Is Everything That is on Sale Really on Sale?

You are flipping through the store flyers and you come across some items that look like really good deals. This is just what you need today- a really good sale! But look closer, everything that is marked “on sale” is not necessarily “on sale.” Or did you think it was?

Let us look at this now.

The word  “sale” is synonymous with getting a bargain so sometimes we make the mistake of assuming that if something is on sale then it is worth spending money on. This is especially the case if something is marked 50 or 60 % off. But is it not always the deal you think it is. It is important to not just spend money randomly just because something is marked on sale. If you would not buy an item if it were at its normal price then how much do you really want it?

On Sale? - Not!

Do not be blinded by the “on sale” sign. This does not necessarily mean that you will get good value for your money. Even on sale many products can still be very costly. Bear this in mind when you go shopping. One store’s idea of a sale might not fit into your budget and if this is the case then you should go elsewhere. Never let yourself be coerced into purchasing something on sale from a salesman or store clerk. Instead stand your ground and be polite and then go somewhere else that you can afford.

Some companies seek to rip off their customers and then turn around and use fancy advertising ploys to encourage business. Be wary of ads that read “30 percent savings off of the original price” (or it could be 25, or 40 or 50 percent). While you may be getting a percentage off of the original price, if this is not a store that you are inclined to shop at  then how do you know that the original price showing on the advertisement really was the original price? Some stores will put up the original price in order to have a sale and then people think they are getting a good deal because it is 20 percent off. These scams are easy to pick out if it is a store you frequent or a product that you are inclined to buy on a regular basis.

Marketing Ploys, Not Real Bargains

Sleazy marketing ploys abound in the marketplace such as when a company extols the virtues of a product and says that this product will save you time, energy and money. They then will charge the customer $12.95 for a product that costs the company no more than two or three dollars a bottle to produce. They might even offer a free gift to encourage you to buy the product again and make it appear as though you are getting an incredible deal. Make no mistake- you are not. For example it might be a cleaning product that you could just as easily make yourself with a variety of ingredients you have lying around your home.

Don’t be fooled- some sales parade as sales but are really not! On the other hand there are sales that are totally legitimate and above board. The important thing is to become a conscientious shopper who is able to distinguish between the two.  

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Energy Saving Tips for Your Kitchen

Saving energy in the kitchen is easier than you might think. The kitchen is a homey and inviting room where we spend a fair bit of time preparing our tasty meals and experimenting with new culinary masterpieces to delight our loved ones with.

If you want to stop wasting energy in your kitchen then there are things you can do right now to change this. In saving energy you will also save yourself money!

What can you do?

When you are using your oven keep the door shut as much as you possibly can. If you want to check on your casserole or the yummy chocolate chip cookies you are baking then turn the oven light on and look through the glass door instead of opening up the oven to peer inside. Every time you open the door to have a look heat escapes. Uh oh! 

When you are using your stove keep lids on your pots and pans as much as you can. This helps to reduce heat loss. When you are boiling something turn the heat down once it starts to boil. You probably do this as per the recipes you follow but in case you don’t start doing it today.

If you cut food into smaller pieces as opposed to larger pieces it will cook faster and this will reduce your cooking time. Do this with meat and vegetables.

The warm foods you have left over from a meal that you want to save for the next day need time to cool before they are placed into the refrigerator. Not only will this save energy but it will prevent the development of bacteria. Make sure that leftovers are eaten soon after bring refrigerated. They will keep for a day or two but not a week or two! 

It is more energy efficient to cook large portions of food all at once as opposed to cooking small amounts at one time. If you freeze some of the food you have prepared and place into individual containers then you will have ready-made meals that you can take out of the freezer at a moment’s notice and reheat in the microwave. Lunch or supper will be ready instantly!

Make sure that air is able to circulate around the back of your refrigerator and your freezer. If possible do not place either one of these appliances close to a source of heat. You should also try to situate your large appliances where they will not come in contact with direct sunlight.

