. Share your meals.
Many of you may take your lunch to work or may go home and eat for lunch. But for the millions of people who go out to eat everyday at lunch, there is a great trick to implement in your daily routine. Yes, it is expensive to eat out, but when you do go to lunch make sure you go with your spouse, friend, work buddy or someone who will practice the art of sharing a meal.
Here's what you do. Both of you should order water. Then, select a meal and share it. Ask for a second plate. You will save a bundle. I am going to break down some numbers for you:
TRUE LIFE EXAMPLE:
My wife and I went out to eat for lunch a few days ago to a great Chinese restaurant. We ordered:
- 2 Soft Drinks - $4
- 2 Meals - $13
- Tip - $3
- Total - $20.00
A couple of days later we decided to experiment at the same exact restaurant, but since we both had food left from the other day we decided to share a dinner portion as opposed to two lunch portions, and we ordered water to drink. This was the result:
- 2 Waters - $0
- 1 Meal - $9
- Tip - $1.50
- Total - $10.50
So, we both had plenty of food to eat, we did not overfill ourselves, and we saved a total of $9.50.
Now, let's create a hypothetical situation and say that we changed our habits every day to this method for at least one meal per day, for 50 weeks per year, 5 days per week.
That is 250 days at a savings of $9.50 per day, resulting in a GRAND TOTAL YEARLY SAVINGS OF: $2,375.00
Now, go check out my great personal blog for more creative tips on saving money and eliminating debt. Oh yeah, I also have a FREE 21 Page e-book you can download on how to get out of debt and build wealth over time. It is awesome and free!
Justin V. Cecil, MBA
Debt Freedom and Personal Finance Fanatic.
MY PERSONAL BLOG: http://www.PeskyDebt.net/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Cecil
Justin Cecil - EzineArticles Expert Author
Banks Vs Internet Banking
With the internet in our midst, people are given the convenience of doing a variety of financial transactions online whether at home, in the office or even while on the go. This advanced and phenomenal technological innovation has indeed made life easier for many people including professionals, businessmen, housewives and students. However, this does not necessarily lead to the end of the existence of the brick-and-mortar banks. The standard banks will always be there as there are still consumers who opt to transact in a real bank where they feel most secure and comfortable.
The traditional banks and banks that have gone online have their respective advantages and disadvantages. It's really up to the consumer to choose which type of banking service to use. What matters is you know your financial needs, you keep an open mind on the latest trends in the banking industry and learn about them if possible. You may be loyal to your standard bank but who knows, you may also need to use the online banking service one day for an urgent transaction when you're pressed for time or unable to go out for health reasons.
Standard banking
Conventional banks are those that still use the paper and pen in dealing with different financial transactions. The reality today, though, is that many have gone online as well introducing internet-only products to compete with the purely online banks. While these traditional banks cater mostly to the old customers, experts say they should also keep up with the trend and cater to the younger, internet-savvy customers if they wish to attract more clients.
Security and personal touch are major considerations for people opting to use the traditional banks. Most of them would say having human contact makes them feel comfortable when banking. Some feel secure when they deposit cash via a real teller.
Online banking
Banking on the internet is very much the same as when you do transactions in a real bank. The only difference is that you're using a computer instead of a paper or phone in accessing your account and information, making payments and reconciling statements. There's no need to go to a local branch office as you can accomplish various financial tasks in the convenience of your home or office in a few clicks.
One major advantage of internet banking is its being cost effective. Some banks charge lesser fees if you use their online banking services. Also, since you don't need to commute or drive to a local branch, you save on money and gas. Additionally, banks are able to offer more products and services as they don't have the overhead expenses such as the need to pay tellers.
For busy people such as frequent travelers, professionals and businessmen, the online banking option is very ideal. As these people need to keep track of their finances and other urgent matters even while in other places or abroad, they can still gain access to their accounts via the internet.
Online banking is projected to expand by 55 percent to 72 million households by 2011, according to a report by Forrester Research. The target users are the so-called Generation Y or those born in the late 1970s.
And so, with these two options available to consumers today, it's easy to make a choice where banking is concerned and perhaps even better if you use both.
