"It is hard to feel individually responsible with respect to the invisible processes of a huge and distant government."John W. Gardner
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5 Budget Ways to Warm Your Decor Through Winter
Now that the holidays are over, and the decorations are put away, you may be wondering what now? Remember that Spring is still several months away, and you're best bet for keeping your rooms inviting during the dead of winter is to add warmth and comfort. ...
A Month of Fun with Children: Making Memories on a Budget
What childhood memories do you hold dear? For me, it was all the times "life happened". The little things like playing outside, riding my bike, playing at the park, swimming in the lakes, laughing with friends. None of those moments cost a cent, yet they ...
Bodybuilding on a Budget - It Doesn't Have to Put Your Wallet in a Wheelchair
Believe me... I've had my fair share of large bills especially when I'm trying to bulk up and gain weight. Am I right about this so far? Don't' worry... there are some really overlooked and rather inexpensive methods to get all the food you need without ...
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The price of everything has gone up, requiring people to be more conscientious about money. The problem is that by the time the mortgage, car, utilities, and credit cards are paid, there is little money to put aside. Saving money is not that hard, just a matter of learning all the different options and being creative.
In addition to the obvious of putting money into a retirement fund or savings account, there are hundreds of ways to save money. Although some ways of saving may not seem like much, once you add them up at the end of the year, you will see how substantial the savings really are. Keep in mind that saving is more than a single lump sum of money put aside. Saving is something found in your everyday life by the way you live and the choices you make.
1. Clearance
Always head straight for the clearance rack where you can find amazing bargains. Sometimes you may have to dig a little to find the right item but the savings will be well-worth your time. Most clearance racks offer variety, current trends, and great value. For example, Bed, Bath & Beyond has a clearance section where you can find all kinds of wonderful household items for a fraction of the original cost.
2. Thrift/Surplus Stores
Unfortunately, thrift and surplus stores have been given a bad rap. Many of these stores are filled with hundreds of top quality items. Name brand merchandise is easy to find but just like clearance racks, it takes some time to find. Find a thrift or surplus store close to where you live and then plan spending some time to find those outstanding bargains. One woman in Kansas City, Missouri located such a store about 20 minutes from her home. After shopping through every isle over the period of two hours, she walked out of the store with eight huge garbage bags filled to the brim with designer clothes for her and her children, many with the original tags still attached. She even found a couple of Liz Claiborne suits for herself at $5.99 each and a Dooney & Burke purse normally valued at $225 for $19.95. Her children had an entire season of school clothes and best of all, she paid less than $200.
3. Create a Budget
Everyone should create a budget. If you are not sure how or just not good with money, many businesses such as H&R Block, offer free financial consulting to help you put a budget together. Knowing where you are spending your money is by far the best way to save. In most cases, people have no idea where their money is really going and once they see it on paper, not only are they surprised but eager to change their spending habits.
4. Break old Habits
Take time to learn the various things that "trigger" your spending. When you are depressed, lonely, sad, anxious, excited, whatever it may be, do you spend more? Once you can identify these triggers then you can learn how to control them. As an example, if you were just laid off from your job, although money is tight, you may have an overwhelming "need" to spend money. Perhaps you notice that when you are bored, you head for the shops. Knowing what affects you will help you to discipline yourself to find other ways of comfort.
5. Utilities
Set up some rules in your home such as turning lights off when leaving the room, having only a parent adjust the air or heat, leaving the doors or windows open when letting either cold or hot air into the house. Utilities are expensive and a great money saver is to monitor how they are used in your home. Another great idea is the investment of buying an energy-efficient hot water heater. If you cannot afford one, lower the setting so you are not heating water so hot. The hotter the setting, the more energy used.
6. Unsecured Creditors
Make a list of all your unsecured debts along with creditor contact information and payoff amount so you can have an accurate record of how much you owe. Choose one creditor, possibly a credit card, and focus on paying off that bill. Once you have achieved that goal, choose another. Start with the debt that has the highest interest rate since it is the one costing you the most money.
7. Coupons
Okay, maybe you used to laugh as you watched people pull out their coupons at stores but the truth is that using coupons can save you hundreds of dollars every year. Coupons can be used at grocery stores, retail chains, any store where the item is sold. Some stores offer double coupon days, which is an extra bonus. On average, you could easily save from 5% to 15% on a bill for $100 simply by presenting a coupon. Coupons are not just for food items and by scouring your local newspaper you can find coupons for all sorts of merchandise.
About the Author
Jill R. Hyland is an Independent Marketing Representative, National Director for Maxous, Inc., a company saving people 20% to 50% on things people purchase every single day, such as Fast Food-Dining, Medical, Movies, Prescriptions, Car Services, Vision, Legal, Dental, Golfing, Bowling, Haircuts, Travel, and much, much more - As Low as $19.99 per month for the whole family!
http://www.discountspro.com
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 Budgeting tops resolutions for ‘09 (Irish Examiner)
THE top financial resolutions for 2009 are budgeting money better and saving regularly for a rainy day according to research conducted for AIB by RED C.
Nigeria: Inclusive Budgeting Desirable for Economic Growth, Says Ariyo (AllAfrica.com)
Coordinating Consultant, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Support Programme to the National Assembly (NASS), Professor Ademola Ariyo, has advocated the adoption of the principle of inclusive budgeting to promote and sustain real economic growth.
Budgeting and Planning Essential to Achieving Financial New Year's Resolutions Says Consumer Education Services, Inc. (Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance)
Given the current economic climate, many Americans may be resolving to pay down debt, or improve their financial situation in 2009. But how can you stay on track to achieving your New Year's resolutions this year? When it comes to finances, planning and budgeting are key to achieving financial success says Consumer Education Services, Inc., a nonprofit debt management company.
Keeping Resolutions: Budgeting Your Finances (KTHV Little Rock)
One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to budget your finances better than in years past. In today's web report, Jessica Duff shares a website that can help you do just that.
Gender-responsive budgeting needed for women's development (Yemen Times Online)
SANA'A, Jan. 3 — A survey on the extent and understanding of gender-responsive budgeting among governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations revealed that only 33 percent of the surveyed sample had taken gender into consideration while drawing up their budgets.
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