Monthly Archives: March 2010

Author : Paul Hata

It is easy to get caught in the rush of things when you are in college In the midst of studying, part-time jobs, socializing and extracurricular activities that you have, you are most likely to forget one of the most important things, which is straightening out your finances

Here are some tips on how you can save money as a student:

1 Plan ahead

If possible, do this even before you move into your dorm room Check if you are eligible for scholarships and other grants before signing up for any form of student loan

Construct a cash flow First, where do you expect to get money from? Make a list of your income, be it from your parents, your student loan or your part-time job

Then forecast your expected monthly or weekly expenses for food, books, etc Once you have set aside a budget, be strict with yourself and stick to it

You will never know what unexpected expenses would come your way so it is better to have a downfall for financial emergencies

2 Save on food

One of the major expenses that you have as a student which you might have ignored when you were still living with your parents is your food allowance Avoid eating at fast food outlets, as this is most likely to ruin your budget Pack your lunch and plan your meals as much as you can

3 Take full advantage of student discounts

Those ID’s in your wallet are not just for show Student ID’s and memberships in organizations are honored in several establishments which offer discounts

Also, patronize a certain establishment regularly and you are bound to get bonus cards for being a loyal customer

4 Use your cash as much as you can

Since you already have a draft of the items where you will spend your money, it is easier to monitor your cash flow Avoid using your debit card when you have cash with you Use your credit cards or write checks only in emergencies Having debit cards, credit cards and checks handy might lead you to overspend

5 Keep yourself busy

Join clubs according to your field of interest Keeping busy will let your mind wander and help you stay away from things that you are likely to spend money on when you get bored Examples of these are snacks, movie tickets or game rentals

You will be surprised at the amount of money that you will actually save by spending less on luxury items, following your budget plan and saving for financial emergencies that you are most likely to get as a college student

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Author : Paul Hata

Saving has always been a way of life for people who believed on its power These people know that they have to save more money in order to create a more established future

However, as time goes by, more and more people find it hard to save money They contend that saving is no longer a way of life but a resolution that they have to strictly adhere to just to salt away some amount of money

Some people even insist that it is no longer possible for a person to save more money because most of them are already living paycheck to paycheck With all the high-prices of commodities these days, saving more money is no longer workable

But the point is that people can indeed save more How? Here is a list of some modern ways that will let you save more money:

1 Save some percentage from your salary

Most money-savers automatically take at least 30% from their salary and save them into their savings account The basic concept here is that most of us spend whatever amount we have on our paycheck, and maybe even more If you are able to limit that amount, your expenses will unexplainably get smaller

2 Pay everything in cash

Credit cards had always been a way of life for most consumers The problem is that they become so comfortable with it that they tend to spend everything on credit In fact, statistics show that the average family has an average outstanding balance on their credit cards amounting to $7,000 And they even pay almost $1,000 in each year just on the interest charges alone

Hence, because of this comfortable shopping, they forget to keep track of their expenses and accumulate more payables than what they can afford to pay

3 Set goals

Create goals that you really want and not be fickle-minded about it If there’s a certain amount involved, be specific with the amount, like saying I will save $5,000 in a year and not around $5,000 Try to set your goals based on your priorities Have a period for every goal

4 Check your company’s retirement plan

With your employer plan such as the 401(k) or the 403(b), you can definitely save more money for the future Here, your company will deduct a percentage of your salary from each paycheck and invest the amount in your choice of instruments mainly mutual funds

The bottom line is that saving is not just a way of life or a resolution It’s the ultimate gratification that you get as a fruit of your labor

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Author : Art Gib

More and more people today are beginning to realize the necessity of living a somewhat frugal lifestyle What many of them don’t know, however, is how to live frugally Still others are ashamed to live this way, not wanting their friends or neighbors to think they are poor

After living a lifestyle of free spending, breaking those habits and moving to a new lifestyle can be difficult However, it is by no means impossible, and you absolutely do not have to look like a pauper There are ways to live frugally, and live smart

First off, evaluate where you shop and your shopping habits Do you get your clothes from high-end stores, or from the more moderately priced stores? Are you an impulse buyer, or do you shop around? Are you a brand shopper? When you go to the grocery store do you buy the well-known brand, which is usually at least thirty cents more, or do you pay for the store brand? These questions, when answered truthfully, will give you some idea of how you spend your money