Check the temperature of your refrigerator and your freezer. You want to set them both at the appropriate temperature which is not too cold and not too warm. When you set these appliances to the right temperature you will not overuse energy and you will know that your food is being stored effectively temperature wise.

When opening the door to your fridge or freezer don’t linger too long. Keeping the door open too long will allow energy to escape.

When buying a new dishwasher, freezer or refrigerator purchase one with the Energy Star logo. This is your guarantee that you are selecting the most energy and water efficient appliances on the market.

Purchase a dishwasher that is sized correctly for the needs of your household. For instance, if you have a large family then choose a full-sized dishwasher. For a smaller family go with a dishwasher that is compact in design.

Only use the dishwasher once you have a full load to wash. A half load setting will use more than half the energy of a full load of dishes. This increases your costs tremendously!  

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Set Sail for a Cost Savvy Cruise- Away You Go for Fun and Sun!

A cruise might sound very appealing to you right about now as you look around your office at the mounds of paperwork that await your attention and review. If you are in need of a break and you feel a sense of longing every time you visit your favorite travel website then why don’t you think about setting sail on a discount cruise?

Cost savvy cruises and vacations are the way to go for anyone who wants to save a few dollars while still enjoying themselves on a much-needed vacation. If it is an affordable vacation that you seek then it is something that you will be able to find with a little bit of effort.

Planning Stage

Your first goal for a discount vacation is the planning stage. Focus your attention on booking the very best deal that you can. When it comes to cruises, timing is of the essence. The very best deals are made well in advance or very late. For example, booking as much as a year ahead will land you a good deal but also waiting until the last minute, such as two to three months before the start of the cruise may also net you a good price.

Most early bookings will need to be planned by way of the cruise line or else through a travel agent. On the other hand, last minute deals are generally to be found over the Internet by big Internet discounters. As a general rule, late bookings can yield low prices if your schedule is flexible enough to accommodate this option.

The stateroom of your choice is paramount to your travel plans. If you do not plan to be spending much time in your room then you can save money on fancy staterooms that offer extras such as verandas. You might even want to go with a stateroom that has no windows to save even more money.  All the little extras can really add up to big bucks. Smaller cabins can be just as comfortable and modern as more lavish rooms but they cost a great deal less. Decide what matters most to you and work from there. 

 Discounts and Specials

Next thing on your travel agenda is to find out the best way to get discounts or specials being offered. As a general guideline the most eligible  people for cruise discounts are individuals travelling in a large group; people over the age of 55; people who presently are in the military or who are retired military members; and those who have sailed with the specific cruise line in the past, whether it be once or more than once. Some cruise lines also have discounts for people with children and students.

Not all policies at all cruise lines are the same so do your homework before you settle on the one you wish to take your discount vacation with. Another key point is that off-season sailings can often bring great savings, as can special "repositioning" cruises. For those unfamiliar with these types of cruises, this is when ships travel from one particular locale to another. For example if a ship travelled from South American and then to the Mediterranean or if it went from Alaska and then directly to the Caribbean.

Save Money Onboard

The next important point when it comes to affordable cruises is to be aware of the ways in which you can save as much money as possible once you are onboard the ship. Some cruise lines offer cheap rates for cabins and then expect that the deficit in cost will be recouped by way of all of the little extras that passengers are likely to purchase.

These extras can add up to lots of dollars for the average passenger if they do not watch their budget. Some of these items include casino gambling, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, souvenir pictures, postcards and restaurant meals, etc. One of the most expensive of all extras is the organized excursion to shore when the ship docks at an exotic locale. All of these add-ons are very costly so it is essential that you set a reasonable budget for yourself and then stay on course with it. 

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Controlling Your Debt Destiny- You Can be in the Debt Driver’s Seat!

If you are up to your ears in debt or worry that you could end up that way then you need to know that it is not an inevitability that debt could end up in the driver’s seat of your life! You can still be the driver!

