Personal Finance | Money Management

Personal Finance | Money Management
Showing posts with label Money Management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money Management. Show all posts

Thursday, 12 July 2012

How to Put an Extra $50 a Week Into Your Bank Account

How you can put an additional $50 per week within your Banking account.

Wouldn't it become a great feeling to understand that you have been moving ahead financially? Even an extra $100 per month in savings would help most families. To discover extra cash for saving, dig deep within your money management and spending habits.

Consider these ideas for finding $50 per week to bank. In the end, if you undertake, you'll end up getting an additional $200 each month. In only six months, you will have saved $1, 200. One. Consider the money which you spend every week on beverages. Buying extra sodas in the convenience store as well as fuel stations are eating up portion of your $50 for your week. Would you buy coffee each day soon on your way work? Even 3 coffees per week can also add as much as over $10. Consider bringing your beverages at home and save the cash towards $50 for the banking account in late the week.


Second. Eating lunch out costs money. Maybe you permit lunches within your budget. But could you consider obtaining your lunch almost every other day, at least three days from the 5-day workweek?
  • You'd stand in order to save a minimum of $5 (and maybe near to $10) for every lunch you don't need to eat from the restaurant.
  • Alternatively, eat only at restaurants and junk food businesses that you have coupons. You could find restaurant coupons within your Sunday paper practically each week. Vow to make use of coupons for the lunches in order to save money to the bank.
Third. Set an objective to trim $5 to $10 from the weekly grocery bill:
  • What products are you currently buying, which are expensive, unhealthy, or simply plain unnecessary?
  • Maybe you're paying $4-plus for any processed desserts.
  • Substitute another thing at half the price for all those pricey items.
  • In case you usually purchase a high-fat item, consider omitting it from the list.
  • Concentrate on your store's sales and buy-one-get-one-free offers.
  • Watch out for buying something simply because it's for sale.
  • Try a few of the store's generic products to get more savings.

Fourth. Cut costs on gas. Create a vow to remain from the car a minimum of two days per week.
  • In case you work at home, you are able to avoid driving 3 or even more days per week. Besides, when you venture out within the car, you are put money into other activities besides fuel. 
  • Can you carpool to work? Do you live close enough to walk? What about public transportation? 
  • Consider running errands and shopping on the way home from work. Therefore, it won't take any extra gas to accomplish those tasks.

Fifth. The deposit Portions of your money into  the bank. Then, do whatever you can  prevent withdrawing money when you put it within your account.
  • You may be in a position to save a minimum of another $10 through this technique: keeping back only $1. 43 of the change everyday results in $10 each week. You'll hardly spot the dent within your cash. However, your banking account will steadily grow.
  • Avoid carrying considerable amounts of cash if you might have it along with you, you may spend it.
Six. Consider excessive services you pay money for that you could delay. Like in case, you obtain a manicure, every week, in order to almost every other week in order to save a lot of money of cash. 
Allow it to be an objective to discover $50 every week to deposit within your banking account. You'll feel as if a rock star while you watch your hard-earne

Bank Account - Home Improvement

Sunday, 17 June 2012

Money Management: What Is A Bank Account For?

What Is A Bank Account For

It's traditional for bankers and their customers to think about banking as centered on the bank account. Even policy makers talk about "banking the unbanked" as if opening a bank account immediately changes a person from financially excluded to included. The bank account is the top line indicator examined by the Global Findex, the new survey of financial access by 150,000 adults from over 148 countries. The finding that 43 percent of adults in the developing world have bank accounts have quickly become the reference point for financial inclusion.

bank account

Money Management: What's a Bank Account For?


"I learned that keeping track of the bank balance was like the personal hygiene of finance, like brushing your financial teeth. The implicit message, not just for me, but I think for society at large, was that the bank account was the locus of money ..."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elisabeth-rhyne/banking-low-income_b_1590147.html

I am finally left with a question I do not know how to answer, but it is a question that should occupy anyone working on financial inclusion. If we want to assist people in their efforts to be competent money managers, what is the best mix of services? I would welcome your thoughts.

Amazon-Pay Directly from Your Checking Account


Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Money Management-Managing Money Is Really A Big Process

Managing your hard earned money is really a big task. However, if you wish to manage nowadays, it’s something you need to do. It may be too painful for a few. Therefore, it gets avoided. Although for your individuals who realize it, the pain/reward relationship is really worth the effort to invest a couple of minutes managing your hard-earned money.

