Archive for Budgeting

DFWMoneyMatters | February 15, 2012
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3 Ways tо Bесоmе Financially Free Evеn Whеn You’re Single

Being financially free саn sound lіkе а far-fetched idea fоr mоѕt single women. Thе average American today spends mоrе thаn thеу earn аnd саn barely kеер uр financially. Bесоmіng financially free іѕ nоt impossible, nо matter whаt уоu mіght thіnk today! Kеер reading tо find ѕоmе personal finance tips thаt еvеrу single woman ѕhоuld know.

Start wіth а budget. Whеthеr уоu mаkе а lot оf money оr а lіttlе money, уоu nееd а budget tо knоw whеrе уоu аrе going.Thіnk оf уоur budget аѕ уоur financial road map fоr уоur future. If уоu wеrе gоіng ѕоmе whеrе уоu hаvе nеvеr been, уоu wouldn’t start оut јuѕt driving, wоuld you? It’s unlikely. It wоuld bе а waste оf time аnd gas tо dо that. Thе ѕаmе gоеѕ fоr уоur finances. Whу wоuld уоu continue tо work week аftеr week wіthоut tаkіng ѕоmе time tо plan hоw уоu аrе gоіng tо uѕе уоur money уоu worked ѕо hard for? Budgeting саn hеlр уоu dо јuѕt that. Mаkе а budget а priority ѕо уоu аrе nоt wasting time working аnd thе money уоu earn. Evеn іf уоu аrе single аnd don’t thіnk уоu mаkе еnоugh money, уоu nееd а budget tо knоw whеrе уоur money іѕ bеіng spent.Save early аnd often, еvеn іf іt ѕееmѕ impossible.

Saving money еасh month іѕ important оn ѕо mаnу levels. Nоt оnlу dоеѕ іt give uѕ ѕоmеthіng tо fall bасk оn whеn times аrе tough, іt helps uѕ remain disciplined wіth оur money. Thіnk оf saving уоur money sort оf lіkе thе gas уоu wоuld put іn thе car fоr thе trip іn еxаmрlе one. Wіthоut saving money, hоw wіll уоu hаvе аnуthіng fоr thе future? If уоu hаvе nоthіng іn savings, уоur fіrѕt goal ѕhоuld bе tо hаvе $1,000 іn аn emergency fund уоu саn fall bасk on. Thе emergency fund аllоwѕ уоu tо rely оn уоur оwn cash rаthеr thаn credit cards whеn ѕоmеthіng unexpected соmеѕ up. Onсе уоu gеt уоur emergency fund built up, start contributing tо уоur retirement but investing іn уоur company’s 401k plan оr start уоur оwn fund. It’s nеvеr tоо early оr tоо late tо start saving fоr thе future! Thіѕ іѕ еѕресіаllу important fоr single women. If уоu wait untіl уоu hаvе а bеttеr job, mоrе money оr mоrе оf ѕоmеthіng else, уоu mіght јuѕt nеvеr gеt started.Debt саn bе crippling tо personal finances.

In order tо bе financially free, debt nееdѕ tо bе eliminated ѕо thе income coming іn саn gо tоwаrdѕ savings, rаthеr thаn paying оff debt. Bеgіn small bу paying оff thе cards wіth thе smallest balance first. Aftеr thаt card іѕ paid off, start applying thаt money tоwаrdѕ thе card wіth thе nеxt smallest balance аnd ѕо on. If уоu receive а raise оr а tax return, apply thіѕ money tоwаrdѕ debt іnѕtеаd оf spending it. Thіѕ “snowball” effect іѕ аn excellent wау tо pay оff debt quickly. Thіѕ саn bе dоnе оn јuѕt оnе income! Whеn уоu ѕее debt bеіng eliminated, іt іѕ rewarding аnd motivating!The lіttlе thіngѕ саn hаvе thе biggest impact. Whіlе іt mау nоt ѕееm lіkе it, thе lіttlе thіngѕ саn add uр thе mоѕt whеn іt соmеѕ tо уоur money. Spending јuѕt $5 extra а day саn add uр tо $150 іn unplanned expenses fоr thе month. But thіѕ саn аlѕо work іn thе орроѕіtе way. Adding $5 а day tо pay оff debt саn equate tо аn extra $150 paid оff іn debt еасh month!It саn ѕееm nеxt tо impossible fоr а single woman tо start tо gеt hеr personal finances undеr control.

