Treat Yourself to Sorting Out the Money Thing

Financial abundance is our birthright and we can claim it.

It is never too late to change the way you think about or manage money, particularly if the way you think about it no longer serves you.

For many people, it is not so much how much money is earned, but instead what is done with it, how it is used, spent or saved in some way. It may be that you're a professional and earn way above the national average and yet you still have more month than money. Or it may be that you've worked in a manual/unskilled/semi-skilled position earning around the national average and it may even be that you have another job to supplement your main income - you may own properties in the country you live, and own rental properties in other countries and have a sizeable amount of savings.

It is a question of psychology. How do you think about money? Is your money working for you? Or are you working for your money? That is, is your money earning you money even whilst you sleep or are you earning your money and allowing it to frit away? Our thought processes around money is often determined by the emotional baggage we associate with it, usually from our childhood.
Certainly in my family we grew up never really having much. It seemed as though we just had enough to pay the rent, eat three reasonable meals a day, and pay the bills and not too much more to do much else. Buying clothes, certainly up to date clothes were pretty much off the agenda, much of the time.

I was told about the importance of saving. My mum was particularly insistent about this and I did save for a while, money that family and friends would give me.

My relationship with money has been quite fickle. I have earned a reasonable amount of money and it feels as though I have squandered a lot too. Do not get me wrong - I enjoyed what I was doing when I was doing it - going on holidays, buying clothes, buying property etc. What I did not do though was pace myself. I was speaking to a friend recently and communicated to him that over the last five/six years I have been close to bankruptcy at least four times. I was always living on overdrafts, always maxing on my credit cards, managing my bank account inappropriately and so having items returned unpaid and incurring bank charges.

The pain associated with those times was so great that I made a decision to think differently around money. Yes, it is been an ongoing process of fits and starts and I am seriously focussed and on my journey now. Each time I make money I pay something to myself as well as paying off debts and bills.

I love paying my debts as much as I love paying myself. As far as possible, it's important to be clear of debts. I have a different relationship with money. I have much more respect for money now. I know how it can serve me and beyond me - my community and charities generally. How I use the money I make is now very important to me, otherwise I may just as well stand on the street corner and devalue the money by ripping it to shreds - because in effect this is precisely what I have been doing - ripping it to shreds and throwing it away.

The best person to take control of your money is you. Of course you will take good professional advice, giving up complete control though, to the 'professionals' is not overly wise. You will want to get regular feedback on how your savings/investments are doing (if you have any). Get curious, stay interested, make decisions - take back the control.

I remember as a child I use to dread going back to school after the Christmas holiday - absolutely dread it. Why? Because I knew that I would have to lie about the presents I got. Certainly at the time I thought it was a `had to' lie. Friends around me were getting what seemed to me to be multiple presents of money, clothes and toys etc. etc. I cannot quite remember the gifts that I did get, but I do remember that they were small and yes what my parents could afford and certainly I was grateful for them because I knew that it took a lot to make sure that we did all get something. And yet I felt the `pressure' of having to fabricate all the things that I did not get. Reflecting on it now, I wonder if others did the same.

The great thing now looking back on those times is that I did get presents and I'm sure that many other children did not, though, as a young person, this was not what was going through my mind at the time. My thing was what lies could I make up about the presents I got? The lie, to some extent, related to who I was talking to at the time. It seems really elaborate now thinking about it, though didn't at the time, I did have to keep track of what I said to whom.

I grew up knowing that my parents always did their best and particularly my mother, she is a very selfless person. She never provided for herself without first providing for us.

Other memories about what I considered to be lack centred on school holidays, particularly going back to school after the summer holidays. Friends would be talking about what they did in the summer holidays - going away to stay with relatives and friends, going off to the seaside. We never did any of this in my family. The impact in relation to my adult life and how I have thought about money is that money it is there to be spent and I will get anything I want. Holidays, clothes, household goods, etc, etc, you name it; if I wanted it, I would get it. Instant gratification. Deferred gratification just was not in my vocabulary. I had no idea what that meant, and saving for a rainy day were words without meaning.

Strategically thinking about and planning in relation to money was not even a consideration. It was a case of making up for in adulthood what I couldn't and did not get as a child. These were my learned responses to money. Took me a very long time to fully appreciate that my thinking around money and use of it was actually counter-productive to my well-being. Maxing on credit cards, getting bank loans, defaulting on bills did absolutely no good to my credit rating.

