Saving Money The Smart And Easy Way

By Chris Channing

Learning how to save money is an important discipline to learn for your everyday life, and to have a successful financial situation. Saving money is easy, and should be stress free. Many individuals have extreme difficult saving money, which will likely land them in a serious financial situation later in life.

Saving money begins with figuring out how many bills, and expenses you have each month. Learning how to save money is easy, once you get past this basic building block of money saving skills. The majority of your income will likely be headed towards bills, and debts. These are the most important things to consider, especially because they determine your lifestyle.

Once you know how much you have to pay towards bills and food, you can start considering what you want to save. The magic rule is 10% of your take home income, but that is often difficult for many people. Saving money means doing more than just saving 10% from each paycheck. It also means making wise spending choices.

Of course, you can still spend money and save money! The art of shopping has never been more important to master. Learning how to find high quality, and other wise expensive things, for a bargain is a great way to literally save hundreds. If you wait a few weeks after a new jacket is introduced at a store, it will likely be on sale for much cheaper. Cutting down costs by using coupons is a great way to stretch your money.

A good trick to follow is to go into a store with a set amount that you plan on spending in mind. If you only want to spend $100, but the total ends up being much less, you can save what you "saved" on your purchase. This is a fantastic way to save money that you would have otherwise spent.

There are so many other ways to save money effectively and easily. It takes some common sense and a bit of time to plan out your goals and strategies. After you have everything planned out though, its basically smooth sailing. Saving money is always important, especially if you are at risk for a potential financial failure.

Closing Comments

Learning how to save money is as simple as following a few tricks and tips, nothing painless, and you still get to have your cake and eat it too!

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Learn The Ropes Of Saving Money Easily And Stress Free

By Chris Channing

Saving money has many different parts to it, with different things you can do on a daily basis to maximize savings and profits. Learning how to save money is an important part of growing up, but unfortunately, many people are clueless on how to save even $1. You could land in a serious financial rut if you do not learn how to save money effectively now, versus waiting.

First off, you will need to calculate all of the money you spend on bills, food, and other things. Getting an idea of just how much money you spend monthly or weekly is an important wake up call. If you spend too much on entertainment, and not enough on food, there is obviously a problem. Knowing what you have is a good way to start learning how to save.

After you have an idea of about how much you spend on bills, you can begin to decide how much of your income you want to save each month. Many people say that 10% is the magic number, but that isn't always possible. If it is possible for you, save that much. If you can save more, definitely save more. Some people are blessed with high incomes and hardly any bills. This is a good way to build a strong safety net in the event that you lose your job or become ill.

You can still spend money and save money, and even spend to save! Our basic needs are shelter and food, and those things can come cheaper than you think. If you have a mortgage, then you can switch to a more money efficient mortgage payment plan. If you eat a lot of food that is unnecessarily overpriced, then you can cut down on the costs by making healthier and cheaper options. Coupons go a long way with things like this. Many websites are dedicated to teaching you how to save money through coupons and special offers.

A good trick to follow is to go into a store with a set amount that you plan on spending in mind. If you only want to spend $100, but the total ends up being much less, you can save what you "saved" on your purchase. This is a fantastic way to save money that you would have otherwise spent.

With the thousands of ways to save money, and even more websites telling you how to save money, there is no excuse for not saving! You have everything at your disposal, you just need to put it to use. Using coupons, reward cards, and things that give you points for buying what you already buy, are good ways to get the most out of your money and save more!

Closing Comments

Taking the time to save money isn't hard, its just a matter of being smart enough with your money to save!

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Make The Most Out Of Your Laptops Life

By Chris Channing

Laptops are a great electronic to have on hand, especially if something happens to your primary computer. For many people laptops are becoming the primary, especially since they are more and more powerful each day and are increasingly better than before. Laptops are just as speedy as most desktops on the market, and can offer you portability that a desktop pc cannot offer.

