Saving Money on New Year’s Parties

Even if you are planning a potluck for your New Year’s Eve bash, hosting a get-together of family and friends is going to cost you. Fortunately, there are ways you can serve up a memorable shindig without breaking the bank. The key is to employ some basic tips on cooking for a crowd that won’t sacrifice flavor for frugality. For starters, you’ll want to invest in affordable appetizers. If you can get guests to fill up on snack food, they will be less likely to devour five helpings of the main course. Some affordable snacks include: chips and salsa, cheese … Continue reading →

Elderly Women and Retirement

Whenever I think about elderly women, of course my grandmother comes to mind. She and I were very close. I remember going up to stay with her from time to time, often for five days or a week, and enjoyed her simple, laid-back lifestyle. She canned, she gardened, she did crossword puzzles, she wrote in her journal—and she always had a cookie jar full of various home-baked treats for her grandchildren. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-teens that I realized something: Grandma didn’t have a lot of money. It wasn’t something that had ever been an issue, so … Continue reading →

Is An Internet Bank Account Right For You?

Did you ever think that there would come a time when individuals could manage their money without ever having to set foot in a bank? Even as computers began to make their way into every area of our lives, certain things like brick and mortar banks seemed like they were more or less permanent fixtures in our daily lives. However, there are now financial institutions with names like First Internet Bank, Bank of Internet USA, and Ally Bank that exist solely online. They have no brick and mortar bank branch offices. As someone who has never had an account at … Continue reading →

A Little Saving Can Go a Long Way

Most people can’t afford to place 20 to 25 percent of their paychecks into a high interest savings account like money experts suggest. However, there are a slew of other ways you can help your financial situation. The following simple ideas can add up to big savings over time if you are consistent about executing them: Food: You can save money on produce by planting a garden with items you and your family eat on a regular basis. If you have a hearty harvest, you can also trade fruits and vegetables with neighbors. Clothing: Stretch your dollar by repairing worn … Continue reading →

Ways to Get Around the Coupon Crackdown

Hey frugalistas! Clear your calendars or set your DVRs this week because a new season of “Extreme Couponing” premieres in just three days. According to TLC’s website, the second season of the uber-popular savings spree show gets underway on September 28th. The network is planning to broadcast 12 new episodes featuring 24 super savvy couponers who can turn trash into cash like no one else on Earth. In true reality TV fashion, TLC is hyping the big premiere by announcing that the new shows will show amateur copouners like me how to ring up bigger savings, not only at the … Continue reading →

Coupon Crackdown

All good things must come to an end. It’s a sad, but true fact of life that is now affecting the world of extreme couponing. Thanks a lot extreme couponers… and TLC for making their lives into a reality TV show seen by millions of penny-pinching viewers. Week after week inspiring expert couponers tune into “Extreme Couponing,” which profiles extremely frugal individuals making a killing at stores that allow them to double or triple their coupons. I watch the show quite frequently and bemoaned the fact that stores in my area are no where near as generous with their coupon … Continue reading →

Ways to Save: Savvy Shopping

I’ve seen TLC’s megahit, “Extreme Couponing” on many occasions, and each time I view it I’m left asking this question: Where are these people shopping that they can double or triple their coupons? Clearly, not in Wisconsin. I don’t know of any grocery store in the state that doubles coupons. And if I am wrong, I would love for you to let me know. I could actually save money if I’m incorrect. What a concept. I am an avid coupon-er, though I don’t dumpster dive nor do I steal newspapers from other people’s homes. Rather, I simply use what I … Continue reading →

Pay Yourself First

Do you pay yourself first? You are the most important of all your creditors. Your financial well being and your overall well being are linked. If you’ve ever felt dread opening the mailbox because you know the bills are waiting for you, then you’ll love the feeling of having money in the bank. The first decision you have to make is how often you plan to pay yourself. You can pay yourself monthly or every time you get paid. Next you need to decide how you’re going to pay yourself. You can set up the way your employer direct deposits … Continue reading →

Another Take on Gold

We keep hearing people talk about gold. I had a question to pose to my friend, financial advisor John Hauserman of RetirementQuest. I asked, “I keep seeing people advise us to buy gold, but I have a question. What if I end up with all kinds of gold, but there’s nothing to spend it on? What if no one will take my gold? What other ways do you advise us to prepare for future economic downturns?” John replied, “I am really glad you asked this question. While someone could write an entire book on this subject, which I actually did … Continue reading →

Interview: John Hauserman on 401k Retirement Funds

Today I’m continuing my interview with John Hauserman of RetirementQuest.com. Yesterday we chatted about the money that was withdrawn from 401k plans when the economy took its tumble. You can read the full article here. John, you indicated that pulling money from our 401k accounts might have been action spurred by the emotions of the moment. Can you tell us a little more about this? Savvy long-term investors might have noticed something—history tells us very clearly that panic-driven dips generally turn out to be an unusually rewarding time to be buying stocks (assuming you have time to wait out the … Continue reading →