MAKING OUR MONEY STRETCH:

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO EARNING & SAVING

MONEY

By Trina Boice
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2

You Control Your Money – Not the Other Way Around ........................................................................................... 5

How to Find Money in Places Other Than Under Your Sofa Cushions ............................................................ 10

Mobile Money .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Saving Money at the Gas Pump ........................................................................................................................................ 18

E-Trash Into Cash! ................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Changing the Way We Think About Money ................................................................................................................ 23

The Fabulous World of Freebies ..................................................................................................................................... 27

Coupon Crazy .......................................................................................................................................................................... 32

Decrease Your Medical Expenses and Increase Your Health .............................................................................. 36

And the Winner is...Getting Free Entertainment ...................................................................................................... 41

Trash to Treasure: Pulling Money Out of Your Home With Spring Cleaning ................................................ 45

Saving Money on "Auto"pilot with Car Costs ............................................................................................................. 49

Lighten Your Electricity Expenses .................................................................................................................................. 55

You May Already Have Won! ............................................................................................................................................ 58

Guerilla Grocery Shopping ................................................................................................................................................. 62

Me, Myself, and I—Fighting Identity Fraud ................................................................................................................ 67

Saving Money When You Blow Your Nose: Little Known Ways to Cut Costs ............................................... 72

How Much is that Doggie in the Window? .................................................................................................................. 76

Gimme, Gimme: Teaching Kids About Money............................................................................................................ 81

Winning Rewards on TV Game Shows .......................................................................................................................... 85

Moving Money: Saving Money Tips When You Have to Pack Up and Move .................................................. 88

Terrific Travel Tips for Road Warriors......................................................................................................................... 93

Frugal Fashion ........................................................................................................................................................................ 97

The Midas Touch: Turning Copper Pennies Into Gold ........................................................................................ 100

Seniors Saving Cents ......................................................................................................................................................... 104

Quick Cash - Make Some Money Today ..................................................................................................................... 111

Boomerang Kids - Helping Adult Children Make It On Their Own................................................................. 115

Business Building 101 ...................................................................................................................................................... 119

Home Sweet Home – Purchasing Real Estate ......................................................................................................... 123

When Unemployment Knocks ....................................................................................................................................... 128

Saving with Baby Steps - Budgeting for Baby ......................................................................................................... 132

Losing Weight, Gaining Money...................................................................................................................................... 138

What Retailers Don’t Want Consumers to Know .................................................................................................. 143

JANUARY: Saving Money vs. Investing It .................................................................................................................. 147

FEBRUARY: Inexpensive Gifts of Love ....................................................................................................................... 153

MARCH: Garden Gold: Saving Money on Groceries and Other Products ..................................................... 157

APRIL: Saving Big on Tax Day ....................................................................................................................................... 161

MAY: Congrats, Grads! Inexpensive Gifts for Grads ........................................................................................... 166

MAY: Memorable Memorial Day – Frugal Ways to be Patriotic ...................................................................... 169

JUNE: Summer Fun for Less ........................................................................................................................................... 174

JULY: Christmas in July ..................................................................................................................................................... 180

AUGUST: Traveling around The World for Less .................................................................................................... 183

SEPTEMBER: Saving Money on College is as Easy as ABC................................................................................. 187

OCTOBER: Scary Halloween Prices - The Treats of Saving Money ................................................................ 194

NOVEMBER: Managing Money With An Attitude of Gratitude ........................................................................ 197

NOVEMBER: Black Friday Bonanza and Cyber Monday Madness ................................................................. 203

DECEMBER: Choosing the Right Charity................................................................................................................... 206

Final Thoughts: You Can Do This! ................................................................................................................................ 209

YOU CONTROL YOUR MONEY – NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

Has that lady on your car’s navigator ever completely lost her mind? Mine did last night as I was
trying to find a new hair salon for my first hair appointment there. When I realized I was definitely
heading in the wrong direction, I finally called the salon and asked for directions. As it turned out,
one of the co-owners answered the phone and stayed with me on the line the whole time. As I got
closer, he walked outside and personally flagged me down, directing me into the parking lot. I was
impressed. THAT’S customer service. I felt like they truly wanted me for a customer and that they
were willing to work for my business.

Let me contrast that warm, fuzzy welcome with one I had last week with an eye doctor’s office
whose unrevealed name shall protect them from their disgraceful service. I arrived ten minutes late
and was told I would have to reschedule because my tardiness was unacceptable to them. Their
receptionist made me feel like some kind of delinquent in elementary school caught by the hall
Nazi, rather than a valued customer. I would have been a new client for them, but I will most
definitely NOT be rescheduling that appointment, nor ever returning. They obviously don’t care
about acquiring new customers. (I promise that arriving late for those two appointments really isn’t
like me!)

Most businesses today are anxious about building a loyal customer base in this tricky economy.
What they need to know is the difference between a satisfied customer and a loyal one. I mean
really...would you want your spouse to be satisfied or loyal? Can a customer (and a spouse) be
both? Absolutely! Money is tight for all of us. You have a choice of which companies you want to
reward with your hard-earned money! You vote for a company’s success with your dollars.

So, what does all of this mean to you? Simple. You control your money, not the other way around.
Money is a tool. Your tool. You decide where and how you will spend your money. Reward
companies who work for your business. When you’re not happy with a store or company, tell them
why. After I calmed down, I called that eye doctor’s office the next day and politely explained to
them why I will NOT be rescheduling my appointment with them. I’m sure they didn’t really care,
but I felt better!
The squeaky wheel does get the oil first but mind your manners while you’re squeaking and you’ll
fare much better. The hilarious and helpful consumer guru, Benjamin Dover (Ben Dover…get it?),
suggests “Don’t just whine, define!” What he means is that you need to decide exactly what it is you
want from the company (money, an apology, replacement merchandise, etc.) as well as what course
of action you’re willing to pursue (a few phone calls or a full-scale lawsuit).

Michael Finney is ABC’s Emmy Award-winning consumer reporter who helps the “Average Joe”
fight for his rights.

His seven steps to winning every consumer argument are:

1. Respect yourself enough to go after what is right.

2. Know what you want before complaining (be realistic!)

3. Be flexible and ready to negotiate.

4. Give everyone a chance to do the right thing.

5. Don’t respond in anger.

6. Take the high road by talking about what is moral, not just what is legal.

7. Be ready to do battle. Fighting for your consumer rights can be time consuming and
emotionally draining.

When you’re not satisfied, don’t be a crazy person! If you come across as reasonable and in control,
then you have a better chance of being treated fairly than if you’re screaming and irrational. Use
logic, not emotions when you deal with the company and you’ll sound fair.

Once you’re completely fed up with a company and ready to write a letter of complaint, be sure to
address it to a specific person; otherwise, your letter will end up buried or trashed. Be concise. If
you write a gigantic letter about your life’s history you’re just going to annoy and confuse the
reader, often to the point that they’ll just toss your letter into their corporate black hole and hope
someone else wants to deal with it.

Create a paper trail and document dates of phone calls, emails, faxes, and especially names. Sending
certified mail lets a company know you’re serious and possibly creating a paper trail for a lawsuit,
so you should get a quick response from them. If you have a phone conversation with someone at
the company who offers you some kind of resolution, be sure to follow it up with an email do you
can document the discussion in writing with a date.

Maybe you’ve heard about the famous “Gripe” song about United Airlines and how it became a huge
hit on YouTube a few years ago. An enterprising musician who had his guitar broken by United
Airlines created a protest song and posted it on YouTube, resulting in a truly viral video sensation.
Dave Carroll's $3,500 Taylor guitar was broken by United Airlines baggage handlers at Chicago's
O'Hare Airport. During the ensuing nine-month period, Carroll attempted to get some
compensation for the guitar, but he was repeatedly given the runaround by customer “no service”
representatives.

His video response to United Airlines was called "United Breaks Guitars.” After the surprising
success of Carroll's clip, United came back with its tail between its legs and offered to replace his
guitar, but the disgruntled musician refused and told United to donate the money to a charity of his
choice.

The lesson here is that the Internet now gives consumers a new level of power against businesses
that have wronged them. There's a similar kind of power in sites like Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Those
kinds of consumer sites cull the collective wisdom of users' experiences with a variety of companies
so that you know which companies deserve your dollars and which ones to avoid. Businesses who
want to succeed in today’s social media climate are very well aware of their reputations online and
will work with you. They know a disgruntled customer can wreak havoc for them online.

The best way to have our consumer voice heard is through our spending dollars. If you're unhappy
with a company, let them know that, not only will you not shop there anymore, but that you will
post your complaints online and encourage others to stop shopping there as well! A wise manager
will do everything he can to make you happy again.

The Financial Times of London reports that 92% of people say they trust word of mouth from
friends, associates, and colleagues when it comes to making a consumer decision. Seventy-five
percent say they trust collective wisdom sites like Yelp, Facebook pages, and TripAdvisor. Only
60% of people report trusting traditional image-based advertising.

Some companies, like United Airlines, have completely eliminated all human contact customer
service! Other companies use foreign call centers staffed by people with no authority to solve
problems. If you find yourself talking to a call center overseas, all you have to do is ask to be
transferred to someone in your country and they have to do so by law. When communicating with a
company, be sure to document your conversations well and get the names of everyone you talk to,
the conversation you had, and the date and time of day. Know to whom your complaints should be
directed. You can often get this information from the Secretary of State's office, particularly if you
want to address your concerns to a company’s CEO. If all else fails, make a song and post it on
YouTube!

In this book, we’re going to take a look at all kinds of practical ways you can wisely spend your
money, save more money, earn extra money, and even have some left over so you can donate it to
help those around you of your own choosing. You control your money, not the other way around.
Money is a tool, your servant.

N. Eldon Tanner said, “I am convinced that it is not the amount of money an individual earns that
brings peace of mind as much as it is having control of his money. The key to spending less than we
earn is simple – it is called discipline.”

Someone who is taking control of his/her money can agree with these statements:
 • I have a concrete financial goal (an actual number) I am working toward.
• I have attended at least one seminar or workshop on financial planning or investing in the
past year.
• I carry no monthly credit card debt.
• I balance my checkbook each month
• I have investments in my own name.
• I regularly review how I’m spending my money.
• I know my own and/or my family’s net worth.
• I have a monthly budget and stick to it.
• I avoid shopping when I’m depressed or hungry.
• I check my credit card statements each month for inaccuracies.
• I make the maximum allowable contributions to my retirement plan.
• I’m able to resist buying things I want and instead focus on what I need.

If you make some CHANGES with how you spend, save, and earn money you will have more
CHANGE! To help you evaluate your money habits, check out this FREE online class about personal
finance: https://personalfinance.byu.edu/.

As you evaluate what money comes in and out of your home, also take a quick inventory of what’s
in your home. Most people spend money on assets that go down in value (cars, entertainment
equipment, clothes, etc.). Focus on building assets that appreciate in value (real estate, stocks, gold,
and silver). We’ll talk more about that later, but it’s crucial to building wealth. You’ll most likely
never be rich based on your own earnings. You’re going to learn how to make your money work for
you! Most insurance companies have apps or online tools to help you organize your stuff by
creating a list. For example, check out the inventory checklists on Allstate, American Family,
Country-wide, Liberty Mutual, or State Farm.

Here is the way we fix the economy: one person at a time! Financial expert Suze Orman talks about
the “New American Dream” as wanting more…NOT more stuff, but more time, more peace, more
freedom, more relationships. The proper use of money can help us achieve that dream. By now,
you have probably figured out that more stuff usually means more clutter around your house and
that you can’t take any of it with you when you die. Organizing expert Marie Kondo has a successful
book and TV show on Netflix that will inspire you to look at your stuff differently. She teaches that
you should only keep items that “spark joy” in your life. Buying less stuff means you have more
money to spend on travel, fun activities with your family, or an earlier retirement!

Finally, this Chinese proverb might help you remember to keep money in its proper perspective:

Money

It can buy a house, but not a home.

It can buy a bed, but not sleep.

It can buy a clock, but not time.

It can buy you a book, but not knowledge.

It can buy you a position, but not respect.

It can buy you medicine, but not life.

So, you see, money isn’t everything and it often causes pain and suffering. So give me all of your
money and I will suffer for you. Cash only. Small bills.
HOW TO FIND MONEY IN PLACES OTHER THAN UNDER YOUR SOFA
CUSHIONS

There are a ton of things you can do to bring in extra money to pay those bills and stretch your
dollars. The fact is, nobody is going to just hand you money; you have to do something. No,
wait a minute...they just might! You may actually have free money hiding out there that you
don’t even know about! It’s true! Every state has an “Unclaimed Property” department which
you can easily use to help you find money!

Start at www.unclaimed.org, the website of the National Association of Unclaimed Property

Administrators. Every state’s procedure for claiming money is different, so be sure to check
every state where you have resided and worked and then, follow their guidelines. Amazingly
enough, you may actually have forgotten about some pennies out there! Hey, it’s worth a shot,
and will only take you a few minutes online.

I found a small paycheck my husband forgot to pick up when he did seasonal work for a
company as a teenager. (I would never forget to pick up a paycheck!) I also found some money
for my dad that was sitting in an old bank account he had closed years ago. (Yes, I gave it to him
and didn’t keep it for myself.) You’ll need to produce certain documents to prove you are who
you claim to be before the money is released.

The world will only pay you what it thinks you’re worth. The amount of money we receive will
always be in direct ratio to the demand for what we do, our ability to do it, and to the difficulty
of replacing us. In our world, a highly skilled person is worth more money than a person who
doesn’t have any skills. Of course, a janitor is just as important a human being as a brain
surgeon, but the world monetizes their value differently. Most people want more money but
don’t want to take the time and trouble to qualify for it. So, how much are YOU worth? Let’s
take a minute to look at your assets and liabilities:
Assets (what you own)

Cash: checking account, savings account, money market, CD, treasury bills

Securities: stocks, bonds, mutual funds

Real estate: Personal residence, vacation home, rental properties

Business interests: business owner, commissions, royalties

Retirement funds: IRA, KEOGH, 401K, vested portion in company plan, annuity

Life insurance: cash value

Personal property: cars and other vehicles, household furnishings, boat, plane, recreational
vehicles, antiques, collectibles, art, furs, jewelry

Liabilities (what you owe):

Current bills: credit cards, charge accounts, medical, dental, store cards

Debt: Unpaid bills

Taxes: income (federal & state), property (real & personal)

Mortgages: residence, other properties

Loans: auto, home improvement, education, life insurance, margin account

Total net worth = total assets minus total liabilities

Don’t like what you see? Well, let’s start working on that. Whether you’re looking for a full-
time job or just a part-time gig to bring in some extra cash, there are many options. To help you
get a better job, start by acquiring some new skills and do a quick resume brush-up. There are
tons of job websites to help you see which ones can offer you flexibility and security.

Placing your resume online doesn’t mean a lot because you have just jumped into a sea of
faceless names available to employers. You need to get more creative, especially if you want to
work from home. Rather than posting a resume on www.monster.com, which will mostly result
in getting you a ton of junk mail, try connecting with people you already know on
www.linkedin.com or searching for local jobs at www.craigslist.com.

Here are some other great resources:

• www.indeed.com

• www.experteer.com
 • www.careerbuilder.com

• www.ziprecruiter.com

You can also find some terrific freelance jobs online based on your expertise, at sites such as:

• www.sologig.com (IT and engineering jobs)

• www.elance.com

• www.upwork.com

• www.guru.com

• www.freelancer.com

• www.fiverr.com

If you’re artistic, you can get paid for your creativity and accept as many or as few jobs as you’d
like at:

• www.logoworks.com

• www.logosforwebsites.com

• www.cafepress.com

• www.zazzle.com

Sell your photography skills at:

• www.123rf.com

• www.shutterstock.com

• www.fotolia.com

• www.crestock.com

• www.dreamstime.com

• www.bigstockphoto.com

Virtual customer service jobs allow you to assist other companies from your computer. If you
have a landline, a computer, and your home is quiet, you can take incoming calls for companies
or help them with data entry tasks. See who is hiring at:

• www.arise.com
 • www.liveops.com

• www.workingsol.com

Mystery shopping is one of my all-time fave’s for getting paid to do something you’d already do,
like get an oil change, see a movie, or shop at a store. Companies will pay you to pretend you’re
a “normal” shopper while you’re evaluating the customer service, quality, cleanliness, and
attentiveness of a selective retailer. I’ve had boring assignments like assessing a post office, and
exciting assignments such as getting paid to play at a theme park with my kids! Being certified
by The Mystery Shopping Association will get you more jobs. Some companies are definitely
more reputable than others, so you want to be careful who you choose to work with. There’s no
need to pay for a list of mystery shopping companies, although you’ll find many web sites who
will try to get you to do just that. Start at www.mysteryshop.org. Checkout my online course
about mystery shopping at www.LifelongLearningEducation.com and you’ll also receive a free
copy of my “Ultimate Mystery Shopping Guidebook”!

Market research is another one of my favorite ways to earn quick money for doing something
fun. Companies will pay to get your opinion both online and in person. Do a search for “Market
Research” next to the name of your city to find companies in your town that are looking for
people to participate in focus groups at their facility. You can also find some listings at
www.findfocusgroups.com. You’ll meet a lot of interesting people and get paid to simply talk
about what you like and don’t like!

You can also get paid to take surveys online. Some survey sites are scams, so be careful.
Sometimes when you sign up, you’ll get added to a list that floods your email box with junk.

Here are a few of the reputable ones out there:

• www.freepaidsurveys.net

• www.swagbucks.com

• www.surveyclub.com

Merchandising companies will pay you to go into stores to make sure items are displayed
correctly for a particular product and company. You might be asked to go into a Wal-Mart, for
example, to make sure the signage is correct on the Maybelline products, or you could be asked
to work with the store manager to bring new products from the back room onto the floor, and
make sure they’re displayed properly on the shelves. One I’ve worked with for years is
www.rqa-inc.com.

My husband laughed when I told him I wanted to get paid to watch movies. Now he goes with
me on assignments for date night, and he only laughs if we’re watching a comedy. Companies
will pay you to go to a movie theater and write them a quick report about which movie trailers
played before a specific feature film. Sometimes you’ll get paid to simply write down all of the
posters inside the movie theater, or to record what the audience reaction was during the movie.
Two reputable companies I’ve worked with over the years are: www.tnsmi-tes.com and
www.certifiedfieldassociate.com. Register on their web sites and then let their field reps know
you’re ready to start receiving assignments! Have fun! And you’re welcome.

Another quick money idea I love is getting paid in the form of gift cards and cash to review
email offers from other companies. Check out some of my favorites and tell them I referred you!

• https://www.mypoints.com?rb=23150410

• https://www.swagbucks.com/lp-savings-
button?cmp=695&cxid=swagbuttonref&rb=45362019&extRefCmp=1&extRb=45362019

• www.inboxdollars.com

• www.cashcrate.com

If you’re going to do this, you might want to create a separate email account for this kind of
work so that your real email doesn’t get spammed.

Ok, that’ll get you started today! See, the list is endless! I’ll share even more fun ideas in future
chapters. There are simply too many to list in one. Are you feeling empowered with your
finances yet? You should! You probably already know how to do many things that companies
out there are willing to pay you for! Write a list of all your skills, talents, hobbies and interests.
You’re worth more than you know!
MOBILE MONEY

Most of us are used to cutting coupons to make our money stretch a little bit farther, but now we
can use our cell phones in addition to our scissors! Yep, there's an app for that! A couple of
weeks ago I got a free bag of popcorn at my local theater just for showing a special QR code at
the concession stand. Don't you just love technology? I’ll tell you more about QR codes in a
minute…

“Smartphone use is on the rise and more consumers are expecting instant access to everyday
shopping needs," said Cailyn Aanonson, spokeswoman for www.CouponSherpa.com. She
continues, “It only makes sense, as it’s instant, accessible and doesn’t require printing out a
coupon from home beforehand – thus, you can decide what coupons to use as you shop, rather
than before you leave home.”

Coupon Sherpa is a terrific online couponing website that now lets shoppers load grocery
coupons to their existing store loyalty card via their iPhone devices. The coupons and the app
are free. Consumers can input their ZIP code, using the app, to see what offers are available
locally. Then, shoppers can select the coupons, which are automatically added to their grocery
store loyalty card to use during checkout. More and more retailers, restaurants, and grocery
stores are using mobile money to draw in customers.

“Aside from already offering scannable and exclusive coupons for restaurants and retailers, the
Coupon Sherpa app has now expanded into offering grocery coupons,” Ms. Aanonson said.
Consumers can also email coupons to friends and family and create their own favorite list of
stores. Albertsons has their own version called JustForU.

Using mobile phone coupons is especially helpful when you don’t always have the time to plan
ahead and hunt for coupons before you leave the house. Another terrific cell phone coupon site
to check out is www.mobilecoupon.com. Merchants add their deals to the site and shoppers
simply load the geo-targeted coupons on their phones.

While you’re out and about, you might see QR codes posted that advertise a special you can use
right there in the store or restaurant. You’ll need a Smart Phone that has a QR code reader. But
what is a QR code, you ask? You’ve probably seen them around but may not have known what
they are. They’re kind of the new version of the old bar code. They’re little squares that have
strange black and white designs inside and include a lot more information on a retailer or product
than could be fit on those old bar codes. With the right cell phone program, you’ll be able to
download all of that data right to your phone. Surprisingly, when they first hit the market about
10 years ago, they were all the rage, then dwindled in popularity, and are now back in fashion
again. iPhone has announced they’re going to be really pushing it. If you have an iPhone, you
can get their free QR reader at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/qr-reader-for-
iphone/id368494609?mt=8

You can download QR code readers on your desktop or cell phone by finding them at any of
these websites:

• http://www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software/

• www.beetagg.com/en/download-qr-reader/

You can also create your own QR code on the iPhone reader or at:

• http://qrcode.kaywa.com

• http://createqrcode.appspot.com/

Customers who love shopping at Target will be happy to learn that they can get exclusive offers
up to five times a month on your web-enabled cell phone via text message, when you sign up for
their program at www.target.com. Make purchases with their Target credit card to save an
additional 5% off your total bill at checkout in the store or online!

If you've discovered www.FourSquare.com then you know that you can become a "Mayor" of a
particular restaurant or retailer and receive their special offers, simply by checking into their
location on your cell phone every time you shop there. You can also earn badges and see where
your friends are hanging out. It’s kind of silly, but worth checking out if you're a frequent
customer of a certain vendor. They recently purchased Placed.com and have upgraded their
features substantially.

Another fun site to use on your mobile phone while you’re out painting the town is
www.Shopkick.com. Retailers and restaurants reward you when you accomplish certain tasks,
such as taking a picture of yourself and uploading it to their Facebook or Google Places page.
Sign up online to see which places near you are offering deals.
Remember, all of these mobile money programs remind consumers that "message and data rates
may apply", so be sure you know what your mobile plan includes or charges to receive such
messages. Mobile marketing is HUGE these days and getting bigger, as merchants are learning
more about it. They know that while most people spend a certain number of hours sitting in
front of their computers and email, a much larger portion of those people have their cell phones
with them all day and night! That’s smart shopping!
SAVING MONEY AT THE GAS PUMP

With gasoline prices constantly creeping up and up, you're probably feeling the pain at the pump.
In case you’re planning a fun road trip or just trying to keep up with your bills, I wanted to arm
you with some helpful tips on how to stretch your money at the gas station.

Find the cheapest gas station near your home or office by using a free mobile app such as
GasBuddy or Murphy USA Cheap Gas Finder. You can also do searches online using your zip
code to spot the best deal in your area on the following web sites:

• www.GasBuddy.com

• www.gasprices.mapquest.com

• www.fuelmeup.com

• www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/index.shtml

Team up with your local grocery store to save money on gas when you use their loyalty points to
reduce the cost per gallon at their partner gas station. Most reward programs offer ten cents off
for every $100 you spend at their grocery store. Quite a few stores now offer gas programs, such
as:

• Vons: www.vons.com/Reward-Points

• Smiths:
http://www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/mysmiths/706/my_rewards/Pages/my_rewards.aspx

• Safeway: http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/RewardPoints

• Kroger: http://www.kroger.com/in_store/fuel/Pages/default.aspx

• Winn Dixie: http://winndixie.com/Fuelperks/default.asp

Gas up at a station farther away from a freeway. Off-ramps to highway gas stations and city
center locations often charge quite a bit more than neighborhood or rural gas stations.

Buy gas station gift cards at a price less than the face value! Check out these cool websites that
offer gift cards for gas stations, as well as for tons of other retailers! You can sign up for free
email alerts to let you know when they have the cards you want in stock.

• www.plasticjungle.com

• www.giftcardgranny.com

Watch your windows. Air conditioning in the hot summer months can drain your gas tank, so
consider opening the windows to cool off the natural way. Driving with open windows on the
freeway, however, will add drag to your car and reduce your gas mileage up to 10%. I live in
Las Vegas where summer temperatures get up to 1000 degrees, so I’m ignoring this tip.

Carpool when possible.

Buy things online so you don't have to spend money driving to the store. Many online stores
offer free shipping! If you do have to drive, combine errands geographically, so you’re not
going back and forth all over town.

Consider selling that gas-guzzling SUV and get something smaller and more gas-efficient, if
possible. Federal deductions for buying a hybrid car can be as high as $2000. How about
driving a motorcycle or scooter instead of a car? Hey, this is just a brainstorm of ideas. I didn’t
say they were all golden.

Unless your car specifically requires premium gas, regular unleaded gas is less expensive and
can still get you from A to B.

Fly instead! With the high cost of gas, sometimes it's actually cheaper to fly to your destination
than to drive there! Compare airline fares at:

• www.orbitz.com

• www.Travelocity.com

Drive slower. Did you know that your gas mileage actually decreases when you drive 55 mph
or faster? Fast starts and stops during city driving will also spend more gas than if you take it
easy.

Beyond carrying an emergency preparedness kit in your trunk (which I think is absolutely
important), store all of those other unnecessary items in your garage rather than your car. Every
250 pounds of junk in your trunk lowers your car's fuel efficiency by 1 mile per gallon. That’s
true for your body’s health too! (wink)
Something as simple as keeping your tires properly inflated at all times will actually improve
your gas mileage. Maintain your car properly by replacing the air filter, motor oil, and spark
plugs to achieve better mileage too.

Most of us don’t drive with the lights on inside the car because it makes seeing the road a bit
more difficult, but it also increases the energy load on the engine. Don’t turn on your headlights
either, except during the evening hours or in the rain.

The word "Hypermiling" was selected as the best new word of 2008 by New Oxford American
Dictionary. It’s a term used to describe the crazy techniques people use to maximize their fuel
economy, such as the illegal and dangerous practice of tailgating behind a big truck to benefit
from its drag on a freeway. Another bad idea hypermilers like is to roll through stop signs, rather
than stop all the way. Some even suggest that the word STOP is really an acronym which means
“Slight Tap On Pedal.” While those ideas may save you a few pennies of gas per mile, they’re
also more likely to get you pulled over for breaking the law or for reckless driving. And finally,
be safe on the roads, don't text or drink and drive!
E-TRASH INTO CASH!

Technology changes so quickly that our previous favorite items become outdated and need to be
replaced within a couple of years. If you just bought a new device, then you might be wondering
what to do with your old one. It’s not recommended to throw old electronics in the landfills, so
what is an environmentally-friendly techno-geek supposed to do?

Great news! There are several websites that give you the opportunity to turn your e-trash into
cash! One of them is www.gazelle.com. You simply log onto Gazelle and enter the make and
model of your electronics—everything from cellphones, mp3 players, computers, and cameras,
to GPS systems and gaming consoles. Gazelle then makes you an offer. Don't get too excited,
however; it's not very much, but it's definitely more than you'd get for it at a garage sale and for
much less hassle. Newer items will get you more cash than the older electronic stuff gathering
dust. If you accept the offer, Gazelle sends you a free box to ship your item(s) in and even pays
for the postage. It typically takes about a week before you're paid, once they receive your
package. I’ve personally used Gazelle.com and was thrilled to squeeze some money out of my
old cellphones that were just taking up space in my junk drawer.

Many major retailers are now also partnering with Gazelle. That means you can log onto the
websites of Costco Wholesale, Wal-Mart, and Sears to do your transaction. If you go that route,
payment is remitted in store gift cards. Best Buy is running a deal where you trade in your
electronics for store credit. It's generally pennies on the dollar, but if you were going to just toss
it then you might as well try to get something for it!

Another option is good ‘ole eBay, Amazon, and Half.com. It's truly amazing what people will
pay for your old stuff. Amazon now has a new “Trade-In” program where they’ll buy your items
from you in exchange for Amazon gift card credit. Nice!

Other companies that will pay for your old electronics are:

• www.maxback.com
 • www.sellmycellphones.com

• www.simplysellular.com/CashForCell

A more altruistic option is to donate your old cell phones or iPods to "Cell Phones for Soldiers”,
created by a young brother-sister team a few years ago. They'll even pay for the postage and the
repairs if needed. You’ll get a tax deduction for your donation. For more information, go to
www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Cell phone company rates and plans are constantly changing, especially since the "Cell Phone
Portability" law went into effect, which allows you to keep your same phone number when you
switch carriers. But just because you switch companies, doesn’t mean you’re not still
responsible for any remaining fees on your old contract. Before you switch companies, consider
these tips:

Don’t cancel your existing service before starting a new service with another company. Your
former company could delete your information in the interim and the number could be lost.

Be prepared to provide the new company with your 10-digit phone number, previous customer
account number, and five-digit zip code.

If you had a password protecting the former account, you may need to provide that to the new
service provider before they submit the request to be ported.

When possible, exhaust the contract period with your old service provider before porting the
number to help eliminate cancellation fees.

In an effort to give you the most up-to-date cell phone offers, check out some of these websites
that spend time daily researching the best plans and prices:

• www.myrateplan.com

• www.point.com

• www.letstalk.com

Remember, that nice guy at the cell phone store is motivated to get you to sign a contract for a
year or two. You’ll pay more for a phone with a no-contract carrier, but you won’t be tied down
for an extended length of time. It’s worth some time to consider all of your options based on
your usage habits. Now that you've saved money on your new cell phone and earned money on
your old one, don't forget to call your loved ones all year long, not just during the holiday
season!
CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT MONEY

Each January I’m filled with enthusiastic hope and a renewed desire to break old habits and
replace them with energizing ones that will improve my daily life. Do you make New Year’s
Resolutions? If so, do they include financial goals? They say the definition of insanity is doing
the same things and expecting different results! To change our finances, we have to make some
changes in our behavior. It’s a good habit to analyze how we’re doing with our money and to
rethink our purchases and investments. Money isn’t the most important thing in the world, but it
sure touches everything that is.

Did you know that more millionaires were made during the Great Depression than during any
other time in history? It’s true. If you follow money trends, then you already know that
financial experts say that we’re poised for another huge money transition in this country. The
only difference is that the cycle is not just occurring in the United States, but this time it will
affect the entire world.

Experts made all kinds of predictions about what would happen at the end of the prophetic 2012
year. Guess what? Nothing happened. The fact is, no one really knows for sure, but if you can
spot financial indicators and know how the global economy works, then you’re already preparing
NOW. Some financial doomsayers predict a total collapse of the world economy soon, while
others are forecasting an uptick from the recession. Are you prepared for both scenarios?

If the Euro were to collapse, bringing down the Dollar with it, then storing extra food and
supplies would seem more prudent than stashing paper money in your bank account or under
your mattress. If currencies around the world dissolve, then investing in gold and silver coins
(especially “junk silver” coins) would be crucial. Those scenarios may seem extreme, but it’s an
effective mental exercise to see how prepared you are financially. Getting out of debt should be
at the top of your list.
Here are some great habits that will protect your money in both good economic times and
bad:

Get out of debt. I put this at number one because if you’re in debt, then it’s very difficult to
make wise financial decisions based out of a position of strength. I highly recommend Dave
Ramsey’s Financial Peace University material. His books and radio show are excellent, teaching
“baby steps” to help you climb out of your hole and think about money differently.
www.daveramsey.com

Suze Orman says the new American Dream is not being able to buy more STUFF, but instead,
it’s being able to have more peace of mind and freedom. Debt is a noose around your neck that
can strangle your life. That cute new Prada handbag will NOT give you the same feeling as
financial freedom. You have fewer options when your revenue shrinks. For a free “get out of
debt” calculator and another one that illustrates inflation on your budget, go to:
http://www.moneychimp.com/features/debt_payment_calculator.htm

For more free help, check out www.getoutofdebt.org

Think of every penny as an investment. Before buying something, ask yourself “How could
this money be better spent to become an asset for me?” Most people don’t have money because
they don’t know how to spend it correctly. The old adage “Cash is King” becomes more accurate
when stated as “Cash FLOW is King.” Buy things that make you money. Assets are what you
OWN and liabilities are what you OWE. Take a good look at where you really stand financially.
Those innocent-looking designer coffees or spontaneous lunches with co-workers really add up.
Think twice before handing over your hard-earned dough.

Reduce your expenses. Call all of the companies you do business with each month (cable TV,
insurance companies, mortgage company or landlord, cell phone and landlines, etc.) and ask
them what they can do for you to lower the interest payments or carve off fees. Every six
months I routinely call and I always get freebies and special concessions. Just be bold and ask!
You may decide, like me, that you don’t even need a land-line phone anymore at home if
everyone in the family already has a cell phone. This last year I dropped my $65/month satellite
dish service and now pay only $8/month by using free entertainment on my ROKU. My kids’
Xbox Live works like a free receiver in my family room and my ROKU delivers free
programming everywhere else in the house. Tell your landlord to shave off some moola if you’ll
do the landscaping or pool service. In this economy, everyone is willing to negotiate. Be brave
and just ask!

Increase your income by creating a home business. There are so many legal deductions
available that it’s one of the smartest ways to protect your money. Whether you sell your old
junk on Ebay, write eBooks to sell on Amazon, teach piano lessons or become a distributor for a
network marketing company, you’ll be able to claim deductions on expenses such as housing,
gas, computers, education and even some entertainment. Be sure to talk to your accountant
before claiming any deductions on your taxes. Reducing your debt isn’t the same as creating
wealth. You need to generate residual income that can be put into assets. Your goal should be to
create enough passive income that it exceeds your monthly living expenses. A JOB will never
make you rich. If you want to sell a company’s merchandise through their multi-level marketing
program, make sure the company is in good standing with the Direct Selling Association which
has a strict code of ethics the business must adhere to. You can see their membership listing at
www.dsa.org

Get organized. Millions of dollars are wasted every year by consumers who procrastinate and
end up paying late fees. Set up your bills on “auto-pay” so that you’ll never get hit with
unnecessary late fees again. Set up an organized coupon system. Coupons are like free money.
Clip and save. A free online tool I like that integrates well with Google calendar is
www.rememberthemilk.com You can use your mobile phone to scan QR codes from retailers to
get virtual coupons too. Scan and save. Keep an organized maintenance record for each car you
own. Spot sneaky fees by your bank by balancing your checkbook every month. Some
budgeting tools I like are:

• www.mvelopes.com

• www.buxfer.com

• www.mint.com

Plant a garden. Eat out less often. Brown bag it for lunch. Cooking your own food can save you
thousands of dollars each year. Find free grocery shopping lists based by store or state at:
http://inexpensively.com/articles/budget-grocery-shopping/

Some web sites I like that give you tons of budget recipes for inexpensive meals are:

• http://www.tasteofhome.com/Top-10-Recipes/Top-10-Cheap-Dinner-Recipes

• www.poorgirleatswell.com

• https://moneysavingmom.com/recipes/

Take your last puff. End all of those “sin” taxes by quitting smoking, eating junk food, and
drinking your worries away. You could save hundreds of dollars a year, lower your health
insurance and reduce office visit co-pays. It’s true what they say about good health being
priceless. In fact, I even found a legitimate company that will PAY you to lose weight! Check
out www.healthywage.com Check out my online course called “Nutrition for Better Health” at
www.LifelongLearningEducation.com
Build an emergency fund. Warren Buffet said, “You don’t know who’s naked until the tide
goes out.” Start with six months and add to it as much as you can. You can create a special bank
account or keep some of your emergency fund as cash and coins in a firebox at home.

Create a written financial plan that includes estate documents such as a testamentary will,
financial durable power of attorney, medical durable power of attorney, and living will. You can
create them for free at www.doyourownwill.com or www.free-legal-document.com Be careful
though. Talking to an actual attorney is a good idea too!

Plan for retirement savings. Find a CPA who thinks strategically, rather than just tactically.
Make sure your cash is covered by FDIC insurance and never put more than $250,000 in one
bank account. Diversify and moderation are two words that will guide you well in financial
matters, as well as in life.

Give some of your money away. You heard me. Whether you pay tithing or donate to good
causes, your money will bless you when you use it to bless others. Teach your children how to
control money before it controls them. True wealth isn’t what you HAVE, but what you’re able
to GIVE.

Design the life you want to live and create financial goals that will enable you to live it!
THE FABULOUS WORLD OF FREEBIES

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? I get them all the time! I absolutely love getting
free stuff and actually dream about getting free things. I know…I’m weird. My mantra is:
“Never pay full price and free is even better!” There is something very satisfying about being
able to outsmart the average consumer. Meals taste better when they’re free. Movies are better
when I get to watch them for free. Clothes fit better when they’re free.

So, where does all of this fabulous free-osity come from? (You can make up new words for free
too.) For starters, here are a few fun websites where you can find all kinds of useful things at no
cost:

• www.freecycle.org (a forum organized by locality where people share)

• www.freestuffandsamples.com (free product samples from companies)

• www.heyitsfree.com (a blogger passionate about getting things for free)

• www.ilovefreethings.com (a great resource for all things free)

• www.freeflys.com (free samples from merchants)

• www.craigslist.com (local residents list their free items under the “for sale” category,
plus you’ll find free events, classes, and activities in your area listed under “community”)

• www.iloveschools.com (get freebies to donate to your kid’s school!)

• www.totallyfreestuff.com (great resource for finding all kinds of merchant freebies)

• www.thefreesite.com (all kinds of free things, especially freeware)

 • www.free.com (great resource for all things free, as well as freebie strategies to getting
more)

• www.freebizmag.com (sign up for free magazine subscriptions)

• www.freedownloadscenter.com (free games, shareware, freeware, and demo software for

your computers and cell phones)

A lot of companies offer free downloads each day or once a week to get you to return to their
site, such as:

• www.learnoutloud.com (free daily audio book download)

• www.amazon.com/appstoredeals (Amazon selects a different paid app each day and

offers it for free to their customers who log into their store and download it to their tablet
or Android. Those Angry Birds are now happy to be free.)

There are more than 1,000 different federal grants which can be applied for in 26 different

categories overseen by a specific federal agency. Money for education is the most widely known
resource. You’ll find a helpful listing of government grants and business money at
www.grants.gov and www.topgovernmentgrants.com.

To learn how to write a grant proposal or get through the lengthy application process, check out

www.governmentgrantstruth.org.

Did you know you’re entitled to a free credit report each year from each of the three

credit reporting companies? The Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees you access to the credit

records kept by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. In order to keep tabs on what’s being

reported about your credit, you should get a copy every year and clean up any errors before they

cause you problems later. Unfortunately, there are quite a few websites out there that CLAIM to

get your report for you, but you end up having to pay fees or buy their other services. Go to

www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228 for your free annual credit report.

Getting free stuff online is great, but how do you differentiate between a free sample

from a legitimate company that's trying to solicit new customers from a data harvester that will

lead to lots of spam and never send you any freebie? There are plenty of red flags to tip you off.
Here are a few questions to ask about a site before you give them any of your information.

1. Who runs the site?

If there is no contact information or just a free email address, be suspicious. Most vendors
WANT customers to be able to contact them and order products. Pay attention to the email
address; real businesses don't conduct transactions via Hotmail or other free email servers.
Nigeria seems to be a hotbed for fraudulent internet activity. When in doubt, move on to another
site.

2. Does the site look shoddy?

Even small companies want to maintain a professional appearance. If a site has spelling mistakes
or just an overall amateur appearance, be skeptical; it may have been thrown together that same
week using a simple template and free stock images. Spam sites appear out of nowhere, collect
as much data as possible in a short time, and then vanish before the authorities catch them. If a
site is full of Google or pop-up ads, another warning bell should be ringing. If you were
promoting something, would you have advertisements for a competitor on your site?

3. Why are they giving away things for free?

A retailer or wholesaler may give something free as an incentive to get customers to buy more. A
manufacturer may give something away for free to promote brand awareness and attract new
markets. If a site isn't selling any products, it doesn't produce any products, and if it isn't an
advertiser for a company that makes those products, how would it earn money by spending
thousands on merchandise and shipping? Why would you buy 50,000 coffee cups then mail them
to people all over the world that you were never going to hear from again?