It does take a lot of effort to care for a laptop. They can overheat easily as well as lose some of the speed that they once hand. Proper care can minimize this, including turning it off while not in use. Laptop batteries are sensitive and will take some effort to keep them in tact. Use the power outlet as much as possible, versus relying on the battery.

Laptops also come in many different sizes and shapes, and brands. Choosing what will work for you and your lifestyle is the best route to take. Some are designed for gaming, photos and multimedia, and just general usage. Your lifestyle should fit your laptop. Its pointless it carry a bulky laptop around a school campus if you only need it to type a few papers.

Your laptop is designed to last a long time, and if you take proper care of it, then it can last much longer. Cleaning the keyboard routinely and regularly is a good way to keep your laptop happy and in good standing. Laptops are easily broken, so make it worth your money and take care of it for a long time to come.

Special laptop customization is also a good way to protect your laptop long term. Having skins or special sleeves on the body of the laptop will protect it from scratches and dents. If you are clueless about repairing a laptop on the insides, you should get it checked out at the first sign of a problem. Remember, you will likely be paying a lot of money for your machine, so you should take care of it to make it last as long as possible.

Finally, laptops are pretty affordable these days. Some are as cheap as $99!!! Yes, you heard correctly! They can range from extremely cheap, to extremely pricey. These prices can go all the way up to $2000 or more dollars!

Closing Comments

Laptops are a great thing to have, even if you don't move around often enough to really use one for mobility purposes. Their compact design makes them fantastic space savers.

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Learn more on Asus EEEpc and Netbooks.

Variable Rate vs Fixed Rate Student Loans

By William Blake

Changes in Student Loan Structure

As of July 1, 2006 Stafford loans became fixed rate loans. This was not a new idea. Years ago all Stafford loans had a fixed interest rate. In time the structure changed and they became variable rate loans. Now they have again taken their original structure.

But they can change again. What the Government does, it can undo. Also, because lenders have some flexibility, even official rates can be altered in subtle ways. Many lenders, for example, charge the Federally established origination fee of 3% and the default insurance rate of 1%. Others are willing to absorb those costs to get your business. As a rough rule of thumb, every 3% in fees is equivalent to approximately 1% in interest rate.

Rates and Interest Amounts

The interest rate on loans has risen greatly over the past few years. The PLUS student loan has gone up from 6% to 8.5%. That makes this loan quite a bit more expensive than before. 2.5% interest increase means that you loan is going to cost you hundreds of dollars more a year than it would at the lower interest rate.

You can visit www.bankrate.com/brm/mortgage-calculator.asp to see exactly how much your loan will cost you at a given interest rate.

The Future

Financial advisors have a difficult time trying to determine where interest rates are going. It is a good guess at best. There is really no way to be certain how much your interest rate will vary over time. For students and their parents seeking student loans their only option is to base their choices on what the financial advisors are saying and hope for the best.

Finance Websites Give Good Guidance

You can visit Yahoo Finance or other financial websites to see what the experts are saying about interest rates. It is a difficult guess for them and an impossible guess for the average individual. Therefore the best bet is to stick with the experts and follow their lead.

Looking at the 30-year Treasury bill, for example, shows two things: what the government is offering to sell debt for projected out over 30 years, and what the buyers of that debt are willing to pay. As that rate varies, most other long-term rates, such as student loan rates, will vary similarly (though not always exactly).

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Are debt consolidation non profit companies the best way to handle consolidation? Maybe, but not always. Get the full story at the Inside Debt Consolidation website

No-one likes the idea of having a mortgage

By Rem

The monthly payment for long term fixed rate mortgages are just one fundamental thought for many individuals who are looking to purchase a home. A large number of couples these days have decided to wait and are buying homes later but they also want to pay off their mortgage early. Although before signing any documentation, there is a great deal to consider.

One fundamental point is to ensure that the interest rate doesn't change during the life of the mortgage. If you are offered a deal that appears to be too good to be true than it probably is. The interest rate remains the same for long term fixed rate mortgages over the life of the loan. If you are someone that wants a loan with a dependable fixed monthly mortgage payment with no hidden supplemental charges then this is the main benefit with this type of arrangement.

