Save Money & Make Money http://www.savemoneyguides.com We tell you how to save money and earn money online Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Finding the Best Current Account-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/finding-the-best-current-account-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/finding-the-best-current-account-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/finding-the-best-current-account-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-To go about finding a current account, you need to keep in mind certain basic criteria that will help you find the best current account for you:

* Determine the interest rate - The balance of the credit available in your current account will fluctuate based on how much interest you will earn from maintaining that current account. Compute for the average balance you generally maintain from month to month. The majority of UK banks will permit you to transfer funds from your current account to a high-yielding savings account, if you prefer that. Online current accounts allow this to be done quite easily. Other UK lenders even have a stipulation that a certain amount from your current account will be deposited into the higher-yielding account at a certain time.

* Be aware of charges for overdrafts - Overdrafts mean you have withdrawn more money than is actually available in your current account. When you do this, you might incur charges from your bank. Unauthorised overdrafts are particularly expensive to absorb. Some lenders permit you to increase the limits of the amount by which you can be overdrawn though.

* Find out if online banking services for current accounts are available 24/7 - There are certain banks who turn off their online banking services at graveyard hours (like, from midnight to 6 or 7 am) so that they can have maintenance work done on their online banking system. Night owls who prefer to bank online at night may find this inconvenient for them, so be sure to ask about this before you agree to house your funds at a given bank.

* Ask about online statements - Ask if the bank will provide bank statements online on a continuous basis. Some lenders do supply online bank statements but only for a certain period. Other banks only post online bank statements for the current month. Be sure which applies to you.

* Find out about online bill payment - Ask if the bank allows online bill payments using funds from your current account. Most banks even provide an automatic bill payment option to take the burden of having to remember to pay your bills each month off of you.

* Look for a bank that permits you to manage standing orders via the online banking system. If you opt for a direct debit arrangement, do not forget to finalize the direct debit arrangement with the company you will be paying.

* Is the bank service oriented? When you ask many questions about their banking services (including those to help in finding the right current account for you), are the staff polite and knowledgeable, or do they act like they prefer that you leave them alone? Little things like this are warning signs that maybe you should try finding the right current account for you elsewhere.

* Does the bank operate wrap or aggregate accounts? This service allows the bank to post all your online accounts (including current accounts) on the same webpage of their online banking service.This makes online banking quite convenient because you only need to remember one username and one password to access all your accounts. However, if someone with malicious intent manages to get that username and password set, they will have unlimited access to all your online accounts. So if you request for the wrap or aggregate accounts service, be prepared for this risk.

# If you are a student, it may be advantageous for you to get a current account which is called a student account. You should be concerned primarily about interest rates and borrowing limits offered in the student account.

Other Aspects of Finding the Right Current Account for You

* Overdraft charges - Usually, charges are deducted from current accounts when you are overdrawn. In that case, your lender may charge you either a penalty fee, more interest based on the amount of your overdraft, and/or another fee for cheques, direct debits, or standing orders that are sent back.

* Access charges - If you use your current account via the international banking system, your lender might issue a charge for this as well. This may apply if you a) rely on a debit card to get cash from ATMs overseas, b) use travelers cheques to buy items, c) exchange British pounds from your current account into foreign currency, or vice versa, or d) cash a cheque from foreign banks.

Finding the right current account for you takes knowledge, patience, and sometimes a bit of luck as well. Take your time when deciding which account to go with, so that you know you’ll be getting the best deal available.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/finding-the-best-current-account-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ Stop Limiting Yourself With Money! 3 Simple Tips For Overcoming Your Limitations-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/stop-limiting-yourself-with-money-3-simple-tips-for-overcoming-your-limitations-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/stop-limiting-yourself-with-money-3-simple-tips-for-overcoming-your-limitations-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/stop-limiting-yourself-with-money-3-simple-tips-for-overcoming-your-limitations-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-Basically, there are two reasons people have problems with money: 1) they don’t know what to do with it, and 2) emotional issues and attitudes interfere with earning and how money is used.