From there you can come up with a solution Shop at a less expensive clothing store, make a grocery list and stick to it Make a plan and don’t deviate No impulse buying, and if you absolutely must have that one item, weigh all the costs before buying the product

Another big mistake people make is frequently eating out This is detrimental to more than your finances It flattens your pocketbook while fattening your belly Keep track of how often you eat out If it’s three or more times a week cut it down to once a week When you’ve gotten used to that cut it again to twice a month This will help your pocketbook and your health Eating a home-cooked meal with the family is beneficial psychologically as well as physically

When you need new furniture consider going the second-hand route Oftentimes this furniture is in excellent condition, and you’ll get it for half the price Find a second-hand website or search your local classifieds Be patient about it and more than likely you’ll find what you’re looking for

Some people like to see what they can get for free so they enter drawings and join swap sites Lots of people win things such as a free Wii or a gift card of some sort Swap sites are fun because you can trade what you don’t want for something you do It’s a good way to get rid of clutter and to get something useful in return

It’s your preference on how you want to live frugally, but these ideas above are just a few suggestions to get you started You never know, it might be the best thing you’ve done for yourself in a long time

Reward Storm (http://rewardstorm.com/) is an offers site where one can earn a free Wii. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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Author : Abbi Rouse

With Britain seeing a wave of unseasonable weather over what is alleged to have been the summer months, it is perhaps unsurprising that an increasing number of Britons are looking to take a foreign holiday this autumn in the search for some sun

Citing research carried out by Directline Holiday, international mobile phone operator AwayPhone has reported a 150 per cent rise in summer holiday bookings over the course of this year Meanwhile, figures released by the Daily Telegraph have revealed that one in four people claim to be more likely to go on a foreign holiday next year, mainly due to the poor British weather However, holidaymakers have been warned that going away could leave them with heightened pressures on day-to-day spending upon their return home, such as paying off personal loans and credit cards

According to AwayPhone, despite moves made by the European Commission this month to impose limits on mobile costs, those who use their phone while in the European Union (EU) will still pay “considerably more” then if they make calls while at home Meanwhile, the mobile phone operator stated that for tourists travelling outside the EU, there are no restrictions on how much they could be charged, which consequently could see such holidaymakers facing increased debt difficulties

Sherry Madera, chief executive of the company, said: “There is no denying that this summer’s poor weather has encouraged many more people than usual to travel abroad to seek the sunshine – and it seems likely that a lot will take last minute autumn breaks However, their enjoyment of their holiday could be severely compromised by the unpleasant shock of their phone bill when they arrive home ”

As a result, the company is urging tourists to check their current tariff with their mobile operator before leaving Britain, which could allow them to switch to a more competitive deal if needs be Highlighting the financial difficulties mobile calls made abroad can incur, AwayPhone reported that a ten-minute call made to Britain from Turkey will set tourists back an average of 14 pounds 74p Meanwhile, Morocco was revealed to have “very high roaming rates”, as a ten-minute mobile conversation costs a typical 15 pounds 94p

“Although the EU ruling is moving mobile phone costs in the right direction, making phone calls when overseas can be very expensive Not only that but operators can still charge what they want for any country outside Europe We are advising people not to be complacent – it is worth checking how much it will cost to use a mobile while they are away before getting on the plane, rather than having a huge bill on their return,” Ms Madera added

Meanwhile, research released by Equifax earlier this year suggested that households could be furthering their debt difficulties as a result of financing holidays ineffectively According to the credit reference agency, 51 per cent of those planning to go away are set to fund such a break by borrowing money, whether this is via a credit card or loan However, with just over a quarter of respondents (29 per cent) stating that it will take them up to three years to complete making repayments, external affairs director Neil Munroe reported that by constantly having “a high level of credit outstanding”, consumers could end up damaging their financial histories which in turn could impinge on their access to competitively-priced loans in the future

As a result Mr Munroe claimed that tourists should take the time to make sure that they are choosing the most competitively-priced financial deal to fund their break He added that consumers should also look to get a copy of their financial history which can allow them to identify any discrepancies on their file, which in turn could help them get a cheaper rate of interest on a loan Findings from the company also showed that the typical consumer goes away four times ever year, as the average family holiday costs 2,000 pounds

Abbi Rouse writes for All About Loans where visitors can apply for UK self employed loans and also focuses on secured loans , and bad credit secured loans for UK Homeowners.