There are no hidden surprises which is great for many people that need a set monthly mortgage payment. Both my wife and I decided to explore fixed rate mortgages when we started looking at homes for sale. Although it was fundamental for us to pay off our loan as soon as we could, we didn't need high, unrealistic monthly payments which we would have a problem sustaining.

It became manifest that we had to look at fixed rate mortgages over a longer period and not just 15 year fixed mortgage rate plans. No-one likes the idea of having a mortgage when they are close to retiring, and we were no other, so it was still our hope that a 15 year fixed mortgage rate would still be an alternative.

We felt there was a good deal of pressure to have the house paid off as soon as practicable and for the most part we agreed with this. We thought about it long and hard, and despite the pressure we decided to go with the thirty year fixed mortgage rate repayment plan instead. My wife's donation to the monthly finances would probably be unreliable since she wanted to raise our child at home. Alas, a higher monthly payment is the downside of loans on a fifteen year fixed mortgage rate plan. Everything considered, we just didn't need to bite off more than we could chew as the cost of bringing up a child was an uncertain factor.

As such the 30 year fixed mortgage rate brought the monthly repayments down quite a bit. Fortunately, we are also able make supplemental repayments throughout the year to make the principal shrink faster. Just by making a handful of extra repayments throughout a twelve month period you can knock years off of your loan period. This is well worth the effort in the long run but it does require some discipline. Taking our current needs and fiscal abilities into account was more serious than our desire for a shorter term fifteen year fixed mortgage rate program. Altogether though, things worked out very well for us and we're pleased we made the decision we did.

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Also have a look at Cheaper Home Blog and Home For Less Blog

Managing Your Debts for Better Living

By Bob Hobson

Debt is common in this modern world, since various individuals take out a loan for something meaningful. Many individuals are able to purchase their own home. They do this by taking on a mortgage loan.

However, if you have debt you are looking to get out of, follow these tips to help you pay of your debts while still being able to enjoy your life.

1. Evaluate debt. Check you bill statements and the amount of payment to the creditor. Upon finding any conflicting entries you should properly dispute them. Then you will make an extensive calculation remembering to include all charges and interest thereof.

2. Make a plan. Decide as to how long you intend to pay your debts. If you can do it in a year or earlier than that, you can choose that scheme because the scheduled interest to pay is relatively lower. But you've got to consider your everyday living expenses as well. It wouldn't be good to pay your debts alone and leave nothing for your personal needs.

3. Draw up a monthly budget. Once you've figured out how much your monthly debt obligation is, the next task is to come up with a budget for your monthly expenditures. Make repaying your loans and other debts your number one priority after covering vital expenses like housing and utilities.

4. Seriously reduce spending. Upon finding that your estimated monthly expenses are more that your monthly income, you should determine which purchases can be either delayed or cut completely from your budget. It is best to have what you need rather than what you may merely want.

5. Make the most of your savings. If you have some savings in the bank, you can use some of it towards your debts. Look at your accounts to see which earns the least interest. Use this money towards one of your loans which has a high interest rate.

6. Search for additional payment sources. You can get a part time job or set up a home business to further augment your financial obligations. There are also government funds that you can possibly get. These are all going to be helpful for you.

You can be debt free by following this advice. The key lies in effectively setting your priorities and managing your debts. You are bound for success once you have mastered this.

About the Author:

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Can You Live Better By Managing Debts?

By Bob Hobson

Debts are a common thing. Many people acquire a loan for something important. Mortgage loans are also ordinary, as they enable people to be able to purchase their dream houses.

If you have debts and are looking for the best solution for it, here are good tips to follow so you can manage that debt and continue living life as you do.

1. Take a careful look at your debts. Have a look through all of the billing statements you've received and the amount of money your creditors are asking for. If you see any incorrect information, be sure to dispute it right away. After this, figure out how much of your money needs to go to each creditor - include interest and other charges in this computation.

