Immediate Ways of Saving Money

Money Saving Tips That Work

Sometimes people think of saving money as a monumental task involving lots of personal sacrifice. This does not have to be the case, however, for those willing to make minor changes, prevent the need for more payday loans, and begin saving money right away. The following are a few very simple tips that everyone can use to grow their savings.

Stop Using Credit Cards

By their very nature, credit cards increase debt. They also are great ways of wasting money on things like interest rates, finance charges and other fees. When these additional charges are avoided, more money is made available for actual saving. Those who make it a hard-fast rule to only purchase items that they can afford to pay for in cash find themselves closer to a debt-free reality and a larger savings account.

Only Spend Paper Money

Each time coins are received as change for purchases, do not spend this money later in the day. Instead, when other purchases are made throughout the day, pay for each one with paper currency and save all change received to be deposited in a piggy bank or a coin jar at the end of the day. People have reported amazing success in saving money in this way and some have even been able to bypass the need for car loans by purchasing vehicles with spare change that they have saved for several years.

Save a Few Dollars Every Day

By developing a habit of putting a few dollars in a jar each and every day, a person can save a lot of money. For example, if a person can develop the discipline of saving just five dollars every day, in a year's time they can save $1,825. Some people may only choose to save a dollar each day and others may choose to save more, but this is a relatively painless way of saving that everyone can afford to do. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Immediate Ways of Saving Money"

How to make Auto Accident Claims Easy

Reasons to be concerned during Holidays and Winter

Holidays would be a time when people are on the roads more often, while winter is probably the opposite. These seasons both have got a thing in common. The dangers of an accident waiting to happen nearby and an increase in traffic. Inevitably, people would have made sure their vehicles are insured. One law stipulates in many states that vehicle owners are required to have liability insurance. Do all people have the knowledge to proceed with a claim with their insurers in case of an accident? This is a subject that has led to many disputes with insurers. Insurers either reduce or reject claims, oftentimes. What is the simplest way to get a claim processed without trouble?

No Reason to Panic

The first things you ought of do if you are in an accident is avoid some kind of panic. Panic after an accident will only lead you to more trouble than imagined. You have to remember that you are involved in an accident and a claim needs to me made for it with your insurers. Collect information that will help process your claim smoothly by using the following tips but also stay calm.

What should be Looked For?

Should you be involved in an accident, report the matter to the police immediately if someone is injured. The report must be made irrespective about the extent of the injuries. Any destruction of the car and property must also be reported. The vehicle should be moved away from the flow of traffic to a secure place. Take pictures of the accident if you’re able to, but also write down the license numbers of the vehicles involved. You’ll be provided a driver information exchange form through the police. Details of the other party involved in the accident must be with you by then. Collect details of all witnesses that may be around at the time of the accident. Do not accept fault for the accident or any money from the other party to stay away from reporting the accident. Your claim can get affected by this. Make sure you file your claim by getting in touch with your insurer immediately after the accident. The form for the claim should be completed in all respects! . Have a word with your insurers about any preferred repair shops they may have before taking your car to a repair shop of your choice. If an adjuster has been appointed by the insurer, make sure that they agree to pay for all repairs before you get the work done. If you come across supplementary damages during the time of the repair, you need to report this and take approvals for the repairs. All repairs carried out should be checked to make sure that the car is in good condition. Get a receipt for any work completed with the name and address of the repair shop clearly visible. Your insurers will demand this from you. Issues that people have with insurance claims for auto accidents have more to do with a lack of knowledge of the rules. Insurers will just follow the rules they have set with no compromises.

Three Ways Your Home Loses Heat and How to Stop It

Saving money on your heating bills

Most people understand the notion that heat escaping from your home means your heater has to work much harder, and this results in larger heating bills. As a consequence, most prudent people will change their furnace filter or have their boiler serviced, will apply some weather stripping to doors and windows, and take other similar precautions before winter really gets started. However, many people completely overlook the three biggest ways their homes lose heat and completely fail to take any measures to prevent this. Recognizing these three ways that heat escapes your home can literally save you a trip to your local payday loan store and hundreds of dol! lars once it gets cold enough to keep your heater on constantly. Best of all, most of these remedies are fairly simple and inexpensive.

