Financial Help and Financial News for Your Financial loans

Guest Post : Professional debt help in Colorado Springs

One of the major problems that most American citizens are facing is related to debt. If you are residing in Colorado Springs then debt consolidation Colorado Springs can help you out. With the spreading of credit card companies around the nation like a plague and they granting credit cards with very minimal requirements have made it very easy for most people to get access to credit. This however is not having a very good impact on people. Most of the people who own multiple credit cards tend to misuse them or don’t know where to draw a line. They become so busy buying things to their heart’s content that they end up losing all self control and spending much beyond their means. If you are amongst such people then invariably you are facing debt problems which are making you face quite an amount of stress.

It is pretty natural that people don’t understand what calamity debt brings, unless they have been submerged into it enough to make them feel choked. If you are in such a condition, you can take help of debt consolidation Colorado Springs being a resident of Colorado, in order to make the process of paying back your debts easier. There are many debt consolidation companies in Colorado that can help you out with consolidating your debts. If you don’t want to consolidate your debts through a debt consolidation Colorado Springs company, then you can do it on your own too.

How to consolidate your debts through professional help?

If you approach a debt consolidation Colorado Springs company for helping you out with your debts they will first ask you to enroll in a debt consolidation program. As a part of this program, you will be given a free credit counseling session and appointed a negotiator who will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf to reduce the interest rate on your outstanding debts. Thus you will be able to make a lower monthly payment in order to get out of your debts. Also you can give all your debt payments at the beginning of each month to the negotiator who will then distribute the amount amongst your various creditors. Thus you don’t have to take the headache of monthly payments also. Thus with the help of a debt consolidation Colorado springs company, you are not only able to get lower interest rate on your debt which helps you save a lot of money in the long run, but also get to make just one monthly payments for paying back all your creditors.

Thus you can see if you take professional help to consolidate your debts you gain a lot of benefits and become hassle free. However, if you want to consolidate your debts on your own, you can take out a debt consolidation loan and do it also.

Be Prepared for a Financial Hardship

Times are getting harder. The recent global financial crisis has made many people realise the importance of getting financially prepared for possible job losses, reduced income, or higher costs of living. Financial hardship is something nobody looks forward to but it could be unavoidable. There would always be economic factors in the country and around the world that could bring about that hardship.

The best way to deal with and overcome any financial hardship is to be ready for it. As the cliché goes, it is best to always save for the rainy days. How could anyone prepare for it? Here are several ways you could do it.

First, live in frugality. It is ideal to be always practical. You may not be aware but you could actually lower your daily costs. You may incur lower electricity bills for instance by getting more conscious about how your household uses appliances and lighting fixtures. To lower your water bills, install faucets that do not leak. As for your grocery, buy only necessary items and avoid the luxuries. There are many logical ways to be practical.

Second, boost your savings. Whatever cost savings you could generate from being frugal should be added to your bank accounts or savings. Allot a significant portion of your regular monthly income for your savings. That money, over time, could be very significant. Consider investing a portion of the total amount so it could grow exponentially. Leaving your savings in the bank is not ideal enough as banks often impose very minimal annual interests on deposits. Try to look at the stock market or at small businesses.

Allocate a personal emergency fund. This should be separate from your savings. This personal fund should cover unplanned and immediate expenses like when your tires get flat, your house requires immediate minor repair, or you get sick. During such urgencies, it would be best not to touch your savings.

Bid goodbye to an extravagant lifestyle. Living in simplicity could be a virtue. It would also help make sure you would be in good financial shape in the long run. It is much better to shift your lifestyle to being simple from extravagant while you are still in a good financial condition than when you have to do so because you have no other option when you get into a financial hardship. It makes sense, doesn’t it?

Lastly, consider getting a line of credit. This would be in case you would need very significant amount of money in the future. The good thing about this product is that you get approval for a loan and get an amount ready for your taking. You would not be charged until you withdraw money from that credit line. Thus, it could be considered a stand-by facility. Intend not to touch it unless there really is a compelling need for you to do so. At least you could rest assured that if you would need cash, you could easily have it no matter what happens.

Andrew has been working in the finance industry for several years and has help many people dealing with financial hardship. Andrew specialises in short term loan and debt consolidation .

To Manage a College Budget, Perfect the Art of Genteel Poverty

College students who carefully manage their money actually live far better on far less than students who improvise from payday to payday.

