Category Archives: Saving, Giving, and Living

Savings Guide: Get a Head Start on Black Friday Deals!

Posted on November 19, 2009 | Leave a comment

     

Black Friday, the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season, is a week from tomorrow.  Apparently no one has informed the nation’s top retailers that THIS is the day that Christmas shopping begins <grin>, as they have been in full swing with their pre-Christmas sales for a while.  Stores eager for a bit of our wallets are offering big sales and sneak peeks at their ad deals long before the doors open on Friday. 

After perusing many of the sneak-peek sale ads, I have a few tips to help you get the best deals on your shopping list:

#1  Know what you are going to buy and make your list before you go shopping.  It’s easy to get pulled into the excitement of shopping’s “superbowl” day, but if you have a list, it will help you stay on budget and not overspend.

#2 Study the sale ads before you go.  After looking at several Black Friday sites, I recommend using the following sites for sale ad research:

  • Black-friday.net ~ This site has a LONG list of sneak peek ads for Black Friday which are very organized and easy to navigate (point. click. & voila! You can see next Friday’s ads for lots of stores).  They also have an easy search feature, where you can type in a specific item and compare ad prices.  I typed in “ipod” in the search field and every retailer that featured an Apple IPod in their sale ads popped up in a tidy list, making it easy to compare retailers’ offers.  I like their “Shopping List” feature too.  It allows you to make a handy-dandy list of the items you are interested in, by retailer.
  • TheBlackFriday.blogspot.com ~  If you just want to peruse the ads each day that the “sneak peeks” are released, this is a good spot.  It has some of the best quality ad scans and the simplicity of this site makes it easy to see the latest ads at a quick glance. 

 #3 Compare the sale ad prices to online sites before you go.   It is a good idea to compare the total cost product + tax (8.25% in Fort Worth) of purchasing at your local store vs. buying the same item from an online retailer (product + shipping).  At an almost 10% increase to the bottom line, tax can add up quick.  Many online stores (like Amazon.com or Buy.com) offer free shipping on some purchases AND are tax-free (plus most of their prices are nicely discounted every day).  

Take a look at our recent example of Amazon vs. Walmart on a Wii system ~ the savings can be significant!

 #4 Use an online price comparison tool.  Ditto #3 above, regarding comparing total cost of purchase (add local tax or online shipping).  Some of the most useful sites for comparing online prices include:

  • Beatmyprice.com ~ This is one of my favorite  sites for finding the best comparisons across many retailers.  Rather than using computers to scan the internet to search the best deal, this site is a “people powered” price comparison tool.
  • Epinions.com ~ Epinions is a great site for getting online reviews on products you might be considering.  It also has a handy price comparison section as well.
  • Google.com/products ~  This is a new section of Google that is in beta testing.  Out of the gates, I find it is a really good price evaluation tool.  Their slogan is “Search for Stuff to Buy.”  Need more be said?

 #5 Have fun and enjoy yourself.   Spread good cheer! Remember that you are blessed to be able to walk through the aisles with enough money to buy something for the people you love most.  If they are out of Zhu-Zhu toys, it is not the end of the world.   

::   

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In Honor of our Veterans and their Families, on Veterans Day

Posted on November 11, 2009 | Leave a comment

       Vietnam Memorial 2

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be in Washington DC in the new Pentagon chapel for a private dedication honoring those who horrifically died in the September 11th attacks at the Pentagon. Words cannot express the feelings of standing in that very spot where so many military personnel and innocent citizens were needlessly killed.  What a tragedy.  What an incredible loss!

During our time in DC, we visited many of the memorials which honored our fallen soldiers and those who served in wars.  I will never forget the seemingly unending list of those who died, carved into “The Wall” at the Vietnam War memorial.  The grief and cost of lives represented with those names was overwhelming. My heart broke for the families whose lives were forever changed. At another memorial, I read the words engraved in stone, “Freedom is Not Free.”  Memorial after memorial, these words became engraved on my heart. 

As we set aside time nationally to celebrate and remember our veterans tomorrow, these memories come rushing back and cause me to pause. 

Please join me in appreciation and prayer for our service men and women.