Learn more about the advantages of internet banking by visiting http://www.webinternetbanking.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gloria_Smith
The traditional banks and banks that have gone online have their respective advantages and disadvantages. It's really up to the consumer to choose which type of banking service to use. What matters is you know your financial needs, you keep an open mind on the latest trends in the banking industry and learn about them if possible. You may be loyal to your standard bank but who knows, you may also need to use the online banking service one day for an urgent transaction when you're pressed for time or unable to go out for health reasons.
Standard banking
Conventional banks are those that still use the paper and pen in dealing with different financial transactions. The reality today, though, is that many have gone online as well introducing internet-only products to compete with the purely online banks. While these traditional banks cater mostly to the old customers, experts say they should also keep up with the trend and cater to the younger, internet-savvy customers if they wish to attract more clients.
Security and personal touch are major considerations for people opting to use the traditional banks. Most of them would say having human contact makes them feel comfortable when banking. Some feel secure when they deposit cash via a real teller.
Online banking
Banking on the internet is very much the same as when you do transactions in a real bank. The only difference is that you're using a computer instead of a paper or phone in accessing your account and information, making payments and reconciling statements. There's no need to go to a local branch office as you can accomplish various financial tasks in the convenience of your home or office in a few clicks.
One major advantage of internet banking is its being cost effective. Some banks charge lesser fees if you use their online banking services. Also, since you don't need to commute or drive to a local branch, you save on money and gas. Additionally, banks are able to offer more products and services as they don't have the overhead expenses such as the need to pay tellers.
For busy people such as frequent travelers, professionals and businessmen, the online banking option is very ideal. As these people need to keep track of their finances and other urgent matters even while in other places or abroad, they can still gain access to their accounts via the internet.
Online banking is projected to expand by 55 percent to 72 million households by 2011, according to a report by Forrester Research. The target users are the so-called Generation Y or those born in the late 1970s.
And so, with these two options available to consumers today, it's easy to make a choice where banking is concerned and perhaps even better if you use both.
Learn more about the advantages of internet banking by visiting http://www.webinternetbanking.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gloria_Smith
Finding the Best Current Accounts
When opening your first current account, it's easy to opt for the same account your parents have. Or if you are heading off to university and opening your first current account you may choose the one that offers the best perks: such as a free five-year Young Persons Railcard, which gives you one-third off rail travel. Few people give any more thought to it than that.
But seeing that a current account fulfils such a crucial role in your finances because most of your cash flows through it at some stage, it's worth thinking about what you want from it before signing up.
Some banks pay extremely poor rates of interest on current accounts and charge extortionate rates of interest on overdrafts, yet those offering the worst deals also have the largest number of customers.
The 'big four' - Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, and NatWest - all pay 0.1 per cent interest on balances (although Lloyds TSB also has an account paying a higher rate of interest as long as you pay in a certain amount each month). Other banks pay more than 30 times this amount of interest.
Overdraft Facilities
As well as providing you with a convenient home for your money, most current accounts offer so called overdraft facilities. This means you can use you account to borrow money from the bank.
There are two types of overdraft - the 'authorised' overdraft where you agree with the bank a set limit on any borrowings and the 'unauthorised' overdraft where you slip into the red without first telling your bank or you exceed your authorised overdraft limit. Charges on both types of overdraft are high but especially so on unauthorised overdrafts - they are best avoided.
The big four also charge around 16-18 per cent on authorised overdrafts (although Barclays has some packaged accounts with 9.9 per cent overdrafts). But you can get an overdraft rate of under 8 per cent if you shop around. Yet despite this, some 70 per cent of all current accounts remain with one of the big four banks.
No bank or building society offers the best deal on every single product. One bank may have a fantastic mortgage range but offer a low interest rate on its current accounts. Product providers specialise in certain areas, offering one or two really attractive deals to pull in the punters. Other customers end up paying for this great deal - usually those stuck with an uncompetitive current account.
Check for an introductory offer. Some banks pay a lump sum or charge 0 per cent on overdrafts for a limited period when you open an account. Find out whether you qualify for preferential rates on other products offered by the bank, such as insurance or personal loans.
When comparing personal finance institutions, discover what other services are on offer, such as the ability to buy or sell shares or free financial advice. If you're keen on being green, determine whether you can get an ethical banking account, which are provided by socially responsible banks that don't invest in companies involved in tobacco, gaming, gambling, or pornography.
