Associate Money

10 Tips To Improve Your Grocery Budget In 2010

2010-01-16T02:08:24.202-08:00

The year 2010 has just started. Have you made any resolution to save money and elimiinate your reckless spending? Most of us have a habit of making New Year resolutions but we hardly meet any of our targets because our discipline fail us. Especially when it comes to saving money. We give in to temptations when our neighbors upgraded their cars, bought the latest gadgets or renovated their houses.This year, you may find it easier to economize though as we are still struggling to emerge from greatest financial crisis in decades. There is also the possibility of a double-dip recession, meaning unemployment figures will not recover for years to come.In order to save more money in 2010, here are ten tips to improve your grocery budget. 1. Monitor prices of commonly bought itemsCreate a list of products which you buy most frequently and then research the unit price for each item. This is useful for comparing prices when a good sale comes along. 2. Use couponsWhen you talk about coupons, it may seem troublesome at first, just to save a few cents or dollars here and there. The coupons have to be cut and kept properly (in envelopes), lest you mix them up or cannot find them. However, a little organizing and getting used to coupons can overcome your apprehension of coupons. You will save a lot of money in the process (at least 10% of your annual grocery budget). So stop procrastinating and start clipping now.3. Stockpile your fridgeWho can resist a sale with products being sold at wholesale prices or coupons which offer 30% discount? Keep an eye out for such sales or coupons, and stockpile your fridge with your favorite grocery products. 4. Prepare weekly menusCheck your pantry or fridge for items you already have and plan your weekly menu around them. This will save you the trouble of cooking meals and then realizing you don't have the necessary ingredients.Rushing out to buy them will always be more expensive as you buy in single, small portions and no discounts are given. 5. Watch for regular salesSome items go on sales on a cyclical basis, like turkey during the holidays or fruits when they are in season. Watch for these sales and buy enough to hold you over until the next sale.6. Don’t buy pre-packaged mealsPre-packaged meals are very convenient as we can just put them into the microwave oven, wait for a few minutes and food is on the table. But they are more expensive and less healthy due to the preservatives and processing involved. My wife prefers to buy uncooked chicken breasts rather than pre-chopped and cooked chicken. The convenience comes at a premium, so if you don't want to pay more, just buy as much uncooked chicken as possible and freeze what you don’t need. You can use this approach for pancakes, snacks, bread, etc. too.7. Join a co-opA food co-op can reduce your weekly food bill up to 50% by volunteering and buying in bulk.8. Shop earlyHit the grocery stores before 9 a.m. and you’ll have a better chance of finding sale items, particularly produce, dairy and baked goods.9. Cut down on meatMeat is a good source of protein, but it’s expensive. As we get older and lower metabolism, we don't need to consume as much protein in our diets as a budding teenager. Substitute meat for peas, beans, cheese, and peanut butter to save money at check-out.10. Use discount gift cardsGift cards from big-box merchants like Target and WalMart can save money before you even hit the stores.[...]

Have You Cleared Your Holiday Debts?

2010-01-16T02:43:24.639-08:00

Have you cleared your holiday debts yet? No, well, the blame game is pointless as the fact remains that you swiped your credit cards for your vacation and shopping. Now your finances in the new year sucks.

Assuming your holiday debt to be $1200, at 12% credit card interest, you have to pay about $100 per month for 13 months.

Do you really want to repay your moment of fun with so many months of hard-earned money? You’ll pay more in interest on the credit card than you will earn if your money is sitting in a bank.

Thus, the best thing is not to incur that debt and the second best option is to write a check to pay off the bill right away.

If you can't do any of the above, here are a couple of debt reduction strategies to implement:

1. Find a new credit card which offers 0% APR on balance transfers. You can save money from not letting the interest accrue while you make payments. Once you’ve got the new card, you should get rid of the old one.

2. Reduce exepnses. There shouldn’t be any unnecessary spending. That means no more dining out, parties, movies, shopping, etc., until the holiday debts have been paid.

3. Channel “extra” money toward the debt. But you say, where are you going to get extra money besides your montly salary?

Remember the rebate checks from your holiday purchases? How about a reimbursement check from last year’s Flexible Spending Account? Sales from selling extra gifts on eBay? Or money from any contests?

Put all these bits of “extra” money toward that credit card bill every now and then, and you will shorten the debt repayment period.

4. Use tax refunds for your holiday debts. You need to get organized with these tax documents and if possible, get an accountant.