With deep gratitude, I want to thank those who put on the uniform, for your service and sacrifices. 

We honor you, our veterans, who have proven your heroism and love of country time and time again.  You have defended our nation and you are an inspiration today, to those of us who enjoy a life of freedom.

Millions of you have died in service to America and millions more have been wounded and now  live with disabilities.  Billions more have lost family members and friends in horrific acts of war.

We in the United States of America will always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by you and we honor and respect you for your service.

We can never adequately repay you.

YOU, our veterans, are living examples of the timeless and eternal truth that “Freedom is NOT Free.” 

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!

Please join me in praying for our service men and women and their families at Ft. Hood in Killeen and for our military serving us around the world.

::  This post is dedicated to my two dear uncles, Jim Bilderbeck and Walt Collins, who served in the military in times of war.  You are greatly admired and loved, and we thank you for your service.

 

 

~:~
 
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Frugal in Fort Worth Goes Pink: FREE Breast Cancer Awareness Greeting Card From SnapFish

Posted on October 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

SnapFish with ribbon

Reach out to All the Amazing Women in Your Life!

Through October 31, SnapFish is offering a FREE Breast Cancer Awareness greeting card. There are four beautiful designs to choose from, with each being a fully customizable photo greeting card. You can personalize the front, inside, and back of your greeting card with your own photos and messages to show someone you care and bring awareness to a great cause!

How:  To get your FREE card, click here and use code SHARETOCARE at checkout.  Expires 10/31/09.

Bunches of thanks to Melody H. for sharing this with us! :)

 

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~:~

 

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Frugal Travel Alert: FREE DAY AT DISNEY!

Posted on September 30, 2009 | Leave a comment

Disney Mickey

Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.

 I love this!  Hands On Volunteer Network  and Disney Parks are partnering to recognize community volunteers by giving them a FREE One-day ticket to a Disney theme park!

If you are not already plugged into regular service for your community, this is a great way to start.  You and your family will be blessed beyond the one-day ticket to Disney, I promise!

How does it work? 
BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2010, when you sign up  to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization, you’ll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World Resort® in Lake Buena Vista, Florida or Disneyland Resort® in Anaheim, California theme park, FREE!     

3 Steps to qualify for your ticket:

  1. Search and sign up for a volunteer opportunity from a participating organization (beginning January 1, 2010, sign up here).
  2. Complete your service for the volunteer opportunity you selected.
  3. Celebrate :)  Once your service is verified, receive a voucher to redeem your Disney theme park ticket!

Where do I get more details and sign up?
Go to www.disneyparks.com, follow the links to search for volunteer opportunities made available through Hands On Volunteer Network, and sign up for a day of volunteer service (beginning January 1). Many of the opportunities will be projects that entire families can participate in together!  As the nation’s largest volunteer network, you’ll have lots of service choices through the Hands On Network which connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies across the country.

Though the offer from Disney doesn’t begin until January 201o, you don’t have to wait until then to serve.  There are service needs all around you…check with your local food pantry, church, Meals on Wheels, etc.  There are plenty of ways to get plugged in!

Enjoy!  :)

  

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~:~

 

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Frugal Link: 5 Rules for Safe Bargain Hunting Online

Posted on September 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

piggybank600

Online Safety expert, iLookBothWays, recently posted a really helpful list of 5 Tips for Safe Online Bargain Shopping. These safety tips ring true for all internet exploration, so even if you don’t shop/buy over the internet, be sure and ask yourself if you are actively doing these things in your other internet dealings (and resolve to change your internet habits if you are falling short!) 