2. Make a plan. Decide as to how long you intend to pay your debts. If you can do it in a year or earlier than that, you can choose that scheme because the scheduled interest to pay is relatively lower. But you've got to consider your everyday living expenses as well. It wouldn't be good to pay your debts alone and leave nothing for your personal needs.

3. Draw up a monthly budget. Once you've figured out how much your monthly debt obligation is, the next task is to come up with a budget for your monthly expenditures. Make repaying your loans and other debts your number one priority after covering vital expenses like housing and utilities.

4. Seriously reduce spending. Upon finding that your estimated monthly expenses are more that your monthly income, you should determine which purchases can be either delayed or cut completely from your budget. It is best to have what you need rather than what you may merely want.

5. Make the most of your savings. If you have some savings in the bank, you can use some of it towards your debts. Look at your accounts to see which earns the least interest. Use this money towards one of your loans which has a high interest rate.

6. Seek out alternative sources of income. You can supplement your financial commitments by starting a home based business or getting a part time job. Apply for government funding. You will find these tips and solutions helpful.

You can be debt free by following this advice. The key lies in effectively setting your priorities and managing your debts. You are bound for success once you have mastered this.

About the Author:

Needto consolidate debt? If you are looking for debt solutions check out www.livingoutofdebt.com

It is wise to avoid agreements that appear too good to be true

By Rem

For many individuals, whether first time buyers or not, the prime consideration when looking at a fixed rate mortgage is the monthly repayment cost. Purchasing a home later in life means that many individuals need to have the mortgage paid off earlier. Although before signing any documents, there is a great deal to consider.

Over the course of the mortgage, it's essential to remember to make sure the interest rate doesn't change. It is always wise to avoid agreements that appear to too good to be true because they invariably are. The interest rate remains the same for long term fixed rate mortgages over the life of the mortgage.

There are no hidden surprises which is great for many people that need a set monthly mortgage payment. Both my wife and I decided to explore fixed rate mortgages when we started looking at homes for sale. Although it was fundamental for us to pay off our loan as soon as we could, we didn't need high, unrealistic monthly payments which we would have a problem sustaining.

It became manifest that we had to look at fixed rate mortgages over a longer period and not just 15 year fixed mortgage rate plans. No-one likes the idea of having a mortgage when they are close to retiring, and we were no other, so it was still our hope that a 15 year fixed mortgage rate would still be an alternative.

We felt there was a good deal of pressure to have the house paid off as soon as practicable and for the most part we agreed with this. We thought about it long and hard, and despite the pressure we decided to go with the thirty year fixed mortgage rate repayment plan instead. My wife's donation to the monthly finances would probably be unreliable since she wanted to raise our child at home. Alas, a higher monthly payment is the downside of loans on a fifteen year fixed mortgage rate plan. Everything considered, we just didn't need to bite off more than we could chew as the cost of bringing up a child was an uncertain factor.

As such the 30 year fixed mortgage rate brought the monthly repayments down quite a bit. Fortunately, we are also able make supplemental repayments throughout the year to make the principal shrink faster. Just by making a handful of extra repayments throughout a twelve month period you can knock years off of your loan period. This is well worth the effort in the long run but it does require some discipline. Taking our current needs and fiscal abilities into account was more serious than our desire for a shorter term fifteen year fixed mortgage rate program. Altogether though, things worked out very well for us and we're pleased we made the decision we did.

About the Author:

Also have a look at Cheap Home Blog and Low Cost Home Blog

Ways How To Avoid Bad Credit

By Michael Benifez

Today's credit crisis is resulting in a more difficult road for consumers to getting a loan and obtaining good rates. Lenders are becoming increasingly cautious and are making more declines than ever before. If your credit rating is less than stellar, you can pretty much guarantee you're not going to get the best rate on the loan you're hoping for, that is if you can get the loan at all. If you improve your credit score, you can insure your lending status. There are five basic steps for improving credit.