Choose the direct deposit option for your refund and you’ll get your money weeks sooner. Once you receive your refund, apply it directly to credit card debt.

If you’re anticipating refunds on a regular basis, consider adjusting your tax withholdings so that your monthly paycheck is larger, and the government isn’t holding on to your money, collecting interest on it.

Put each payday increase into one of those high-interest bearing online bank accounts and earmark your savings for next year’s holiday spending.

By implementing these tactics, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can eliminate your holiday debt and move on with your life. Just remember to plan ahead now for next holiday season, so that the debt monster doesn't rear its ugly head again.

Unclaimed Money In Insurance Polices

2009-12-30T04:28:00.198-08:00

The hangover from holiday season means all of us are a bit hard up for cash.

Since I have been talking about unclaimed money recently, I thought we might as well search harder at our insurance companies for some unexepcted windfall.

Aviva has given 5,500 customers a festive bonus averaging £1,000 by reuniting people with money from insurance policies that have matured but not
been claimed.

For many this will be a surprise as its money from forgotten endowment policies taken out in the 1980s.

Source: Mirror

For those who stay in the UK, you can search at Aviva or call their number at 0800 158 2465 to find out.

Trust me, you can never be too busy for unclaimed money, unless of course, you already have a million bucks in the bank.

Unclaimed Money To Get You Started In 2010

2009-12-28T04:42:07.145-08:00

One man from Muhlenberg County, Jay Durall, heard about the program through iSurf News and, after doing a random check on several of his friends and family members, decided to run his own name through.

As it turned out, his name was on the list of those owed money. Durall was owed over $400.00 by the Wal-Mart Corporation. According to Durall, the unclaimed funds came as quite a surprise.

"I worked at Wal-Mart during my college years, but I had no idea that when I left there was still money owed to me," Durall told iSurf Reporters.

Source: isurfhopkins

What a great way to start off the new year , by finding out if you are eligible for unclaimed money...

Besides the $400 story, there is also another one woman from Eastern Kentucky who had $100,000.00 in stocks that she was unaware of.

You can search the online database and see if you are owed money here. Who knows, you could be the next lucky chap!

Donate Household Items To Charity

2009-12-28T05:35:31.737-08:00

We can always do our part for charity by volunteering our service. But there are people who are too busy with work or family and time is a luxury.

In this case, donating household items to charity is the best way to help people in need. You don't need to be rich, all it takes is a weekend to sort out your household items so that you don't get rid of stuff which you need.

Deciding where to start is often the hardest part. To get you organized, you can first look for items which are just sitting around the house collecting dust. They may include gifts which have sentimental value but of little practical use in your family.

Also, when you buy new items, like clothes or books, some old stuff can be donated to charity. This stops you from accumulating things in your house which you will not be using again.

There are many household items which can benefit the needy. Some examples are given below but they are not exhaustive.

1. Clothes

Don't tell me you don't have any old clothes to give away. You may have outgrown your clothes, or you dislike them after going out of fashion. If you look harder, you may even find clothes which you bought in some sales donkey years ago and they have never been worn.

Instead of thinking if you will be wearing them soon, why not do some good deeds by packing all these clothes up and donate them to charity. At least you have new excuses for going on shopping trips again.

2. Food

You can donate food to charity, provided they are not stale or expired. I usually donate tinned food like sardines, baked beans, peanut butter, and buscuits when I buy in bulk and cannot finish the food before expiry date.

3. Books

Books are the easiest and most well-received items. For books which you bought but found the content distasteful or uninteresting, why not donate it to charity? If you read a book and won't be reading it again, they can also be cleared off the shelves.

4. Furniture

You can donate old furniture (like worn out tables and chairs) as people can polish or fix up by themselves.

If you have big items like sofas, I recommend neighborhood goodwill stores as they may pick up your larger donations for you. The money is sometimes used to support programs that help put people back to work.

When you donate household items to charity, it also helps to clear up the clutter in your house. You can even claim tax deductions. For example, when you donate household items to goodwill stores, the clerks will usually hand you a slip which you use for the tax credit.

With so many benefits, I believe you should make sorting out and donate household items to charity your new year resolution for 2010.

Use Energy Saving LED For Christmas Lighting

2009-12-18T05:56:00.205-08:00

For this Christmas, why not replace old strands of Christmas lights for energy-saving LED lights. They're easy to find at Target or other retailers.

The burned-out bulbs from old strands of lights or strands that work but you no longer use can be displayed in a a glass vase.