I remember when I was first told that I was not credit worthy. It felt like a real attack on my identity. I went to a place of defensiveness. Not worthy?! What do they mean? They do not know me. Not credit worthy - I felt really indignant and yet looking back on it, I realise that it was a real wake up call for me. Still did not stop the indignation though. How dare they make judgements and assumptions about me?

Not worthy or even capable of managing my own finances, the evidence was there for all to see. I was completely blinkered to the glaringly obvious evidence. I went into complete denial and continued to spend more than I earned happily - oblivious to the mess that I was creating for myself. Being turned down for credit cards, bank loans. The impact often times going beyond my knowing.

We all carry baggage. Some positive, some negative. I wonder what yours is.

What are your dreams and desires?

What do you wish to achieve around money?

What are your yearly goals - or at least your goals for this year?

What plans will you set in place to achieve your financial goals?

These will be different for everyone. What's important is that you feel at one with your achievement of your goals. They are your goals. You wish to achieve them. It would be worthwhile to set out for yourself why you wish to achieve your financial goals. How will they benefit you and others? If you can arrive at a reason why your financial goals are important to you, it is much more likely that you will achieve them.

Rising Inflation Causing Problems For Many

With Inflation increasing and a significant reduction in the availability of credit, many Britons are struggling with their finances, according to Legal & General.

The financial services firm has announced that the number of people who are now living beyond their means has increased significantly in the last six months, with residents in the north found to be particularly hard struck. Research carried out by the group indicated that in this area, the number of people whose outgoings are higher than their monthly income has ballooned by 82 per cent, with 281,000 consumers in the region found to be in this situation. East Anglia and the north-west have also seen their income shrink in the face of increasing costs, with 51 per cent and 47 per cent increases in the number of people living beyond their means recorded in each of these areas respectively.

For consumers who are finding that their salary is insufficient to cover their bills, applying for a payday loan may be useful to replace missing income. On the other hand, for consumers who find this to be a regular issue, a loan for consolidation purposes may be of benefit.

Indeed, it seems that across the country the number of people with money left over after bill payments is contracting. Research from Legal & General has indicated that only 57 per cent of the population has money to put away at the end of each month, meaning that an additional 1.2 million consumers have found their income insufficient in supporting their household in the last six months.

Again, the north was found to be the worst affected region, with a 17 per cent decrease in the number of people with surplus income logged in this area. However, the firm also pointed out that even Londoners are feeling a pinch, with a seven per cent fall recorded in the capital.

Commenting on the figures, Jonathan Latham, director of wealth customer marketing at Legal & General, said: "As inflation takes its toll, the need for investing becomes even greater as digging into reserves looks inevitable for an increasing number, with nearly 5.3 million people now being forced to spend more than they earn. The harsh reality of today means the end of the 'spend now pay later' culture. We would urge customers to review their finances and carefully look at their spending and savings habits. With some careful budgeting it is possible to keep on saving, even a small amount. If you are having financial problems, it is important that you take action and speak to a debt adviser."

For those who have found themselves struggling to keep up with spending commitments, taking out a debt consolidation loan may be an effective way of getting finances back on track. By spreading out payments in this way, people may find that they can avoid the risks of defaulting on commitments. Opting for this type of loan might be of particular interest to those people who are considering selling their property to avoid repossession after the Motley Fool warned that many buy and rent back schemes come with clauses that could put consumers in a vulnerable position.

Black Homeowners Guide - How to Build a Fortress Around Your Finances

I often tell Black Homeowners the best way to survive the current financial climate is to make sure you have a fortress of protection around your finances. Financial protection doesn't always have to mean denying yourself and your family the necessities or even some of the luxuries in life. But it does mean spending your money smarter so it stretches farther. Your money should also do more than one task at a time (multi-tasking money, how cool is that). Your money should also help protect your other assets.

Many African American homeowners experiencing financial hardship today failed to build a fortress around their finances. Not building a fortress around your finances is causing many people's debts to snowball and eventually overtake them.

Here's three simple ways to build a fortress around your finances. I call it my "Triangle Fortress". The three sides of protection is Quick Decisions, Account Protections, and Smart Shopping.

1. Quick Decisions. Can you make tough decisions fast after you have all the facts? The quicker you can make tough decisions after gathering all the facts, the sooner you'll start building your fortress around your finances and protecting yourself.

"Unfortunately one of the biggest mistakes most people make who experience financial calamities is waiting too long to take action", says financial consultant Seth Weintraub.

Soon the problem snowballs out of their control, making their money problems harder to handle than a greased pig.

