Steve Repak's Blog - Posts Tagged "budget"
Different Decision for Different Results
Who couldn’t use some extra money? I know I could. Something else I know is that people who have money earn interest on theirs, instead of paying interest to someone else. If you are ready for some different results and want to start earning interest on some of your money, try applying these tips so you can spend less and save more.
1.Eliminate cable or at least reduce the number of channels to which you subscribe
2.Sell items you no longer use on Craigslist, EBay, or at a yard sale
3.Only drink water at lunch and dinner and never order dessert
4.If you have a cell phone, get rid of your home phone
5.Pack your lunches and snacks instead of eating out or using the vending machine
6.Turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer
7.Exchange your smart phone for a TracFone
8.Bargain shop for clothes, food and household items
9.Sell your plasma
10.Make a list and make sure you eat before going grocery shopping
11.Pay yourself before paying anyone else (if you bank online set it up as an automatic bill
)
12.Check out movies from the library instead of renting or ordering on-demand
13.Sell your jewelry that you seldom or never wear
14.Choose generic/store brand over brand name
15.Spend time helping others instead of spending money on things that can’t love you back
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. There are many ways that you can spend less and save more but the most important lesson is that you have to start making different decisions when it comes to your money. If you do that, you will start getting different results.
via http://thelifeofasinglemom.com/differ...
1.Eliminate cable or at least reduce the number of channels to which you subscribe
2.Sell items you no longer use on Craigslist, EBay, or at a yard sale
3.Only drink water at lunch and dinner and never order dessert
4.If you have a cell phone, get rid of your home phone
5.Pack your lunches and snacks instead of eating out or using the vending machine
6.Turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer
7.Exchange your smart phone for a TracFone
8.Bargain shop for clothes, food and household items
9.Sell your plasma
10.Make a list and make sure you eat before going grocery shopping
11.Pay yourself before paying anyone else (if you bank online set it up as an automatic bill
)
12.Check out movies from the library instead of renting or ordering on-demand
13.Sell your jewelry that you seldom or never wear
14.Choose generic/store brand over brand name
15.Spend time helping others instead of spending money on things that can’t love you back
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. There are many ways that you can spend less and save more but the most important lesson is that you have to start making different decisions when it comes to your money. If you do that, you will start getting different results.
via http://thelifeofasinglemom.com/differ...
How to Live a VIP Lifestyle on a Budget
There’s a saying that good meat isn’t cheap and cheap meat isn’t good—in other words, you get what you pay for. So when you’re on a budget, how can you enjoy the finer things in life without breaking the bank?
Fortunately, you can treat yourself and the ones you love to some VIP-style fun every once in a while, even if you don’t make a million dollars a year. Here are a few ways you can eat out, travel, and have fun on a budget:
Dining out
Going out to eat is definitely a treat, and costs can quickly add up. Save money by not ordering drinks and instead only ordering water. Non-alcoholic beverages and wine are where restaurants make most of their profits.
Another way to save a little money while still being able to eat great food is to go out for lunch instead of dinner. The portions will most likely be smaller, but that means your bill will be smaller, too. You can also try a different day of the week. Many restaurants offer deals on slower-traffic days in order to drive more business.
Traveling
Try vacationing in the off-season. You can find some great vacation packages by booking during off-peak months, and resorts and beaches may not be very busy during those times.
If you are flying, try scheduling your flight to leave and return during the middle of the week or booking flights with connections instead of non-stop or direct flights. It won’t be as quick, but it will be cheaper (and you’ll have some time to stretch your legs). You may also want to consider alternate means of transportation, such as bus or train, if time is not a factor and if your travel destination is only a few hundred miles away.
The finer things
If you love to be pampered, consider checking out the local beauty colleges or spa training schools in your area instead of pricier salons or spas. You’ll save money, and the person taking care of you will appreciate the opportunity to further perfect his or her craft. You can also try daily deals sites, such as LivingSocial and Groupon, which often have discounted prices for spa and salon services. But buyer beware: You can definitely wreck your budget if you don’t know when to say no to a deal.
If you prefer a good shopping spree to unwind, gently used could be the way to go. Consider shopping at clothing consignment stores and online stores. You can find new and nearly new items for a fraction of the price.