Below is a quick summary of the 5 tips:

  1. Secure your computer purchase transactions & data with a virus prevention software program (there are several good ones on the market, like Trend Micro Internet Security, McAfee AntiVirus Protection,or Norton Security).  If you haven’t updated your Antivirus software recently, you are at risk for a malicious attack (so be sure to get up-to-date…even if you don’t shop online regularly)!
  2. Make sure you have a secure computer connection and that your computer firewall is turned on and up-to-date. 
  3. Use “strong” Passwords when a password is created for sites.  A strong password is made up of a combination of letters, numbers and symbols (at least 8 characters, more is better).
  4. When searching for sites, make sure that the shopping site is legitimate. Do your research BEFORE giving anyone your credit card or other personal information!
  5. If the merchant is new to you, double check it against review sites like Epinions, BizRate, Better Business Bureau, and The National Fraud Information Center. I would also add a note of caution on auction sites like Ebay, Overstock, etc:  While these can be great places to get bargains, always double check the feedback of the seller to ensure that their feedback is overwhelmingly positive (with a long seller history) before purchasing. 

 If you actively search the internet for the “best” bargains and/or shop online (even if on occasion), please take a moment to read the full post here.

~:~

 

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Posted on September 7, 2009 | Leave a comment
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Posted in FREE, Frugal Fun in Fort Worth (Cheap/Free Entertainment Ideas), Saving, Giving, and Living, Stretch your Dollar!

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Frugal Tip: Protect Your Phone From Data Theft

Posted on September 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

While the iPhone is the undeniable king of smartphones, security flaws in the operating system create vulnerabilities hackers can exploit to steal email, contact and personal data.

Surprisingly, smartphone users are seemingly unaware of data security issues with their cellular phones. According to a recent Trend Micro report, respondents (44%) feel surfing the internet on their smartphone is just as safe as surfing the web on their computer, despite the fact that most smartphones offer no internet surfing security.

What can you do to protect your iPhone (or other SmartPhone)? Use these tips:

1. Wifi Hotspots Attract Hackers – those bent on maliciously collecting information from laptop and smartphone users know that wifi hotspots offering broadband internet access to anyone are great places to troll for the unprotected equipment. When surfing at your local hot spot, make sure you know whose network you are connecting to. Reference the name of the hotspot and ask yourself if the name makes sense with the location. For instance, all Starbucks have a hotspot named “att” that requires validation through the iPhone’s Safari internet browser. Connecting to any other wifi network increases your risk of data theft.

2. Wifi Hotspot Login Page – many wifi hotspots require you to accept terms of service and login to a web page on your internet browser. While checking a box to accept terms of service is rather innocuous, no other information is typically collected (such as name, address, credit card number, etc) so be wary of any login process requesting such information. Also (more applicable to laptops) if the login page seems to be taking an extraordinary amount of time to load or appears to be loading a large file to your laptop or smartphone immediately disconnect your wireless internet connection as malicious software may be downloading to your device.

3. Password Protect Your Data – most smartphones provide a feature to password protect your device and the data inside it. This is typically enabled in a settings panel on the phone and requires the owner to enter a password before gaining access to phone data and functionality. While this might be annoying it is a great way to protect your data from theft, especially if your phone is lost or is left unattended in public for an extended period of time.

4. Layered Protection – exercising caution when connecting with wifi hotspots and password protecting your data is a great start, but you can increase your data protection with additional layers of security such as the Trend Micro application, Trend Smart Surfing (freely available through the iPhone application store).  This app blocks users from accidentally visiting a site that could exploit an iPhone vulnerability.

These simple steps will greatly increase data security on your smartphone device and better protect you from identity theft. Also be certain to regularly update your smartphone or iPhone to receive the most up-to-date security patches made available from hardware manufacturers.

Thanks to Kelly R. Short for authoring and providing this list of helpful tips.  Click here to read more of Kelly’s writings.

~:~ 

Enjoy! :)

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Posted in Electronics, Saving, Giving, and Living, Stretch your Dollar!

ALERT: Your Credit Card’s terms and agreement will probably change with new laws this month…

Posted on August 26, 2009 | Leave a comment

piggybank600If you haven’t yet put you credit cards through the shredder, there is an article you will want to read from the Savvy Consumer Column (Teresa McUsic) of the Fort Worth Star Telegram.  Following is an excerpt:

“Some of the credit card changes recently made into law take effect next week.

But consumer advocates and credit card analysts are warning cardholders to be on their toes right now. Your agreement is likely to change, if it hasn’t already. That applies whether you pay off your balance every month, pay faithfully on a balance or are delinquent.