Here are a few sites where companies can be checked out for validity:

• http://www.whois.net (domain-based research services)

• http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/internet_fraud (FBI website dedicated to internet

fraud)

• www.bbb.org (Better Business Bureau searches can tell you if customers have
complained about the company, as well as if the problem was resolved to the customer’s
satisfaction)

• www.ripoffreport.com (look for complaints against a company or website)

Some companies award you free gift cards for completing certain tasks, such as entering their
store, visiting their website, taking pictures of you at their location, and finding specific
merchandise in their store. Some of my favorites are:
 • www.shopkick.com

• https://www.mypoints.com?rb=23150410

• www.greenpoints.com

Now, back to that idea of a free lunch…I get plenty of them, as well as free dinners when I eat
for free on my birthday or do mystery shop assignments for companies who pick up the tab and
pay me to write a report about my experience at the restaurant. To find restaurants in your area
that offer free meals on your birthday or free kids’ meals each week, check out these great
websites:

• www.FreeBirthdayTreats.com

• www.MyKidsEatFree.com

• www.KidsMealDeals.com

Veterans can enjoy all kinds of free meals and merchandise on Veterans Day and on other
patriotic holidays when they show their military ID. You military men and women deserve a
nice, free meal!

Here are a few restaurants that are great about honoring our wonderful vets with freebies:

• BJ’s Brewhouse
• Bar Louie
• Arby’s
• Olive Garden
• 7-Eleven
• Hooters
• Applebee’s
• Free Car Wash
• Free Canes
• Champs
• Chili’s
• Outback Steakhouse
• Golden Corral
• Famous Dave’s
• Bailey’s Sports Grille
• McCormick & Schmick’s
• Texas Roadhouse
• Free Park admission: www.herosalute.com
Now, this chapter is definitely not an exhaustive listing of freebies; there are LOTS more to
explore, but this is a good start for now!
COUPON CRAZY

Some people call me the Coupon Queen. My kids even laugh at me and say if the house

were on fire and we needed to flee to safety that I’d grab my coupon box before leaving. They

might be right, but for what it’s worth, I’d grab my kids first!

We pretty much only go out to dinner if we have a coupon to use and yes, I even have

one of those cute fabric coupon holders I take into the grocery store. So, maybe I’m a Coupon

Geek, rather than a Coupon Queen. I actually have three coupon boxes: one in the house and one

in each car. I do love me some coupons!

Despite all of the mocking I get for being thrifty and always using coupons, studies now

reveal that 72%of shoppers have turned to the dark side…uh….the coupon side. Today’s

economy has more consumers thinking twice to pay full price. And you shouldn’t!

More and more people are converting to couponing and realizing that those little squares of

paper are money in their hands. The first coupon was handwritten in 1886 by Coca-Cola, who

quickly learned that offering a deal increased sales. Smart company.

TLC even has a show now called “Extreme Couponing.” Have you seen it? You’ll be

inspired! According to Nationalcouponmonth.com, 20 minutes a week of clipping and clicking

online for coupons could save you over $1000 annually, sometimes a lot more. Here’s an

example of that and it’s a true story from my own experience…

I had just given birth to our third son and knew we were outgrowing our first home

quickly. I drove around town looking at homes for weeks, trying to find the perfect house and

neighborhood for my growing family. I fell in love with a particular home, but wanted to make

sure it really was the right place for us. I prayed about it and the next weekend I saw a coupon in

the newspaper for $5000 off homes being sold by that particular builder. It was like a sign from

heaven that I could buy the house of my dreams! I just knew that a house I could purchase with a

coupon had my name written all over it! We bought it and lived in it happily for many years

until we had to move out of state. I really loved that house. And I really love coupons!

Budgetsaresexy.com has listed some of the reasons why coupons are awesome:

1. You save money! (My mantra is “Never pay full price! And “Free is better!”)

2. Instant fun family activity!

3. You can feel accomplished and proactive about reducing your grocery bill.

4. Potential to find a good product that you might not otherwise have used since you are

more likely to buy it with a good coupon!

I think I’ll add to the list that food always tastes yummier when you get it with a

discount! Movies are better with a discount! Excursions are more fun with a discount! You just

feel smarter and more in control of your money when you can pay less for something than the

average consumer.
Bulk coupon buying is now all the rage with websites like Groupon and Living Social.

I’ve saved quite a bit of money on local deals, but please heed the warning that you need to use

the bulk deal before they expire. Thankfully, as usage and complaints have risen, these

companies are now changing their policies on strict expiration deadlines.

DealsGoRound.com takes 10% of proceeds and allows you to help you organize daily-deal
coupons. There are even several sites that allow

you to create your own daily deal website as your own business. Couprecoup.com is a listing

service where you can find local steals and deals online for free. Free is even better than

a coupon!

Every penny counts these days. Remember the big-ticket items too! Some people are

great at clipping coupons to save fifty cents on a can of fruit in the grocery store, but then they

expect to pay full price on furniture or a computer. When searching for big ticket items, check

out these web sites which allow you to compare prices:

• www.consumersearch.com

• www.dealtime.com

• www.lowermybills.com

Would you believe they actually have an entire website dedicated to National Coupon

Month, which is in September? Yep, it’s www.ilovecouponmonth.com. You’ll find some helpful

tips, great resources, and even consumer statistics that prove couponing is making a comeback.

Hey, maybe that means we’ll see more people carrying those cute fabric coupon holders in the

grocery store now. By the way, you can purchase them at: www.thecouponwallet.com and

Amazon. They both offer super cute designs.

A website I particularly like for grocery coupons is www.grocerysmarts.com because it

analyzes the grocery deals closest to your home. Great news about those expired coupons…send

them overseas to military bases where they can be used for up to six more months! Is there a

Dunkin Donuts in Afghanistan? Well, most military bases have a “Commissary,” which is a

grocery store, and the other is the PX or BX, which is more like a Wal-Mart that carries pretty

much everything else. Our wonderful soldiers and their families need coupons for both food and

non-food items. Please bundle your coupons into those two categories into baggies and mail

them to:

KCL Overseas Coupon Program

Amanda Brumbaugh

10960 W Bridgetower Drive, Boise, ID 83709

Some other fun couponing sites I like are:

• www.couponcactus.com (Receive $3 when you sign up with ID 148775)

• www.thekrazycouponlady.com

• www.dailygrocerycoupon.com

• www.coupons.com

• www.couponmom.com

• www.valpak.com

• www.couponcabin.com

• www.freecoupons.com

Remember, using your time and money wisely empowers you to take control of your finances,
and stay UP in a DOWN economy.
DECREASE YOUR MEDICAL EXPENSES AND INCREASE YOUR HEALTH

Achew! Winter is the season to snuggle under blankets and stock up on tissue. It’s cold and flu
season when the temperatures drop and the medical bills soar. Bleh. Your blood pressure can
rise just thinking about medical costs but keep reading for some terrific tips on how to reduce
your medical expenses without cutting your tissues in half (although that’s not a bad idea.)

Strategy 1: Analyze your costs. "To find ways to save, you need to understand how much you
spend," says Tomer Shoval, CEO of Simplee.com. Simplee helps you with medical bills by tracking
medical expenses, managing health care costs, helping you pay medical bills, and finding the right
medical plans and medical services for you and your family. It’s easy to use and only takes a few
minutes to set up. Simplee also has a free health care expense-tracking service that links to your
health insurance account. Did I mention it’s free?! You can find it at https://www2.simplee.com/

Strategy 2: Comparison shop! HealthcareBlueBook.com is especially useful, says Cindy

Holtzman, founder of the insurance and medical bill advocacy firm Medical Refund Service Inc.
The Healthcare Blue Book, a free service, lists fair prices for surgeries, office visits, medical
tests, dentistry and other services in your area.

I also suggest trying PriceDoc.com and myMedicalCosts.com. PriceDoc.com covers diagnostic

and wellness service pricing and even allows you to bid online for a procedure.
MyMedicalCosts.com provides average medical prices and doctor ratings. Healthgrades.com
and www.theleapfroggroup.org show ratings for hospitals, doctors and various treatments.

Daily deal sites such as Groupon, LivingSocial and Daily Dibs often offer discounts on medical-
related treatments, such as dental work or prescription glasses.

Strategy 3: Skip the Emergency Room unless it’s a REAL emergency. You can save money on
routine treatments by using local urgent care clinics, licensed ambulatory centers, and retail sites
like Rite Aid and Walgreens, depending on what the medical issue is. If it’s a true life-
threatening emergency, please go to the emergency room! “Costs at these centers are typically
40 percent less than they are at hospitals”, says Nicholas Newsad, author of The Medical Bill
Survival Guide. Ambulatory centers can lower costs because they focus strictly on surgeries
rather than on high-cost services used in emergency rooms, he says. You can find a list of clinics
by states at http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/ and www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov or
www.scbn.org

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services helps fund more than 7,000 community
health centers across the country that offer comprehensive medical care ranging from check-ups,
immunizations, and tests to sick visits. These freestanding clinics charge their patients according
to a sliding scale and will treat people who don't have insurance. Many university teaching
hospitals also operate clinics that run on a pay-what-you-can basis. If you do need a hospital,
nonprofits are cheaper than for-profits. “Outpatient surgery done at a for-profit hospital is
significantly cheaper than it is at a nonprofit”, Holtzman says. University hospitals also have
lower prices, she says.

Strategy 4: Research your symptoms online before running to the doctor. Learn what you can
about your symptoms so you can ask intelligent questions and rule out unnecessary tests before
seeing your doctor. A 2006 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found
that 43% of patients underwent unnecessary tests at simple, routine checkups. For example, a
doctor might want you to spend $2000 on colon cancer screening, but for 1/100 of the cost you
could do a test which looks for blood in your stool. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
states that both tests are equally effective.

Strategy 5: Find out if you qualify for a hospital discount. Many hospitals offer discounts for
income levels up to four times the Federal Poverty Guidelines. That’s $88,200 for a family of 4.
At an income of $44,100 a similar family may quality for a 100% discount on hospital fees. This
usually includes both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Request a daily itemized bill and ask
questions about charges you don’t understand. If you notice a discrepancy or error, request
copies of your medical chart and pharmacy ledger so that you can compare the doctor's orders for
services with what you were actually billed for during your hospital stay.

Strategy 6: Quit smoking. If you’re spending $5 a day on cigarettes, that adds up to a shocking
$1500 a year! You can buy those quit-smoking patches for the same price as a pack of cigarettes
and once you’ve quit, that extra $5 a day can go into your savings account. You’ll live longer
and feel better too. You realize smoking is just stupid, right?

Strategy 7: Before paying for prescriptions, ask your doctor if there are any lifestyle changes
you could make that would have the same health benefits as the pills. For example, losing
weight can often make diabetes or cholesterol drugs unnecessary. Don’t just take yourself off
medication though. Work with your doctor about decreasing doses if it’s possible.
Strategy 8: Skip the vitamin-infused waters that are ridiculously expensive and often high in
calories and chemicals. Drink more regular water. It’s free right out of your tap. Bottled water
is often less regulated than tap water and poses an environmental problem with all of those
plastic bottles going into the landfills. If you’re concerned with health contaminants in your
drinking water (and you should be), using a good water filter will only cost pennies a day. All
water filters claim to be the most effective on the market, but to find out which ones are really
telling the truth, go to www.nsf.org to see their certifications. The water filter company that has
the highest Consumers Digest rating and most NSF certifications is giving my readers a special
discount of $50 when you use promo code #171450 on any of their drinking water systems at
www.multipure.com ! Woohoo!

Strategy 9: Think outside the prescription bottle by buying generic, purchasing in bulk, splitting
higher-dose pills, or finding pharmacies with low-price plans. According to the Consumer
Reports National Research Center, generic drugs are as effective and safe as name-brand drugs
and often cost significantly less. Wal-Mart and Target pharmacies offer quite a few generic
versions of common medications for only $4 for a 30-day supply!

Asking the doctor for samples of the prescription before you buy it will help you stretch your
dollar as well. Check the drug’s web site for coupons to use at the pharmacy. Call the
manufacturer of your medications to find out if they offer a special “patient assistance program”
that is often available for patients on limited incomes. There is a governmental program for low-
income patients that provides FREE medication. The first step is to go to the Partnership for
Prescription Assistance website (www.pparx.org) and click on the button for patients. Then enter
the drugs you take and fill out a simple form. The website will tell you which drugs are eligible
for financial assistance and from what company.

Purchasing prescriptions online with reputable merchants can save you up to 75%! Three well-
known and respected Canadian mail-order pharmacies are www.TCDS.com (888-372-2252),
www.Canadameds.com (877-542-3330), and www.CanadaPharmacy.com (800-891-0844). If
you're able to plan ahead, mail-order services can save a bundle. Check out www.drx.com. This
site compares prices to the cheapest mail-order offers. Another helpful site is
www.yourrxdiscounts.com

Strategy 10: Pay attention to the clock. The FDA has only approved the Gardasil vaccine to
protect women under 27 years of age against cervical cancer and HPV. There are three shots
given over an eight-month span and if you turn 27 before you finish treatment your insurance
will not cover the cost. On the other hand, if you’re not at risk for breast cancer, you may be
able to stretch out your annual mammogram to once every two years. That being said, however,
don’t risk your health to save a buck. Be smart about it increasing the time between check-ups.

Strategy 11: Ask for a discount! If you’re uninsured and paying out-of-pocket for hospital or
doctor services, don’t be afraid to bargain. Almost everything is negotiable these days. You
could get up to 20% off if you offer to pay the whole bill cash up front. Dentists and
orthodontists love that! Ask if your income level receives discounts or if special prices are
given to groups you might belong to such as a school, church, or company. Find out the cost
before you get a procedure so you can budget for it. Be frank with your doctor about what you
can and cannot afford and, if he is a good doctor, he’ll help you lower your costs. If you can't
pay your bill in full and on time, ask the billing-office staff if they will work with you to create a
plan enabling you to make smaller, more manageable payments over an extended period of time.

Strategy 12. Explore resources. What I mean by that is to find out what’s available. If, for
example, you have to travel to a hospital or cancer center for extended treatment, talk to the
facility to see if they offer any special services for people in your situation. My parents have a
beautiful home with a casita in their backyard that they offer to cancer patients who travel from
out of state to receive daily treatments at a nearby center. The patients save thousands of dollars
on hotel expenses and my parents love helping out. My parents are on a special list that the care
center keeps. Simply talk to the treatment center and find out what’s available.

Strategy 13: Control what you CAN! Unexpected accidents that put us in the hospital are just
that…unexpected. We can control the damage unexpected bills will cause to our finances by
creating an emergency cash reserve for just those kinds of moments. Popular author and radio
host, Dave Ramsey, teaches baby steps to help people get out of debt. The very first step is to
create an emergency fund of at least $1000.

Strategy 14: Get healthy. I know, it’s easier said than done. We all know what we should be
doing: washing our hands, flossing every day, eating more veggies, drinking less alcohol,
exercising more, wearing sunscreen. Those simple things really will keep us out of the doctor’s
office more. It’s time to get disciplined and do it.

Strategy 15: Save on dental expenses by getting work done from dentist-supervised students at a
dental school for a fraction of the cost. You can find a school at www.ada.org by clicking on
“Dental Schools.” For low-cost, federally funded care, go to the National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research web site at http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

Strategy 16: Get free treatment and medication by participating in a medical study. Find out if
you qualify for a study, as well as if the clinical trial is safe at www.clinicaltrials.gov ,
www.gpgp.net , www.trials4us.com and www.clinicalresearch.nih.gov You can also call
local medical schools who might be looking for patients to undergo various safe tests. Don’t be
a guinea pig for medication trials that haven’t been declared safe yet!

Strategy 17: Consider buying your own insurance if you’re healthy and have no pre-existing
conditions. Talk to an agent about how to set that up. Students can often get inexpensive health
coverage through their school. It may not be the greatest, but it’s better than nothing. You could
even get a part-time job in a health care office and receive free treatment as one of the perks!
For more information go to: www.healthcarevolunteer.com

Strategy 18: Understand your coverage. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the majority of
Americans (nearly 86%) have health insurance coverage to pay for the majority of their
healthcare services. Using providers who are in your network will cost less out-of-pocket to you
than if you choose a doctor or hospital outside of the network. Insurance claim processors can
make mistakes resulting in incorrect billing even for services and medications that you did
receive. Your healthcare provider's claim managers can review your case and correct any billing
errors.

Strategy 19: Find a professional healthcare advocate in your area who can provide you with care
options, insurance information, and resolve billing issues. Do a search using your city name or
find one at http://nahac.memberlodge.com/

Strategy 20: Open a Health Savings Account. My husband and I opened a Health Savings
Account to save for items our health plan won't cover. The money you or your employer
contribute to the account is tax deductible, it grows tax free and money you withdraw from the
account is tax free, too, as long as it goes toward a qualified medical expense.

Conclusion: Take your health care into your own hands. Become an informed consumer. Don’t
assume the doctor knows everything. A friend of mine was diagnosed with a supposed incurable
chronic disease and told she’d have to pop pills for the rest of her life. She refused to accept that
there was nothing she could do to improve her health, so she scoured the internet for possible
solutions. She researched medical journals online and found patients who had been successfully
treated with an alternative program. She found help from doctors and other patients on forums
online and was able to present this new plan to her own doctor who agreed to try it. She saved a
fortune and was proactive in finding a better solution to her medical condition.

Help your doctor by disclosing all of the medication you’re taking from other medical
specialists. Offer informed solutions. If you can’t discuss options with your doctor, find a
different doctor who will listen. YOU control your body and your health – not your doctor.

More than anything, take care of yourself. You only get one body in this life. All of the money
in the world is meaningless if you don’t have your health. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true.
Teach your children healthy habits. Be smart. Be disciplined. And laugh more. After all, it’s
the best medicine!
AND THE WINNER IS... GETTING FREE ENTERTAINMENT

I absolutely love to watch movies on the big screen, as well as veg in front of my TV or laptop.
I’m one of those who love to watch all the award shows: the Oscars, The Emmy’s, the Tony’s,
the Grammys, etc. I imagine myself walking down the red carpet with all the stars whom my
dad calls “the beautiful people.” I especially love the opening number. Check out my movie
reviews on www.MovieReviewMom.com I also post my movie reviews on YouTube. Thanks
for subscribing!

How would it be if we, regular people, were given trophies and award shows for doing our jobs?
I suppose that’s an editorial for another day… I also love to escape into other worlds by reading
good books. In this chapter, we’re going to talk about how to get all of that great entertainment
for free or for less than you’re paying right now.

FREE TV!!

If you’re like most households, you probably pay a ridiculous amount of money each month for
cable or satellite service for your television programming. If you’re a good customer, call the
company about every six months to remind them how awesome you are as a customer and to ask
for a discount or some kind of freebie. Most companies will hunt around for something to keep
you happy, such as a free movie channel or extra programming. Just ask!

If you’re ready to drop the high monthly fee altogether, think about switching to Roku, a cool
little streaming service that connects to your TV and allows you watch tons of programming for
free! For less than the price of what you probably pay for your monthly cable or satellite service,
you buy the Roku box ($49.99) and it’s yours to keep forever.

Roku can connect to your TV or video game unit. You’d think I owned stock in Roku by the
way I’m sounding like a commercial for them right now! Hmm…maybe I WILL buy some
stock in it. It’s awesome and has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. You can add
Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Starz, and other programming to your Roku for more movies and TV shows
than you’d ever have time to watch.

Here are some terrific web sites where you can also watch your favorite TV shows and movies
for free. You can even win rewards by answering questions about your favorite shows on:

• www.crunchyroll.com Anime, Asian media

• www.freemoviescinema.com

• www.ovguide.com

• www.crackle.com

• www.bangvideobang.com

• www.moviesfoundonline.com

FREE MOVIES!!

Interested in renting a flick from Redbox? Here are some coupon deals for both:

Free Redbox code: LUVREDBOX or Free Redbox code: HAPPY1

FREE BOOKS!!

Never underestimate the power of the library for free entertainment! In addition to books, you
can borrow movies and CDs. You can find out what the latest releases are when you sign up at:

• http://www.booksinmyphone.com/ free books on your cell phone

• www.swaptrees.com textbooks, hardbacks, paperbacks

• www.freebooks4doctors.com Over 300 free medical books

• www.freebooks.com free downloads

• www.gutenberg.org over 38,000 free ebooks by Project Gutenberg

• www.questia.com/publicdomainindex over 5000 books for free!

• www.paperbackswap.com trade in books for new ones

FREE AUDIO BOOKS!!

Super versatile iPhones and androids offer all kinds of free options. Here are just a few sites that
offer free downloads:
 • www.learnoutloud.com

• www.librivox.org

• www.audiobook.com

FREE MUSIC!!

Have you discovered Pandora yet? I love it on my computer and as an app for my cell phone.
You create your own channels based on music style or artist and Pandora adds other music to the
channel that it thinks you’ll like because it’s similar.

Another great source is www.Last.fm , most likely the largest Internet radio and music
community website online. Recently acquired by CBS, this UK based service works like
Pandora by offering suggestions to music you like.

Free music downloads and featured specials are offered at:

• www.classiccat.net

• www.rhapsody.com

• www.countryweekly.com

• www.amazon.com

FREE GAMES!!

Not that I recommend wasting endless hours of your life playing games, but for an occasional
diversion, check out these free sites:

• www.PopCap.com

• www.allfreegameworld.com

• www.gamingwonderland.com

• www.freearcade.com

• www.freevideogamesonline.org

• www.freearcadetown.com

FREE MOVIES AT THE THEATER!!

You’ve heard me talk about mystery shopping before. I’ve been doing assignments for almost
30 years and still get a kick out of it. I work with dozens and dozens of companies, some of
them specializing in particular assignments. Two that I can highly recommend feature
assignments in movie theaters. In this case, the assignments aren’t actual mysteries where you
pretend to be a regular shopper without disclosing your true identity, but rather, you approach the
manager and let him/her know what you are doing. Check out:

• www.tnsmi-tes.com

• www.certifiedfieldassociates.com

If you have children, then you may already have discovered that movie theaters offer free flicks
or reduced prices during the summer:

• https://www.amctheatres.com/summer-movie-camp?rel=summer-movie-
camp_offer_hp_promo At AMC theaters

• www.cinemark.com At Cinemark Theaters

• https://www.classiccinemas.com/ At Classic Cinemas

• https://harkins.com/ At Harkins Theaters

• www.freemoviescinema.com

• https://www.regmovies.com/ Regal Cinema

TRASH TO TREASURE: PULLING MONEY OUT OF YOUR HOME WITH
SPRING CLEANING

If you’ve binge-watched Marie Kondo’s Netflix show or read her book of the same name,
“Tidying Up”, then you’ve probably been on a rampage lately to unclutter your home and your
life like I have. A wonderful byproduct of getting rid of old junk is earning some extra cash.
You’d be surprised how much money is sitting inside your stuff. Tim Luke, an appraiser and
auctioneer who stars in HGTV’s “Cash in the Attic,” says “From my travels around the country,
I’m convinced that the average household has $1000 to $2000 of potential cash in stuff that they
don’t use.”

You’ve probably seen the bumper sticker that says, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
Obviously, it’s not true since we can’t take any of it with us, but with a credit card burning in
their wallets, a lot of people forget that! Another bumper sticker I’ve seen says, “Where focus
goes, energy flows.” I actually like that one and it’s true. Motivational speaker Tony Robbins
actually coined that phrase.

When most people try to squeeze money out of their stuff they automatically think “garage sale.”
Depending on where you live in the country, you might also refer to them as a tag sale, estate
sale, rummage sale or even white elephant sale. You can only expect pennies on the dollar for
most items, so having a garage sale is NOT my first or favorite strategy. The trick is finding the
right market for what it is you have to sell. Consider some of the following ideas first and then, if
you’re determined to have a garage sale, I’ll share some tips on how to have success with that.

Let me begin with an example. Most buyers expect to pay about a quarter for books at garage
sales, right? If you have huge bookshelves full of material you’re never going to read again,
especially expensive textbooks, try selling them to other book sellers online and you’ll earn a lot
more than a quarter. The best place to start is www.bookscouter.com where you’ll see a listing
of 40 companies that will buy your books PLUS pay for your shipping! www.Half.com and
www.Amazon.com also specialize in selling your used books.
Garage sale buyers don’t expect to pay much for clothing either, so a better option for your nice
or designer clothing is to sell them at consignment stores. Consignment shops are also terrific
for selling good handbags, jewelry, antiques and furniture. A great resource for finding shops
willing to help you sell your higher ticket items is Googling “consignment shops in my area.”
Just remember, your items need to be in truly good condition, if not great. You’ll find some
really helpful articles on how to sell your items by searching on Google too as well as an online
consignment at www.swap.com . If you’ve ever thought about opening up a thrift shop, you can
learn the ins and outs from the Association of Resale Professionals at www.narts.org

If you have antiques that are very valuable, visit www.kovels.com , the go-to source for antiques
and collectibles information.

Selling your stuff online is easy and can fetch you a better price than dragging your junk out onto
your driveway in the hot sun at 7:00 am and hoping someone wants it. Here’s a breakdown of
sites on the Internet where you can name your price:

www.Ebay.com Auction style or fixed price. Do an advanced search for closed listings so
you can see what similar items actually sold for. If taking photos and writing descriptions of
every item you want to sell sounds like a daunting task, you can simply take your stuff to a local
Ebay drop-off store and they’ll list your items for you, keeping a percentage once they sell.
Hugely successful Ebay also has a free listing service for local only sales at
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-Selling/Listing-with-Local-Pickup/td-p/17445437

www.Amazon.com Find your item and click on “Sell one like this” to begin your listing. I
always list my products for one penny less than the competition. What’s nice is you don’t get
charged by Amazon unless your items sell. You can even ship all your junk to Amazon and then
they’ll do the work for you. You’ll need to create a seller’s account, which is free. You won’t
need to pay for their business seller’s account unless you plan on selling a LOT. They also have
a Trade-in program! I’ve used both of their programs over the years and am happy with both of
them. You can read more about how that works at
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201889340

www.Craigslist.com Perfect for selling large items like treadmills and kayaks which would be
extremely difficult to ship. Buyers are local and can pick up at your house or a neutral location.

www.Facebook.com They offer a Facebook shop where you can sell almost anything, as well
as a marketplace where you can sell items for local pickup in your community.

www.Etsy.com Sell your homemade arts and crafts items by creating your own page to
showcase your talent.

Sports equipment can be very pricey, so it’s often insulting to receive an offer for a buck at a
garage sale when you know you spent seventy bucks for it at the store! Check out
www.playitagainsports.com to see if you have what they want.
Another option is to trade your used stuff for something you’ll actually use. Barter Clubs are set
up all over the country, as well as online. You can exchange items or services on these web sites:

www.bizx.com www.u-exchange.com www.tradeaway.com

If you’re still convinced that having a garage sale is for you, then plan carefully and use the tips
suggested by these experts:

www.bestgaragesaletips.com

www.zilf.org/saletips.html

For what it’s worth, my tips include:

Team up with neighbors and announce a GIGANTIC sale.

Put signs everywhere.

Recruit helpers if you have a ton of stuff to sell. You’ll never be able to talk to everyone when
they all arrive at the same time, plus they can make sure your merchandise isn’t disappearing
without being paid for. (I’ve had terrible experiences with that!)

Invite potential buyers to make an offer on what they’re interested in, rather than posting prices
all over everything. Sometimes people will offer more than what you would have priced it for.

Include a “FREE!” box to catch people’s eyes and motivate them to stick around your yard.

Have batteries or an electrical cord for buyers to try out any electronics you have for sale.

Post your garage sale announcements in your local newspaper, as well as on the following
web sites:

• www.YardSaleSearch.com

• www.weekendtreasure.com

• www.Craigslist.com

Now, what happens if, after all of your hard work and effort, you don’t find a buyer for your
incredible treasures? Donate them and take the tax break! Drop off any unsold items at a charity
donation center, such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. Many of them will actually come to
your home with their truck after your garage sale if you just set it up beforehand.

The IRS says that the fair market value of used items is the price that buyers would pay for them
in a thrift shop. You need to keep a paper trail of your donations in case you ever get audited.
(Shreek!) You’ll get a receipt when you donate items to a charity, but if the value exceeds $500,
you’ll need to include Form 8283 with your tax return. If it’s worth over $5000, you’ll need to
also send the IRS a written appraisal of gift. Luckily, you’ll be able to deduct the cost of the
appraisal, subject to the two percent limit for miscellaneous itemized deductions.

You can also get rid of your stuff by giving it away for free on www.Freecycle.org Finally, the
best way to decrease the time and energy you need to sell your old junk is to stop buying so
much new stuff! Live more and spend less!
SAVING MONEY ON "AUTO"PILOT WITH CAR COSTS

We now have two kids in college with no transportation, so my husband and I finally bit the
bullet and purchased a car for them. It was partly for selfish reasons really...we want them to be
able to drive home to see us since their college is out of state. We have purchased all of our cars
at an auto auction and saved thousands of dollars.

To get an idea of the REAL price of a car you're interested in purchasing or selling, go to:

• Kelly Blue Book - www.kbb.com

• ADA Appraisal Guides - www.nadaguides.com
• Edmunds - www.edmunds.com
• Consumer Reports - www.consumerreports.org
• Car Bargains - www.carbargains.org
• Cars Direct - www.carsdirect.com
• Auto Buytel - www.autobytel.com
• iMotors - www.imotors.com

Buying new

Don’t ever think you're smarter than the car salesman. He sells cars every day for a living. You
buy one only every few years and you don’t have a boss breathing down your neck at the
purchase. Just remember, you’re paying thousands of dollars for that new-car smell. I never buy
new cars because I don’t want to lose thousands of dollars in depreciation the minute I drive the
car off the lot. Yes, that’s what happens to your brand, new car’s value. A quick word on
leasing a car—don’t. It makes more financial sense to just purchase your car.
The number one mistake in buying a vehicle, new or used, is not shopping around for your car
loan. Car dealerships make a very nice profit from people who just show up to buy a car and
take whatever loan is offered there. Talk to your credit union or bank to educate yourself on
terms and rates before you step foot on the car lot.

If you insist on purchasing a new car and end up having problems, you can find help from these
companies:

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)

www.nada.org

• Better Business Bureau - Autoline

www.bbb.org/autoline 800-955-5100
Mediation/arbitration reps help settle disputes with the following manufacturers: Acura,
Alfa Romeo, AM, GM, Audi, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Kia, Land
Rover, Lexus, Nissan, Porsche, Saab, Saturn, Sterling, Toyota & VW
• Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
877-438-4338
Enforces the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, which provides the consumer a private right
to sue the car manufacturer for a lemon.

Buying used

This is definitely the way to go. You can purchase cars that are almost new at auction and save
thousands of dollars. You can even find incredible deals online or in your newspaper. I also
really like www.autotrader.com which helps you find used cars by local owners. The tricky part
is researching a vehicle’s history and title to make sure you’re getting a good car. For around
$20 you can order a background check on any vehicle at www.carfax.com. That small
investment can save you a bundle in the long run by protecting you from purchasing a lemon.
Also, consider renting the car you’re interested in before buying it, just to make sure it really is
the one you want.

You can also use online services to help you negotiate the world of used car buying at
www.nadaguides.com.

Car rental

As soon as you know you need a rental car, make the reservation, but then shop the rates again
about a week before heading out and you could see a drastic drop in price. A website,
www.AutoSlash.com , keeps re-shopping your rate for you every single day after you book. The
company claims that 85% of the time they'll end up saving you money. Yay!
Before you drive off the rental lot, be sure to walk around the car and make note on the contract
of any damage that’s already on the car. To better protect yourself from any unfair fees, take a
picture of the damage to document it, so that when you return the car they can’t accuse you of
causing it! Even better, take photos on your cell phone.

Now, here’s an interesting idea…do you have a car hanging around that doesn’t get much use?
RelayRides.com, JustShareIt.com, and Getaround.com are some companies that will help you
rent out your car and earn a few bucks on the side! When you sign up with them, they’ll check
your car’s history, as well as your driving record from the DMV database. As an owner of a car
for rent, you typically get to keep 2/3 of the money that the renter pays. The rest is kept by the
Peer 2 Peer company (P2P) that also provides insurance that will protect you if the renter wrecks
your car. It’s a fairly new idea and is only offered in a few cities so far, so be sure to do your
homework and check your own insurance to see if this is a viable option for you. I love it when
you can monetize things that usually cost you money!

Car maintenance

Routine maintenance will extend the life of your car, help it operate more safely and efficiently,
and preserve its appearance and value when it comes time to trade it in. Taking your car to a
dealership for routine maintenance and a detail shop for cosmetic and restorative work is
convenient but can be expensive. Dealerships, in order to bolster departments which are not
profitable, may increase prices to their service customers. Take your car to an automotive repair
shop for less expensive routine service. To find one you can trust, read reviews on
www.yelp.com. Make sure any work done will not void your warranty.

Here are some helpful car care tips from CleverDude.com:

• Preventive measures can reduce the need for expensive maintenance procedures.
Especially for cars with fuel injection, buying poor quality gas can cause carbon buildup
and loss of performance.
• Keeping your tires inflated at the right pressure prolongs the life of your tires, gets better
gas mileage, and provides optimum control and traction.
• A walk-around inspection of your car daily can help you detect low tire pressure, rust
spots, and other signs of wear that, if treated early, can avert larger problems down the
road.
• Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda is an excellent material that can be mixed with water
to remove tar, bug juice, tree sap, bird droppings, and other organic material that can etch
into the car’s paint. Commercial products can cost between $10.00 and $40.00 per
container.
• For stains on the interior surfaces of your car, try a solution of vinegar and water applied
with a toothbrush. Turtle Wax Spray Cleaner costs about $7.00 a can; vinegar is about
$1.79 a pint.
 • Periodically, your car will need a “tune up” which may cost up to $50.00 at a local garage
and more at a dealership. Some cars are easier to work on than others, so it might be wise
to peek under the hood to visually locate spark plugs, distributor, oil filter, air filter, fuel
filter, and PCV valve. To further explore the world of automobile repair and
maintenance, buy a Chilton’s “Total Car Care Repair Manual” for your particular year
and model. It is a comprehensive maintenance and repair reference for your car
containing step-by-step instructions on most of the maintenance procedures done by
dealerships and repair shops. What is best is that on Amazon, you can buy a used copy
for $7.00 instead of $33.00 retail.
• To get a cheap oil change, call your favorite shop and ask when the next special on oil
changes will occur. Many companies now offer loyalty cards to entice you to only use
them. Google the store’s name with the word “coupon” or “discount” and you’re sure to
find coupons online before you drive up to their service bay. Even cheaper? Learn how
to change your own oil. It’s been years since I’ve had to pay for an actual oil change; I
get them for free by doing mystery shop assignments for several companies!
• Want to save money on windshield washer fluid? All it takes to make windshield washer
fluid is liquid detergent (1 tbsp), rubbing alcohol (3 cups), and water (1 gallon). Mix three
cups of this solution in a gallon of water for the final product. Most companies that offer
oil changes will top off your fluids for free any time in between service visits!
• If your time is worth more than the $100.00 per hour you can expect to pay for
maintenance and repairs, maybe rolling up your sleeves on a Saturday afternoon and
getting familiar with your car is not appealing. For many of us, there is a real satisfaction
to be experienced when we replace that burned out headlamp, top off the coolant or brake
fluid, or change our own oil.

Occasionally, I get letters in the mail for my vehicles, stating that a particular part has been
recalled and that I can get the work repaired for free at a local shop. The government now offers
a free service at www.safercar.gov where you can request email notification whenever a recall
has been issued on your make, model, or year.

Auto Insurance

You need to shop around and understand the vocabulary before you buy a policy. Different
states require minimums, so find out what’s required in your area. Be sure to purchase a policy
before you drive the vehicle to ensure you’re protected the minute you own the car.

• Collision: covers the cost of fixing your car if you have an accident.
• Property liability: pays for the damage you do to the other driver’s car in an accident.
• Personal injury protection: pays the medical expenses for you and your passengers.
• Bodily injury liability: pays for the other driver’s and his passengers’ injuries.
• Comprehensive: pays for damage to your car caused by things other than an accident.
 • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: covers costs when a driver who doesn’t have insurance
hits you in a wreck.

More and more auto insurance comparison sites are popping up on the web, which is terrific
news for consumers. Try some of these:

• www.ratekick.com

• www.comparecarinsuranceonline.com

• https://www.top10bestcarinsurance.com

Some tips to help you save money on auto insurance are:

• Increase your deductible.

• Drive safely! Drivers without tickets can get lower rates.
• Don’t buy expensive, sporty cars.
• If you don’t use the car very often, ask for a low-mileage discount.
• If your teenager drives the vehicle and has good grades, show them a recent report card
and ask for the good grades discount. It’s a thing!
• Find out if they give a discount if you attend driving school to improve your safety skills.
• Look for a company that gives discounts to non-smokers and/or non-drinkers.
• Ask what kind of “safe car” discounts you can get for airbags, anti-theft systems, or car
satellite recovery systems.
• Ask your agent about “diminished value” payout if you own a very expensive car.
Diminished value is the value that has been lost after damage from an accident or because
of repairs that were poorly done.
• Military get insurance discounts at www.usaa.com.

If you lease your car, then you need to read the policy very carefully. Consider purchasing
“Lease Gap” insurance if you find out your insurance won’t cover the difference between the
value of the vehicle and what you owe to the leasing company.

Probably the best insurance of all is planning ahead. Set some money aside for unforeseen
emergencies and you will not only have the money when you need it, but you will also have
great peace of mind!

Here’s one last crazy idea on how to get a car to earn money for you, rather than constantly take
it from you. Check out www.us.parkatmyhouse.com. If you have an empty spot in your
driveway in the United Kingdom, you could actually rent it out to someone who needs a
temporary place to keep it! If you live in a city where parking spots are truly at a premium, you
could earn enough to pay for your own car payments or reduce your maintenance expenses, or
both! Be sure to read the fine print. Interesting idea, eh?
Saving money can be "auto"matic when you just take a few minutes to do your car research!
LIGHTEN YOUR ELECTRICITY EXPENSES

Let’s talk about how you can lighten your electricity expenses. Pun intended. Are your kids still
asking you why we switch our clocks forward and back for Daylight Saving Time? Yeah, mine
too. Did you know that Daylight Savings Time (DST) was created in order to save money and
energy?! Benjamin Franklin (great thrifty guy) suggested the idea way back in 1784!

In the average home, 25 percent of all the electricity we use is for lighting and small appliances,
such as TVs, VCRs, stereos, and even that innocent looking Roku. A good percentage of energy
consumed by lighting and appliances occurs in the evening when families are home. By moving
the clock ahead one hour in the spring, we can cut the amount of electricity we consume each
day. Studies done in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of Transportation show that we trim the
entire country's electricity usage by about one percent EACH DAY with Daylight Savings Time.

Even with the savings, however, not every state agrees to participate. I suppose the hot climates
of Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa feel they get
enough sun, so they are the only US regions that do not observe DST.

Daylight Savings Time "makes" the sun "set" one hour later and therefore reduces the period
between sunset and bedtime by one hour. This means that less electricity would be used for
lighting and appliances late in the day. We also use less electricity because we are home fewer
hours during the "longer" days of spring and summer. Most people plan outdoor activities in the
extra daylight hours. When we are not at home, we don't turn on the appliances and lights. A poll
done by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicated that Americans liked Daylight Savings
Time because there is more light in the evenings and people can stay outside longer in the
evenings.

If it seems like DST is longer now, you’re right. Starting in 2007, Daylight Savings Time was
extended one month to begin the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday of
November. While the amounts of energy saved per household are small, added up they can be
very large. In addition to DST, there are many small things we can do to make a difference in
the size of our electricity bill each month.

Here are just ten to get you started:

1. Turn off the lights! Duh. While I definitely encourage you to flood the outside of
your homes with light at nighttime to discourage burglars from targeting your house,
you should turn off the lights in rooms you’re not using. Not just the lights, but also
turn off any stereos, fans, video game systems, televisions, laptops, and all electric
items in rooms not being used. Your mom always bugged you about that. She was
right.
2. Switch to those curly fluorescent light bulbs. Technically, they’re called compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFL.) Sure, their initial cost is more to purchase than the old
ones, but they give the same amount of light for about 25% less the cost to run and
supposedly last ten times longer. An added bonus is that you get to brag about how
green you are.
3. Open the windows to let in the breeze, if you can. Adjust your air conditioning to a
higher setting and your heater to a lower setting. If you’re cold, put on a sweater. If
you’re hot, the sweat will help you lose weight and clean the pores in your skin!
Okay, you don’t have to be that drastic, but seriously, if you knew each time you
bumped the dial up or down a notch that it was going to cost you an extra $100 per
month, would you still change it? Use a programmable thermostat, if possible, and
set it to turn on right before everyone comes home from work or school, not when the
house is empty. Use ceiling fans and attic fans instead of cranking up the A/C. That
being said, my cranky level rises as the temperature does, so my husband and I have
just had to weigh the pros and cons and make the intentional decision to adjust the
thermostat accordingly. You’ll have to ask yourself if a higher A/C bill costs less
than marriage therapy!
4. Wash dishes in warm water, not hot. Wash clothes in cold or warm water, not hot. It
costs more money to heat water and most of the time cold water works just as well.
Manufacturers are now offering cold water detergents as they have seen consumers
try to cut costs on heating their water to do the laundry. I don’t have to mention that
you should only be running FULL loads of dishes and laundry, right? Skip the
heated, drying cycle for both dishes and clothes and you’ll stop seeing that electric
meter spinning out of control each week. Consider installing low-flow shower heads,
toilets, and faucets to help you reduce your hot water usage even more.
5. Winterizing your home can be done any time of year. Simply check for cracks
around windows, doors, and the attic that might allow air in or out. If you’re paying
for heat or air conditioning, make sure it stays inside the home, rather than paying for
the entire neighborhood to feel it. My mom used to say that one too.
 6. Wrap your water heater tank in a tank blanket to insulate it, helping it to keep the
water you paid to heat hotter longer. A good hot water jacket should cost you less
than twenty dollars but save you hundreds each year. Standard electrical hot water
systems can account for up to a third of your electricity bill. The perfect temperature
to keep the dial set at is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to lower it to
“vacation setting” when you go out of town for more than two days.
7. Contact your local gas and electric companies to see if they offer special programs for
those with energy-guzzling medical needs, or those with low incomes. They often
offer free energy audits you can sign up for too.
8. When cooking, leave saucepan lids on, as this will allow you to turn down the heat!
9. Take shorter showers. Turn off running water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Yeah, all that stuff your mom taught you. She was right again.
10. Insulate your ceiling or attic. About 25-35% of heat loss is through the ceiling and
roof space.