The percentage of people who don’t know what to do with money is actually quite small. If you have an abundance of money and don’t know what to do to keep it, there are specialists you can hire, books you can read, and ways of educating yourself. However, most people have difficulty because of their limiting attitudes and emotions about attracting money.

Here are 3 simple tips to help you overcome your limitations about money:

1. Focus on what you want.

In order to attract abundance in our lives, we must first focus on what we want to have happen. If we don’t pay attention to money, or our resources, they are likely to slip away.

When we are worried about money, we are focusing on what we are afraid is going to happen. When we focus on scarcity, we attract it, both in actuality, and in our perceptions of how much we have.

If you are thinking about not having enough, for example, you will always be aware of those who have more than you do, and even if you have money, you’ll believe that others have more.

2. Watch your language.

How we talk about money impacts what we attract. Our ever-helpful brain creates what we say. If you say “All I want to do is make enough money to get by,” what do you think happens? Our brain is eager to provide us with what we say we want.

It is also important to say what we want rather than what we don’t want. The brain can’t really process negatives in language. When you say “I don’t want to be broke,” your brain hears “I want to be broke–don’t.” You must then create the negative outcome in order to undo it.

3. Identify and challenge attitudes that block your relationship with money.

Many times our attitudes and beliefs about money came from our family or our culture. For example, “People won’t like me if I’m rich” is a common belief that will limit the amount of financial success you achieve.

Once you identify your beliefs and attitudes, and understand where it comes from, decide whether or not YOU really believe it.

Beliefs are often formed by others and fit the circumstances that were true for them. For example, people who lived through the Great Depression often have beliefs about money they’ve handed down to their children and grandchildren. They may have nothing at all to do with YOUR current situation.

By the way, believing anything less than that you totally deserve financial success is a limiting belief. Where did it come from? Challenge this belief.

When you figure out the specific ways you are limiting yourself about money, you can take steps to move beyond those obstacles to have the financial success you deserve. When you get out of your own way, it becomes much easier.

(c) 2008 Linda Pucci, Ph.D.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/stop-limiting-yourself-with-money-3-simple-tips-for-overcoming-your-limitations-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ The Secret of Millionaires - Paying Yourself First http://www.savemoneyguides.com/the-secret-of-millionaires-paying-yourself-first/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/the-secret-of-millionaires-paying-yourself-first/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/the-secret-of-millionaires-paying-yourself-first/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-We have become a nation of instant gratification. We want what we want when we want it. But in today’s tight, economic situation, the importance of saving is critical. It is the only true means to financial solvency. That being said, however, trying to save money in a tough financial climate is difficult, at best. But did you know that the true secret to wealth is paying yourself first and living frugally? Generally speaking, that’s how most self-made millionaires became rich. You, too, can cultivate the mindset of a millionaire by doing the same.

Before paying your mortgage, before paying on your car, before paying all the bill collectors, pay yourself first! It’s your money, after all; you work hard for it. You deserve - in fact, are entitled - to keep a portion of your salary for yourself. By living frugally - not giving into impulse buying - and saving your dollars, you can build financial independence; but the sooner you start, the quicker you’ll build financial independence.

First, decide what you are worth; then deduct that amount from your paycheck and put it into a savings account. Let this be your chief priority. The best way is to take a percentage right off the top of your gross salary. This may cause a little pain at first (like alleviating a toothache by pulling a bad tooth) but your budget will be much healthier in the long run. For instance, if your monthly gross salary is $3,000.00, and you decide that you’re worth at least ten percent of that, your savings amount would be $300.00 per month. (It’s important to decide your savings percentage from your gross salary as this is the true figure of what you earn, and you do not want to shortchange yourself.) Once you begin to do this regularly, your savings will grow rapidly.