Interest rates on purchases, cash advances and, in some cases, credit defaults are rising, along with various fees in anticipation of the credit card overhaul law, according to a survey released Thursday by San Francisco-based Consumer Action…

Read everything you get from your credit card company, including billing statements and any other notices. Look for changes in your contract…

Between March and June, cards issued by Bank of America and Citigroup led the pack in boosting interest rates on purchases and cash advances. Chase, US Bank and Capitol One cards now carry penalty rates approaching 30 percent. Late fees are up 9 percent, to an average of $28.19, topping out at $39…

You will have time to opt out of the agreement and not accept the new terms.”

On the upside, these new laws require that consumers under age 21 must obtain a co-signer or proof that the applicant can make payments.

To read the full article, click here.

~:~

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Quotes to Ponder for Back-to-School…

Posted on August 25, 2009 | 2 comments

Dedicated to moms and dads who watched their children scoot off for the first day of school (and to teachers and life-long learners everywhere)…

“Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not–it is the first lesson that ought to be learned.” ~ Thomas H. Huxley, English biologist (1825 – 1895)

“…for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for…doing what is right and just and fair…let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” ~ Proverbs 1:2-5

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” ~ Anonymous

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it…Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach…” ~ Proverbs 22:6, 17-19

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” ~ Henry Adams (1838 – 1918)

“The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things–the power to tell the good from the bad, the genuine from the counterfeit, and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit.” ~ Johnson

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.” ~ Titus 3:14

“Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.” ~ Clarence Thomas

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. ~ Proverbs 9:9

“To repeat what others have said, requires education; to challenge it, requires brains.” ~ Mary Pettibone Poole, 1938


~:~

Enjoy life today!  :)

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Heard it on the Radio (wo-oh-oh-oh…on the radio)…Managing the Money Maze, Show Review

Posted on August 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ radio show, Revive our Hearts, on KVTT a couple of weeks ago.  <<If you are not a regular listener, you are missing out on a treat…you can find the radio schedule here.>>

During a 3-day series, Nancy re-aired a 2006 program about practical steps you and your family can take to make it through these stormy financial times.  This show is an excellent starting point for anyone who is trying to figure out where to begin to get their personal finances in order (not a lot of heavy financial talk…just good practical financial sense). Hard to believe it was recorded  3 years ago, as it is completely relevant for today (good teaching never gets stale, does it?)!

I  have wanted to share this show with others, and am so happy to discover that the transcripts and the actual radio show are available on-line in the show’s FREE archives (links below).

Following is an excerpt from the program as well as links to the transcripts/audio files…

Program Summary: Before the financial crisis settled in last fall, Nancy interviewed Jan Thompson, author of Managing the Money Maze. In this interview, Jan had the foresight to realize a financial storm was headed our way (and many in our country would  face challenging times).  Through this program, Jan provides, timeless, practical advice that everyone can apply to their lives…no matter the financial situation.

Program Excerpts (from Day 1): “Nancy: In recent years I’ve had so many friends that I’ve watched walk through major financial stress that just seems to suck the life out of their lives…I’ve seen people struggling with depression, with anxiety, with conflict in marriage. These are good friends, and I’ve watched them going through this. I began to seek the Lord about how we could address this subject in a way that would be helpful, in a way that could help people get not just the surface fruit problems, the symptoms, but the real heart issues. And the Lord brought to mind someone that I’ve known for many years but had never had a chance to have on Revive Our Hearts. Her name is Jan Thompson. Jan is a certified financial planner….She’s developed a lot of insights into God’s Word as it relates to good stewardship of God’s resources…

Jan: My mission is threefold. It is to educate, equip, and empower people to be the best trustee possible of the resources God’s going to give them to manage throughout their lifetime…

Nancy: You talk about the resources that God will entrust to people through the course of their lifetimes. Some of us are sitting here thinking, “Well, I’m not going to have any resources through my lifetime.” But you realize that’s not quite the case.

Jan: That’s not the case. In fact, one of the favorite groups that I enjoy speaking with (is college kids) . . . I actually got into this industry through teaching a college course called “Personal Financial Planning.”