Here, on our website, you will find accurate information on credit cards, loans, insurance, current account and mortgage deals for efficient personal finance management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liza_Mathers
But seeing that a current account fulfils such a crucial role in your finances because most of your cash flows through it at some stage, it's worth thinking about what you want from it before signing up.
Some banks pay extremely poor rates of interest on current accounts and charge extortionate rates of interest on overdrafts, yet those offering the worst deals also have the largest number of customers.
The 'big four' - Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, and NatWest - all pay 0.1 per cent interest on balances (although Lloyds TSB also has an account paying a higher rate of interest as long as you pay in a certain amount each month). Other banks pay more than 30 times this amount of interest.
Overdraft Facilities
As well as providing you with a convenient home for your money, most current accounts offer so called overdraft facilities. This means you can use you account to borrow money from the bank.
There are two types of overdraft - the 'authorised' overdraft where you agree with the bank a set limit on any borrowings and the 'unauthorised' overdraft where you slip into the red without first telling your bank or you exceed your authorised overdraft limit. Charges on both types of overdraft are high but especially so on unauthorised overdrafts - they are best avoided.
The big four also charge around 16-18 per cent on authorised overdrafts (although Barclays has some packaged accounts with 9.9 per cent overdrafts). But you can get an overdraft rate of under 8 per cent if you shop around. Yet despite this, some 70 per cent of all current accounts remain with one of the big four banks.
No bank or building society offers the best deal on every single product. One bank may have a fantastic mortgage range but offer a low interest rate on its current accounts. Product providers specialise in certain areas, offering one or two really attractive deals to pull in the punters. Other customers end up paying for this great deal - usually those stuck with an uncompetitive current account.
Check for an introductory offer. Some banks pay a lump sum or charge 0 per cent on overdrafts for a limited period when you open an account. Find out whether you qualify for preferential rates on other products offered by the bank, such as insurance or personal loans.
When comparing personal finance institutions, discover what other services are on offer, such as the ability to buy or sell shares or free financial advice. If you're keen on being green, determine whether you can get an ethical banking account, which are provided by socially responsible banks that don't invest in companies involved in tobacco, gaming, gambling, or pornography.
Here, on our website, you will find accurate information on credit cards, loans, insurance, current account and mortgage deals for efficient personal finance management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liza_Mathers
Gaining Access to Your Current Account
Having money sitting in your current account is all well and good, but you need to be able to get to it. Fortunately, modern banking methods offer you a multitude of ways to access your dough, from stepping into a solid building and getting money from a live person to choosing the virtual route of a standalone Internet bank (keep in mind that the money is all too real).
In the following sections, we take you through the various access methods and highlight points to consider when choosing a current account to meet your individual needs.
Going automated with ATMs
Bank branch ATMs now offer free shared access to consumers' accounts, so you don't have to pay if you use another bank's ATM to withdraw cash.
You should check the maximum amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM in a single day. This is usually around £300, subject to available funds or an arranged overdraft, but it can vary. If you are likely to deposit cash or cheques into your account, find out whether you can do this via your bank's ATMs to avoid queuing for hours in your local branch.
Scouting locations
Most current accounts offer a cheque book and cheque guarantee card (which often doubles up as a debit card). However, many people no longer pay by cheque, so there are a number of current account providers - usually online - who don't offer a cheque book (in exchange, you might get a slightly higher rate of interest on balances).
If you do want the option of paying by cheque, make sure the account you sign up for offers this. Check what limit is on the cheque guarantee card - it may be as low as £50, although some accounts go as high as £250.
Banking by phone
Find out whether the bank has a free or local-rate number for telephone banking and what services you can access by phone. This could make a difference if you contact your bank on a regular basis.
Clicking through the Internet
The growth of Internet banking has been phenomenal. A number of high-street banks are behind the various Internet banks, although the latter are run as standalone operations. So, for example, Halifax owns Intelligent Finance, Abbey owns Cahoot, and insurer Prudential owns Egg.
Standalone Internet banks offer better rates of interest on balances and overdrafts than high-street banks. They can do this because they have lower overheads (no branches). Instead, you get 24-hour access, 365 days a year. But the accounts on offer are more limited than on the high street and there are times when you might want to speak to someone face to face. With many standalone Internet banks you have to rely on the phone or email, which doesn't suit everyone.
You won't get a monthly statement in the post either: instead, you'll be able to access an electronic statement online. If you really want a paper statement for your records, print this off and file it.