Gabriel Adona, a popular professor at San Diego Mesa College, periodically reminds his students, “If you’re not suffering in college, you’re not having fun.” Adona numbers among the first, however, to agree that living frugally and suffering are by no means the same thing. Noting that students who receive financial aid generally receive more than enough money to pay their fees, buy their books, and meet their basic expenses, Adona laments that most families do not teach their children how to manage money as a crucial element in their preparation for college. “We test entering students for the English proficiency and math competence,” he says. “We ought to test them for their financial fluency, too.” Adona cites attrition statistics that indicate more than half of his students who drop-out before completing their degrees leave college “for financial reasons.” He insists, “That never should happen. Never. ”

Five fundamental rules of college budgeting

Adona and many of his colleagues advocate five unbreakable rules of college finance:

• Realistically set and strictly follow a budget.— “Realistically” and “strictly” stand-out as the most important words here. No one will survive an entire semester without going to a movie, going on a date, buying a new outfit, or splurging on some gotta-have-it item. Similarly, no one should expect to go an entire semester without some kind of emergency. Therefore, a realistic budget allows for those inevitabilities. According to Gabriel Adona, “Setting the budget seems difficult, but following it, for some students, seems almost impossible.” He stresses that the budget, written down and placed in a prominent place, implies a contract between a student and his or her conscience. “No excuses. No explanations,” he says in his “teacher voice.”

• Always spend less than you earn, and don’t spend money you don’t have.— “Of all the debt college students accrue, credit card debt is the worst,” Adona emphasizes. “The campus tries to restrict credit card companies’ access to heavy traffic areas, but that does not stop them from soliciting business from naïve freshmen and sophomores.” He has stories of students hitting their limits in just a few days and then living to pay them off for years. Because he believes in strict enforcement of the “don’t spend what you don’t have” clause, Adona says flatly, “Just do not get a credit card. Not any kind. Not for any reason.”

• Perfect the art of genteel poverty.— Adona admits this is a very polite way of saying, if a student qualifies for public assistance and special discount programs, he or she should use them. Most students live well below the federal standard for poverty, so that they qualify for food stamps, and they may qualify for federally subsidized housing. If they meet the poverty criteria, then they also qualify for reduced utility rates, and they can take advantage of community food banks. Naturally, they qualify for student discounts wherever they go, and they never should hesitate to ask if local merchants give student discounts. Adona, however, goes a step further, advocating, “Sell your car. You don’t need it.” And he stresses, “Live with roommates who are just as frugal as you are, so that you never feel tempted to splurge.”

• Speed-up completion of your degree.— At public colleges and universities, the average time of completion for a Bachelor’s Degree hovers around 6.2 years. Some of the problem originates in serious state budget cuts, but most of it derives from students’ strict compliance with the old fashioned academic calendar. “Students easily can finish a four-year degree in three years when they take classes online and attend summer school and ‘winter session’,” Adona asserts. On average, an accelerated degree plan will save a state college student more than $20,000.

• Skip spring break.— A trip to any popular spring break destination costs approximately $3000. For California and Arizona college students, those $3000 would almost cover two semesters’ instructional fees. For any college student, those $3000 would cover a whole lot of routine expenses. If a student stays home and works during spring break, even if he or she works for minimum wage, the net change comes to plus $3330.00.

The average 2012 college graduate will accept a diploma and begin a life devoted to retiring approximately $100,000 in student loans. Although graduates accept the debt load as the reasonable price of a prestigious degree, nearly 90% of them express regret they did not manage their money more skillfully. When you live frugally in college, you speed-up your prospects for owning a nice home with a luxury sedan on the driveway.

Peter Harrington is a career counselor and content contributor for Top Online Colleges, a great source for tons of information on expanding your education, from top business degrees to Nursing colleges.

Guest Post : High Interest Savings Accounts

In the current economic climate, savvy customers need to shop around to find the best high interest savings accounts. The lack of movement on the Bank of England’s base rate means that savers are continuing to see relatively low returns on their investments. The average interest rate on a typical easy access savings account is just over 1% and, given the dismal predictions for the future of the UK economy, this is unlikely to improve any time soon.

One option is to put your money in a Cash ISA. With an average interest rate of around 2.5% AER this is a good option for those who are not already using their tax-free allowance. You can save up to £5,340 per year tax-free. Online savings accounts also offer higher rates of interest, but withdrawals are often limited to three or four times a year.