And for lots of shine with minimal electricity, you can use ornaments that catch light and reflect it.

Tell your friends that you're seeking glass or crystal pendants from old light fixtures, and comb secondhand shops for these pieces. Once you've collected a few, attach ornament hooks and drape them on sturdy tree branches.

They add a lot of sparkle and you reduce the number of strings of lights, and your electrical bill too.

Suze Orman's Advice: Pay With Cash

2009-12-15T05:33:21.188-08:00

Suze Orman, a highly respected money guru, has recently called on Americans to start paying for purchases with cash.

She was heard saying on CNBC, "Let’s go back to the times when you literally paid cash for everything. That’s right. Cash. Stop using your credit cards altogether."



I am definitely in favor of Suze Orman's "Back to Cash" movement. It is high time we, as a nation, wean themselves off debt and live within our means.

In any case, credit card companies aren't looking out for its customers. They are adopting more aggressive tactics to boost their profits, with stricter credit-card legislation looming.

When it comes to raising interest rates, our credit scores and history of timely payments count for little. If you have low balances or periods of inactivity, your account could also be closed.

Since credit card companies are treating us like dirt, we might as well say goodbye to credit cards once and for all. Heck, just pay with cash. No more identity theft or hidden/unexpected fees to worry about.

The initial adjustment may be painful but once you start planning a household budget, your expenses will be easier to control.

Mr Bean Saves Money On Teddy's Birthday

2009-12-15T05:00:56.490-08:00

Bunning Grills Ben Bernanke To A Crisp

2009-12-15T04:57:27.721-08:00

I have a feeling this grilling is only a sideshow. The money printing is going to continue until it cannot, ie. the US dollar becomes worthless.

The US dollar still retains a modicum of dignity because most fiat currencies are on the slide too, but when compared to gold, the US dollar is shedding its value fast.

I believe most Americans realize the country is on a self-defeating and unsustainable path. There will come a time when funny money created by the Federal Reserve no longer boost the economy and creditors start asking for debt repayments.

Fiscal fraud has helped the rich get richer, at the expense of taxpayers. If the Federal Reserve collapses tomorrow, it is going to make Bernard Madoff looks like a choirboy.

Easy 4-Step Household Budgeting

2009-12-15T04:23:36.760-08:00

The holiday season is round the corner and this is usually a time when we let our hair loose and loosen our purse strings too. However, when the credit card bills come in, the music stops and we are brought back to reality.

To eliminate festive season hangover, why not create a household budget? Keeping track of your expenses can reduce household conflicts and stressful nights. Creating a household budget is easier than you think and can provide quick insights into your financial position.

As we are all about saving money, I don't encourage the use of expensive applications. My favorite application is Excel spreadsheet (or Google Docs which is free). You can create expense and income columns in a matter of minutes and updating is a breeze.

Here is how you can create a quick and easy 4-step household budget.

STEP 1: List Down Monthly Expenses

a. The basic necessities, such as mortgage or rent, utilities (gas, electric, water/sewer), transport, medical expenses and groceries.

As the expenses may fluctuate, you can estimate how much you will be paying over 12 months, and get a cost average for each item per month.

b. Security And Insurance. This will include items which provide security and peace of mind like health insurance, life insurance, auto insurance, and home insurance.

c. Non-necessities. This list includes things that you want, but don’t need, like internet access, cable television, phone, entertainment, etc.

Step 2: Create a List of Income Sources

You should list only take-home income here. Don’t include things like tax credits or bonuses for a more conservative outlook. For the self-employed, consider averaging what you make over the year and starting out with extra savings for those lean months.

Step 3: Evaluate your Net Income or Loss

Take your income and subtract your expenses. If you are in the black, that puts your financial position ahead of many of your peers. You can put the extra money into a Roth IRA. If you max out a Roth IRA, invest the rest in mutual funds, stocks and bonds.

If you’re in the red, you have much catching up to do. Move on to the next step of prioritizing your expenses.

Step 4: Prioritize and Re-balance

A personal budget allows you to cut back in areas to free up more cash.

Do you need the ultimate cable, cell phone or internet package? Do you need 2 cars in the garage? Do you really need a car when you could bike to work? Do you need 7-8 credit cards in your wallet? Do you need to stay in such a big house?

You should also shop around for the best deals to save money. For your insurance, request for at least 3 quotes on each of your insurances per year to evaluate if you could save money by switching insurers.

There are so many items to look at when you want to priortize your household budget. The only thing is to put in effort and start looking.

