Debt Consoldation Resources?Do you have any tips, resources, guides, etc on the various debt consoldation agencies out there? I am trying to find out what is out there and what is legitmate to approach in getting debt consoldated and credit cards paid off.
Money Making Tips for Stay at Home MomsI myself was a stay-at-home mom when my children were at home. Yet I always managed to afford the same opportunities for my kids as my friends who missed those formative years with their children. I would like to share things which I did to make extra money without being gone every day.
Money Saving Strategies?Strategies to help people save money. Post your ideas.
Small-Time Investing?I would really love to know if anyone can help me with this. I believe in investing in things that help me live more frugally, or that pay a good return. So my question is this: If you had a hundred dollars, how would you invest it to get a good return?
Debt Free Christmas?I signed up for a Discover card last year and ended up putting a lot of my Christmas expenses on it. I am just now close to paying it off. Does anyone have any tips for having a debt free Christmas? Any tips would be appreciated.
Saving Electricity in the Winter?I would like a information on what I can do to save money on electricity during the winter. I live in a condo and face the south east. I get lots of sun, therefore heat during the day. I asked a contractor about wrapping my water, heater he said that my heater is so new it is already insulated enough.
Saving Energy (& Money) in the KitchenIn a year of high heating bills, finding ways to save energy can really add up to big savings. Because the kitchen is usually one the busiest rooms in the home, it is also one of the rooms that uses the most energy. Follow these simple, inexpensive tips to shave a few dollars off your energy bill.
Back to the Days of Youth: The Adult AllowanceToday is pay day and it's time to dole out the allowances. Remember those youthful days of the weekly allowance? Whoever said you can't be young again? Today on allowance day I have two envelopes - one for me and one for my husband.
Five Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren'tPeople hate to think about negative things happening, but it's a fact of life that they happen. The more people prepare for unfortunate events the less stressful these times will be. Here are five simple things that you probably aren't doing but need to be.
Donating and DeductingFor anyone who files the family taxes, finding deductions is an effort which gives great rewards. One of the easiest places to find deductions is in tax deductible donations to charities. Any donation made to a non-profit charity can be claimed on income tax as a deduction.
Thieves in Bankers' ClothingATMs are a wonderful blessing. They allow the freedom to bank any time of the day and provide instant access to cash. This is what I once thought, but now I wonder if they are the blessing they seem to be. Instead, I find them to be thieves in bankers' clothing.
Product Placement and the Price Customers PayDespite what they say in their advertisements, stores aren't out to save shoppers money. Their business is to make money, and the better they are at doing just that the more profitable the franchise.
The Internet Shopping DietIt's hard to resist purchasing items at the store, but resisting on-line is even more difficult. High internet sales suggest that consumers are finding it hard to curb their internet spending appetite. Maybe it's because the internet offers so many great desserts.
How I Went Broke Saving MoneyI haven't used more than five coupons at the grocery store in the past month, and I don't remember picking up more than a handful of items on sale. I don't "shop around" anymore, and I refuse to "stock up."
Altering The Shopping HabitSpontaneous shopping is not only a problem but a habit as well. Have you ever gone shopping because you were bored or because it was a rainy day? This behavior leads to overspending and overcrowding in your home. Instead, follow some rules while shopping to eliminate the desire to purchase.
Should It Stay or Should It Go?Tax time is a good time to clean the filing cabinet and eliminate yourself of old paperwork. Yet, the fear of throwing out financial papers causes many people to save everything, leaving a packed filing cabinet with yellowing paperwork.
How Much Do You Spend On Eating Out?Do you think that you don't eat out much but can not figure out just where you money is going? It's time to do an experiment to find out just how much you are eating out, how much it is costing you and how much you could have saved by making that meal at home.
How To Create A Monthly Budget For...Food is not something we can do without. Cutting back on your food bill, though, can leave you with a substantial amount of money left in your pocket at the end of the month.
A Healthier Approach to Medical CostsNobody enjoys the hassle of medical insurance and its paperwork, claims, and denials, yet it's one of those things that one appreciates most when it isn't there. There are ways to save money on those parts of the claims that aren't paid, however.
