Best Savings Accounts
I use the Permanent Health Insurance website to see if I’m paying too much.
I have worked in the same company as my partner for a number of years. In fact we have both worked there for longer. However we only started dating after a number of years and yes, I should have made a move earlier but I didn’t. Nor did she, so we are equally to blame for not starting the rest of our lives earlier. Still, as they say, you can’t change the past so I’m not going to beat myself up too much; suffice to say, I wish I had. Society would describe me as a professional, like my partner and we live a pretty comfortable life with a number of holidays and have savings to fall back upon should the need arise.
Financially I have always tried to keep a tight ship and regularly review my spending, keeping abreast of any new savings policies that have been released, trying to utilise my tax free allowance that the chancellor allows in the budget. I have spoken to both my parents and my partner’s parents about possible inheritance tax liabilities and the best ways of mitigating any potential liabilities there are, given the increased likelihood of their deaths before ours. However, where I feel I do make most of an impact on things is to keep an eye on where we have arrangements for our regular outgoings. Clearly our major outgoing is our joint mortgage and fortunately we have a tracker mortgage which has allowed us to enjoy relatively low monthly payments for some years now. I also keep an eye on the comparison websites such as Permanent Health Insurance to check on the cost of gas and electricity providers and telephone and broadband providers.
Starting Young: Teaching Teens to Save Money
Parents mostly complain that teenagers do not listen to them. The opposite is true when it comes to advice regarding ‘money matters’. Teens actually welcome their parents input about their finances.
In the past few years, teenagers have earned billions of dollars with part-time and summer jobs.
Some have spent most of what they earned, while others saved most or even all of it for a big purchase, or for their college education.
Kids these days are becoming more and more aware of their family’s source of income and financial status. They apply these money-spending principles when they venture out on their own.
Thus, it becomes more of a parents responsibility to start training their teenage kids to use their money wisely.
Here are some ways on how you, as a parent, can teach your teens to save those hard-earned bucks:
1. Lead by example.
With your lifestyle, the children will see how you spend your money.
If they see you allotting a certain amount for a specific household need, they will eventually do the same when they get to earn their own keep.
2. Help your teens get a bank account.
Establishing a bank account under their name would give them an instant financial responsibility.
Sit down and explain to them how to manage their own account, and the rewards that they get once they save enough.
Their savings could go to their college tuition, or a big purchase like a car.
Additionally, it gives them a sense of accomplishment once they have saved up, with something concrete to show for it.
You may check out the special benefits that banks offer for teens who open their accounts at such an early age.
3. Construct a spending plan.
Once they hear the word ‘budget’, teens tend to cringe at the mere thought of having to restrict the spending of their money.
Instead, you and your teen son or daughter could build a spending plan. This would get them excited, and think of ways on how they can wisely spend their savings.
Also, have them list down their earnings versus their expenses.
Let them know the difference between the items that they need and the luxury items that they want, which they can actually do without.
4. Make a mock investment in the stock market.
Make them aware of the options that they have financially.
Casually introduce to them the business part of your daily newspapers and have them make mock investments for companies who manufactures products that they like.
Monitor the stocks together and this would give them another option of investing their money in the future.
Self-Discipline And Saving Money
A great way to save money is to be aware of the fact that one has the power to define the state of his finances specifically through a conscious effort of disciplining the way one spends and controlling one’s expenditures.
Self-discipline will most definitely be the key to reducing one’s debts therefore increasing the possibility of growing one’s savings. And in the long run, improve one’s standard of living.
According to money management book author Robert Hastings, “Undisciplined money, usually spells undisciplined person”. Therefore, if one notices how his hard-earned money seems to slip away so darned easy, then it is about time that he rethinks his ways and try to discipline his unpleasant spending habits.
One of the essential keys to successful money management, specifically saving money is to possess proper attitude. Self-discipline is at the topmost of this proper attitudes list, of course.
Only with self-discipline that people recognize that they do have the freedom and power to do the right thing over doing as their impulses dictate.
Sounds complicated? Well, not really. Knowing fully the fantastic rewards of disciplined money in a disciplined person’s hands should be motivation enough for one to do all that is humanly possible to achieve that elusive financial stability everyone hopes for.
Here are some helpful money saving tips.
1. Realize that the most convenient method of building one’s wealth is through saving money. Money is the only sensible material to save.