If you don’t mind locking away your money, fixed rate bonds are a good option for people looking for high interest savings accounts. The average rate is 3% on a £1,000 investment although you could attract a higher rate if you have more to invest, or are prepared to keep your money untouched for longer. You will lose some, or all, of the interest however if you withdraw your money early.

Banks and building societies often offer introductory bonus rates to attract new customers. These can be a good option if you are looking for a high interest savingsaccount, but check the small print to see what happens when the bonus period ends. If the interest rate is not competitive, move your money to a different account at the end of the bonus period.

With everyone suffering from the impact of high inflation and low interest rates, it pays to spend some time shopping around for a better deal.

How to Use Online Resources to Quickly Locate Bail Bond Services

Before the Internet, it was very difficult to find a bail bonds agency that would offer high quality services. People generally had to rely on the closest bail bonds office, which was not always the best option. The agents at the bail bonds company knew this, and they would take advantage of the fact that people were desperate to get their loved ones out of jail—quickly. However, with the help of the Internet, websites can help those who are seeking bail bond assistance to find a company that will work with their financial needs.

If you’re in need of a bail bonds agency, you know you need to move quickly so that your friend, spouse or other family member does not need to spend endless time in a jail cell. Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Search online for an easily accessible network :

When seeking a bail bond company, begin your search online, and start seeking a bail bond company that has a network or database available for your use. Websites, such as Expertbail.com, are especially useful, as they have bail bond agents in nearly every part of the country available to help customers. In addition, the network will also allow for the customer to have access to invaluable information about the bail bond process, no matter where they are within the country.

2. Locate a company with positive customer feedback/reviews :

Find a company that has several former customers that rave about their professionalism and efficiency. Many companies try to show that they are trustworthy online, but they have customers that are not happy with the results of having used them. There is no better way to be sure of your bail bond agent than listening to a list of past clients.

3. Find a licensed agency that will clearly explain your conditions :

Make sure that the company has a bail bond license, which should be easily found by contacting the Department of Insurance for whatever state you are in.By doing so, you will know that you have skilled, professional agents that will be able to adequately explain to you what conditions have been set by the court for your bail, or find out how to begin the process for finding an attorney, if necessary.

With the help of a quality bail bond agency, before you know it, you should have your loved one back at home as soon as possible.

One of Mary's favorite things to write about is the law. For more information regarding Expertbail.com, please visit http://www.expertbail.com/

Make Realistic Choices About Teen Driver Insurance

You can control the cost of your teen-driver’s insurance, but you cannot afford to compromise your coverage.

“As soon as your teen starts driving, alert your insurance company,” the big carriers say. Consistent with their vehicle codes, most states will not allow your teen to take the license test without proof of insurance. As a practical matter, however, begin the process of insuring your teen as soon as she gets her learner’s permit, because securing exactly the right coverage for the new driver and the rest of the family will take some time. Insuring a teen driver is not a “one call does it all” deal.

Cold-hearted and realistic :

Shopping for car insurance, remain exceptionally cold-hearted and realistic. First, accept the fact that your teen-age driver will bump into things. The numbers do not lie: sixteen-year-old drivers have by far the highest accident rates among all drivers. Not a surprise: they need time and practice to develop their judgment and perfect their feel for the car. Second, accept the fact your insurance premiums will increase sharply: A daughter will add approximately 50% to your rates, and a son will double them. In order to strike the right balance between cost and coverage, independent insurance experts strongly recommend you follow these five steps…

1. Become The Example and The Enforcer :

Help your teen-ager understand what “compliance” means. Show her how it works. Fasten your seat belt, obey the speed limits, turn-off and put away your cell phone, use your signals, come to full and complete stops, and follow all the little regulations you have let slide over the years. Then, make sure your new teen driver understands she, too, must follow all the rules—no exceptions, no excuses, no explanations. Especially make sure your teen driver understands the risks associated with texting while driving: A person texting behind the wheel is 17 times more likely to crash than a drunk driver. Also emphasize the risks of driving tired, which can be more dangerous than DUI.