A Penny Saved... The Morning LatteDo you purchase a latte every day on your way to work? Ordering a latte every weekday adds up to $650 over the course of a year.
Finding Babysitting Jobs?"I want to start babysitting, but how do I find jobs?" Advice from the ThriftyFun community for babysitters just starting out. Post your own tips here.
Avoid Additional Warranties at CheckoutOnly buy products that have good warranties in the first place, and say "No" when a checker offers you an impulse warranty on electronics. If you are afraid that the product will not last past the manufacturers warranty, it's probably not worth buying.
Doing It the eBay WayThere is something to be said for the lure of on-line auctions. While as a consumer it offers a look across the world at what sellers have to offer, it also provides a seller with opportunities once unavailable.
Ideas to Get Out of DebtI am looking for ideas to get out of debt. I ran across a little plan to get out of debt that really works if you just stick to it.
Shop At Stores That Save You MoneyIt's true that while one store may save a shopper money on shampoo another store will do that same for grapes. Yet, traveling to these different stores to save pennies here and there often isn't worth the gas it takes, especially with today's gas prices.
Stop the Postage HikeSaving money on postage. Postage rates climb every few years, and although $0.39 doesn't seem like a lot consider that three envelopes equals over $1 postage.
Opting for Extra Income Through eBayAn avid fan of eBay, I often wondered about the opportunity that eBay stores offer. For those who are new to eBay, a store is just like what it sounds. Rather than post random items on the site for sale, one opens a "store" and posts all the items there.
Four More Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren'tIn follow up to the article, "Five Things You Should Be Doing but Probably Aren't" here are four additional tasks that help to prepare for unforeseen events. With a little time invested now, we can avoid hassles in our future. Take the time to complete the tasks that should be done but most likely aren't.
An FSA the Easy WayInvestment strategies and mutual funds are often over my head, but managing my flexible spending account (FSA) is easier than I planned and worth every minute of the effort.
The Home Equity Loan - Good or Bad?Without delving into the financial cogs that make home equity loans work and by avoiding all of the percentage signs and APR numbers, here's the ultimate question. Are home equity loans good or bad ideas?
Paying Bills On TimeWhen I receive bills or any correspondence that has to be mailed at a certain time, I save time and aggravation by writing the date due to be mailed where the stamp goes. Only takes a second to let me know it is time to mail something.
Cash for CraftsWe are pleased to announce a new program we are starting to help build the Craft Projects section on ThriftyFun. If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.
Leasing or Buying - Which Is for Me?Purchasing a new vehicle can be quite a tedious task requiring much research in order to profit. From researching makes of vehicles to loan rates, the information can be overwhelming.
Combat the "I Need It" AttitudeThe economy is poor, but that's not the only reason that people are in debt. Other factors play a huge role in the circulating debt that swarms above the homes of America, and one of them is the "I need it" attitude.
Socially Responsible Investing: Putting Your Money Where Your Heart IsWhat if there was a way to build a sound financial future, while investing in a better world? There is. It's called Socially Responsible Investing, or SRI.
Put Away Money Saved Or It's Not Saved At All"A penny saved is a penny earned," said Benjamin Franklin. However, what good is a penny saved if it's spent on something else? Think of it like this: if you purchase a pair of pants on sale for $6 off the ticket price, where does the $6 go?
Earn Tax Credits and Save EnergyTax returns are a pleasant springtime surprise for many. By cashing in on deductions, one can make that surprise even bigger. One of the deductions to plan for in the upcoming year is the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Organizing Tax ReceiptsIt is not a coincidence that the word "taxing" and the forms we file each April have the same root word. For me the concept of filing taxes would be impossible without a computer program that does the work for me.
White Winter Sale StockupsThe Winter White Sale is a phrase most people have heard, but rare is the person who truly understands it. Linens appear on sale throughout the year, but January often touts the label of White Sale month.
Saving Money on TaxesTips for saving money on taxes and tax preparation. I would recommend going to a tax professional at least once in a while. Usually they do know more than you do about taxes and you might learn from them.