Following are some tips that can help you to grow your savings even quicker:

� Begin by living frugally. Curtail the accumulation of things and get rid of all the excess (you can sell what you don’t need or give it to charity). This will also help to alleviate the anxiety often associated with having too much stuff.

� Cut out the fat in your financial diet; create a budget to track your spending. This is imperative in order to accurately gauge where your money is going.

� Go back through your checkbook for a year; this will give you a snapshot of your spending habits.

� Total all unnecessary expenditures (those items not considered a need). Then calculate your spending total. I’ll bet you will be amazed at how much frivolous spending you see there.

� Make the decision to cut out impulsive spending habits. If you find yourself tempted to make an opulent purchase, walk away and allow yourself at least twenty-four hours to think about it. This loosens the emotional hold the product has over you (most impulse purchases are based on emotion); chances are, you will realize you can do without it. (Remember: if it isn’t food, water, shelter, basic clothing, or a matter of life and death, you can probably do without it.)

� Don’t buy expensive cleaning or household products; this can be a major drain on your finances! Besides, most of these products don’t work as well as using a plain, cloth rag and a little elbow grease; but it will save you big bucks over those highly touted, expensive brands. Shop at dollar stores for cleansers, soaps, detergents, diapers, and other non-food items.

� Get off the credit card treadmill. Pay them all off and be done with them (very few persons can keep a credit card for dire emergencies only; most give into the easy temptation of charging again).

� Put the money you would have used on unnecessary spending and credit card payments in the bank, or use it to pay down your car payment, add to your mortgage payment, etc.

� Cultivate discipline by delaying gratification for those things you want by saving and paying for them in cash.

� If you can swing it, make one or two extra car payments a year and apply it to the principal (be sure to note “towards principal amount” on your payment coupon to ensure that it goes to principal and not interest). By doing this, you will hasten the loan payoff. (The same principle applies to mortgage payments or any debt payments.)

With just a little assiduous discipline applied to living frugally and by keeping to your savings plan, you will have a tidy nest egg by the end of the year. You can use this to pay off any remaining debt. And by placing a portion of your savings into a safe higher-yield account (preferably one that has penalties for early withdrawal) you can grow your savings into a fund that will eventually sustain you. Who knows? You may even become a millionaire!

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/the-secret-of-millionaires-paying-yourself-first/feed/ Cash Saving Tips For Sensible Money Management-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/cash-saving-tips-for-sensible-money-management-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/cash-saving-tips-for-sensible-money-management-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/cash-saving-tips-for-sensible-money-management-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-It’s unfortunate that it has to be this way, but everyone inherently knows that cash seems to make the world go around, and poor money management can lead to poor living conditions, less overall happiness and the inability to realize many of the hopes and dreams we have for our families and futures.

Don’t get us wrong; money does not necessarily equal happiness, and there are plenty of people out there with perfectly content lives who don’t make tons of cash. But learning how to effectively manage your money, and make the most of your cash, can go a long way toward helping to set your children up for successful adult lives, as well as improving your overall quality of life, too.

Fortunately, learning how to take control of your cash situation and save money for a better future is both east to learn and simple to implement. Unfortunately, however, the minimal amount of dedication and fortitude that it might take to initially break yourself from bad cash habits is enough to stop most people from taking the time to learn these simple methods.

Without speculating on reasons why, our society at large has become used to quick fixes, limited responsibility, and an “I want it right now” attitude. None of these translate into good money management, and have in fact led to an overuse of high interest credit cards and a market that has seen a steeply increasing number of defaults on loans of all types, from mortgages to student loans.

When it comes to saving cash and putting yourself on a healthy monetary circumstance, not nearly enough praise can be given to the action of setting up a responsible budget that will let you meet all of your essential monthly bills, allow you some minimal cash for fun and recreation, and still leave you with enough money at the end of the month to put into a savings account.

