Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
With the new iPhones rolling out this month, many consumers are considering upgrading their cell phones. But what does upgrading really cost you? Is signing a contract worth it? Here’s a detailed look at the true cost of smartphones.
How Much Money Do Contracts Save?
I recently spent some time asking cell phone owners about their opinions on cell phone contracts. Most consumers in my area seem to despise the idea of being locked into a new contract every two years, but also see it as a necessary evil.
“Most phones are outdated in two year’s time, so you’ll need something new by then anyways,” stated one shopper looking at a Samsung Galaxy. When I mentioned the option of buying a phone outright, without a contract, I was greeted by blank “are you serious?” stares that suggested I had a few marbles missing.[ continue reading… ]
Energy drinks are everywhere these days. Teenagers love them, college students guzzle them during all-night study sessions, and middle-aged folks turn to them to clear the mental fog and put a spring in their step.
But these pep-producing drinks can really take a bite out of your budget if you’re not careful; especially since many people tend to pick them up an convenience stores or gas stations, where prices can soar to upwards of $3 per can.
To say divorce is difficult is an understatement. It takes an emotional and financial toll that can impact you for years to come.
This is especially true if debt is a feature of your marital finances. Dividing up the debt is a big part of divorce, so it’s important to understand the implications associated with divorce and debt.
You’re Still Responsible for All Loans
“What many people don’t realize is that the court’s jurisdiction is between you and your spouse, not you and a creditor,” says Laurel Stocks, a family law real estate expert. “The court can order the husband, for example, to keep the house and make payments, but that does not absolve the wife from the loan.” [ continue reading… ]
When someone mentions home security, I invariably think of the elderly hermit who lives in our community. No one’s seen him in public for years, and it’s rumored that he’s buried land mines, tiger pits, and booby traps on his property to keep out “the enemy.”
But you don’t have to have PTSD, paranoia, or hate interacting with your neighbors to beef up online security in your home. With a few readily available items, you can increase the security of you and your family — without any technical knowledge.
How to Increase Security on the Internet
One of the most vulnerable aspects of your home is your computer. Popular Internet activities like geotagging a Facebook post or “checking in” at a specific location make it easy for criminals to pin down your location and determine your normal daily routine. Turn off geolocators on your social media profiles, and have your kids do the same. [ continue reading… ]
It’s been a frustrating couple of years; my husband works hard, only to have difficulty finding a full-time job. This frustration was once again brought to the front this summer, when he was passed over for a job because his union-required pay (based on his experience) was higher than the budget for the position. It’s maddening to be the best candidate for a job — and then to not get it.
I recently read an article on MarketWatch that only confirms this reality. According to the article by Quentin Fottrell, a recent study indicates that 25% of managers in North America will give bonuses even to the worst performers on their payrolls. The study also indicates that some top performers don’t get bonuses, even though they work hard and probably “deserve” them.
Between golden parachutes for CEOs that fail miserably, and the propensity to hire lesser candidates just to save a few thousand dollars a year, it’s becoming increasingly clear to those that “follow the rules” that hard work and good performance may not pay off. [ continue reading… ]
It’s not a secret: relationships take a lot of hard work. It’s tough to intertwine lives, beliefs, and finances in a peaceful and harmonious way that satisfies both parties. You want things one way. Your partner may want them another.
There are constant compromises and sacrifices to endure. Whose turn is it to choose the movie? Why pasta for dinner again? Why do you get to buy a PS4, but I can’t have a new cell phone?
When you add money issues into the mix, things sour — and fast. So fast, they can occasionally curdle. Sometimes, there’s nothing left to do but throw everything away.
Start your relationships off on the right foot. By knowing yourself and your partner’s financial states of mind, you’ll ease many of those inherent tensions and make life more livable.
There are several things to consider when choosing your financial mate: money beliefs, values, and habits. These things determine what our financial lives are like, why we make certain decisions, and how we spend our cash. [ continue reading… ]
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