I always wondered how much money I’d save if I actually unplugged electrical appliances from
the wall, rather than simply turning them off. As it turns out, anything that is plugged in WILL
drain some juice and cost you more money. It’s a phenomenon called “leaking” or “standby
power.” I certainly don’t expect you to turn off your refrigerator, but definitely the toaster or
curling iron. Setting up a “smart power strip” with “auto-switching” can help you conserve on
electricity on used devices and literally kill a watt. Yep, another pun intended. Some say the
amount of money saved isn’t huge and to not be a crazy fanatic. On the other hand, every penny
counts in this economy, so if you’re not using the bread maker that sits on the kitchen counter
every day, simply unplug it until your next home-made bakery session.

A new Google product called PowerMeter allowed customers of a few electric and gas suppliers
to track their consumption in real time for free during a pilot program that lasted until September
2011. Their study demonstrated that consumers were willing to make changes to their daily
electricity consumption once they realized there were financial benefits to even small changes.

Find out where your gas and electricity meters are located in your home. Start monitoring them
to evaluate your daily patterns. If you live in one of the states in the USA that is deregulated,
then be sure to shop around and choose a supplier that will help you save money. Electricity has
been partially deregulated in the following states to increase competition and lower electrical
prices: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington D.C.

Solar energy still has a long way to go before it is an affordable option for homeowners, but it’s
worth considering if you’re adventurous and motivated. Until then, talk with everyone who lives
in your home to see what little changes you can make to lighten your electrical expenses!
YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE WON!

Hope is a wonderful thing. It causes us to keep going when times get tough. It helps us endure
hardships and heartbreaks. It inspires us to live with integrity to earn heavenly rewards. It’s also
what compels us to enter contests and sweepstakes!

My family lives in Las Vegas where we often see people sitting mindlessly in front of slot
machines, wasting their time and money with each robotic motion. While I discourage my
children from ever gambling, I also point out that this city is a testament to hope. Isn’t it a good
thing that most humans simply refuse to accept their dreary lot in life and hope for a better
world? The downside is that many of us ignorantly think we’re going to win the lottery some
day or strike it rich without much effort. The truth is, the lottery is a numbers game and the odds
aren’t much in your favor. It takes work to succeed financially, as well as persistence and
timing.

That being said, I’m not one to snicker at a real sweepstakes or contest. People often ask me
why I always win (I don’t), so I simply tell them that they’re much more likely to win if they
actually enter the contests! ☺ I’ve won some fun prizes over the years, so here are a few tips to
push those winning odds in your favor:

Be sure you actually want to win the prize.

That may sound strange, because winning is supposed to be great, right? Many years ago I
entered a local contest to win a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica for our young family and
won! We were thrilled and had an amazing time on our vacation. It wasn’t until tax time rolled
around that we were issued a 1099 by the contest sponsor and taxed on an over-inflated price for
the trip. We could have purchased the same vacation for less than the taxes cost us. We were
furious, but finally decided to chalk it up to experience because we realized that we probably
would have never made the time to take a family vacation like that on our own. So, overall, we
were still happy. The point is to enter a contest only if you are fully aware of how it might affect
you. Endless are the stories of lottery winners who ended up in financial ruin because they were
neither prepared emotionally for the aftermath, nor had the education sufficient to manage such
large sums of money.

Now, if all of that talk doesn’t discourage you…for the largest and most navigable directories of
free online sweepstakes and giveaways, go to:

• www.sweepsadvantage.com
• www.online-sweepstakes.com
• www.winprizesonline.com

Sweepstakes are so popular that there are now free membership sites dedicated to entering and
winning stuff in a safe environment online. Prizes are generally donated by vendors without a
lot of strings attached. Some of the best ones are:

• www.alldaygiveaways.com
• www.freecrapple.com

Not all sweepstakes are created equal.

You stand a better chance of winning a small, local contest than a large, national sweepstake
contest. Likewise, you’re more likely to win something if you enter sweepstakes that offer lots
of prizes, rather than one single big one. You can find a listing of contests that offer multiple
prizes at: http://contests.about.com/od/sweepstakeslistings/tp/lotsofprizes.htm.

Blogs have become a popular place to enter “real” contests where the odds are actually pretty
high that you can win something. To find listings of contests sponsored by bloggers, check out:

• www.prizey.net
• www.sweetiessweeps.com

Increase your odds of winning by entering the maximum number of times allowed.

Most people will only enter once. Fewer people are likely to enter if the contest guidelines are
long and annoying. Your chances decrease, however, the longer the entry period is open.

Make your entry stand out.

Have you ever been in a small gathering where you had to simply put your business card in a
bowl or write your name on a slip of paper to win? And you still didn’t win? Next time, crinkle
the paper or wad it up so that it’s bulkier than the others and easier for the person who draws
them out of the bowl to grab. Try an accordion-style fold or a chunky origami shape, rather than
just folding the paper in half down the middle. If you enter a mail-in contest form, decorate your
envelope with stickers or use bright-colored paper so it will be noticed. Being careful to follow
the rules of the contest may help you win, as those who skip over the requirements are quickly
disqualified.

The more contests you enter, the more likely you are to win.

Remember, it’s a numbers game. To speed up the entry process, serious “sweepers” use
Roboform. You can experiment with the free version for starters at: www.roboform.com. To
read more about the pros and cons of using Roboform, check out the article at:
http://contests.about.com/od/sweepstakestools/gr/roboform.htm.

Those obnoxious pop-ups on your computer screen that say you’re the 10,000,0000th visitor
and claim you’re a winner aren’t really contests.

They’re called marketing. More often than not, you have to make a purchase or complete trials
of products and services, all while giving the site owner your contact information which they will
then sell to even more annoying companies. Don’t click. Move on.

Always read the rules carefully and print legibly.

If you win and the sponsor can’t even contact you, then you won’t win. Duh.

Space out your entries.

If the contest allows multiple entries, mail them out separately over weeks, rather than all at
once.

While most sweeps are done online nowadays, some still require snail-mail entries.

Save money by mailing out entries on postcards, rather than envelopes, if allowed. Make sure
they’re the exact size the guidelines call for. Never pay for overnight delivery or extra postage to
make a deadline. Don’t bother sending in for a list of winners; if you win, you’ll be notified.

While serious “sweepers” create spreadsheets to stay organized and keep track of all
entries, a true “must” is to open a separate email address to use when participating in
contests.

The fact is, the volume of junk mail you receive will increase once you start entering contests
and sweepstakes. The “free” prizes you win are really in exchange for your personal
information. Since opting-in to newsletters is often the requirement for a valid contest entry,
keeping your personal email separate from your sweepstakes mail is helpful. If you see an opt-
out box on the sweepstakes form, you might need to check or uncheck it to ensure you’re not
signing up for unwanted email. Look in your spam box for any winning notifications that might
have ended up there. Consider using a password organizer or the manager included in your
browser to help you keep track of passwords used for contests.
Beware of scams.

One sure red flag is when you are notified that you have won but need to send money first in
order to claim your prize. Run. You should never have to pay a fee or give anyone your bank
information to collect a prize. Legitimate sweepstakes will rarely ask for payment. Another red
flag is when you receive a notice that you won a contest that you don’t even remember entering.
Keep running.

If you own a business and are interested in sponsoring a contest or sweepstakes, check out this
management and fulfillment company that can help you create game pieces and execute a
successful event: www.marketingresources.com.

Finally, entering sweepstakes and contests is a hobby, not a job. Counting on prize earnings as
income to pay bills is not a wise financial strategy for your primary source of income. Joining
forums and online clubs dedicated to sweepers is a fun way to meet like-minded people and learn
more helpful tips. Newsletters devoted to listing hundreds of legitimate promotions and winning
ideas can be found at:

• www.bestsweepstakes.com
• www.sweepingamerica.com

The beloved Ed McMahan’s famous words, “You may already have won,” continue to create
hope. Have fun! Spend less! Live more!
GUERILLA GROCERY SHOPPING

My family’s grocery bill keeps going up and up, and it’s not because I’m buying more ice cream
(well, mostly). Food prices are rising faster than inflation. Have you seen the price of bacon or
syrup lately? The breakfast of champions simply costs more these days, but there are still plenty
of methods to cut costs.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine says WHERE you buy groceries will affect your grocery
bill more than any other buying behavior. They found Wal-Mart’s grocery section can save you
20% more than most grocery stores! American consumers say price isn’t everything, however.
According to Consumer Reports, 32% of Wal-Mart grocery shoppers reported having three or
more problems at the store.

Consumer Reports did a study to find the grocery stores with the best prices and best
customer service. The top pick was a store that, unfortunately, is not in my city:
Wegmans. In second place is Trader Joe's, a store I really love for price and quality. Their
third-place winner is the Southeastern chain Publix, a great store I shopped at regularly when I
lived in Georgia and which has topped the American Customer Satisfaction Index for seventeen
years. Another store winning kudos was Aldi.

At the other extreme, the lowest score was earned by Northeastern chain Pathmark. A recent
ConsumerWorld.org survey found that the national drug store chains (Rite Aid, CVS,
Walgreens) are up to 36% more expensive on grocery-type items than traditional supermarkets.
You’re definitely paying more for the convenience, so if you plan out a grocery list and avoid
impulse or desperation buying at drug stores for your food items, you’ll always save money.

You can create a helpful checklist organized by aisles in a variety of stores with this site:
https://noshingwiththenolands.com/how-to-make-an-organized-grocery-list/ There are also some
free apps that help you plan meals and organize your grocery list, such as:
 • Mealime
• Anylist
• ChefTap
• Flipp
• Bring! Grocery Shopping List
• Out of Milk
• Cozi Family Organizer
• Avocadolist Shopping List.

BigOven comes loaded with 350,000 recipes. List Ease helps you keep track of your grocery list, as
well as what you currently have in your kitchen cabinets at home.

You don’t need to be a math whiz or bring a calculator to the grocery store; just check unit prices
when you’re comparing products. Stock up on your favorite things when they go on sale. Big
warehouse clubs can save you money on bulk items like laundry detergent, batteries, paper
towels, pasta, etc. Limiting how much time you spend in a grocery store will also lower your
bill.

In a tough economy, more people choose to cook at home rather than dine out. Restaurants cost
six to ten times more than cooking food yourself. As consumers look for more ways to lower
their grocery bill, many are turning to salvage food stores. These are grocery stores that sell
dented cans and food that is very nearly expired or past the expiration date. While some
shoppers worry about how smart that is, Dr. Ted Labuza, a professor of food science at the
University of Minnesota, told The Atlantic, "Foods can remain safe to consume for some time
beyond sell-by and even use-by dates provided they are handled and stored properly." It really
does matter how and where you store foods. For example, I live in Las Vegas, where the
summer heat temperatures soar over 100 degrees for three months straight, so storing food items
in my garage is out of the question; everything needs to stay inside my air-conditioned house.

Grocery stores sell their “unsellables” to salvage stores where you will typically pay half the
supermarket price. Salvage stores are not for the faint of heart, but an option to consider. You
can locate a salvage grocer near you using a state-by-state directory at
www.ExtremeBargains.net.

For less extreme strategies, I highly recommend the following websites to help you find the best
grocery deals in your city:

• www.grocerysmarts.com (Compares prices at grocery stores in your zip code)

• www.bountifulbaskets.org (Provides fresh produce at a fraction of the price)
• www.schwebels.com/contact-us/bakery-outlets (Schwebel’s bakery outlets)
• http://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com/our_brands/outlet_stores.html (Entenmann’s Bakery
outlets)
• www.familydollar.com (Non-perishables often cost less here than at a grocery store)
Remember, you’ll pay almost four times more for frozen foods and three times more for
prepackaged mixes. Chop and slice your own foods and you’ll save about twice what you would
pay for the store to do it and sell it to you. Watch the cash register as your food sails down the
moving belt. It is estimated that up to $2.5 billion per year is made in scanning errors!

“Catalina” deals are when a store advertises a particular product “Buy 10, get $5 back.” A great
resource to find those in your area is www.supercouponing.com. A general guideline for
products that go on sale in cycles is the following schedule:

January: Christmas clearance items, snacks for Super Bowl

February: Local case lot sales

March: Cereal, specialty meats (corned beef, kosher)

April: Eggs, dairy, poultry, roasting meats, ham

May: Canned goods

June: Beef, condiments, fresh veggies, canning supplies

July: Beef, frozen foods, fresh veggies, BBQ supplies

August: School lunch foods, prepared foods

September: Local case lot sales

October: Candy, poultry, frozen foods

November: Butter, baking supplies

December: Baking supplies, candy

Now, we haven’t even talked about coupons yet! Coupons are like cash! Of course, they’re
usually for higher-priced name brand products. Buying generic will usually cost less than a
brand name item with a coupon, but not always. Not all generics are created equal, however, so
if you have to have Grape Nuts, rather than the generic “Gravel Nuggets” (I just made up that
name, but it sure is accurate, eh?), than you can stock up on coupons for brand items you can’t
live without. Remember to look DOWN; more expensive name-brand items tend to be placed at
eye-level on the store shelves. Generic versions are usually closer to the floor.

Grocery stores call shoppers who use a lot of coupons “barnacles.” I loved the name so much
that I created a “Barnacle Buddies” email club with some friends who live near me so we can
keep each other informed of deals in town. Here are some online sites that can help you do the
same thing:
 • https://moneysavingmom.com/
• www.CouponSherpa.com (Aggregates offers that can be placed on your customer loyalty
card)
• https://www.facebook.com/CoolSavings/ (Print the product coupons you want)
• www.couponmom.com (Grocery coupons by state, drugstore deals, restaurant discounts,
free samples)
• www.mysavings.com
• www.redplum.com
• www.dealstomeals.com
• www.cellfire.com (Automatically adds store coupons to your loyalty card!)
• Some coupon divas buy and sell their coupons through Coupon Brokers. Some good
ones are:
• www.boodle.com
• www.thecouponclippers.com
• www.Ebay.com

When you have expired grocery coupons, send them to military families overseas to use! To
participate in the military service project, you can read details at:
http://www.grocerysavingtips.com/expiredgrocerycoupons.htm.

A few more tips to help you tighten your belt at the grocery store:

1. Don’t shop hungry! Everything looks more tasty and irresistible when you’re
starving!
2. Scan your pantry and cupboards before leaving the house to shop.
3. Keep an eye on the weekly store circular.
4. Learn your store’s sale cycle (every store has one for when they routinely offer
discounts).
5. Buy a freezer for bulk purchases.
6. Support local farmers markets.
7. Ask the guy at the meat department if he has any free dog bones for your pet, rather
than buying them at the pet store.
8. Plan your meals in advance.
9. Plant a garden.
10. Drink more water so you can buy fewer beverages.
11. Shop when you’re in a hurry so you won’t be tempted to linger and buy more!
12. Plan meals around what food items are on sale.
13. Sign up for the store’s free loyalty card for instant savings.
14. Keep a pantry and refrigerator inventory.
15. Have a leftover night.
16. Make your own mixes and sauce packets.
 17. Eat less! (I’m talking to myself here…)

Finally, do you pay for your groceries using a debit card? You could be putting your finances at
risk. Criminals dressed up as representatives from the technology companies who install card
readers have been placing skimmers on the machines which will read your card information
quickly and easily. Either pay with cash or a credit card and you’ll be better protected against
fraud. Paying with a credit card, which you pay off in full every month, is a smart way to earn
frequent flyer points or other rewards while you’re grocery shopping.

Whew, that long list made me hungry. I think I’ll go eat a coupon. See all the money I’m saving
already!
ME, MYSELF, AND I—FIGHTING IDENTITY FRAUD

Would you believe my twin sister actually married a twin? On her wedding day, her sweet
husband almost accidentally kissed me, thinking I was his new bride. True story! And you can
bet my brother-in-law denies it every chance he gets to this day. I’m a twin and so I’m used to
being mixed up with my sister, but identity fraud isn’t nearly as funny.

My wallet was recently stolen and made me so stinkin’ mad! Luckily, I had zero cash in my
wallet, so that made me feel better, but I did have a few credit cards and some photo ID, so
dealing with all of that was annoying. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 9
million people in the United States had their identities stolen last year. Identity theft most often
happens with credit cards, but debit card account fraud is now also on the rise, according to the
latest numbers from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Your first stop on the Information Superhighway should be the government’s helpful site at
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft, where you’ll learn how
to deter, detect, and defend yourself against identity theft.

The Department of Justice has also created a web site with tons of helpful information at:
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html. The site explains that if your credit
card is compromised, the harm to you is relatively small. You contact the issuer to report false
charges and you may have to do some paperwork, but more often than not, no money leaves your
hands. With debit card fraud, however, there is money that leaves your hands. And you have to
fight to get your own money back. Unfortunately, it's now taking longer and longer to get that
money back.

Under the law, banks have ten business days to give you your money back in the event of debit
card fraud. Visa and MasterCard, however, have set their own standard of five business days if a
compromised debit card has either logo on it, as most do. One helpful strategy to avoid a
financial nightmare after theft is to open a second, smaller bank account to tie your debit card to.
Fund the second account only with money that's used for debit card activity, so that your
principal account won't be at risk in the event of a breach.

Every debit card has two limits, or sides of data, that your bank or credit union sets internally.
One is the ATM side. The other is called the "point of sale" (POS) side. This POS side is the one
that allows all transactions that are not at an ATM—even ones that still require a PIN. Your
ATM side should always be active and enabled to track your current available balance. But your
POS side can and should be set to zero and turned off entirely. It's just a matter of disabling the
portion of the magnetic strip that accesses the debit function, leaving your card with only
traditional ATM capabilities. Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo all give you the option
to turn off the POS function on your debit card upon your request. Citibank currently does not.

If you do this, you'll still have a Visa or MasterCard logo on the front of your card, but the POS
function won't be able to read your balance. If anyone tried to use it as a debit card, it would see
zero funds and the purchase would be denied. Here are some helpful steps to take after your
wallet or identity has been stolen:

Place a fraud alert on all of your credit reports. Get a copy of your credit report after the
theft to make sure nothing fraudulent pops up.

Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name.
Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to
place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to
place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an
alert on their versions of your report, too.

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O.

Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX

75013

Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened
fraudulently.

Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in
writing and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. Keep a file of your
correspondence and enclosures.

Ask credit and debit card companies for the forms to dispute any transactions that are not
yours.
Once you have resolved your identity theft dispute with the company, ask for a letter
stating that the company has closed the disputed accounts and has discharged the
fraudulent debts.

This letter is your best proof if errors relating to this account reappear on your credit report or
you are contacted again about the fraudulent debt.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

You can file a complaint with the FTC at: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261;
or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20580. Be sure to call the Hotline to update your complaint if you have
any additional information or problems. You can get more information at
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/defend.html - content

By sharing your identity theft complaint with the FTC, you will provide important information
that can help law enforcement officials across the nation track down identity thieves and stop
them. The FTC can refer victims' complaints to other government agencies and companies for
further action, as well as investigate companies for violations of laws the agency enforces.
Additionally, you can provide a printed copy of your online Complaint form to the police to
incorporate into their police report. The printed FTC ID Theft Complaint, in conjunction with
the police report, can constitute an Identity Theft Report and entitle you to certain protections.
This Identity Theft Report can be used to (1) permanently block fraudulent information from
appearing on your credit report; (2) ensure that debts do not reappear on your credit report; (3)
prevent a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft; and (4) place
an extended fraud alert on your credit report.

File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft
took place.

Call your local police department and tell them that you want to file a report about your identity
theft. Ask the officer to attach or incorporate the ID Theft Complaint into their police report. The
police department will probably never find your wallet, but at least that way you can prove to credit
providers that you were diligent.

Some more helpful tips to help you avoid getting ripped off:

• Write “See ID” on the back of your credit cards to encourage store cashiers to check the
name and signature on the card against a driver’s license.
• Do not write your complete credit card account number on your check when you are paying
your bill. Simply include the last four numbers, as the credit card company will know the
rest of the numbers.
 • When printing checks, don’t include personal information—instead, use a P.O. Box in place
of your home address. Use your work number instead of your home number. Don’t print
your social security number or driver’s license number.
• Photocopy all of your credit cards, as well as other identification cards that are in your
wallet so you will remember what was in there and be able to contact all of the companies
associated with those cards.
• Memorize your social security card so you don’t have to carry it in your wallet. C’mon, it’s
not that hard.
• When you open new accounts, use new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and
passwords. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your
birth date, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, your phone number, or a
series of consecutive numbers.
• Designate only one credit card for all of your online transactions.
• Only deal with vendors whom you know and trust when making purchases online.
• Never give out your personal bank information, passwords, or social security online.

Most online fraud goes unreported—as little as one cybercrime in seven, according to Justin Yurek,
president of ID Watchdog, Inc. Criminals and scumbags become even more desperate and brazen
during tough economies, so keep on the alert. There are some common scams you can avoid if
you’re simply aware of them.

Here are some of the more popular scams out there to be aware of:

Typo Squatting—Cyber criminals register domain names that are only one keystroke different
from legitimate companies, hoping you’ll end up on their site instead of the real one. Be sure to
check your spelling to ensure you’re at the correct website before you make purchases or dole out
any personal information.

Social Networks—According to Reuters, Facebook with its 200 million customers has now become
one of the most dangerous places on the Internet. Scammers hack into your account and post
messages to your friends, directing them to websites that request personal information. If you use
social networks, be sure to put them on the most secure privacy settings so people can’t just
wander around your profile and learn things about you.

Romanian Ruse—Online scammers tend to flock in international circles, namely from Romania
and Nigeria. If you receive emails or friend requests from foreign countries, or the English sounds
“off”, assume they’re bogus and trying to take your hard-earned money. That may sound
unfriendly, but it’ll save you from cyber criminals wreaking havoc on your accounts.

Friendly Fraud—You may receive an email announcing that you won a contest somewhere. You
probably didn’t. Someone may claim they purchased an item from you on eBay, Craig’s List, or
Amazon and they want a refund. If you do sell items on those sites, be sure to check your records
carefully and never click on the link THEY send you.
We all work really hard for our money. Unfortunately, nowadays we also have to work hard at
protecting it. Be safe out there!
SAVING MONEY WHEN YOU BLOW YOUR NOSE: LITTLE KNOWN
WAYS TO CUT COSTS

This fun book is all about saving you money, both in small and big ways. Yep, there’s a cheaper
way to blow your nose. Most of you probably reach for a tissue when you sneeze or have a
runny nose, right? Want to cut costs? Then reach for toilet paper instead of that lotion-infused
tissue in the decorator box!

A box of tissues usually has about 65 sheets at around 2 cents a sheet. A roll of toilet paper,
which is fundamentally the same thing as tissue, has four times more sheets and is 50% cheaper!
That may not seem like much, but in a tough economy, every little bit helps. It all adds up, that’s
for sure. You can cut out the cardboard tube and slip the roll inside your fancy tissue box. I’m
not even kidding.

Cleaning products offer a terrific opportunity to save some moola. I’ll dispel a myth right
now…more soap does not equal more clean. You’ll save soap and water when you use liquid
dish soap in a foam dispenser, which you can purchase or make your own. Mix 1/3 liquid soap
with 2/3 water.

Speaking of soap…what about those antibacterial soaps that cost more than regular bar soap?
Studies show that in order for the antibacterial soaps to work properly, you need to lather for two
whole minutes before rinsing. Do you spend that much time washing your hands? I didn’t think
so. A 9-ounce bottle of antibacterial liquid soap retails for about $1.89. For the same price, you
can get a three-pack of good, old-fashioned bar soap. Some recent studies also show that using
antibacterial soap is partially responsible for the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like
MRSA.

Rather than purchase expensive stain removers, just rub a fresh stain with a damp bar of soap
before tossing it into the dirty clothes hamper. When the clothing comes out of the washing
machine later, the stain should be gone! Speaking of cleaning…you don’t have to spend a
fortune on cleaning products at the store when you can make your own for less and avoid caustic
chemicals in your home. For example, instead of buying harsh oven cleaner, simply sprinkle
baking soda all over the inside of the oven, spray with water and let it sit overnight. To clean
your microwave oven, mix ½ cup vinegar and ½ cup water in a microwave safe bowl. Bring it to
a boil in the microwave and leave it there for a few minutes. Wipe with a sponge and you’re
done!

Create a solution of ½ vinegar and ½ water in a spray bottle to clean your windows. That’s a
fraction of the cost of window cleaners! Pour four cups of vinegar in the toilet and let it sit
overnight. Scrub the bowl in the morning and you’ll see an amazing difference. Pour a little
vinegar on your kitchen sponge or cloth to clean your counters. Have I mentioned that vinegar is
cheap?

Vinegar and baking soda are excellent cleansers, separately or together. To deep clean and
deodorize your garbage disposal and sink, place ½ cup of baking soda in your garbage disposal.
Pour ½ cup hot white vinegar down and you’ll see some serious bubbling, cleaning action. This
makes for an entertaining science experience for your kids to watch too! Let it sit for five
minutes before you rinse and run the disposal again.

Sprinkle baking soda on your carpets and either let it sit for about ten minutes or overnight
before vacuuming. It’s a terrific deodorizer and liquid absorber. Sprinkle some baking soda on a
sponge and it becomes an effective scrubber to get stains off of shower curtains, counter tops,
and other surfaces.

Did you know that most grocery stores mark down their meats in the meat department in the
mornings? So, try to shop later in the afternoon, if possible, after the prices have gone down.
The manager is likely to lower the price for you even more if you find an item nearing its sell-by
date and ask him about it.

If you want to cut food costs, skip all of the pre-packaged convenience foods. It honestly doesn’t
take that much time to cook from scratch. Here’s an example: You could buy a chili seasoning
packet for $2.38 or you could make your own with ingredients already in your kitchen cabinet
for 18 cents! There are some terrific websites out there that provide recipes to make up your
own meal mixes and seasoning packets for a fraction of the cost:

• www.thriftyfun.com
• www.Budget101.com
• www.FatFree.com
• www.AllRecipes.com
• www.Cooks.com
• www.Chow.com

When you make your own food mixes and cleaning products, you’re able to:

1. Be in control of the quality of the products by selecting your own ingredients.

 2. Cut down on the amount of packaging that ends up in landfills.
3. Use natural ingredients, rather than products made of chemicals and items you can’t
even pronounce.
4. Know how to make things so that you don’t have to desperately race to the store
when you run out of things.
5. Learn new skills about how to make things.
6. Save money! Yay!

But wait! There’s more! You can even make your own cosmetics! Check out
https://www.aromantic.co.uk/recipes.aspx If you buy high-end cosmetics, you’ll definitely save
money, but if you normally purchase inexpensive make-up at a drug store or super center, then
you might not see a savings. Learn how to make your own bath salts, perfume, natural
toothpaste, insect repellent, and other personal items at:
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/bathsalts.htm.

Craft supplies and toys can also be expensive, so consider making your own. Try these helpful
websites:

• http://crafts.lovetoknow.com (Recipes for silly putty, play dough, and crafts)

• http://chemistry.about.com/od/bubbles/a/bubblescience.htm (Bubble solution)

• Would you believe an entire website exists to teach you how to make your own cat toys?
Go to: www.makeyourowncattoys.com.

One of the best websites I’ve found that provides instructions on how to make all kinds of
products to save money is: www.makeyourown.buzz You’ll find recipes for car cleaners, pet
products, air fresheners, cleaners, baby products, and tons more!

Earlier we talked about even more ways to save money in the supermarket but saving money
doesn’t just happen in the grocery store. How about that toy box that seems to be growing
exponentially by the minute? At www.kidstrade.com you can swap out your old toys and
exchange them for new ones Junior will love. It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas
and birthdays! Swapping, instead of shopping, has become the latest trend online for saving
money on sites like www.Rehashclothes.com

Some companies will simply allow you to trade-in your old stuff in exchange for a gift card or
check:

• www.YouRenew.com

• www.BestBuyTradein.com
Here’s another cheap cyber tip: Instead of paying for cloud storage each month, you can get it for
free with Box.net, Dropbox.com, or Google docs. I use them for different things and love them
all. You can easily share documents, PowerPoints, photos, and even videos with people you
grant access to for specific folders. I love free!

Are you inspired to look at what you pay for a little bit differently now? Before you give away
your hard-earned money on store-bought items, consider making them yourself and you will
spend less and be more self-reliant at the same time!
HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW?

Saving money often involves changing the way we think about everyday spending and living
habits. Most of the time, the changes we need to make are small, and yet they can result in big
savings. Debt expert Dave Ramsey teaches that we need to have an emergency fund of at least
$1000. If you haven’t saved for that yet, start there.

Once you have the financial security of an emergency fund and are socking away money for
retirement and your children’s education, then you can start saving for more fun stuff. You’ve
seen that cute doggie in the window and you want it. (Replace the word “doggie” for BMW, ski
boat, new couch, or whatever it is that you’re dying to buy.) Now what? You can find some
great financial calculators that help you figure out how much you need to save each week at
https://www.bankrate.com/calculators.aspx

Here are some tips for saving money for a big purchase:

1. Earn more
2. Spend less

That’s it! It really is that simple. Okay, I’ll give you some more ideas.

First, set a savings goal. Determine how much you’ll need for your purchase, as well as a
realistic deadline. Then, break it down so you’ll know how much to save each month or even per
week. Keep a record of your expenses so that every penny is accounted for. Try these apps for
easy record keeping:

• Shoeboxed https://www.shoeboxed.com/
• SmartyPig: virtual piggy bank https://www.smartypig.com/
• Shop It To Me https://www.shopittome.com/login
Make a budget with your goal in mind and actually stick to it. This one thing alone will
determine your success. Create a special savings account specifically for this large purchase
goal and put money in it each week or month, depending on how quickly you want it to grow.
Don’t save money in your checking account, because your easy access to withdraw it will be too
tempting! Even better, open an account at a local bank that has a promotion to give you a refund
or cash gift for joining them!

While you’re saving money to buy that must-have item, be sure to research the price. Use
www.Pricegrabber.com to compare vendors and prices. Does it have to be new? If not, check
out the price of the same thing sold as used on Amazon or eBay. You might even be able to find
it for less on Craig’s List or Freecycle.com. If you don’t mind waiting longer, prices almost
always drop.

Know how to separate your needs from your wants. Do you have to buy the item with ALL of
the bells and whistles, or could you purchase a less expensive version? Pennies add up. Here are
60 simple tips to help you find more pennies in your life for that big purchase:

1. Can you cut down on any expenses? Take a second look at your utility bills,
entertainment expenses, phone bills, insurance coverage, food costs, etc. Call the
providers and ask them for discounts and other ways to lower your bills.
2. Pay with cash. Psychologically, you’ll find it harder to make purchases because the
money will seem more REAL.
3. Set up an automatic deposit of a portion of your paycheck into a special savings
account for your purchase each pay period.
4. Every time you get change, put it in a change jar or special account. You’ll be
amazed how quickly it adds up.
5. Another psychological trick is to keep only large bills in your wallet. You’ll find it
painful to break them up when you make purchases.
6. A fun game to play with yourself is to save $5 bills. Every time one ends up in your
wallet, tell yourself to deposit it into a special jar or account.
7. Pay your bills on time to avoid late fees.
8. Only use ATM machines sponsored by your bank so you won’t be charged fees for
every transaction.
9. Cook at home more often. Eat out less often.
10. Brown bag it to work.
11. Create a bulk posse of friends who can split giant purchases and save. (You just can’t
eat 1200 pounds of butter from Costco all by yourself!)
12. Cancel your land line and try living on just your cell phone.
13. Stop splurging. I know you’re worth it, but your future deserves your attention too.
14. Stick to your grocery list. Avoid impulse shopping.
15. Stop buying bottled water. Using a water filter on your tap costs less than all that
plastic.
16. Buy generic whenever possible.
17. Buy less expensive brands and camouflage them in more expensive product boxes. (I
do that all the time with my family and they rarely notice.)
18. Avoid vending machines.
19. Bake your own bread. You’ll be amazed at how cheap home-made bread is.
20. Negotiate everything!
21. Lower your cable or satellite bill by reducing channels on your programming. Even
cheaper, check out www.Roku.com
22. Use free grocery store bags instead of purchasing trash can liners.
23. Consider using www.Ebates.com when making purchases online for rebates.
24. Make your own household cleaners and products.
25. Remember the library instead of paying to rent videos or buying CDs and books.
You don’t have to own everything.
26. Carpool.
27. Drink less juice and more water.
28. Sell your old stuff on Amazon, Craig’s List and eBay.
29. Use a clothesline. Yeah, you heard me. You’ll have a new appreciation for your
grandma and you’ll save about $50 a month!
30. Stretch ground beef by adding oats or breadcrumbs. Eat less meat.
31. Wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat.
32. Get a part-time job or temporary gig. You can find some great opportunities in the
job section on Craig’s List when you do a search for your local area.
33. Listen to free music on Pandora, rather than buying music on iTunes, etc.
34. Skip the fancy schmancy coffee. Brew it at home for less. Even better, kick the
habit. Drinking more water and exercising is a healthier pick-me-up.
35. Skip trendy fashion items that will go out of style and into the donation pile. When
you need to buy clothes, buy classics that will look great for years.
36. Use your company’s gym rather than buying a membership at an expensive gym.
Don’t have access to a company gym? Signing up for a class at a local community
college each semester will cost a fraction of the cost of a gym membership. Walking
around the block is free.
37. Use a credit card that pays you, such as PerkStreet Financial’s Cash-Back debit card.
38. Buy used, not new.
39. Learn how to change your own oil or find a mystery shopping company to pay you to
get one for free.
40. Make your own baking mixes. Cooking from scratch doesn’t take that much longer
and will save you a ton of moola.
41. Cancel magazine subscriptions. You can find plenty to read online for free!
42. Sign up for free store loyalty programs so you earn freebies for your regular
purchases.
 43. Clip coupons, print them from online, or use shopping apps that automatically load
discounts on your cell phone.
44. Learn how to cut your family’s hair or go to a cosmetology school where they’ll
charge less.
45. Figure out a way to get it for free! For example, if you want a membership at a fancy
fitness center, consider teaching a class there to get a free employee membership.
46. Cut dryer sheets in half. Your clothes won’t know the difference.
47. Ride your bike, rather than use your car to get everywhere. Your heart and wallet will
thank you.
48. Compare unit prices on grocery items.
49. Grow your own food. Learn how to can, dehydrate, and preserve it.
50. Go to museums on free days only.
51. If you get paid hourly, offer to work more shifts or overtime.
52. Join or create a co-op food buying group with friends.
53. Stock up on items when they go on sale during case-lot promotions.
54. Learn to say no!
55. Ask for cash instead of gifts for your birthday or Christmas. Let others know what
your goal is so they can support you.
56. Hold a swap party with your friends. Trade stuff you don’t use or want anymore with
things they don’t need. Everyone wins.
57. Hit the after-season sales.
58. Reuse plastic Ziploc bags. Rinse and repeat. That sounds pretty extreme, but those
little baggies are pricey.
59. Read all of the chapters in this book for more ideas!
60. Stop and think about how you’re spending money.

Did you know that there is a federal program that was designed to encourage people to save for
their future? About ten years ago, Congress passed the “Saver's Credit” during the Bush
administration with the goal of assisting savers who make a decent living, but not a huge income.

Here's the deal: If you save $2,000 in a 401(k), IRA, 403(b) or 457 plan, the government will
match your money as much as 50 percent, up to a maximum of $1,000. Save less than $2,000
and the government will give you a smaller percentage, either $400 or $200.
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/news/personal-finance-credit/savers-credit-chart/nFbq/

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that of those who qualify, 90% don't even know the
program is out there. To find out if you qualify, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=107686,00.html.

Another way people buy expensive items is to get a loan from the bank. I never advise getting
into debt to buy something, unless it’s your mortgage. More people are looking to peer-to-peer
lending to avoid the banks completely. It’s tricky, but an option I wanted to share with you. It
allows people to go online to borrow or lend money directly to each other. Some of the
respected websites in this P2P field are:

• www.Prosper.com
• www.LendingClub.com
• www.Kabbage.com

If you want to borrow money, you’ll need to agree to a credit check and to disclose your debt-to-
income ratio. Based on that information, you’ll be assigned a credit risk score and letter grade so
that individual lenders can decide whether or not they want to work with you. Lenders can earn
money doing this rather than simply leaving it in a bank account. Be sure to read all of the fine
print and familiarize yourself with this growing industry. There are plenty of forums online
where you can learn more.

Finally, before you make any large, expensive purchase, ask yourself if you really need to own it.
Could you rent it instead? Could your money be better spent on something else? Will the item
appreciate or depreciate in value? Will it be an asset or liability for you?

If you’re convinced you need to purchase that doggie in the window, then be sure to read all of
the other chapters in this book for more money-saving and earning ideas. Good luck!
GIMME, GIMME: TEACHING KIDS ABOUT MONEY

Kids are smart. It doesn’t take long for them to figure out how money works, or more specifically,
how to whine it out of their parents. If we want to raise children who are responsible with money
and understand how to control it, rather than have it control them, we need to begin teaching them
when they are very young. It’s important to help kids develop financial awareness in a healthy way,
teaching them to use money as a tool. Learning how to discipline oneself and manage resources
wisely are habits that will reward a child for the rest of his or her life. Easier said than done, right?

Parents of young children can begin by helping them to make decisions that quiet the demand for
self-gratification and enable them to save for the future. Not only is it important to teach
children to save, but also how to invest. Start by teaching them how to count coins and dollars,
and then show them how to save a portion and how to invest some of those pretty pennies
wisely. Save early and save often. Teach them about assets and liabilities. Point out what
purchases will go up in value and which ones will drop or disappear completely.

Everyday spending habits can have a far more negative impact on a child’s financial future than
any investment decision they ever make. If you don’t teach them, they’re going to learn in the
school of hard knocks. You may have learned that way…and you know how much fun THAT
is! A recent survey by T. Rowe Price revealed that 4 in 10 parents said their own parents didn’t
do a good job teaching them about money. They admitted they weren’t doing any better
themselves with their own children, based on the ‘C’ or lower grade they awarded their own
efforts.

One of the most important lessons you can teach your kids is to be financially responsible. Or, in
other words, that money doesn’t grow on trees. Learning how to only spend money when you
have it will help children to face a future without debilitating debt.

Guess who gave these 5 financial principles:

 1. Work for all you get
2. Give away 10%
3. Protect and pay yourself
4. Account for every penny
5. Love joyfully on the rest of the money

Give up? John D. Rockefeller! His counsel is a great place to start with your children. Years
ago I attended a class where the teacher shared the 40-20-40 rule for teaching kids to manage
their money. He suggested that when kids receive money, they should put 40% into a savings
account, 20% into a giving account for tithing and charity, and 40% into a spending account
where they are allowed to buy things with parental permission.

One of the worst things about being a parent is having to tell your children “no” to everything
they want. While we fantasize about being so rich that we could spoil our kids with everything
they wanted, most parents also recognize that as being the perfect formula for creating spoiled
brats. Carol Tuttle, author of “The Child Whisperer” explains that, rather than always having to
be the “bad guy” and saying no, here are three interesting responses to try on your kids next time
they ask for something:

“Why do you want that? Tell me more about that.” If they can’t answer with a legitimate
reason, they’ll learn the difference between wants and needs.

“That’s great that you want to have that thing or that experience.” It teaches them that they play
a role in making choices, as well as making things happen in their own life.

“It will be fun to see how and when that shows up for you in your life.” You might even begin a
conversation with them about the Laws of Attraction in the universe. That teaches your kids that
you, alone, are not the only one who provides them with everything they need or want in their
life.

One thing I’ve learned over the years raising my four sons is that even the best technique for
teaching kids money doesn’t work all of the time. I found that whenever my husband would
introduce a new allowance system or money management program that it would work great for a
little while and then gradually become less effective over time, forcing us to tweak it or switch to
something new in order to hold our children’s interest. The main idea is to just keep trying. Be
consistent. Keep talking to your kids.