2. Adjust your deductibles and add optional coverage :

Given that your new teen driver will bump into things, adjust your collision coverage accordingly. You can reduce premiums by raising deductibles, but do not raise them so high you cannot afford to fix your car. Especially if all the family drivers share one car, you cannot afford to have it damaged or broken for more than a few days. Be realistic. A recent study indicated more than 80% of American families cannot find $1000 cash within thirty days. If you fall into that 80%, do not set your collision deductibles that high. Just as importantly, if your insurance carrier offers “accident forgiveness,” sign up. The “forgiveness” coverage costs less than you would pay in extra premiums after an accident. Perhaps most importantly, upgrade your coverage to include “full replacement value.” Standard coverage usually guarantees you receive the vehicle’s low “blue book” value if it is “totaled”; full replacement value assures you actually receive enough money to go out and buy another vehicle just like the one you lost. You pay a few dollars for “FRV,” but it can make a difference of thousands in pay-out for a serious accident.

3. Increase your liability coverage :

Your standard car insurance satisfies the minimum legal liability requirements and therefore are reasonable for mature, experienced drivers. The experts very strongly recommend you increase your liability limits and then add “umbrella liability coverage” until your teen-ager establishes a history of safe driving. Especially if you are self-employed or own your own business, you should secure “umbrella” coverage to protect all of your assets in a personal injury lawsuit.

4. Cash-in on rewards and discount programs :

If your company offers “vanishing deductible” programs, enroll. Generally, for every year your family remains accident-free, your carrier takes $100 from your deductible. By the time your teen comes-of-age, you may have zero deductible. Some companies give you a choice between vanishing deductibles and cash-back safe-driving bonuses. You decide which works best for you, but make sure you include your teen driver in the discussion. Most of all, use your teen’s driving privileges to drive up his grades. Almost all companies offer lower rates for students with “B” averages and even lower rates for students with “A’s.” In many cases, the difference between a 2.9 gpa and a 3.0 translates to 20% lower premiums.

5. Share responsibility with your teen driver :

Many families agree to pay for insurance for the first six months their teen driver has her license; after that, they demand she must pay the extra cost of her coverage. Here, too, the numbers do not lie: Surveys show that teens who work and pay their own insurance premiums are approximately 50% less likely to get tickets or get into accidents than teens who have all expenses paid. The surveys suggest a littler serendipity, too. Students who work approximately 20 hours per week actually have higher grade averages than those who do not work at all.

In the last decade, traffic laws have changed to protect teens against themselves. Tougher laws and stricter enforcement measurably have reduced the teen accident and injury rates. Still, extra airbags, tougher laws, and smarter parents cannot perfectly protect inexperienced drivers. Therefore, in order to prepare for the very worst cases, work with your insurance agent to secure exactly the coverage you and your teen require.

Author Stephen Anderson is an insurance consultant who strongly suggests that you search online to Compare Auto Insurance Companies to be certain of getting the best deal available. Auto Insurance Quotes Missouri is just one example of the state rates you can compare.

How to Get Cheap or Free Magazines

Magazines are a timeless pastime that entertain, inform and inspire us. Most people love to read a good magazine every once and a while. Unfortunately, magazines can be costly. Now that the Internet is the most popular way to read about things, magazines are less popular, and as a result many publishers don’t offer as low prices as they used to. The best way to get magazines is to purchase a subscription. The discount on buying a year’s worth versus one or two directly from the newsstands can be astronomical. If you get creative, you may be able to score some magazines for free, too. Here are some ways you can get cheap or free magazines.

Magazines.com :

The best website to purchase cheap magazine subscriptions is Magazines.com. They have thousands of magazines available at a fraction of newsstand prices, and it is a reliable site to purchase from.

Split with Friends :

If you want to get a magazine subscription but don’t want to pay full price, consider going in on the purchase with one or more friends. If one friend is interested in reading the same magazine you are, split the price in half with her. Get it delivered to one of you, and agree to pass it on within a certain time frame or the next time you see each other. This works well if you have a reliable friend to share with. You don’t want to end up hoarding all the copies or getting them passed to you very late. Beforehand, agree who will ultimately keep each issue.

Have a Magazine Swap :

Organize with your friends and family members who also love magazines to have a regular swap. Get together once every two months and exchange magazines. This is a great way to pass on issues that you have that are piling up at home, and a way for you to explore the magazine tastes of others.

Buy Direct from the Publisher :

If you want to get a magazine subscription, usually the best way to buy it is directly from the publisher. Not all magazines are offered on discount sites, so go to the magazine’s website and purchase it there. They will usually have the lowest prices.