Screw Back The Banks By Defaulting Strategically

2009-12-06T16:55:03.579-08:00

"Homeowners should be walking away in droves. But they aren't. And it's not because the financial costs of foreclosure outweigh the benefits. One can have a good credit rating again--meaning above 660--within two years after a foreclosure."

That's the conclusion reached by a law professor who's written a paper about strategic default, which is when you elect to walk away from an underwater mortgage because you stand to lose more money trying to keep it than if you cut your losses immediately.

The problem is, lots of people think it's the wrong thing to do, because individuals are supposed to play by different rules than the companies they do business with.

Source: Consumerist

The government has shovelled loads of money the banks' way, boosting their record profits and now the executives are salivating at fat bonuses again.

As for the taxpayers, they are screwed big time as the government racked up billion dollars deficits each month (which has to be paid eventually). And for the millions of unemployed, seriously, Wall Street don't give a damn.

This law professor has written a great article about strategically defaulting our mortgages (of course, it is best to be prudent rather than defaulting on debts). Maybe it is time for homeowners to screw back the predatory bankers and mortgage firms.

Obama Pisses Away Our Money

2009-12-01T05:47:31.645-08:00

Wow, this guy is full of hatred for President Barack Obama. Maybe he just finished work after a long day and created this video.

Anyway, he brought up a few pertinent points. It is really tragic to pay tax and see how the government screwed up its budget by wasting our hard-earned money on bailing out banks and gifting them fat bonuses.

Check out his rants, though I doubt it serves much purpose in preventing the downfall of America.

Money Joke: Boy Snubs President's Kindness

2009-12-01T05:45:49.889-08:00

A little boy wanted $100 badly and prayed for two weeks but nothing happened. Then he decided to write a letter to the Lord requesting the $100.

When the postal authorities received the letter addressed to the Lord, USA, they decided to send it to President Obama.

The President was so impressed, touched, and amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a $5.00 bill, as this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy.

The little boy was delighted with the $5.00, and sat down to write a thank-you note to the Lord.

It said: Dear Lord, Thank you very much for sending me the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you had to send it through Washington, DC and as usual, those jerks deducted $95.

How To Save Money On Dry Cleaning?

2009-12-15T04:26:59.482-08:00

Dry cleaning, at times a necessary evil if you wear business suits for a living, can be a very expensive bill. The good news is it can be whittled down substantially and save us hundreds of dollars per month.

When the clothes tags say "Dry Clean Only," it doesn't mean you can't clean it safely at home. Technically speaking, dry cleaning means a chemical cleaning process, not a 'dry' method.

You can use home laundering but you have to consider certain factors like fiber type, fabric construction, dyes, etc before doing so. It's important when caring for your clothes is to know when not to home launder and take your garment to a professional.

If you want to get started on home cleaning, don't put your new, expensive suits at risk. Try home washing with old clothes first.

And when I say home washing, it means a hand process as machine washing may be too rough. Use a gentle laundry cleanser and avoid bleaches, fabric softeners, or rinse additives.

Always wash with cold water which is an energy efficient method anyway. Do not twist or wring the garment as some items can be damaged in the process. When drying the garment, dry it without stretching the garment.

If necessary, lay the garment flat on towels which are changed when they absorb too much water. Do not dry the garment in the dryer as the heat and agitation can cause damage.

As you can see, home laundering involves a lot of hand process and takes up much of your time. If you are the lazy or busy type, then the best way, is to avoid dry cleaning and its associated cost as much as possible.

People often buy new clothes to follow the latest fashion but this approach is extremely wasteful. You hardly wear out the clothes before new styles come out and you need a new wardrobe again.

I usually go for styles that is not fashionable and easy to maintain. Smaller, local manufacturers also offer a better value on clothing instead of branded clothes.

I also visit local local thrift stores where the clothes are cheaper. Some of the bargains and special sales are unbelievable. In addition, thrift shops give you a cheap way to buy children's clothes since they often outgrow their clothes very quickly.

You can also consider using worksuits when doing any dirty work such as yard work, house work or cleaning. This will save you money from dry cleaning or even washing your clothes as frequently which save electricity and water.

What Is Left Unsaid During Obama's China Tour

2009-11-21T03:20:27.159-08:00

When you are indebted to others, especially your strategic but at times dangerous competitor, it is rather hard to make a stand on critical issues concerning Americans.

The prudent way is to get the budget in order and strive to reduce the federal debts which have exceeded $12 trillion dollars.