Can you travel, eat out, and enjoy the finer things without breaking the bank? I think you can as long as you have some self-control, are able to budget, and remember that you aren’t a multi-millionaire. What are your tips for enjoying yourself on a budget?
via http://blog.equifax.com/retirement/ho...
Fortunately, you can treat yourself and the ones you love to some VIP-style fun every once in a while, even if you don’t make a million dollars a year. Here are a few ways you can eat out, travel, and have fun on a budget:
Dining out
Going out to eat is definitely a treat, and costs can quickly add up. Save money by not ordering drinks and instead only ordering water. Non-alcoholic beverages and wine are where restaurants make most of their profits.
Another way to save a little money while still being able to eat great food is to go out for lunch instead of dinner. The portions will most likely be smaller, but that means your bill will be smaller, too. You can also try a different day of the week. Many restaurants offer deals on slower-traffic days in order to drive more business.
Traveling
Try vacationing in the off-season. You can find some great vacation packages by booking during off-peak months, and resorts and beaches may not be very busy during those times.
If you are flying, try scheduling your flight to leave and return during the middle of the week or booking flights with connections instead of non-stop or direct flights. It won’t be as quick, but it will be cheaper (and you’ll have some time to stretch your legs). You may also want to consider alternate means of transportation, such as bus or train, if time is not a factor and if your travel destination is only a few hundred miles away.
The finer things
If you love to be pampered, consider checking out the local beauty colleges or spa training schools in your area instead of pricier salons or spas. You’ll save money, and the person taking care of you will appreciate the opportunity to further perfect his or her craft. You can also try daily deals sites, such as LivingSocial and Groupon, which often have discounted prices for spa and salon services. But buyer beware: You can definitely wreck your budget if you don’t know when to say no to a deal.
If you prefer a good shopping spree to unwind, gently used could be the way to go. Consider shopping at clothing consignment stores and online stores. You can find new and nearly new items for a fraction of the price.
Can you travel, eat out, and enjoy the finer things without breaking the bank? I think you can as long as you have some self-control, are able to budget, and remember that you aren’t a multi-millionaire. What are your tips for enjoying yourself on a budget?
via http://blog.equifax.com/retirement/ho...
Summer Fun That Won't Break The Bank
With summer upon us I thought it would be timely to write about ways we can have some summer fun that won’t break the bank. When budgets are stretched to the max, the key is to be flexible and creative. The best memories aren’t always the final destination but many times it’s the journey that got us there.
GROUPON®
To tell you the truth, you don’t have to be on a tight budget for this to make sense. I think anyone who is looking for some great deals definitely should give it a try. From paintball to movies, to fine restaurants and frozen yogurt, Groupon is a great website that features discounted gift certificates for any number of goods and services, including vacations. My only caveat is to use these as a treat and not a reason for you to overspend.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Ok, maybe not all three. I remember when I was little my parents would throw my sister and me into the back of their pickup truck with a camper shell and we would drive a couple hundred miles to visit relatives. I strongly discourage this manner of travel because I think I am still scarred from those experiences. A better idea that may be just as adventurous but a lot more comfortable is to travel by train. With the price of gas skyrocketing, trains can be a much more affordable means of transportation compared to a car or airplane.
Sharecation
OK, I know that really isn’t a word but it is a great way to reduce the cost of a vacation by planning it with a group of people. When you can spread the cost out between a few families, a home, villa, or condo at your favorite beach or vacation getaway can be a win-win situation for everyone. Having a kitchen and a washer and dryer can not only save on food cost, but you won’t have to pack as much since you can wash clothes there. As an added benefit kids behave much better when there are other adults around!
Your Favorite Search Engine
If you need some ideas, go to your favorite search engine on the internet and type in “fun things to do in ____________.” You fill in the blank. For example, whenever there is a long weekend, I do a search for “fun things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina” or if I have more time I just type in the State I want to visit. You can find some great historical places, parks, museums, festivals, and many other fun places to visit.
Staycation
Unlike the sharecation where you vacation with other families, a staycation is one where you create adventures at home. You don’t have to pay big bucks watching professional baseball or soccer at an overpriced stadium but you can take your little ones or maybe not so little ones to the local baseball or soccer ball field and it most likely won’t cost you a dime but you can still get experience the excitement of a live game. Another idea is the adventure of camping, but you can do it in the safety of your backyard where if you get tired of roughing it outside, you are just a few steps from the comfort of your home.