I thought, “If I can get a hold of young people who are graduating from college equipped with a degree, hopefully prepared to go out and earn a living . . . no one has taught them how to manage the three and a half million dollars that the average wage earner is going to experience in their lifetime.”

Nancy: Three and a half million dollars?

Jan: That’s just at an average wage with three and a half inflation factor built into that through age 65.

Nancy: That we will have to manage.

Jan: That’s as a single person. If you get married you actually are doubling that. So you’re now at about seven million dollars that is going to go through your hands. As a business owner, would I hire someone to come in and manage my company if I knew I was going to be handling about seven million dollars—for someone who had had no training whatsoever, just had a passion and zeal to go out and do something?

So that gave me that passion to get involved on the college campus and start teaching this personal financial planning course, which I did for a number of years…”

You need to listen to the whole interview…good stuff.  Here are the links:

I hope you take the time to read or listen.  It will be time will spent…I promise.  :)

P.S.  If you are ready to do some more “unpacking” on personal finances, click on the Crown Financial or Dave Ramsey links in the column to the right under “blogroll”.

Enjoy! :)

~:~

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Stop and Smell the Roses with $1 Admission to The Dallas Arboretum!!

Posted on August 6, 2009 | 1 comment

I normally write about Fort Worth area happenings when making “frugal fun” recommendations, but this time I must venture to Dallas to one of my favorite spots…the Dallas Arboretum, as they are running a promotion that is too good not to pass-along to my FW friends…

 

 The Dallas Arboretum is offering $1 admission to all guests through August ~ it is normally $9.50 for Adults /$6 for Children
…quite a savings! 

At the Arboretum you will find something for everyone.  Against the background of easy-to-navigate gardens and gorgeous foliage design for the adults (tons of photo ops!), there are lots of fun things for the kids, too. 

Kids will have fun exploring the tee-pee, cabins and play structures in Texas Town and the Pioneer Village — both excellent places for parents to kick back as the kids explore frontier life.  Everyone will enjoy the Storybook Playhouses that are sprinkled throughout as well —there is even a fun pirate’s ship, a Dr. Seuss inspired play area, and a Hansel and Gretel playhouse!  Click here for the list of playhouses you will find.

What:  Through the month of August, admission is $1 (kids under 3 are free!).  Parking is $5.  For more info about the Dallas Arboretum, click here.

Where:  8525 Garland Road, Dallas  (For a map and directions, click here).

When:  Open Daily, 9am-5pm

Helpful Tidbits:  Pack a Picnic and some cool drinks OR plan to eat at one of the Arboretum’s restaurants/snack cafés.

P.S.  Take a look at the pictures from this mom’s visit to the Arboretum with her kids (click here), to get a quick glimpse of what is in store for your visit.

Enjoy!  :)

~:~

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Posted in Entertainment, Frugal Fun in Fort Worth (Cheap/Free Entertainment Ideas), Home and Garden, Saving, Giving, and Living, Stretch your Dollar!

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FREE Monday McCafe Coffee at McDonald’s (and again next Monday 8/3)!

Posted on July 27, 2009 | Leave a comment

 McCafe

Start the week with a FREE Mocha from McDonald’s! 

Every Monday (almost all day) until 8/3, McDonald’s is giving away your choice of a FREE 8oz Iced or Hot Mocha.   

When:  Today, 7am to 7pm…and again next Monday August 3 (same bat time, same bat channel)

Where: All participating McDonald’s locations across the U.S.

What:  No coupon needed, but to read the specific offer details (and all the exciting lawyer legalese), click here, then click the link at the bottom of the page.

Enjoy!  :)

~:~

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Posted in Ft. Worth Restaurant Coupons / Offers, Restaurant Savings Tips, Saving, Giving, and Living, Stretch your Dollar!

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Yippee-ti-yeah! Saturday is National Day of the American Cowboy at Fort Worth Stockyards!