2. Account Protections. (Note: Make sure you consult a qualified financial professional for specific laws in your state).

Do you know one of the major advantages the rich have always had? This one secret has allowed them to keep money in their families for generation after generation. For example, the old money rich like the Rockefellers, Kennedy's and Rothschild's place their money in places the tax man can't go.

Now the average or not so average person has places they can place and protect there money. For example ...

401K Retirement Plan. If you have access to a 401K or other retirement account make sure you're maxing it out. This is one of the few areas you have complete protection from creditors, a bankruptcy, lawsuit or even the I.R.S. A retirement account is one of the best ways to build a fortress around your money.

IRA and Roth IRA. The Bankruptcy Reform Act protects up to $1 million in IRAs, including Roth's, from creditors.

529 Plan. Another excellent way to build a fortress around your money is through a 529 college plan if you have children.

A 529 Plan is an educational savings plan managed by a state or educational institution. It helps families save money for future college costs. It's named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which created these types of savings plans in 1998.

3. Shopping Smarter. When coming out of an economic high and diving into an economic downturn it's important to change your spending habits quick. Here's two habits you should make sure you're doing.

Comparison Shop. This is another way to help build a fortress around your finances. With so much pressure to buy, buy, and buy now, it's tempting to snatch whatever product or service is convent at the moment.

Impatient buyers are an overpriced stores favorite customer. Make it a habit to check at least 3 places or get 3 estimates before buying, especially big ticket items and services. With the internet, comparison shopping is easier than ever. Don't pay for what you can get free.

It's shocking to hear what people pay for everyday that they could get for free. If you follow this simple advice you'll save hundreds may thousands of dollars this year.

As tight fisted as you think your Federal, State and Local governments are, they offer a slew of free and low cost services.

Most people never take advantage of these free and low cost services, but instead pay companies because of convenience or they simply don't have the information. For example, do you take advantage of free government books, pamphlets and other information you can get from the Government Printing Office?

The books and pamphlets are on thousands of different subjects. Most states offer free or no cost medical clinics, vaccinations and health care information and more.

Even your local library offers free books of course, but that's not all. You can also find low cost CD and DVD rentals, free lectures and classes on different topics. Free internet access is also available and more.

Second best is sometimes better. When the economy was flying along everyone wanted the best, in fact many advertising slogans revolved around "You deserve the best ... Because you're worth it." Remember that?

But did you know second best can often be better? It all depends on what you're using the product for. The object of spending smarter is not always buying the best, but buying the best for your particular circumstance.

For example, do you need the best car to get you back and forth to your job everyday? Do you need the best shoes to do yard work? Or do you need to have the best computer if all you do is send and read email a few times week?

If you follow these tips you'll quickly be on your way to building a fortress around your finances. I'll offer more tips in future newsletters. Because the next best accomplishment after making money is protecting your money.

Money - Are You Making Money to Spend Frivolously?

Do you make money and spend it quickly? Take this very short quiz here to see if you are an impulse spender. Please answer these questions truthfully:

1.) Do you live from paycheck to paycheck?

2.) Are you surprised each month when your credit card bill arrives at how much more you charged than you thought you had?

3.) Is your closet jammed with clothes you don't wear or wear infrequently?

4.) Is you home or apartment cluttered, with items you rarely use?

5.) Do you have jewelry or other body ornaments that are collecting dust?

If the answer to ANY of these questions was "yes", I suggest you wait a full minute, at the minimum, and think about what you might buy, before making any purchases. If the answer to ALL of these questions was "yes", the stores love you and turn on the sale lights when they see you coming. Wait 5 minutes, at the minimum, and think about what you might buy, before making any purchases.

Always put away a portion of your check into savings. Budgeting and setting money goals will help tremendously. Set a limit and budget on how much you will spend monthly on necessities, such as food, transportation and shelter and luxuries, such as another pair of black dress shoes.

Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships, as well. To overcome the problem, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants. One "want", we splurged on for the children was a popular Nintendo game set. However, this was only after our monthly needs and savings had been satisfied.

Advertisers blitz us hawking their products at us 24/7. Again, one trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned for.

Becoming an all cash buyer could help you tremendously. We tend to spend less when we are spending cash. Become methodical with your spending. Account for every dollar. Once you have cultivated better habits for your spending, you can go back to using credit cards, if you want to. It takes at lease 30 days to change a habit.