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Author : Daniel Millions

Statistics report that over half of the population of the United States is not covered by dental insurance or some type of dental plan The statistics go to show that not everyone is taking advantage of the enormous savings that result from dental plans And in a world of lower and middle class domination, perhaps more should indeed pay more attention to the benefits of dental plans

Dental Insurance Vs Non-Insurance Dental Plans

Typically there are two categories of dental plans: those that are typical insurance plans, and those that aren’t As dentists have come to find, there is a better favor for the non-insurance counterparts, since there is less paperwork involved

Insurance plans are commonly restricted in what they pay, how they pay, and for what reasons they pay Insurance plans also demand that those taking advantage of the cost cuts must pay deductibles These deductibles, which are usually a fixed rate, help the insurance company’s hold onto their money and discourage any gaming of the system

On the other hand, non-insurance dental plans are much easier to work with They, on average, cut around one third of the total cost There is little to no paperwork to fill out, and best of all, there is not deductible to pay Dentists prefer this method just as much as patients do, due to the large cut in paperwork

The only drawback to non-insurance dental plans is that they are only present in participating dentist offices For this reason, you’ll be hard pressed to find a dentist at random who participates in non-insurance dental plans This is compared to insurance dental plans, which should be taken virtually everywhere there is a dentist’s office

Smart Choices in Dental Plan Shopping

If you’re looking to purchase a dental plan, be sure to shop around The majority of those who do have dental insurance tend to spend more than they should To avoid this, there are a few tips that can get patients by with spending less money both on dental insurance and dental bills

After ensuring that you have looked at several different plans, and have found the best cost saving option, there is a little verification work to be done First ensure that the dental plan being offered is guaranteed- meaning that the insurance company won’t reverse a decision for menial reasons Also get a quote on around how much one would save on a specific procedure and ask about the deductible that insurance companies demand patients pay

Also be aware of dental plans that are offered from foreign sources (usually outside of one’s own state) These plans may indeed be legit, but there is slightly more risk that is run as a result of the distance Don’t let a good dental plan get away because the provider is located in another state, however but be cautious nonetheless

Final Thoughts on Dental Insurance

Dental insurance, families will find, can save a large amount of money over the course of a few years The money saved in high-cost operations and checkups is more than worth the fees paid But to ensure the best plan, follow the fore mentioned steps to make sure you’re making money in the long run- not losing it

After all, you buy a dental insurance plan to save money, not spend it

Great offers on Discount Dental Plans.

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Author : Warren Wong

The cost of living in a city or state often determines whether or not people decide to move there Arizona has become an attractive state to live in because of the climate and the low risk of earthquakes and hurricanes Those contemplating a move to this state ask about Arizona living expenses estimates to help them determine which part of the state they choose to live in This information is available from real estate agencies that have properties for sale and it is also available online One way to do this is to use a cost of living calculator that allows you to enter your salary and the name of the city in which you currently live Then you can compare this data with the city or rural area of Arizona where you plan to relocate You can also enter your other bills to see how much money you will have left at the end of each pay period

If you look at the cost of living indicators for various cities, you will see that it is cheaper to live in Phoenix than it is in Washington, D C , San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago However, it is slightly more expensive than if you live in Salt Lake City The cost of living in Phoenix has dropped since 2006, making housing more affordable In addition, the city has the lowest combined state and local business tax in the country, making it less expensive to start and run a business The property tax in the state is the seventh lowest in the country

When you look at the cost of living in an area you have to look at the average prices of five main categories:

* Housing

* Food

* Utilities

* Transportation

* Insurance

When looking at the price of food, you also have to compare the cost of clothing and other retail items with those in other locations Insurance includes both home and auto insurance The estimates of how much it costs to live in Arizona are not very different from the estimates of other states Some of the costs of living in Phoenix are slightly more than in the rest of the country, but the cost of living in Tuscon is the same, while those in Flagstaff and Yuma are lower than in other parts of the US When calculating the costs of living expenses, you shouldn`t neglect to include leisure time costs as you do need to have some enjoyment

The housing market is one area of importance to those wishing to live in Arizona Houses are generally priced for the ordinary wage earner making it easier for you to own your own home For students attending university in one of the cities in Arizona, the cost of living includes the price of your books and tuition If you are not living on campus, you have to search for affordable rental housing The closer you live to the university, the more you will pay for rent because this is the prime rental area for students If you choose a location a bit farther away, then you have to measure the cost of transportation against the higher rent

