Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
I consolidated my undergraduate loans in 2003, which in some ways was the golden age of student loan consolidation. Back then, consolidating was a solid method for reducing interest rates, reducing monthly payments, and taking advantage of lender discounts.
Unfortunately, there have been many changes to the regulations governing student loan consolidations since then.
Consolidating my graduate debt with my remaining undergraduate loans in 2006 was much less of a financial slam-dunk, and the perks of consolidation have further eroded in the past several years. Many of the ideas about the benefits of student loan consolidation remain in place, even though they’re no longer true.
Here are two myths you may still believe about student loan consolidation: [ continue reading… ]
Preparing for holiday parties and functions can get expensive. A new dress, plus shoes, accessories, jewelry, spray tanning, facials, make up, hair… all that primping can lead to a hefty price tag! With a little DIY attitude and a few hours, you can reduce the cost of primping for the holidays.
Here are a few tips to get you started.
Frugal Hair Tips
1. Use coconut oil.
Dry dull locks are common around the holidays. Cold weather, decreased moisture in your home from your furnace, hot showers, and too much coloring or heat styling all take a toll on your hair. To perk up your winter looks for a party, try coating your hair in coconut oil. This organic treatment is a cream-like substance at room temperature, but it quickly turns to liquid when scooped from the jar and rubbed into your hair. Massage your ends and scalp well, cover with a warm towel, and let sit for an hour. Wash as usual.
Cost: $7 at Walmart for a 14 oz. jar, which should last all year. Cost of deep condition and scalp massage at the local spa: $35 plus tip. Savings: $28+. [ continue reading… ]
Last weekend, my wife had her purse taken at a wedding reception. Losing her keys was the worst part; our apartment was over an hour away, and we were stranded without a car. She was also without a phone for a day, which added to the agony. Luckily, she didn’t have any credit cards or cash in her purse at the time, which really reduced our financial loss.
Have you ever had something stolen from you? What could she have done to reduce the chances of theft? [ continue reading… ]
One of the many gimmicks car dealers use is the promise of paying off your old car loan. If you trade in your car, the dealer agrees to pay off the loan on the vehicle. You end up with a new car, and you don’t have to worry about making payments on both the old and the new loan.
This may seem like a good deal at first, but there are some things that you need to be aware of:
You Might Still Have to Pay the Loan
Yes, the dealer might make payments to your old lender and discharge the loan. However, it’s important to realize that, in many cases, the amount of the old loan is added to your new loan. Even though the lender pays off the old loan, you’re still responsible for paying them what you owe. It’s more like a balance transfer than actually having the loan paid off on your behalf, so don’t be fooled. Pay attention to the terms of the agreement, and be careful what you sign up for. [ continue reading… ]
Generating online income has never been easier, as people everywhere are using the internet to earn a great living, or to pick up a much-needed side salary to make a better life for themselves and their families.
The internet offers a great way to create a productive, thriving business for anyone who wants to earn some extra cash.
There are many reasons to start earning an online income — from aggressively paying off bills and getting ahead of the debt to building a nest egg or improving your quality of life.
Oftentimes, building a successful business online means having a website or writing an ebook. [ continue reading… ]
While we’re all sick of the retail creep of Christmas — remember when we didn’t see yuletide items in stores until after Thanksgiving? — it does serve one useful purpose: it can help us remember to start budgeting for Christmas earlier. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American is expected to spend just about $750 for Christmas this year — an amount that can be hard to find in the budget if you haven’t planned for it.
However, there’s a better bet for getting through a big Christmas debt free: take a seasonal job to pay for your holiday. Here are some great short-term gigs that you can work in November and December, so you can start the New Year with sweet holiday memories and no debt: [ continue reading… ]
Free signup to get a free ebook on How to Save Money on Everything! Constantly expanding, it will be the biggest money saving ebook available, and it's FREE! →
(I hate spam and promise that your information will never be shared.)