How Often Do I Use This?It's always a good idea to inventory and evaluate. There are items which are priceless, earning their keep over and over again. Then, there are those which only weigh us down with debt. How many items do you have which are earning their keep, and how many do you own which are weighing you down?
Avoiding the Temptation to SpendIf I watch, really, really watch, I'll be able to pay off my credit card bills within a year. Sound familiar? It's a promise many of us make but few keep. No matter how much we try, we can't stop spending. It's a cycle that catches the best of us. In trying to save we end up spending.
Waiter and Waitress Tips and AdviceTips for waiters and waitresses from the ThriftyFun community. Have ever been a waitperson? Post your advice here.
Saving Money on Long Distance?Tips for saving money on calling long distance. I dropped my land line and only use a cell phone. It's great because I can walk around the city and feel safe, plus, anyone can get a hold of me in an emergency.
Saving Money on AppliancesBuying new appliances is an expensive proposition. Here are some tips for saving money on appliances from the ThriftyFun community.
Getting Started Saving Money"I want to start saving some money each month, but don't know where to start. What do you suggest?" Here are answers from the ThriftyFun community. Feel free to post your own ideas.
When Things Aren't On SaleThere is a time when things aren't on sale-no matter what the store sign says, what's written on the price tag, or how much the cashier actually charges. When is this? When you pay with your charge card.
Saving Money on Bank FeesTips for saving money on bank fees. Banking is an extremely competitive business and there are many banks (at least where I live) that charge few or no fees. They tend to pay less interest on savings accounts but what bank pays much interest anyway?
Home Business Tax Deduction ChecklistIf you're running a personal business, you need to keep close fiscal records for each year's income tax. Keep track of both your earnings and your deductions, and save a receipt for everything.
Store CreditThe scenario is familiar. At the check out counter of the local department store, the clerk asks if you would like to apply for the store's credit card. As a reward for signing, you receive an instant discount in the amount of 10% or even 15%. Do you sign on?
10 Quick Ways To Reduce Your Household BudgetNowadays, the only way to survive with gas and food prices rocketing is to find cost cutting measures for your household budget. My household budget consists of food and cleaning supplies, yard and house maintenance and entertainment and family gifts and clothing.
Is It Really Priceless?No matter what MasterCard executives want you to believe, those scenarios presented in their television advertisements are not priceless; in fact, they're quite expensive. The ads ask an array of appraisal questions all ending with the same answer - priceless.
Saving Money on an ApartmentWith all the problems with getting a mortgage these days, we are looking for tips and advice for saving money when renting an apartment. Do you have any tips to share?
How To Turn Your Job Into A TelecommuteWorking from home makes sense for more workers as the cost of gas continues to rise. Telecommuting, whether for a few days a week or a month or even full time, is an option for many office jobs that your firm may consider if it's presented in the right light.
Simply Debt FreeThe average American credit card debt is over $5,100. While it may not seem like it, this balance is manageable. Within three yeas it can easily be paid off provided that new charges are not added to the debt.
Saving Money on Cars?Tips for saving money on buying a car as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Do you have any strategies keep you in reliable transportation without spending a bunch of money? Post them here!
Saving Money on Health Care and InsuranceTips for Saving Money on Health Care and Insurance as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. Our family has always had health insurance through where I work and have always been grateful for that.
Saving Money in the New YearMoney saving tips and strategies for saving money in the new year from the ThriftyFun community. Feel free to post your ideas!
Protecting Yourself from Identity TheftEach year 8.4 million Americans are victims of identity theft. Ask around and it shouldn't be hard to find someone who can recant the tale of stolen identity. Frozen bank accounts, canceled credit cards, and ruined credit; the tales are frightful.
Be SMART About Your MoneyThose who want to manage their money wisely and be smart consumers need only to learn a few basic rules. It's important to teach children these rules so they grow with the ingrained knowledge about how to care for their earnings and avoid difficult fiscal situations.
Simple Household Bookkeeping SystemI keep every receipt in a plain legal sized envelop labeled for the month until the end of the year. I keep them in a drawer with my bank statements.
Prepare for Tax TimeTax Time, I hate it. However, there are a few things I do to prepare. Start only when feeling sharp, refreshed, and clear headed. If there are errors, it will only delay that return you need so badly.