In the end, money makes the entire world go ‘round, so be sure you get the share! And the good thing is: it’s as simple as controlling what you’ve got!

Here’s what you should ensure that you have control over your funds. Here are a few valuable budgeting techniques to help you within your expenses and income.

The very first thing you should do is ensure that you pay money for your utilities promptly and completely monthly. Don’t wait until it’s too late to pay for them. Next you have to do is ensure that you don’t have excessively many bank cards. Just a few bank cards are essential to obtain by in every area of your life. You should think about cutting off the rest of these. And also the third thing you need to would you, in case your bills have gotten the very best of you, would be to consolidate them into  a single loan. This can allow you to pay them off with time without getting slammed with high rates of interest.

Finally, generate a plan for yourself. This seems difficult, and so many people don’t get it done. Furthermore, because people don’t possess a budget, they end up in financial straits.

The simplest way to determine a budget would be to have a draw a line down the biggest market of an item of paper. Within the left, take note of your after-tax household income. Make sure to take note of the after-tax amount as you need to measure ready for use income only. In the end, you don’t reach to spend the available income prior to the tax amount, right?

Within the right column, list typically each invoice. However, you must also include your typical spending habits too, like eating at restaurants, or impulse shopping. Don’t miss including settling your charge card included in the bills!

Now you have a listing of income and expenses, find out if there’s a method to improve your income, or lower your expenses. Usually you’ll find a method to perform just a little to both.

Although it seems so simplistic, therefore, few-people get it done. Even so, making a budget and sticking with attempting to separate the successful people from everybody else. What’s stopping you from performing it at this time?

Monday, 5 March 2012

It Is Your Responsibility For Your Own Personal Finance

Personal FinancePersonal Finance (Photo credit: 401K)
Whether you end up choosing to ignore it, you can reject information included within this statement: Your own financial is and always is going to be your obligation.

With regards to financing, lots of people put an impractical blind eye to the truth that finances have to be managed. Personal finance is definitely an ever-growing popular term for adults and teenagers alike, whether or not you might be earning the cash or not. After-all bills need to be paid, loved ones need to be fed, as well as your lifestyle needs to be maintained.

The greatest and many neglected step for several families is teaching their teens how you can manage their money. Teenage finance is all about educating teens within the value of money. Teach them how you can save by showing them how you can use their primitive type of book-keeping. This is often incorporated with the child's upbringing via piggy-banks, savings accounts, and little chores in return for the money.

Teenage finance is definitely an important portion of your own personal finance because, too. Whenever your children learn how to save and use money wisely, you might be subsequently saved from bailing them from financial troubles later.

Personal Ethics and finance go together; for those who have a great relationship with yourself, it is possible in order to save money. You won’t have the urge to perform stuff that opposed to your ethics like sign-up for credit cards using someone else’s name.

Personal finance involves having a few steps toward safe-guarding your hard-earned money. Your hard-earned money spent must not exceed your hard-earned money received. To be able to prevent this from happening, you need to create a crude balance sheet and utilize it to record all your transactions.

Every month wrote down. Just how much was received the actual much was spent? Make a listing of everything the cash was used on, so that you can keep an eye on your hard-earned money.

You may be amazed at just how much we invest in stuff that usually is not necessities.

Create a list and stay with it. Always try to obtain the best deal get, please remember that cheaper will not indicate lower quality.

After-all it really is your hard-earned money; managing your own personal finances ought to be seen as a mandatory portion of earning money meet your needs.



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Friday, 2 March 2012

Should you Slash Your Bills At this time?

Should You Need to Slash Your Bills Right Now?

Finding profit your financial budget for unexpected expenses isn't easy. So what can you are doing if you want to cut your bills immediately? Review these strategies just in case there comes a period if you want to slash your bills quickly.

1. Conserve lighting in your house. Consider the amount of times that lights are left on in three or four rooms each time. Make use of a single light when it's needed.
  • In case you replace your most often-used lights with compact fluorescent lamps, you'll save much more on the utilities bill.
2. Lower your cable or satellite TV services. Are you currently really watching all those channels? For quick dollars, lower your television cable or satellite services for a couple of months. You will probably find you don't miss dozens of channels!