As I said at the beginning, the key is to be flexible and creative. Priceless memories don’t always have to be expensive. What matters most is the time that is spent together and not what you spent.
via@ Jennifer Maggio http://thelifeofasinglemom.com/summer...
Life of A Single Mom Ministries
GROUPON®
To tell you the truth, you don’t have to be on a tight budget for this to make sense. I think anyone who is looking for some great deals definitely should give it a try. From paintball to movies, to fine restaurants and frozen yogurt, Groupon is a great website that features discounted gift certificates for any number of goods and services, including vacations. My only caveat is to use these as a treat and not a reason for you to overspend.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Ok, maybe not all three. I remember when I was little my parents would throw my sister and me into the back of their pickup truck with a camper shell and we would drive a couple hundred miles to visit relatives. I strongly discourage this manner of travel because I think I am still scarred from those experiences. A better idea that may be just as adventurous but a lot more comfortable is to travel by train. With the price of gas skyrocketing, trains can be a much more affordable means of transportation compared to a car or airplane.
Sharecation
OK, I know that really isn’t a word but it is a great way to reduce the cost of a vacation by planning it with a group of people. When you can spread the cost out between a few families, a home, villa, or condo at your favorite beach or vacation getaway can be a win-win situation for everyone. Having a kitchen and a washer and dryer can not only save on food cost, but you won’t have to pack as much since you can wash clothes there. As an added benefit kids behave much better when there are other adults around!
Your Favorite Search Engine
If you need some ideas, go to your favorite search engine on the internet and type in “fun things to do in ____________.” You fill in the blank. For example, whenever there is a long weekend, I do a search for “fun things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina” or if I have more time I just type in the State I want to visit. You can find some great historical places, parks, museums, festivals, and many other fun places to visit.
Staycation
Unlike the sharecation where you vacation with other families, a staycation is one where you create adventures at home. You don’t have to pay big bucks watching professional baseball or soccer at an overpriced stadium but you can take your little ones or maybe not so little ones to the local baseball or soccer ball field and it most likely won’t cost you a dime but you can still get experience the excitement of a live game. Another idea is the adventure of camping, but you can do it in the safety of your backyard where if you get tired of roughing it outside, you are just a few steps from the comfort of your home.
As I said at the beginning, the key is to be flexible and creative. Priceless memories don’t always have to be expensive. What matters most is the time that is spent together and not what you spent.
via@ Jennifer Maggio http://thelifeofasinglemom.com/summer...
Life of A Single Mom Ministries
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
A 2015 study by SunTrust Bank found that it’s not just those in a lower-income tax bracket that are living paycheck to paycheck. According to the online study, which was conducted by Harris Poll, nearly one-third of households earning $75,000 annually found themselves with more month than money. Perhaps even more worrisome, according to the study, a whopping 71 percent of millennials making $75,000 also had difficulties with their monthly spending.
One of the biggest factors to which these survey respondents attributed their spending problems wasn’t related to transportation or housing—or even medical expenses. More than two-thirds of retiree households earning $75,000 or more blamed their issues on dining out, and the same went for 70 percent of millennials making more than $75,000. Money spent on clothing, entertainment, and hobbies also made up a large portion of the drain on monthly cash flow.
If you’re finding that you don’t have as much left at the end of the month as you want, here are a few ideas to consider that may stretch your paycheck dollars further:
Stop dining out as much
You don’t have to be a financial expert to figure out that this approach can help put your spending on a diet, but the key phrase here is “as much.” You can still dine out, but instead of eating out every night, consider cutting back to once or twice a week. The same goes for weekends. Don’t go out on both Saturday and Sunday; instead, pick one day. The key is to go out less than you are now because a restaurant meal usually costs significantly more when compared to going to the grocery store and then fixing a meal at home.
Spend less when eating out
If you enjoy adult beverages consider switching to water. Not only will you leave the restaurant with more money in your wallet but also your body will likely appreciate it because you will be ingesting fewer calories. You can also consider ordering lower-cost lunch or appetizer portions instead of the larger dinner portions or splitting a meal with your friend or significant other. Finally, consider order desserts for special occasions only.