2. Focus expenditures on the things one needs. Live day-by-day knowing that you have enough.
3. Avoid buying on impulse. Take your time when buying, especially the expensive items. If you really need it, it would most definitely not slip your mind. Otherwise, if you go along forgetting all about it, then it isn’t really worth the money you have to spend on it at all.
4. Credit card debts hold the number one slot as the cause for financial drains these days. Control your spending by using your credit cards less. Or for unavoidable circumstances when you really have to use the credit card, consider using the ones that charge less interest. Then dump the high interest ones for good.
No matter how you look at it, saving money is so easy to do. A little bit of imagination, some creativity and a lot of self-discipline will take you a long way in keeping hold of your hard-earned money.
Tips on how to Save Effectively in Banks
Many of us think that putting our money in the bank is a secure and wise way of saving. Yes, this is true if we are wise in dealing with banks. Banks are not charitable institutions, these are profit-driven entities which charge different kinds of fees and do all sorts of schemes to take away some of your money. The savings that you can get in being wise in making bank transactions can add up after some time and let you use your money where you want to.
Here are some tips on how to effectively save money in the bank:
Mind the Opportunity Cost
Think about the factors that are affecting your money in the bank. Are there fees that the bank is asking you to pay for keeping and using your own money? How much? Are they requiring a minimum balance for holding an account? You might be interested in other alternatives that are available out there, waiting for your investment. You should always factor in the opportunities that you are deprived of because you are putting your money in the bank. You might also be interested in taking a look into the terms of other banks. Probably the bank that can best suit your needs is out there waiting for you.
Book Balancing
Always bear in mind to have your checkbooks balanced at the end of every month. Issuing bounced checks can cost you a lot. The average fee for issuing checks with insufficient funds is $20. If you are not aware of the problem, you can easily issue several bounced checks in a certain period of time and this is very costly indeed.
Tame the ATM Machines
The best practice in using ATM machines is to avoid using ATM machines of other banks. This way, you will save on ATM fees. However, it wouldn’t hurt if you also knew the ATM machines of other banks which do not charge fees.
E-banking
With the advent of globalization, everything is becoming electronic. This is also true in the banking world and technology is quickly becoming a benchmark of competition. E-banking can save you some money from transportation costs and more importantly, it will save you time. The time you spend waiting at the bank can be used for some other productive activities.
Truly, putting your money in the bank is a wise way of saving money, but only if you are wise enough to prevent the bank from chipping away your wealth. In saving, it is not only the benefits such as annual returns which you should consider, you should always think about the costs involved in the process.
High-low Numbers: Tips on Saving Money on Clothes
Are you craving for the newest designer clothes, a pretty tank top, and that pretty dress? All this fashion comes at a price you choose.
Buying clothes these days is always a choice between the designer-made outfit or those cheap but quality items that you could pull together and express your personality in many different ways.
Most experts contend that clothes can definitely make or break a person. They say that your personality is usually reflected on how you dress up. But it does not necessarily mean that good fashion would absolutely mean expensive clothes.
Hence, you can still make a remarkable fashion statement without having to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars just for your clothes.
Here is a list of some money-saving tips when buying clothes that would turn other peoples heads to you but would not definitely break your wallet.
1. Do the math
Choosing fashionable clothes can be really tricky, not unless you know how to do the math! So before you buy three sets of clothes that would cost you hundreds of dollars, try to go for the budget-friendly dozen of items that you can even match alternatively.
The number of expensive items that your money can buy is definitely doubled or even tripled when you buy cheaper ones but can still make a good fashion statement.
2. Know what you want
Saving money is definitely based on knowing what you want whenever you spend your money on something. If you know what you want, this means that you have researched the item, have compared them with the other items, you will be able to come up with the lowest price of the product.
3. Drive your way to a thrift store
Usually, these thrift stores are non-profit organizations. This means that they are usually operating for charity. They give their proceeds to some charitable institutions.
Hence, the prices of the clothes being sold in the thrift store are absolutely cheaper than the ones being sold in the department store. So that would mean many savings for you.
Best of all, you do not only get to save more money, you get to do some charity work as well.
The bottom line here is that when shopping for clothes, do not shop for the brand name, shop for the quality.
Nowadays, you just have to be practical. Better spend your money on more important things than those designer clothes.
Tips on Saving Money during the Holidays
With the hype that holidays usually bring, people always have the tendency to buy more and spend more without taking into account the consequences that their actions can bring.