Ebates.com :

Ebate.com is a great way to do all your online shopping, and it works well for magazines, too. Sign up with Ebates.com, and start there every time you want to make a purchase online. If you buy something through their site, you will receive a percentage cash back. There are thousands of major retailers that work with Ebates, and there are also a ton of magazine subscriptions that will give you up to 26 percent cash back with your purchase.

Ask a Doctor’s Office :

If you don’t mind reading your magazines a few months late, ask your local doctor’s office to contact you before they throw out their outdated magazines. If they don’t mind, they’ll hold them for you and let you come pick them up rather than discard them.

Take Advantage of Free Trials :

Many magazines offer free issues or free trial periods. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of them, but just be cautious. If you forget to cancel your order when the trial period is over, you may be charged much more than you’d like to pay to continue the subscription. Mark it on your calendar when you need to cancel the subscription by so you can enjoy only the free issues.

Lisa Hann is a freelancer who loves a great deal. Her work is always proofed using Grammarly grammar checker. Grammarly is also home to Grammar Rules Handbook.

Six Ways to Save Money

The current economic climate cannot be ignored. Everyone is trying to save. However, most people experience a lot of problems in doing so. With these tips, saving will come a lot easier!

1. Air Conditioning :

Depending on your climate, you may be able to save a lot this way. If you are experiencing hot weather just for a few weeks, this can be especially great. Fans will go a long way. Try placing one in the basement to blow cool air upstairs. The shaded side of the house can be enjoyable by placing a box-fan on the window facing that side.

2. Airfare :

The amount of money spent on flights is usually outrageous, but one can still save. Try using Fly Combo to do so. It might take you more hours to drive to a large airport that will offer these services, but it will save a great deal on the connecting-flight charges.

3. Appliances :

This is one option that many people do not think about. This can be achieved by buying used items or returning your used appliances for cash. You may even find used appliances with warranties. The beauty of doing this is the fact that you will get them at rock-bottom prices.

4. Boats :

If you like to be on the water, you can save a lot by renting. Figure out all the charges involved, including insurance, maintenance, storage charges, fuel, etc. Divide the amount by the number of times you are likely to use the boat. The amount you are spending per use will probably make you think twice. The amount you get should be doubled because you are not going to use the boat as frequent as you may be thinking. If the figure is more than the cost of renting, you better rent.

5. Carpet Cleaning :

Save on carpet-cleaning as much as possible. This can be achieved by easily requesting a discount from the carpet cleaner and by telling them to only concentrate on the high-traffic areas. In most cases, the cleaners avoid moving things and just work on the traffic areas, while still asking for the full pay.

6. Automobile :

You can save on a car by simply taking a friend with you when you are going for the purchase. The friend’s duty will be to discourage you from buying anything that isn’t a good deal. Make sure they encourage you to wait before you make the decision. This will put pressure on the seller and ensure you get a better deal.

Anna Swan is always trying to save money, so she frequents sites like www.dentalinsurance.net

How to Control your Expenses & save Money?

While the economy has improved over the last few years, the job market is still shaky and money has been tight for almost everyone. Effective budgeting and some money saving tricks can make all the difference to someone looking to get by in tough times. Here we will explore some conventional and some not-so-conventional ways to save a little extra cash in the New Year.

Cancel that cable or satellite subscription :

Cable and satellite subscriptions can be one of the most costly monthly bills many people pay. Even basic packages can cost between $50-$100 per month.

What to do?

If you want to watch in a timelier manner, sites like Hulu allow you to watch a limited number of current episodes for free, or as many as you want for $8 a month as well.

Potential savings: $40-$90 per month

Drop that phone bill :

Another expensive monthly subscription that many people pay dearly for is their phone service. Services can cost between $50 and $100 depending on the number of minutes and data you want. Prepaid phone cards make phone services incredibly inexpensive. Let's look at it this way:

Say you talk on the phone for two hours per week. With a traditional plan, you could pay $100 a month for this. With prepaid cards at a rate of four cents per minute, this would cost less than $20 a month. Those numbers speak for themselves.

Potential savings: $40-$80 per month

Carpooling or Public Transportation :

Gasoline prices have risen sharply in the past few years and were not particularly low to begin with. The average American pays $1800 a year for gas alone, or around $150 a month. Carpooling can cut this number in half, and public transportation can cut it by a fifth.

