Save $100 a week

With most people living from paycheck to paycheck, it can be very difficult to save money. And that can make for very stressful times when emergency cash is needed.

But there are some easy ways to save a few bucks here and there...

1. Pay yourself a percentage of your paycheck. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10% or 1%. As long as you sock away some part of your paycheck consistently, your efforts will pay off in time. If you’re living from paycheck to paycheck and think it’s just not possible to spare another cent for savings, try again. Think about that iced coffee you just bought. There was probably some change left over right? Well, there you go. This brings us to the next point.

2. Save every penny! Every time you buy something with cash, there’s usually some change involved. Instead of throwing that change in your pocket or under the seat, put it into a jar and save it up. You’ll be amazed by what you have after only a few weeks time. Save your change up for a few months and you’ll have a nice chunk of change that you can take to the bank.

3. Need it or Want it? Things like beauty magazines, a new pair of shoes, a wrench set, or the latest cell phone might be things you want, but do you really need them? Evaluate every purchase from the standpoint of “Do I absolutely need this product at this point in time?” When you stop and think about this, you can save yourself on a lot of impulse buying.

Check back on Friday, when I’ll include some more tips to help you save $100 a week.

Buying a car in today's market - Part 1

In today’s economy, many consumers have been worried about making large purchases. For example, purchasing a car may seem impossible. Many are finding it difficult to get a loan these days. But for those with satisfactory credit, now is the time to get a great deal.
With jammed up car lots continuing to fill up with overstock, car dealers are desperate to lure people in to buy. And to do so, they are enticing customers with some great offers. Including, amazingly low interest rates and rebate offers, as well as additional end of the year savings. Toyota recently announced its 0% interest financing and other leading car manufacturers have quickly followed.

The U.S. Treasury Department recently announced a new program to increase the availability of auto loans. The announcement came soon after a key request from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). The new program will benefit both the consumer and the auto dealer. It is hoped that the news will likely go a long way in helping to restore consumer confidence and aid in rebuilding economic stability throughout the country.

Source: www.CNNMoney.com
Source: www.nada.org

Continuing the holiday gift giving theme…

Let’s face it - times are tough. And now, as if you weren’t strapped for cash enough, the holidays are quickly approaching.

For the kids on your list, there are several inexpensive choices for gift giving.

1. Old fashioned board games! Games like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders can be purchased for $5.00 or less.

2. Or visit the local dollar store to rack up on some great toy knick knacks for a $1.00 each.

3. Puzzles (you can usually find some of these for $2.99)

4. Fun and colorful socks or underware (still under $10)

5. Gel pens and pretty stationary

6. Sometimes you can find great deals on books too. Book stores like Books-A-Million often have a special sale section located toward the back of the store that’s filled with great deals on children’s book selections.

Tis' the season for NOT using your credit card!!

With the holidays quickly approaching, many of you may be trying to budget for holiday gift giving. And in this crazy economy… it may be tempting to charge holiday gift items to your credit card. Don’t do it! If you use your credit card, chances are that you might overspend, buying too many items for people or buying high priced items.

Instead, try downsizing this year. Keep holiday purchases to a bare minimum.

Here are some inexpensive gift buying ideas that are effortless, but filled with a lot of love and are still very thoughtful.

1. Holiday themed platter filled with homemade baked cookies or bread, with the recipes attached
2. Personalized coffee mug filled with Starbucks coffee samples or candy
3. Photo Album or collage filled with memorable photographs
4. Gourmet chocolate bars tied together with decorative ribbon
5. Journal with some inspiring words from the giver
6. Vintage Teacups or bowls (purchased from a yard sale or thrift store) and filled with teas or bath salts
7. Subscription to a popular magazine that you know the gift receiver will enjoy (sometimes you can find great deals on these for as little as $12 for a 1 year subscription)
8. “Locally made” themed gift baskets – find great deals on items made in your city or town, including – honey, jams, sauces, dips or muffin mixes
9. Magnets with your favorite quotes on them
10. For the grandparents… frame some of your child’s artwork in a cool frame

Relief at the gas pumps – Part 2

Have you ever wondered what exactly makes your automobile more fuel efficient?
Check out these 10 fuel saving tips provided by gasbuddy.com! And be on your way to saving money with less gas consumption.

1. Avoid High Speeds
As your speed increases, your aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
2. Do Not Accelerate or Brake Hard
By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%.
3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%.
4. Use A/C Sparingly
When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner.
5. Keep Windows Closed
Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%.
6. Service Vehicle Regularly
Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels.
7. Use Cruise Control
Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas.
8. Avoid Heavy Loads
Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips.
9. Avoid Long Idles
If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting the car uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time.
10. Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle
When buying a new vehicle examine the vehicle's rated fuel efficiency. Usually choosing a small vehicle with a manual transmission will provide you with great fuel economy.

More relief at the gas pumps!

In recent weeks, there seems to finally be some relief at the gas pumps.


Here are some other easy ways to save more money at the pump…

Applying for a credit card that offers incentives is one way to save some additional money at the pumps. JPMorgan Chase & Co. offers a BP Visa card that earns you 5% cash back on all fuel purchases from any BP location or 2% back on all other Ultimate Fuel locations.

Sites like GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is a network of more than 181 gas price information websites that help you find low gasoline prices. All web sites are operated by GasBuddy and have the most comprehensive listings of gas prices anywhere.



According to GasBuddy, gasoline prices change frequently and may vary by as much as 20 percent within only a few blocks. It's important to be able to find the service station with the lowest priced fuel. GasBuddy websites allow motorists to share information about low priced fuel with others as well as target the lowest priced stations to save money when filling up at the pumps!
And saving money at the pumps, means being able to put away some extra emergency cash!