3. Take your lunch a minimum of 3 days per week. Doing this will cut your lunch expenditures by over 50%. That's money you'll immediately have within your pocket.
  • Prepare and pack your lunch the evening before for all those cleaning your kitchen after dinner. By doing this, your lunch you will need to go each morning if you are.
4. Use less water whenever you shower and bathe. For your shower, set your mobile phone timer for 5 minutes, that is plenty of time to shower and shampoo. For your bath, fill the tub a maximum of half full. You'll still have lots of water to bathe.

5. Spend less on groceries. You'll leave the store with increased profit your pocket whenever you make use of the easy savings accessible to you.

  • Purchase the store brand.
  • Use coupons. Many stores keep their store's coupons right through the door where you walk in.
  • Purchase items which are for sale.
  • Examine all "buy one get one free" offers to obtain free food.
  • Choose fewer desserts items.

6. Adjust your thermostat. Set the temperature on the thermostat to 1 degree warmer within the summer. Transform it one degree cooler in case your furnace is operating.

On cold nights, you may even have the ability to adjust your thermostat for an even cooler setting, as you'll certainly be snuggled under the covers for warmth.

7. Lower your fuel use. Think about the following:


  • Carpool to and from work.
  • Is work close enough that you can walk to and through the office?
  • Run errands on the way to and from work in order to save fuel costs.


In case you work at home, set an objective to remain from the car a minimum of 4 days per week. You'll certainly be amazed in the money you'll save - not just through the fuel you'll undoubtedly be saving but additionally by the truth that you are not going anywhere to invest any cash.

Using less electricity, water and fuel can save you money pay for. Decreasing your cable/satellite service and packing your lunch a minimum of 3 days per week will even lower your bills substantially. However, it can save you probably the most money when you are money-wise in the supermarket. Do something now to slash your living costs so that you can save your valuable cash.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

How You Can Teach Your Teens About Bank Cards

Since the world becomes more difficult, you might have the obligation to steer your kids the very best you are able to. Probably, the most trying subjects to train your children about is how they can manage money. 

More specifically, teenagers develop great interests within the almighty charge card. Bank cards usually are not to become taken lightly any kind of time age, but especially during adolescence. How could you educate your teens about the usage of bank cards?

These strategies can help them learn how to use credit's cards responsibly: 

1. Ask in which the money can come from. Insist your teens know specifically where they'll obtain the money in order to the credit card charge before they charge anything. 

2. Encourage responsibility. Explain that the teens have the effect of paying their charge card bill promptly. Additionally, require them in order to their credit-card balance within thirty days. Discuss how interest charges along with other fees work, which paying such fees is similar to offering their money for nothing.

  • Be careful to hear how she, or he participates in this discussion. In case you determine she, or he requires more maturity or knowledge of the info, avoid providing them with credit cards and explain briefly the way you reached your choice.
3. Consider beginning with a restricted balance charge card. Had your teenager saved money until a specific amount accumulates, like $100. 00? Then, accompany these to your banking institution or perhaps a store to acquire a pre-paid card for your $100.00.
  • Although she or he covered the card using their money, it's wise to inform these to make sure you extend their utilization of the card. One advantage of the method is the fact that your son or daughter saved the cash upfront before actually charging items.
  • They are able to, therefore, realize that the credit-card balance is tangibly there very own hard-earned money. The problem with this process could it be might not teach your son or daughter the obligation of charging only the actual will pay off over the following month.
4. Provide credit cards to change weekly allowance. Consider converting their allowance to some monthly credit-card balance. This process allows these to find out about charge card management. Think about this example:
  • You normally pay she or he $30 cash weekly allowance. Once they turn 16, state you'll now provide credit cards in contrast to the $30 cash weekly. Explain they can replenish to $120 each month (a month times $30 equal $120) as you'll pay as much as that amount monthly to pay for their charge card purchases.
  • Stress that when they charge over $120, they have to develop the difference in order to any balance on the $120 once the statement arrives.
  • When they charge over $120 for your month, and they are unable to create the difference, they have to surrender the charge card until they pay you the difference owed (although the fact that you'll go on and pay it back to prevent monthly fees).
  • Like this to train she or he the way to handle bank cards is really a helpful lesson in managing their money with limited funds. She or he learns to limit spending to remain inside their means.
Teaching teens the way to handle bank cards is challenging. The good thing is that when you begin early together with your kids about how exactly to earn, save and spend cash, they'll easily progress to comprehend the above-mentioned  concepts together with your help and guidance. 