Take it from one who know firsthand, impulsive spending is not good. It can easily destroy your finances, if you allow it to. It can be a terrible addiction, like sugar or food, and just like a food or sugar addiction, it can be cured, with some amount of smart work. Please don't take your impulsive spending lightly. Put together a plan, TODAY, to stop it. Both your wallet and your relationships will thank you for it.

Secure and Safe - Tips For Online Banking

Just within the last several years, the Internet has emerged as a highly convenient way to conduct banking business, as well as shop for financial services. As the use of the Internet continues to expand, more banks are using the web to offer products and services or enhance its communication with existing customers.

However, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), safe online banking involves making wise choices - decisions that will help users avoid costly surprises or even scams.

Whether selecting a traditional bank or an online bank with no physical office, users should make sure a bank is legitimate and that deposits are federally insured. The following are tips for consumers considering banking over the Internet:

1. Read key information about the bank posted on its Web site. Peruse the "About Us" section on the bank's Web site where a brief history of the bank, its official name, address, and its insurance coverage from the FDIC is featured.

2. Protect yourself from fraudulent Web site. Be careful to avoid copycat Web sites that use a name or Web address similar to, but not the same as, that of a real financial institution. Their intent is to lure potential customers in giving personal information, such as your account number and password. Making sure you have typed the correct Web site address of your bank before conducting a transaction.

3. Verify the bank's insurance status. To verify a bank's insurance status, look for the familiar FDIC logo or the words "Member FDIC" or "FDIC Insured" on the Web site. Internet users may also check the FDIC's online database of FDIC-insured institutions.

4. Due to insurance purposes, a bank may use different names for its online and traditional services. Your deposits at the parent bank are added together with those at the Web site and insured for up to the maximum amount covered for one bank.

5. Only deposits offered by the FDIC-insured institutions are protected by the FDIC. Nondeposit investments and insurance products, such as mutual funds, stocks, annuities, and life insurance policies sold through Web sites or at a bank are not FDIC-insured, are not guaranteed by the bank, and can lose value.

6. Quite often banks that are chartered overseas are not FDIC insured. If you choose to use a bank chartered overseas, it is important to note that the FDIC may not insure your deposits.

Consumers often want to know how their personal information is used by their bank and whether it is shared with affiliates of the bank or other parties. Beginning in July 2001, banks are required to provide customers with a copy of their privacy policy, regardless of whether you are conducting business online or offline. Here, customers can learn what information the bank uses regarding its customers and whether it shares this with other companies.

It's important to remember that the Internet is a public network. So, it's important to learn how to safeguard banking information, credit card numbers, Social Security Number and other personal data. Look at the bank's Web site for information about its security practices, or contact the bank. Also, be informed about the Website's security features including:

1. Encryption: the process of scrambling private information to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs): Used when accessing an account online. Choose a password unique to you and consider changing it regularly.

3. General Security: Security provided by your personal computer such as virus protection and physical access controls should be used and updated regularly.

Considered an added convenience to customers, some banks may offer links to merchants, retail stores, travel agents and other sites. Keep in mind that nonofficial Web sites linked to your banks' site are not FDIC-insured. These company's products and services may not be insured by the FDIC and your bank may not guarantee the products and services. Make sure you are comfortable with the reputation of a company before making a transaction and never provide a credit card or debit card number unless you initiate the transaction.

MUTUAL FUNDS and Personal Finance

Insurance medical exams may not be as certain as death and taxes, but they're not far behind. You'll probably take one when you apply for nongroup life insurance.

You might also have to take an exam if you want nongroup disability, health or long-term care insurance.

Just because such exams are common, don't take them lightly. If you flunk the test, you could be denied vital coverage.

Even if you pass, which most people do, your results affect your risk rating. A better rating means cheaper premiums.

Some basic steps can help. Take life insurance. Many of its rules apply to other types of coverage as well.

Life insurers typically put applicants into one of four broad categories. "These categories are based on the risk you'll die soon," said Dr. Craig Davidson, assistant vice president and senior medical director at the Hartford.

People in the best health are "preferred" risks. The next category is "standard."

Below standard, applicants are rated by the severity of their health problems. These substandard categories are called tables.

If you're slightly below standard, you're in Table 1. If you have a slightly higher risk of dying early than people in Table 1, you're in Table 2. Some companies go up to Table 10.

Someone with diabetes might be put in Table 2 for determining premium payments. Someone who has had a heart attack may be in Table 4. With a shorter life expectancy, he can expect higher premiums.

Some people won't be offered insurance at all, at any price.