For more information on Arizona living expenses estimates,a helpful calculator that lets you estimate the cost of living in all US states and information on average living expenses visit http://www.LeavingTheFolks.com

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Author : Mike Selvon

Internet-only banks almost always offer free online banking services Traditional banks where you visit to do your banking can offer some free services, but usually there are some charges or conditions, either a monthly fee or a minimum amount of money that must be kept in your checking account Internet-only banks tend to be able to offer better rates and easier systems for doing your PC banking

The reason for this is low overhead These internet-based banks can offer free banking because there is little rent that needs to be paid, the bank can operate with a reduced staff since there are no face-to-face meetings required, and many transactions are automatic, reducing the number of man hours needed to keep it operating As a result, a commerce bank online is able to offer services like free banking, a high interest savings account, and lower borrowing rates

When some people think about free online banking, they assume that there must be a catch, and that they will be on their own in managing their accounts It is true that without the direct contact that a traditional bank provides, you may miss some of the helpful advice and suggestions that bank tellers tend to make However, most online banks provide bank online services like news, tips and other helpful information on their homepage, and if you’re ever unsure of something, then you can simply click on the “contact us” link that most banks provide

If using an online banking service that operates solely through the internet, some people are concerned that there may be reduced online banking security with the contents of their accounts This is not true Banks on the internet use top of the line data encryption programs to prevent security breaches

Taking money out of an account using the internet is not so easy to hide, either Should anyone actually access your account, any transfers out of funds will have a receiving account that will be traceable Banks on the internet do not want bad press and will take the necessary steps to ensure that your data and funds are protected and that strong security exists on the internet

The future of banking starts with free online banking As more and more people switch over to internet-only banks in order to take advantage of the high interest rates and the low service charges, traditional banks will have to downsize and create a bigger presence online in order to stay competitive Internet-only banks have already proven that their systems run with a good level of support and security, so there is no reason not to make the switch today

Mike Selvon has some informative articles for the creative mind. Find out more about the national online banking at his resourceful site. We appreciate your feedback at our royal bank online banking blog.

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Author : Peter Skotnicky

Internet banking is a huge step forward in terms of convenience and safety in the banking world Most banks have website and most of these web sites have areas for online banking customers Though it cannot take care of every type of transaction for you, it does provide a great deal of ease for tedious tasks that would require you to go to the bank frequently These sites are safe as long as you keep your information private It is easy to set up; just follow the prompts on the site

Of course, once you sign up it is not immediate Part of the safety protocol requires them to verify your bank account and who you say you are One standard method of doing this is for the bank to put a few cents in your account You go to the bank with documentation to prove your identity A teller will inform you to the exact amount that has been placed in You go back home, go online, and enter that amount when they ask you for verification

Though you cannot use online banking to put in or withdraw cash, you will find it can save you a lot of time Mostly it is used to monitor your transactions and balance your checkbook Before this came about, people just had to wait until their monthly statements were mailed to them and then slog through a month’s worth of receipts and records to make sure everything matches The only other option was to constantly go to the bank to ask if checks had cleared or ask for your current balance

Bills can be paid through this site, since most major companies (especially for utilities, credit cards, and cable) have similar online areas for bill payment In this way, you can pay the bill knowing for certain that you have enough money You will also never worry about the mail being delayed or lost

All of your bank accounts can be linked under one profile so you have an easy screen to manage all of your money You can transfer amounts in between accounts and see your history for up to thirty days previous Beyond that date you would have to go into the bank

Since you are capable of viewing your transactions every day, it really increases the chances of fraud reduction People no longer will forget if they have written a check or not, or find out three weeks later that they have been ripped off If you see a check of yours was cashed yesterday, you will have a much higher chance of recognizing if it was actually written by you and catching the person who cashed it

It helps because they photocopy the fronts of the checks and post them online under a check number link You can see if it is even your hand writing This is something they would normally have to print out for you at a bank, but here it is all at your fingertips

There are tons of different preferences and options to take care of your money and give you a little ease in time You have the option to stop payment on a check Most sites also give you tips to avoid fraud

Find out more about absa internet banking. You can also check out entry level finance information.

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