US debts is now close to the statutory limit but Congress will ultimately adjust the ceiling and not send the US government into crisis.

Everything will be fine. However, the kindness of strangers is less predictable.

When it is taken away at an inopportune time, Americans could suffer terribly as the US government either borrow at sky-high interest rates or when nobody wants to lend, then the important civil services have to shut down.

Money Mangement As You Approach Retirement

2009-12-15T04:28:30.545-08:00

A key element to successful money management is to live within our means. That is easier said than done in our culture of instant gratification. Fulfiling our basic needs is taken for granted and we desire luxurious comforts before we have saved enough money to afford them.

For those who are apporoaching retirement, it may seem that you have finally established yourself financially and deserve some indulgence. But your retirement needs (like medical cost, insurance, vacation, entertainment, etc) may have been underestimated and there are still outstanding debts to pay off.


To ensure a comfortable standard of living during retirement, mastering money management is essential.

Paying off the past

To live within your means, you need to implement responsible money management by paying past debts first. As an example, your children’s college bills are still outstanding. If you used PLUS loans (federally sponsored education loans for parents), you have standard, graudated, extended or consolidated repayment options to choose from.

You probably want to pay off the loans as soon as possible. It is better to live debt-free during retirement, as you no longer have employment income to offset expenses.

Avoid Credit Card Debts

It is of the utmost importance now, with retirement approaching, to avoid credit card debt. Whatever you purchase, make sure you can afford it and that it does not take away from your retirement savings.

Staying Smart and Rational

As you approach retirement, your kids will have finished their education, moved out and started their career, so they are financially independent. For the first time in many years, you may be responsible for just your spouse and yourself.

With this money freed up, you have more funds to meet your retirement needs. However, you need to stay smart and rational to prevent falling prey to get-rich scams, impulse buying, stock market exuberance, or other folly ventures.

Watch Expenses And Invest in the future

I believe most people should have accumulated a comfortable retirement nest in the few years prior to retirement.

It is easy to succumb to an extravagant lifestyle with surplus cash lying around, but spending recklessly now means you could outlive your retirement funds. That is not to say you can't indulge occasionally (like buying gifts, fine dining, or a vacation) during retirement if basic living expenses are well taken care of.

Investing in the future (on a conservative note) is also necessary, not so much for capital gain but to protect your purchasing power. The effects of Federal Reserve money printing will be felt keenly in the next few years, thus inflation is a threat to your wealth.

Wrong Lesson From Financial Crisis

2009-11-15T03:58:32.169-08:00

Benie Madoff's loot is going under the hammer in New York and most of it fails to impress.

Maybe that is why some bankers are upset that they have backed the wrong person.

It is a pity they are counting their losses but I think the wrong lesson has been learned from the financial crisis. Who cares where these despised bankers invest their bonus?

Crux of the matter is whether they deserve to be paid astronomical bonus for taking huge risks...

15 Most Stressful And Underpaid Jobs

2009-11-10T16:58:34.597-08:00

1. Social Worker (Median pay: $43,200)

Social workers step in when everyone else steps aside to help people and families in vulnerable situations.

They provide patients with education and counseling, advise care givers and make referrals for other services. And with social workers in short supply and programs underfunded, few must juggle the work of many, while reaping little reward.

2. Special Events Coordinator (Median pay: $35,900)

Planning a major event or party is a ton of work, and can easily turn into a real circus if you don't hire a pro to pull it all together.

3. Probation/Parole Officer (Median pay: $38,400)

Looking for a challenging and stimulating work environment? How about working with convicted felons?

Keeping ex-cons in line is certainly no easy task, but the work can be rewarding. Probation or parole officers help parolees and probationers get back on their feet, with everything from rehabilitation plans to education and employment arrangements.

Read more about the rest of the overworked and underpaid professions here.