Praise your teens' efforts once they manage their finances and charge card issues well. You'll build their confidence for future years whenever you teach them the way to handle bank cards wisely.

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Quick Home Improvements which make a direct effect

Impact From Quick Home Improvements

Having a home involves effective money management and the opportunity to determine when the actual to accomplish various home-improvement projects. Because home upkeep is really vital that you your financial investment in your home, it seems sensible to accomplish quick home-improvement projects, which make a direct effect on the home's appearance and value.


It's helpful to possess a small notebook or journal dedicated to your plans for the home. Possessing a handy notebook that centered on the home could keep you focused and moving ahead to safeguard your investment. Any home improvements that you would like to accomplish could be recorded within this notebook.

Do It Yourself

To spur ideas on quick home improvements, which will possess a real effect on your home's value, survey the list below. Then, you can include any extra do it yourself [diy] projects you want to complete for your own notebook.

1. Paint the outside of your front door. A bright, contrasting-painted door says, "Welcome" as no other improvement does. The cost of painting your front door is minimal,but the impact is great.

2. Clean and paint your front porch. As people approach your front door, they can't help but notice the condition of your front porch. Is it cleaned? Is it painted a color that complements your home?
  • Set a couple of well-placed chairs with a small outdoor table and a large potted plant on a clean porch surface and you've completed a quick home improvement that will make your home more inviting.

3. Pressure washes the exterior of your house. Over the years, dirt and grime get stuck on the surface of your home's exterior, which is difficult to remove. Pressure washing your home will clean and remove debris and brighten its appearance.
  • Although pressure washing your house involves physical labor, the results will be worth it.

4. Wash all the windows in your home inside and out. Washing windows is a project that involves very little cost. All you need is a bucket, a good squeegee, and some cleaning rags. Put a drop of dish detergent in very hot water in your bucket and you're ready to begin.
  • Clean windows show that your property is loved and well cared for.
5. Clean the lighting fixtures in your home. Ensure lights are switched off when cleaning them. Then, replace burned-out bulbs and worn-out lamps. Simply get your spray glass cleaner and an old cloth made from a t-shirt and go from room to room, cleaning every light fixture in the house. This quick home improvement will make every room shine.

6. Paint trim molding (baseboard) to freshen up an entire room's appearance. Believe it or not, sometimes, all you have to do to make a room look new again is to paint the trim. Whether it's a dark brown stain or a bright white paint, freshening up the trim will bring out the room's color again.

Do it yourself projects do not have to be big or costly? Quick, inexpensive touch ups could make a substantial effect on the appearance and value of your house. In case you list all the fast do it yourself projects, you need to complete within your notebook, you'll certainly be more effective at completing them. Try a few of these quick home improvements to create a direct effect on the home.

Monday, 2 May 2011

3 safe investments moderate to high yield

The investment can be a little scary for most people - especially if your income is limited durable. As you know, all investments have an element of risk, but it is prudent to seek opportunities to minimize a risk while obtaining a reasonable return.

The real key to making a safe investment is by investing in a time of a testing " top dog" , where the ROI is moderate to high.

Consider these types of investments for your portfolio:

1.Bonds. Bonds are a safer investment than stocks. This is because a stock is an investment without a guaranteed return while a bond is similar to a loan and has a promised return, plus interest.
  • There is a difference between promised and guaranteed. No investment can be guaranteed but with bonds, you know what to expect. Look for investments with a low probability of default (the chance that the company would close its doors or file bankruptcy).

  • Bonds are generally paid back to you by the end of the year. However, the terms can be different for each agreement.

  • The larger the bond, the larger the profit. But remember, you're always going to make more money on a higher interest bond. So, you may be better off investing your funds in one high-interest bond rather than two lower interest bonds.
2.Stocks. As mentioned, stocks can be risky but, in order to earn a high return, some level of risk must be involved. You can minimize your risks by choosing one of the safer stocks (such as constantly thriving defensive stocks) to invest in.

