Need extra money? Here's how to find it

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

Pete — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:35:00 GMT

Mention should be made of property taxes. With decreasing property values, many will be able to save some money. I went to ptaxsavers.com and got more that $1000 in savings.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

shorek — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:25:54 GMT

I suppose there are some ideas in this article, but first and foremost, create a budget, stick to it, and determine needs vs. wants. Stop spending money on stuff that is not needed

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

Susan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:16:28 GMT

There wasn't one piece of useful or new advice in here. It's all common sense. I will admit that on 2 of my credit cards - both with HSBC- I was able to negotiate a deal on a fixed payment and they eliminated my interest altogether as long as I make the payments on time. However, I have called Capital One at least 25 times in the past 6 months and have gotten NOWHERE. I will NEVER EVER EVER get any money from them again. Not willing to work with you in the least and then they sent me to collections BEFORE my payment was late!!! The payment was received by them the day after I was notified that I had been sent to collections...and the payment was EARLY.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

marie — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:15:44 GMT

Another way to save money is simple, but it does help. For 1 whole week write down every thing you spend money on. Even that convenience store fountain soda. At the end of the week seperate the necessities you purchased, from the "eh, might could live with out it's" , see what your totals are. We have recently moved, I sold my 700.00 a month home, that I loved, and paid cash for a 3 bedroom trailer house...hence no mortgage payments. I also moved to an area where the taxes are cheaper, but I am only 3 miles from the original attraction to the area, again something I can live with. I have changed my ideas where belongings are concerned too, if I haven't used it, or looked at it in 6 months or less, garage sale it, I must not need it that bad after all. I dropped cable t.v., and use an antenna, which may not be ideal for some, but by the time I work and sleep, cook supper, and clean house, etc, how many hours a day do I really watch it? So....no cable bill. I also dropped my cell phone, if someone wants to talk to me, they can call me at home, leave a message, and I'll call them back. No cell bill either. I have lot rent, cheap enough too, for the trailer I now own, I did this because a well and septic system are expensive to repair and replace, I say let someone else pay for it. If more and more people would simplify their lives, and cut out a lot of the "extras" , maybe we could force some of these companies in to lowering their prices to an affordable rate. You'd be surprised what you can live without, if you try it.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

CR — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:29:22 GMT

Well, I know I am drowing daily and any advice is good advice.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

hope — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:19:27 GMT

as someone who works with people regarding their finances for a profession, I can assure you that many people find this info useful. If you are more sophisticated regarding your personal monies, congrats. I know most families DO NOT adhere to everything listed here, on a consistant basis. I persoanlly read these articles just to reinforce what I know. Thank you to all who contribute on this very important topic.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

sb — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:18:00 GMT

Okay - yes, these are good tips - if they are followed. The dependent care expense - pretax - if your tax rate is say 20%, you make 500.00 gross, take home is 400.00.Say your daycare is 100.00 week, your take home minus daycare is 300.00.

Now, say daycare is pretax - take home is now 80% of 400 (100 taken out before taxes for daycare) or 320.00. You just increased expendable income by $20.00 that week. Times 50 (2weeks vacation allowed) is $1000.00 or approx. 300 gallons of gas for the year.

Note to Pirate Dave - I am living proof that life gets better using what you learn and not just accepting what you are handed.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

Mark — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:15:26 GMT

This stuff is so obvious, it really isn't helpful to anyone with a half a brain....

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

marie — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:13:10 GMT

here's a good tip for everyone out there: I recently changed car insurance companie's. I was paying 160.00 a month with progressive on 2 cars, for liability only, I switched to Liberty Mutual, and went to FULL COVERAGE insurance on both the same cars, and the rate dropped to 100.63!! THATS a savings!! Also, another way to save a bit on car insurance is to make sure they give you all the safety discounts that are available for your make of vehicle. As for apartment living- grocery bills are the best way to save. buy generic, most of the time they are made by the same companies anyways. Buy things like laundry soaps at a dollar store, instead of the grocery stores. At the grocery store, ask the meat manager if they ever have any " reduced for quick sale " meat, this is still good meat, you just have to freeze it right away, there is nothing wrong with it. Most stores will do this once a week.

re: Need extra money? Here's how to find it

Debt_Free_4_Life — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:10:12 GMT

If you have term life insurance do you need to have permanet life insurance? Whole life insurance is a rip off. 40% of your premiums go to the broker as the comission. Also, the "investment" is a joke. If you were to pass away the "investment" goes back to the company. The beneficiery only gets the face value of the policy. The annual rate of return is also redicoulas. Normally the rate of return is just as good a a money market. If you put that money in a good growth mutual fund that performs at 12% you would make more money. The best advice is to get term life insurance.