Folding attic stairs

Most attics are accessible by a thin plywood door that has a folding ladder attached to its inside; you pull down the door and the ladder unfolds to the floor allowing you to climb up into the attic. This attic door amounts to an enormous hole in your ceiling, and since heat rises, it can come as no surprise that this is a major escape point for heat during the winter. As the ladder is attached directly to the plywood door, there is usually little, if any, insulation. As most attics are ventilated from outside the house, this means there is little more than a piece of plywood between the inside of your home and the outdoors. Further, it is very difficult to add insulation to these doors while keeping the ability to use the door and the ladder to access the attic. So what can be done? Luckily, many people have come to recognize this problem and you can now buy attic stair covers at most large home improvement stores. Depending on the size ! of your attic entrance, these covers usually cost between $50.00 and $150.00, however you are likely to save at least that much on your heating bill in the first season. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Three Ways Your Home Loses Heat and How to Stop It"

Saving Money Depends on Knowing Needs Versus Wants

The “Give Me” Generation

Throughout the Great Depression, people made do using what they had because it was the way to survive during those times. The kids of that time learned from their parents and also lived with that mindset. Then came my generation born after 1960 and before 1985. The economy took off during this time, making the 1980’s the most materialistic decade of the twentieth century. Because of this, the debt generation was spawned because they want everything handed to them. Thousands of dollars in debt is now facing the adults who wanted everything still.

Needs Meaning

Because people have gotten everything they desired as children, they don’t understand the main difference between needs and wants. If they buy a computer, they claim they “need” it. This logic can also be applied to “needing” a television. This does not define needs. In any chosen environment, needs allow us to stay alive. Needs usually do not put us deeply into debt, and when you understand what you really need, you’re going to get yourself out of debt very quickly. You’re kept alive and healthy through needs being met. A computer isn’t a basic need, nor is that fancy wide screen television.

What Wants Actually Mean

When someone claims they just "need" to get that one-of-a-kind coat, you’ll be able to pretty much bet that they do not understand the concept of "wants". Though you desire an item and want it, you think you need it. Some people with consumer debt can put their debts in this “wants” category. Almost everything you have at your residence will fit into this category.

Cut costs by Separating both

The only way you are going to save money in the long run is to separate your needs from your wants. Survival takes very little, so get very clear with what you actually need. You have to make a list with two columns. The left side really should be labeled NEEDS. The right side should be labeled WANTS. The left side is for everything that keeps you alive and healthy. Items, such as water, food, shelter and clothing, will be on this side. If you or a family member has special needs, for example an oxygen tank, write this down on the left side. Items that do not fit the needs definition should be written on the right side. Toys, furniture and also your computer will go on this side.

Analyze Both Sides

Now, examine both sides. The longer list will be the right side, as you don’t need much to live on. When you get real with your finances, this may be very revealing to you. Can you see that you spend too much money? There is nothing wrong with indulging in your wants. If you want to save money and get rid of debt, getting clear about your needs is the 1st step. It is okay to spend money on your wants. Just get clear that your wants are not the same as your needs. Stop spending so much money on your wants, to enable you to get out of debt faster.

Same day loans - quick help for any emergency

Same day loans

When I went to jail, I found myself in quite a pickle. I had to work the next day, so it was a must that I post bail in time. Thank goodness for installment loans for bad credit through Personal Money Store. I had my husband apply for a payday loan or a same day loan; he really couldn't find any reliable service online. I thought I would ! end up losing my job, but finally my husband found Personal Money Store's website.

Same day loans in as little as two hours

When my husband started the application process, he had the option to get the money we needed in as little as two hours, and this enabled me to be freed just in time to make it to work. I'm so thankful for the services he received on that traumatic day.

No faxing same day loans

Not only did we get the money in two hours, but there was also no faxing required in our case. Sometimes it's such an inconvenience to find a fax machine to fax your documents for a loan, not to mention the cost is usually a dollar for a page. I don't know about you, but when I'm broke, I'm broke. So paying to fax a few documents is out of the question. No worries with Personal Money Store's fax- less same day loans. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Same day loans - quick help for any emergency"

Last Call for Home-Buyer Tax Credits

The federal home-buyer tax credits

Qualified first-time and repeat home buyers can still take advantage of the federal home-buyer tax credits. The credits are back, after a short hiatus, and prospective  home buyers stand to save thousands of dollars by taking advantage of them.  They should be used wisely,however. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The deadline is approaching

The deadline for the federal home-buyer tax credits is April 30, 2010. That means that if you want to use the credit, you have to have your home under contract, or in escrow, by that date. In addition, the transaction must close within 60 days. Although 60 days may sound like a long time, consider that the average home takes just under that to close. Also, if you are a first-time buyer, you should start looking soon.