A healthy savings account is vital for anyone who wants to stabilize their finances, and there’s nothing like watching the amount of cash you have in savings grow over a period of time to make you feel more secure and responsible. And it really doesn’t matter how much you can afford to sock into savings; even if it’s only a couple of hundred bucks a month, that still can add up to some substantial money over the course of the year.

The second most effective method to get your cash situation under control is by paying down your existing debt. Yes, I know this tip is rather cliche money advice, but it can’t be repeated enough. A huge number of consumers in this country are drowning in debt, and a large chunk of their monthly cash is being dedicated to covering minimum payments that do nothing to reduce their overall burden.

Rather than only paying minimums, wait until you have built up more than three months’ worth of savings in your savings account, then spend the other chunk of that cash on paying down a credit card or two. This might take some self discipline, but you’ll be thankful for it in the end!

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/cash-saving-tips-for-sensible-money-management-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ Personal Finance Blogging - No Better Place to Learn About Money-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/personal-finance-blogging-no-better-place-to-learn-about-money-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/personal-finance-blogging-no-better-place-to-learn-about-money-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/personal-finance-blogging-no-better-place-to-learn-about-money-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-Personal finance blogging is one of the best tools available for learning about how to handle your own money because of the personal touch found so unique to a blog.

Personal finance is just that- personal. It’s all about you and your money; about what to do with it when it comes in, and how to keep too much of it from going out. The better you handle your personal finances, the more freedom you have. And, of course, the opposite is true- the worse you are with you money, the harder it will be to do and have the things you want most in life.

If a great deal of our joy and freedom in life is tied to how we handle our money, then we need to handle it intelligently. We need to control our money, not have our money control us.

And how do we handle our money intelligently? Educate yourself using personal finance blogging.

Blogging has been one of this world’s greatest inventions in the last few years. A blog provides literally anybody with the ability to express their own ideas, opinions, experiences, and view points on various topics that are unique to them. There are many personal finance blogs out there that specialize in educating others on a more personal level. And what better to help educate people with their money by reading others’ experiences about handling money.

Personal finance blogging has improved my ability to save and spend money more than any book or class I’ve ever taken. Why? Because you’re getting more than just abstract principles of money presented to you; you’re getting real peoples’ personal experience on handling their own money problems. And the best part about it comes from the comments and feedback that others leave on a principle taught that shed more wisdom on a given topic. I have sat for hours reading and learning through simply reading personal finance blogs.

Where do you find them? They’re everywhere! Just do a search on Google and find ONE; from there, you can find a number of other pf blogs through external links on the blog you’re reading. There is a tight knit community of personal finance bloggers out there that will keep you in the personal finance blogging network.

If the way we handle our money is directly connected with life’s freedoms, why not educate ourselves so that we can take control of our money.

Find a personal finance blog and read it consistently. Your pocket book will thank you later.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/personal-finance-blogging-no-better-place-to-learn-about-money-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ Why Money is Easy For Some and Yet So Difficult For Others-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/why-money-is-easy-for-some-and-yet-so-difficult-for-others-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/why-money-is-easy-for-some-and-yet-so-difficult-for-others-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/why-money-is-easy-for-some-and-yet-so-difficult-for-others-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-Why is making money and keeping money so easy for some, and yet so difficult for others? I’ve been helping people who struggle with money for almost two decades and I’ve noticed they all have one thing in common. Let me describe it this way:

Picture a line where one end represents being very creative and the other end represents being very structured. We all sit somewhere on this line. Some people are very creative but unstructured, while others are very structured but not very creative. The closer to the center of the line we are, the easier both money and life become.

For example, if a person is at the very structured end of the line, then they may have difficulty thinking outside of the box. So while they may manage what money they have well, they are unable to create a flow of abundance and could live a life which lacks the luster that spontaneity brings. If they learn skills and techniques that help them become more creative, then it creates new possibilities for them and is beneficial to their financial well being.