Utilities: What's Mine and What's Theirs?At the moment when the phone line to your home stops working, you don't expect a large bill for repairs. After all, isn't the phone company's responsibility? My company offers a repair plan with a monthly fee; is it worth it?
Resume and Interview Tips for Job HuntersJob hunting is a very prominent issue right now. There are several things that people can do to help them get on track when hunting.
Home Inspection for First Time or New Home BuyersI have been a home inspection specialist for 35 years. Even with the housing market in as bad a shape that it is, there is still hope. Right now mortgage rates are the lowest they have ever been and this just might be the time for you to buy that home of your dreams.
Finding the Silver Lining in a Faltering EconomyI remember the morning when I watched the stock prices scroll across the bottom of the TV screen while I was watching the weather forecast. It was 5 AM, and I wondered if I was watching history happen; every stock was preceded by a red arrow that noted a drop in its value.
Use Curb Appeal to Achieve a Quick House SaleWithout a doubt, first impressions count and can be the deciding factor in whether you achieve a quick house sale or not. The idea behind curb appeal is to allow potential buyers to imagine how it will feel living in your house.
Save Those PenniesMany of us are living cheque to cheque and trying to make ends meet. How are we supposed to save money when we barely have enough as it is now for basic needs?
Tips for Job HuntingWhen job hunting, use the yellow pages. Look up companies in your field, call them and ask if you can fax over your resume and to whose attention. In about 3-4 business days, follow up with a telephone call to the person it was sent to.
Drastic Times Call for Drastic CutbacksThere's no quick fix for the economy, and jobs are disappearing daily. Even seemingly secure jobs are causing some people to look at their futures with a budget cutting scissors in hand.
Ready for the Rainy Day?The irony of saving is that it is more important now than ever, yet it's harder to save today than it was a few years ago. What's the method of savings some extra money without cutting back on the things that you love?
A Handbook for SavingsIf you made a resolution to surround yourself with responsible spending from now on, a set of spending rules can come in handy. Learn them, live by them, and watch them save money.
The Weekly WorriesThis week we're conducting an experiment in our house. Each weekend, we reluctantly run errands that total $200 or more. It's depressing. They're not meaningless, bored shopping trips; they're planned trips for essential items.
Spending ListsWhen it comes to our finances, they're very abstract. Check cards and electronic bill paying don't make it much easier; the concept of exactly how much money is spent is a difficult one to grasp.
The $20 Money DietMy wallet, checkbook, and debit card have all gone on a diet. It's like a low carb diet, except it's a low dollar diet. Anything that costs twenty dollars or more isn't on my diet plan.
Settling DebtIn times of economic stress, people turn to seemingly simple methods for erasing debt and lessening the monthly stress of bills. One of these relief options is debt settlement.
Lessons LearnedIt's time to look at the silver lining of the economic floundering of 2009. While unemployment is at an all-time high and the American dollar is at a notable low, the last twelve months have taught us something.
Cutting Cell Phone CostsI remember when cellphones came out. My dad had one in his car but most people didn't have one. I would walk down the street in the city I lived in at the time and saw these business people with them, they were the size of a walkie-talkie and very ugly-looking.
Think Outside the Box When Job HuntingIn these tough times, we need every edge we can get. Traditional job-hunting methods; pounding the pavement, visiting companies in person to drop off resumes, for example; don't seem to work as well. Why not try thinking "outside the box?"
Working More Efficiently, Not LongerFor those who work at a home-based businesses, maintaining an efficient work pace is crucial for fiscal success. Today, these piecemeal workers may need to produce more work for less cost in order to keep up with the market.
Evaluating (and Protecting) Your Credit ScoreIt was a recent trip to the bank for a car loan that alerted me to the small things that can largely affect your credit score. I suppose that's how most people learn about their credit.
Frugal FundraisersJust because the economy is down and budgets are tight doesn't mean that schools and organizations can stop fundraising. In fact, it's even more important now than ever, as states are slashing educational and non-profit funding.