"About 18% of our applicants are rated or declined," Davidson said.

The other 82% are preferred or standard risks. More people pay preferred rates than standard rates. The difference can be substantial.

Premium Prices

Suppose a 50-year-old male wants to buy $500,000 of life insurance. He chooses term life, which charges relatively low premiums and accumulates no cash value.

He wants a policy that will stay in effect for 10 years.

If he is a nonsmoker who is a preferred risk, he might pay $750 a year for that coverage. (Anyone who smokes will pay much more for life insurance.)

If this nonsmoking 50-year-old is a standard risk, he may pay nearly $1,300 a year for the same amount of insurance.

He'll pay much more if he's rated. With some hypertension or cholesterol issues, he could be classed in Table 2 and be charged $1,900 a year.

Obviously, the best way to hold down your costs is to watch your health regularly. Stop smoking if you're a smoker. See your doctor and follow suggested treatment if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excess weight or other cardiovascular risks.

You can do other things at the last minute to get a better grade on an insurance test. If you're on the borderline, these actions might push you into a lower-cost category:

• Eat carefully. Davidson suggests not eating for at least eight hours before a physical exam. That can keep blood sugar and triglycerides down.

For a day or two before your test, avoid steaks and other fatty food.

• Watch what you drink. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages before the physical.

Minimize your intake of caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and cola. Alcohol and caffeine can raise your blood pressure. Even juice might hurt your result.

Water and more water might help, can't hurt.

• Schedule your test smartly. Let's say your exam is set for late afternoon. You run out of a heated business meeting to make the appointment. The stress might send your pulse and blood pressure sky high.

Taking a physical early in the morning probably is better. After a night's sleep and before you go to work, your stress level may be low.

• Exercise care. Keeping in shape is a good long-term strategy. But a strenuous workout before your exam can be a bad idea.

"Playing squash or running five miles before a physical can affect tests of liver function," Davidson said. That might put you into a lower health class than you deserve.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Personal Finance Column

Aug. 2--Before she was Dawn Summers on Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl, Michelle Trachtenberg was Harriet M. Welsch in Harriet the Spy. And before Harriet the Spy was a 1996 film, it was a not just one of the greatest books ever written, but the kind of book that, if you read and loved it in your childhood, immediately bonds you to others who did, too, to the point that you sort of lose respect for any woman who did not devour the novel a minimum of seven times.

Published in 1964 by Louise Fitzhugh, who died a decade later of a brain aneurysm at age 46, Harriet the Spy is about a stubborn, smart, decidedly unfeminine adolescent girl who lives in a Manhattan townhouse and is generally ignored by her parents. She has a close if unconventional relationship with her nanny, Ole Golly (played, somewhat incongruously in our opinion, in the movie by Rosie O'Donnell), and spends the vast majority of her time spying on neighbors, classmates and complete strangers. Lessons are eventually learned, but not in some goopy, melodramatic manner; Fitzhugh's writing is as fiercely intelligent as Harriet herself. At least, that's how it was in the book. Frankly, we've never seen the movie. That would be sacrilege. But that's just us.

Personal Finance: Are there benefits in insuring children?

The question of insuring children is a loaded one. The death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy, one of parents' worst nightmares and something no one would want to even contemplate.
Understandably, many people find the idea of insuring their children to be somewhat distasteful - or downright offensive. But purchasing a permanent life insurance policy for your child today could give them a financial head start tomorrow.

A financial advantage

There are two very good reasons to consider insuring your child, for their own benefit. The first is financial: the earlier you purchase life insurance, the less it costs. No matter what kind of policy you purchase, life insurance costs more the older you are. However, with a permanent life insurance policy, you can lock in a premium price when you first purchase the policy. If you purchase a policy for your child at a young age, that affordable premium is locked in and will not go up throughout the course of your child's life, as long as the policy is kept in force. That can be an enormous financial advantage to your child as they go through life.

In addition, the earlier you purchase permanent life insurance, the longer the cash value has to grow tax-deferred. Over the years, that can make a huge difference in the amount of cash value that can accumulate. And down the road, that cash value can be borrowed against if necessary-for instance, to buy a house, pay for college tuition or help supplement retirement income. That's why having a cash value accumulating for a long time can be a financial advantage to your child, in the future.