Here are some more tips to help you raise great money managers:

• Talk to your kids about your values. Communicate what is more valuable than money.
• You don’t have to pay your kids an allowance just because that’s what other parents do.
You can have them earn all of their money so they’ll be prepared for how the real world
works.
 • Help children learn the differences between needs, wants, and wishes.
• Take your kids to a bank or credit union to open their own savings accounts. Teach them
how to keep records of deposits and withdrawals.
• Show young children how to compare prices when you go shopping.
• Teach kids about marketing techniques so they can see how their desires for products are
strategically manipulated.
• Explain how interest and loan payments works.
• Hold a monthly family council where the family can discuss big purchases to save up for
together and other financial goals.
• Teach them the difference between credit cards and debit cards.
• Designate a special piggy bank where money can be kept and separated for spending,
saving, and giving.
• Decide who will buy birthday gifts for your child’s friends: you or your child?
• Help your child set money aside for his future car and education.

Now, this may all seem overwhelming, especially if you’re a new parent. Not to worry.

There are plenty of resources online to help you:

• www.moneyinstructor.com/parents.asp (Free money worksheets)

• www.thenocashallowance.com (Cash management program)
• www.financiallitnow.org/index.shtml (Financial literacy for all ages)
• www.smgww.org (The Stock Market Game for kids)
• www.smckids.com/intro (Cartoon Millionaires Club for kids with Warren Buffett)
• www.usmint.gov/kids (U.S. Mint for kids)

In the face of the 2008 recession, Generation Y and the Millennials began bucking conventional
wisdom that told us that if you go to college, you’ll get a good job and live happily ever after.
They’re more interested in being happy at a job than making tons of money and feeling miserable at
a job they hate. More than 1,640 Millennials took a recent Economic Impact Survey and told us they
are shifting expectations about how they will tackle the workday in order to keep their jobs. The
survey revealed that Y expects to contribute more to a company by helping out with special projects
and reach out into the community.

Technology has always been a part of this generation’s lives. They communicate differently than
their parents or grandparents and share their private lives openly online. They know how to think
outside the box. Older generations can learn from them to expand their vision of possibilities, while
at the same time teaching the young ones a little bit about practical reality. Over 82% of college
students say they want to work for a "Green" company. That is to say, a company that is aware of its
impact on the environment and tries to help our planet more than hurt.

Exposing girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day is
important, but showing them the value of their education, helping them discover the power and
possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, and providing them an opportunity to
share how they envision the future and begin steps toward their end goals in a hands-on and
interactive environment is key to their achieving success. The best way to learn is by doing! Let’s
do what we can to make sure the next generation does things right.
WINNING REWARDS ON TV GAME SHOWS

Do you love watching TV game shows? Do you yell at the TV screen because you know all the
answers? Do you always answer people in the form of a question? Do you feel like buying a vowel?
If so, maybe you could win money on one of those TV game shows! You could win cash, prizes, and
instant fame…or, um…at least a copy of the home version for participating.

Open casting calls and auditions are held year-round for TV’s most popular game shows. More and
more producers choose contestants from their applications online, making getting on one of the
shows even easier than ever. Each game show has its own procedures, but if you read and follow
the directions carefully, present yourself with enthusiasm, and thoroughly explain why you should
be the next contestant and big winner, you’ll already have a leg up on the competition.

You’ll find a number of helpful videos on YouTube, as well as plenty of articles online written by
former game show contestants with their tips to help you with everything from what to wear
during the audition to how to keep track of which shows you’ve sent applications to and how to be
original. Producers are always looking for appealing “characters” to play on their shows, as well as
personal stories that draw in an audience, so begin thinking of yours.

Audience companies such as https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/tv-show-tickets-

in-la, www.tvtickets.com and www.tvtix.com also offer easy access to studio tickets and schedules
of upcoming tapings to aid in planning your visit. Here is the link for all of the show tickets on NBC
filming: https://www.nbc.com/exclusives/pages/casting#dond If you’re traveling with a large
group, audience companies can be very helpful in making arrangements to view a taping and even
offer fun incentives for filling multiple seats.

Here are a few tips to start working on if you’re convinced that you’re ready to put all of that
useless trivia in your head to good use.

• Know the show. Producers don’t have time to teach you all the rules. Know how the game
is played, how the audience reacts, and how the host works with contestants. Watch as
 many episodes as you can. Play the board game at home. Your lack of preparation will
show.
• Producers like contestants who have traveled from out of town. Think about traveling to a
game show mecca for your next vacation!
• Don’t give up. If one show turns you down, try another one. Every show’s style is different,
so it may take you a few times until you find your spot.
• Dress for success. Dress to be noticed, but not too crazy.
• Practice speaking in front of people.
• Pay close attention to the application and audition requirements.
• Think about your answer to the question: “What would you do with all that money if you
won?”
• Showcase the entertaining, interesting things about your personality and life.
• Be genuine and truthful.
• Be patient. Sometimes it takes months for your application to be processed.

To find out the guidelines for getting on your favorite game or reality show where you could
win cash or freebies, check out the following links:

• Minute to Win It -
http://gameshows.about.com/od/perfect10/qt/minute_to_win_it_contestant.htm
• Family Feud - https://www.familyfeud.com/apply/
• Let’s Make a Deal - http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Lets_Make_a_Deal
• Jeopardy: https://www.jeopardy.com/
• The Price is Right - (You don’t need to audition for this one. Just get a free ticket and
then be an engaging, enthusiastic audience member)
http://gameshows.about.com/od/beacontestant/a/pricecontestant.htm
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire - http://www.dadt.com/millionaire/auditions/
• Deal or No Deal - http://www.nbc.com/casting/#dond
• Wheel of Fortune -
https://secure.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/wheel/contestants/beacontestant
• The Sing Off - http://www.nbc.com/casting/#sing-off
• Fear Factor - http://www.nbc.com/casting/ - sing-offhttp://www.fearfactorcasting.com/
• America’s Got Talent - http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent
• American Ninja Warrior - https://www.nbc.com/american-ninja-warrior
• The Voice - http://www.nbcthevoice.com
• Shark Tank and others on ABC - http://abc.go.com/site/casting
• MTV casting calls for shows - http://www.mtv.com/ontv/castingcall
• Say Yes to the Dress - https://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/apply-for-syttd/

All that glitters isn’t gold, however. We can't all be Ken Jennings, who won $2.5 million in 74 days
on "Jeopardy." Depending on the show, you can go home with a few dollars or a few hundred
thousand. It's unlikely you'll land on the high end of the paycheck scale, even though prime-time
game shows love to use the phrase "a million dollars." Carrie Grosvenor, who writes “Game Shows
Guide” for About.com, has been watching just about every game show there is for the past four
years. During that time, she's seen fewer than 10 million-dollar winners. Still, there’s something
wonderful about dreaming big. One of the most powerful words in the world is HOPE. Just don’t
forget the word REALISTIC.

Here’s a quick run-down of Smart Magazine’s list of “10 Things Game Shows Won’t Tell
You”:

1. Could you be less boring? (Just because you think your life is interesting, your self-
esteem may not be able to handle it when game show producers don’t pick you as a
player.)
2. You’ll pay taxes on those winnings. (If you win, you’ll owe federal and state income
taxes which might push you into a higher tax bracket.)
3. Winning could ruin you. (A winner of $100,000 instantly starts spending that much
money, only to find that, after taxes, the prize is much less than that, resulting in
disappointing debt.)
4. Taping the show makes jury duty look tame. (There’s a lot of “hurry up and wait”
while filming.)
5. Prize values are inflated. (Non-cash prizes are given a value that is considered
income. That price is often higher than what you could pay for it elsewhere.)
6. Win or lose, you’ll be a target. (Expect your Facebook page and email box to fill up
with wise-cracking comments or requests for money.)
7. Your competition does this for a living. (Some players keep going back for more.)
8. Fast reflexes trump a high IQ. (Your competition is super smart. Practice pushing
that buzzer.)
9. You’re lousy on camera. (What if you freak out when the camera turns on?)
10. Even if you win, you might go home empty-handed.

No matter how much you win or lose, you’ll definitely have an adventure and a great story to tell
your grandkids some day! Good luck!
MOVING MONEY: SAVING MONEY TIPS WHEN YOU HAVE TO PACK
UP AND MOVE

Moving can be one of the most challenging and stressful times in your life. Even if you’re just
moving across town, it means changing daily routines, friends and neighbors, schools and
sometimes jobs. It also means packing up everything, reevaluating all of your belongings,
coordinating utility shut-offs and ons, recruiting help, closing accounts, and so many more little
tasks that it’s hard to keep track of everything. As if that isn’t enough to take care of, you also
have to keep in mind the expenses of moving: renting trucks vs. hiring a moving company, the
cost of boxes, tape, and packaging material for fragile items, and much more. Moving takes
longer than you think, so start planning ahead the minute you find out you’re going to transport
your entire household.

There’s no doubt about it: do-it-yourself moving is always cheaper than hiring someone else to
do it. You might be able to bribe some friends to help with some pizza after the busy day, but
you can also hire some hands to help and still come out much cheaper than using a moving
company. If you have a company that will pay for relocation expenses, that’s awesome!

Here are a few tips I put into action during my last several moves across many state lines that
helped keep our moving costs to a minimum and preserved our sanity:

TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG MOVING DAY

Get organized

I found a terrific checklist online that has a free moving guide, packing tips, and home inventory
manager at https://www.unitedvanlines.com/moving-tips/moving-checklists

Research Prices on Moving Trucks

Compare prices on moving companies and be sure to read the fine print. Look for a reputable
company that is bonded and licensed with your state’s Department of Transportation, as well as
for interstate transport if you’re moving out of state. Get references and check their listing for
complaints on the Better Business Bureau. Do a Google search for their name with the word
“Scam” or “review” that former customers have written to see if there are any surprises you
won’t want to discover about later. A binding estimate ensures the price won’t change. A super
helpful moving calculator can be found at www.movingcalculator.info. It’s usually cheaper to
rent a U-Haul and do it all yourself, but you’re going to need help lifting the heavy furniture on
both sides of the move.

Find a Great Deal on Moving Boxes

Purchasing moving supplies can really add up, but you can get them for free if you plan ahead.
Start making rounds to your local grocery stores and retailers in the mornings when they get new
supplies and have lots of boxes to get rid of. I found a few families on Craig’s List and
Freecycle who were giving away all of their boxes and paper after having just moved into the
area for free. Then, get this, I SOLD them all after I moved and used them!

Start Getting Rid of Stuff

Have a garage sale or decide if you want to simply donate your stuff and get a tax write-off.
Start selling high-ticket items on eBay and Amazon. Whatever stuff you haven’t sold at a garage
sale can now be donated to a local charity. If you call them ahead of time, many of them will
gladly drive a truck over to your house and pick up your discarded items. If you have any art,
antiques, or other valuables, have them appraised and insured. Consider the weight of your
items…if it’s very heavy and you can replace it for less than the price per pound of moving when
you get to your new place, get rid of it.

Plan Menus to Use Up Your Food

Canned food items can be very heavy, so try to use up supplies in your pantry and cupboards so
that you won’t have to pack them.

Start Packing

Begin with items you don’t use very often. Be sure to tape the bottom of the box across the seam
and then again, running perpendicular to the seam for added strength. Box similar room items
together to make unpacking easier later on. Pack heavy items, like books and paper files, into
small boxes so they’ll be easier to carry. Reserve light items, like comforters and pillows, for
large boxes.

Make Reservations
Buy any plane tickets you might need and make hotel reservations for nights you’ll be in transit
or waiting for the new house to become available. Notify your children’s schools and make sure
the new ones know about their arrival.

Plan for Emotional Farewells

If you have children, hold a family meeting and discuss how everything will work during the
move so they can visualize the sequence. Plan a farewell party or special dinner for children to
say goodbye to their friends. Take photos of your home before everything is packed up and
looks different so that you’ll always remember how it looked inside and outside. Those pictures
can also be used for insurance purposes as you document your belongings. Choose a new item
your family will get in your new home so they have something to get excited about, such as a
puppy, video game console, or new TV.

Find Out What’s Covered

Talk to your accountant and insurance company to find out which moving expenses can be
deducted from your taxes. Ask your insurance company which items are covered during the
move and purchase a new policy for your new home. Remove items from your safety deposit
box and locate where they can be protected in your new area.

ONE MONTH BEFORE MOVING DAY

Notify People and Companies You Do Business With

Announce your move and provide vendors and companies you use with your new address.
Notify the utility companies, post office, newspaper, pest control, and cable services associated
with both houses of name changes and dates on accounts. You’ll also want to change your
address on credit card and store accounts. Decide if you’ll need to close your bank accounts or if
there are branches located in your new area. Transfer any prescription medications to your new
area so they’ll be ready for quick pick-up once you get there.

Use Clothes and Towels to Protect Breakables

You don’t have to purchase miles of bubble wrap to protect your breakables. Simply wrap them
in your washcloths, towels, and clothing items, which you would have to pack anyway.

Mark Your Boxes

Use markers to label your boxes according to which room they’ll be going to in your new house.
Mark the sides of the boxes, not just the top. Wardrobe boxes make moving clothes a breeze and
are great for sticking long things in, in between the clothes, like mirrors or large pictures.

Think About Fido

Plan how you will move any pets and make any needed arrangements.

Draw Up a Floor Plan of Your New Home

Show where your furniture will go in the new house. Whether you’re using professional movers
or day laborers to help you at the new place, they’ll be able to take the furniture to the right place
without carrying it back and forth and requiring too much of your attention on that busy day. If
possible, you could also tag your furniture with masking tape with the name of the correct room
on it.

ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING DAY

Don’t Lose the Little Things

Gather all of the picture hangers and furniture casters into one bag with all of the pieces labeled
so that you can quickly find them when you arrive at your new place.

Prepare a Survival Bag

In case the moving truck doesn’t arrive on time, put together a suitcase with any important
medication, documents, clothing, favorite toys, or food you may need to get you by.

Defrost the Refrigerator and Freezer

Some appliances take 24-48 hours to defrost. You’ll probably have some food to give away. If
you’re moving far away, you won’t want to pack your liquid items in glass containers, which can
break easily and overheat inside the moving truck. Leave an announcement on Craig’s List or
Freecycle and you’re sure to have someone willing to pick it up before you drive out of town.

Fill Every Space

If a moving company is packing you up and moving all your stuff, lucky you! Sometimes, you
can save money if you do the packing and unpacking yourself and just have the company pay for
the actual moving truck. If the company is also transporting a vehicle for you, be sure to fill up
the inside of the car with boxes and items to save space inside the truck.

Get Your Deposit Back

If you’re renting, make sure you know what you need to do to get your security and cleaning
deposit back. If your place has experienced more than “normal wear and tear,” get cleaning!

AFTER YOUR MOVE

Sell Your Moving Supplies on Craig’s List!

Be Prepared for Lots of Door-to-Door Salesmen

If you’ve purchased your new home, you’re now on all kinds of lists. Expect salesmen to come
to your door selling home security systems and other homeowner items. Decide ahead of time
what you want and how much you’re willing to spend…or not.

Go Exploring!

Now here’s an unexpected moving tip…that first week in your new place is stressful. Be sure to
plan something fun to do in your new area. You can sign up to do a mystery shop assignment at
an amusement park and your fun will be free! Go to www.amusementadvantage.com and do an
assignment search in your new town.
TERRIFIC TRAVEL TIPS FOR ROAD WARRIORS

Ah, the road trip. Whether you’re fighting with your little brother in the back seat or exploring
the back roads of America with your college buddies, traveling to exciting, new destinations
doesn’t have to break the bank.

Traveling around the world and going on vacation isn't as expensive as you might think. The
Internet has enabled us to take control of costs, often offering better deals than if we hired a travel
agency to do the work for us. Some of my favorite websites to find travel steals and deals are:,
www.yapta.com, www.travelocity.com, www.orbitz.com, www.breezenet.com,
www.airfarewatchdog.com, and www.hotwire.com, and www.priceline.com

To find the lowest price of gas in your area, go to www.gasbuddy.com. It’s also an app! As an
alternative to driving your own vehicle, when you volunteer to drive one of those big RV’s one way
it helps the company return their vehicles and you save tons of moola on the rental. For more
information on Cruise America's one-way program, go to: www.cruiseamerica.com.

Skip the tourist traps and save money by adding some volunteer work at your destination! The
following organizations offer meaningful service opportunities and lower your destination costs
during a “Volunteer Vacation”:

• www.americanhiking.org
• www.greenpeople.org
• www.charityguide.org
• www.hospitalityclub.org

Swap a pricey hotel stay for a visit in someone else’s home with a “Home Exchange” vacation. I’ve
done this for years and have met some truly wonderful people who have become good friends.
You’ll save money in cities where even hotels are ridiculously expensive, like in Manhattan or
Tokyo. Just be sure to read the fine print and use a reputable company. There are plenty of rental
scams out there, so if something looks too good to be true, run. You can find some honest folks at:

• www.homeexchange.com
 • www.homeaway.com
• www.vacationhomerentals.com
• www.vacationhomes.com

If you’re by yourself and are adventurous, you might enjoy staying in a hostel where you can save
money and meet other travelers. You can find locations and nightly rates at: www.hostelworld.com.

Before booking a hotel, follow these frugal tips and your money will stretch farther:

You can find better rates online than calling the 1-800 number of a hotel chain. That being said,
you might also get a better rate if you call the hotel directly. Often, they can discount their
lowest advertised rate if you have a military ID or membership with AAA, AARP, or are
traveling there to attend a conference on site.

Be careful of the amenities. Bottles of water and snacks that are set out to welcome you in your
hotel room might come with a hefty price. Then again, they might be free. Don’t be
embarrassed to ask which case it is. Before you go hog wild, find out if the Wi-Fi and breakfast
are included in the room or if you’re being charged. Some hotels charge a “daily amenities fee”
that covers “complimentary” cocktails and morning newspaper delivery. If you are an elite
member at a hotel, one of your perks may be free bottles of water each day or special snacks.
Just ask!

Don’t be afraid to ask. If the parking lot is full, but you’re being charged a nightly fee, ask for a
discount on your daily rate. If you’re willing to park a block away, you could possibly avoid the
nightly parking fee. Just be sure the area is safe. Ask for extra pillows and free toothbrush kit.

Leaving a tip of $2-$5 each morning on your hotel pillow just might give you extra good service.
It’s a nice way to reward and motivate the housekeeping staff, which is generally one of the most
underappreciated jobs in the hospitality business.

Protect your valuables by either not leaving them in your hotel room or asking the hotel
management to keep them in a hotel safe which is insured. The safe in your room may or may
not be protected.

Be flexible. If you’re willing to risk the fact that there might not be a vacancy in the particular
hotel you’re looking at, call after 5:00 pm and you’ll often get a cheaper rate. Hotels would
rather discount a room than have it sit vacant.

If you’re desperate for a room and the “No Vacancy” sign is all lit up, ask if they have a room
anyway. They might have a room with carpet stains or needing repairs that they’re not releasing.
If you’re willing to take it, they may let you have it, and even at a discounted rate.

Check the cleanliness of your hotel at www.bedbugregistry.com and to see if they’ve had a bed
bug outbreak recently. EESH. Disgusting. Bedbugger.com is also a great resource online.
Find out what real guests think about the hotel after staying there on www.TripAdvisor.com.
They share their real experiences, as opposed to the hotel’s slick website or brochure which
make everything sound perfect. I love this website because it also provides tons of reviews on
attractions, restaurants, and anything else you might want to know about your travel destination.

FAMILY ROAD TRIP

Traveling with kids? It’s important to pay attention to details when booking travel for children.
Don’t worry, though, because many parents have gone before you and, thankfully, recorded their
family-friendly travel advice in the form of blogs and websites. Thank you!! Here are a few
worth peeking at before you pack up your bags and head out:

• www.TravelingMom.com
• www.BabyFriendlyBoltholes.co.uk (United Kingdom and Europe)
• www.CiaoBambino.com (many countries around the world)

Many hotels offer “Kids Stay Free” promotions, as well as “Kids Eat Free” passes at their
restaurant. Holiday Inn often awards kids with free gifts! You can check out their website for
specials at www.holidayinn.com. Their Holiday Inn family suites provide free childproofing kits
upon request.

Loews Hotels offer free rentals of toys, cribs, games, movies, and even strollers! I love
Residence Inn because they not only feed you a great complimentary breakfast, but also a dinner
on most nights of the week! Embassy Suites usually have a room configuration that allows
parents to sleep in a private room with a door, leaving the kids to jump on the sofa bed all night
long on the other side of the wall.

Some hotels offer fun activities to keep the kids busy while Dad or Mom attends a meeting or
conference nearby. Camp Hyatt, for example, offers kids aged 3 to 12 a fun educational program
that teaches them about the history and culture of their hotel destination. Other hotels feature
story time and crafts classes. And don’t forget about the free cookies at the front desk in the
afternoons served at Hilton Garden Inn, some Super 8 locations, and Sheraton. Just ask at check-
in what is available.

Bed and Breakfasts are usually NOT the best choice for kids, as they tend to be more romantic
destinations for quiet adults. You can find AirBnB options that actually come with cribs, toys,
swing sets, and other baby necessities.

TRAVELING WITH PETS

Don’t even think about sneaking your pet into your hotel room or you could end up being fined
when the hotel finds out. (Notice I said “when” and not “if.”) There are plenty of pet-friendly
hotel chains, like Comfort Inn, which allows up to three animals in one room. Motel 6 also
allows pets for free, but there are other hotels that charge for Fido. Be sure to ask. A terrific
resource for finding pet-friendly hotels is www.PetsWelcome.com.

Now go out there and explore your world!

FRUGAL FASHION

It's no secret that the economy has a profound effect on our job security, family life, and mental
stress. The changes in a nation's and the world’s financial markets also affect something else,
something that you may not be consciously aware of: fashion. A form of artistic expression,
fashion ideals and trends change depending on culture, time period, season, and economy. We
choose our daily and special occasion ensembles based on several factors, one being what our
socioeconomic status is.

Gillian Downes, a public relations professional, felt there was a need to prove that being
fashionable doesn't mean deviating from your budget. That's why she created the first-ever
Frugal Fashion Week, an annual event which takes place every summer. When the creator of the
event was asked what inspired her to produce Frugal Fashion Week, she answered, “As a former
retailer, I know how concerned you can get during a recession. During times like these, you can
find huge sales, as people become more financially savvy. I wanted to show people that we can
snag great finds for great prices and still look trendy. That's what Frugal Fashion Week is all
about—fashion and fun at a low cost.”

In a down economy, we stop spending as much on our clothing and shoes and, instead, we
become more creative with what we have, adding a few accessories to extend our clothing
repertoire. We're in discovery mode, searching for new stores, new deals, and new ways of
wearing clothing. Some clever Fashionistas who scour the Internet every week and are eager to
share their discoveries with you write about frugal fashion on their terrific blogs. They show you
how you can be beautiful even if you’re broke! Check out some of the following:

• http://www.therecessionista.com
 • http://www.fashionfrugality.com
• http://frugal-fashionistas.com
• www.shefinds.com
• http://brokeandbeautiful.com

Thrift stores and consignment shops tend to be havens for fashion conscious divas on a budget.
Not all thrift shops are created equal, however. To find some great ones in your town, check out
the super helpful directory at www.thethriftshopper.com. It’s a national database of almost
10,000 charity and thrift shops, searchable by zip code. Outlet stores can be a great place to get
brand name clothing for less if you know what to look for. Many clothing stores now make
items specifically for their outlets which are of lower quality. Sometimes the merchandise items
are irregulars, so don’t skip the dressing room before you buy. It’s not a bargain if you can’t
wear it. Many outlet malls offer coupons on top of the savings, so do an online search for “outlet
store coupons” and the name of the shopping center you’re planning on visiting.

You can find outlet locations near you on the following sites:

• http://www.searsoutlet.com
• http://tangeroutlet.com
• http://www.outletbound.com
• www.eddiebaueroutlet.com
• www.crazyforbargains.com

If you are what you wear, then here are TWENTY TIPS to consider so you can make your
wardrobe last longer and present your best self to the world:

1. Don’t buy “dry clean only” clothes if you can’t afford the frequent dry-cleaning bill.
2. If you’re naturally clumsy and tend to spill food down the front of your shirt, avoid
light colored shirts.
3. Store sweaters folded on a shelf or in a drawer, rather than on a hanger where they
can be stretched out.
4. Unzipped clothing can chew up the rest of your clothing in a load of laundry. Be sure
to close all zippers and empty out pockets before running the washing machine.
5. Hang dress shirts so they don’t get wrinkled folded up in a drawer.
6. You don’t have to wash clothes every time you wear them, only when they’re
actually dirty. Using those laundry sticks like “Shout” or “Tide to Go” can stretch out
the days in between your laundry days.
7. Rather than spend money on lint rollers, wrap some tape around your fingers to create
an inexpensive one.
8. Polishing your shoes may seem old-fashioned, but it actually helps them last longer,
preventing dirt from settling into cracks.
 9. Store those extra buttons that come with new clothing in your sewing box so you can
find them easily.
10. Learn how to hem your clothes and sew on missing buttons. You can even bring new
life to the look of a blouse or dress by simply changing the buttons to something more
whimsical or of a different color.
11. Choose your deodorant carefully; some brands can leave stains on your clothing.
12. I never use to wear an apron when cooking because I didn’t want to look like an old
grandmother, but after I ruined one too many outfits, I converted. And, by the way,
don’t cook bacon naked. Just a little helpful hint…
13. Hand wash delicate clothing or put them in those little mesh bags your mother gave
you to protect them from their bouncing neighbors in the machine. They really do
work!
14. Wash clothes in cold water when you can. You’ll notice a drop in your energy bill,
and delicate fabrics will hold up better when not subjected to heat. Cold water
detergents on the market now have been designed to remove dirt without heated water
and work impressively well.
15. Separate whites and color loads. Colored fabrics can bleed onto whites too easily and
ruin entire loads of clothes. Using bleach on white loads can keep white clothes
looking fresh and bright longer.
16. Consider line drying your clothes. You’ll save a fortune on drying costs. If you can’t
stand the thought of putting on stiff clothes, you might try a compromise of drying
clothes in the dryer for a shortened amount of time and then line drying them until
completely dry.
17. If a light-colored piece of clothing gets stained, you could use Rit Dye to cover up the
stain and change the item’s color to something darker, rather than throwing the whole
thing away.
18. A Sharpie can cover a multitude of sins…or scuffs…on your shoes to make them last
longer.
19. Don’t overstuff your closet. Clothes wrinkle faster when they are smooshed together
tightly.
20. A good rule of thumb is to donate a piece of clothing to charity every time you place
a new item in your closet.

Memorize and live the thrifty quote: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” There is
a fun website that advocates non-consumer living: www.thenonconsumeradvocate.com.
Challenge yourself to see how long you can go without buying a new piece of clothing.

And, may I say, you look marvelous just the way you are!
THE MIDAS TOUCH: TURNING COPPER PENNIES INTO GOLD

I like to think of myself as a clever consumer, but sometimes when I stop to reflect on some of
my money-saving efforts I realize I actually ended up costing myself more money in the long-
run. There is a saying “Penny wise and pound foolish.” Allow me to explain.

Doing your own taxes is a perfect example. Most people don’t want the expense of an
accountant, so they buy some kind of inexpensive tax software and try to do their taxes
themselves. That’s fine if you only need basic tax preparation. If, however, your situation is
more complicated or doesn’t exactly fit into the software parameters, you may be losing tax
deductions or exemptions that you didn’t even know you qualified for and that the software
doesn’t know it should apply to your situation. In that case, an accountant could end up saving
you more money in end.

The following are ten common instances where your frugal mentality might actually cost you
more money. Are you guilty of any of these behaviors?

1. Buying the cheapest products

When I was first married, I had to stock a full kitchen, so I purchased the cheapest pots and pans
I could afford. Naturally, they fell apart quickly, and I had to replace them. I was still convinced
that if I bought inexpensive products then I would save money instantly, but I soon learned that I
had to keep replacing the cheap products. Finally, I decided to buy more expensive pots and
pans and found that their good quality has lasted for many years. It cost me more money up
front to purchase higher quality merchandise, but I have yet to replace them! This same
principle applies to shoes, clothes, tools and anything we buy when we consider skimping on
quality for price. You really do get what you pay for.

2. Shopping When You’re Hungry

I’m sad to say that I’ve been guilty of doing this many times when I’ve raced into a grocery
store, without having eaten, thinking “I’ll grab something healthy I can eat in my car while I
continue to run errands.” I end up buying a huge shopping cart of food and decide to grab more
food to go at the Taco Bell next door. I’m embarrassed to even admit that! Shopping when
you’re hungry doesn’t just apply to actual food. If you think you’ll just wander through the
furniture store when you’re dying for a new living room suite, you’re going to be tempted. Just
don’t shop hungry and you’ll be more likely to save money. If driving past your favorite burger
joint makes you crave their awesome fries, drive a different route.

3. Driving around town for the best price

I know a guy who scours the grocery ads every week and drives around town from store to store
to pick up their advertised specials. He brags about how much money he’s saving. Sure, he
might be getting a great deal on canned tuna one week, but I wonder how much money he’s
spending on gas and the wear and tear of his car, not to mention the price of his time. As gas
prices continue to rise, you really need to factor that cost into your driving patterns. If you can
save a bunch of money on a deal by driving across town, then it makes sense, but if you’re only
saving a few pennies on a product, think again. I’ve talked about going to www.gasbuddy.com
or using their app to find the cheapest gas in your town, but if you have to drive a long distance
to get it, then it just doesn’t make sense…or should I say…cents.

4. Procrastination

Have you ever received a parking ticket or bill and then procrastinated paying it because you
were angry that you got it in the first place or simply set it aside to deal with it later? What
happened? That annoying bill started accruing late fees or penalties, costing you more in the
end. Most of us like to put off unpleasant tasks, hoping they will just disappear, but don’t let
your procrastination cost you your pretty pennies. Just deal with it as soon as possible and be
done with it.

5. Buying food in bulk

I love those giant hot chocolate muffins at Costco. Mmmm….I can’t seem to get out of that
store for less than $200. Everything looks like such a great deal when you buy in bulk, but can
you really eat a giant tub of mayonnaise before it expires? Unless you’re feeding an army or
have a deep freezer and huge pantry space, you’re not saving any money when all that food
spoils faster than you can use it up. I used to live near a fresh produce warehouse where I could
go in and get cases of locally grown things. I would split up the cases with friends and neighbors
and we’d all share the cost. Nothing spoiled and we really did save money. Buy One Get One
deals aren’t a deal unless you really can use the other one before it goes bad.

6. Spending more time in the store

Have you noticed that most stores don’t have clocks in them? I don’t mean that they don’t sell
clocks; rather, they don’t have a clock hanging on the wall because they don’t want you to know
what time it is! They know that the more time you spend in their store, the more likely you are
to spend increased amounts of money. Have you also noticed that your favorite stores move
items around on the shelves? They want you to have to wander around to find things that you
might not have seen before so that you’ll buy them. Give yourself a time limit to get in and out
and you’ll spend less money.

7. Assuming that buying a house will be a good investment.

I probably don’t have to explain this one since we’ve just experienced one of the largest real
estate crashes in history. Most of us are still seeing it in our towns, because it’s not over. When
we first moved to Las Vegas from California (who leaves paradise for the desert?!), I was ready
to buy a house and put down my family’s roots. My husband, who is a real estate appraiser dug
in his heels and said the timing was terrible and he wanted to rent instead. I whined, but he won.
Actually, I should say we both won. We waited it out and when my husband started to see
values rise, rather than continue to fall, we ended up buying a house for an under-valued price
with one of the lowest interest rates in 40 years (3%)! Before making a real estate purchase, talk
to several honest appraisers in the area first and find out what kinds of trends they’re noticing in
home values. Take them out to lunch to thank them for their time and expertise.

8. Not passing up a good sale

Most husbands roll their eyes when their wives proudly announce with their arms laden with
shopping bags: “See all the money I saved?” Yeah, I’ve been guilty of this one too. You save
money when you actually don’t spend money. Even at a 90% off sale (which I TOTALLY
love), if you don’t really need the item and buy it just because it’s a great deal, it’ll most likely
end up in your future garage sale.

9. Believing the salesman

Just because a sign says a product used to cost $500 and is now $250, doesn’t really mean you’re
getting the best price. Sadly, salesmen lie. So do their ads. They’re trying to pay their own bills
and are highly influenced by bonus pay or commission they might make when they convince you
to buy something. If you’re in a store and see a price that the salesman says is a once-in-a-
lifetime opportunity, take a few seconds to do some research online if you have an iPhone or
Android with shopping apps.

Some FREE apps that could save you money are:

• ShopSavvy – compares online prices with local retailers by doing a product search,
scanning a barcode or even a QR code https://shopsavvy.com/
 • Vouchercloud – onscreen codes that deliver real-world discounts
https://shopsavvy.com/
• Scandit – snap the barcode of an item you’re interested in and Scandit will search for the
best price in your area https://www.scandit.com/
• Scoutmob – when you don’t know where to eat, Scoutmob checks which restaurants near
you are currently having special deals https://local.scoutmob.com/mobile
• RedLaser Barcode Scanner – a digital personal scanner that compares prices on products
https://redlaser.en.softonic.com/iphone
• Igaragesale - pulls ads from craigslist garage sale category and then maps them based on
your location. https://www.iphoneappsfinder.com/premium-apps/igaragesale/
• CardStar – store your reward card information so you don’t have to carry a bunch of
loyalty cards in your wallet anymore
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cardstar/id301460311

10. Not being patient

Salesmen often try to create an urgent need for you to buy something by telling you that the
incredible deal they’re offering you won’t be available after you walk out the door, because they
know that if you do leave and think about it, you’ll probably decide it’s better to save your
money and not make the purchase after all. Whenever you’re feeling pressured to buy
something, walk away. There will always be another salesman willing to make a deal with you.
Deadlines are, shall we say, flexible? We often get caught up in the excitement of a good deal,
so stepping back from a purchase may help you realize you really CAN live without that item
after all.

Sometimes we assume that the salesman or customer service representative on the phone is
giving us the best deal possible. That’s not always true. They’re usually promoting whatever it
is the company wants you to know about. Always ask for fees to be waived. Always ask if
that’s the best price they can offer. Always ask if there is a special coupon or discount available.
Believe it or not, sometimes you have to word your question in just the right way before they’re
allowed to release information about the rock bottom price.

Finally, keep up the good work! All of the changes you’re making to improve your finances are
working. It’s all baby steps, baby. Do what you can to cut back and shop smarter. Before
making any purchases, ask yourself “How can I get this for free or pay less?” Those pretty
pennies will turn to gold faster than you think! You can do this!
SENIORS SAVING CENTS

To offset all the aches and pains of aging, there just have to be some perks for getting older!
Thankfully, there are MANY, but most of the time you have to ask for them. This chapter is an
introduction to what’s available out there so that you’ll know what to ask for! Mark Twain once
said, “Age is a matter of mind…if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!” Celebrate your senior
status and turn it into a source for savings!

Many seniors live on a fixed income, so every penny counts. Seniors should check eligibility for
state benefits that might apply to them. There are also some federal laws which help older
citizens save money, such as the senior property tax exemption. The exemption is available to
applicants who meet the following three requirements:

1. Are at least 65 years of age as of January 1, 2012.

2. Have owned their home for at least 10 years as of January 1, 2012.
3. Occupied it as their primary residence for at least 10 years as of January 1, 2012.

Older citizens are often the victims of scams. A study reported by the American Psychological
Association revealed that older people who can’t remember things correctly and are unwilling to
admit that there’s a problem are the most susceptible to scam artists. Seniors can be very trusting,
especially if someone acts like a helpful salesman who can explain a complicated program that
portends to benefit the unsuspecting recipient.

Here are seven tips to help you or your older loved ones avoid getting ripped off by slimy
crooks:

1. Have your checks (social security, disability, stock dividends, etc.) deposited directly
into your bank account.
2. Pay as many bills as possible by automatic withdrawal.
 3. Reduce the number of telemarketer calls you receive by registering your phone
number with the federal government’s “Do Not Call Registry” by calling 1-888-382-
1222.
4. Ask someone you know for a second opinion before signing up for something,
especially if it sounds too good to be true.
5. Never give a salesman your personal information, such as your bank account number,
social security number, or passwords to anything. Senior scam artists will often call
or email a request for your information, pretending to be from your bank. Never
respond to incoming messages from your bank; call your bank directly to verify if
they really did call before giving out your information.
6. Choose someone you know and trust to receive a power of attorney on your behalf.
When you get older and less able to make wise decisions, that person will be able to
look out for your best interest and be legally empowered to make choices that protect
you.
7. When getting estimates for work done on your car, house, or body, get everything in
writing. Never accept verbal agreements.

People often ask me if the cost of an AARP membership is worth it. The answer is: “It
depends.” If you’re already a member of AAA, an alumni group, or your company has some
kind of employee benefits package that provides discounts, then you probably already have
access to the same discounts. AARP membership is extended to people over 50 years “young”
and is known to have a liberal agenda. Conservative seniors are thrilled to have a few other
options which align more with their religious and political values:

The Association of Mature American Citizens https://amac.us/generationamerica/

Like AARP, membership in any of the above senior groups includes special discounts, helpful
resources, and some political lobbying on your behalf.

www.seniordiscounts.com – Senior Discounts is the largest senior discount database with over
150,000 businesses listed. The free basic membership allows you to do a discount search on
their site, as well as post deals you’ve found in your area so others can benefit.

Certain communities have created special discount programs for seniors living in the area. Do a
search online, using the name of your town and the words “senior discount” to see if one exists
in your area.

The list of discounts below is not exhaustive, and some merchants may make changes to their
senior offerings, so just ask what the current specials are with a smile, and you’re sure to get
something. You’ll notice on the list that some discounts kick in at age 50, while others aren’t
available until you turn 60, 62, 65, or even 70. The first step is to simply ASK! If you’re asked
to show your driver’s license or some other kind of identification to prove your age, be flattered
that you don’t look it!
Auto Discounts

• Avis: 25% off. Must be AARP member.

• Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
• Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
• Drivers insurance: mature.iDrivesafely.com
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
• National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
• STS Tires & Auto Centers: Silver Club membership (55+)
• Valvoline Instant Oil change: 10% off oil change (50+)

Cell Phones

• AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)

• Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
• Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)

Entertainment

• AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)

• Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
• Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
• Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
• Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
• Dallas Zoo: 35% off (65+)
• Marcus Theatres: certain discounts every Friday (60+)
• National Amusements: 30% off adult admission (60+)
• New Jersey State Parks: free pass (62+)
• New York Mets & New York Yankees: various discounts and special perks (60+)
• Regal Cinemas: 30% off
• Ripleys Believe it or Not: $2 off one-day ticket (55+)
• SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
• U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping
(62+)

Finances

• Bank of America: “Advantage for Seniors” (55+)

• SunTrust: Select checking (50+)
• U.S. Bank: 50% discount on personal checking, free cashier's checks & money orders
(55+)
 • Wachovia: Access Fifty Checking program (50+)
• Wells Fargo: Elder Services

Grocery

• Albertsons: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)

• American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
• Bi-Lo Grocery: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
• Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
• DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
• Escott’s Grocery Store: 10% every Tuesday (60+)
• Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
• Frys Supermarket: free Frys VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday(55+)
• Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
• Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
• Pathmark Grocery: 5% off purchase over $30 on Mondays. (55+)
• Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
• Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
• ShopRite: 5-10% off one day every week on Tuesdays or Wednesdays (60+)
• Uncle Guiseppes Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Health Discounts

• www.eldercarelink.com (Great resources on in-home care, assisted living, legal and

financial advice, mobility, life insurance, writing a will, and lots more.)
• Great Clips: $3 off haircuts (60+)
• Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
• Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)
• UNA Rx: prescription discount card
• Call Medicare (1-800-633-4227) for a list of approved discount cards for pharmacy
discounts

Household

• Anawalt Lumber Company: 10% (60+)

• Teske Pet & Garden: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
• The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Restaurants:

• Applebees: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)

• Arbys: 10% off (55+)
• Arctic Circle: 15% (55+)
• Baker’s Square: 10% off (60+)
• Ben & Jerrys: 10% off (60+)
• Bennigans: discount varies by location
• Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
• Burger King: 10% off (60+)
• Captain Ds Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
• Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
• Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
• CiCis Pizza: 10% off (60+)
• Culvers: 10% off (60+)
• Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
• Dunkin Donuts: free donut with purchase of a large or extra large coffee for AARP
members with a valid card (Valid through February 28, 2013)
• Eat’n Park Restaurants: Discounted Senior Breakfast Buffet on Tuesday mornings
• El Pollo Loco: 10% off (55+)
• Einsteins Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
• Fuddruckers: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
• Gattis Pizza: 10% off (60+)
• Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
• Hardees: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
• IHOP: 10% off (55+)
• Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
• KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
• Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
• Long John Silvers: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
• McDonalds: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
• Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
• Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar: 20% off (55+)
• Schlotzky’s Deli: 10% off (60+)
• Shoneys: 10% off
• Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
• Steak n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
• Subway: 10% off (60+)
• Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
 • Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
• TCBY: 10% off (55+)
• Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
• Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
• Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
• Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
• White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail Shopping

• Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)

• Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
• Belks: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
• Burke’s Outlet: 15% of all purchases every Monday (50+)
• Big Lots: 10% off
• Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
• C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
• Clarks: 10% off (62+)
• Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
• Fred Meyer Marketplace: 10% off the first Tuesday of every month (55%)
• Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
• Kmart: 20% off (50+)
• Kohls: 15% off (60+)
• Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off for shoppers (65+)
• Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: 20% off (65+)
• Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
• The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
• Stage Department Stores: 20% discount every Tuesday (50+)
• Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)
• T.J. Maxx: 10% discount to customers every Monday in Florida (55+)

Travel

• Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)

• Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
• American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
• Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
• Best Western: 10% off (55+)
 • Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Casinos: most offer special discounts on gaming, rooms, and restaurants
• Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
• Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
• Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
• Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location(62+)
• Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
• InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels(65+)
• Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Travelers Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
• Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
• Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
• Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
• Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
• Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for
discount)
• Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up United Airlines:
various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
• U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Retirement can mean a new life of relaxing leisure and time to check off all those items on your
bucket list at last, but it can also mean you’re living on a fixed income, so you’ll have to be even
more careful with your money. Thankfully, there are plenty of stores and businesses out there
who want to reward you with freebies and discounts. You just have to pay attention and ask.
Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who
keeps learning stays young.” Remember, your inner child is ageless!
QUICK CASH - MAKE SOME MONEY TODAY

Most of us need more money. It’s not that we just WANT more money to buy dumb things; prices
on everything are increasing and we actually NEED more cash to cover our current expenses. Sure,
most of us would like to be millionaires, but what it is that everyone really wants are the basics:
food, shelter, love, security.