Potential savings: $75-$120 per month

Energy Efficient Homes :

Electric and gas bills can jump dramatically during the summer and winter months. By adding insulation, keeping the thermostat at a moderate level, and keeping your water heater a little lower, you can trim your bill considerably depending on the size of your house and many other factors.

Potential savings: $20-$100 per month

Switch From a Bank to a Credit Union :

This is one area that many people never think about, but many large banks charge fees for everything you do. You are charged to withdraw your money from an ATM, charged for online services, charged every month for having a checking account in the first place.

Many credit unions have zero charges. In fact, some will reimburse you for ATM withdraw fees. Depending on how much you are dinged each month, this can add up to quite a bit of cash.

Potential savings: $10-$30 per month

Shop at Thrift Stores :

Clothing can be a major expense. A wardrobe full of clothes can cost several hundred dollars. Even less expensive jeans cost around $40 a pair. Stores like Goodwill or other thrift stores can offer good clothing at a fraction of the price.

Potential savings: $100+ per shopping trip

Save Up and Use Cash :

Going into debt is always a budget killer. Monthly payments and interest drain paychecks more than any single item, so always save cash for new purchases and put those credit cards away.

Potential savings: Virtually unlimited

Shop Online :

Sites like eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist can yield the same products for much cheaper than retail, often with no sales tax and free shipping.

Potential savings: 10%-50% off of retail prices

Research tax credits

With the economy in a rough patch, the government has made available many new tax credits and incentives that you may qualify for. Make use of good tax software or even a professional to help glean a higher tax rebate.

Potential savings: Depends; Can be up to several thousand dollars

Buy in Bulk and Cook at Home

Eating out is always more costly. Cooking at home can be fun for the family and lighter on the wallet. Most importantly, it is much healthier!

Potential savings: Depends, but eating out for four can cost up to $50 a meal; $50 of groceries can usually last a four person family at least three days.

In summary, it is easy to see that with a little preparation and work, a money-savvy individual can shave thousands off of his or her expenses every year with virtually no sacrifice in quality of life.

Author Mary Stewart works in the telecommunications industry and writes for NobelCom, the pioneer of online prepaid phone cards and a variety of other services such as international phone cards.

Guest Post : How to get the best cash for gold deal

Nearly everyone in the UK is worse off than they were last year with the cost of living increasing and wages being frozen or cut. House prices still haven’t recovered from the 2008/9 crash and the recession may be officially over but the fallout is still being felt all over the UK by individuals and families.

With this in mind, it is understandable that there is such a temptation to sell gold for cash for that all-important cash for gold deal.

Gold is one of the only – if not THE only – commodity to have boomed during the recession. So-called “safe haven” investing has pushed the price of gold up to levels that would have been unthinkable during the boom years of the early 2000’s.

As a result, several companies have emerged, all promising to give customers the best price for their gold and provide the best service – far better than all the others.

Therein lies the issue at hand. How on earth does one choose which gold buyer to use?

Hopefully this checklist will help you decide!
- Transparency – Does the gold buyer tell you what happens when you decide to sell your gold? You should be told how they value your gold.
- Efficiency – Is the gold buyer quick and efficient? No one wants to have to wait ages to be paid. The point of selling gold for cash is that you get quick, easy and healthy payments for your old or broken gold. Don’t go with a gold buyer who doesn’t take that into account.
- Accessibility – Can you contact your gold buyer if you have a question or is there just a contact form on their website? If there are no phone numbers…reject!
Web presence – How often is their site updated, do they have a blog? Do they have reviews on the internet? This should give you a clue as to the status of the gold buyer.
Price – Some would say this should be first, and it’s certainly one of the most important things to consider, but check that the excellent price offered also comes with the points above. Don’t settle for second best!

More questions on how to find a good gold buyer? Want to get cash for gold jewellery? Head to Cashforgolddeals.co.uk to get an amazing service and an equally amazing deal!

Guest Post : 10 Ways to Save on Groceries Budget

1. Make a List

It is easy to go over budget without a plan. Decide a maximum number of extra items and stick to it.

2. Clip Coupons

Many newspapers include coupons in the Sunday paper. However, be aware that most papers do not include coupons prior to a holiday. A good rule of thumb here is to only clip coupons for the items on your list. It is not cost-effective to buy an item just because you have a coupon.

3. Read the Sales Papers

Every week, supermarkets send out thousands of ads with current sales. Often, large stores also have price-match guarantees on current sales.