Thе mоѕt important thіng tо remember іѕ personal finance іѕ nеаrlу аlwауѕ аbоut behavior. If уоu саn change ѕоmе оf thе habits уоu аrе accustomed too, уоu саn start tо ѕее huge а huge impact оn уоur financial situation.

Category: Budgeting, Debt, Personal Finance, saving money |
DFWMoneyMatters | December 23, 2011
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Creating a Budget and sticking to it can keep you out of debt for 2012

Since 2012 is around the corner, a lot of people’s new year’s resolution will be to be debt free. That can mean many things from, paying off your current debt, creating a budget, and also having an emergency fund. Creating a budget can be a daunting task, but in reality it is a simple and proven way to keep yourself from over spending, and out of debt. It can actually be very simple to create a budget. Make a list of your most common set expenses that don’t usually change, like your rent or car payments.  Those are fixed expenses that you can’t really cut back on. Try to calculate how much money per month you will dedicate to paying off your current debt. Once all the debt is paid, keep using that money to save it as an emergency fund.

Another easy thing to do  would be to create a list of expenses that is a little more flexible. For example like how much you can spend on entertainment, eating out, or clothes.  Make sure that you keep track somehow of how much money you spend. This could be in a digital way like an excel spreadsheet or just a place where you keep all of your receipts can work as well. At the end of the month add it all up, and if you notice you over spent in a certain category, cut back on another to compensate for it. Always have a budget and a way to measure it, it is a great way to stay out of debt. Another great idea would be to have someone like a friend or spouse keep you accountable and make you stick to your budget. With these simple tips, you can make 2012 be a step closer to a good financial future.

Category: Budgeting, Personal Finance |
DFWMoneyMatters | August 1, 2011
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Texas Tax Free Weekend August 19-21 Saves You Money

Getting ready for back to school can mean a lot of extra expenses for the family. Luckily with the Texas tax-free weekend coming August 19-21, 2011 this could mean big savings. This could be the perfect time to buy school supplies, clothes, shoes and any back to school items.  Many local stores will have great deals on top of the savings, so if your budget is tight, this could be a good way to get everything you or your kids need for less. Many students and parents stress about back to school expenses, keep in mind there are usually local community drives like the GRACE Program in Grapevine that assist families in need.

 

Good shopping tips for the tax free weekend would be:

-  Get there early, all the good brands go fast

-  Bring your partner or kids to help to get everything on the list quick and get out fast

- Check online for school supply list or grab one at the store you are shopping at

- If you’re buying clothes or shoes go to the mall for a one-stop shop. Grapevine Mills has a lot of great deals.

- Don’t forget to check out the ads online or in the newspaper, so you know what you’re going to get ahead of time.

 

These are other states who also have a tax free weekend in August for back to school.

Alabama

Arkansas

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Iowa

Louisiana

Maryland

Mississippi

Missouri

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

Washington D.C.

West Virginia

Category: Budgeting, Money Matters, Ways To Save Money | Tags: ,
DFWMoneyMatters | June 15, 2011
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Use Your Community Resouces To Save Money / Grapevine Texas Community Resources

Grapevine Texas Rec Center

I live in Grapevine Texas, and there are a lot of great ways to save money by using community resources. Every city in the united states has something similar so these are tips on using resources that are available because you pay taxes in your city. These are small ways to save big bucks, just by living where you live:

 

1.) Grapevine Public Library – This can save you money if you need books to spice up your resume, you need to gain new skills, or you need to use the computer and don’t have internet at home. A lot of times if you buy a book, 2 or 3 weeks later you don’t look at it again. You can always go check your local library and see if they have a copy and save your $20 or $30 for something else. It is also a good idea to go to the library to use WIFI on your laptop and have a quiet place to work in and stay focused.

2.) Community Activities Center – The Grapevine Community Center offers a lot of great services. One of them is a Gym membership for $35 A YEAR! Try getting that at 24 hour fitness, or any other gym memberships. Most gym memberships cost you between $25 – $50 a month, so going to your community activity center can mean saving between $300 – $500 each year. Also a lot of  Grapevine Apartment Communities provide a gym inside the apartment complex. This is even better, because you don’t have to drive, and you save time and money.

3.) Local Parks  -  If you have kids a good way to keep them healthy and entertained is by going to local parks. If the temperature is not too high, or too low, this could be a good alternative to going to McDonalds or other places. Just pack some sandwiches, head to the park and have a good time without spending a lot.