Conversely, if a person is at the very creative end of the line, then they may have difficulty bringing creative ideas to fruition. So while they may be fun-loving, spontaneous and visionary people, they never quite put their creative pieces together. If they learn skills and techniques that help them fit their ideas into the more structured format of the money system, then it creates new possibilities for them and is beneficial to their financial well being.

Consider where you are on the line. The closer you are towards the center of creative/structured line, the easier making and keeping money becomes. Where we are on this line depends on our habits, patterns and beliefs. Some of these have been inherited from family and others have been developed over time. We are more balanced individuals when we learn the skills that help us become more centered on this line. For creative-minded people, it means learning how to structure creative ideas. For the more detailed-minded people, it’s a matter of learning techniques to help them think more creatively and outside the box.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/why-money-is-easy-for-some-and-yet-so-difficult-for-others-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ Consumers Looking to Rein in Spending-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/consumers-looking-to-rein-in-spending-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/consumers-looking-to-rein-in-spending-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/consumers-looking-to-rein-in-spending-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-As the cost of living increases, Britons are beginning to tighten their spending belts, a new study shows.

Research carried out by the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society reveals that, with prices in various areas on the up, a significant number of people are looking to be more prudent when it comes to their money management. One such way this is being done is by cutting back expenditure on eating out, with 45 per cent reporting that they dine in restaurants less frequently. Some 14 per cent have cut out going for a meal altogether.

Meanwhile half of women are said to be splashing out less money on clothes and shoes, with a reported 41 per cent of men also said to be doing this.

By taking the time to curb spending on certain areas which could well be deemed as luxurious it might be possible that people find themselves in a more capable position in which to meet demands on their spending such as loans, household bills and credit cards.

It was also reported that the majority of people are now putting more of their income towards food, utilities and fuel. Some 59 per cent of Britons without dependent children claim to have experienced an increase in such monetary commitments in recent months. However, such spending difficulties could impinge the most on people with young children. Three-quarters of households with dependent children claim more cash is being spent on such areas.

The financial services firm also revealed that just over a quarter (27 per cent) of those surveyed claim to have introduced a household budgeting plan. Meanwhile, 16 per cent claim to be looking for an additional job as a means of supplementing their income. On the other hand 37 per cent report they are yet to change the way they manage their money.

However, in spite of recent increases in living costs it appears some Britons are determined to stick with their old financial habits. Norwich and Peterborough revealed that 44 per cent of people plan to go away on holiday just as often now as they did last year. Meanwhile, just over a third (36 per cent) state they are currently dining out as many times as they were around this time in 2007.

Commenting on the study’s findings, Gary Lacey, product manager for the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society group, said: “It is interesting that a large proportion of those who took part in our survey don’t appear to be taking drastic measures with their finances just yet. However, our figures do reveal that families are being affected more than most by rising costs.”

People worried about their ability to keep up with various financial commitments in the months to come might wish to take out a personal loan. In selecting a loan borrowers might be able to supplement their spending and meet numerous monetary demands quickly and affordably. This might be especially helpful for those going on holiday after a recent ebookers study showed that the majority of Britons believe that a vacation is absolutely necessary and is something they will not give up. However, just over half of young families claim that the economic slowdown is having an impact on their holiday choices.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/consumers-looking-to-rein-in-spending-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ 7 Golden Rules to Save Money-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/7-golden-rules-to-save-money-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/7-golden-rules-to-save-money-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/7-golden-rules-to-save-money-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-1. Budget

Budgets are not meant for your country’s economy or businesses alone. A budget is equally important for your home. How else will you know where all your money is going? Determine the areas of your spending and fix amounts of money you are to spend on each area. That way you will know in advance how much money you will be spending by the end of each month. You may have some surplus money at hand to tide over unforeseen circumstances. Strictly, restrict your spending according to the budget. You will be surprised to find that your savings suddenly show an upward swing. A budget helps you identify areas where you had been overspending. All that money now can go to your saving.