Sell Online Or In Person?For the average person, selling used items is easy and generates a pleasing profit. Whether you opt to organize a yard sale, advertise in the newspaper, or sell online, you'll most likely earn enough money to go out to dinner but not enough to make a car payment.
Asking For A RaiseSometimes asking for a raise is the right thing to do, so don't be discouraged from seeking one! In these post downturn days, it may seem a rather foolhardy proposition to look for a pay raise for a job some bosses may think you should just be grateful to have.
Prevent Identity TheftIf you're like us, chances are you know someone who's been taken for a ride by an identity thief. It's a bad ordeal, and when you're pinching pennies, it can be the last straw if someone invades your financial privacy. Here are a couple of things we do around our house.
Federal Direct Student LoansThe idea of the college loan is that tuition is covered while studying, and most loans only ask for repayment after graduation. For some loans, interest isn't calculated until repayment begins, again often after graduation.
Reporting Errors on Your Credit Card BillsHow many of us notice errors on our credit card bills? If you're like most people, you look at the total amount due, and you scan the companies that placed charges on your account.
Essential Moves for Twenty-Year-OldsThere are many things that we know we should do. We should walk or bike to work, we should eat our vegetables, and we should keep all our receipts. Yet, there are some financial moves that everyone in his/her early twenties needs to make.
Personal Property LiquidationWhen times get financially tough, the idea of rummaging through your home and turning items into cash isn't the move of a financial mastermind. However, taking some time to do periodic liquidation is the habit of a smart financier.
Starting Over With Your Household BudgetWhen organizing your household budget, things can get a bit overwhelming. Do you know where your money goes? If you can't account for it, try scrapping everything you're doing with your money this month and start over.
Do I Need to Insure My Credit Cards?Calls to a credit card company often involve a brief speech offering various services affiliated with the card. Accumulating debt is bad enough, but paying interest on the debt and then paying to insure that debt is a poor financial decision.
Getting Out of DebtThis page is a page about getting out of debt. Consumer debt is at all time highs and the interest on carrying large amounts of debt is very expensive. Carrying less debt is something that every household should strive for.
Think of Using Credit as Spending MoneyOne trap that many of us fall into is thinking about spending money and using credit as different, when both affect our monthly budget. We may buy something on credit that we would never consider paying cash for.
Stock Market 101: It's Not As Difficult As It SeemsMonitor your reaction when you read the following word: stocks. Did your body grow suddenly tense and rigid with a sense of impending confusion, or were you filled with anticipation of carefully planned success?
Getting The Most Out Of Your Credit Card RewardsMost credit cards today offer a rewards program. If you use your credit cards routinely, you should check to find out if you have some rewards available. Log in to your credit card account or check your statement to see if you have rewards points.
Stock Market 102: Stocks in a Few Quick StepsAfter wallowing through the quagmire of information about investing in the stock market, I finally learned that with the help of direct investments, the investment is not as difficult as it originally seemed.
Raising Your Credit ScoreYour credit score is important when applying for a loan or a line of credit. Although it can take awhile, there are ways to increase your credit score if you find that it's too low. This is a page about raising your credit score.
Smartphone KnowledgeI've heard the argument before. The expensive price tag on the iPhone is justified by the applications that it runs. It sounds like a good argument, but when the calculators come out, it doesn't work. So, what's a smartphone worth?
Savings Websites: The Good, the Bad, and the...There are great websites that offer deals and discounts, but then there are just as many that aren't worth the time it takes to navigate them. Beware of sites that require a subscription before you see any of their deals and discounts.
Tricks for Saving MoneyThis is a page about tricks for saving money. The whole point of being thrifty and frugal is to save money. Saving money in big chunks can be very difficult, but little things you do everyday can really add up over time.
Getting Good Tips Waiting TablesIf you wait tables, you know that a large portion of your income is from tips. Getting the best tip possible from each customer can have a big impact on how much you take home at the end of the day. This is a page about getting good tips waiting tables.
Adding Up the Savings of a Frugal LifeThis is a page about adding up the savings of a frugal life. We all know that those little things you do to be frugal everyday adds up to big savings over time. However, it can help you stay motivated to be frugal by sitting down and calculating just how much your are saving.