After doing some informal research with friends, I found that the top reasons why most people
want more money include the following:

• To get out of debt

• To save for retirement
• To have some savings for emergencies
• To quit a job they hate and make money doing what they love
• To reduce the risk of living paycheck to paycheck
• To reduce the risk of relying on only one source of income should it fail
• To begin a new business and work for themselves, possibly creating jobs for others as
well
• To help other people

Did you notice something interesting about those goals? None of them require millions of dollars.
Most people would be able to achieve those goals with only a few hundred dollars a month extra.
That’s doable!

In a nutshell, there are several ways to get more money:

1. Inherit it (someone has to die first)

2. Win it (chances are slim)
3. Work for a company (exchanging your time for money)
4. Become an entrepreneur and build your own business (excellent idea!)
5. Invent something (before someone else thinks of it and takes it to market)
 6. Invest your money and live off the interest (you have to have money first before you can
invest it)
7. Get a second job (because you’re just not exhausted enough yet)

We can often feel like our finances are out of our control. It’s unwise to put all your eggs in one
basket, so to speak, or to trust in the government or even a company for all of your financial
security. Those who become self-reliant and make money-earning opportunities for themselves
will be able to weather the economic storms of life.

Because of that, building your own business is one of the best ways to take control of your financial
prospects. Building a profitable business takes time, however, so what if you need money right
now? The following list includes simple ways to earn QUICK CASH NOW:

* Sell an ebook. Making a Kindle MOBI from a Word document takes only 5 minutes! An ebook
goes live on Kindle in just 12 hours. Did you know that more ebooks are sold on Amazon than hard
copies nowadays? You don’t have to write the Great American novel. In fact, non-fiction “how to”
ebooks sell the best. First, think about what skills you have and what you know. We all have some
kind of talent or knowledge that others don’t. Write about it and people will buy it!

* Sell your stuff. Have a garage sale, donate your junk to Goodwill for the tax deduction, or sell it
on Craig’s List, Amazon, eBay, or even at a pawn shop for some fast cash. You know you have way
too much stuff anyway. You better start selling those DVD’s and CD’s before they’re as worthless as
cassette tapes and 8 track tapes.

* Look around your neighborhood to see what people need. Offer to mow lawns, house sit,
walk dogs, wash windows, babysit, do social networking for small businesses, or even build
websites for local companies. People like to do business with people who live nearby and take
initiative. Some great websites where you can find side jobs while keeping your main job are
www.fiverr.com and www.upwork.com

* Tutor what you know. Call your local high school, middle school, and elementary school to be
put on their tutor list. You can also find local tutoring gigs at www.wyzant.com,
www.domesticsale.com, www.tutorz.com, www.tutormatch.com, www.tutornation.com, and on
Craig’s List. It’s a flexible side job because you can accept as few or as many assignments as you
want.

* Go abroad. If you’re ready for an adventure, go abroad to teach English for a few months or a
year. I know several people who highly recommend www.ilp.org,
www.disneyenglish.disneycareers.com, and www.ciee.org/teach. Some countries require teachers
to have a bachelor’s degree first, while others require an additional TESOL certificate, but there are
many who are simply eager to hire native English speakers who are up for a unique work
experience. Just know that your working hours will most likely be on Asia time, which is early in
the morning or late at night here in the USA.

For more information about specific countries, check out the following web sites:
 • Italy: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/italy.shtml
• Japan: www.aeonet.com and www.jetprogramme.org
• Mexico: http://www.eslemployment.com/articles/teach-english-in-mexico-381.html
• Russia: www.bkcih-moscow.com
• Saudi Arabia: www.bayt.com
• South Korea: www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/
• Thailand: www.auathailand.org

* Start a car wash and detailing service. Part of your service could include going to their home or
office so it makes it easy for them to schedule you. Offer to wash their dog while you’re at it!

* Do grunge jobs. I know a guy who earns a full-time income as a Pooper Scooper! I know some
college students who earn good money before and after the holidays by hanging Christmas lights on
people’s homes. Most people would gladly pay others to clean their gutters or chimney. If you own
a truck, offer to move people or haul their junk around. See if anyone needs a room or house
painted. A lot of banks have large inventories of homes that have been foreclosed and are in need of
cleaning or repair; call some banks and see how you can help get their houses ready to sell on the
market again.

* Run errands for busy professionals. Contact realtors to see if they need help passing out their
flyers or posting “Open House” signs along certain roads. Call busy companies to see if they need
help delivering time-sensitive documents. Find out if a nearby school needs indoor or outdoor help.
Offer to do data entry from home or outbound appointment setting.

* Sell your knowledge. There are places online where you can register as an “advisor” so
people can pay you for your expertise. You can sign on at www.ingenio.com, , www.oodle.com,
www.innocentive.com, www.liveperson.com, or www.duno.com.

* Solve problems. Crowdsourcing has become quite popular because companies don’t have to
pay to hire another employee, but rather, they can outsource to people who can help them solve
problems. Check out www.instructables.com.

* Get out your hammer. If you have construction, landscaping, woodworking, or welding
experience you can find side jobs at www.sidejobtrader.com

* Sell your skills. If you have technical or administrative skills, go to www.elance.com,

www.sell.com, www.ifreelance.com, and www.sologig.com.

* Sell articles to magazines. You can get paid per word or by the article or earn royalties when
people click on ads that are posted on the same web pages as your content. Check out
www.hubpages.com, www.helium.com, www.squidoo.com, www.suite101.com, and
www.constantcontent.com.

* Collect aluminum cans and glass bottles to take to your local recycling center, which will pay you
cash on the spot! You may feel like a “bag lady” but hey, it’s QUICK CASH! You could ask your
neighbors to save recyclables for you, rather than leave them out for the garbage company to cash
in on.

* Work where you live. If you live in an apartment, ask your manager what odd jobs you could
help with on the property to earn some extra money. Rent out a room in your house or find a
roommate to help share housing expenses. If it’s legal in your city, you can sign up to host a room
or experience on www.AirBnb.com

* Get paid for your ideas. You can get paid to help companies find clever domain names for their
websites at www.pickydomains.com. If you can come up with a great name for a new product, go to
www.sitepoint.com and help them with their “name my thingy” projects. Submit your ideas at
www.quirky.com and if the community there likes it, you can get funded for a new project of your
own.

* Get your blog to work for you. If you already have a blog, you should be earning affiliate
commissions or AdSense commissions. You can also get paid by advertisers to write reviews
about certain products by signing up at www.socialspark.com, www.payperpost.com, ,
www.linkworth.com, and www.sponsoredreviews.com.

* Make your dream happen. If you’ve always wanted to start a small business or bring a
product to market, getting funding is easier than ever. Crowdfunding is a dream come true for
young businesses that don’t have much money to get going. Groups of people gather funds to
help new start-ups get a break. Some popular ones right now are

www.kickstarter.com www.indiegogo.com www.crowdfunding.com .

Bootstrapping refers to growing a business organically with little initial investment. A good
business needs:

1. A good idea. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t even need to be original. It
just needs to be better and/or different from what else is already out there.
2. Execution. The best idea is worthless if you don’t act on it.
3. Branding. Come up with a simple slogan and image that will make you memorable.
4. Customers. If your business is online, then you need traffic.
5. Conversions. Getting traffic to your site is worthless if no one is buying anything.

* Think outside the box. The ideas listed above just barely scratched the surface. For more
ideas on how to get quick cash, go to: www.Smartpassiveincome.com and
www.passivepanda.com.

When unemployment is high, there are still plenty of jobs and money-making opportunities out
there. Don’t expect a helping hand from the government or someone else. The most effective
helping hands are the ones at the ends of your own arms!
BOOMERANG KIDS - HELPING ADULT CHILDREN MAKE IT ON THEIR
OWN

Remember that movie Failure To Launch with the adorable Sarah Jessica Parker and the handsome
Matthew McConaughey? It was funny as a flick, but not so much when it’s your kid who won’t grow
up and move out. “Boomerang Generation” is the term assigned to grown children who return
home to live with their parents after failing to make it on their own. It’s a cold, cruel world out
there these days, and new figures were recently released showing that an increasing number of
young adults are returning to live with their parents, a trend born from the period now formally
referred to as the Great Recession.

"The recession hit young adults the hardest because they were often 'last hired, first fired'," said
Zhenchao Qian, a professor and chairman of sociology at Ohio State University, who has been
working on a cultural study in this new millennium. The sluggish economy made it especially
difficult for young adults to successfully transition from their parents’ home to their own. Professor
Qian explains, "Many young adults find it comforting to return home, to double up with their
parents when times are tough."

According to a CollegeGrad.com survey, about 85 percent of the 2012 college graduates returned
home after the ceremonies ended! Combine rising unemployment numbers with massive amounts
of student debt and you get little birdies flying back to the nest.

Here are some interesting statistics that show the growing trend of kids heading back under the
protection of Mom and Dad’s roof:

• 24 percent of young adults ages 20 to 34 lived with their parents in the 2007 to 2009 years
of the Great Recession, compared to 17 percent who lived at home in 1980.
• The percentage of those under age 25 living at home jumped from 32 percent in 1980 to 43
percent during this recession.
 • From 1980 to 2009 the percent of 25 to 29-year-olds living at home rose from 11 to 19
percent.
• More young men head home when compared to young women: in the 20-34 age group, 26
percent of men compared to 21 percent of women.

Because of the financial stress that returning adult children put on their parents, some journalists in
the media are even calling the boomerangs “baby gloomers” and “kidults.” It’s not all negative,
however. A recent report by the Pew Research Center said that a high percentage of adult children
and their parents are happy with the close, temporary living situation. Pooling resources during
rough times is what family is for, right? While statistics show that more young adults are taking a
slower path into self-sufficiency, Barbara Ray and Richard Settersten, authors of the book Not Quite
Adults, said having a little more time at home can be a good thing.

"What we found in our book is that a slower path into adulthood is often a path into a more secure
future," Ray said. "What parents are providing by allowing their kids to move back home is a
launching pad so you can make some smarter decisions because you're not feeling the financial
pressure quite as much if you have to pay rent. This allows you to be a little more strategic and get a
good step in the right direction with that first job."

Whether you’re thrilled to be able to spend more time with your darling child or you think your
empty nest has now become crowded again, you might consider creating a contract with your adult
child to lay out the rules for the new living situation. You can purchase a helpful contract at
www.boomerangkidshelp.com or simply sit down together to create one of your own.

Returning children often revert back into their irresponsible teenage habits as they try to figure out
who they are and what they can do. Their bruised egos often lead them to sleep in, veg in front of
the TV, or stay up all night playing with their friends. Raising your kids AGAIN can take a toll on
your finances and relationships.

So, what is a parent to do? Here are a few tips to help your adult child launch into the world with
success:

Encourage them to get any kind of work they can get. Many college grads refuse to accept a job
that is beneath their newly acquired degree. Let them know that those who are willing to show
they can work hard are often the ones who are rising within companies nowadays. They’ll feel
more productive and happy when they’re doing something.

Consider charging rent. Your grocery and utility bills are now higher with another mouth to feed,
so explain that anyone over age 18 in the house needs to contribute to the household expenses.

Explain expectations. Remind your child that everyone in the family has to help in order for the
household to run smoothly. Divide up chores and explain the new house rules. Be a life raft, not a
cruise ship.

Don’t dip into your savings to fund your kids into dependency. Some parents are tempted to
cash into their retirement to pay for their child’s apartment or even pay off their school loans for
them. It may seem like you’re helping, but you’re putting your own future into jeopardy because
you may not have time to rebuild your savings. You’re also creating a child who will continuously
look for a free bail-out from you or others. Offer help, not handouts.

Don’t rub it in. Your child had to come home with his tail between his legs and feels bad enough.
Try not to lecture and avoid topics that turn into emotional bombs. He’s not the same person he
was when he was a child growing up in your home.

Respect your child’s opinions and need for privacy. Treat her like an adult. Remember, she has
lived on her own for the past several years in school. You taught her to stand up for herself, so don’t
be hurt when she disagrees with you.

Don’t drive your adult child nuts with technology requests. While you might have many years
of experience with life, your kid probably is smarter when it comes to technology. It kind of drives
the younger generation crazy when we constantly ask them to solve our IT problems.

Let them teach you. You’ve always wanted to be hip and cool, right? Let them give you fashion
advice so you don’t look like an aging frump. Let them share with you what they’ve learned at
school during the past few years. They may now know things you never knew.

Let them grow up. It’s hard to let go. A good parent works himself out of a job. Your goal is to do
such a good job teaching your kid to be independent that they don’t need you anymore.

What if YOU are the boomerang? Here are a few tips to help you get back on track while living
at home again:

Create a daily schedule. Include a balanced life: exercise, job hunting, socializing, and service.
You’ll feel more productive and be able to think more clearly.

Don’t be a mooch. Living at home with your parents creates a new financial strain on them, so
offer to help around the house by cooking, cleaning, or doing home repair jobs. Try to be a
blessing on them, rather than a burden.

Don’t be resentful if your parents ask you to help with chores. You’d be caring for everything
by yourself if you were on your own. They’re getting older and may actually need your help
more now.

Set goals and a timeline for when you can leave and be self-sufficient. Share your exit strategy
with your parents so they won’t worry you’ll be with them for years on end.

Communicate with your parents. Let them know how many jobs you are applying for each
week so that they’ll see you’re trying. Let them give you advice on your resume, interviewing
skills, and maybe even restructuring your student loans. They’ve learned a thing or two during
their lives and want to share what they know so you don’t have to repeat their mistakes. They
may even have connections with people who could hire you.
Don’t ask your parents for more money. Remember that your parents have financial goals for
their retirement that you’re now putting at risk. Save money like crazy right now.

Grow up. No one owes you a job or promised you a trouble-free future. You make your future.
Begin by designing your life now and take action today.

Don’t be annoyed when your parents want to know about your life and your day. Remember,
they love you and want you to be successful. They’ll always be your parents and want to be a
part of your life. Use this time back at home to strengthen your relationships and create new, fun
memories. The day will come when they pass away and you’ll wish you could talk to them one
more time.

Remember, it’s only temporary. It’s their house, their rules.

I’ve heard a boomerang say that either too much babying or too much tough love both end badly.
It’s a delicate balance, to be sure. The day will come when you’ll all wish you could spend more
time with each other. Life is short. Enjoy your moments together when you can.
BUSINESS BUILDING 101

Building your own business is one way you can put financial control back into your own hands.
Creating a profitable company is definitely easier said than done, eh?

Google defines a business as one of these 7 things:

1. A person’s regular occupation, profession, or trade

2. An activity that someone is engaged in
3. A person’s concern
4. Work that has to be done or matters that have to be attended to
5. The practice of making one’s living by engaging in commerce
6. Trade considered in terms of its volume or profitability
7. A commercial house or firm

A businessman I know recently described a business as “a commercial vehicle that delivers

sustainable and scalable cash flow to serve the needs of the owner in as much time as desired.” I
like that definition! While your business should serve your customers, its existence is to meet
your financial needs; otherwise, why start a business at all? If you’ve thought about being your
own boss, here are some tips to consider when starting a business:

Start small but start today. The greatest idea is worth nothing if you don’t take action.

Choose a name that is easy to remember and one that is descriptive of the people your business
will serve, so that it will draw your ideal customers to your door. Whether you have a brick and
mortar store or an online business, it needs a good website that utilizes SEO marketing to attract
the right customer.

Build a team. You don’t need to do everything in your company yourself just to save money.
Outsource the things you’re not good at. You can assign experts to complete various tasks
inexpensively at www.updesk.com or www.Fivrr.com. The internet makes it easy to automate.
Align with other companies you can help and whose positions in the community and market
can also help you. We live in a relationship economy now where connections and mutual service
are making all the difference in profitability.

Create a brand that identifies who you are and how you serve. Focus on a niche, rather than
trying to be all things to all people.

Research. Before you take the plunge and invest your hard-earned money and precious time
into a business venture, do your research. The Small Business Administration is the perfect
place to begin: www.sba.gov. They have an assessment tool which evaluates your skills,
personal traits, and experience that could determine what you might be successful at. They can
also help you with market research, planning, and bank loan preparation.

Another terrific site where you’ll find tons of helpful information is: www.Score.org. They can
help you find a business mentor, and they also have special resources for minority business
owners. www.WomenOwned.com provides startup information and networking assistance for
women business owners. Another resource for women is the National Association of Women
Business Owners at www.nawbo.org, which says that right now more businesses are owned by
women than during any other time in history.

You’ll also find useful links to guide you through the creation process at
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html.

There are a lot of how-to’s to figure out, but don’t worry—there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Bootstrapping is a term used to describe a company or a person who is ready to start his own
business but doesn’t have much money to get going.

Below are some resources to help you navigate through the process of creating a profitable
business:

• How to write a business plan: http://www.inc.com/guides/write-a-great-business-

plan.html
• How to set up the right legal structure for your company for tax time:
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20090101/how-to-choose-the-right-legal-structure.html
• How to find investors: www.kickstarter.com and www.goldenseeds.com
• How to set up your Employer Identification Number (federal tax identification):
http://www.sba.gov/content/getting-tax-identification-number

Some websites that are full of ideas for business owners are:

• http://www.how-to-start-a-business-guide.com/
• http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/index.html
 • http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2012/05/31/how-to-start-a-business-with-only-
100-in-the-bank/
• http://www.schoolforstartups.com/
• http://www.howtostartabusiness.biz/
• http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/

Whether you have a “brick and mortar” business or one online, getting traffic to your site is
crucial. Of course, “traffic” doesn’t mean anything to your bottom line unless you can convert it
into paying customers. Paying for advertising is one more expense you’d rather not have, but is
something that can keep a company in business and weather the economic storm.

Here are some tools to help business owners with getting some free publicity and stretching
your advertising dollars:

www.LinkedIn.com : This is a social network for professionals and an excellent way to make
connections. This is a highly effective way of finding journalists who may be interested in
writing about your products or services. Use keywords like ‘reporter’, ‘journalist’, or ‘reviewer’
and enter a word that represents what your business does. You can also save up to five searches
on LinkedIn so that you can be notified when new people who match your criteria join the site.
Use the contacts you glean from your search to craft engaging pitches that will result in free
publicity for your business.

www.MuckRack.com : This is a Twitter directory that tracks journalists based on the media
outlet they work for. You can find out what journalists are tweeting about, look through their
Twitter feeds, and monitor what they’re saying about you, your competitor, or your industry.
Muck Rack offers a 30-day trial and then monthly plans after that.

www.MerchantCircle.com allows you to register a free membership, create a page for your
business, and create custom coupons FREE. You can even create your own business blog on the
site.

www.Facebook.com : Do searches for journalists to see what they’re talking about on Facebook
and to find out which ones write about topics related to your small business.

www.iNewswire.com This site is great for distributing press releases FREE. As a small
business, it can get pricey to send out releases through paid distribution services. But with free
services like iNewswire, you can get your release out there without breaking the bank.

www.ContactAnyCelebrity.com This is an interesting, out of the box site that puts you in touch
with celebrities for endorsements, charity events, and other promotions. The service is used by
the likes of Amazon, ABC, Brown University, Microsoft, and MTV. With a database of more
than 60,000 celebrities and a free trial for just $1.
www.BizSugar.com : This is a social bookmarking site for small business owners and managers
that allows you to submit, share, and vote for the best business articles on the Internet. You can
submit articles about your business or industry free. You can also network online with other
small business owners who may be interested in partnering on a promotion or just finding out
more about what you do.

www.Joinme.com : One innovative way to get free publicity for your business is to host a
webinar about a topic related to your field. You’d think a webinar would be costly, but it’s not.
Join, which allows you to share your computer screen, make presentations to multiple people,
and host webinars online, is free for 14 days and less than $20 a month if you opt for the Pro
version of their service.

www.Copyblogger.com : Offers a free marketing course.

Decide whether your passion is a hobby or a potential business. Creating a company that meets
your needs, as well as solves your customers’ problems is a lot of work. Don’t quit your day job
just yet. If you build a strong foundation in the beginning, your own company will have
something no other job does: a boss who believes in you more than anything!

You can do this! Remember back in the beginning of the book when we talked about how YOU
control your money, not the other way around? With the tools and resources in this book, you
can build a financially secure future.
HOME SWEET HOME – PURCHASING REAL ESTATE

If the crazy drop in real estate values during the last recession has got you scared to invest in a
piece of property, look again. Incredibly low mortgage interest rates and relatively cheap home
prices make now an excellent time to purchase. In fact, according to the affordability index,
which was created back in 1970, purchasing a home today is more affordable than it has been in
the 41 years since records were kept. After my husband and I took advantage of a 3% fixed
interest loan on a home recently, the first thing out of my mouth at closing was: “What else can
we buy?!”

If you’re buying a home to live in yourself, you generally need to stay in it for two years in order
to cover the closing costs on your investment. Flipping real estate is a money-maker for savvy
investors, but a bit risky for the average Joe just trying to survive the volatile market. Be patient
and you should be okay. Buying a home is usually the largest purchase you’ll ever make in your
life, so you need to be careful and smart about it.

I live in Las Vegas, the city that had the highest number of foreclosures in America during this
past recession. I personally know many people who are still “upside down” in their home or who
have lost their home. It’s truly heartbreaking. Real estate bubbles can burst and stock markets
can crash, reminding us not to put all of our eggs into one basket. Invest your future in a variety
of assets, including such non-traditional options as food storage, popular barter items, gold and
silver, ammo, and even advancing your own marketability and skills. Another lesson to be
learned is to start paying attention. Talk to real estate appraisers about the current trends they
see. Get your head out of the sand and pay attention to the news, asking yourself, “How will this
affect my investments?”

Buying a house remains one of the smartest investments in a distressed real estate market in all
but six major U.S. cities, according to a new survey from Trulia.com. The Trulia.com 2013 Rent
vs. Buy Index identifies New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Memphis, Kansas City,
and Seattle as the cities where it makes more sense to rent than buy. My husband, who is a real
estate appraiser, says that cash is king right now. The majority of sales right now are cash offers
on distressed properties from people who are ready to make a deal, usually investors. Most
people, however, simply want to purchase one home for themselves to live in, and they need
some help from the bank in order to do it. If that describes you, here are some tips to consider
that will help you survive the process of qualifying for a loan and shopping for a home.

Clean up your credit report. A good place to start is www.myFICO.com where you can get a
good picture of how banks will see you. You can also get a free copy of your credit report each
year at www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Correct any errors before you apply for a mortgage.
Even better, pay off any debts.

Pre-qualify for a mortgage. Any real estate agent or bank can help you determine how much
house you can actually afford, as well as what your monthly payments would be. You’ll actually
want to get several “Good Faith” estimates before you go shopping for a home. Just don’t go
hog-wild on getting a bunch of quotes, because any time a lender checks your credit and goes
into your records, your account will get “dinged.” Too many “dings” can actually lower your
credit score. And by the way, every time you apply for a credit card you also get dinged. You
can compare lender rates online for free at places like www.bankrate.com. Look for the lender
with the lowest total cost during the first thirty months of the loan, not just the lowest interest
rate. When you're shopping, use a form like the HUD-1 Settlement Statement or the American
Enterprise Institute's “mortgage cheat sheet” to help you understand the terms of your loan
before you sign.

Stop spending. Put off buying anything extra until AFTER you buy the house. Banks will look
at your debts and your spending habits before loaning you more money. Save as much as you
can for your down payment. If you qualify for an FHA loan, you’ll only need about 3.5% down
payment of the purchase price; otherwise you’re looking at 20% for most conventional loans.
You’ll also need to pay for PMI (private mortgage insurance), unless you can put down 20% of
the purchase price. Remember to factor in the expense of closing costs when you’re saving for
your home purchase, which include fees for the appraisal, credit report, processing fee,
underwriter fee, attorney fee, notary fee, title insurance, and any other charges the lender may
throw in. Closing costs typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000 on the average-sized home.

Be conservative. Most people buy the biggest house they can barely afford, which is one of the
reasons why so many people are “under water,” meaning they owe more than their house is
worth. Instead, buy a home that you can still afford if your income were to change or even stop.
Consider all possibilities, such as if one of the spouses gets laid off, or if the wife gets pregnant
and wants to stay home with the baby rather than continue working. You’ve heard of “house
poor”? Don’t be that!

Diversify. Don’t stretch yourself so that every penny goes into the house. Remember to
diversify your assets and always have enough money for an emergency fund. If you’re buying a
foreclosure, you’ll especially need funds after the sale in order to make unexpected repairs on the
home.

Do your research. Shop around carefully for a home. Look at the neighborhood at night to see
if you feel safe. Talk to the neighbors. Visit the nearby school and church. Sadly, some real
estate agents are just hungry salesmen, looking to close the deal to pay their own bills without
your best interest in mind. Speaking of realtors, most are willing to negotiate their commission
during a down economy. Consider hiring a “Buyer’s Agent” who will legally have a fiduciary
responsibility to represent you. Most people don’t realize that a “regular” real estate agent earns
commission from the seller and, therefore, is legally bound to represent the seller in the
transaction, even though he or she may have driven you all over town to shop for houses.

Be patient. If you’re purchasing a short-sale, you’re going to need a lot of patience. Some of
these more “creative” real estate purchases require a lot of time and paperwork. Lock in a good
interest rate as soon as possible and be patient, yet persistent with loan officers to ensure the
escrow process is moving forward. If the escrow takes a really long time, you’ll need to
renegotiate the terms of your loan in case your lock expires before the closing. Keep an eye
open and don’t assume all the paperwork is humming along. In real estate transactions, the
squeaky wheel does get the oil.

What if you’re one of those people who already have a home but you’d like to take advantage of
the current low interest rate and refinance? Generally, if you can cut a point off your current
interest rate, it’s a good idea to try to refinance, but only if you plan on staying in your home for
another two to five years. Remember, you have to factor closing costs into your decision. Just
as with shopping around for your loan the first time you bought your house, compare rates, as
well as service. The big banks may not be your best option right now, so consider looking at
mortgage brokers, credit unions, or small local community banks. You’re under no obligation to
remain with your current lender when refinancing but give them a chance to offer you their best
rate.

If you can afford to pay a bit more each month, consider switching from a 30-year loan to a 15-
year loan. Over the life of the loan you’ll save a lot more money. Go to www.hsh.com for help
calculating your costs. For more information about loans, contact Fannie at 1-800-7-FANNIE
and Freddie at 1-800-FREDDIE from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

For those who aren’t anywhere near purchasing a home right now, consider house-sitting to save
money on your monthly rent! You can join an online house-sitting website, such as
www.Housecarers.com , www.Housesitingworld.com , and www.Mindmyhouse.com , where
you can learn about opportunities. Sites like those offer forums for homeowners and house-
sitters to meet. Some of the sites require a small fee to join the community. Membership gives
you access to searchable house-sitting requests. If you’re flexible and fairly spontaneous, this
might be a creative option for you if you don’t have young children or big pets.
Unless you’re literally living under a rock, you’re probably paying for home or renter’s
insurance. You should always shop around for the best rate and company for home insurance.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (www.naic.org) has information to help
you choose an insurer in your state, as well as how to file a complaint. The quality of service is
hugely important. Check the financial stability of the companies you are considering with rating
companies such as A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) and Standard & Poor’s
(www.standardandpoors.com).

Here are a few tips that might help you save money on your home insurance:

• If you can afford it, raising your deductible will almost always save you money in the
long run.

• Some companies that sell homeowners, auto, and liability coverage will take 5 to 15
percent off your premium if you buy two or more policies from them, so consider
purchasing your car insurance or life policy to the same company if they offer those.

• You may be able to save on premiums by making your home more disaster resistant. Ask
your insurance agent if there are discounts for things like storm shutters, a reinforced
roof, burglar alarms, smoke detectors, deadbolts, or more modernized plumbing and
electrical systems.

• Simply ask your agent what discounts are available. Some insurance agents offer
discounts for seniors, professional associations, or employees of certain companies. If
you’ve used the same insurance company for many years, ask for a loyal customer
discount. It never hurts to ask.

• Before purchasing a home, check the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting

Exchange) report of the home you are thinking of buying. These reports contain the
insurance claim history of the property and can help you judge some of the problems the
house may have.

• Remember that flood insurance and earthquake damage are not covered by most standard
homeowners’ policies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides useful
information on flood insurance on its website at FloodSmart.gov. A separate earthquake
policy is available from most insurance companies. The cost of the coverage will depend
on the likelihood of earthquakes in your area. In California, the California Earthquake
Authority (www.earthquakeauthority.com) provides this coverage. Just remember,
California isn’t the only state with earthquakes!

Finally, you can often save money on your home repairs with help from do-it-yourself websites
like FamilyHandyMan.com. Check out some of tips on how to save energy by closing your heat
registers, sealing attic air leaks, or insulating crawl space ducts. Another website I really love is
www.PartSelect.com. Click on “Instant Repairman” and enter the model numbers of your major
household appliances to learn how to order broken parts and fix them yourself for cheap!

One of the best ways to save money on your home maintenance is to take care of small problems
before they turn into larger, more expensive ones. Set aside some money in your budget for
routine maintenance and then you won’t be devastated financially when something falls apart
and needs to be replaced.

Above all things, remember that what is most important about your home is the people inside it.
WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT KNOCKS

They say, “opportunity knocks”, right? Well, what happens when your boss knocks on your
office door and gives you the bad news that you’re being let go? One thing we should all have
learned during this last recession is to be prepared. Life will throw you many curveballs, but if
you can learn from your challenges and always look for the positive, you’ll be fine. It’s also
important to always think ahead and make a Plan A, Plan B, and even a Plan C. Imagine
different scenarios and prepare.

Financial guru Dave Ramsey stresses the importance of building an emergency fund BEFORE
hacking away at debt because he understands that there will always be an emergency around the
corner; if you’re prepared for the unexpected, you’re less likely to be financially devastated
when it comes. Not 'if' but 'when'. I’m speaking from personal experience here.

So, what do you do when you lose your job? First of all, take a deep breath and relish in the fact
that you now have a unique opportunity to create a new life for yourself. Analyze what was
working well and what was holding you back. You now have the privilege to create something
new and better. Ask yourself what you’d like to be doing in 5 years, 10 years, or even 20 years.
Most people imagine a better future, but now you have the chance to create it! Getting laid off
can actually be an exciting time in your life as you reinvent yourself and gain renewed focus on
who you are and what you have to offer the world! Write a list of your talents, skills, and
accomplishments. Don’t skip this. Losing a job can take a serious blow to your self-esteem. As
soon as I told my sister that I had lost my job, she took me out to lunch and reminded me of all
the wonderful talents I had. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that, and I have always
been grateful for her kindness and sensitivity. Losing your job doesn’t have to mean losing your
identity.

Below are some tips to help you weather the storm and get your bearings again.
1. Conquer your emotions. You’ll have mixed feelings and that’s normal. I was laid off from a
company where I was really unhappy, and I still felt hurt and angry. What’s up with that? I
think there must be something subconscious that makes us feel “less than” or unwanted as a
human being when a company decides to let us go. We all want to feel needed and worthwhile.
Just remember that your job doesn’t define you. Try to focus on the positive lessons and skills
you learned at that job and how you now have more to offer another company, or even to your
own business, should you want to create your own now that you have more time.

Job loss can trigger health problems caused by depression, problems with sleeping, weight loss
or gain, and lethargy. Men, in particular, may feel anger rather than sadness. Untreated
depression is likely to sabotage your job search with feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem,
and procrastination. Getting daily exercise will protect your health and your attitude. If health
problems persist, see a doctor or counselor sooner rather than later.

2. Don’t burn bridges. If you run out of your boss’ office yelling obscenities, it’ll be pretty
awkward asking for a letter of recommendation afterwards. Remember, your future employers
may want to call previous companies to learn more about you. Be kind to everyone; your client
or co-worker could be your next employer. Nothing good comes out of arguing with your boss
or whining that it’s unfair—the company has already decided to let you go.

3. Begin communicating with Human Resources right away. They can help you fill out
unemployment paperwork, understand what options you have for health insurance, and possibly
even set you up with services for outplacement help which can pay for assistance from a career
coaching organization like Five O’Clock Club at https://getfive.com There are government
agencies, such as “One Stop” whose goal is to help you with your resume, brush up any of your
marketable skills, and help you find a job at
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/onestop.

Let’s talk about unemployment insurance for a minute. Some people think accepting
unemployment benefits is unethical or they’re too proud to accept the monetary help. If that’s
how you feel, then I’m not going to try to convince you otherwise. The unemployment system is
seriously flawed and discourages hard work, lulling some people into apathetic complacency.
But don’t get me started on that… It is also a welcome relief to those who need a safety net
while they regroup and find new employment. Companies pay for unemployment insurance
during good times so people can survive during lean times. Here is a great guide:
https://clark.com/story/unemployment-insurance-guide/ For a listing of state websites where
you can claim you unemployment benefits, go to www.unemployment.com

Your Human Resources Department should also help you navigate the rough waters of health
insurance. COBRA is confusing and expensive, but don’t let your family go without health
insurance before finding your next job. Get quotes on individual coverage from several
companies. Raising your deductible will help lower monthly costs and prevent financial
catastrophe if you or a family member has a serious illness or injury.

4. Collect what the company owes you. You don’t have to accept the severance package
immediately once it’s offered; you have the right to ask for a day to think about it. You may
even want an attorney to look at it before you sign. You can always try to negotiate the terms.

Make sure to file any last expense reports and receipts. To make sure you receive any remaining
vacation or personal time off (PTO) pay for which you are eligible, compare your time-off
records with those of the HR department and iron out any discrepancies. If you have stock
options, the company may vest more of your shares in the event of a layoff. Read the fine print
on exercising these options. There could be a window of time when you must exercise the
options or lose them altogether.

5. Figure out your finances. It’s extremely scary to realize your income is going to stop. You
need to have a clear picture of what your savings are. Make a list of all of your income sources.
Decide what expenses you can drop. Easy bills to lower are cable and satellite TV, dining out,
entertainment, and those $5 coffees you buy every morning on your way to work. Figure out
how long you can live on your severance package and at what point you’ll need to take ANY job
to survive.

Prioritize your bills. Getting your utilities cut off will cost you more money in hook-up fees than
if you just paid the bill to begin with. Don’t put your house in jeopardy by skipping payments.
Instead, talk to your landlord or bank to make new arrangements for payments. Try to avoid
raiding your investments. Pulling money out of your 401K will cost you dearly in penalties. Do
NOT live on credit cards.

If you’re married with a family, you should have a family council to discuss how the job loss
will affect everyone and come up with some practical solutions on how to save and earn money
until a new job is found.

6. Network. Use social network sites to update your status and let others know you’re now
looking for a new job opportunity. LinkedIn is especially helpful because you can connect
directly with other professionals in your field. Join some of the industry specific clubs on
LinkedIn and don’t be afraid to ask if they know of any job openings. Recent job placement
statistics reveal that fewer than 10% of jobseekers find work through ads, so start talking to
everyone. I know, it can be embarrassing, but don’t let your pride prevent you from moving
forward. We live in a relationship economy right now, so you’re more likely to get your next job
through a connection you have with someone you already know. Most online job sites nowadays
are more likely to get you more junk mail than a good job.

7. Take action. Limit the amount of time you spend on your pity party. Yes, you’re going to
feel panic and despair, but wallowing in those destructive feelings isn’t going to get you a job.
Sign up for a community class to brush up your skills. Find out if your church or community
offers employment services where you can get help. Doing something towards your career each
day will make you feel more productive and normal while you figure things out.

You may decide you want to completely change the direction of your career by choosing a job in
a different industry, but you may also worry that your resume won’t reflect the proper work
history. The goal of a resume is to let a potential employer know why you’re the best person for
the job. You can format your resume based on accomplishments and skills acquired, rather than
companies you’ve worked for. You can find tons of resources online that can help you build a
better resume. Here are a few to start:

• www.resumecompanion.com
• www.resumetemplates.com

8. Think outside the box. Not all jobs are advertised. One way to find your dream job is to go
to the websites of companies where you’d like to work, then look for a 'Careers' or 'Jobs' link.
You could send the Hiring Manager or Human Resources your resume with a note explaining
that you’d really like to work for them and to keep you in mind when a job opening becomes
available. Connectivity is the new currency.

Until you find a permanent job, you may want to consider freelancing in your area of expertise.
A consulting gig is a foot in the door and can often turn into a full-time job once the company
gets to know you and sees your worth. You can find niche opportunities at some of these sites
online:

• www.upwork.com
• www.fiverr.com
• www.freelancejobs.org
• www.freelance.com
• www.freelancer.com
• www.guru.com
• www.profreelance.com

Finally, losing your job is not the end of the world. It’s actually the beginning of your new life.
Your life is a canvas that YOU create.
SAVING WITH BABY STEPS - BUDGETING FOR BABY

Oh baby! If you have a little bun in the oven, then you’re probably wondering how on earth
you’re going to pay for this new addition to your family. The Department of Agriculture says
that the average cost of raising a child from birth to 18 is $226, 920. Why the Department of
Agriculture? I guess because they know how to grow things!

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy and expenses! Aw, don’t worry about it too
much…I’m a mother of four and know that having kids is worth every penny! Just be smart
about your purchases, plan ahead, and enjoy every minute. Your best money-saving resource is
other parents. Talking and shopping with experienced parents will help you know what you
REALLY need to buy and what is simply marketing pressure on new, unsuspecting parents.

You’ll have to decide, for example, if you really need to buy a changing table. It’s usually a
fairly expensive piece of baby furniture that quickly becomes obsolete as the child grows.
Consider, instead, buying a dresser and putting a portable changing pad on top. You may decide
that it’s better, and definitely cheaper, to buy a few inexpensive changing pads for several
different rooms in the house, especially if you live in a two-story home. A towel on the carpeted
floor is even cheaper! An experienced mom will be able to tell you how “real life” works with a
baby and help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. You haven’t even had the baby yet! Let’s start with how you
can save some money once you get to the hospital. Here are a few financial landmines you’ll
need to maneuver through:

Decide how much privacy is worth to you. Most hospitals charge an add-on fee if you request
a private room. Fees can vary from about $50 a day in a small town to a ridiculous $500 daily
charge in busy Manhattan. Find out ahead of time what your insurance covers and how much
any “extras” will cost you out-of-pocket.

Ask about surprise fees. Would you believe that some hospitals actually charge you if you turn
on the TV in your room? Before you check into the hospital, call ahead to talk with the hospital
billing department, who can explain all of the possible fees you might incur during your stay.
You also want to talk to your insurance company so that you fully understand your policy and
what is covered and what is not.

Get the goodies. Manufacturers usually send new moms home with tons of free samples of
everything from formula to coupons to baby wash and more. Even if you’re planning on
nursing, take the free formula. More than 85 percent of moms stop nursing exclusively by the
time their baby is 6 months old, which means that you’ll probably end up spending money on
formula at some point. It’s nice to have for emergencies, at the very least. Maternity nurses get
super busy, so if your bag full of goodies hasn’t been delivered to your room yet, just request
one. Yay free!

Just ask. The hospital often stocks your baby’s rolling bassinet with baby-care items, such as
diapers, a nasal aspirator, thermometer, alcohol swabs for new bellybuttons, etc. Ask the nurse if
you’re allowed to take them. If you just leave them behind, you may still be charged for them
anyway. Don’t be shy—just ask.