4.) Local Lakes – A lot of cities have a lake or are located near a lake, this is a good way to have outside parties and not have to rent a place for birthday parties or special events.

5.) Public Transportation – Grapevine is too small to have public transportation, but if you live in Dallas, Fort Worth or any other major city, you probably have access to public transportation. This could eliminate the need to spend  a lot of money on gas, and reduce any stress that may come from driving in high traffic areas.

 

Check out your community and see what kind of resources are available to you. You may be able to cut back on expenses you took for granted, and this could mean saving for your next vacation.

Category: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Ways To Save Money | Tags: , ,
DFWMoneyMatters | September 22, 2010
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How To Save BIG money or Make BIG money using Craigslist.org

craigslist.org

Craigslist

Craigslist is a great site to go to to find great local deals online. If you are looking to sell or buy anything, I strongly recommend using www.craigslist.org .

Here is a quick list of things I have used craigslist to buy, and save a lot of money.

1.) Adobe Creative Suite Software Retail price: $2,000 Craigslist price $200

2.) My Car’s starter went out.  Labor at a shop $350 Craigslist price $75, and the guy drove over to my job to fix my car for me, without having to tow it!

3.) Bunk Bed for my son Retail Price: $500 Craigslist price $175 for a really nice one that the guy delivered to my house at no extra charge!

These are just a few examples of how I have saved thousands of dollars just by using Craigslist in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. The cool thing about it though is that you can use craigslist anywhere in the whole entire world!

Ways Craigslist can Benefit you if you are looking to buy :

* Contact multiple providers and get the best price

* Save time by hiring someone to do your lawn, move your stuff from one place to another, or fix your car!

*Keep it local, and avoid scams

*You can find anything! From puppies, to ad space to moving services, I mean anything!

*Call the seller, it is usually the best way to get a hold of them. Also if they display a phone number, they are more trustworthy.

Ways Craigslist can Benefit you if you are a seller :

*Sell Your Products

*Sell Your Services

*Advertise online business

*Capture leads

*Generate more traffic to your site

*If you are looking for big exposure, you can hire someone to list your service/product on every state.

Craigslist Money Making Tip:

Have nothing to sell? But need money? No problem, login to Craigslist, look in the free section, and a lot of the time you can find appliances, furniture and just random stuff people don’t want that you can turn around and sell.

Craigslist BEST Tip when looking for digital Products:

Looking for an itunes gift card? Or the key to some software? Or looking for a service that can be sold/delivered online? The quick way to search ALL of Craigslist.org, and not just by your local area, or state is to use google. Here are the steps.

1.) Go to www.Google.com

2.) Click on “advanced search” to the right

3.) Where you see ” all of these words” type in what you are looking for. Example Web Design

4.) Go to the last option that reads “Search within a site or domain:” and type craigslist.org

5.) Click on the “Advanced Search” to the right

6.) Bingo! You now have a TON of web designers, or whatever you are looking for. This tip is also good if you are looking to sell something, because you can type in an exact phrase of what your customers would be looking for, and find them and contact them!

Craigslist Safety Tips:

Never post your phone number, there are a lot of robots that crawl the site searching for them. If you do want to sell something, make sure your phone number is on there as an image, and not as text.

Do not post your e-mail address, again, a lot of spam, let craigslist generate one for you.

When dealing locally only accept cash, no checks!

When dealing with digital products/services, use a safe service like paypal and make sure that they are paypal verified.

When selling something, use pictures, otherwise, no one will view your listing. (Trust me on this one!)

When selling or buying be very specific as to what you want or what you are offering. But don’t write too much, or people will not bother to read it all.

Be careful, if you are meeting someone locally, try to meet at a local gas station, or public place if possible.

Take someone with you, try not to be alone when picking up or delivering products.

Good luck! Most people have good intentions, but you can run into scams on  Craigslist, so be careful! Another good site to use is Backpage.com. For only $15 or so, you can also publish your ad in a local newspaper and reach up to 50,000 readers!

Any Craigslist success stories, or tips anyone would like to add?

Category: Budgeting, Money Matters, saving money |
DFWMoneyMatters | September 22, 2010
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Money Tight? 10 Things To Consider Before Applying for a a Personal Loan

Top 10 things that are very important to take into consideration  if you are looking for a personal loan…

1.) Do you really need a loan? Do you have anything of value that you could sell? Maybe an old camera or some old furniture you haven’t used in a long time. I promise, if you look around, you will find something of value in your home that you have not used in over a year.