The gift of insurability

However, the most compelling reason to purchase life insurance for your child while he or she is young is the fact that doing so can ensure their insurability later in life. We all pray that our children lead healthy lives. But, realistically, so much can happen to make them uninsurable or only insurable at a high cost - even their chosen profession. A juvenile life insurance policy can help protect them when they are young, and allow for greater protection as they grow older. Many policies come with riders that allow your child to purchase additional insurance at various points in their life. By insuring your child while they are young, you can help make sure they can provide financial protection for their own family later on in their life.

Should tragedy strike

Even in the event of an unthinkable tragedy, the proceeds of a child's life insurance policy could make a difference in so many ways. That money could be used to keep your child's memory alive. For instance, you can give to a charity or create a memorial fund in your child's name.

The death benefit can also help you deal with some of real financial ramifications of such a tragedy, such as medical or funeral costs. It would be devastating enough to lose a child, without having to also struggle to cover medical bills and final expenses, which can run in the thousands of dollars. The policy death benefit could also allow you to grieve properly. Many companies will give parents a week off with pay when a child dies, but how many people would be ready to go back to work one week after losing their child? The death benefit could allow you to take the time you need to grieve without having to worry about your income during that time.

A gift for a lifetime

Purchasing life insurance for your children should not come instead of purchasing life insurance for yourself and your spouse, or saving for your retirement. However, if you have the funds, purchasing an insurance policy for your children could help ensure they are protected, and also help them and their future families down the line. Rather than being something offensive to even think about, buying life insurance for your children could end up being one of the greatest gifts you'll ever give them.

How To Fight High Gasoline Prices

Are you scared that gas prices are going up but your income is not? Is the high gasoline price sucking too much money out of your pocket?

For people on a fixed income, it looks as if everything is going up except their pay check. In fact, the situation is so serious that some of them need to look for a new job closer to the home just to save on gas. This is true even though they love their job and don't want to change it.

You can find plenty of advice about surviving in the world of high gasoline prices. For example:

• Change your driving habits.
• Cut back on daily purchases in order to compensate for increased gasoline spending.
• Do not go out for lunch. Bring it with you to the office.
• Instead of eating out at a "fancy" sit down restaurants, go to fast food places to cover the difference between gas prices and food savings.

Basically, all these advisers are teaching how to adjust your spending habits to accommodate rising gas prices because there is nothing you can do about the rising cost of gasoline. But what if you don’t want to change your habits? What if you refuse to become a hostage to higher gasoline prices?

Well, I have a realistic solution. Instead of losing time on driving around looking for cheaper gasoline, spend your time and energy on learning about online earning opportunities. You can easily make between one hundred to three hundred dollars on the Internet monthly. This extra money could cover your gasoline expenses allowing you to forget about this problem for rest of your life!

There are hundreds of thousands people who make full time living from the Internet business and millions who choose the Internet as a part time job. Why not to begin your Internet business journey with a very clear goal to compensate your everyday gasoline expenses?

There are countless ways to make this kind of additional income through the Internet. Most of these methods are very simple to understand and quickly to learn even for beginners.

Being involving with an Internet business on a part time basis can earn you extra income straight from your home computer without giving up the things you and your family already enjoy.

Put Money In Your Pocket By Cutting Personal Expenses

Everyone has personal expenses. But the fact of the matter is; most people spend much more money than they realize. If you ask someone to make a detailed list of their monthly expenses, they will tell that they spend about 30% less than they actually do. This unknown spending can make a significant dent in your budget.

Many of these little forgotten expenses are making it difficult for some people to make ends meet. So what can you do to reduce your expenses? Slash your expenses and change your spending habits. You would be surprised at the amount of money you can save by making a few small changes in your spending habits.

Never go on a shopping trip without having a list. Even if you only need three or four items, make a list and stick to it. Stores know that most people are prone to buying impulse items and will set up their store to take advantage of this. Don't fall for that money-sucking trap. Only buy items on your list. If you see something that you really like, pass on it during that trip and think about it when you get home. In most cases, tat impulse purchase will not look so enticing after you've thought about it for a while.

Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry. A hungry shopper will almost always buy more than someone with a full stomach. And again, if you have followed the advice in the previous paragraph and have a list, you will spend considerably less.

Always use coupons, particularly at the grocery store. Using coupons, you can easily and consistently save about 10% on your grocery bill. Over the course of a year, this can amount to a great deal of money. Develop a file system for your coupons. And most importantly, only buy items that you need now. Don't buy an item that you might use in 6 months just because you have a coupon today.

Are you are tired of living paycheck to paycheck with no cash to spare? Check out my newest ebook for the details on how to slash expenses and put money in your pocket!