Posted on July 24, 2009 | Leave a comment

FRUGAL & FUN FRIDAYS IN FORT WORTH ~ Each Friday, we post ideas for free (or almost free) weekend entertainment for you and your family. Here are this weekend’s tips…

Mosey on Down to Fort Worth Stockyards to celebrate National Day of the Cowboy ~ Saturday, July 25th 

The 3rd Annual Stockyards event (FREE) has been named the “Best Event of its kind in the nation” by western lifestyle magazine, American Cowboy. Don’t miss out on a day dedicated to celebrating the cowboy with lots of fun for all ages!  

Family-friendly events include:

  • Cowboy Camp Exhibit (at Cowtown Coliseum)
  • Cowboy Celebration Parade
  • Legends of Texas Gunfight shows
    (at 11:00am & 4:15 inside Stockyards Station)
  • Live music on Stockyards Station stage
  • Fort Worth Herd Cow Camp (for young buckaroos)
  • Stagecoach rides
  • Most Worn-Out Boot and Best Mustache Contests
  • Cowboy Karaoke Contest (flex those golden pipes!)
  • Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive
  • Pawnee Bill Wild West Show at Cowtown Coliseum
    (at 2:30 & 4:30pm purchased ticket required).
  • Horse training demonstration (at Cowtown Coliseum)
  • Grapevine Vintage Railroad and MORE!

When:  Saddle up on Saturday, July 25th from 11am to 4pm

Where:  Activities will take place along East Exchange Avenue in the Fort Worth Stockyards.  Click here for more info.

P.S.  In case you were wondering…   YES!  This really is an honorary day, voted by the U.S. Senate to honor the American Cowboy!  To see how other cities (from New York to California) are celebrating this fine event, click here.

Happy Trails!  :)

~:~ 

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Posted in Entertainment, Frugal Fun in Fort Worth (Cheap/Free Entertainment Ideas), Saving, Giving, and Living, Stretch your Dollar!

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Financial Tips To Share With Recent Grads (PLUS A Link to FREE Financial Skills Curriculum)

Posted on July 16, 2009 | Leave a comment

The time has come: your child is no longer a child but a fledgling young adult ready to move out and begin a whole new life. For some, this happens in their early 20s, after college. For others, it’s earlier—or later. In any case, the transition is important, and can be exciting and bittersweet for the whole family.

Learning to be independent is one of the most important skills you can help your children develop. Below is a short checklist to give your child, to make leaving home a little easier for everyone:

  • Make a budget. This is crucial to smart financial management and starting out on one’s own. A budget should cover essentials like rent, loans, groceries, utilities, insurance, car costs, clothing, entertainment and travel. And of course, don’t forget savings! Click here for a simple budgeting tool that makes this easy to do.
  • Set up an emergency fund. You never know what might happen, so emphasize the importance of saving and setting aside enough cash to cover three to six months’ rent and basic living expenses. It’s an important cushion to have—just in case.
  • Pay off debt (or better yet, don’t get into debt to begin with!).Pay student loans and credit card balances on time. Being prompt with loan payments not only helps one’s credit rating, but also imposes financial discipline. When it comes to a credit card, paying the balance in full every month will actually save money that would otherwise be spent on finance charges or late fees.
  • Open key financial accounts. If your child doesn’t already have them, now’s the time to establish checking and savings accounts, and possibly even an IRA or other first investment account, if eligible.  If available, taking advantage of their employer’s 401(k) match is a great place to start.
  • Continue, or begin, to save money. Remember, time is your child’s biggest asset. Even saving just $25–$50 each month adds up and helps develop a discipline that can pay big rewards in the long term.
  • Don’t forget about insurance. Shop around for affordable health, auto and renter’s insurance policies. Health and auto insurance are must-haves.

Think twice before helping your child with their expenses after they leave the nest. Paying for their consumer debt or other household expenses can create unhealthy dependency and will not foster a sense of financial responsibility. If you choose to help support your child, don’t jeopardize your own financial future…decide how much is appropriate, and stop there.

Thank you Schwab Money Wise for these helpful tips!  For more ideas and tools for helping your children and other young people in your life develop a life-time of practical money skills, go to schwabmoneywise.com.

P.S.  FREE Curriculum for helping teach financial literacy to young people has been made available to teachers, home school educators, and parents (click here for the link).

 ~:~

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