4. Sign up for Club Cards

Many supermarkets and pharmacies now offer rewards cards. These rewards cards can save a significant amount of cash. They also keep track of your spending habits. This information is then used to generate coupons specifically for you.

5. Portion Control

This may take a little more planning, so you may want to start with specific recipes. Sometimes, a cut of meat can be cheaper for a slightly larger package. The more recipes you can get from a single package, the better.

6. Compare Prices

Bigger is not always better. There are more factors to look at here. Too big or not too big - THAT is the question. If you have a choice between a 10 lb. bag of flour for $4.88 and a 5 lb. bag for $2.50, 9 times out of 10 I would go with the 5 lb. bag. It is not cost-effective to buy larger packages unless you are saving at least 25%.

7. Generic vs Brand-Name

The old rule use to be that generic brands would save at least 25%. This is no longer true. With club cards, coupons, and in store sales, brand name products can be comparable to and sometimes even cheaper than generics.

8. Clearance Items

When items are being discontinued they can be reduced up to 50%. It is wise to compare the price to a similar item, sometimes the savings may only be pennies, other times it may be 50% off or better. This might also be a good time to stock up.

9. Manager Specials

This is where you want to be careful. When certain items approach their expiration date, management may reduce the price for a quick sale. Pay attention to the sell-by date and the use-by date. A good rule here is to only buy items that look good. There is no reason to get sick in order to save a buck.

10. End-of-Night Sales

When certain departments close, they will often put items on sale in order to begin the next day with fresh products. This is especially true in the meat, deli, and bakery departments. The best time to find these deals is between 8:30 and 10 pm. These deals can save money but they are usually meant for same day consumption.

Bonus!

Don't shop hungry. If you make a list before you shop, chances are that you won't stray too far. If you are hungry, there is the chance that you will go over budget.

Sonja Barkaloff likes to write about personal finance, and she finds Boatinsurance.org especially helpful!

Guest Post : What to expect from the gold market in 2012

The gold market has been very turbulent this year with prices rising and then falling like humps on a camel. The lingering fallout from the global recession and the newer troubles in the Eurozone have meant that safe haven investing has become far more common, which has increased the price of gold.

Whilst this article is not designed to offer advice on gold investments, as reputable cash for gold buyers, we too have to keep an eye on the gold price to ensure our customers are getting a fair deal for their unwanted gold jewellery and silver items.

So what’s next for gold in 2012?

It’s hard to give a definitive prediction on the future of gold without taking into account some of the differing viewpoints.From looking at some of the research, it is very clear that commentators seem to be split into two camps:

Camp one: Gold prices will rise higher

These analysts speculate that the continuing failure of the Eurozone will push gold even higher in 2012. Marketwatch.com thinks that although gold fell spectacularly in September it is still going up in price albeit in a rather more erratic fashion than has been seen since the last gold price peak in 1980.

Camp two: Gold will become a risk asset

Speculation amongst these commentators is that gold has risen so much in price due to temporary factors that it has (will) become a “risk asset” A risk asset is something that is bought initially for a high price but is vulnerable and could fall in value at any time.

For example, a lot of homeowners realised in 2009 that their homes had become risk assets. This meant it was not financial help viable to sell their homes as they would actually lose money rather than gain a small profit. When selling a home that you have modified and possibly even extended you expect to make money from the experience.

Investing in a risk asset is dangerous, especially now; if gold becomes considered a ‘risk asset’ it could put people off investing in this commodity and thus the gold price will fall.

So what is likely to happen to gold prices in 2012?

Let’s look at the facts, the Eurozone troubles could continue well into 2012, which could push prices up more or keep them at an even keel. Remember that it is increased demand that pushes prices up. Financial troubles often make investors retreat to safer investments like gold.

Another fact to consider is that demand for gold from Asia is constant, particularly at certain points in the year like wedding season and Diwali. Gold has great cultural significance to many Asian and African cultures. This will keep prices up, particularly if gold continues to be seen as a safe haven investment due to the troubles.

The gold price chart has rarely looked more erratic and jagged; prices could go up but they are also likely to fall just as quickly, perhaps even lower than before. Do you really want to take that kind of risk with your hard earned money?

Even if you’re not a big time investor in gold bullion and have a few necklaces you’d like a cash for gold offer for, now is the time to cash in! Selling gold for cash is profitable right now.

So why not cash in by heading across to http://www.postgoldforcash.com today.

