Use your imagination when it comes to saving on gas. Other ways to find out how to save on gas are local gas price wars, where the owners will compete by lowering their gas prices, look for cash only gas stations as these gas stations offer lower prices, and another way is to look for coupons. Yes, gas stations sometimes do offer gas coupons. There are a ton of ways to save on gas and you shouldn't be paying full price for your gas anymore.
Tom Tessin
Tom Tessin is the president of the T2 Web Network, LLC creating websites such as http://www.findcollegecards.com
Monday, November 10, 2008
Save Money on Gas By : Andrea Spenser
With the ever-soaring prices of gas these days, and our ever shrinking wallets, we’re all looking for ways to save money on gas so that we can conserve our own resources, as well as those of the planet. Short of running out to trade in our huge SUVs to purchase new fuel-efficient hybrids, there are some easy and painless ways to make trips to the gas station a bit less frequent and to save money in the process.
Here are seven easy ways to save money on gas, without much effort:
1. Get rid of excess weight in the car. The more weight the engine has to carry, the more fuel it needs to do its job. Don’t carry around extras in your car. The lighter the better.
2. Check tire pressure. Improperly inflated car tires decrease your fuel efficiency. Check your owner’s manual to make sure your tires are properly inflated.
3. Turn your car off when waiting. One minute of idling uses roughly the same amount of gas as it takes to start your car, so if you are going to be waiting more than that, turn the car off.
4. Get regular tune ups and change air filters often. A car that is working in tip-top condition is more efficient and burns less excess gas.
5. When driving on the highway, keep windows closed. The drag created when the windows are open at highway speed can reduce your fuel efficiency by as much as 10%.
6. Carpool when possible. Whether you can find a colleague to commute to work with or a kid on your child’s soccer team that lives nearby, any time you can carpool, you will not only save money, but help the planet as well.
7. Shop around for the lowest gas prices in your area. Check sites like www.gasbuddy.com or www.gaspricewatch.com .
These gas saving tips don't involve a lot of effort. All it takes is a few minor changes in your routine and you'll be keeping more money in your wallet, rather than pouring it into your gas tank!
Article Source: http://articlestoreprint.com
Information about the Author: If you would like to learn more about how to save money on gas, as well as other money-saving tips, visit www.shortcutsleuth.com
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Learning About Budgeting And Money Management Is Vital To Avoid Financial Disasters
By: MIKE SELVON
Anyone who has worried and stressed about their finances has probably also had a lot of concern over doing a good job with the budgeting and money management of their personal affairs. It is important to have good money management skills in this day and age so that you are able to enjoy the many things that life has to offer, rather than constantly worrying that you just don't have enough money to get by.
Learning the ins and outs of personal financial budgeting and management is something that is ideally taught to youngsters at an early age so that they can develop good money management skills right from the start. The later someone begins to take financial management seriously, the more potential there is for them to get into personal money management problems and even into serious financial straits that can be difficult to recover from.
It is always best when children and teens are able to learn about budgeting and money management because this education and turn into a set of money management skills that will be with them for the rest of their lives. When people don't have the chance to learn how to manage credit and their personal finances, they will most likely waste money and burn through it as soon as they earn it, and they may get themselves into debt way over their heads.
There are many people who enter adulthood without having learned about budgeting and personal financial management. They find themselves exhilarated at the money they make at their first full-time job, and often such exhilaration leads to overspending and a lack of preparing for the future, of not being prepared for emergencies and of overusing credit cards and other credit vehicles that can soon lead to serious debt.
If a person sinks deeply into debt when they are still in their twenties, because of immaturity and poor money management abilities, then they can end up spending the next twenty years, or more, trying to dig out of the hole of consumer debt that they put themselves into. Even worse, poor money management and significant debt can also lead to bankruptcy all too easily and this is a blemish on a person's credit record that lingers for over a decade.
The ramifications and consequences of bankruptcy are more than just a matter of clearing away excessive debt and having your credit damaged. There are many other underlying issues that arise and filing for bankruptcy can affect your ability to get a good job, affect the insurance rates you pay, affect the interest rate on a mortgage, auto loan, and other types of loans, and can be an embarrassing thing to have to try to explain every time someone needs to pull your credit report.
The fortunate thing is that people who make the effort to learn about budgeting and money management will stand a good chance of averting personal finance money management disasters, such as bankruptcy. Indeed, it is never too late to start improving financial management in your life, yet starting sooner rather than later is always recommended.
Author Resource:-> Educate yourself about budgeting and money management from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback and welcome your comments at our financial money management blog.
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Saturday, November 8, 2008
10 Budget Ideas For Fancy Dress Costumes
If you are looking for a cheap idea for a fancy dress outfit, you should not have to look far. It is simple, painless, and fun to throw together fancy dress costumes even when money is tight and times are hard. With the whole family pulling together to find the best costume, it can come together in a matter of minutes and it can be a fun adventure that your family may repeat for many years to come. So here are some great ideas for cheap fancy dress outfits:
Fancy Dress Costumes - Female
1. Fairy Godmother
Find any party dress from a local thrift store or the back of one’s closet. An inexpensive tiara and wand can be easily purchased at any place that sells costume supplies. Fairy wings can also be added, either purchased or handmade out of cardboard and glittering spray paint.