Whether or not you end up in debt is not simply a roll of the dice. While getting into debt is sometimes due to mitigating circumstances it is still within your grasp to be in control to the best of your ability. It is important to control your debts and not let them control you. Controlling your debt destiny is about making the right choices and being disciplined when it comes to how your money is spent. Controlling your debt destiny also involves being aware of how much money you earn on a monthly basis and knowing when all of your bills are due to be paid.

Overspending is a No-No

Surprising to some people, it is spending too much as opposed to earning a low income that is at the root of most financial problems that lead to debt. Some life problems cannot be planned for such as loss of employment or a loved one getting sick but for a great majority of people it is spending that causes the problem, or more to the point, overspending. The key to learning how to handle money is not learning how to spend it wisely but instead learning how “not to” spend money.

It seems to be a fact of life that the more money a person brings in, the more money he or she spends. This includes everything from a larger home, to a better car to a newer computer to a bigger television, etc. The little everyday purchases can increase as well and all of these items can add up very quickly.

Many people find that although their income has increased they feel as if they are bogged down by too many debts. Spending is usually the culprit in this case. You will never get ahead if you keep spending and spending, no matter how much money you are earning. A high-income earner can find themselves in debt as easily as a low-income earner. 

Define Your Monetary Goals

One of the ways to prevent this from becoming your lot in life is to define your monetary goals and then faithfully adhere to them. If you are saving to take a trip in a year’s time then don’t go out and charge a 53-inch plasma television on your credit card, especially if there is talk of potential layoffs at your workplace.

When you are tempted to spend clearly visualize your goals in your mind and hold that picture there. Keep it steady and keep it firmly cemented in your head. Then fight the urge to spend your hard earned dollars. You can do this! Determine to win and set yourself on the right course. By so doing you will be in control of your debt destiny. It will be you sitting in the driver’s seat and you will leave debt in the dust.  

You are in control of your debt destiny- repeat that to yourself! 

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Who is in Control, You or Your Debt?

Are you in control of your debt or has your debt taken control of you?

Sometimes it is not always easy to know who is in control of your money- you or your debt. If you have reached a point where you even have to ask who is in the driver’s seat financially then you are in far too much debt.

In order to get back in control of your money and learn to do more than just make ends meet you need to first not panic. You need a level head in order to gain control so do not lose your head over your financial state of affairs.

Prioritize Your Bills

Sit down and take the time to prioritize your bills. Do this by taking a hard look at your present financial situation. Figure out how much you earn on a monthly basis and where your money is being spent. Then figure out what your monthly expenses are and work from there. Before you can take back control you have to know exactly where every cent you earn is going.

Budget Your Bucks

Learn how to budget your money, as the majority of people never know for sure where their money is being spent. This could mean that you are wasting money needlessly and do not even know it. It is important to pay attention to what is happening with your money. This is as true for high income earners as it is for low income earners. Even if you decide on a very basic system of budgeting, find the one that works for you and then faithfully adhere to it.

Curb Excess Spending

It is important to curb excess spending as fast as you can. Whether your indulgence is eating out at restaurants, new shoes or new electronic gadgets, you need to stop overspending in order to gain control.

Stop Spending More than You Earn

In order to get ahead it is vital that you stop spending more money than you earn. This is a very simple concept that can be difficult to put into play. It is not wise to just go shopping because you are bored or just want to look around because you are liable to spend money you do not have.

Go to the mall only when you have an intended purchase in mind. This will help keep you on track. The same is true of grocery shopping. Have you ever gone to the grocery store intending to buy three or four items and come out with 15 or 20?  This can happen so easily but don’t let it get the best of you. If you need three items that will cost approximately $12.00 then don’t come out of the store with 12 items that cost $30.00.

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A Simple Guide to Understanding Interest Rates

You need to understand how interest rates work when it comes to dealing effectively with the money you work hard to earn. This is the case if you want to be a credit card holder. The same can be said if you plan to buy a car, a home or apply for a loan or line of credit with your bank. You need to understand interest rates for every bill you need to pay! 

We all need a basic understanding of what interest rates are and how they work. Even if you do not have a head for figures the basic math behind interest rates is something that everyone can learn, and indeed needs to learn for all future money matters. 