Breast is best. Consumer Reports estimated the cost of feeding an infant formula for a year at
$2000! Hospitals often provide free lactation help and a hotline you can use once you’re home.
Rather than purchase an expensive breast pump, you may be able to borrow one and only have to
purchase the plastic attachments (which shouldn’t be shared.) Wait until you know breast-
feeding is going to work for you before you go out and buy an entire new wardrobe that is
conducive for breast feeding. There is good news, however, if you need to feed your baby
formula—store-brand formulas and brand-name formulas both must meet the same nutritional
requirements. You should be able to buy the less expensive version and get basically the same
thing. Sign up for other freebies from formula companies at www.welcomeaddition.com , and
www.enfamil.com If your baby ends up needing a special formula blend, find out if your
insurance will cover the difference.

Announce for Free! Save money on stamps by sending an electronic birth announcement. You
can use sites like www.Babyzone.com to help you design something special. You can set up a
photo website for free at sites like www.snapfish.com, Google Photos, or
www.kodakgallery.com. Friends and relatives can then print out their own copies for a fee.

Be patient. It took you almost 10 months to make your baby, so waiting to purchase items
should be easy, right? You don’t need to buy a highchair before the baby comes home. Spread
out your big purchases and your credit card won’t take such a hit. One thing you absolutely must
have is a good car seat BEFORE you bring Junior home from the hospital. There are some other
things you’ll need to have ready, so let’s talk about how to choose what to buy…

Choose quality. Your hard-earned money is best spent on buying things you’ll really use and
where safety truly matters, such as a quality crib, stroller, and car seat. Everything else is
negotiable. For example, your baby won’t care if you buy clothing and toys at a yard sale or
second-hand store. A word of caution: you’ll be tempted to buy a giant stroller with all the bells
and whistles, but one that is smaller, easy to fold flat, and weighs less may fit better into your
active lifestyle. Be sure to test drive it before purchasing. You can read reviews of products
written by real parents on www.yelp.com and www.Amazon.com.

Watch sales and growth. Babies grow fast, so you’re not going to need as many newborn
outfits as you’d think. Buy clothes one size up. Watch for seasonal sales but realize that the
bargain you get on next winter’s coat may not fit if your little one grows fast.

Choose unisex shades and styles. Sure, you’ll want to buy some pink and blue, but if you plan
on having more than one child, invest in some “unisex” colors like yellow, green, and white.
Buying white “onesies” is cheaper in the long run because you can bleach them easily, rather
than trying to spot-clean spit-up stains on colored ones.

Skip the cute shoes. Tiny infant shoes are ridiculously adorable, but a waste of money until
your baby starts to walk! Little socks will keep their tootsies warm and learning how to walk
barefoot is actually easier when at home.

Buy secondhand special-occasion clothes. Babies don’t care where you bought their clothes.
You’ll save a baby bundle by shopping at your local consignment shop, especially for those more
expensive fancy outfits or holiday ensembles. Babies grow so fast, so it’s very likely the
adorable item will only worn once or twice.

Free is always better! Babies outgrow things so quickly, so consider checking out
www.Freecycle.com, a website where people give away things they no longer need. Just be
careful items are safe and haven’t been recalled at www.CPSC.gov.

Invest in double-duty furniture. You’re going to have a kid longer than you’re going to have a
baby. Buy highchairs that convert into booster seats, cribs that become toddler beds, baby
carriers that snap into strollers, and changing tables that look like dressers. Speaking of cribs,
don’t buy a crib pillow. They’re cute but are actually considered a Sudden Infant Death danger
to a sleeping baby!

Return unwanted gifts promptly. Merchants often put time limits on returns and exchanges, so
try to delegate this task to a helpful relative or friend.

Buy several different kinds of pacifiers. Find out which one your baby likes best and then
stock up on THAT one.
Be prepared for emergencies. Keep an extra diaper bag in your car. You WILL have
emergencies. Guaranteed. Include diapers, snacks, baby’s favorite toy and pacifier, spit-up
cloths, and extra clothes for you and baby.

Listen to your doctor but trust your own intuition. You know your baby best and what’s
“normal” for him or her. Most doctor’s offices and hospitals have a free nurse help line you can
call in the middle of the night. A quick phone call to your doctor during office hours might save
you a co-pay. Asking your doctor for free samples can help stretch your health-care dollars.

Take advantage of tax deductions. 20 to 35 percent of childcare expenses can be deducted,

depending on your income. Check with your tax advisor or accountant to learn about additional
benefits that might be available in your state. Also check with your employer to see if the
company offers a dependent-care account where you can contribute an annual amount in pretax
dollars to be used for qualifying dependent care expenses.

Make your own baby food. It’ll cost less and you’ll know exactly what’s going into your
baby’s precious little body. Seriously, you just have to mash up stuff! By the way, that toddler
formula is just a clever marketing gimmick. If you’re feeding your baby healthy foods, he or she
doesn’t need to drink toddler formula. If you can’t live without your favorite name-brand items,
sign up for their Facebook page and Twitter feeds where you can pick up coupons, giveaways,
and possibly even win contests for free products. Visit www.gerber.com, www.beechnut.com,
www.earthsbest.com, and www.stonyfield.com.

Stock up on diapers. You don’t need name-brand diapers, unless you really like them better.
You’ll save on store-brand or generic diapers, especially considering how many your little one
will go through! Save coupons and buy in bulk when you can. Now for the big question: which
is cheaper—cloth or plastic? Weighing the cost of hot water and detergents to clean cloth versus
the convenience of disposable, they’re almost even in price. You’ll have to decide which works
best for your lifestyle. When I first brought home my babies, I couldn’t imagine putting
anything but a soft cloth diaper on their little tushes, but as they got older and I was on the go all
of the time, I preferred disposable because they kept my babies dryer longer. If you plan on
having several children, the initial investment of cloth diapers begins to really pay off after the
second year. Also consider the costs to the environment.

Hunt online for deals. Discount deal sites like Groupon and Living Social can save you as
much as 70 percent off retail. You won’t have the same amount of time you had before the baby
to surf for hours on end, so hit some of these new mom sites where they feature new mom tips:
www.MomAdvice.com, and www.Mommysavers.com. . Be sure to check out Amazon Mom, a
free program at Amazon that offers primary caregivers free two-day shipping with Amazon
Prime Benefits, 20 percent off diapers and wipes with their “Subscribe & Save Delivery,” and
even more discounts.
Restrain yourself from buying every toy. Remember, your little one will be just as thrilled
playing with your pots, pans, and a wooden spoon that you already have in your kitchen as with
an expensive toy from the store. Rather than buying more bath toys, combine shaving cream
with food coloring and a couple teaspoons of liquid dish soap for an expensive bath time paint
that easily rinses off.

Get out of the house for free. Need some adult conversation or fresh air? Libraries offer free
story time, parks are free, and both Gymboree and The Little Gym let you try your first class
without charge.

Create a babysitting co-op. Find other moms who might like to trade a few hours of
babysitting. You won’t have to come up with extra money for a night out and your little ones
will make friends. Nanny share care is also becoming a popular choice among moms who want
and can afford more help.

Recycle and reuse. Find a new use for baby items once you’re done having children. Cloth
diapers and cut-up receiving blankets make excellent dust cloths, shoe polishing rags, and wash
cloths. The side panels of a crib could be an attractive headboard. Donate any unneeded baby
items for a tax write-off.

Resist being marketed to. Just because something is sold in a specialized baby store or
department, doesn’t mean you have to buy it to be a good parent. Take, for example, those
disposable diaper plastic bags. Seriously? You don’t have to BUY those! You can get them for
free from your local grocery store every time you buy groceries!

Double your discounts with twins! If you’re lucky enough to have twins or triplets or even
more, always ask for a discount. My mother had twins (my sister and me!) and joined a “Mother
of Twins Club” where the moms got together to share scoop on which local vendors were helpful
and generous to parents of multiples. Just ask!

Finally, you’ll need to decide if you can stay home to care for the baby BEFORE the baby is
born. Many moms look at the paycheck they could get if they worked outside the home and then
subtract their daycare costs, thinking that’s the magic number for the decision. To decide if
working outside the home is worth it financially, you have to factor in car costs getting to and
from work every day, professional wardrobe expenses, fast-food for all those nights you come
home from work too tired to cook, going out to lunch with co-workers, the extra money you have
to pitch in for co-worker birthday gifts, and even how much you have to spend buying stuff from
your co-workers’ children when they come walking by your desk for their school fundraisers. It
all adds up, not to mention the fact that your additional income might even bump your family up
into a higher tax bracket. You are lucky, indeed, if you “get” to stay home with your new
precious little one. In the famous words of Austin Powers, “Yeah, Baby!”
Just remember, the amount of money you spend on your baby does NOT reflect how much you
love him. He won’t care if the baby furniture in his room matches or not, or if he’s wearing
designer clothes. Your love and time are what is most priceless to him.

Congratulations on your new baby! Enjoy every minute. You’ll be paying for college before you
know it. By the way, if you haven’t announced your big news yet, check out my book with tons of
fun and creative ways to share the exciting news at https://amzn.to/2Phig5M
LOSING WEIGHT, GAINING MONEY

If you’re like me, losing weight and saving more money were probably two of your New Year’s
resolutions this year, right? How’s that working out for you so far? Yeah, I thought so. If
you’re like me, it could definitely be better. This chapter should give you hope as we try to
conquer both of those goals at the same time! Did you know that you can actually save money
by dropping a few pounds? If money is your motivation, then I’ve got some very good news for
you that just might be what you need to revamp your diet.

Experts have weighed in on the issue and have, indeed, found that slimming down your body can
fatten your wallet. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that more than 72
million adults in the United States are obese. An adult who has a body mass index (BMI)
between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is
considered obese. The CDC revealed that an obese person spends $1,429 more on annual
medical costs than someone of a healthy weight. Obese people are at greater risk for many
health conditions, which translates into more frequent doctor visits and hospitalizations, resulting
in more money spent on medical co-payments and medications.

Your physical health also has an impact on your life insurance rates. The higher the number on
the scale, the higher the rates can go. Here’s a tip for women: don’t switch health insurance
companies during a pregnancy or right after giving birth. If the insurance company requires a
physical examination, your numbers will be skewed and could end up costing you higher rates.

Being overweight might also affect hiring and promotions, especially in a tough economy.
According to Barbara O'Neill, a professor and specialist in finance resource management at
Rutgers University and co-author of Small Steps to Health and Wealth, “Studies have found that
discrimination based on weight in the workplace is more prevalent for women than men,
especially white women in professional occupations.”

Popping an extra donut hole or potato chip in your mouth just isn’t worth it if your health,
medical expenses, insurance costs, and salary are so negatively affected. I know, but that snack
food still looks soooo good! To help you strengthen your resolve, here are some helpful
websites that offer free help and tons of resources. You’ll find meal trackers, encouragement
from others who are on the same journey towards weight loss as you, tips from personal trainers,
cycling routes, instructions on how to measure your BMI, and other useful tools:

• www.exercisefriends.com - find workout buddies in your home town or online

• www.sparkpeople.com - virtual support to live healthier
• www.fitlink.com - a health and fitness community
• www.healthywage.com - you can get paid to lose weight! Track your progress and earn
money when you lower your BMI by the end of one year! It’s for real!
• www.fitday.com - free diet journal
• www.startyourdiet.com - free diet calendar and meal plans
• www.buddyslim.com - free recipes, calorie counter, ideas

The following are a dozen simple tips that will have you shedding weight and beefing up
your bank account in no time:

Measure portions. Many diets require precise measurements to help you learn how to control
portion size. Use measuring cups and a cooking scale until you can eye-ball correct serving sizes
better. An even cheaper rule of thumb is to literally use your thumb! Your hand can be an
effective portion guide:

Thumb = 1 ounce or 1 Tablespoon (cheese, salad dressing, peanut butter, sour cream)

Fist = 1 cup (fresh fruit, soups, salads, beverages, cereal)

Palm = 3 ounces (meat, fish, poultry)

Fingertip = 1 teaspoon (butter, oil, mayonnaise)

Cupped hand = 2 ounces or ½ cup (pasta, rice, beans, potatoes, ice cream)

Thump tip = 1 Tablespoon

Split your dinner in half when you dine out. Restaurant portions have become so gigantic
lately that one entrée could easily feed two people. Either share it with your dining partner or
take the other half home for leftovers the next day. Your dining bills and calories will instantly
be cut in half! By the way, if you want to try that really nice, expensive restaurant with the fancy
schmancy name, go at lunch time when the price is dropped, but the menu is almost the same.
Eat slower. They say it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is full.
Eating slower will allow you to eat less to be full. Don’t eat in front of the TV where you lose
track of time and can literally be munching for hours.

Drink more water. Drinking a full glass of water before and after you eat will allow you to eat
less and still be satisfied. They also say many people mistake hunger for thirst. (Who is “they”
anyway?) Drinking a glass of water when you first wake up helps the body wake up and get
moving better. Drinking milk and juice is fine, but your body really needs water in order to
function at its best.

Buy in season. Prices always come down when you buy fruits and veggies in their prime
growing season. If you live near growers, go to them directly and you’ll get great bulk
discounts.

Buy in bulk. The high price of certain foods is often from the packaging costs that are passed on
to the consumer. Buy healthy grains and legumes in bulk and you’ll save money. You’re more
likely to eat them when you see so many of them in your pantry too! By the way, the big chain
grocery stores will usually have lower prices on health foods than actual health food stores. Try
www.bountifulbaskets.org , a voluntary food co-op that features local healthy produce and
artisan bread in bulk for less.

Brown bag it. Going out to lunch usually costs a lot more money than if you bring your lunch
from home, not to mention the extra calories and time. I’m not saying to never go out to lunch;
just reduce your restaurant trips and you’ll quickly save calories and money. There are times,
however, where I’ve eaten out because a special coupon or offer made it actually cheaper than
preparing my own food. Just keep an eye out for deals.

Make your own health food. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find some
terrific recipes online for things like granola bars, salsa, hummus, fruit popsicles, veggie dip,
chips, and even multi-grain bread. I suggest you try:

www.simplyrecipes.com

www.momswhothink.com

www.homemadehealthyrecipes.com

www.eatingwell.com

www.thedailygreen.com

www.allrecipes.com

Skip the vending machine. You’re paying so much money on junk food by not planning ahead.
Keep a bag of healthy almonds, celery, or raisins at your desk, in your purse, or in your
backpack. We make the worse decisions on snacks when we’re on the go and suddenly starving.
Don’t leave the house without a healthy snack alternative. If you have access to a refrigerator at
work, you can bring all kinds of other healthy fruits and vegetables with dips.

Choose smart fast food. Life gets busy and so you’re probably going to end up hungry while
your running errands or taking your other kids to sports practices. If you have to swing by a
drive-thru, at least make better decisions when considering the menu. As more consumers have
demanded healthier choices, we’re finally seeing big chains offering new options like low-carb
burgers without the bun, fruit and veggies instead of fries, and milk in kid’s meals to replace
sugary sodas. You can find calorie counters and how certain fast foods rate on the health scale
at:

• www.calorieking.com
• www.acaloriecounter.com
• Some useful mobile apps that do that too are:
• Calorie Counter by Fat Secret
• Calorie Counter
• Weight Watcher

Limit the purchase of processed foods. Boxed cereals, frozen foods, and pre-packaged meals
are usually loaded with salt, sugar, and chemicals you can’t pronounce. You’re overpaying for
packaging and convenience. If you spent less money on prepared foods, you wouldn’t have to
work so hard to pay for them, which is why you’re too tired to cook from scratch! Consider
using a crock pot so dinner is ready the minute you walk in the door from work.

Move more. The weight will come off faster if it can’t catch up to your body because you’re
constantly in motion! Gym memberships can be quite expensive, but there are easy ways to
work around that. I taught water aerobics at a fitness center for ten years and loved it—I got paid
to exercise AND my entire family got a free membership to the gym! You could also offer to
work in their child-care center, do social marketing for them, or whatever they need done in
exchange for a free membership; bartering has become popular again. Some gyms offer low-
income discounts, and almost all of them offer a free guest pass so you can go check them out for
free for a limited time, usually a week. Group deal sites like Groupon and Living Social often
offer discounts to local gyms, and you might check out annual pass discounts sold at places like
Costco. Some less expensive alternatives are to use your local Parks & Recreation fitness
facilities, your company’s workout room, the YMCA, or even a nearby high school’s gym.
Twenty-four Hour Fitness offers a “Silver Sneakers” discount for senior citizens! Find the right
gym for you in your area at:

• www.myperfectgym.com
• www.gymticket.com
• www.reviewcentre.com
One of the problems with diets is that they’re usually restrictive and can eliminate specific foods
from your daily intake. We begin craving what we’re not allowed to eat and then react with
overindulgence once the diet has ended. What you need to figure out is how you can change
your eating habits to healthier ones that you can continue your whole life. Moderation in all
things is a good rule for a healthy, balanced life. If you’d like to learn more, I created an online
course entitled “Nutrition For Better Health” at www.LifelongLearningEducation.com
WHAT RETAILERS DON’T WANT CONSUMERS TO KNOW

Does anyone really NEED a $1000 Coach python handbag? Really? The answer is no. No one needs
to spend that much on a purse. Now, I’m not knocking Coach; their things are lovely. It’s just that
retailers have been able to master psychological warfare on our budgets so that we’re all trying to
keep up with the Joneses while accruing ridiculous amounts of debt in order to do so. They can
convince us that we don’t just want their merchandise, we need it. They have become skilled at
getting us to use our emotions, rather than our logic.

Retailers hire companies to help them design their stores so that shoppers will buy, buy, and buy
some more. There is a science behind shopping, explains Paco Underhill, author of Why We
Buy: The Science of Shopping. He has tracked thousands of shoppers to understand how and
why they shop, sharing his discoveries with retailers. “There is nothing random about how a
store is arranged and designed. It is carefully calculated to appeal to you in every possible way,”
he says. The stores are thinking strategically, and so should we.

Did you know, for example, that most shoppers look left, but then turn right when they enter a
store? That’s because most people are right-handed and right-oriented. Using this little tidbit of
shopping information, retailers put their newest and most expensive items on the right side of
their store to put them in a buying mood fast. Sneaky, eh?

Retailers and restaurants have experimented with colors, music, and even smells to get you to
stay in their store longer. They know that the longer you stay in their store, the more things you
are likely to buy. To save money, make a list of what you need in the store and then get in and
out as quickly as possible. Window shopping when you are an impulse shopper is like an
alcoholic trying to read the bottle labels in a bar.

Retailers usually put their clearance racks at the back of their store, hoping your arms will be
loaded with full-priced items before you ever make it back there. Clearance racks are also
purposely designed to make you NOT want to spend time there, prompting you to head back to
the spacious, well-organized and full-priced merchandise in front. Have you ever wondered why
all the clearance items are all smooshed together in a disorganized fashion? In retail, space
equals luxury.

BOGOs (Buy One, Get One) offers are great if you really need two items. The store loves to
offer those two-fers because they can successfully tempt you to buy more. It’s only a bargain if
you really need two of the same item. The goal of a sale, from the store’s perspective, is to get
you to walk through their door, knowing you’ll be carefully tempted to buy something. BOGO
sales are successful at getting the consumer to think in terms of a “stock up now” mentality.

Stores happily live with loss leaders (items they actually lose money on) because they know that
if they dangle that carrot near a more expensive item that you purchase, they’ll still make a profit
on the total transaction. You need to understand that the store’s biggest motive is to increase the
average transaction amount each shopper spends to be as high as possible.

You’ll be tempted the most to impulse shop at the register where many seemingly inexpensive
items call to you. The store plants those “add-ons” at the check-out line, hoping you’ll increase
your total bill without thinking too much about it as you toss it into your cart. Remember, the
store’s job is to get you to spend as much as possible. They know you’ll rarely return an item
that doesn’t cost too much.

Stores like to concentrate on our visceral senses so that we don’t stop to think logically too
much. Usually the first thing you notice when you enter a grocery store is the yummy smell of
baking bread. The store knows that tantalizing scents will make you hungry and everything on
the shelves will appear more appetizing. You’ll probably wander over to the bakery and pick up
a baguette or something, giving you the romantic feeling of dining in France or somewhere
exotic, rather than in your kitchen at home where the dishes are stacked up in your dirty sink.
And by the way, never shop in a grocery store when you’re hungry…you will always end up
buying more.

“To avoid impulse buying, make a list for all your shopping, whether it's groceries, tools, clothes
for adults or children, or gifts for the holidays,” says Taffy Wagner, author of Debt Dilemma and
Discharged into Debt. "You should also write down which stores you plan to visit ahead of time
so you don't get distracted," Wagner says.

If you’re trying to save money for a special, large purchase, keep a picture of it in your wallet to
remind you of your financial goal. Then, when you look at it, you’ll be less tempted to purchase
dumb things along the way.

Another trick to avoid impulse shopping is to pay with cash, rather than a credit card. A debit
card works too, because the money comes out of your savings account instantly. If you live to
shop, then simply budget some impulse money into your financial plan. Did you know that
people are more likely to impulse buy from a table than a shelf?
Don’t be so fixated on price or you might overlook quality. According to a 2011 Consumer
Track Back-To-School Shopping survey, they found that 56% of people didn’t even notice that
certain products had skimped on quality or even quantity in order to keep the price point as low
as the consumers had remembered it being last school year.

Outlet malls are filled with inferior merchandise made by the company that shoppers want to buy
from; the products are similar, but not the exact same as you would actually find in the
department store. Towels are a perfect example: if you’re focused on the price, you may not
realize that you’re getting a much smaller towel than the more expensive option.

What about the designer names you see sold for less in discount stores like Target or Wal-Mart?
"You're buying into the brand name, but you need to understand it's not the same," says Vicky
Oliver, author of The Millionaire's Handbook. "These designer 'exclusives,' as stores call them,
are nothing more than cheaply made merchandise using that designer's name."

Another tactic retailers use is strategic scarcity. We humans tend to want what we can’t have,
which is exactly why companies will announce that their newest video game, cell phone, or other
gadget is predicted to sell out on release day.

Most of us get excited when we see “free shipping” for our online purchases but pay attention
that the minimum required purchase amount doesn’t compel you to spend more money with
them than you had originally intended. Visit price comparison sites like
www.PriceGrabber.com, www.NexTag.com, or http://www.dealzconnection.com to see if you
can find a better deal elsewhere. Those three sites, in particular, also offer price alerts, letting
you set an amount for a specific product you’re interested in, and receive an email when the price
hits your target. Sweet!

Below are some tips to help you spot insider information in national chains:

Wal-Mart price matches! Be prepared to spend some time at the cash register and bring proof
of their competitors’ coupons or deals. You can really drop Wal-Mart’s low prices even further
when you use coupons found on www.grocerysmarts.com and deals at www.shoplocal.com.

Target: If the clearance price ends in an “8” it will be marked down further. If it ends in a “4” it
is the lowest it will be. The “Red Card,” their store credit card, gives you 5% off every purchase
automatically. If you shop at Target often, it’s definitely worth it to get their credit card.

Old Navy: Their final clearance number on the tag ends in a “9.”

Gap: If the price on the tag ends in a “.97,” it is their final clearance price.

Smart shoppers buy seasonally and know how to time what they want to buy. Sure, we all know
we can buy holiday décor at up to 90% off AFTER the holidays. But did you know there are
also perfect times to buy televisions and hot tubs? Retailers like to get rid of stock at predictable
times of the year and that’s when you can benefit. You just have to plan ahead and be patient.
ShopItToMe.com tracks online sales from more than 100 retailers. I found an awesome website
that lists items that might be on your shopping list right now as well as when to buy them this
year: https://lifehacker.com/the-best-time-to-buy-anything-during-the-year-5973864

Here are a few examples:

• Gas grills: September (after all the summer fun and backyard parties)
• Gym memberships: Summer (when everyone has forgotten their New Year’s resolutions
and they’re outside playing)
• Hot tubs, motorcycles, and bicycles: January (when no one wants to go outside)
• Laptops and office supplies: August and September
• Perfume: January and March (after Christmas and after Valentine’s Day)
• Shoes: Best deals online are Wednesdays
• Televisions, Blu-ray players: November and December
• Wedding supplies: Winter

I’ve bought three cars at auction and always went away with a steal of a deal, but cars aren’t the
only things you can get deals on at auctions. The US government is known to pay a fortune for
things, but then, when it’s time to unload the merchandise, they practically give it away. If that
piques your curiosity, go to:

• www.policeauctions.com
• www.govsales.gov
• www.gsaauctions.gov

Everyone knows eBay houses deals of the century, but here are a few other auction sites you
might not know about:

• www.sweetbid.com
• www.theantiqueranch.com
• www.bidz.com
• www.local.com

Finally, if you just pay attention, you’ll be able to avoid retailer tricks and pay less for your
purchases. If you ARE a retailer, put some of those tips into practice and you’ll see your bottom
line rise!
JANUARY: SAVING MONEY VS. INVESTING IT

If you’ve been reading these money-saving chapters, you should be seeing some positive
changes in your bank account. Maybe you’ve even saved quite a bit by now and are asking
yourself “Now what?”

There is actually a big difference between saving money and investing it. One means you’re just
putting it away somewhere, whereas the other is about getting your money to work for you.
Unless you come from a very wealthy family, you may have never been taught, much less shown
the difference. Wisely investing that money you’ve been saving could mean all the difference in
a penny-pinching retirement or one spent traveling the world and blessing others with your
fortune. You’ve worked hard for your money—now let it work hard for you!

Investing sounds scary and you’ve probably heard all kinds of horror stories from friends and
relatives who invested all of their money into some kind of venture and lost it all. That’s not
what we’re talking about here. This episode is all about creating a long-term strategy for your
money and carefully leveraging what you have now so that you have more in the future.

Most people’s eyes glaze over when the subject of investing comes up because it sounds so
complicated, but ignoring it means you’ll be scraping your pretty pennies together your whole
life. The quality of your future depends on you getting a little bit out of your comfort zone and
making strategic decisions about your money today.

Here’s the thing about money…it’s all about choices. Do you want “stuff” now or would you
rather save it, invest it, and have security for the future? Someone once said, “You don’t GET
successful—you have to GIVE UP what’s keeping you from success.” What short-term wants
are keeping you from your long-term needs? It’s like going on a diet; you don’t GET fit—you
have to GIVE UP what’s preventing you from being fit. Those donuts, for example, that couch in
front of the TV…
Figure out where you are right now financially and where you want to be. Then, decide what
you’re willing to GIVE UP to get there…things like impulse buying, overindulging, and not
setting some serious coin aside for the future. Money won’t magically appear when you want to
retire…you have to work now to make it happen. Time passes in the blink of an eye, so your
retirement needs will be here much sooner than you think.

Sadly, only a very small percentage of Americans are prepared for retirement. We live in a
disposable, want-it-now society, putting off uncomfortable sacrifices to prepare for our future.
Live simply and don’t fall for the “keeping up with the Jones’s” trap. It’s a losing proposition,
especially because you have no way of knowing the true financial picture behind the fancy
façade. Small sacrifices today can reap large rewards later on. Later really does come.

The following are some tips to help you begin thinking about how to invest for your future:

Read. Get educated by reading financial news from the Wall Street Journal or Barron’s. There
are millions of articles online you can read for free to educate yourself about money. Your local
library also has tons of books on investing for “dummies”, as well as audiobooks that offer a
basic education in financial strategies. Many banks and credit unions offer free financial
seminars for their members. Don’t trust just one source, however, but get many opinions before
you make your investment decisions. The younger you are, the more risks you can take with
some investments.

Talk to people. Never pay for financial advice from planners who receive compensation for the
investments they recommend. Instead, seek the advice of a fee-only financial advisor. Look for
a trusted mentor who can point you in the right direction. Do what rich people do—they use
their financial assets to earn even more money.

Diversify. Entertaining (and somewhat depressing) studies show that monkeys who randomly
threw darts on the stock market page of the newspaper did as well as college educated brokers in
selecting where to invest. Consider investing in mutual funds with diversified stocks, rather than
individual industries. All rich people have multiple sources of income. Look at stocks, real
estate, gold and silver, and even food storage. In this chapter you’ll see some other options
worth considering. Perhaps the greatest mistake people make is putting all of their eggs in one
basket.

Be consistent. Dollar-cost averaging is just a fancy way of saying “invest the same amount of
money every month.” Just keep plugging away as part of your routine financial habit and set up
deposits automatically so that you don’t even have to think about it. Some investment firms
waive their minimum initial investment requirements if you set up an auto-deposit account.
Even a very small amount of money saved each month adds up over time.

Get organized. Use financial software that will help you track your spending, see your portfolio
allocations, estimate next year's tax bill—all the tedious tasks you know you ought to do but
keep procrastinating because it seems so overwhelming and boring. Money Magazine says,
“You'll spend a couple of hours on initial setup, but from then on, you'll be amazed at what you
can do with your money, once you know what you're doing with your money!” Hire a financial
planner to review your retirement and college savings plans.

Take advantage of employee 401(k) and 403b accounts. A traditional 401(k) is a retirement
savings plan that allows an employee to invest money now and defer paying income taxes on the
saved money (and earnings) until withdrawal, at retirement. Many employers will match funds
or put in at least a little bit each year, so put in as much as you can. That’s free money, plus the
tax-free status beats just about everything. Find out if your company’s investment account
rebalances every year. If given the opportunity to select that, do it. Money Magazine gives the
example that if you get a 7 percent return and a 50 percent match from your employer, upping
your annual contribution by $1000 and keeping that up for 30 years will fatten your nest egg by
$153,110 (not a misprint). As of the printing of this book, you can contribute up to $22,500 to a
401k plan, which includes a $5,500 catch-up limit. Open a SEP if you’re self-employed. A
simplified employee pension is fairly simple to set up, and it works like traditional IRA or 401
(k)s, but withdrawals are taxed at retirement. They offer unique flexibility because you can put in
nothing in a year or as much as $49,000. That’s especially beneficial if you’re an entrepreneur
who has feast and famine years of income.

Consider setting up a Roth account. A Roth is a modified individual retirement account in

which a person can set aside after-tax income up to $5,000 per year ($6,000 for those age 50 or
older). Earnings on the account are tax-free. You can set it up yourself. Tax-free withdrawals
may be made after age 591/2. You can put your Roth money almost anywhere: a bank, credit
union, full-commission stock broker, financial planner, and in mutual funds.

Keep investment fund costs low. Investment brokers can suck away your profits in fund costs.
Experts advise to look for mutual funds that have expenses below 1.33 percent for stock funds
and 0.89 percent for bond funds. Check out cheap index funds from Vanguard (800-851-4999;
www.vanguard.com) or Fidelity (800-343-3548; www.fidelity.com).

Control risky investments. We’re all attracted to that “sure bet” that Uncle Rico tells us about,
right? If you know you’re going to be tempted, then live by the rule to set aside no more than 5
to 10 percent of your savings to go crazy on a whim and that way you’ll be protected against
destroying your entire financial future if the deal doesn’t live up to its hype.

Teach your kids to invest. Have your child open an IRA. Kids who earn money from an
afterschool or summer job can put as much as $4,000 a year into a Roth IRA. After five years of
tax-free growth, he or she can make penalty-free withdrawals for college—or get a jump on
retirement. Speaking of kids…pass on money to your children now rather than bequeathing it.
Gifts of up to $11,000 a year are tax-free.
Fool.com has some really terrific resources for investors…and for all of us regular people who
need it explained in simple terms. You’ll find guides and tips for short-term and long-term
savings, saving at work, saving for college, budget basics, fancy schmancy investing tricks, and
more.

Another website I really like is www.Kiplinger.com, the companion to the personal finance
newsletter that has helped people invest wisely and manage their money for years. Your dad
probably reads it! You’ll also find tons of great information on investing at www.usa.gov/ and
www.smartmoney.com.

So where should investment money go?

Let’s take a look at some of the options:

Real Estate: You’re probably surprised to see this one listed at the top of the list, given that
property values plummeted dramatically in most areas of the country during the last recession. A
lot of folks are still afraid. We are now experiencing a slow rise in some pockets of the country,
as well as some stability. Interest rates have not been this low in 40 years, so as long as you
consider land and property as a long-term investment, now could be a great time to buy. Besides,
you’re always going to need a place to live.

Stocks: Short-term speculation can be very risky, but if you choose a broad portfolio that
includes foreign and domestic stocks, as well as look at this as a long-term investment, you
should be able to ride out the frequent and temporary fluctuations. There WILL be frequent and
temporary fluctuations! Experts generally advise that you should allocate 50% to 55% of your
portfolio to large companies, evenly split between growth and value; 20% to 25% to small
companies, evenly split between growth and value; and 25% to foreign companies.

Gold and silver: Because the American dollar is not backed by gold anymore and is subject to a
collapse, investing in tangible objects that have inherent value, like gold and silver, is a smart
hedge against inflation over a long period of time. Rates change daily and sometimes by the
hour. You should purchase coins when the rates are low. Sell your gold and silver jewelry when
the rates are up. Knowing when that happens is the trick.

Commodities: You can’t eat gold, silver, real estate, or stocks, so it’s wise to not only store food
items for seasons of want, but to also invest in commodity stocks in things that sustain life and
are always in demand, like wheat. Emergency preparedness experts suggest you store at least 6
months of water, food, and medical supplies. I have those things in my home, but I also carry a
72-hour emergency backpack with those things in the trunk of each of my cars. You never know
where you’re going to be when you’re ordered to evacuate from any given location, right?
Encourage the place where you work to also provide emergency supplies.
Certificates of Deposit, Zero Coupon Bonds, Treasury bills: Stashing cash in one of these
long-term tools allows you to determine your return on investment in advance, but also requires
you to plan ahead and not be tempted to pull out money before the contracted end date. Make
sure you have a liquid emergency fund that could be used, rather than dipping into these savings
and being hit with penalties.

Collectibles: Beanie babies may not make you wealthy, but if you are an experienced collector
who knows what to look for, consider including a small portion of your savings in items that
appreciate in value over time. Again, this is a long-term venture and you have to either really
know what to look for or else be really lucky.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Better for younger investors who have time, PPFs require you to
lock in your funds for a period of about 15 years with an expected return on investment of about
8%. It’s usually a lump sum deposited at one time, which can be good for people who aren’t
disciplined enough to invest each week or month.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Investors are required to invest monthly, quarterly, or semi-
annually. The gains by payment of SIP’s are entirely tax free.

National Pension Scheme or Retirement Scheme: The government set this up to provide an
investor a pension by the age of 60 who makes deposits each month. The annual charges are
very small and the NPS is completely tax free on withdrawal.

Education: Continue to invest in yourself. "Keep your earning power growing through
continuous education, training, and personal development," advises Knight Kiplinger, editor in
chief of Kiplinger.com. Online courses are extremely popular right now, as people try to acquire
skills and knowledge that will help them get a leg up on their competition. Be sure to check out
all of my online courses at www.LifelongLearningEducation.com !

Finally, protect your assets. An unexpected illness, natural disaster, or injury can devastate your
savings, so protect your investments and income by purchasing solid insurance policies for life,
disability, medical, auto, and home. Set up an emergency fund and do what you can to
continuously feed it. Another way to protect your investment assets is to fold them into a trust
fund. I’m no expert, so talk with those who are, and you’ll be able to take advantage of tax
deductions and estate laws.

One last word to the married women out there…don’t rely on your husbands to figure all of this
out for you. I’ve known too many wives who chose to be blissfully ignorant and allowed their
husbands to control all of the money, only to find themselves completely unprepared when their
husbands either died or left them for another woman. You can be the financial expert in the
family. At the very least, it’s your money too and you need to take a more active role in deciding
how to use it as an effective tool. Set financial goals together, be aware of your options, and
monitor progress as a team.
If you’re committed to making money, then also commit to all of the activities that are forward-
moving and expanding.
FEBRUARY: INEXPENSIVE GIFTS OF LOVE

Ok friends, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s months away or just days, are you
ready? We know that one day alone doesn’t a Romeo make; however, we all secretly hope
you’re going to do SOMETHING to reaffirm your love for us on February 14th. It doesn’t have
to be a big thing or an expensive thing, but SOMETHING!

A romantic card is truly the bare minimum. We want to see the words “I love you” in print
somehow. Flowers bumps you up a notch, but don’t make the mistake that you have to spend a
fortune at the florist shop; a simple daisy extended from your loving hands will suffice. I’m
serious. We just want to know you care and that you’re glad we’re in your life.

Of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t a one-way street…both partners need to show how much you
care too! Giving gifts doesn’t have to be expensive or cost you a lot of time to prepare either. In
this chapter, we’ll cover a wide spectrum of ideas from free to cheap to pretty cool and not too
pricey. Some of them you’ll laugh at, but hopefully it’ll get your brain thinking creatively so
that you’ll be ready for V-Day.

Let’s start with the free of all free ideas…re-gifting. Come on, you know we all do it. Even the
First Ladies admit to doing it. We’ve all been given a gift before that is surely lovely enough,
but doesn’t quite suit our needs or wants, and so we wrap it up and pass it on to a hopefully
unsuspecting recipient. Please, oh please, just remember to take off the “To my loving
granddaughter” tag before bestowing the gift on someone else!

I’m always amazed at what I can find on the internet, including websites that help you get rid of
unwanted gift cards by swapping them with something you do want. Check out
www.giftcardswapping.com or www.cardcash.com You can also go to www.ebay.com or other
auction sites to buy or sell gifts and store cards. By the way, a restaurant gift card counts as two
gifts because you get credit for making the purchase and then she swoons all over you again
when you go out to actually use the gift card.
An important thing to remember about store gift cards is that some stores actually charge a
monthly service fee if the card has gone unused for a while. If you let the card sit for too long, it
could literally dwindle down to having no value at all. Consumers have complained and many
stores are ceasing that practice but be sure to read the back of your card for any fine print.

You may even still have unwanted Christmas gifts sitting around your house, waiting to be
returned. You may get cash back or a store credit. Either one is better than a growing pile of
stuff in your home. Federal laws have been established regarding store returns and exchanges,
usually protecting the store rather than the customer. The stores are legally allowed to make up
their own policy as long as they inform the customer by hanging a sign or printing the
information on the receipt.

Some stores even charge a restocking fee if you want to return something, so be sure to ask about
their policies, especially if you are purchasing a big-ticket item. Some states have laws
prohibiting the return of plants, food, swimsuits, or underwear. I have to admit that I agree with
that one. Ick.

For some creative, fun, and almost free ideas, consider trying some of these for your
sweetheart:

• Go on a picnic indoors or outside. Even the simplest of foods tastes better on a checkered
tablecloth. Read some poetry and laugh like you’re young again. Even better, write
some poetry about your loved one. There’s even a free app to help you called Love Poem
Generator.
• Find a local dance studio that offers a free introductory ballroom dance lesson and go
together.
• Make a free movie about the two of you at www.Animoto.com by uploading pictures and
video. It’s super easy and free!
• Go geocaching! To find locations in your area, check out www.geocaching.com and use
your cell phone’s navigator to find hidden treasure caches nearby.
• Do something on that “Honey-Do” list that you know you’ve been putting off, but that
your spouse will appreciate.
• Write down 365 reasons why you love your Honey on slips of paper and put them in a
decorated jar. Inform him/her to read one each day this year.
• Plan a scavenger hunt in the house or even around town. Write creative clues that remind
you of your time together and lead to the next location. The grand finale could be a nice
gift or just a romantic card. After all, it’s the journey together that makes your life
complete, right?
• Cook dinner and have your children serve as waiters. Set up a little card table in a
romantic corner of your house, complete with tablecloth, candles, and that fancy china
and silverware you never use.
• Burn a CD of your favorite songs that remind you of him/her.
• Offer a homemade spa treatment with candles, soft music, bubble bath with rose petals,
and a massage.
• Repeat what you did on your very first date together.
• Eat out during lunch when prices at the fancy restaurants are lower than during the dinner
hour. You can graze on your leftovers later that night while you’re watching a free flick
at home.
• Issue a challenge to see who can spend the least amount of money for a gift and go to a
flea market to pick out gifts for each other.
• Find a free event in your community that you could attend together by searching on
www.Craigslist.com.
• Take a walk together and talk. When was the last time you did that?
• Upload pictures on his/her computer to create a screensaver slideshow.
• Sneak into his/her car, office, shower, or locker and fill it with balloons that have slips of
paper inside, announcing your love.
• Order free stuff for him/her at www.listia.com.
• Find a service project you could do together at www.volunteermatch.com.
• Write a song or learn how to play his/her favorite on a musical instrument and perform it.
• Go window shopping and point out all of the gifts you would buy each other if you were
rich.
• Make one of the cute crafts at www.allcrafts.net/valentines.htm.
• For some cool gifts that aren’t too pricey, check out these fun ideas for Valentine’s Day:
• www.bookbyyou.com (You co-author a 200 page romance novel by providing names and
places that personalize your book for your loved one!)
• www.restaurant.com (Buy restaurant gift cards for less than the face value)
• If you want to go to an expensive restaurant, make reservations using
www.opentable.com and you’ll earn points towards a free dinner later. Your date never
has to know about the points, but will be impressed that you thought about it ahead of
time enough to make a reservation.
• Tell your partner you’re going to do the next grocery store trip and present him/her with
some “All Out of Grocery List Magnetic Notepads” at Amazon.com for your fridge so
you two can stay organized in the future.
• You’ll find all kinds of awesome merchandise you can have personalized at
www.personalizationmall.com.
• Get a local steal of a deal at www.Groupon.com or www.LivingSocial.com.
• Most people don’t ever see the tourist attractions right in their hometown’s own
backyard. Go to www.tripadvisor.com and do a search for your city to see what fun
things you could do nearby. Want to find something really odd or unusual in your town?
 Check out https://www.atlasobscura.com/ to discover some really cool things you
probably didn’t even know existed in your city.
• Sign up to take a cooking class together. Culinary supply stores even offer free classes
for the community sometimes.