·    Companies, such as Pepsi (PEP), McDonalds (MCD), The Procter & Gamble Company (PG), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) are some of the safer choices in the stock market. These companies also place a high value on shareholder satisfaction.

  • Investing in defensive stocks, which are reliable and have proven their longevity and profitability, allows you a small blanket of security that you wouldn't get investing in the newest, hottest companies, which can tank at any moment.

  • Keep in mind, when investing in stocks, there are no 100% safe choices, but you can minimize your risk by buying stocks of a time-tested and profitable company. Or spread out your risk by investing in profitable, long-standing mutual funds where your return is based on a portion of a whole portfolio of stocks.

  • Stocks are a better choice for your long-term financial planning goals. If you're a cautious investor, look for a long-standing solid company to invest in.
3.    Multi-family real estate. Now is a great time to invest in a multi-family dwelling. Due to the housing meltdown, there are many multi-family units priced to move quickly.
  • A multi-family dwelling is a safer investment than a single-family home because you're able to retain more tenants. Therefore, if one tenant decides to leave at the end of their lease, you still have other tenants set up in other units that are still generating income.

  • Multi-family dwellings are more profitable than single-family homes. For example, if you have three 2-bedroom units renting for $700 each per month, you're bringing in $2,100 per month. As opposed to the one, smaller income from just one tenant.
Develop an investment strategy requires patience and a honest assessment of your risk appetite. Real Estate Investing has always been a popular investment. Owning a multi-unit occupancy rental property guarantees a monthly return, as long as you budget for maintenance and other incidental expenses.

The bonds are safe but have the lowest performance. However, some hidden gems on the market offer above the high-interest rate. Stocks offer higher performance, but performance is not guaranteed and faces a higher risk.

A smart strategy is to diversify your risk and return through a diversified portfolio of investments, some with less risk and others with moderate risk. Only go after high-risk investments if you have money to burn! This strategy allows you to enjoy consistently positive returns over the years.

Sunday, 1 May 2011

Save home buyers closing costs

A number of costs that will soon become important when you buy a home buyer closing cost. Closing costs are charges involved in the sales transaction. Typically, these costs are carried by 2-4 percent of the selling price but varies according to a geographic location and individual situation.

While the loan can be a real impediment to a successful home purchase, the closing costs can be a major factor as well. Many home buyers just accept the inevitable cost of purchasing these at home, but there are things you can do to alleviate many of these costs.

Many new home owners too intimidated by the bewildering array of expenses, but the process of understanding this can help reduce costs.

There are 2 types of closing costs, recurring and non-recurring.


Non-Recurring Closing Costs

·    Title insurance
·    Title Search
·    Recording Fees
·    Appraisal Fees
·    Endorsements
·    Credit Check
·    Attorney Fees
·    Document Preparation
·    Transfer Fees
·    Escrow Fees
·    Notary Fees
·    Wire Fees
·    Courier Fees
·    Home Inspection

Recurring Closing Costs

·    Private Mortgage Insurance
·    Flood Insurance
·    Property Tax
·    Fire Insurance



Tips to Lower Buyer Closing Costs


1. Shop title companies. Title companies do not all charge the same rates. The title insurance, title search and recording fees can vary from one Title Company to another. Some realtors will insist on using their title company, but you're the one paying the fees. That means you can choose your title company. Tell your realtor she can choose the Title Company if she pays the costs.

2. Compare appraisal fees. You can choose the appraiser; again, you're going to be the one paying for it. Call around and shop for a less expensive appraiser.

3. Evaluate several home inspection services. Just as with the appraisal cost, you can shop around for the least expensive inspector as well.

4. Consolidate your insurance. You should be able to get a lower insurance premium if you get all your insurance from one carrier. This means that one company will insure your home, car, and any other insurance policies you have.

5. Avoid pre-paid interest. By closing on the last day of the month, you can frequently avoid having to pre-pay any interest.

6. Negotiate your best deal on the house. Points paid to the lender are a percentage of the loan amount and reduce your interest rate. By getting a great deal on the house, the cost of the points will be considerably less.

7. Get the seller to help you. It's not uncommon for a buyer's offer to include stipulations that the seller will contribute to the buyer's closing costs. Your offer could include the seller contributing a set amount towards the closing costs or paying for specific costs. You may have to offer a little more for the property to get the seller to agree, but you never know unless you ask.