The amount of the credit varies

People need to understand that the amount of the tax credit is not set in stone. In fact, it's actually 10% of the sale price of the home. Remember though that there is a maximum on the credit of $8,000 for qualified first-time buyers and $6,500 for qualified repeat buyers. For example, let's say a first-time buyer finds a home for $75,000. Their tax credit would be $7,500. On the other hand, if repeat buyers find their dream home for $110,000, the maximum tax credit would be  $6,500.

Consult the experts

It's never a good idea to try to sort through complex tax laws yourself, even if you do some research. Make sure you find the right people to guide you through the purchase and help you out. You want to have a mortgage lender who helps you find the right loan product, a realtor who can help you find homes with the right requirements and a tax preparer who knows the details of qualifying for the credit. Working together, they can create a sure-fire plan of action so you can take the tax credit and have all the necessary paperwork to prove your eligibility. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Last Call for Home-Buyer Tax Credits"

Tony Kornheiser suspended for comparing Hannah Storm to sausage

"PTI" host will be off the air "for some time," says ESPN

Not a sausage.

Let me preface this story with an acknowledgment that American society has gone too far in the direction of political correctness. This in no way will obscure my feelings about Tony Kornheiser, though. He may have sports knowledge, but I find him deeply annoying and cannot watch "Pardon the Interruption" ("PTI" for short) for this reason. No fax loans wouldn't make me consider such pain. In fact, now that I have the MLB Network, I find ESPN to be much less relevant to my life. If I want to know about other sports, I go online and listen to the radio.

Is this Tony Kornheiser's effort to make ESPN more interesting?

On his radio program, the PTI host made remarks about the wardrobe of fellow sportscaster Hannah Storm that some found offensive. I find them to be ill-conceived and unnecessary. It is a given that heterosexual males will view women in a sexual context at one time or another, regardless of how they know said women. Defending or attacking this kind of objectification isn't my point here. Blabbing about it in an inappropriate setting – whether the talk is positive or negative – is where men get themselves in trouble. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Tony Kornheiser suspended for comparing Hannah Storm to sausage"

Why You Need a Budget

Budgets Save Time

These days, it is harder than ever to find time to do the little things, let alone handle your finances. If your finances are a mess, chances are you have not taken the time to get organized. Organization can happen when you create a simple budget. Budgets do not have to be elaborate or time consuming. With a simple budget, you will know what bills you must pay. You will have all the information in place when it comes time to pay the bills. By knowing where your money is going at all times, you can save yourself a lot of time when you use a budget.

Money Not Wasted

All the experts seem to agree that when you create a budget, you will save money. By creating a budget, you will be able to see where your money is going. You will also know how much you can spend in any one category, such as groceries or gas. The budget will act like a spotlight on your lack of financial responsibility. If you are struggling with debt, this will be a roadmap out of debt. One word of caution: this will only help you save money if you stick to it. If you do not stick to the budget, you cannot save money. This budget is only as powerful as your commitment to stay with it. By sticking with a budget, you can save money and be debt free.

Budgets Save Stress

If you have a financial mess on your hands, you will end up being very stressed. And that stress can create many health problems. This will then cause you to miss more work. And if you miss work, you will not make as much money. When you have less money, you start going into debt. Not having a budget can really destroy your finances by giving you a lot of undue stress.

You can reduce this stress by creating a budget and seeing where your finances are at. And if you know where you are at financially, you will take back your financial power. With this power, you can be debt and stress free. With no financial stress, you will not be that sick anymore. You can earn more money if you are well. This can help you be debt free. By creating a budget, you will save yourself a lot of stress and money.

A Budget Helps you Live Well

As you have seen, creating a budget is a good idea if you want to live well. You can enjoy your family and friends. This will also allow you to save more money for a rainy day. And you will be healthy enough to enjoy your extra time and money. Why should you not desire to create a budget? The budget can help you plan for crippling emergencies. Having your needs met with a little time and money left over is what living well is all about.