The perfect present is truly the gift of time. We all just want to be able to spend more time with
the ones we love.
MARCH: GARDEN GOLD: SAVING MONEY ON GROCERIES AND
OTHER PRODUCTS

If you haven't ever planted a summer garden before, now’s your chance! Just plop some of those
starter veggies you can get from your local garden store into the ground and, voila, you're
gardening. No yard? Try container gardening!

Only a fence or apartment balcony to work with? Try vertical growing. In a tough economy
where food prices are rising quite quickly, vegetable gardens can help you cut your grocery bill
drastically. Besides the economic practicality, knowing how to grow your own food empowers
you in a way like nothing else.

Within your garden you will find food, hope, medicine, a sense of great accomplishment, the
value of hard work, gratitude for nature, sun on your face, a renewed joy for cooking, an
effective stress reducer, fun family activity, and a new appreciation you never knew.

The Burpee Seed Company estimates that for every $50 a family spends on seeds and gardening
supplies, they’ll reap $1250 in produce! Want to save money and help the environment at the
same time? Growing your own food costs less than buying organic food and you can control
pesticide usage.

Don’t know where to start? You can get a free garden planner at www.bhg.com
www.backyardgardener.com and www.thegardenhelper.com A word of caution for the
beginner…don’t expect much during your first attempt. There is a learning curve!

You can also get free seeds and meet new gardening friends at local garden clubs, your town’s
cooperative extension and online in community posts.

You can find free seeds and garden tools on these sites:
 • www.Freecycle.org
• www.wintersown.org
• www.humeseeds.com

The “Plant a Row” organization invites you to donate some of your extra summer produce to the
hungry in your community. Your gift will be weighed and you’ll receive a receipt, giving you a
$1.50 per pound tax deduction. Learn more at www.2-harvest.org

Have a gardening question? Ask the experts at www.justanswer.com or www.ehow.com

If you have a gardening project that uses water efficiently, promotes green spaces, and is a great
example of sustainability, you could win a grant when you register at www.iuowawards.com

If you truly have a green thumb, you may consider starting a home business with your garden.
You can grow and sell bunches of fresh herbs to restaurants and local markets. Herbal turf farms
can bring in good money, as scented herb lawns are in high demand for city dwellers. Cafes,
hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, farmers markets, and restaurants might purchase your edible flowers,
hanging baskets, and seasonal flowers. Exotic plant growers might need a special business
license, depending on what it is you want to sell. Be sure you know the regulations for your area
before you sell professionally.

If you have a lot of acreage, you could list your garden on a Pick Your Own directory, such as:

• www.pickyourown.org

• www.farmerspal.com

If you’re simply not interested at all in growing a garden, but you want fresh fruits and veggies,
check out www.bountifulbaskets.org , a garden co-op where you can purchase food from local
growers at an incredible discount.

Still not convinced? Consider starting by growing sprouts inside your home. They’re much
cheaper than if you buy them at the grocery store and they can be added to smoothies, salads,
sandwiches, and Asian cooking to make those meals stretch.

Besides food value, home-grown garden veggies can also reduce your medicine cabinet
expenses. Take the cucumber, for example. It’s one of the easiest things to grow. Look at all of
the things that bumpy little vegetable can do:

* Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains
Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C,
Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
* Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber.
Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-
me-up that can last for hours.

* Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along
the mirror. It will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

* Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices of cucumber in a small pie
tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react
with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and
make them flee the area.

* Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try
rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes. They say the
phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer
layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too. I think I’ll take a bath
in cucumbers.

* Want to avoid a hangover or headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and
wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and
electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium,
avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

* Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Eat some cucumber.

* Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to
polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe. Its chemicals will provide a quick
and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

* Out of WD-40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the
problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

* Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire
cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber
react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that
has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

* Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber
and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath.
The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

*Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of
cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean. Not only will it remove years of tarnish
and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails
while you clean.

* Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase
the pen writing, as well as on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls.
Crazy, huh?

Now go out there and get your fingers dirty! Live more and spend less!
APRIL: SAVING BIG ON TAX DAY

Death and taxes…kind of the same thing, right? Does the mere thought of tax time send you into
a panic attack? It’s that time of year again. Ugh. Tax time can mean a nightmare of headaches,
endless hours of gathering receipts, and huge accountant bills. It is estimated that the average
American works four months just to pay off federal and state taxes owed each year. How can we
possibly get ahead? The rich seem to get richer and the poor seem to get poorer. Why is that?

Well, one thing the rich do that the poor don’t is know how to take advantage of every legal,
ethical, and moral tax deduction available to them. Real estate is one way to accumulate tax
deductions. Another terrific tool that allows you take deductions is having a home business of
some kind. Whether it’s selling Avon or designing craft items for local fairs or Etsy.com, having
a home office can save you BIG on tax day. Most small business owners are often concerned
about tax deductions because they are not really sure what items or expenses can legally be
deducted and what constitutes a real business. The IRS expectations are that anyone claiming
expenses from a business that is truly operating on a profit level can do so. You can read about
the current U.S. tax laws at www.irs.gov

There are certain standards that the IRS uses to determine what is a legitimate business or

not, and any self-employed person intending on taking itemized deductions will want to be

within those standards. Once legitimacy is determined, then entrepreneurs will be pleased to

know that most work-from-home individuals never take the full deductions possible. Adequate

record keeping and good professional help should aid in working with taxes.
Many of the things you are currently paying for in your home business could be:

• Legitimate tax deductions:

• Your computer
• Your internet connection
• Your long distance and cell phone service
• A percentage of your rent or mortgage if you have a home office for your work
• The initial investment costs to start your business
• Office equipment and furniture
• Conferences, classes, continuing education
• Car, mileage, maintenance
• Restaurants and dining when with clients
• Entertainment expenses when with clients
• Airfare, travel expenses to business events

Items that can NOT be deducted are:

• Clothing
• Gym memberships
• Gifts over $25

I suggest you talk with a tax professional before taking any tax deductions. Having a

home business could save you thousands of dollars this year alone! Network marketing

companies grow by leaps and bounds in a tough economy because everyone is looking for ways

to earn extra money. Be sure the multi-level marketing company you consider representing is

listed in good standing with the Direct Sellers Association at www.dsa.org.

If your tax situation is relatively simple, you can forgo the accountant’s bill and try to

prepare your tax forms for free at www.irs.gov. They have an online tax filing system called

“Free File” that helps you prepare the paperwork and file for free. On that website you’ll also

see a list of participating organizations that offer free tax prep services. For taxpayers with

income under $49,000, the IRS has VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).

H&R Block will also help you prepare your 1040 EZ tax form for free and submit the efile

gratis. Yay free! Be sure you qualify for the form or they’ll start throwing fees at you.
Turbo Tax has a new app that helps you file your taxes on your cellphone! Yep, there’s an app

for that!

Have you heard of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? It was originally created by

President Nixon to encourage people who have small children to get out into the workplace.

Because of high unemployment rates in the last few years, you may actually qualify for this tax

credit if you have children. Ask your accountant or tax preparer if they have the software to look

for this credit.

Another federal program that has been around for years, intended to help low-income

earners save money for retirement, is called the Saver’s Credit (formerly known as the

Retirement Savings Contribution Credit). If you save $2000 in a 401 (k), IRA, 403 (b) or 457

plan, the government will actually match your money up to 50%! The maximum is $1000, but

you have to ask for this credit, as it will not be given to you automatically. The form is 8880.

TaxCut or TurboTax software WILL apply this credit for you if you’re eligible.

By the way, I get my taxes done for FREE as a mystery shopper! Measure Consumer

Perspectives is one of the mystery shop companies I do assignments for that pays me to evaluate

tax prep companies each year.

If you pay a company to help you with your taxes, they may ask you if you want to

receive your refund faster. Sounds like an easy question to answer, right? Wrong. What those

companies do is write you a check, which does indeed arrive sooner than the pretty check from

the IRS, but they also charge you interest on your own money for the joy of getting cash sooner.
Don’t fall for it! Just be patient and wait.
Despite people who say that paying taxes is unconstitutional, you really DO need to file

your taxes. There are unpleasant fines, as well as criminal charges for not filing or paying your

taxes. Depending on your filing status, age, and the type of income you receive, you are required

to file a federal income tax return if your income is above a certain level.

Even if you don’t fall within those parameters, there are six reasons why you might want to:

• Federal Income Tax Withheld (collect money your employer may have withheld)
• Earned Income Tax Credit (a refundable tax credit)
• Additional Child Tax Credit (you have at least one child)
• American Opportunity Credit (students in their first four years of college)
• Adoption Credit (if you adopted a child)
• Health Coverage Tax Credit (if you are receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance,
Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance, Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance,
or pension benefit payments)

The U.S. tax code is ridiculously complicated, a fact which should compel you to pressure

Congress to replace it. Did you ever notice that when you put the two words “The” and “IRS”

together it spells “THEIRS”! (Little joke there…very little).

Ask your tax preparer to see if you qualify for any of these:

• American Opportunity Tax Credit (education)

• Health Care (look in Box 12 on your W-2)
• Form 1099-K (payments made by PayPal and third-party networks)
• Basis reporting (when using a broker or investment manager)
• Accelerate income
• Capital Gains
• Unified Gift Tax (giving to charity)

If all of this tax talk is giving you a headache already, then call an accountant for help.

Financial fights are the number one cause of divorce. There are plenty of website resources to

help you make sense of it all as well.

A few I like are:

www.webtaxcenter.com
www.1040.com

And now, to end on a happy note…here are a few fun quotes about money by some

people who knew how to put money in its proper perspective. I think you’ll get a kick out of who

said them…

• “He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing
everything for money.” –Benjamin Franklin
• “I’d like to live as a poor man with lots of money.” –Pablo Picasso
• “I’ve got all the money I’ll ever need…if I die by four o’clock.” –Henny Youngman
• “If I can’t get the girl, at least give me more money.” –Alan Alda
• “If women didn’t exist, all the money in the world would have no meaning.” –Aristotle
Onassis
• “It is more rewarding to watch money change the world than watch it accumulate.” –
Gloria Steinem
• “Men make counterfeit money; in many more cases, money makes counterfeit men.” –
Sydney J. Harris
• “Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons.” –Woody Allen
MAY: CONGRATS, GRADS! INEXPENSIVE GIFTS FOR GRADS

It’s that time of year again…time to bid farewell to teachers, textbooks, campus, homework, and
school chums. It’s always a little bitter-sweet saying goodbye, but that full summer ahead sure
takes the sting out fast!

Planning a party for your favorite graduate? Whether it’s for a graduating kindergartener or your
nephew finishing law school, it’s a wonderful time to celebrate the student’s life and
accomplishments.

Here are some great links to help you out with money-saving party ideas:

• www.celebrations.com/graduationparty-games All ages party games

• www.earlylearningactivities.com/PDF/eoy1.pdf: Grade school
• www.highlightsteachers.com/archives/party_ideas/: Grade school
• www.teachingheart.net/endoftheyearpage.html : Grade school
• www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com/high-school-graduation-party-idea.html : College
• www.graduationparty.com : High School

Looking for some fairly frugal gifts for high school graduates? Check out some of the following
ideas and get a gift that’s useful, meaningful, and not a huge weight off your wallet:

• Address book filled with notes from family and friends

• Gas gift card
• Laundry basket with detergents, fabric softener, roll of quarters
• Personalized coupons
• Gift cards to the Grad’s favorite store or restaurant
• Emergency Preparedness backpack
• Prepaid phone card
 • First Aid Kit
• Journals, pens, stickers
• Coupon saying you’ll take them out to dinner to celebrate
• Stationery, hand-made gift cards, and stamps
• Movie Night gift basket: DVDs, popcorn, theater gift card
• Shower caddy filled with personal hygiene items
• Breakfast basket: pancake mix, syrup, spatula, fresh fruit
• Personal organizer
• Luggage
• Money tree ($1 or $5 bills taped to a string hanging from the ceiling)
• Wallet with some money inside
• Picture frame
• Photo album to place all those memories in from school
• A coupon saying that you’ll scrapbook all their photos from the school year
• Flip flops and towel to enjoy the summer pool fun
• Thank you note cards and stamps
• Portable water filter
• Home-made quilt for his/her new bed in college
• Recycled grocery bags
• A copy of the beloved Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
• A coupon good for one “care package” once they get to college
• Refillable water bottle
• Box of non-perishable food to stock their first college pantry
• Coins from the year of the grad’s birth
• Personalized pillowcase
• Toaster oven
• Books about the grad’s future field of study
• T-shirt from the grad’s new college
• Tool set
• Flash drive
• Board game to play in the dorms
• Bucket with cleaning supplies
• Dorm bed sheets
• Book or binder to keep budgeting papers

And for the lucky college graduate or college student heading home for the summer, here are
some cheap tips for moving out of your dorm or college apartment:
 1. To pack or toss: Decide which items will be thrown away, stored at a friend’s house
near campus until next year, or brought home.
2. Sell back your textbooks at www.amazon.com or www.half.com. You can also sell
back your books at www.chegg.com, where you can earn money or “Chegg Dollars”
which can be used for books for next fall. Chegg even pays the postage too!
3. Donate items at www.freecycle.org or at local drop off centers such as Goodwill,
Salvation Army, or Deseret Industries. Be sure to ask for a donation slip to use on
your taxes next year.
4. Review your rental agreement to make sure you’ve met all of your obligations and
can earn your cleaning deposit back.
5. Set up a time for the check-out inspection.
6. Pay off all fees for utilities and close accounts.
7. Get free packing boxes from the local grocery store. Use medium-sized boxes rather
than large ones which will be too heavy to carry once full. Check on Craig’s List for
people moving into the area who might want to give away their packing materials for
free.
8. Instead of buying packing paper, use free grocery store bags to wrap around
breakables.
9. Be sure to return any library books, and close any membership accounts, such as for
gyms, computer labs, or campus meal plans.
10. Keep your important items handy: cell phone charger, resumes, keys, wallet, etc.
11. Defrost the refrigerator. You can possibly donate any leftover bottles of catsup and
food items to a local shelter.

Congrats, GRADS!
MAY:
MEMORABLE MEMORIAL DAY – FRUGAL WAYS TO BE PATRIOTIC

Our Founding Fathers understood frugality. Thomas Jefferson said, “I am for a government
rigorously frugal and simple, applying all the possible savings of the public revenue to the
discharge of the national debt; and not for a multiplication of officers and salaries merely to
make partisans.” Benjamin Franklin warned, “Think what you do when you run in debt; you
give another power over your liberty.” One thing they’d both agree on for sure is that freedom
isn’t free.

For most Americans, Memorial Day is a chance to sleep in and get the day off of work or school.
If you have children, it’s a terrific opportunity to teach them about our country, respect, honor,
reverence, history, and more. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day set aside
for remembrance of those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day was first
proclaimed on the 5th of May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and
Confederate soldiers. The South, at first, refused to acknowledge Memorial Day, honoring their
dead on separate days until after WWI. It is now observed in almost every state of the union on
the last Monday of every May. Since the Civil War, more than 1.1 million veterans, both women
and men, have lost their lives in military service to America.

With four sons in my family, we’ve created a fun tradition with our Boy Scouts where we place
flags on the tombstones of fallen soldiers and then we present a special wreath at the cemetery’s
ceremony on Memorial Day. The boys really get a kick out of reading the tombstones and
imagining what the soldiers would have looked like. The parents go crazy with their cameras,
taking incredibly patriotic photos of their own sons in uniform paying respect.

Memorial Day reminds us of our duties towards wounded soldiers, and towards the bereaved
families, orphans, and widows of fallen soldiers. In addition to the fun BBQ's and recreational
activities of the weekend, some of us might like to take a few minutes to show our gratitude to
those who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Here are a few ways you can honor their memory this year and do so inexpensively:

1. Placing flags, garlands, or flowers on the grave sites

2. Visiting cemeteries and memorials
3. Knitting beanies for soldiers in Afghanistan. Learn how at:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5812910_knit-easy-hat-troops-afghanistan.html
4. Furling the American Flag at half-mast until noon
5. Furling the POW/MIA Flag
6. Hanging yellow ribbons. See: wp.yellowribbonamerica.org
7. Keeping silent for a minute at 3 p.m., 'National Moment of Remembrance', and
listening to Taps being played
8. Sending your expired coupons to military overseas. For details go to:
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/
9. Taking a pledge to aid the disabled veterans, widows, widowers, and orphans of the
dead and keeping it
10. Offering thanks to the veterans and appreciating the ultimate sacrifices of the soldiers
to the bereaved families personally
11. Decorating your car with patriotic ribbons
12. Donating blood
13. Helping to decorate a float for a community parade
14. Visiting a nursing/retirement home and inviting veterans to share their stories
15. Encouraging your children’s school to put together a patriotic program
16. Organizing a Memorial Day event at your church where you honor veterans with
musical numbers and skits
17. Writing letters to soldiers at: www.anysoldier.com
18. Reading the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or Bill of Rights
19. Memorizing the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner”
20. Donating your frequent flyer miles to a veteran who is undergoing treatment at a VA
medical center. To learn how, go to: http://www.ehow.com/how_5733213_donate-
frequent-flier-miles-veterans.html

Here are some sites to help you feel the patriotic spirit:

• Free Memorial Day quotes, poems, songs, tributes, reflections, presidential declarations,
and facts: http://www.thememorialdaytribute.com/observe-memorial-day.html

• Free Memorial Day essays, speeches, and prayers:

http://www.usmemorialday.org/write.html
 • Free Memorial Day clip art images: http://www.designedtoat.com/memorial_day.shtml

• Free Memorial Day ecards: www.memorialsday.com, www.123greetings.com,

www.bluemountain.com

• Free Memorial Day coloring pages: http://fun.familyeducation.com/memorial-

day/holidays/33548.html

• Free patriotic craft projects: http://www.allcrafts.net/patriotic.htm

• Free Memorial Day screensavers and computer wallpapers: http://www.screene.com/free-

screensavers/holidays-screensavers/memorialday/

Current soldiers and veterans deserve the very best benefits this country can offer! If you’re
currently in the military or are a spouse or dependent of a wonderful soldier, there are some
helpful resources for you out there:

• https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal
• http://www.usa.gov/Federal-Employees/Veterans.shtml
• http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/factsheets/
• http://www.vet-law.com/
• www.ssa.gov/woundedwarriors/

If you’re a civilian who would like to get more involved to show your gratitude, check out some
of these terrific service organizations to benefit our brave warriors:

• www.HealingHeroes.org
• www.honorflight.org
• www.cellphoneforsoliders.com
• www.MissionContinues.org
• www.WoundedWarriorproject.org
• www.WoundedWarriorsfamilysupport.org
• www.angelflightveterans.org
• www.adoptaplatoon.org
• www.highfivetour.com
• www.woundedwarriorsinaction.org
• www.helpingdisabledvets.com
• www.carsforveterans.org
• www.vettix.org

The above list is just a small sample of ideas. Military families struggle financially while their
solider is away protecting our country’s interests. Check out the following website that offers a
huge list of service opportunities that support our military:
http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/how-to-support-our-troops.html

Veterans can enjoy all kinds of free meals and merchandise on Veterans Day, Memorial Day,
and sometimes on other patriotic holidays when they show their military ID. Thank you for your
service! You deserve a nice, free meal!

Here are a few places that are great about honoring our wonderful vets with freebies:

• Free admission to the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California

• Southwest Airlines – Receive one-way tickets as low as $51 for military personnel and
their family members! You have to call the customer service hotline to request the
special discount.
• Hidden Valley Ski Area – Military and their family receive $5 lift tickets if there is still
snow!
• Clarion Hotels – Free breakfast buffet and $59/night rooms.
• Princess Cruises – Free onboard credit when you submit proof of military service before
you sail.
• Free Park admission at: www.herosalute.com/states/index.html
• Free Car Washes
• Free Canes
• National Park in Alaska – free entrance
• General Motors – special discounts

Also find special discounts at:

• BJ’s Brewhouse
• Bar Louie
• Arby’s
• Olive Garden
• 7-Eleven
• Hooters
• Applebee’s
• Champs
• Chili’s
• Outback Steakhouse
• Golden Corral
• Famous Dave’s
• Bailey’s Sports Grille
• McCormick & Schmick’s
• Texas Roadhouse
And finally, saving lots of “George Washington’s” is very patriotic! For those living outside the
United States, President George Washington’s face is on the one-dollar bill. Many stores hold
huge Memorial Day sales, so this weekend is a good time to pick up some discounted items. For
a listing of stores in your area holding special holiday sales, go to:

http://dealspl.us/memorial_day_sale_52778

http://www.memorialdaysales.net/

http://www.offers.com/memorial-day/

http://www.runaroundtech.com/2011/05/28/memorial-day-weekend-sales-buyers-guide-to-
savings/
JUNE: SUMMER FUN FOR LESS

School is out! Now what? You’ll have a house full of kids who are looking for something good
to do. Not to worry! There are plenty of fun things to do to keep everyone happy and busy
without breaking the bank.

Go out to eat!

Check out kidseat4free.com—a massive database of restaurants with "kids eat for free" offers.
Browse by city or enter your zip code to find restaurants near you offering a free meal.

Go bowling for free!

https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ - AMF Bowling Centers

Earn prizes and cash through the following summer reading programs:

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/kids/get-ready-for-bns-summer-

reading-triathlon/

H.E. Buddy: http://www.hebuddy.com/content/pdf/readingclub.pdf

T.D. Bank: http://www.tdbank.com/summerreading/ ($10 when your child reads 10 books!)

See movies for free!

Most movie theaters across the country have certain days during the summer when they offer
free movies.

http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx (at Regal Cinemas)

http://www.amcentertainment.com/smc/ (at AMC Theaters)

http://www.cinemark.com/summermovieclubhouse/index.htm (at Cinemark Theaters)

http://www.classiccinemas.com/wmms.asp (at Classic Cinemas)

http://www.harkinstheatres.com/summerMovieFun.aspx (at Harkins Theaters)

http://tinyurl.com/6o85h5d (at Clearview Cinemas)

http://tinyurl.com/7zyxoq2 (at CinemaWorld)

www.freemoviescinema.com (free online movies)

Take free craft classes together!

Several stores nationwide offer free classes. Some of them even pay for all of the supplies. Call
your local store for details on times and dates.

You can learn more information at their web sites:

• Lowe’s Build and Grow Classes: https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/

• Home Depot Building Clinics: https://www.homedepot.com/workshops/#change_store

• Michael’s Craft Workshops: https://www.michaels.com/classes

• A.C. Moore: https://acmoore.com/projects

• Lakeshore Learning Center Classes: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/free-

crafts

• Get out of the house and enjoy some fun activities hosted by nationwide stores.

• Lego Stores: https://www.lego.com/en-MY/service/help-topics/orders/lego-

stores/store-newsletter

• Disney Stores: https://www.thebalanceeveryday.com/free-events-for-kids-at-the-disney-

store-1356920

Go to a museum for free!

If you have a Bank of America credit, debit, or ATM card, you can get free admission to over
100 participating museums, zoos, and science centers the first weekend of every month! To
learn more go to: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/what-guides-us/arts-and-
culture.html#fbid=oobKsdgf7Jo

Blue Star Museums is a partnership among Blue Star Families, the National Endowment for the
Arts, and more than 700 museums in all 50 states to offer free admission to active duty military
personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day:
https://www.arts.gov/national-initiatives/blue-star-museums

Challenge your kids’ brains with fun summer-themed word search puzzles that you can
print out each day or each week.

You can find a giant list of some at: http://freebies.about.com/od/free-printable-word-

searches/tp/summer-word-search.htm

Make your own stickers!

You can send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to StickerGiant and they will mail
some free stickers out to you. Please allow a few weeks for your stickers to be sent out.

Laughing Suid

c/o StickerGiant
PO Box 301
Hygiene, CO 80533

http://laughingsquid.com/laughing-squid-stickers/

Go geocaching together!

Geocaching is like a high-tech scavenger hunt. You can go online to find clues about caches
other people have left hidden in your area at: www.geocaching.com . Your family can also put
together your own cache and hide it for others to find!

You can find out about fun events in your town by checking out the following event sites:

www.eventbrite.com

www.timeout.com

Attend a free concert!

Most orchestras offer free admission to their rehearsals, as well as to their free summer concert
series. Do a quick search online and you’re sure to find free concerts hosted by local parks or
performance groups.

Attend a free camp!

Many churches offer free Bible Study camp. Apple stores offer a free 3-day workshop where
kids learn how to make movies. Now, to get your own creative juices flowing, here are some fun
things that will create happy childhood memories and leave your bank account intact. To make
this list even more fun, print out each item and cut each one into a strip that you put into a bowl.
Invite the kids to pull one out of the bowl each day.

• Play kickball.
• Play board games.
• Go to the playground.
• Ride bikes together.
• Have a scavenger hunt.
• Garden together.
• Go to the zoo.
• Go to the library.
• Play hide and seek.
• Have a picnic at a park.
• Create a fort in your living room out of blankets or cardboard boxes.
• Bake cookies. Take some to a neighbor.
• Camp in your backyard or pitch a tent in your living room.
• Play freeze tag.
• Make homemade pizza.
• Learn one new word a day.
• Learn magic tricks.
• Invent a new board game to play.
• Set out a variety of spices and food items and invent something new to eat.
• Make homemade ice cream.
• Make a YouTube video about something you love to do.
• Fly kites.
• Make homemade ice cream.
• Scrapbook your old photos and mementos.
• Write “bucket lists” and do one of the things on the list.
• Organize a flash mob.
• Do a science experiment.
• Make popsicles.
• Teach them to play chess.
• Have a BBQ.
• Make play dough from scratch.
• Learn to play a musical instrument.
• Make a movie using a camcorder and computer.
• Finger-paint with pudding.
• Make mud pies.
• Blow bubbles.
• Play with squirt guns.
• Play wiffleball.
• Do shadow puppets.
• Take turns saying tongue twisters.
• Take pictures of nature.
• Have a thumb wrestling contest.
• Have a water balloon fight.
• Face paint each other.
• Play video games together.
• Sing songs. Make some songs up.
• Play dress-up.
• Build a model rocket.
• Have a joke contest.
• Make popsicles.
• Find summer constellations.
• Have a tea party.
• Learn sign language.
• Learn how to make crepes together.
• Make and send cards to soldiers.
• Scrapbook.
• Take the train somewhere just for fun.
• Put on a luau.
• Play tennis.
• Find the perfect place to volunteer together at: www.volunteermatch.com,
www.volunteer.gov
• Start a blog together for free at: www.blogger.com
• Eat dinner backwards with dessert first and ending with appetizers.
• Have a fashion show.
• Decorate flip flops.
• Make GAK. Here’s a recipe: https://livingwellmom.com/homemade-gak-less-than-5-
minutes/
 • Wash the car and have a water fight.
• Go bird watching.
• Find a local farm that offers “Pick Your Own” fruit and veggie days.
• Swim at your community pool.

Now, get out there and start having some fun!

JULY: CHRISTMAS IN JULY

What? We’re counting down how many shopping days are left until Christmas already?!
Nooooo! Actually, this chapter is all about what you can do now to prepare for Christmas so that
you DON’T have to go shopping, scramble for gifts at the last minute, and spend a fortune on
impulse purchases during the holidays!

A little bit of gift preparation and planning ahead now will allow you to relax and enjoy your
family and loved ones during the festivities. Imagine having time to actually reflect on the
reason for the season, rather than be rushed and stressed as you frantically watch the clock tic
towards your gift deadline! Santa has to make a list and check it twice, so starting now will
allow you to really enjoy the spirit of giving, take advantage of sales, and be more organized
than ever.

Begin by creating a Christmas To-Do list and a budget. Need a little more direction? Check out
the following guide: http://lifeasmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Holiday-Planning-To-
Do-List.pdf. You’ll also find some great ideas there for recipes, memorable activities, and crafts.

Christmas doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Some stores, such as Sears, Kmart, Old
Navy, Target, and J.C. Penney offer “Christmas Lane” sections on their websites in July to
reduce some of their stock and attract summer shoppers.

You can find even more Christmas in July sales at:

• http://www.qvc.com/cgen/render.aspx?qp=promo|ChristmasInJuly&rewrite=no
• http://www.bonanza.com/forums/8/topics/252533?page=1#posts-3396695
• www.shoe.buy.com

Start stocking up now on free samples for stocking stuffers. You’ll find tons of websites and tips
on how to get freebies mailed to your home in the chapter entitled “Fabulous World of Freebies”
in this book! Free is my jam! You can also start stocking up on points that can be redeemed for
gift cards when you do searches at www.Swagbucks.com or www.Mypoints.com. It’s amazing
how fast the points and gift cards can add up.

You’ll earn cash back when you make purchases at www.Ebates.com or

www.ShopAtHome.com. If you want to purchase something specific for someone, start saving
those pretty pennies in a special jar and don’t be tempted to spend them on something else.

Watch for the item you want to go on sale by registering for price drop alerts and following
deal trackers such as:

• www.dodtracker.com
• www.cleansnipe.com
• www.gearattack.com
• www.dealsucker.com
• www.camelcamelcamel.com

You’ve got plenty of time to make homemade gifts if you start now. People recognize the time
and love you’ve invested in them when your gift comes from your heart and your hands. Etsy is
a terrific site where anyone can sell their handicrafts. You can get ideas or even make early
purchases now with their Christmas in July sale at:
http://www.etsy.com/search?includes[]=tags&q=christmas+in+july

Here are some great homemade gift ideas to get your creative juices started:

General Crafts:

• http://www.craftbits.com
• http://familycrafts.about.com/od/giftstomake/tp/HomeMadeGiftIdeas.htm
• www.familyfun.com
• http://www.craftynest.com/2010/08/inexpensive-handmade-holiday-gift-ideas-part-1
• http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/

Homemade Beauty Products:

• Whip up a big batch of lotion, lip balm, or soap to divide and give as gifts.
• If you don’t have a green thumb or a crafty finger, but appreciate those who do, you
might get a kick out of attending a “Christmas in July” festival where artisans focus on
gifts for the holidays. Do an internet search for one in your area or check out some of
these:
• http://www.christmasinjuly.info/
• Throw a “Christmas in July” party! You can find all kinds of tips and fun ideas for your
shindig at: http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas_in_july. One kind of "Christmas in
July" party I love is a “Swap” where people bring new or gently used items they have
 sitting around their house and exchange it with other people’s stuff. I call it a “New to
You” event that makes for perfect, FREE gifts. You could also have a “Busy Hands”
party where everyone brings crafting supplies, extra fabric, and cute ideas that everyone
can use to make gifts.
• Would you believe there is actually a movie entitled “Christmas in July’? You can learn
more about it at:
• http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032338/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_and_Frosty%27s_Christmas_in_July
• If you really love Christmas and can’t get enough, you’ll love these websites which are
dedicated to spreading Christmas cheer year ‘round:
• www.northpole.com
• www.allthingsChristmas.com

Finally, take some time to reconsider what you spend your time and money on during the
holidays. For example, most people stress out over Christmas cards, the family photo that goes
on them, as well as the stamps that rack up your Christmas expense. Would the world end if you
sent a FREE Christmas letter email with photos?

What if, instead of buying gifts for every single person in your extended family, you bought one
gift for each family like a favorite DVD and snack pack for them to enjoy? My sister-in-law
always sends us a basket each Christmas filled with all of the yummy treats her family has
discovered during that year. How about having a neighborhood potluck dinner where you can
spend time together, rather than dropping off purchased gifts for everyone on your street?

The truth is, we all have more than enough “stuff” in our homes…we really don’t need more
gifts. What we DO want is more time with our loved ones, so think about what kinds of
“experiences” you can give at Christmas time. For example, you could give an invitation to a
special dinner in your home, a specially-wrapped fingernail polish with a card that explains
you’ll join the receiver on a “Girls Day Out” to get a pedicure, a season membership pass to a
local museum, or a box of Frisbee golf discs with maps to all of the local parks where you could
play together.

Christmas should be a magical time, but if you’re racing around like a stressed-out crazy person
the entire month of December, then it won’t be! Take a breath and make a plan now to create
marvelous memories for your loved ones.
AUGUST: TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD FOR LESS

I absolutely love to travel and explore new countries and cultures. I also love to share my
travels, so I created www.EmptyNestTravelHacker.com where you can check out the discounts
and travel tips! I’ve been traveling to China a lot lately for business, so I’ve been trying to learn
Mandarin. (I’m terrible at it.) If you’re intrigued with learning a foreign language, I have found
some great websites where you can learn foreign languages for free!

Whether you want to be able to brush up on your old high school Spanish so you can order a
Mojito on the beaches of Cancun, or simply help your son get a better grade in his language class
at school, knowing a second language will always come in handy when trying to improve your
resume and expand your horizon. Planning a summer vacation overseas? Now is the time to start
learning the language so you can get around there better. Half of the fun of traveling in a foreign
country is meeting the people, learning their culture, and trying to communicate with them.

• www.ForeignLanguageFlashcards.com – This site provides free picture flashcards for

visual learners who are trying to master a foreign language. Other resources include free
foreign language learning guides, downloads, and a flashcard maker.

• www.Quizlet.com – Quizlet can be used to create and share flashcards. It is a wonderful

tool for learning new vocabulary words.

• www.Byki.com – This personalized language learning system can be downloaded for

free. It is available in 70 different languages and includes tools to help people
permanently memorize vocabulary words and phrases.

• www.Livemocha.com – Livemocha offers the opportunity for learners to study and

practice a language at their own pace. The site can also be used to connect with foreign
language learners around the world.
 • www.italki.com – This free foreign language site can be used to find a language teacher
or practice online with a language partner. italki also offers free language questions and
the ability to ask questions about something you don’t understand.

• www.LingvoSoftOnline.com – This site offers a number of free online language tools for
learners, including a free online phrasebook, free flashcards, and free online dictionaries.

• www.MindTools.com – MindTools provides an excellent guide to learning foreign

languages. The guide includes information about different systems and effective
mnemonics.

• www.BabelFish.com – This free online translator from Yahoo! can quickly translate text
from one language into another. Google Translator is another free online translating tool
that does an OK job, but both of them have errors and shouldn’t be relied upon
exclusively.

Traveling around the world and going on vacation isn't as expensive as you might think.

The Internet has enabled us to become our own travel agents, often offering better deals than if

we called the hotel or rental car company directly. Some of my favorite web sites to find travel

steals and deals are: www.yapta.com, www.travelocity.com,

www.orbitz.com, www.breezenet.com, and www.hotwire.com.

It’s easy to be influenced by a glossy brochure or fancy website that claims a certain hotel

is the absolute best, but if you want to hear what “real” people have to say about specific travel

destinations, check out their opinions posted at www.tripadvisor.com.

Before purchasing, compare prices and do a "Google" search for the word "discount

code" with the name of the hotel chain, car company, airline, or tourist attraction you specifically

want. Joining the "frequent flyer" clubs or hotel member clubs will often get you better rates,

and those points you rack up with each stay will get you free vacations in the future! Your credit

card might get you even more points, so find out which travel services they partner with. AAA

membership pays for itself once you see all of the discounts you can get on hotels, cars,
restaurants, and even theme parks.

A flexible traveler can really score big. For example, airlines routinely over-book their

seats, knowing that a certain percentage of travelers will simply not show up for the flight. If

everyone does show up then there will be more passengers than seats so the airline will then ask

for volunteers who are willing to be bumped. By doing so they may offer you travel vouchers

for future flights, meals, and even a paid hotel room if there isn’t another flight until the next

day. It’s a little bit of a hassle, but if the airline is desperate, they’ll keep sweetening the deal

until someone says yes!

I love the idea of free vouchers so much that my family now arrives at the gate before

anyone else just to make sure we’re the first in line to offer up our seats. As soon as the gate

attendant opens the desk we ask them if the flight is full and let them know we’re willing to offer

our seats and be bumped to the next flight. More and more passengers have caught on to this

hidden gem, so that’s why we’re so intent on being first in line. If you’re a large family, you

could save quite a bit in savings! You need to be flexible and think quickly. During the busy

holiday season (best time to get bumped), my family of six was offered 2 bumped seats. One of

my son’s and I volunteered and got to spend the night in a free hotel and extend our vacation an

extra day!

Here are a few more ways to see the world for less:

To vacation within driving distance, check out the "One Tank Wonders" at
www.tripadvisor.com/tankofgas. To find the lowest price of gas in your area, go to
www.gasbuddy.com.

Skip the tourist traps and save money by adding some volunteer work at your destination!
The following organizations offer meaningful service opportunities and lower your
destination

costs during a “Volunteer Vacation”:

www.americanhiking.org

www.greenpeople.org

www.charityguide.org

www.hospitalityclub.org

Swap a pricey hotel stay for a visit in someone else’s home with a “Home Exchange” vacation:

www.homeexchange.com

www.homeaway.com

www.vacationhomerentals.com

www.vacationhomes.com

You can stay in a very inexpensive hostel and meet some fascinating people at
www.hostelworld.com.

When you volunteer to drive one of those big RV’s one way it helps the company return their
vehicles and you save tons of moola. See www.cruiseamerica.com for more details.

If you’re interested in touring a zoo, aquarium, or museum on your trip find out if they
have discounts for:

• Free Founder’s Day

• Annual Pass (good for almost all other destinations across the country)
• Group discount
• Scout discount
• Stroller Club (for moms and their little ones)

So, dream big. Think big. Imagine the impossible. See the world. And enjoy the journey! Check
off those items on your Bucket List and have fun out there!
SEPTEMBER:
SAVING MONEY ON COLLEGE IS AS EASY AS ABC

If you have high school students, especially juniors or seniors, then you know how busy the next
few months are going to be to get them ready for college: SAT/ACT exams, applications, essays,
financial aid plans, choosing a school, waiting for the acceptance letter, deciding on a dorm or
apartment, and the hopeful hunt for scholarships. Paying for college can be a big hurdle for
many families, especially during tough economic times.

A college education is one of the biggest investments a person will make in his lifetime...or a
parent's lifetime! My two oldest sons are in college, with my third heading out in another year,
and both my heart and wallet are feeling it. I absolutely loved college and I’m thrilled to have
my kids experience it. I loved the feel of a crisp, new textbook, knowing it would introduce me
to wonderful, new knowledge. Yeah, I know…I’m a freak. Well, at least my kids think I am. A
college education costs time and money. You've got to put in your own time to earn a degree,
but I can help you with the money part!

A—Apply for scholarships!

There are a ton of them out there, just waiting to be given away. There are a number of paid and
free websites where you can find scholarship information, but my favorite is www.fastweb.com .
After answering a few demographic and talent questions, they'll tell you which scholarships you
qualify for, submission requirements, and deadlines. I hunted for scholarships for my two oldest
sons, they wrote the essays and filled out the applications, and together we saved a bundle on
tuition and extras. Talk to your high school counselors because they usually have drawers and
files full of local organizations which offer money as well. Going back to school at an older
age? Not to worry! You can qualify for many scholarships too!

There are a number of bizarre scholarships available, including ones for being tall, being left-
handed, and even one for drinking milk. I’m not making this stuff up! When I was looking for
scholarships for my two oldest boys, I visited the Fastweb site weekly and grouped the
scholarships by due date to help us organize our time better. Many scholarships require essays,
so we would conquer the applications one day/essay at a time. In a few cases, we were able to
reuse the same essay for several scholarship applications. This requires some work, but the free
scholarships are worth it! And what a great boost to your child's self-esteem to know there are
companies and organizations out there that believe in them.

Some scholarships are funded by someone who had to overcome some kind of disability in life.
You can find some of those at www.collegegold.com/scholarships/unusualscholarships . There
is even a fun annual contest sponsored by Duct Tape where the company gives scholarships to
high school students who create the best prom outfits out of duct tape! You can learn more about
that fun one at https://www.duckbrand.com/stuck-at-prom

Do a Google search to find out who is donating local grant money, research money, and
scholarship money that you might not otherwise know about. Some high schools have a special
Senior Awards night where scholarship donors give speeches and hand out money, so get a list
of last year's program from your high school counselor so you can see who is doling out money
in your area. It's easier to get local scholarships than national ones.

You shouldn’t have to pay for a company to help you find scholarships. Have your future
college student help you do the research to see what’s out there.

B—Buy books at a discount!

Textbooks are ridiculously expensive nowadays. Buy books at a discount by shopping at

www.half.com , www.amazon.com , www.textbooks.com , and www.valorebooks.com . One of
my favorite sites to sell and buy used books is www.bookscouter.com. Start there and they’ll
give you a listing of about forty other sites that might have the textbooks you’re looking for.

C—Consider your career path!

