Tips on Buying a New Car

I bet many of you are considering trading in your older gas-guzzling car with these rising gas prices. If so, you will want to consider many financial implications of a vehicle and not simply the purchase price. A car is a purchase that will keep costing you money. Therefore, you can’t just compare automobiles based only their purchase price alone. When deciding which make and model of car to buy… remember to evaluate the following: 1. Sales Tax – Yes, in most states you will have to pay a tax on your vehicle purchase. You will also have to pay … Continue reading →

How Did Our Economy Get into This Mess!

If you have been following our economy’s downturn, you will most likely be able to label the number one cause – the housing market. When the real estate bubble burst, it caused a huge trickling affect on our whole nation’s economy. It wasn’t only the drop in house value that caused the spiral. The hugely growing housing bubble led to many families borrowing into their growing equity. As they borrowed against this huge asset (their home), they pumped money directly into the economy. Unfortunately, this money was “borrowed” and not real income. Still, it temporarily boosted our economy. When the … Continue reading →

Another Pitfall of Hard Economic Times

In addition to the risk of your gift cards becoming worthless, another consideration must be taken when shopping during tougher economic times. This is to remember that no matter how big or impressive a retailer is, they still can go under. What does this mean for you? Be careful of buying anything into the future. Certainly, a gift card is one example of buying into the future. So are gift certificates. These are actually samples of unsecured loans. You are giving the retailer a loan for your future purchase. If they go bankrupt, typically unsecured loans only receive a payback … Continue reading →

Use those Gift Cards

Do you still have a bunch of gift cards in your wallet? You haven’t had the extra time to spend them yet? Well, don’t wait, or you may just be throwing money away! No matter how big the retailer may be, if they go out of business those cards are worthless. Stores like The Sharper Image left many customers surprised when they filed bankruptcy and their gift cards were zeroed out. In addition, some gift cards start to charge you a fee if you do not use them within a certain period. Gift cards have been the rage over the … Continue reading →

Shopping at Discount

Are you a bargain shopper? Do you scour the ads for special sales, going out of business liquidations, and seconds offers? Well, I do have a word of caution for you. Certainly, this sort of shopping approach can save you money, as long as you are a careful shopper. Unscrupulous retailers do try to sneak some things by you though, in order to help them make a quick buck. Finding a good deal truly takes time. Don’t expect to walk into a liquidation sale and find the best deal. Just because the sign says, 75 percent off, doesn’t mean it … Continue reading →

Is it Worth your Time?

Okay, I just finished painting in our new house today and I found myself asking this question “is it worth the time?” I ask it, because while I was doing this backbreaking work… I kept wondering what it would cost to pay someone else to paint. I have often taken the approach that if I can do it, I should. Why pay someone to do something I am capable of doing? I certainly have to pay enough to others to do the things I am not able to do – like fixing my car or the leaky toilet. Certain repairs … Continue reading →

Little Ways to Save Extra Money

Are you wishing you had more room in your budget to save for retirement or your children’s college education? Sometimes all it takes is small changes. The following list is full of little changes you can make in your lifestyle that could potential add up to more money in your pocket. If you have any I forgot… please add them into the comments! 1. Cut back on eating out, or stop altogether. 2. Quit a bad habit like smoking, alcohol, or even drinking soda. 3. Bring your lunch to work each day. 4. Make your own gourmet coffee at home … Continue reading →

Christmas a Day Late

Now, some of you may think I am nuts… but I do know some families who practice this tradition. The idea is to have your Christmas after Christmas… usually a couple days later. The advantage is the HUGE savings on Christmas gifts. Retailers know that if it doesn’t get bought before Christmas it may not get bought at all. So, once Christmas is done… the real heavy duty markdowns come. It is almost guaranteed to find at least 50% off the price within the couple days after Christmas on “gifty” items. Now, if having Christmas late is not such a … Continue reading →

Online Shopping

During the frantic rush of the holidays, online shopping can often save us time, money and gas. Crowded malls, parking lots and stores are sure to scare off even the most die hard shoppers. Still, while online shopping has its perks, it does also have its downfalls. The main problem with shopping online is the simplicity of setting up an online storefront. What this means is almost anyone with decent computer knowledge can set up an online store to rival some of the most well-known names in the business. Therefore, looks can be deceiving in the world of the web. … Continue reading →

Give the Gift of Cards

Gift card use has increased dramatically the last couple of holiday seasons and this year looks to be the same. These cards can be great for both consumer and retailer, as they provide a more decorative way to give cash as a gift at the same time ensuring a selected retailer gets your commerce. But, are they all really as great as they seem? Not according to Consumer Reports, who ran a full page ad in the New York Times warning shoppers of the potential waste of unused, lost or expired gift cards. Even so, these cards still seem to … Continue reading →