  • Raising your offer to get the seller to pay for all or a portion of the closing costs allows you to finance the costs over the length of the mortgage. This will cost more long-term, but won't require as much money at closing.
Purchasing a house is always an expensive bid. By making the necessary steps, you can significantly reduce your closing costs. Hearing, everything can be negotiated, and if the seller will help you out. Shop around for the best prices on the various fees that are typically the responsibility of the buyer pays.

By reducing the closing costs, you cannot  just get a new home, but some of the new devices will be money!

Saturday, 30 April 2011

REITs are a good investment for you?

Many people dream of investing in the large apartment, buildings. Shopping centers, office and commercial - yet few have the necessary resources and expertise for such investments. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), one of the ways that ordinary people can invest in the large and expensive real estate.

The REIT invests in income producing properties. These properties can be condominiums, commercial properties. Strip shopping centers, hospitals, housing, and so on. In practical terms, the REIT is similar to unit trust investments are pooled, and the REIT buys and manages income-generating properties.

How Do You Make Money From REITs?

REITs are essentially landlords. The revenue consists of all the rents collected from the tenants. The expenses include property management, property tax, utilities, mortgage payments, and more. The profit is what's left over after all the bills are paid.

This profit is given back to investors in the form of dividends.

The great news is that REITs have a powerful incentive to distribute a minimum of 90% of the taxable income to investors; REITs do not have to pay corporate income tax if they meet the 90% minimum payout.

There are 3 main types of REITs:

1. Equity REIT.

The most common type is an equity REIT. These companies invest in income producing property that the REIT will also manage. When REIT's are considered as investments, this is the type that is typically being referred to.

2. Mortgage REIT.

These REITs invest in outstanding mortgages and also make loans backed by real estate. While the underlying property values are important for both equity and mortgage REITs, mortgage REITs values are also very dependent on interest rates. This type of REIT accounts for less than 10% of all REITs operating in the United States.

3. Hybrid REIT.

The hybrid REIT is a combination of an equity REIT and mortgage REIT. So this type invests in both mortgages and actual real estate assets. The hybrid REIT potentially has the greatest diversification.

Some equity and hybrid REITs will invest in numerous properties of varying size and function. This diversification should provide some stability relative to the change in value of the individual properties. What can affect values? Vacancies, non-payment of rent, a general downturn of the local market, and interest rates are a few of the things that can affect the values.

How Do You Evaluate an REIT as an Investment?

As an investor, you can buy and sell your shares in an REIT just as you could with any other stock. Be sure you educate yourself in the proper way to evaluate an REIT. It is not in the business of manufacturing anything and it is not providing a service. The common methods of evaluating stocks may not apply in the same way.

Most REITs specialize in a single type of property, like apartments, retail space, or commercial office space. Many REITs limit themselves to a geographical area as well; this can be an important consideration when attempting to determine which REIT is best for you.

A great REIT will manage its properties to get the best possible income growth and then reinvest that money in properties that generate an even greater return than the existing properties. Those are the two things an equity REIT must do to excel.

A good measure for evaluating REITs is "funds from operations" (FFO).

This discounts gains and losses from the sale of assets and adds back depreciation. A long-term FFO growth is generally a good indicator of the financial health of an REIT.

While FFO gives an indication of the strength of an REIT, it is not the only predictor of an REIT's value. REITs own a lot of assets, and the value of those assets has the largest impact on the current asking price of an REIT's shares. 

The REIT may be the investment vehicle, which was looking to expand your portfolio. As always, be sure to educate yourself, or seek advice from a financial expert before investing your hard-earned no money for new investment.

Friday, 29 April 2011

Make your money work for you with these Easy, liquid investments

A myriad of savings and investment options available today is complex and confusing. If you are not familiar with the investment strategy, it is not easy to choose the options that are the best value for your money.

The bottom side of investing money that you can lose money when they were invested. For example, if you invest in real estate, you need to sell or lease the property to see money from it.

On the other hand, if you invested in liquid investments, easier access to money if need be. A liquid investment, then the best of both worlds: the search for interest money, and you still can get it if need be.

Try these investment options that are both easy and liquid - you can invest in them right at your own bank and you have fast access to your money should the need arise:

1. Certificate of deposit.

A certificate of deposit is one of the simplest investment options with decent returns on your money.
  • A certificate of deposit (CD) is also referred to as a time deposit, which means your money has to stay invested for anywhere from 3 months up to 5 years for the stated return.