2. Plan out Your Shopping

Your budget greatly takes care of your shopping needs. But it is always beneficial to prepare a list of items that you need. Make sure that you remain within the budgeted amount while making out the grocery list. Stick to the list at all costs, refraining from impulsive buying.

3. Your Priority

Prepare a list of ten things that you think you need the most. Prioritize that list, which means that you place the things in order of importance. The thing you attach the greatest importance to should be at the top of your list, and the least important one be placed at the bottom. This will help you plan your savings. You may find things like a home, car, and a holiday trip in your list of priorities. You may for the time being forget about the least important things in your life and focus more on the upper five items, and plan your savings accordingly. The more you save, the lesser you may have to rely on outside credit.

4. Exceptions

Make an allowance in your budget for spending on things that you fancy. Make some exceptions from time to time, so that you can do things you enjoy doing. Make a purchase if you come across a good bargain in the neighborhood store; or grab a quick lunch if you are not in the mood to cook. It is always nice to deviate from the budget sometimes, if for nothing else, for the thrill of it.

5. Setting Targets

Set targets for your expenses, and break them up into short-term, medium-term, and long-term targets. The break-ups keep you in touch with your expenses. A short-term target ensures that you are on track in meeting your expenses. It helps keep your motivation levels up. The more you achieve your targets, the more it serves as an incentive to save more.

6. Setting Real Targets

Do not promise your self the moon. Set targets for saving that are realistic. Take into consideration your income and likely expenses. This is where budgeting is handy. Set something that is achievable. Not achieving non-achievable targets can discourage you from making an attempt to save in future.

7. Emergency Expenses

If you have fixed monthly targets for saving, be prepared to go off target sometimes due to certain emergency expenses. Things you may not have foreseen may happen. Your car may have a sudden breakdown, and you may have to incur an expense you did not budget. Do not get discouraged if you face such situations. Such expenses are bound to crop up once in a while.

For that matter, you may plan out all your expenses in concurrence with the budget. Never give a free hand to your credit card impulse.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/7-golden-rules-to-save-money-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ Save For a Rainy Day-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/save-for-a-rainy-day-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/save-for-a-rainy-day-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/save-for-a-rainy-day-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-Every person makes money from their jobs or businesses and like to spend it as soon as they get their hands on it. It is also true that some people will save every penny that they can and let it sit in the bank.

For those of you who like to spend your hard earned income and don’t have an emergency account set up for yourself, this article is for you.

Whether you have a full time job or a home based business, you have got to set up an emergency account and save your money each month so that you are financially ready when things go dark for you.

If you have a job, you have to save because that job may not be there forever. Your company may downsize and get rid of you and others in the company. Maybe you will get sick or something like that and you may need to be absent from your job for a few days or weeks.

If you have a striving business, it would also be a good idea to save money for a rainy day. Not everyone has consistent success all year long. The summer months and Christmas holidays usually are slow for many businesses. If you have not saved some money in your emergency account, then things will be a little hard for you.

Knowing that you have an emergency account up and running to save for a rainy day is a good feeling because you know that if business is slow and you need money to cover for that time, you know that you can count on your emergency account.

Now, I know that it is not easy to save with all the daily expenses and bills that an average person has. mortgage, cell phone, electricity, food, gas, day care for the kids, and old bills that you still owe like student loans may make this process hard for you.

If you think that it is impossible to save, I am here to say that you can do it and it is not impossible. You just need to change your mind set and say “I can save”. Now, try going out less to restaurants and cook at home. Spend less on clothes. Instead of buying 3 coffees a day, go down to one. There are many ways that you can spend less and take your money and save.

If you think that you should not save for a rainy day, then you are fooling yourself. You have got to take an amount each week or month and put that in an emergency account. If you save about $50 a week, and it is very doable, then after a year you will have $2400. If you do $100 per week then you will have close to $5000 in emergency savings within a year.