7 Tips To Save Money On A Vacation

2009-11-15T03:37:17.722-08:00

With unemployment at a 26 year high of 10.2%, now is the hardly the time to talk about a vacation. But there is no need to deprive ourselves of an opportunity to recharge our batteries when we have been slogging throughout the year.A vacation is also a nice reward for our discipline in adhering to frugal living. If you have been budgeting for a vacation, the current recession serves only to spark your creativity to get the most out of every penny you spend.Here are 7 tips to stretch our dollar while having the best vacation ever.1. Comparison shop for best dealsCheck out websites such as Expedia, Trip Advisor and Sell Off Vacations for deals on hotels, attractions and cruises. I like Trip Advisor for the in depth reviews for each hotel and you can easily ascertain which hotel offers quality service without bursting your budget.Even though these comparison websites are useful guides, I have a habit of checking out the airlines and hotels websites before I make any payment. This is to see if dealing direct with them will yield a better price.2. Membership discountsIf you are a member of the CAA or AAA, these memberships can get your further discounts on hotels and rental cars. Stop in your local branch before you buy any free maps and travel brochures.3. Don't Bring Unnecessary StuffDon’t bring more clothes than you really need. Try rolling them up so that they fit into lesser bags. Many airlines charge for extra bags, so the lesser stuff you bring, the more money you save.At the same time, make sure your bags are not overloaded as they strain the airline’s weight limits and they’ll charge extra for that as well.4. Hotel StayI like to plan a hotel stay with complimentary breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and give us the energy for all the touring and shopping. Having your breakfast free-of-charge is definitely the best way to save money.I love a Continental breakfast option which offers nice buffet with a multitude of delicious breakfast options. If not, I will settle for free orange juice, coffee and doughnuts.If your days are jam-packed with fun sightseeing adventures, you should have a filling breakfast before setting off. Otherwise, sit down and enjoy every free amenity the hotel has.5. Plan your destinationsYou can look for coupons on the websites of attractions or restaurants you plan to visit. Almost every zoo, museum or amusement park has discount coupons on their websites.At the amusement park, you might want to bring some snacks and bottled drinks in a backpack or purse. The prices at the parks are amazingly expensive.If it is a beach destination, have a look at all inclusive resorts. With food, drinks and the many activities included, this will save us from burning cash throughout the vacation.6. Travel in the off-peak seasonThe off-peak season has fewer crowds at most tourist attractions but more importantly, it can save you lots of money on airfare and hotels.7. Avoid using credit You have been shunning credit cards and avoided falling prey to their exorbitant interest. There is no reason why you should break that prudent habit on a vacation.I know the temptations for impulse buying is especially great when we are on a vacation, what with all the local souvenirs, clothes, shoes, gadgets, etc. but just remind yourself of the massive credit card bill at the end of the day. [...]

10 Money Saving HDTV Shopping Tips

2009-11-08T05:50:38.247-08:00

Musing About Thrift

2009-11-08T05:48:00.241-08:00

One of the best way to save money is to be less wasteful. Now, saving a few pennies from not buying snacks or coffee isn’t going to make us rich, but thrift gives us the right values in life.

Being thrifty means we hone our money-saving skills and apply it to different situations. When we use enough of these skills in enough places, the savings can be substantial.

There are many ways to reduce wastage, for example using less electricity by switching off the lights and air-conditioner when we are not around, cooking less food which reduces leftovers and household grocery bill, or to drive less to save on fuel and maintenance.

You can also use lesser toilet paper as well as dishwasher and laundry detergent without becoming more dirty.

Has thriftiness made you a better person in life?

We Survived Black Monday...

2009-10-20T21:48:10.321-07:00

22 years ago, on this day, this was what happened to the stock market... a plunge which rocked the financial world.

We survived the scare for now as the Dow Jones Industrial Average is still above 10,000 and with no sign of slowing down.

But for how long will this bullish momentum stay intact?

Disconnect Between Wall Street And Main Street

2009-10-20T22:04:12.057-07:00

Wall Street have no qualms about enriching themselves and getting fat bonuses. Who cares about the struggling masses on Main Street?

Don't bother telling them your troubles... it is just too bad you have no money to organize lobby groups.

Cash For Clunkers Withdrawal

2009-10-20T22:03:50.329-07:00

Is this what happens to consumers when Cash For Clunkers program is withdrawn?

But don't worry, there could be another round if the economy goes into a double dip recession.

Save $1000 in 30 days, Is It Sustainable?

2009-10-20T21:39:43.013-07:00

I don't know about you guys but this is a tough challenge even if I consider myself a frugal guy.

We may be able to save $1000 for one month but to do it consistently is nearly impossible. Also, you need to have lots of disposable income and hence, expenses to whittle down in the first place. If your total expenditure is less than $1000, you cannot achieve the target

I believe the biggest expense item for most people is mortgage payments or rental but if you skip it consistently, you may soon end up in the streets or depend on free lodging from friends and relatives.

Overall, the idea is good, even if you cannot save the entire $1000, saving $500 is better than nothing. But realistically speaking, we should think of saving money in terms of percentage of our income rather than the absolute amount.

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