Author Archives: L Robbins

Common E-mail Scam

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I’ve not written about any of the common e-mail scams because I thought that most consumers today are savvy enough not to fall for these schemes. Tragically, the other day I found out that I was wrong. One of my friends received an e-mail telling her the sender needed her help to collect 50,000 dollars. If she would help him, the e-mailer explained, he would allow her to keep 15,000 dollars of the money. All she had to do, he directed, was receive a 50,000 dollar money order that he would send her, cash the money order, and wire 35,000 … Continue reading →

$25 Bonus for ING Orange Savings Accounts

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People often ask me about ING orange savings accounts. They want to know how it works, if you really get a $25.00 bonus, and if it’s legitimate. With the advent of online banking, customers have more options than ever about where and how to bank. This has caused increased competition among banks, both online and traditional. As a result, many banks offer various bonuses and promotions in order to recruit or retain their customers. While most banks offer occasional promotions, ING has an ongoing $25.00 bonus for new customers who open accounts with an opening balance of at least $250.00. … Continue reading →

Revolving Savings Accounts

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For the first time since our marriage, my husband and I didn’t have to worry about paying our car insurance this month. In the past we’ve had to scrimp and scrounge to make the twice annual payments, raiding our savings and checking accounts and even charging into a credit card. This month, however, we simply withdrew the money from an account set aside for the purpose and paid the insurance without thinking about it, worrying about it, or feeling the pinch. This thing that brought about this change was the revolving savings account or, as they are otherwise known, freedom … Continue reading →

Three Sources for Car Parts

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Car repairs are often both surprising, unwanted, and unplanned for. When they’re needed, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the three major sources for car parts: factory, after-market, and used. Factory car parts, or original equipment manufacturer are, as they sound, obtained directly from the factory. Their advantages are that they are readily available, can definitely be found in your make, model and color, arrive quickly and often have a warranty or guarantee. Their disadvantages are, of course, the price. If you decide to purchase a car part from the factory, you can locate the nearest dealership by … Continue reading →

Five Tips for Working with Creditors

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Many of us have had bills we can’t pay. Whether it’s the doctor’s office, the hospital, a bank or a utility company, a few techniques can help you communicate with your creditors and negotiate an arrangement that will work for both of you. Be proactive. Creditors are pleased when someone who owes them money takes the initiative to contact them to work out arrangements. This tells them that you’re responsible and conscientious and that you care about paying your debts. You are the type of person they can trust and they are likely to want to work with you. Find … Continue reading →

Five Common Mistakes People Make When Dealing with Creditors

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One of the most unpleasant parts of finance is dealing with creditors, particularly those we cannot afford to pay. Here are five of the most common mistakes people make. If you can avoid them, your negotiation and conversation is likely to go much more smoothly. Avoiding the creditor. Although it’s natural to want to avoid people to whom we owe money we cannot pay, this is a mistake. Refusing to talk to creditors, whether it’s refusing to answer the phone, claiming that you have moved, or sending a creditor with a legitimate claim a cease and desist order, backs creditors … Continue reading →

How to Handle Your Non-Frugal Friends (II)

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The social aspect of continuing your relationships with your non-frugal friends can be tricky, but equally challenging can be the pragmatic aspect of how to manage the financial aspect of the relationships. How do you continue to spend time with the same friends once you’re no longer enrolling your children in the same activities or attending the same expensive restaurants? For starters, don’t let anyone dissuade you from your financial goals. As Dave Ramsey says, “Live like no-one else now, so you can live with no-one else later.” You may be giving up the cars, nice houses, and eating-out that … Continue reading →

How to Handle Your Non-Frugal Friends (I)

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Often people who decide to change their financial situation encounter an unexpected obstacle to change: their friends. Financially wise people discover conflict on two basic fronts: the social front and the financial front. Not only can a person have their relationships changed by frugal living, they sometimes find that it’s just not as easy to maintain the relationship when they’re no longer willing to go to theme parks or jaunt off to dinner with their friends. Today we’ll cover the social front. Friends often wonder what’s going on with the newly-born frugalite. They may joke or even poke good-natured (usually) … Continue reading →

Why Saving is Better Than Earning

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There are three basic techniques for improving one’s net worth: spending less, earning more, and controlling what one already has. Of these techniques, the one most readily accessible to most Americans is spending less. Although “the American dream” tends to idealize the concept of being financially secure through a high-paying job, for many people, rapidly increasing their income is simply not feasible. Spending less, on the other hand, has many concrete advantagss over earning more money: Anyone can do it. You may not be in a position to change careers, find a better job, or negotiate for a higher salary, … Continue reading →