Yes, it won’t be so easy for you to do this because you have got used to spending your money all through these years once you got your hands on it. What ever situation your are in, you CAN save money for a rainy day.

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]]> http://www.savemoneyguides.com/save-for-a-rainy-day-savemoneyguidescom/feed/ Secrets to Giving Back and Why That Makes Your Business and Your Family Successful-SaveMoneyGuides.com http://www.savemoneyguides.com/secrets-to-giving-back-and-why-that-makes-your-business-and-your-family-successful-savemoneyguidescom/ http://www.savemoneyguides.com/secrets-to-giving-back-and-why-that-makes-your-business-and-your-family-successful-savemoneyguidescom/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.savemoneyguides.com/secrets-to-giving-back-and-why-that-makes-your-business-and-your-family-successful-savemoneyguidescom/ From-SaveMoneyGuides.com-A question was asked recently about why am I writing all these articles about Internet business, marketing and such when my main business is about becoming the “best parent you want to be”? Your business/your work greatly affects your children. Don’t you think that the child of a multi-million dollar investor would have a different perspective of the world than say child who grew up in a house with parents who are teachers? So that got me thinking about how our professions influence the way we “give-back” to others. I have recently been doing a lot of reading and research. I have learned that the best way for me to be the parent and person I want to be is to be as financially successful as I can be.

See, I was trained to be a social worker and practiced therapy for many years with trauma survivors, so, I thought I knew what the best way I could “give back” to my community. I thought for many years it was the long hours I put in volunteering, working as a therapist, writing up treatment plans, staring down defense attorneys in the court room as I explained the emotional, physical and spiritual toll abuse has on a survivor.

Although those are all great ways to give back, just as I know there are other super great ways to give that many people do every moment, I have come to realize there is an even a better way. If I was able to make enough money;to become successful/financially free, then, I would not only be financially in good health but also emotionally and spiritually in good health. See, the doors have been opening up to me and revealing some personal truths.

I have realized that not only is the key to well-being, living a balanced life but living a financially-free balanced life. Thus, the freedom to choose how I want to spend my money and where I want to spend my money. Living from paycheck to paycheck and working super long hours was not helping me live a life in balance - emotionally, physically, spiritually or financially.

See although, I graduated with a Master’s in Social Work from a great school and always worked super hard (60 hours/week) I wasn’t making even $24,000 a year. Let alone the emotional drain of the type of work I did. The rule: work hard, go to school, do well, and you will be rewarded just was not the case for me. As a newly married person without any kids, it really didn’t matter in the beginning because all I really needed to do was support myself but as the years past and I earned only a little more due to our annual 1% raise (FYI: working for non-profits is not profitable!) , I knew I would need to earn a whole lot more if I wanted to go back to work and make it meaningful to be away from my kids.

Plus, in order to do that sort of work I would be looking at long hours again, little pay-off financially, and being away from my kids which I did not want. Anyway, this brings me back to the reason why I began this article, I can do so much more for my community and people in general if I am financially free. So, I started my own business - my “American Dream”.

I want to become financially free so I can be rich financially, and rich in experiences (emotionally, physically, and spiritually). As you know we all have to know some practical means to become financially free. Unfortunately, the reality is most new business fail each year due to not just because they are unfamiliar with the basics involved in running a business, but mainly the people behind the business doesn’t keep in mind their purpose for starting their business. To become financially free. Stay focused on the goal and the details and fundamentals will inherently find their way to you.

I will be in the small majority of those who “make-it”, because I am committed to not giving up. Are you?. So, not only do the research but be tenacious. Don’t give up and find the answers you need, regardless of how small your business is now. Work your business, don’t let it run you (set it up, hire and train, and let the people you hire do the work) We build a business for the sole purpose of financial freedom - don’t lose that perspective. The rule of thumb, ask yourself are you giving more than you are getting and you will be handsomely rewarded.

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