Hence, it does not necessarily mean that because it is the holidays you have all the reason in this world to buy whatever you want and spend how much you want. Some people contend that its just once a year, so better give what you have.
The problem is that giving something just for the spirit of the holidays does not mean you have to spend gold. You can still give something that will be deeply appreciated without having to spend more money.
Heres how:
1. Make a budget and stick to it
The problem with most people is that they find making a budget relatively easy but sticking to it is doubly hard. So whats the point of making a budget when you do not know how to conform to what you have stated in there?
Making and using your budget should always go hand in hand. Therefore, when you make your budget this holiday season, it is best that you follow the things that are written in it so that you would be able to save more money.
2. Live within your means
Of course, everybody would want to give gifts because that is what the holiday season calls for. However, it does not necessarily mean that you have to spend more than what you can afford.
The trick to saving more money is to always live within your means. Spending more than what you can afford will definitely bring more problems than you can afford to solve.
3. Personalize it!
As they say, it is the thought that counts. Hence, there are no better ways to show how much you have thought of those people this holiday season than making personalized gifts.
4. Shop and compare
It really pays to shop around and doubly better when you compare prices. You will never know which items are better priced than the others are when you do not compare their values.
The point here is that you should not be confined to one shopping portal. Try to look for other items, usually in thrift stores and consignment shops, where you can find the best items at a lower price.
Indeed, shopping for the holidays can be fun, but you dont have to be spendthrift. Nowadays, you really just have to be practical.
Save Money and Save the World
Saving money is the game now if you really want to bank on a good future for you and your family. This is one definite way to ensure that you make yourself able and ready for whatever big plans you have ahead, be it getting a new house, buying a car, sending a kid to college or even a grand vacation.
There are many ways to save money. It can range from setting aside a portion of your monthly paycheck or avoiding the little temptations for you to spend. Make it your goal.
Start at Your Own Home
Saving money should be part of your way of life to make it most effective. It is best that the effort to save be shared by everyone in the family.
Little Efforts
Do not drive if you really dont have to. If you can, just take a walk or take the bus. Riding the bike can also be very good for your body. Have a car pool with friends or neighbors. You can also suggest doing errands together like doing the grocery store.
Avoid the little temptations that may come your way. It is naturally fine to reward yourself after a hard work every now and then, but do stay away from splurging. Cut back on your expenses.
Use Less and Save Energy
Electricity – Turn off appliances that are not used. Turn the TV off if the show is not worth it. Close the refrigerator after getting what you need. Use lower wattage bulb for rooms that do not need much lighting. These will definitely add more data to your savings!
Water – Check for any leaks in your pipes. Always make sure that the faucet is not dripping. Avoid long showers. Use a glass when brushing your teeth instead of leaving the faucet on.
Phone Choose a provider that has savings plans especially for long-distance calls.
Gas – Have your car tuned up so you can save on gas. Get membership benefits also from stations. Fill up the tank when the prices go low. You can also do a research on gas saving cars if you have to purchase a new one. Turn off the air conditioning. If there is no need for that, simply keep the windows open. Enjoy the ride and the cool wind.
You may not realized this before, but your households basic utilities can actually be your key to saving more money. This has a two-way benefit. You get to save some dollars for your family. You also contribute in addressing the energy crisis.
Tips on How to Save Money
In this world today, prices seem to go higher every year. Saving money can sometimes be a hard job for many people. To help you save money, here are some pointers for you:
1.Determine the things that are important to you. Identify the items that you need and the items that you want to have. Always remember that you should only buy things that are important and needed in your lifestyle.
2.Make sure that you spend your money only on basic needs like food, transportation, shelter, and clothing. These basic needs are worth spending for because these are important for your health and security. They are the things that you cannot live without and should be allotted in your budget.
3.Make a list of the things that you want to buy and be sure that the items that you are buying are good enough to sustain your basic needs. You have to be satisfied with the things that you have now, as long as it is still useful and can accommodate your needs.
4.You may avoid unwanted purchases by trying the item first before buying it. This is to make sure that the item is worthy enough to acquire. There are instances that you tend to buy things without even knowing its effectiveness and quality. You have to keep in mind that you always need to spend your money wisely on items that have quality and are according to your budget.
5.You may try to budget your money in advance. You can make a plan first before spending your money. There are instances that you spend your money without even thinking that it is not the right time to have it. It also advisable to buy items at the end of the season, prices at this time of the year are low and cheap.