Do You Like Your Job or Do You Want to Trade?

I'll ask you again – do you like your job or do you want to trade it for something else? Where are you now? Are you at your office starting another long day or home after dinner tired and just want to relax?

You can be free and do anything you want from anywhere in the world but it's up to you to make this move and decide you are willing to move forward and do whatever makes you happy. Yes, it's a brave and hard move to make but once you make it the possibilities are endless, especially when it comes to trading stocks and Forex foreign currencies. You're probably saying you no nothing about stocks or Forex at the moment but that's no excuse. You can purchase books by top trader, start learning about the market and little by little advance towards trading, but why would you want to do that?

All over the world thousands of people are free to do whatever they want each and every day because they have studied the market and are now making money from trading. That means they make enough money a day without spending it 9 hours in an office doing something they don't like and you can trade too using various stocks and Forex trading strategies you'll get to know because there is no right or wrong strategy when it comes to trading, there's the ones that suit you as a trader. So, before you start trading for real money – here are a few tips you should write down and start from there:

Leran the Market :

Before you start trading first you need to know the world you're getting into. Learn the market, see how stocks and currencies react to news, always learn and try to understand what happened and why, read books, articles, do not trade at first but try to study the field and see everything from above. Once you have an idea what the market is all about and how it acts, move on…

Learn to Read Charts :

This may take some time but like any other thing in life, being an expert takes time, learning and experience. Always read charts and understand them until you can anticipate where the stock or currency is about to head. Even when you're not trading yet you should always look at charts and read them, the more charts you examine the faster and better you'll understand them and know their next direction.

Know When to Buy and When to Sell :

Most people know when to buy a stock and enter a position and you will know too in time, but not everyone know when to sell a stock and exit a position whether in profit or in a minimal loss. This will come to you with experience and trial and error but it's important to know that sometimes it's better to sell and take small profits then risk it and be greedy just to lose it all, especially when the market is volatile and not steady.

These are only 3 basic tips and rules you should follow before starting to trade or when you're just in your first steps in the trading world. If you have self-discipline, if you are willing to read, study and learn from mistakes in time and with experience you too will be able to trade successfully and make money and don't let anyone else tell you that it's impossible just because they gave up – just see how many people all over the world make a living out of it.

Good Luck!

Guest Post : College Health Insurance

College students have to consider many things when they start school, with health insurance being one of the most important. This is because while in college, many students may be far from home and taking on life's responsibilities for the first time. Students can look to their parents and on campus resources in order to help them deal with medical costs and coverage.

Relying on Parents

Some students have the benefit of being able to stay on their parents' health care plan while they are attending school. The rules vary with each company, but it often requires that parents' provide proof of the student's enrollment and be in school a minimum number of hours each semester. There may also be an age limit when the coverage ceases to be in effect.

Students should be aware of these guidelines and make sure that they stay within them. There should also be a plan in place in case the student is starting school at an older age or will be in past the age limit. This ensures that the student will have coverage in case it is needed.

Being Without Insurance

Many students go through college without health insurance. This can be due to policy limitations, parents not having insurance or not being able to afford it. Students also go without health insurance because of the jobs that they work while in school. These are often part-time, minimum wage jobs that don't offer any kind of coverage.

Students in this situation often play a game of chance that they will not have any major illnesses or hospitalizations. There are alternatives to going without, depending on where they attend school. These additional resources can save the student money and help to keep them healthy.

School Resources

Many colleges offer a type of student health insurance plan that is affordable and provides basic coverage. Depending on the type of policy, students may have access to cheaper prescriptions, co-pays for doctor visits and assistance with hospital costs.

College campuses also generally have a student health clinic on campus. The types of services offered depend on the size of the school and available funding. This can include a women's clinic, on staff doctor, pharmacy and reduced price or free testing for various illnesses. Here, students can receive flu shots and get seen for routine illnesses at very affordable prices.

Colleges will often have health fairs on campus as well. These are excellent times for students to learn how to manage their health on a daily basis, get literature and supplies. They can also take advantage of free screenings and other small services. This is another opportunity for students without health insurance to get extra support.

Going through college, staying healthy and have adequate insurance coverage is an important consideration for all students. With the right information and available resources, they can reduce the worry of covering medical costs and taking care of routine health issues that may crop up during school.

Cole Marks has worked in the insurance industry consulting companies on the best loss control management programs for over twenty years.

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