2.) Is it a loan for something necessary? Are you getting a loan to pay off your debt? Because this could actually be bad. Also AVOID payday loans and title loans at all costs, they will end up costing you way more in the end.

3.) Credit Score With the economy being so tough lately, your credit may have taken a hit. Make sure you know you can be approved for one, by checking your credit score. Otherwise you will have yet another ding on your credit, for no good reason.

4.) How will you pay it back? Its easy to make a personal loan a quick fix or the easy way out of things. But can you afford to have yet another payment stack up to your already too high bills? If you already can’t afford the debt you have, it is a smart idea to not add to it.

5.) Be careful who you borrow from. Again, DO NOT USE payday loans or any kind of title loans place, they are the biggest rip-off ever! Instead go to a local credit union, or apply at a reliable online bank.

6.) Is it your only option? Do you have a roth IRA, or some kind of other savings to get you by? If so, use your own money before using someone else’s

7.) Interest Rates Make sure that you read the terms and conditions carefully when taking out a loan. And find out what happens if you miss a payment, and how much your interest rate will go up. Know all of the fine print, before making a commitment.

8.) Shop around Consider multiple places before making a choice, but don’t shop around for too long, because it could hurt your credit in the long run.

9.) Be honest Do you think you are actually going to pay it back? Look at your payment history, do you have a bad habit of paying your bills late all the time? Take your financial situation into serious consideration, and be honest with yourself. It is your credit that you will hurt after all.

10.) Immediate Gratification Do you really need that new computer, or whatever you are looking to do with that money right now? Could you find it a lot cheaper somewhere else?  Make sure you log in to Craigslist.org you can find a lot of products and services for way less than any retailer out there.

The actual best thing to do, is to have an emergency fund. Even if you only put $20 a month in it, you need to start somewhere. So hopefully that extra money will get you by when you really need it. Also, think  about anything that you could do better than other people.  Can you fix gutters, or do you know how to repair cars? Offer your service on craigslist, and get extra cash that way instead.

Category: Budgeting, Loans | Tags: , ,
DFWMoneyMatters | July 4, 2010
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Manage your money right. Track Your Spendings with this Tool

What Gets Measured Gets Managed! That is TRUE! And it goes for your money too!
No matter what your income is, it is always very important to set some kind of a budget for yourself. That is why I have provided a sample of MY budget worksheet, that helps me stay in track, and keep everything in balance. It is a very simple page created on Google docs, to help you keep track of your money. (You don’t have to buy Microsoft Office, Google docs does the same thing for you for free and all you need is a G-mail account) You can download it at the bottom of this post.

It’s Very Important to know where your money goes.
You know when you get paid, and about how much you will get. So its easy to know where your money COMES from. But where does it all go? That is the big mystery that many people struggle with, when they don’ti have enough money to pay the bills at the end of the month. You may not think that drinking a cappuccino, or latte every day before work, is a big deal to your wallet. Until you actually SEE what effect it actually has and that the $92 you spend on that every month, could go towards paying your crazy high electric bill.

Every little thing DOES add up.
I have created a cool tool, that you can use this month to track what you spend your money on. You have to be AWARE of what is going on, before you can make any changes. July is the beginning of the second half of the year, so it is a good time to start creating good money habits. Now keep in mind that you will have certain fixed expenses for every month that may be different from mine, so feel free to adjust everything to your own situation. For example I have a category titled Music Subscription, say that you don’t have that buy you do have to pay daycare every month, you can go ahead and change it.

Also make sure to fill out the income section, and the upcoming charges section so that none of your bills catch you by surprise. Ans also at the bottom right, list all of your debts. All your credit card debts and any other money that you owe. Once you keep everything in front of you, in one sheet, you will become more aware of where your money goes, and what changes you need to make to improve your situation. Do this for one month, and I promise that you will make see a difference in what you do with your money. You will not get any more money until you learn to manage the money you already have. What Gets Measured Gets Managed!

Download The Budget Worksheet Here

Please leave some comments if you find this useful :)

This is my one year anniversary for my blog! I am very excited. Hope everyone has an awesome 4th of July! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this post!

Category: Budgeting | Tags: , , ,