6.You may compare items on their prices. Do not limit your options to just one store only. You may find the best item that can be useful and affordable to you by window-shopping first rather than buying by impulse. Many stores out there carry the same items and can offer lower prices.
7.You can save more money in your household by conserving electricity. Be sure to turn off appliances that are not in use. You may compare your monthly electric bills regularly to check if you are maintaining your desired bill.
8.You can save on your transportation by traveling wisely. It is recommended that you make your itinerary to help you to not forget your destinations. Being organized will help you save money and time.
Priorities Bring Focus to Family Budgeting
Often times, the family budget is a source of conflict. Most of the time, the major earner makes the final financial decision, which isnt always a welcome deal for the rest. Since money is such an intrinsic part of family life, families need to achieve accord in this aspect. There is a four-step cycle in budgeting the family money to maintain peace and harmony.
1. Set your priorities.
Priorities are different from goals. They are aspects in your familys life that you, as a family, want to set focus on, say health or childrens future. While goals are specific targets that support priorities.
In setting priorities, do not set too many as it defeats the purpose. Ideally, there should only be one, but because life is not ideal, 2 to 3 are reasonable.
As the priorities are set and agreed upon, write them down. Post the paper where everybody can see them to remind them of what your family is focused on for the next few years.
2. List down your goals.
Once the family has set and agreed on priorities, the next step is to set the goals. Goals are specific and measurable conditions that, when achieved, will support the priorities.
In setting goals, establish a target that is both challenging yet achievable. A 10-15% of the familys income is a good savings target for a childs future education: stretching yet reachable.
Try to limit your family into setting 1-2 goals per priority, to maintain focus.
3. Work towards your goals.
After setting your priorities and goals, start living by them. All of the familys activities will be geared towards working at your goals. Track progress, particularly on financial goals, by using an income and expense-tracking tool. The simplest way is to get a notebook and list down all expenses and incomes and set a budget for future spending. There are those that invest in computer software or a family accountant. Whatever it is, the important thing is to have a system of monitoring the familys performance towards achieving their goals.
4. Evaluate your family life.
At a certain point in time, when you feel like its time to evaluate your life, check how your family is doing against the goals. Goals that have been achieved can be checked off the list, and new ones can be formulated.
At times, in major changes, say a career move, or when a family member goes away, it may be time to re-evaluate priorities. When such a time comes, then the cycle begins, just like what its for: life!
Five Great Ideas to Save Money
Want to save money but dont know how? Feel like depriving yourself when it comes to saving money? Dont be disheartened. Try these five money saving ideas, without breaking up a sweat!
Reduce or eliminate magazines. If you are a typical American family, your mailbox gets its regular fill of magazines: business, sports, home and garden magazines. Can you imagine how much each of these subscriptions cost? Annually, it is an average of about $20 per magazine. If your family is subscribed to 5 different magazines, thats already $100 savings per year! If you still need the information from such mags, try to check out their websites and youll be surprised at how much free information is available!
Buy in bulk. How can warehouse and discount clubs drastically lower their prices? Because they buy and sell in bulk. And so should you! Consumables that are non-perishable can be purchased 10-15% cheaper when bought in bulk. Be sure to stock up only on fast-moving items such as kitchen towels, cleaners, canned goods, etc., to avoid wasting money on rancid food.
Eat at home. Eating out has become an American lifestyle. What used to be an activity to celebrate special occasions has become part of the daily, fast-paced life. But did you know that eating out could chomp as much as 40% of your budget for food? Thats as much as $40 weekly, saved just by eating in!
Plan your meals. Eating out 4X a week need not be your solution to a dynamic lifestyle. Menu planning is! Take time on weekends to plan for the following weeks meals. Every night, before you hit the sack, take out the ingredients for the meals of the next day from the freezer, and store them in the refrigerator. By the time you get home from work, everything is thawed and ready to be cooked. And because eating out is part of the American way of life, you would have saved enough money to spend for dining out on special occasions!
Homemade skin care. Is your dermatologist eating up your budget? Dont you wish you can be beautiful and save money at the same time? The answer is yes, you can! By using ingredients from your pantry, you can take care of your skin and still save a fortune. Try the following:
- Honey and oatmeal can exfoliate dry skin.
- Ginger seeped in a bath softens your skin.
- Cucumber and milk softens tired skin.
Without drastically changing your lifestyle, you have started your path on saving money. Secure your future by using these money saving ideas, today!