  • If you need your money for a true emergency, you can cancel the CD, although you'll forfeit some, if not all, of your return on it. A good option is to go with the short, 3 month CDs until your finances are stable and you have some additional money put away.

  • Interest rates are higher than a regular savings account.

  • Your savings are insured at all times.

  • Your interest rates are set to increase the longer you have your money saved.

2. Money market savings account.

Having a money market savings account is also a great option for investing and making the most from your money. With this type of account, your interest rates are much higher than with a standard savings account.
  • One added benefit of such an account is that you would be limited to the number of withdrawals each month as a technique to safeguard your investments so you'll make the most on your money.

  • Another benefit is that your investment of $250,000 or less is insured.

3. Money market mutual fund.

Money market mutual funds are a little riskier than CDs and money market savings accounts; however, with greater risk comes the opportunity for greater returns. These funds allow short-term security investment. However, the fact that you are investing in short-term securities means that your investment would be exposed to less risk.
  • Tip: To get the most out of it, try to make your investment principal as high as possible because this is when the truly good returns come into play.

4. Tax-exempt money market.

A tax-exempt money market option is a type of money market fund, the difference is that it's liquid and allows investment in tax-exempt securities. You don't need to be as concerned with investing the highest amount possible because your returns will be tax-free and of more financial worth to you.

You can expect that the high yield as experienced investors only adding a little common sense to the decisions. Learn about the less-liquid investments, and once you build up that fund, where money works for you. You will have an easy transition to higher earnings portfolio.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

3 Tips on ways to live well

In contrast to the common belief, the essential to financial freedom is certainly not simply targeted on the volume of the house can receive a month. It takes into account learning to manage money, and spending priorities. This approach is also known in this life.

Below you will find some great suggestions in your life instruments in order to build savings. You do not need to move into a shoe box or completely give up entertainment and shopping - but the following tips will help you learn how to better spending decisions.

Consider these strategies:

1.    Have a slice of humble pie.

If you're constantly in a competition with your neighbors, coworkers or friends, you're never going to stop spending. In the back of your mind, you'll always try to "beat" them by having the newest car, a biggest house, most expensive clothing, and more.
  • Once you eject the competitiveness from your mind, you'll be able to effectively trim the fat from your budget.

  • If you're a smoker, now is the time to quit. If not for your health, do it for your financial future. In some states, a pack of cigarettes can cost $10. If you're a pack-per-day smoker, you can save $300 per month by ditching this harmful habit.

  • Work with what you have. There's no need to upgrade your car if the one you're driving now gets you from point A to point B. If your current home isn't to your liking, make some updates or redecorate - it's a far less expensive fix than purchasing an extravagant estate.

2.    Trim your grocery budget.

Coupons aren't the only way to save money on your grocery bills (though they certainly help). You just need to be conscious of your purchases. It's possible to feed a family of four for under $10 - with a high-quality meal to boot!
  • Never go grocery shopping hungry or tired.

  • Three nights per week, cook up something very inexpensive for dinner, such as beans and rice or homemade soup. It'll be a nice change of pace, without feeling deprived. And of course, the biggest bonus is that you'll save money!

3.    Make savings a priority.

Savings isn't optional. It's necessary for financial emergencies - and they always come up in some form or another. Treat it as any other bill each month. Place this, as every other bill, in your budget workbook. You do have a budget workbook, don't you?
  • If you'd like, break it up into pay periods. In order to save $800 per month in a 2-income household, each partner would have to set aside $100 per week. A $400 goal would be just $50 per week. When a savings goal is broken into manageable pieces, it's a far less daunting figure.

  • When you're unable to meet your savings goals, either find a way to make more money or spend less money each month. If you're able to trim the fat from your monthly expenses, there will always be a way to meet your savings goals.

  • Budget your " fun money" as well. When you budget a set amount for unnecessary shopping trips and entertainment, you can't shop until you drop. When the money runs out, you're done.
No need to change your whole life to live below your means. It's all about minimizing costs, if possible, and refuses the desire to live largely - even if the means to do so. By implementing these simple tips, you can cut hundred dollars - if not more - out of the monthly bill, and stash it into your savings account!