Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
In recent years, my husband and I have started paying for convenience. Back in the days when we were both in grad school, scraping by with the help of student loans, we did a lot of penny pinching.
Ultimately, it comes down to priorities. My son and I went on a road trip recently, and one of the decisions I made was to stay at the Grand Canyon Ranch for the West Rim portion of our journey.
The cost of the Grand Canyon Ranch was more than we would pay by staying in Kingman, AZ or Las Vegas, NV. However, by staying far away, I would’ve had to alter our plans in terms of driving and timing. Plus, after enjoying time at Grand Canyon West, I knew I wouldn’t want to drive more than an hour to reach either of those locations. [ continue reading… ]
It seems like everything we do is set up on a payment schedule. We make monthly payments for rent, mortgages, credit cards, school loans, and car payments. We even make payments for our music — Pandora One, anyone?
It’s a convenient way of life, especially since few people have the means to pay for all the things they need at once.
It’s all good, until it’s all due.
Daycare fees are due. Rent is due. Credit card payments are pushing the calendar, too. How are you going to make all your payments and still buy groceries? Don’t forget that Annie needs new shoes this month — how will you possibly pay for them?
Something has to give somewhere. But where?
You’re overstretched and can’t see the light. Before you consider something as drastic as bankruptcy, or giving up and falling behind, try negotiating with your lenders for lower payments. [ continue reading… ]
Here are a few expenses to consider before buying a new or used car.
Hidden Expenses of Buying a New (or Used) Car
Insurance Costs
One of the most well-known additional expenses of bringing home a new vehicle is insurance coverage. If you’ll be taking out a loan, you’ll need full coverage insurance, which can be pricey for many makes and models. Even comprehensive coverage can be expensive, so be sure to check with your insurance agent before choosing your next vehicle.
Oil
Many newer vehicles require special synthetic oils, which can cost $50 to $60 for 6 quarts. Also, larger vehicles, like full-sized trucks, require more quarts of oil than a smaller car. [ continue reading… ]
A few weeks ago, my wife and I had an unpleasant call from Visa cardmember services. They informed us that our credit card number may have been stolen and that we needed to call them immediately. After being connected, the representative asked me if I had made any purchases in Mexico recently. I replied that I hadn’t and told him I found the whole situation pretty crazy. His response? “It happens every day.”
The fact that Visa has representatives to deal solely with stolen credit cards means you need to pay attention. Numbers get stolen all the time, and while you should be able to recoup any lost funds, the process can still be a headache. To avoid getting your card stolen as my wife and I did, follow these tips.
Use Caution Online
The world is becoming smaller and smaller, and you can buy nearly anything you need online. This is wildly convenient, but it can also be wildly dangerous. You need to be careful about where you’re submitting your credit card number. Consider shopping at larger sites, which offer stronger security, or using services like Paypal to help keep your money safe. [ continue reading… ]
How many times have you skipped a doctor visit you needed because you didn’t have health care coverage?
After all, your shoulder hurts, but you can live with it, right? There’s no point in going to the doctor just so he can tell you about x-rays, meds, and therapy that’ll likely cost a few grand.
With or without medical coverage, health care costs are high. Furthermore, bills can damage your credit if you accrue medical debt and don’t try to clear it out. Ruined credit could mean prevent you from finding a better job or affording a new car.
When my sister was home from college one summer, she applied for a job at a chain bookstore that has since gone out of business. Though they called and asked her for an interview, they told her they were really looking for someone with a degree.
At the time, she chalked it up to the possibility that they wanted a permanent employee, rather than just a summer hire, but it still seemed odd that a retail establishment would care about the education level of its non-managerial employees.
Though these positions were previously open to anyone with a high school diploma or associate’s degree, they’re now requiring a four-year degree. While it doesn’t appear to have completely permeated the ranks of retail yet, it does include positions such as dental hygienist, receptionist, paralegal, file clerk, and even office courier. [ continue reading… ]
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