Valentine's Day is an expensive day, but you can still celebrate without going over your budget. Knowing that Valentine's Day is around the corner now is the time to think ahead and work out a plan for the special day. You can set aside money now for Valentine's Day so when the day comes, you have the money you need to spend. Being organized and knowing what the plan is will stop you from over spending. Here are some reminders of things that are money "wasters" and suggestions to help you stay within your budget on Valentine's Day. Forget buying flowers especially roses as the prices are marked up for this special occasion. Another option would be to buy a potted plant. Potted flowers may not seem romantic, but they last longer and they can be re-planted into a garden. A heart-shaped box filled with chocolate is another expensive item. Are the chocolates more exquisite and more delicious in a heart-shaped box? You can decorate a regular box of chocolates with ribbon and handmade … [Read more...]
Debt Management Help
Debt has a way of creeping up on us if we let it. It's important to keep our debt at reasonable and manageable levels, or we could end up incurring insane interest charges and scraping to make our payments. Even for those who manage debt well, unexpected life changes can result in difficulty making ends meet. When we find ourselves having problems with debt, the first course of action is to take a look at the budget. Finding ways to cut back on unnecessary expenses can help us pay down debts and keep monthly bills current. But what happens when we can't solve our debt problems with budgeting? Sometimes we need outside help. It's hard to go to someone else when you're having money troubles, but if you don't gain control over your debts, your credit rating will suffer. So it's important to take charge before it's too late. Some debtors turn to debt consolidation as an answer to debt problems. They transfer high-interest debts to a lower interest credit card, or they put up the … [Read more...]
Spring Cleaning the Family Budget
Although the economy has shown a slight improvement, the recent economic downturn has given families quite a scare. People are more aware then ever of their finances, which is a good thing. This season when you are spring cleaning your home take a couple hours to spring clean your budget and finances. Finances can be a source of anxiety in any family, but as a single mother it is vital for me to keep my budget in tip top shape. Here are a few spring cleaning rules I use for my budget Take Inventory of Your Bills Know thy bills! This is a ground rule to follow if you want to keep on top of your finances. Taking inventory of your bills helps you to develop an accurate budget. Create a financial spreadsheet with the following information: Name of the Bill Amount Due Due Date Balance Date Paid Amount Paid Reference or Check # used for payment A financial spreadsheet is a simple way to keep track of your bills and avoid late payments which affect your credit score and … [Read more...]
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