What is Interest?

In its most basic form, interest is money that is above and beyond the principal of money that is borrowed. If you borrow money from someone who is deemed a lender of money then you have incurred a debt and it is necessary to repay the debt. Interest will be charged on your account based upon the amount of money that is owing.

What interest is can be explained like this:

Interest is a percentage of the total owing on the debt and this is periodically added to the total outstanding balance as a type of fee for the privilege of using the money. Interest is not a one-time thing but it continues to add up until the point at which the debtor pays the debt in full. 

What is an Interest Rate?

An interest rate is the exact percentage of the total debt that is charged to the account. Interest rates are something no one can escape if they choose to borrow money in any manner. Interest rates are charged on loans, credit cards, mortgages, utility bills, medical bills and so on. How much interest is charged on each individual item varies and the credit histories of each consumer also play a role. 

Understanding Interest Rates

Before you even consider taking out a loan or applying for a credit card, it is important to understand how interest and interest rates work. If you do not take the time to learn about interest then you will not have a clear idea of what your debts are actually costing you to pay off and you might find yourself extremely frustrated that your balances decreases at an extremely slow rate despite the fact that you pay your bills as faithfully as possible.

Two Types of Interest

There are basically two kinds of interest. They include simple interest and compound interest. Here we will look only at simple interest in order to better understand how interest rates work.

Simple interest is just that- it is simple and straightforward to comprehend. Simple interest is also sometimes called “flat rate” interest and it is a percentage of the complete balance that a debtor owes to a creditor. 

The formula for calculating simple interest is as follows: 

Interest = Principal x Rate x Time

To use a practical example, if you borrow a loan for $1000 and the yearly interest rate  attached to the loan is 15 percent then this means that after one year has gone by, the debtor would owe $150 in interest charges. This equation looks like this:

1000 x .15 = $150

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Coping with Your Debt Worries Before Debt Overtakes You

There you go again- worrying about your debts. This is getting out of control and your health is starting to pay the price due to sleepless nights spent tossing and turning and too much caffeine. You no longer feel well anymore. Are your worries about debt making you sick?  

The Heavy Toll Debt Takes 

Debt is a tremendous worry to a large percentage of people. Not only can debt ruin your life in the present and into the future but it also can exact a terrible price on your mental state. It can cause problems both at work and in your relationships with loved ones and friends. A study done by Ohio State University in 2002 showed that many individuals spend a great deal of time worrying about debt and credit card debt is the greatest source of this type of worry. Studies have also shown that people who worry about debt because they are in a great deal of debt tend to be less physically and mentally healthy than do individuals who have no money concerns. 

Debt Worries Equals Health Worries

Research studies give a clear indication of what worry over debts can do to an individual’s life. Besides anxiety, angry outbursts and lack of concentration and productivity at work, worry over debts can lead to weight gain, insomnia, heart attacks and the destruction of relationships. The mental anguish of debt can manifest itself in physical problems in that simple everyday tasks such as walking up stairs, cleaning the house or carrying groceries can become tedious. Studies have shown that the debt-to-income ratio is significantly connected with impairment levels that are higher than average.

The Shadow of Debt

Worrying over debts can take over a person’s world and can color their views on everything. It can cast shadows over all that is good in a person’s life. Suddenly the future can look very bleak and it can exact a terrible cost on the individual’s life. Worrying over debt can bring up feelings of tremendous frustration and anger in many situations and it can cause depression to set in. Depression can also be accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame, which can eat away at a person’s level of self-esteem. The person who has gotten into debt can feel miserable and worthless all of the time. Debt and the subsequent worry that ensues can damage a person’s life and can lead the person to become isolated from others because of the mistakes they have made.  

Get Help!

If worry over debts is destroying your life then refuse to let it control your life any longer by seeking help. Gain some referrals from people you trust and then sit down with a professional credit counsellor and explain your financial situation and see if a reasonable plan for the repayment of your debts can be worked out. Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do when it comes to your debts. 

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