Fun in the Sun this Summer - for Less

Ready or not here comes summer! Here are some quick tips to help you save a little cash and get ready for fun in the sun. 1. Have a back yard camping excursion. There is no need to take a far away, expensive trip to have fun. Set-up your tent, barbecue, and maybe even a little pool and pretend you are on a great excursion. The best part, you have a private bathroom nearby! Just think of the memories you’ll create and the money you’ll save! 2. Make some sun tea rather than buying premade, bottled tea. You’ll need a sun tea container or jar, water, and 3-4 bags of “regular” tea (you pick the flavor). Put the tea bags in the...

Posted on Jun 06, 2011

Cut Costs, Not Corners For Back-To-School

(NAPSI)-According to the National Retail Federation, parents of school-aged children estimated they spent nearly $600 on back-to-school purchases last year. How can you cut back this year without cutting corners? Consider these tips for making smart choices: Host A Swap Party Instead of organizing a yard sale for strangers, have friends over to trade gently used items you no longer want or use. Swap parties are an inexpensive, social and eco-friendly way to stock up on clothes, shoes, books, athletic equipment and anything else your kids might need in exchange for things they’ve already outgrown. Invite friends with similar school-aged children and tastes, and ask them to bring items in good condition they’re willing to swap in exchange for something someone else...

Posted on Jul 06, 2009

Controlling Costs

One step toward controlling your costs is to understand and classify them. Compulsory costs are required – you must pay them, and pay them on time. Compulsory costs include things like health insurance, car insurance, property taxes, car payments, mortgage payments, and income taxes. Discretionary costs are ones that you could delay for a month or eliminate all together – purchase of a camera phone, jewelry, TV or maybe new clothes would fall into this category. Needs are things that you and your family must have to sustain life; air, food, water, shelter, clothing and your means to provide them. Wants are things you would like to have but can live without; cable or satellite TV, dining out, etc. How much of what...

Posted on Apr 07, 2009

Budgeting

Budgeting is the only practical way to consciously control your spending and to make sure your money is being used the way you really want it to be used. There are three basic elements to every household budget; Total Income, Total Expenses, and Cash Surplus (or deficit). If your result is negative then you must either increase your income or decrease your expenses. A typical budget includes the minimum following expense categories; Housing Cost; Rent, Mortgage, Home Repairs, Property Tax, etc. Utilities; Water, Sewer, Garbage, Electricity, Phone, Oil/Gas Food Cost; Groceries Transportation; Auto Payment, Auto Maintenance and Repairs, Parking, Gas, Tolls, Bus Fare, etc. Health Expenses; Co-pays, Prescriptions, Office Visits, Lab Work, Over-the-Counter items, Vitamins, Glasses, etc. Personal Items; Hair care, Dry-cleaning Entertainment; Cable/Satellite TV, Dining Out, Movies, etc. Financial; Credit...

Posted on Apr 06, 2009

Budget for the Holidays

It's time to put a bright bow on your budget! Are you ready for the upcoming holidays? Although November 28th is the traditional kick off of the holiday season, decorations of all kinds are already flooding the retail stores and catalogues of gift ideas are being delivered by the truckload to our mailboxes encouraging us to get in the “spending mood” earlier and earlier every year. That means you have to budget your holiday spending earlier too. We at American Financial Solutions have created a special “Holiday Budget” Worksheet so you can keep your Holiday spending in check, ensuring you have a wonderful holiday that you don’t regret after the New Year. Look at the categories we have included so you don’t...

Posted on Nov 09, 2008

Get What You Want Through Budgeting

Up until a few years ago my husband and I really struggled to keep our finances in order. Every month I would make a budget, but the money on paper never seemed to go as far as the money in my bank account. My first step in understanding why I was always broke was to list and categorize all of the money we spent each month. I made categories for groceries, gas, fixed bills (telephone, cable, electric, etc.), clothes, household expenses (vacuum bags, light bulbs, etc.), and miscellaneous. Then I wrote each expense down under the corresponding category. What I found amazed me; that month we spent almost $1200 in groceries. How was that possible? The budgeted amount for groceries was...

Posted on Jul 27, 2008

Budget Your Way to Home Ownership

Despite the current credit crisis, now is a good time to be a first time homebuyer if you are mortgage ready and a good money manager. There is a glut of houses for sale across the nation and sellers are very motivated. An article on CNNMoney.com recently stated that “For the first time in years, entry-level homes are affordable.” The first step to owning your own home is to attend a Free First Time Homebuyer Seminar sponsored by your local Housing Authority or Coalition. Becoming educated on how the home buying process works is very important. You can also find a Housing Counseling agency by visiting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This information is to help the potential...

Posted on Jun 25, 2008