Weighing balances
Many banks require only £1 to open a current account, but some providers insist that you deposit a minimum amount of cash each month, or that your balance doesn't dip below a set amount. If you don't have much cash to spare, steer clear of such accounts because if your balance dips below, say, £250 you may forfeit your interest. Find out whether there are any penalties for not maintaining a minimum balance before signing up.
Accruing interest
If your current account is usually in the black, it's sensible to opt for one paying a reasonable rate of interest - 3 per cent or above - to maximise your returns. However, these accounts often stipulate a minimum level of funding required per month, so do look carefully at the terms.
Terms and conditions
If there is a chance that you might go overdrawn, check what the charges are for doing so. Overdraft rates vary significantly between current account providers, so shop around for the lowest one if you need an overdraft and inform your bank before going overdrawn. Unauthorised personal finance overdrafts are far more expensive than authorised ones.
It's worth finding out how much you can go overdrawn by if you may need more than a few hundred pounds. Ask whether you can go overdrawn by a certain amount without having to notify your bank beforehand and not have to pay over the odds for this.
Here, on our website, you will find accurate information on credit cards, current accounts, loans, insurance and mortgage deals for efficient personal finance management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liza_Mathers
In the following sections, we take you through the various access methods and highlight points to consider when choosing a current account to meet your individual needs.
Going automated with ATMs
Bank branch ATMs now offer free shared access to consumers' accounts, so you don't have to pay if you use another bank's ATM to withdraw cash.
You should check the maximum amount of cash you can withdraw from an ATM in a single day. This is usually around £300, subject to available funds or an arranged overdraft, but it can vary. If you are likely to deposit cash or cheques into your account, find out whether you can do this via your bank's ATMs to avoid queuing for hours in your local branch.
Scouting locations
Most current accounts offer a cheque book and cheque guarantee card (which often doubles up as a debit card). However, many people no longer pay by cheque, so there are a number of current account providers - usually online - who don't offer a cheque book (in exchange, you might get a slightly higher rate of interest on balances).
If you do want the option of paying by cheque, make sure the account you sign up for offers this. Check what limit is on the cheque guarantee card - it may be as low as £50, although some accounts go as high as £250.
Banking by phone
Find out whether the bank has a free or local-rate number for telephone banking and what services you can access by phone. This could make a difference if you contact your bank on a regular basis.
Clicking through the Internet
The growth of Internet banking has been phenomenal. A number of high-street banks are behind the various Internet banks, although the latter are run as standalone operations. So, for example, Halifax owns Intelligent Finance, Abbey owns Cahoot, and insurer Prudential owns Egg.
Standalone Internet banks offer better rates of interest on balances and overdrafts than high-street banks. They can do this because they have lower overheads (no branches). Instead, you get 24-hour access, 365 days a year. But the accounts on offer are more limited than on the high street and there are times when you might want to speak to someone face to face. With many standalone Internet banks you have to rely on the phone or email, which doesn't suit everyone.
You won't get a monthly statement in the post either: instead, you'll be able to access an electronic statement online. If you really want a paper statement for your records, print this off and file it.
Weighing balances
Many banks require only £1 to open a current account, but some providers insist that you deposit a minimum amount of cash each month, or that your balance doesn't dip below a set amount. If you don't have much cash to spare, steer clear of such accounts because if your balance dips below, say, £250 you may forfeit your interest. Find out whether there are any penalties for not maintaining a minimum balance before signing up.
Accruing interest
If your current account is usually in the black, it's sensible to opt for one paying a reasonable rate of interest - 3 per cent or above - to maximise your returns. However, these accounts often stipulate a minimum level of funding required per month, so do look carefully at the terms.
Terms and conditions
If there is a chance that you might go overdrawn, check what the charges are for doing so. Overdraft rates vary significantly between current account providers, so shop around for the lowest one if you need an overdraft and inform your bank before going overdrawn. Unauthorised personal finance overdrafts are far more expensive than authorised ones.
It's worth finding out how much you can go overdrawn by if you may need more than a few hundred pounds. Ask whether you can go overdrawn by a certain amount without having to notify your bank beforehand and not have to pay over the odds for this.
Here, on our website, you will find accurate information on credit cards, current accounts, loans, insurance and mortgage deals for efficient personal finance management.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liza_Mathers
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