Five Money Ways to Simply your Life and Breathe a Bit Easier

Are you stressed out over your finances? Do your finances remind you of a weedy jungle, full of chaos and danger? If this description strikes a chord, it’s time to get control over your financial life. One of the biggest benefits, and curiously under-touted aspects of simplifying your life, is that it can help you save money. Simplifying your life can not only help you save lots of money, it can also help you breathe easier. And who doesn’t want to breathe easier? These things—money, stress and organization—are intricately connected to one another. When we get one into control, the others will follow. Here are some tips for getting control of your finances, save money and lower your overall stress levels.

Spend 15 minutes every day cleaning up your finances

Many of us who find ourselves trapped in a chaotic financial life probably overlook the regular financial housekeeping that can keep the chaos at bay. It can be easy to forget, avoid or simply overlook several small tasks. These things eventually gather dust, take up space and pile up to the point that they become overwhelming, scary and bad for our finances. Here is a simple habit to fall into that can help protect you from the horrible sight of stacks of unpaid bills and stray papers overflowing on your kitchen table or desk. Spend fifteen minutes each day cleaning your desk, kitchen table, or wherever it is that you keep your important financial papers. Go over bills, throw out old mail, sharpen your pencils, and put things in order. If you are not the kind to keep extensive tabs on your papers, make it easy for yourself. Dedicate one desk drawer to your bills and other financial papers. Go through your drawer each day and make sure that there is nothing in there that will surprise or scare you one day. Si mply dedicating fifteen minutes each day is an easy way to simplify your life, stay organized and save money on unpaid bills, fines or other surprise costs.

Make your own easy household products

Here is an easy way to save money and keep things simple. Why spend five bucks on a bottle of multipurpose cleaner when you can spend pennies on your own homemade household product. Replace your expensive Windex cleaner with your own concoction of ammonia, vinegar, water and rubbing alcohol. If you want it to look blue, add a few drops of blue food dye. You can make a full bottle for about 35 cents. This is an easy way to make an effective, safe and very inexpensive household cleaner.

Keep household essentials in stock and save money by buying in bulk

Ever reached for tissue and find that you are out? Or what about needing a napkin and finding none in stock? Not having household essentials on hand can be stressful and frustrating. Many times when we are hurried and harried and shopping for a household essential, we tend to overpay. After all, who has time for comparison shopping when you are in the midst of a throbbing headache? Save yourself the stress by shopping in bulk for household essentials. You should only buy in bulk when you know you’re getting a good deal. If tissues are on sale, grab a few boxes. There are many non-perishable household essentials that are easy to buy in bulk, including toilet paper, toothpaste, tissues, napkins, canned food and others.

Get a bill calendar

With many of us juggling numerous bills, it can be easy to drop the ball every once in a while. Keep things simple and your bills paid by keeping a handy bill calendar. Buy an oversized calendar and put it somewhere easily visible. Make a note of when you have to make payments. Even simpler, automate your payments online if possible.

Sign up for email updates

If you can’t automate your payments but you check your e-mail often, signing up for email updates is an easy way to keep track of your accounts. Most credit card companies offer many easy tools for keeping a close eye on your accounts.

Realize a Bigger Paycheck by Plugging these Money Draining Holes

Everyone has them-those incidences, circumstances, or habits that drain them of their finances. They also have the people in their life who just take and take but do not give.

Take Action-Get Your Life Back!

If you are having issues with money it is time for you to stop blaming your outside circumstances. It is time to set boundaries between you and your money and those items which drain your pockets dry. Characteristics of Money-Draining Holes

A money-draining hole is usually recognized by its menace-ness. For instance, it could be a lemon vehicle that you have had to fix every day for the last month. It could also be carelessness with glass dishes, or it could be letting too many people borrow your DVDs.

It could also be an item that you cannot seem to do without, such as cigarettes, coffee, or alcohol (the definition "cannot do without" being it is your first priority over food or other necessities). Whatever the case may be, you need to take action.

How to Change your Habits

The over-used saying "Old habits die hard" is so true. It is not easy to say no to people and harmful substances. Moreover, it often can slip your money to turn your automobile lights off or to check your oil,However, taking proper care of your items and being careful who you lend them do is one step to take. The other is to seek help and accountability from those who have conquered bad habits. By the way, if you are one who needs to kick a habit such as smoking in order to save money you may be overwhelmed at the cost of therapy. However, in the long run you probably will save money. Besides, there are discounts for those who have a limited income. You also can find free help from peers in certain situations.