Seniors in Need of Money Now are Worried about Social Security

Social Security benefits are crucial

Senior citizens needing money now are worried that Social Security benefits won't be around for much longer. Studies show that Social Security benefits make up for about 40% of retirees' income. It's no secret that many Americans have come to rely on the benefits to pay their monthly bills. Without it, they would be hard-pressed to maintain their current quality of life.

Government experts are saying that the Social Security fund will be tapped out in coming years. They have noted that tax receipts will start to fall short of outlays by 2016 and the long-term surplus of the fund will be drained by 2037. This has been much cause for concern with baby boomers who are quickly approaching the age of retirement and worried about money.

Is the Social Security fund gone?

Though the government admits that the Social Security fund will reach lows in coming years, they insist that benefits will not be eliminated. In fact, the fund will still be able to deliver about 75% of scheduled benefits. In addition, the gap between viable payouts and full payouts isn't huge. It's only about 2% of the national wages. That could easily be funded by small tax increases or a reduction in benefits for retirees.

How are benefits calculated?

Many Americans are concerned about the fund and wondering if they should include Social Security benefits in their retirement budget plan, and if so, how much. The answer begins with looking at how the payout is calculated. It's an algorithm of how long a person worked, adjusting their annual earnings for inflation, averaging the highest 35 paid years of service and then replacing a portion of their average income with monthly payouts. The next factor is the timing. People can claim their full benefits between 65 to 67, or continue to work until they are 70 for maximum benefits. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Seniors in Need of Money Now are Worried about Social Security"

'Family Guy' and Sarah Palin's history of taking jokes wrong

Surprise! Sarah Palin hates 'Family Guy'

Can you hear me now? Sarah Palin image from Flickr.

Sarah Palin really wants your attention -- I mean, she really, really wants it. She proved that last year Letterman made a joke about promiscuity that was very obviously referring to her 18-year-old daughter, Bristol. I mean, the girl got knocked up, for crying out loud -- of course Letterman's sex joke was about her.

But Palin turned it into a whole huge, sensationalized media frenzy by accusing Letterman of making a sexually related joke about her 14-year-old. She painted Letterman as a dirty old sex offender, and boy did that get people going! In the case of "Family Guy," Sarah Palin is doing the same thing: taking a joke out of context and getting tons of attention for it. Does she get instant money every time she starts a drama fest or what?

The 'Family Guy' Sarah Palin joke

On Sunday, "Family Guy" featured a character with Down syndrome. During one scene, the character, a teenage girl, says her mother is the former governor of Alaska. Sarah Palin has a toddler, Trig, with Down syndrome, and she took offense and lashed out on her Facebook page as well as Fox News.

Here's the thing: The "Family Guy" episode didn't make fun of people with Down syndrome. Chris has a crush on her, and he asks her on a date after Stewie urges him to. The character, Ellen, is even voiced by an actress who has Down syndrome, not someone imitating the voice of a person with Down syndrome. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "'Family Guy' and Sarah Palin's history of taking jokes wrong"

Financial Aid Helps Offset College Costs

Financial assistance is available from a variety of sources

Each year, parents and students search for financial aid resources to help pay for college costs. While it can be overwhelming to think about, particularly when prior financial preparations have not been made, financial aid for college can be a life saver. Financial assistance for college can be acquired through grants, loans, and work-study programs, which help students to work while paying for school.

Educational grants

The Pell Grant is one of the most popular forms of financial assistance for undergraduate students. With a Pell Grant, students may receive up to approximately $4,050 that does not have to be repaid. Another popular federal grant is the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), which is available for undergraduate students who can demonstrate extreme financial need. With SEOGs qualifying students may receive up to $4,000 for each year they attend.

College scholarships

Scholarships are another option for financing a college education. Like grants, scholarships do not have to be repaid. However, scholarships differ from government grants in that they are awarded based on specific academic criteria. If students who receive scholarships fail to continue satisfying the minimum requirements, usually include a specified grade point average or participation in a sport or other activity, scholarships can be withdrawn.

Compared to the relatively few government options for educational financing, scholarships are available and numerous and a student can often qualify for more than one at a time. Scholarships are generally awarded by non-profit organizations, and there are literally thousands of them. Students can apply for more than one scholarship at a time and, if enough scholarships are received, they can cover the entire cost of a student's college education. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Financial Aid Helps Offset College Costs"