Be smarter when clothes shopping
Even though you may have been out of school for many years, you can still take advantage of a tax-free weekend in the dog days of summer. Depending on your state, sales tax is usually not collected on selected items, such as clothing, typically the weekend or a few days just before school starts. You may also want to consider other clothing options such as consignment stores, which often offer budget-friendly options.
Find alternatives for entertainment and travel
Instead of paying the big bucks watching professional sports at an overpriced stadium, consider visiting a local minor league, college, or high school football or basketball game. Tickets can be substantially cheaper or even free, as are the items at the concession stand. If you like traveling and consider yourself a little adventurous, take a train trip. Trains can be comfortable, you can see the sights, and the trips usually won’t be too hard on your pocketbook. If you like reading or watching movies, check out your local library. Find your nearest beauty school for a discounted haircut, manicure, or perhaps even a massage.
Make hobbies pay
If you’re retired and you have more time than money, consider turning a hobby into a fun side job. For example, if you enjoy home renovations, woodworking, painting, or do-it-yourself activities, you might be able to turn those hobbies into some extra money from your friends and neighbors. If you have a talent in stained glass, jewelry making, sewing, or knitting, you may be able to sell your unique goods to local craft stores or online using marketplaces like Etsy.
If you enjoy an expensive hobby like golf, you might consider exploring a cheaper alternative, such as biking, swimming, or tennis. You could take up chess or cards and join a local group, or you may want to try bird watching and nature walks, which usually don’t cost a thing. Whether you are retired or are just starting out your career, living on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!
article courtesy of: https://blog.equifax.com/credit/stop-...
One of the biggest factors to which these survey respondents attributed their spending problems wasn’t related to transportation or housing—or even medical expenses. More than two-thirds of retiree households earning $75,000 or more blamed their issues on dining out, and the same went for 70 percent of millennials making more than $75,000. Money spent on clothing, entertainment, and hobbies also made up a large portion of the drain on monthly cash flow.
If you’re finding that you don’t have as much left at the end of the month as you want, here are a few ideas to consider that may stretch your paycheck dollars further:
Stop dining out as much
You don’t have to be a financial expert to figure out that this approach can help put your spending on a diet, but the key phrase here is “as much.” You can still dine out, but instead of eating out every night, consider cutting back to once or twice a week. The same goes for weekends. Don’t go out on both Saturday and Sunday; instead, pick one day. The key is to go out less than you are now because a restaurant meal usually costs significantly more when compared to going to the grocery store and then fixing a meal at home.
Spend less when eating out
If you enjoy adult beverages consider switching to water. Not only will you leave the restaurant with more money in your wallet but also your body will likely appreciate it because you will be ingesting fewer calories. You can also consider ordering lower-cost lunch or appetizer portions instead of the larger dinner portions or splitting a meal with your friend or significant other. Finally, consider order desserts for special occasions only.
Be smarter when clothes shopping
Even though you may have been out of school for many years, you can still take advantage of a tax-free weekend in the dog days of summer. Depending on your state, sales tax is usually not collected on selected items, such as clothing, typically the weekend or a few days just before school starts. You may also want to consider other clothing options such as consignment stores, which often offer budget-friendly options.
Find alternatives for entertainment and travel
Instead of paying the big bucks watching professional sports at an overpriced stadium, consider visiting a local minor league, college, or high school football or basketball game. Tickets can be substantially cheaper or even free, as are the items at the concession stand. If you like traveling and consider yourself a little adventurous, take a train trip. Trains can be comfortable, you can see the sights, and the trips usually won’t be too hard on your pocketbook. If you like reading or watching movies, check out your local library. Find your nearest beauty school for a discounted haircut, manicure, or perhaps even a massage.
Make hobbies pay
If you’re retired and you have more time than money, consider turning a hobby into a fun side job. For example, if you enjoy home renovations, woodworking, painting, or do-it-yourself activities, you might be able to turn those hobbies into some extra money from your friends and neighbors. If you have a talent in stained glass, jewelry making, sewing, or knitting, you may be able to sell your unique goods to local craft stores or online using marketplaces like Etsy.
If you enjoy an expensive hobby like golf, you might consider exploring a cheaper alternative, such as biking, swimming, or tennis. You could take up chess or cards and join a local group, or you may want to try bird watching and nature walks, which usually don’t cost a thing. Whether you are retired or are just starting out your career, living on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!
article courtesy of: https://blog.equifax.com/credit/stop-...