1: Obtain a copy of your credit report. You can't repair something you don't know is broken. Once you have a copy, you will be able to determine your position and whether or not improvements can be made. You can get a free report from each of the three bureaus once a year from annualcreditreport.com. This website is owned by the credit bureaus themselves and designed to provide you with your entitled report once every 12 months. Many sites online have very similar names, so be extremely cautious when you're typing the address.

2: Review your report and remove anything that's outdated. Carefully review your report and keep and eye open for inaccuracies. You have the right to get incorrect data removed from your file. You may also request that any negative data be deleted, but you will be required to provide proof for your request.

3: Make sure credit card balances are low. Substantial outstanding debt will adversely impact your FICO score. Do NOT max out your credit. It will only serve to cause you problems in the long run. Why not check if there are any balance transfer cards available so you won't be forced to max out your existing card. Lenders tend to favor people who carry manageable debt on their cards. Here's a tip: Don't pay off your entire balance each month. Believe it or not, that may hurt your chances with a lender and may also hurt your credit score. Lenders make money by charging you interest your balance; if you're not paying anything in interest each month, you're not an asset to the lender.

4: Build on your credit limit. Lenders will generally assign you a credit limit, meaning you can't charge more than that amount. Earning credibility with lenders will help grow that number. You should also be aware of your 'debt to credit ratio'. Your 'ratio' is determined by the debt you carry on a high limit card. If you have a limit of 15 thousand dollars, you should strive to keep your debt on that card under or around 50%. In other words, you shouldn't carry more than about $7,500 worth of debt on that card. In America today it's a common problem for an individual's debt to credit ratio to be too high.

5: Pay your bills on time and enjoy the benefits of having zero interest on outstanding balance. It may sound simple, but it is imperative to maintaining a good credit rating. A mere few late payments will negatively impact your credit score.

If you're determined and you start right away, it won't take too long before your credit is back and track and you can get back to living worry free.

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Credit Inquiries: How They Affect Your Credit History

By William Blake

Before you qualify for a loan or a credit line from any source, the lender will be sure to check your credit history. When you receive "pre-approved" credit card offers in the mail, you can be sure that the company offering you the card has checked your credit first. If credit check s or inquiries are run too often on you, however, it can damage your credit history and limit your ability to borrow money or be charged a low interest rate.

There are two types of credit checks or credit inquiries and only one of them has any effect on your credit history. Those credit inquiries that you authorize (when you apply for a loan, mortgage, or revolving credit) appear on your credit report and affect your score.

Your credit score will get lower each time you apply for credit. Since credit inquiries can affect your credit score negatively, you should try to keep the number of credit applications you fill out to a minimum.

That does not mean that you shouldn't shop around for the best loan opportunity. Similar credit inquiries (like for a mortgage or auto loan) that are pulled within a particular time frame, around 30 days, will be counted as just one inquiry. Companies finally realized that shopping around was a good thing and they quit penalizing the smart consumer because of it.

The other credit inquiries are those made by business that you have not authorized to get your information. Anyone with a permissible purpose (defined by the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act) has the ability to check your credit history ? without you even knowing about it.

Credit card companies, retail stores, and many other businesses that have a "permissible purpose" and want you to take money from them (for the right price) will pull your credit history to determine if you are eligible for one of their pre-approved opportunities. These inquiries will not affect your credit history or hurt your credit score, but they will show up on your report so that you will know who is looking into your business.

Another credit check that does not do any damage to your credit history is a check done by a prospective employer before they choose to hire you.

Any time a business pulls your credit history, it is marked on a report for you to view. These credit checks or credit inquiries can ultimately hurt your credit score, but only those credit inquires that you request will affect you in the end.

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Are you tired of struggling to keep up with your credit card debt? Learn how to deal with excessive credit card debt on the Debtopedia website. Visit http://www.debtopedia.com for a free copy of my "Secrets Of Credit Card Debt" report.