| |
| |
|
Personal Finance | Online-Information-Directory.com |
Home >> Finance >> Personal Finance
Saving Money - Are You Doing Enough?
It is estimated that we, as consumers, waste an average of 30% of our paychecks on items we don't need or pay way too much for the items we buy. Since 1990, spending is up 30% and debt is up an astounding 80%. What this tells us is, the average consumer is not only buying more but putting much more of a strain on their parcheck, forcing most to overextend themselves with their credit cards. To become a savvy shopper takes more than just knowing where the best deals are. You need to develope a new attitude. A new way of doing things. This new attitude must become a way of life. If you fall back into your old way of shopping, you run the risk of becoming a bad statistic. The average revolving credit card bill for Americans now stands at over $8500 and shows no signs of letting up. This is not the direction a good money saver should be moving towards. Finding the best deals takes patience, good timing, and lots of prudent reasearch. Just like saving for retirement or picking stocks, learning how to become a great shopper takes commitment and organization. When you are organized, you are better prepared to spend wisely. Shoppers are not born, they are made. This holds true no matter how much you make or where you work. It takes understanding of how stores are laid out, how sales are set, and what tricks marketers use to lure you in and close the sale. Most consumers are in the dark when it comes to how manufacturers think. If you think like a marketer, you will be able to buy with confidence because you have the inside information that can aid you in getting a better deal. A thrifty person is not someone who buys on impulse but rather, knows how much they have to spend, how much they can spend, and whether spending the money now is a wise choice or not. Impulse buying is the bane of every intelligent shopper but one that all of us have done at one time or another. A savvy shopper uses all the tools available to them and makes their decision based on information provided by those tools. These tools can aid in overcoming the relentless hard sell that marketers rely on to make you buy. Whenever you go out to shop, whether it is to your local mall, the supermarket, or online, there are rules that must be followed in order to get the most value for the least amount of money. Here are five ways to stay within budget and still get value. 1- Always make a list. Know what you want to buy beforehand. 2- Shop and compare prices and terms before you buy. Remember, the first price you see is not always the best. Use it as a starting point and a guide. 3- Stick to an amount you are willing to spend and don't go over. This will save your pocketbook unneeded grief when the credit card bill comes in. 4- Ask yourself if you can live without the item. Don't fall into the habit of rewarding yourself with an item because you've worked hard or you've been a good person lately. Excuses don't pay bills. 5- Keep a price book with you at all times and use it as a guide to get the best price. Shopping doesn't have to be a chore if you prepare yourself beforehand and organize your priorities. If you can do this, you will succeed at becoming a saving money expert. Barry Ferguson is known as "America's Saving Money Man". He is the author of two books called "How To Stop Wasting Money" and "The Saving Money Mindset", and has 15 years of practical, real world experience saving huge amounts of cash every time he shops! How much do you want to save? http://www.howtostopwastingmoney.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Personal-Finance - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
What's New in Checking - From Designs to Photos Just about everyone has a checking account. Checks present easy ways to make payments and they have simply become a way of life. Simple Ways to Save Money Things are so expensive these days. We seem to be hearing, and saying, that a lot lately at the gas pump, in the grocery store and especially when paying bills. More Money? My Cup Runneth Over...But Im Still Thirsty Most of us, especially those of us who have debtor's disease (if you have it you know what it is!), have commented or at least thought, "If I could just win the lottery, or sweepstakes, everything would be better." Unfortunately, even if that big dream did come true things probably would get worse instead of better. Planning Your Financial Future Millions of people give a lot of thought to financial planning but get frustrated and give up before ever making any progress. Making yourself aware of the most common reasons people fail to make a viable financial plan is the first step in reaching your financial goals. Tips To Save Money At The Supermarket Are you interested in saving money off your grocery bills? If so, then a few "Smart Shopper" tips are all you need to start saving hundreds off your grocery bills!However you must make a few changes in the manner you shop for groceries. If you are willing to do so, just follow these shopping tips and you'll be well on your way to saving a pocketful. Money Saving Tips. Maximize Savings on Everyday Items! Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion. Dramatically Improve Your Stock Trading Success Get Access to Realistic profitable strategies & discover the mindset to dramatically improve trading success.* Avoid those confusing "cookie cutter" technical analysis tips and tricks that you can read anywhere else for free. Stretching Your Grocery Dollars Shopping for groceries is an inevitable fact of our ever busy lives. We may imagine that we are saving time by dashing in, roaming the aisles and throwing whatever looks good into the cart. UK Graduates Looking Short-Term At Their Long-Term Financial Responsibilities With almost two thirds of university entrants from England and Wales who applied for maintenance grants for this year being unsuccessful, and the average graduate owing £13,501 when they leave, according to Barclays, combined with a survey by High Fliers Research showing that only 21% of students were confident of managing to enter a graduate-level job this year, it is not surprising that there is a feeling of gloom hanging over many UK university entrants.According to a survey of students from 30 institutions; 63% believed there are not enough graduate jobs for everyone leaving university this year, with a fifth stating that they felt that there were only limited jobs available. The Origins of Check Writing People haven't always written checks to buy goods and services. But you know that right? So how did people transfer money from one place to another in times of old?In ancient times the most popular form of money exchange was the trade. Check Fraud and Verification Before buying personal or business checks you should inform yourself of the best ways to protect yourself from check fraud. Since man has written checks check fraud has existed. Debt Management - More Ways to Save on Gas Consumption The price of gas continues to climb, and with continued uncertainty in the Middle East, they will probably continue to do so. In California and elsewhere, prices for some grades of gas have now reached the previously unthinkable three dollars a gallon. Money Matters - Really! One of the biggest challenges facing black RELATIONSHIPS today are finances. Many people mistakenly feel that money does NOT matter. First Checking Account - When is it Time? We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, but we all need it to survive. The use of cash will only go so far in life, as you can't send it through the mail. Ways to Save Energy and Slash Electricity Bills 1. Lighting & Light Bulbs Install low energy light bulbs in rooms you use regularly - they last up to 15 times longer than a normal light bulb and provide the same lighting for a quarter of the running cost. Save Money on Groceries: Part I One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or where you come from, you have to eat. Unless you grow your own food, you will have to go to the grocery store to get it. Financial Security 1) HOW TO LOOK FOR A JOBA) The Chronological Curriculum:1. First and foremost you have to be able to write an effective resume or curriculum. Risky Business: You May Not be as Daring as You Think I thought I was through with exams when I finished college. Then my financial adviser (a. How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Online Business You should thoroughly consider your business needs when selecting a financial institution or bank for your small/home business. You may want to consider the following points:- The types of products and services that are offered. Healthy Eating On A Budget It is possible to eat a healthy, balanced diet without breaking the bank! Here are some suggestions:-Eliminate junk food. You may have to do your grocery shopping alone, since children (and sometimes spouses!) are often the ones who request the junk foods.
|
|
|
| site map © 2006 Online-Information-Directory.com |