2. Witch
Witch clothes do not have to be all black! The same party dress can double as a witch costume if a black dress cannot be found. Simply pair with a black, pointed hat and black boots.
3. Mermaid
A girl who owns a single-color leotard can easily be transformed into a mermaid. Over the leotard and tights, loosely wrap green tinted cellophane over the legs. Glue on purchased shells throughout, placing some in the child’s hair as well.
4. Ragdoll
The easiest of all costumes, the most troublesome piece of the ragdoll is the hair. Clothes can be salvaged from the back of the closet or from a thrift store, but the wig should be made from gathering together red yarn, cut short in the front for long bangs. The child’s face should be painted with heavy makeup, resembling that of a clown.
5. Angel
This is a fun outfit for young ladies looking for Christmas fancy dress outfits.
A white dress paired with either a bought or homemade halo and wings (such as those for the fairy godmother) are all that are needed for an angel. To make a halo, use a wire hanger, bent into a circle on one end, wrapped in Christmas tinsel.
Fancy Dress Costumes - Male
1. Pirate
One of the most popular costumes for boys these days is a pirate. Pirate costumes consist of little more than ripped pants, a striped shirt, and a vest. All of these items are easily found at thrift stores. Purchase an eyepatch, a pirate’s hat, and a plastic sword to complete the ensemble.
2. Elvis Presley
The Elvis costume takes a bit of ingenuity. Consider using a jumpsuit, if one can be found, or a pair of pants and shirt that are the same color (black works great). Add a sequined belt - the bigger the better. If your child does not have enough hair to tease into a pompadour, an Elvis wig can be purchased at costume shops.
3. Cowboy
Play cowboy hats are very inexpensive if your child does not already own one. The rest of the outfit can likely be found right in his closet! Use a button down shirt, a vest, a pair of jeans, and some boots for the ensemble. Add a red bandana tied around the neck. For little ones, stick horses can add a lot of fun to the costume.
4. Vampire
A white shirt and black pants are the only clothes required for a vampire. Purchase vampire teeth and the outfit is done! For makeup, use white powder on the face, dark eyeliner around the eyes, and red lipstick. Slick his hair back for added effect.
5. Sports Hero
Most little boys are wild about one sport or another, so finding sports paraphernalia in his closet should not be difficult at all. Simply raid the closet and pull out his favorite jersey or t-shirt and add the matching equipment. This is the least expensive and easiest of all dress costumes!
If you are looking for plus size fancy dress costumes, then why not go as a ghost or the ever popular Father Christmas.
Fancy Dress Costumes - Female
1. Fairy Godmother
Find any party dress from a local thrift store or the back of one’s closet. An inexpensive tiara and wand can be easily purchased at any place that sells costume supplies. Fairy wings can also be added, either purchased or handmade out of cardboard and glittering spray paint.
2. Witch
Witch clothes do not have to be all black! The same party dress can double as a witch costume if a black dress cannot be found. Simply pair with a black, pointed hat and black boots.
3. Mermaid
A girl who owns a single-color leotard can easily be transformed into a mermaid. Over the leotard and tights, loosely wrap green tinted cellophane over the legs. Glue on purchased shells throughout, placing some in the child’s hair as well.
4. Ragdoll
The easiest of all costumes, the most troublesome piece of the ragdoll is the hair. Clothes can be salvaged from the back of the closet or from a thrift store, but the wig should be made from gathering together red yarn, cut short in the front for long bangs. The child’s face should be painted with heavy makeup, resembling that of a clown.
5. Angel
This is a fun outfit for young ladies looking for Christmas fancy dress outfits.
A white dress paired with either a bought or homemade halo and wings (such as those for the fairy godmother) are all that are needed for an angel. To make a halo, use a wire hanger, bent into a circle on one end, wrapped in Christmas tinsel.
Fancy Dress Costumes - Male
1. Pirate
One of the most popular costumes for boys these days is a pirate. Pirate costumes consist of little more than ripped pants, a striped shirt, and a vest. All of these items are easily found at thrift stores. Purchase an eyepatch, a pirate’s hat, and a plastic sword to complete the ensemble.
2. Elvis Presley
The Elvis costume takes a bit of ingenuity. Consider using a jumpsuit, if one can be found, or a pair of pants and shirt that are the same color (black works great). Add a sequined belt - the bigger the better. If your child does not have enough hair to tease into a pompadour, an Elvis wig can be purchased at costume shops.
3. Cowboy
Play cowboy hats are very inexpensive if your child does not already own one. The rest of the outfit can likely be found right in his closet! Use a button down shirt, a vest, a pair of jeans, and some boots for the ensemble. Add a red bandana tied around the neck. For little ones, stick horses can add a lot of fun to the costume.
4. Vampire
A white shirt and black pants are the only clothes required for a vampire. Purchase vampire teeth and the outfit is done! For makeup, use white powder on the face, dark eyeliner around the eyes, and red lipstick. Slick his hair back for added effect.
5. Sports Hero
Most little boys are wild about one sport or another, so finding sports paraphernalia in his closet should not be difficult at all. Simply raid the closet and pull out his favorite jersey or t-shirt and add the matching equipment. This is the least expensive and easiest of all dress costumes!
If you are looking for plus size fancy dress costumes, then why not go as a ghost or the ever popular Father Christmas.
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