If you're interested in military service, the US Army and Air Force offer free college education
with some after-graduation service required. Talk to your parents to see if their companies offer
grants, loans, or scholarships to employees. Find out if your parents receive a special alumni
discount from their alma maters. Your state may even offer scholarships for attending a college
within its borders, rather than going to an outside university. Some professions grant special
funding and provisions, such as teachers who are willing to work in inner cities upon graduation.
Spending some time on search engines could definitely pay off. They say that millions of
dollars’ worth of scholarships go unclaimed every year.

D—Dorm living in small doses!

Dorm living is great during the freshman year as you try to get adjusted to college life, but after
that, living off campus is usually less expensive. Your student can offer to do yard or home
maintenance to receive a discount in rent. Many duplexes and small homes in college towns are
owned by "absentee" owners living out of state, so they'd be happy to have a hard-working
student keep an eye on their property. Check out www.campusrent.com,
www.collegerentals.com, or www.apartmentfinder.com to start your apartment search online.
Invite your friends to join you and you could get a free month's rent or referral fee!

E—Eat and drink responsibly!

Brown bagging it is usually less expensive than any other way of dining, but students often get
discount cards to eat on campus. Some campus food plans are pricey and restrictive, so be sure
to check the fine print. Students can save money if they buy in bulk and split up the grub.
Student ID cards can often save you money at local restaurants, theaters, museums, and other
venues, so be sure to carry it on you when you go out.

F—FAFSA applications are a must!

The applications might be long and obnoxious but submitting a FAFSA is one of the best ways
to save money on tuition, resulting in possible grants, lower student loans, or priority for the
college student. Counselors in your high school and college can help you work through the
paperwork maze. My big tip: get started early. You can find information and the application at
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

G—Get the best professors!

Get the best learning experience you can by signing up for the best rated professors on campus.
Check out www.ratemyprofessors.com. You don’t want your student to flunk out of class just
because there is a personality conflict or unrealistic expectations. Go online and see what kind
of teacher is being offered before you sign up for his or her class!

H—Have fun but be smart!

College can be a blast, but make sure you're going to graduate with a degree that will actually get
you a job in the end. While a degree in underwater basket weaving would be fun, think about
the end goal. Unfortunately, the world will only pay you what it thinks you're worth, how good
you are at performing a service, and how difficult it will be to replace you. Find your passion
and specialty and then make yourself marketable!

One option to reduce the expense of college is to spend the first two years at a community
college. You'll typically save up to half the cost of a four-year degree by doing this. Remember,
employers only care about where you graduated from—not where you started your education.
Then again, you need to be extra careful that those junior college credits are going to apply
towards the university credit you ultimately want. I think half of the education (and the fun) is
living away from home while attending a university.
I—I could go through the whole alphabet, but this was just a little taste of college to get you
started!

For moms and dads who are just a bit envious of their children’s opportunity to learn new things
at school, I have a goldmine of resources for you! The following websites include thousands of
video lectures from some of the world’s top scholars! Knowledge nirvana! Courses include
detailed lecture notes, a calendar of reading assignments for each class, and a description of
course goals. And they’re all FREE!

• http://Academicearth.org
• https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
• http://worldlibrary.net/CollectionCatalog.aspx?CatalogId=2
• http://freevideolectures.com
• http://videolectures.net
• http://lecturefox.com
• http://www.ted.com
• http://OCW.ND.edu
• http://OCW.Tufts.edu
• https://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/november/iphone-apps-course-110413.html
• https://www.youtube.com/user/UCBerkeley/about?itct=CAUQ8JMBGAUiEwjmrqKzzaHSA
hWDuk4KHdwQABo%3D&hl=en&gl=US&client=mv-google&app=desktop
• http://WebCast.Berkeley.edu
• http://www.varsitynotes.com
• http://www.learnerstv.com

If anyone is interested in entrepreneurship and learning more about what it takes to own or run a
business, I highly recommend the podcasts from Stanford University and Harvard Business
School:

• https://ecorner.stanford.edu/

• http://www.hbs.edu/entrepreneurs/

Both are great resources that provide outstanding insight into running your own business. But
wait, there’s more:

• http://oedb.org/library/features/236-open-courseware-collections

• http://www.careervoyages.gov/education-videos.cfm

• http://www.sba.gov/tools/audiovideo/deliveringsuccess/index.html

• http://www.sba.gov/training/index.html
 • http://www.sba.gov/tools/audiovideo/Podcasts/index.html

• http://www.openculture.com/2007/07/freeonlinecourses.html

• http://www.videomd.com/featured_videos.aspx

• http://www.freesciencelectures.com/

• http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

• http://education.usgs.gov/common/video_animation.htm

• http://www.nachi.org/advancedcourses.htm

• http://education-portal.com/video_library/index.html

• http://www.serve.org/nche/ibt/aw_video.php

• http://www.practisinc.com/interactive/patient-education-videos.php

• http://scholarspot.com/

• http://www.varsitynotes.com/

• http://www.learnerstv.com/

• http://www.stumbleupon.com

• http://www.ovguide.com/education.html

Ever wonder what it takes to succeed at something? I stumbled across the list below and got a
real kick out of some of the college degrees famous people have earned. Some will surprise you:

• Adam Sandler - Fine Arts

• Alex Trebek - Philosophy
• Andy Griffith - Music
• Angela Bassett - Drama
• Arnold Schwarzenegger - Physical Communications
• Barbara Walters - English
• Barry Manilow - Music
• Bill Clinton - Foreign Service
• Bruce Lee - Philosophy
• Cindy Crawford - Chemical Engineering
• Clarence Thomas - English
• Colin Powell - Geology
 • Conan O'Brien - American History and Literature
• David Letterman - Telecommunications
• Dick Cheney - Political Science
• Donald Trump - Economics
• Garth Brooks - Journalism/Advertising
• George Clooney - Broadcasting
• George W. Bush - History
• Harrison Ford - Philosophy
• Janet Reno - Chemistry
• Julia Roberts - Veterinary Studies
• Kevin Costner - Business Administration
• Margaret Thatcher - Chemistry
• Michael Crichton - Anthropology
• Michael Jordan - Cultural Geography
• Mick Jagger - Economics
• Will Ferrell - Sports Information
• Willard Scott - Religious Studies

You'll notice that some of the famous people listed above went on to achieve great things in their
chosen field, while others did something completely different from their educational pursuit. You
may have travelled down one of life's paths, planning for a specific destination, only to find that
it wasn't what you thought it was going to be.

You may be currently working in a profession that you don't enjoy or one that simply doesn't pay
as much as you thought it would. You may even be out of a job right now. Or you may have set
aside your occupation for a time in order to stay home to raise your children. Moms, I know
that in between diaper changes you often ask yourself if you're succeeding at anything. Maybe
you got married and started your family before you were able to finish your education. I've
learned that, despite your best plans, life can throw lots of twists and turns at you.

Whatever education or training you’ve had in the past has probably prepared you to be the great
homemaker that you are today. It involves economics, housekeeping, time management,
operations, banking, taxi driving, cooking, and juggling dozens of other tasks! A happy home
takes real work. One of my favorite quotes is by David O. McKay: "No other success can
compensate for failure in the home."

Look at that list above again. Wow, who knew Cindy Crawford had beauty AND brains?! What
did it take for those people to succeed? Persistence. Talent. Time. Hard work. Tenacity. You
probably have all of those things too! Distance education has made it so much easier for stay-at-
home moms to continue their education while raising their families, or for working men and
women to squeeze in some classes after a long day’s work.
Another one of my favorite quotes, and one worth teaching your children, is:

“The more you read, the more you know.

The more you know, the smarter you grow.

The smarter you grow, the stronger your voice

When speaking your mind or making your choice!”

Whether you or your children pursue higher education to improve career options or to enrich

your lives, learning should be a life-long goal. Now go out there and spend less, and live more
OCTOBER:
SCARY HALLOWEEN PRICES - THE TREATS OF SAVING MONEY

I've never liked scary movies and I have never read a single Steven King novel, although I hear
he is an excellent writer. I just don't like being scared. I started reading those Goosebumps
books with my kids, but quickly convinced them to switch to Calvin and Hobbs comics. Give
me a good ‘ole musical comedy any day!

Don't get me wrong, I do like certain aspects of Halloween, like all that free chocolate, but when
it comes to costumed trick or treaters, I'd rather give my precious Snickers bar to a cute
Tinkerbell toddler than a prepubescent ghoul with blood and guts gushing down his cape. My
boys think I'm a dork because instead of decorating our front yard with cool, creepy tombstones
and vampires, I display happy pumpkins and harvest decor. I'm just not going to spend my hard-
earned money on yucky stuff. EESH. It’s a weird American holiday, right?

Probably the most frightening thing about Halloween is how much it can wreak havoc on our
budgets. According to a BigInsight survey, the average person will spend $90 on decorations,
costumes, and candy this year, with the total Halloween spending expected to reach $8 billion!
Getting ready for Halloween doesn’t have to cost you a plastic arm and leg, though. Most people
reuse what they already have and just buy a few accessories at the dollar store to stretch their
money. If just thinking about how you’re going to pay for creative costumes, clever party ideas,
and wickedly awesome Halloween décor this fall makes you want to scream, begin with some of
these tips and websites where you’ll find some special deals and discounts:

COSTUMES: If you can convince your kids to wear hand-me-down costumes, you’ll save a
bundle by swapping with friends or by picking up something inexpensive on eBay, Craig’s List,
thrift stores, consignment shops, or even on Freecyle.com. You’ll also save money if you can
create your own costume with items you already have around the house, rather than purchasing
new ones from a specialty Halloween store. For some really impressive Do-It-Yourself
Halloween costumes, check out the Pinterest pictures posted by Goodwill at:
http://pinterest.com/goodwillwm/diy-halloween-costumes/. Pinterest to the rescue!

Face paint is relatively inexpensive and can turn a mediocre or used costume into something the
ghouls and boys will be proud of. You can even make your own face paint by using these
inexpensive recipes at: http://parentingsquad.com/how-to-make-face-paint.

Convince your kids that being creative with what you have is way better than buying something.
Here are some sites to get their creative juices flowing:

• www.allthingsfrugal.com/halloween.htm Cheap Halloween ideas

• www.buycostumes.com You can get free shipping on orders over $59
• www.CostumeKingdom.com Save 10% on any purchase with code CK10
• www.CostumeCraze.com Save 5% off with coupon code GETFIVE

DECORATIONS and PARTIES: More and more churches, community centers, and even
shopping malls are hosting free parties, so you could save money by attending one of those,
rather than planning your own this year. The best way to save on Halloween decorations is to
buy them in November, when you can get up to 90% off for next year! If you wait until the day
before Halloween to buy your pumpkins, you can usually get them for 50% off! If you want to
be able to use your pumpkins through to Thanksgiving, have your kids put stickers on them,
rather than carving the gourd into a ghoul. Of corpse, if you really want to throw a spooky
shindig, use some of these websites to help you stretch your dollar:

• www.thefreesite.com/Seasonal_Freebies/Halloween Free Halloween stationery, screen

saver, cell phone apps, and more
• www.freehalloween.com Free Halloween games and puzzles
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/58757970114237638/?lp=true Free pumpkin carving
stencils and patterns for all ages
• www.partycheap.com Cheap party supplies
• www.allcrafts.net/halloween.htm Craft ideas
• www.favecrafts.com/Halloween-Crafts/How-To-Halloween-Projects-from-Bloggers#
Costumes
• http://freebies.about.com/od/halloweenfreebie1/tp/free-halloween-goodies.htm
Halloween party invitations, music, sound effects, printable masks, and games
• https://www.mrfood.com/Editors-Picks/Spooky-Treats-and-Party-Eats-34-Halloween-
Recipes-from-Mr-Food-Free-eCookbook Spooky treats and party eats

CANDY: My candy money would definitely last longer if I didn’t devour the bags immediately
after buying them and then have to replace them! The first tip for stretching your dollar is to not
let the little costumed darlings who come to your door reach in and grab a fist full of treats.
Hand them one or two and you’ll be better able to control how much you go through. Chocolate
treats usually cost more, and kids aren’t as particular about their candy as adults are, so go for the
cheap stuff. Look around for candy coupons. Here are some to get you started:

• http://coupondivas.com/halloween-candy-coupons-print-yours-now
• http://dealseekingmom.com/printable-halloween-candy-coupons/
• http://thekrazycouponlady.com/2011/10/25/halloween-candy-deals-around-town/
• You can skip the candy altogether and pass out things that won’t rot kids’ teeth or expire.
For example, Wendy’s sells a book of ten coupons for Frosty’s for only $1. McDonalds
offers 12 different menu items for only $1. For only $10 you could supply 120 trick or
treaters with something fun and different. And yeah, you could be THAT mom that gives
away coins instead of candy, saving you money and cavities in the process.
• Do you have fast food kid’s meal toys your kids stopped playing with? Be bold, clean
them up, and throw some of those in your candy bowl to give away! You could also toss
in some stickers, pencils, and other piñata stuffers that cost less than candy. The toys are
always a huge hit at my house! Here’s a daring thought…leave the house to go trick or
treating with your kids and don’t pass out any candy at all! Gasp!
• If you think spending money is scary enough, you just might want to try a Freddy Kruger
whack at these Halloween savings this fall from vendors who are putting the treat in trick
or treating this year:
• $2 “Boo”rito at Chipotle on Halloween after 4:00 pm. Must be dressed in costume.
• Free kid’s meal at lunch or dinner at Applebee’s on Halloween. To find out if your local
restaurant is participating, go to www.Applebees.com
• Attend a free Halloween craft workshop at Michaels, Pottery Barn, Lowe’s, Lakeshore
Learning, or Home Depot.
• J.C. Penney is giving away free kids’ haircuts every Sunday.
• 31 Days of Halloween Freebies: http://freebies.about.com/b/2012/10/04/31-places-to-
find-free-halloween-clip-art.htm
• Build-A-Bear Spooky Bash with freebies now through Halloween:
http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/events/events.jsp
• Free bowling at Brunswick Bowling Centers on Halloween and into November:
http://www.bowlbrunswick.com/pdfs/Fun-Lane-For-Kids-Halloween-Coupons.pdf
• Free appetizer at T.G.I. Friday’s through Halloween when you wear a costume.
• Free donut on Halloween for children who wear a costume. Contact your local Krispy
Kreme store to see if they are participating in the fun event: www.KrispyKreme.com

Happy Halloween!
NOVEMBER:
MANAGING MONEY WITH AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Thanksgiving is a big holiday in the United States that is centered around food and family.
What that means is that women across the land are stressing out about Turkey Day grocery
shopping, house-cleaning, decorating, recipes, party games, transportation of family members,
dinner conversation taboos, hosting etiquette, where to house all of the out-of-town family
members who will be arriving, and all of the other things on the “To Do” list to be prepared for
the big day. It also represents all of the business of getting ready for Christmas, which is just
around the corner. It is a wonderful, yet extremely stressful time of year for many.

Of course, what Thanksgiving REALLY represents is an opportunity to fill our homes with
people we love, and express thanks for all that we have in our lives. How wonderful to have an
opportunity to pause and reflect on the good things that surround us, especially when the world
seems to focus so much on bad news.

Medical studies reveal that patients who have an “attitude of gratitude” feel less pain and recover
more quickly than those who focus on their unfortunate conditions. Experts suggest that we keep
a “gratitude journal” where we can force ourselves to think positively and be reminded of all that
good in our lives. I am thankful for the mess to clean after our Thanksgiving events because it
means I have been surrounded by friends and family!

There are plenty of simple things we can all do to reduce the holiday stress and enjoy the
“reason for the season”:

1. Have a plan and get organized.

2. Make a list of everything you need and then shop early.
3. Prepare as many of the food dishes as you can ahead of time so that you spend less time
in the kitchen on the big day.
4. Simplify the menu.
5. Defrost the turkey with plenty of time to spare!
 6. Restaurants and grocery stores can help out your time crunch when you purchase some of
their prepared foods…guilt-free.
7. Organize some crafts and activities to keep the little ones busy and happy.
8. Plan an after-dinner activity, such as a service project.
9. Don’t try a new recipe for the first time. This is not a time for experiments! Stick with
the tried and true recipes that you know will work.
10. Clean the oven before the big day of cooking so the food doesn’t get any odd flavors.
11. Guests often want to be helpful, so don’t be shy about assigning tasks.
12. There is no shame in going OUT for dinner on Thanksgiving. Support a local restaurant.
13. Serve at the local soup kitchen on Thanksgiving Day.
14. Enjoy the day! There is no use sweating the small stuff…and this is all small stuff.

Years from now, people may not remember what food was served, what words were spoken, or
even what they did on Thanksgiving Day, but they will always remember how they FELT. Fill
your home with love, kind words, and lots of gratitude.

Thanksgiving can really be broken down into two parts: THANKS and GIVING. Fill your
Turkey Day with both!

Here are some really helpful resources that will make your tasks easier and even a little
more fun, and they’re all FREE!

• 888-674-6854: Free Thanksgiving cooking hotline sponsored by USDA’s Meat &

Poultry.
• http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/news/2001/milgifts.htm: Guidelines for sending food gifts
to U.S. Military.
• https://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/ Everything Thanksgiving!
• https://www.brownelltravel.com/blog/5-thanksgiving-travel-tips/: Thanksgiving travel
tips.
• http://www.hellasmultimedia.com/webimages/thanksgiving/default.htm: Thanksgiving
clipart and web images.
• http://familycrafts.about.com/od/thanksgiving/a/Thanksgiving-Crafts.htm: Thanksgiving
crafts.
• https://newfreescreensavers.com/new-free-screensavers/downloads/thanksgiving-day-
screensavers: Thanksgiving screensavers.
• http://www.care2.com/send/catthanks1.html: Thanksgiving e-cards.
• http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2010/11/gluten-free-thanksgiving-2010.html: Gluten-
free Thanksgiving recipes.
• http://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/08/health/2010110
8_thanksgiving.html Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes.
• http://www.kate.net/holidays/thanksgiving/: Thanksgiving decorations.
 • http://www.mes-english.com/flashcards/thanksgiving.php: Thanksgiving flashcards &
worksheets.
• http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-find-free-thanksgiving-coloring-pages-a78110:
Thanksgiving coloring pages & printables for kids.

Now, for the rest of you who don’t live in the United States, let’s move on! Being thankful
shouldn’t just be once a year on this American holiday. If we approach our money and financial
decisions from an attitude of scarcity, we will always come from a position of fear. If, however,
we truly feel grateful for what we DO have, even if it’s less than we desire, our relationship with
money will be healthier and enable us to choose power over despair.

Whenever I speak to audiences about money, I like to do this object lesson that helps put money
into its proper perspective. I ask the audience to raise their hands if they consider themselves to
be world-class rich. Most everyone in the room laughs and curiously looks around to see if
anyone is actually that rich (and they should get to know that person better). Very few hands, if
any, are raised. Then I say to the audience, “Stand up if you live in a home that doesn’t have a
dirt floor.” Everyone stands and I explain, “You are now richer than 50% of the people in the
world.” I then ask everyone to continue standing if their home has a window. No one moves.
“That now makes you wealthier than 65% of the people in the world!” The next challenge I give
is to have the group continue standing if they have the opportunity to eat breakfast, lunch, and
dinner every day. Everyone usually remains standing, except the women who are dieting in the
room. I tell them, “That now makes you richer than 80% of the people in the world.” When I
ask the audience, again, to raise their hands if they consider themselves to be world-class rich,
every single hand in the room goes up. Did their financial circumstances change? No, but their
perspective sure did!

So, what’s the difference between a recession and a depression? A recession is when your
neighbor gets laid off from his job…a depression is when YOU get laid off! It seems most
people don’t pay much attention to their money except for when it’s all gone. I know many
doctors and lawyers who spent years training for their profession, which they’ll have for about
40 years or so, but who never spent much time learning about how to manage their finances and
resources, which they should have all of their lives.

Some financial experts recently did a survey to see which income level makes people the
happiest. Their discovery? $40,000! (Or the number slightly higher than your neighbors or
closest relative). How will you know when you’re “rich”? Most of us could probably think of a
number, but once we reach that number, we’ll realize it’s not high enough because our expenses
have climbed just as fast as our income! Wealth is a product of the mind.

Money reveals a lot about you and your values. Ask yourself, “Why do I REALLY want more
money?” To impress people you don’t really like? What is it that money will give you that you
don’t currently have? I’m not talking about a purchase, such as a luxury car or a gigantic house.
What would those things give you that you’re not currently getting in your life? Find out what
your true, core value is that you desire. Peace? Freedom? Security? Respect? You may find
you don’t need a lot of money to get those things after all.

Robert D. Hales cautioned, “Beware of covetousness. It creates greed and resentment. Often it
leads to bondage, heartbreak, and crushing, grinding debt.”

Be grateful for what you DO have. The simple pleasures in life have great value. Learn to
appreciate them and fill your life with them. One single rose in your husband’s hand is just as
sexy and romantic as two dozen in a beautiful, expensive vase that your two-year-old will break
next week anyway!

Here are a few ways to get started changing your attitude to one of gratitude.

• Manage what you have wisely and keep track of your resources.
• Get out of debt. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can help at
www.nfcc.org. Look for member agencies with the NFCC seal, non-profit. No matter
how much income you have, debt of any amount can feel crushing and destroy your sense
of peace.
• Teach your children that paying financial obligations is part of integrity and honesty.
• Save something, even if only a little.
• Build a financial reserve so that when the economic winds howl over you, your family
will have some protection.

Before spending money, I always ask myself these four questions:

1. Do I really need it?

2. Can I live without it?
3. How can I get it for free?
4. Am I willing to sacrifice other things to get it?

Manage your credit cards before they manage you. You can get a free credit report annually
from each of the three reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com. Check and balance
your monthly credit card statements. Don’t be afraid to call the companies about questions. Ask
to waive late charges for being a good customer. Renegotiate the interest rate. Pay in full each
month. Earn prizes, cashback, or get frequent flyer points with your card. Not all credit cards
are created equal, so take another look at the cards in your wallet and see if you can do better.
To check out the competition go to www.cardratings.com.

Guess who gave these 5 financial principals:

1. Work for all you get

2. Give away the first 10%
3. Protect and pay yourself
 4. Love joyfully on the rest of the money
5. Account for every penny

He was one of the richest men in the world: John D. Rockefeller! Companies and governments
run on budgets. So should we. Be grateful for your resources and show responsibility for the
stewardship over them.

Now finally, I am grateful for free stuff! With all of that talk about Thanksgiving dinner, I
thought it would be fun to finish this chapter’s topic by sharing with you some website
directories that point you to free meals in your city (in the United States)! Many of them are
specifically for kids aged twelve and under, but some of them also feature free meals for adults!
Enjoy!

• www.Mykidseatfree.com: Kids under 12 eat free.

• www.kidsmealdeals.com: Kids under 12 eat free.
• www.freebirthdaytreats.com: Everyone eats for free on their birthday!
• www.opentable.com: Points for making reservations at many restaurants.
• www.restaurant.com: Pay less than the face value on gift certificates to many restaurants.

Many restaurants offer a “Kids Eat Free” program on certain days of the week, so just ask. In
addition to free birthday perks, many restaurants also offer frequent diner cards where you rack
up freebies every time you eat there. Signing up is free and the free food adds up! Oftentimes
during the holidays, restaurants will give you freebies when you purchase their gift cards, so
stock up if you know you’ll be eating there during the year anyway. Many restaurants will give
you free appetizers or dessert cards if you ask them to donate to some for your children’s sports
teams, Scouts, PTA, church, band, or other worthy organization.

A fun way to get a free meal is to do an assignment for a mystery shopping company. Not only
is the meal free, but they’ll often pay you for the report you write up as well. There are tons of
mystery shopping companies online. Never pay for a list or an assignment; they pay you! If the
idea of getting paid to get free stuff is your jam, check out my online course about mystery
shopping at www.LifelongLearningEducation.com I absolutely love mystery shopping. It can
be a fun and lucrative side hustle or even a part-time job where you decide how many
assignments you want to do each week.

If you really want to dine out, remember that you can get the same meal at lunch time as you
would for dinner, but at a much lower price. Brown-bagging it is even less expensive. Buying
your average lunch at $5 a day x 5 work days per week adds up to $1300 a year!

If, however, you really want fine dining, check out www.opentable.com where you can earn
points towards free dinners when you make reservations on their websites and then dine at the
selected restaurant. Their website mostly features more upscale, expensive restaurants, but those
points add up!
Now take a few minutes to write a list of all of the resources, money, and good things in your
life. After looking at your long list, you may decide that you already ARE rich!
NOVEMBER:
BLACK FRIDAY BONANZA AND CYBER MONDAY MADNESS

Saving money is all about being organized and thinking ahead. Black Friday is a perfect
example. Most of us are completely exhausted after all of the busy activities of Thanksgiving
and still have dirty dishes in the sink the next day, but the organized shopper wakes up early the
next morning, ready to hit the stores and grab the bargains. Black Friday is the day after
Thanksgiving, and it marks the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the
United States.

The term dates back to at least 1966. "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to
the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, the media have used it instead to refer to the
beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (posting a loss on the books)
to being in the black (turning a profit). In many cities it is not uncommon to see shoppers lined
up for hours outside stores with big sales before they open. Once inside the stores, shoppers rush
around and snatch up what they can, as many stores have only a few of the big-draw items in
stock. On occasion, some shoppers are so overly enthusiastic about the savings that injuries and
even fatalities have been reported. No savings is worth that!

This year, in hopes of surviving the rough economy, some stores have started their Black Friday
sales already! The following websites can help you discover some of the great deals out there:

• https://blackfriday.com/
• www.bfads.net
• www.theblackfriday.com
• www.blackfriday.gottadeal.com
Now, having said all of that, the best gifts are those which come from the heart, and not the
shopping mall. In a tight economy, we should never go into debt just to purchase gifts. There
are plenty of inexpensive, yet meaningful gifts we can give to our loved ones without breaking
the bank. Remember, spending quality time with others is priceless!

Many retailers allow discount code websites to "leak" their sales information several days before
Black Friday. If you love to shop at a particular store, do a Google search with the name of that
store, plus the words "Black Friday" and you might get to find out what steals and deals they'll
be featuring after Turkey Day! Target and Wal-Mart always announce their sneak peek info
about nice discounts on their flagship door-buster electronic items. BJ's Wholesale Club, Harbor
Freight, and Ace Hardware usually mail out their Black Friday catalogs early as well.

While the best deals are usually found in the wee hours of the morning when the stores first open
on Black Friday, many retailers plan on extending their bargains through the Thanksgiving
weekend to encourage more consumers to spend their dollars and kick-start the Christmas
shopping season. While I’m not one to stand outside a store at 4:00 am, I definitely get excited
about Cyber Monday. Why? Because I can get great prices from the comfort of my home by
shopping online!

Cyber Monday has become so popular and a part of our Christmas shopping lexicon that it’s
even in Wikipedia now. The term "Cyber Monday" refers to the Monday immediately following
Black Friday. Whereas Black Friday is associated with traditional brick and mortar stores, Cyber
Monday symbolizes a busy day for online retailers. The premise was that consumers would
return to their offices after the Black Friday weekend, making purchases online that they were
not able to make in stores.

Each year www.walmart.com offers some of the best bargains because they’re in a desperate
price war with www.amazon.com. Some of the common discounts include free shipping and
percentages off the sales price. While I love going inside a real store and being able to touch the
merchandise and get my picture taken with Santa, I REALLY love being able to stay home and
shop in my pajamas!

Some really great websites where you can see at a glance which retailers are offering
discounts are:

• www.offers.com/cyber-monday/
• www.target.com/cybermonday
• https://bestblackfriday.com/cyber-monday

One of the great advantages to shopping online is that you can ship directly to your gift recipient,
saving you hours of packaging presents, driving in crazy traffic to the post office, and standing in
long lines during the busy holiday season! Some stores will even allow you to "double dip",
which means you can stack discounts. Before you purchase anything online, remember to do an
online search of the name of the store you're interested in buying from, along with the words
"discount code" and you'll be pointed towards sites that give you special codes to use in the
shopping cart to save even more money!

Some of my favorite discount code web sites are:

• www.currentcodes.com
• www.Couponcactus.com
• www.retailmenot.com
• www.couponcabin.com
• www.couponchief.com

Each year consumers spend more than $80 billion shopping on the Internet. It’s fast. It’s easy.
No crowds. No searching for parking spaces. And who doesn’t love shopping in their pajamas?
Unfortunately, there are scams out there, so you still need to be careful. Computer security
experts have come up with some shopping tips to help protect you from cybercrime.

1. Investigate the vendor. Check the site for refund policies and contact information. It only
takes a minute to review a company’s track record at www.bbb.org (Better Business Bureau).

Protect your private information by never giving financial information by email.

Start a paper trail. Print online receipts, product information, and email confirmations.

Choose carefully where you shop. Only shop online at sites that provide password protection
and encryption. When you see “https” you know the site is secure.

Protect your computer with antivirus software and firewalls.

The holidays are a busy time, to be sure. Remember to pause and reflect on what’s truly
important. Toss the guilt if you can’t buy the expensive gift for others that you wish you could.
There is no shame in writing up some of those hand-made gift coupons, good for one back rub or
car wash. People on their death bed never say they wish they had that gadget; rather, they often
express regret for not having spent more time loving and serving others.
DECEMBER:
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHARITY

When it comes to giving, Americans donate more money than any other country in the world.
While we may be blamed for cold capitalism, Americans open their wallets generously every
time a country or person needs help. We want to help. Our hearts ache to make a positive
difference in the world.

During the holidays, people around the world are in an especially good mood to dip into their
pockets and donate to a worthy cause. For some families, donating is how they celebrate and
honor their religious holidays. What a wonderful way to teach children about the effective use of
money.

Before you donate money to any cause, however, be sure it is a legitimate organization.
Cybercriminals put out phony emails and websites all of the time, looking for your contact
information and tugging on your heart and wallet, especially after a big natural disaster. Internet
Security specialist, Symantec, encourages two safeguards:

1. Do not click on suspicious email links. Red flags are poor spelling and grammar and
mentions of banks and organizations from a foreign country.
2. Never fill out forms that ask for your financial information, personal data, or passwords.
Online donations can be safely made through PayPal or your credit card. Never donate
money by giving the organization your bank information.

I’d like to add a few more safety tips to their list:

• Know your rights. Donors are now protected by the Donor Bill of Rights, which entitles
generous donors the right to obtain information about where their money is going. To
read more about your rights, go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donor%27s_Bill_of_Rights
 • Research the charitable organization, making sure it is a legal and legitimate non-profit
organization. They should have a registration number and you are entitled to know what
it is. You may even want to visit their location and meet the people running the charity,
if possible.
• Find out how much of your donation actually goes towards the cause you are intending to
help. Ask for a copy of their annual report. No more than ten percent of the
organization’s income should go towards their expenses; otherwise, your donated funds
may not be reaching those whom you truly want to help.
• Ensure that the payment of your donation is safe by asking if the organization uses
encryption technology, as well as if they sell your name and address to other lists. An
easy way to tell if a website is encrypted for your transaction protection is to look for the
“s” in https://. You might also see a padlock symbol in the corner of the web browser.
• Get a receipt! When Tax Day rolls around, you’ll want to be able to claim all of the
deductions you’re allowed to! In the United States, charitable contributions are
deductible only if you itemize them on Form 1040. If you’re donating merchandise, take
a picture of the items and include that with your receipt in case you’re ever audited. For
tips and U.S. rules on how to get the most for your tax deductions, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=106990,00.html

Many charitable organizations experience a drop in financial donations during a tough economy.
The United States Senate is discussing changing the tax code which currently allows tax
deductions for charitable contributions. Many charities are worried that if the tax code changes,
they will no longer be able to function. Let your local politicians know you want to keep those
charitable tax deductions!

My family and I are always looking for donations for a local cat adoption organization we
volunteer with. In fact, if you’re interested in getting a pet for Christmas, but you’re worried
about the expense, you might want to look into becoming a foster family for an adoption agency
like we do. The organization we volunteer with pays for the food, litter supplies, and medical
attention, and all we do is play with the babies until they’re old enough to be adopted! My kids
think it’s a blast and my husband thinks I’m brilliant. A word of warning, however; you WILL
fall in love with the animals you foster and giving them up is difficult. The fact that we get a
new batch of adorable kittens makes it a lot easier. Foster families get a fifty percent discount on
adoption fees if they simply can’t part with the sweet animals they’ve been caring for. Can you
believe that I’m so frugal that I actually found a way to get pets for free and do service at the
same time? I love it!

Do you sometimes find yourself saying, “I’ll donate when I have more money?" The secret to
wealth is gratitude. If you feel grateful for what you do have, you feel abundant. A smart way to
control your finances is to make money decisions out of gratitude, not fear. A lot of people
know how to make big money, but don’t know how to be wealthy. True wealth can be defined
by what you can give.

For a look at websites that can help you judge which charity you want to support this year, check
out these resources:

• https://www.justserve.org/
• www.guidestar.org
• www.charitynavigator.org
FINAL THOUGHTS: YOU CAN DO THIS!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these money-saving ideas, income strategies, and financial management
tips to help you stretch your dollar farther. I also hope you have enjoyed learning about all of
these ideas as much as I’ve loved sharing them with you.

While money is NOT the most important thing in the world, it does touch everything that is. I
hope that through all of the various topics about earning and saving money in this book that
you’ve realized your experiences with money need to be purposeful. You need to have a plan.
Every penny must be spent with great intent. Even “play” money, or money that you intend to
blow on impulse shopping or dumb purchases, should be budgeted for. All of your money
should be allocated for something specific. The quality of your life is determined by your
choices, and the size of your financial future depends on how you choose to spend your money
today.

Those who are wealthy actively manage their money. They use systems.

The Kiplinger news reports have long been known for their helpful money tools. Their website
recently featured several free apps to help you manage your money better while on the go. They
are some of my favorites too, so I wanted to make sure you knew about them:

• www.Mint.com : Mint downloads data securely from your bank, credit card, loan, and
investment accounts, and creates a personalized, at-a-glance financial dashboard. You
can track your finances, analyze your spending, and develop a monthly budget. I
especially like the free mobile app which sends online alerts if you’ve gone over budget
or a bank balance drops too low.
• ATM Hunter: If you need cash when you’re traveling or in unfamiliar territory, this app
lets you find the nearest ATMs and filter them by features such as surcharge-free
 withdrawals and drive-through access. You can also search for merchants that accept
PayPass, Mastercard’s “contactless” tap-and-go payment technology. Visa offers a
similar app that lets you find its ATMs. https://www.mastercard.us/en-
us/consumers/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html
• www.Expensify.com : Filling out expense reports is a pain, but this app helps make the
job easier. It allows you to import transactions from accounts at major banks and credit
card companies and add the data to an expense report. If you’re on the road, snap a
picture of the receipt with your phone and it will automatically create an electronic record
that you can access online. Awesome, right?
• www.PayPal.com : Paypal’s mobile app lets you manage your account remotely. Check
your PayPal balance, send or receive money, or even take a picture of a check with your
phone to deposit it into your account. The coolest feature: you can transfer money to
someone else who has the app by “bumping” phones together. If PayPal seems too old-
school and you think only your parents use it, try Venmo.
• www.Chase.com : If you have a Chase account, this app lets you check your balances,
pay bills, and make person-to-person payments. And, like the PayPal app, the Chase app
allows you to snap a picture of a check to deposit it into your account. Other institutions,
including PNC Bank, Schwab, and USAA, offer this mobile deposit technology, too.
• Pageonce Money and Bills/Check: Like Mint, Pageonce Money & Bills aggregates
information from your financial accounts and displays it in one place. But Pageonce also
lets you track nonfinancial accounts that are important to your bottom line, such as
frequent-flier miles, rewards-card programs, and cell-phone minute and data usage.
With an easy-to-use calendar and alerts, it also helps make sure you pay your bills on
time. https://bankinnovation.net/2013/05/pageonce-is-now-check/
• www.Zillow.com : Buyers and renters on the prowl will appreciate having all the info
they need to hunt for a house or apartment. You can search by list price (or monthly rent),
number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and even among recently sold homes. Search
remotely via GPS locator, or type or speak an address. Zillow’s maps include street
views, and you can see photos of homes. You can also access the “Zestimate” value of
your own home—or any other home. It’s not an official appraised value but can put you
in the ballpark.

So, what IS your relationship to money? Is it a necessary evil and something you have to work
too hard to get? Do you use it as a tool and remove emotion from your purchase choices? Are
you constantly learning about how to invest wisely, or is your financial education based on your
ATM statements?

The greatest transfer of wealth occurred during the Great Depression. It’s happening again right
now, but it won’t just magically happen for you. You have to analyze where you are financially,
set goals for where you want to be, and then continue to reevaluate as you keep close tabs on
your progress. You need to educate yourself, prioritize, and get disciplined. Now.
Focus on the activities each day that make you money. Everyone says they want more money,
so write down the things that are holding you back from your financial dreams. Most people
procrastinate on their goals for one of two reasons: 1) they don’t really want to do what it takes;
2) they don’t know how to do it. Start with what you CAN do. You don’t have to know how to
do everything by yourself. Surround yourself with a team of people who can help. All wealthy
people have a team to help them reach their success. Do what you do well and get a team who
can help you with what you can’t do.

This book has merely been a fun introduction to how you can take control of your money. You
have to create your way to wealth. Yes, you can save money, but it’ll take a while to achieve a
large bank account. Instead, control your wealth by aggressively generating more money.
Saving, hoarding, and living on a fixed income never creates massive wealth. Grow your money
purposefully like you would plan and care for a garden. It needs to have continuous care and
attention. One of the best financial goals is to have enough that you can be a blessing to others.
Retirement shouldn’t be your goal. Instead, focus on financial freedom—to do what you want,
when you want, because you want, and maybe even have enough left over to help those in need.

Rich people do get richer and poor people do get poorer. It’s true. Why? Because rich people
use their money to invest in assets that grow their money. Poor people often remain poor
because they spend money on things that go down in value. Getting rich isn’t easy, but it is
simple: spend less than you earn, and get your money to work for you.

If you’re married, share the contents of this book with your spouse. Review the chapters
together and set some goals. If you have children, teach them these principles when they’re
young, and encourage them to have a healthy relationship with money. Don’t be afraid to share
some tips with friends and extended family as well, because we can all use a little advice now
and again on how to keep our money working for us.

My husband recently decided that the best definition of “wealth” is being able to do what you
want, when you want, and with whom you want. What do you think? It’s an interesting
perspective because you don’t really need to have millions of dollars in order to be considered
wealthy, right? Wealth is somewhat relative, don’t you think? When I compare myself to A-List
celebrities in Hollywood who own several multi-million dollar homes around the world, then I’m
definitely not wealthy, but if I am healthy and have saved enough money to do some awesome
things on my Bucket List with my family, I feel rich! Use your money to create the life you
want, to become your best self, and to make the world a better place for others. That’s wealth.

And remember, spend less, and live more!

Thank you so much for purchasing this eBook! Your support helps me pay for my kids’
college fund!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trina Boice

Dr. Trina Boice grew up in California and moved to Las Vegas a few years ago. In 2004 she was
honored as the California Young Mother of the Year, an award which completely amuses her 4 sons.
She’s the author of 30 books, with another hitting store shelves soon! You can see them all on
www.TrinasBooks.com She helps other writers become best-selling authors with her time-tested
marketing strategies at www.FromBook2Business.com

Trina currently teaches online for Brigham Young University (Idaho). She also created many online
courses and founded www.LifelongLearningEducation.com She’s a movie buff and writes movie
reviews at www.MovieReviewMom.com

A popular speaker, Trina has gone on several speaking tours in China, Colombia, Mexico, and Puerto
Rico. She loves to travel all over the world and now shares her travel tips and tricks with others at
www.EmptyNestTravelHacker.com

She graduated from Colorado Technical University in Management with a concentration in Higher
Education Leadership. Trina also earned two bachelor’s degrees from BYU where she competed on
the Speech and Debate team and the Ballroom Dance Team. Her master’s degrees are in Health
Administration and Community Wellness Promotion. She was President of the National Honor
Society Phi Eta Sigma and served as ASBYU Secretary of Student Community Services.

Trina also studied at the University of Salamanca in Spain and later returned there to serve an LDS
mission in Madrid for 1 ½ years. She has a Real Estate license, Travel Agent license, 2 master’s
degrees, and a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, although she’s the first one to admit she’d pass out from
fright if she were ever really attacked by a bad guy.

She worked as a Legislative Assistant for a Congressman in Washington D.C. and was given the
“Points of Light” Award and Presidential Volunteer Service Award for her domestic and
international community service. She wrote a column called “The Boice Box” for a newspaper in
Georgia, where she lived for 15 years. She writes for several websites and is currently the
Entertainment News Editor for BellaOnline.com.

Trina was selected by KPBS in San Diego to be a political correspondent during the last presidential
election. If she told you what she really did she’d have to kill you.
If you enjoyed this book, please leave a positive review on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
Thank you!

I would love to hear your feedback on how I could make this book even better. You can contact me
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Other Books by Trina Boice

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Copyright 2012 by Trina Boice. - All rights reserved.

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