Moreover, saying no to people takes practice. If this is your biggest obstacle to financial freedom then you may need some assertiveness training. Read all the books, watch all the video, and listen to all the audio you can to help you learn what saying "no" sounds like.

Then, join a group of supportive people also learning how to say now. After you have taken assertiveness training then you will be better-equipped at handling guilt trips from a mom, dad, sister, brother, husband, wife, friend, or children, or other loved one.

Take One Day at a Time

Of course, do not be too hard on yourself if you cannot change your entire lifestyle within a few months. The time-tested saying "one day at a time" really does help people to concentrate on making decisions for that day that are healthy.

Do not worry about whether you will be able to do the same tomorrow-just for today concentrate on making the right decisions. Then, when you get up tomorrow concentrate on that day. This doesn't mean you shouldn't make some plans though.

Anticipate all Possibilities

You need a balance between taking one day at a time and being prepared for all possibilities. If you begin to change your habits and begin to be able to set financial boundaries you will have more money set aside for all expenses, plus any emergency that hopefully will not arise.

Purchasing house, car, and health insurance is also a very important aspect of being prepared. If you change your habit you will be surprised how much you would have available for these precautionary expenses. Roadside assistance coverage such as AAA also comes in handy "Just in case.”

Six No-Nonsense Ways for Living Below your Means

You may be a person or family who knows you need to get a handle on your finances. However, it is hard for you to get ahead. It seems no matter how hard you try you wind up in the same trap.

Perhaps it is time to go back to when you first started working on living within your means. The following are helpful tips for living below your means:

Shop for Bargains. There is no shame in paying less for quality items, especially if it will reduce your financial burden and stress. For instance, you can find like new clothing-even brand names-at thrift stores, factory outlets, and discount stores. You can also find just about any household item you need at online auctions.

Purchase off-brand food items. Some food items are not the same as the generic version (bologna for example). However, for most items, such as milk, eggs, margarine, bread, cereal (certain ones) and more the generic brand is less costly but tastes the same. You usually can find the same both dollar stores and regular stores sell off-brand items, and you can even find them at factory outlets or close-out stores.

Do not invest more than you can afford to lose. A general rule of thumb is to have a backup fund equal to the amount of money that you plan to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or forex. If you are planning to start a business it is wise if you have some capital in case of malfunctions and emergencies.

ALWAYS keep tracking of spending! This is one of the practices in which countless individuals and couples fail to follow through, and it costs them big at times. Overdraft fees can add up, and you could end up paying hundreds of dollars a month if you do not figure out your account balance each time you plan to shop.

The Old-Fashioned Rule: Delay Gratification: This concept -second to "obedience"-is probably one of the least favorite of all human kind. However it also is one of the most necessary in order to reap long-term rewards in life. It is time to break the cycle of spending money you do not have and instead saving for what you want.

Learn to say no: When your children ask for toys at the checkout counter tell them no. Do not give in to any crying tantrums either, or you will reward irresponsible money management behavior in them. Also, say no to friends who seem to drain your pockets every time you are around.

Additional Money-Saving Ideas:

If you have a problem with spending, you might want to consider getting rid of your credit cards as well. If you need to purchase items online you can do so with a debit card. Besides, debit cards only hold as much money as you put on them.

Conserving and reusing is also another option that you would want to consider to help you stay on track financially. Shopping bags, food containers and other items are some of the most commonly-reused items. Furthermore, using biodegradable paper plates once in awhile can reduce your water bill.

Now that you have read this article, a new fire has hopefully sparked within you. Perhaps you have even thought of your own ideas for saving money every month. There is no wrong way to figure out how to live within your means. You also can find additional money-saving tips by searching consumer websites and reading budgeting magazines, and other publications. Professionals are also trained to help people in need of help with money management.

Cutting Expense Corners during Baby's First Year

It is often said that the first year for new parents is the hardest. With new baby comes immeasurable joy but also incredibly strained finances. It is estimated that the average family will spend between $9,000 and $11,000 during baby’s first year alone. Take heart, new parents. There are plenty of ways that you can cut many of your costs simply by being careful with your money and not indulging in every whim.

Make a deal with yourself to save money

If you are an expecting parent and you are concerned about the high costs of baby’s first year, make a deal with yourself to save money. One of the hardest things to do as an expectant parent is to resist buying everything in sight. Every parent wants the best for their child, but keep in mind that many of the things you buy during baby’s first year will be only used once. Buying name-brand diapers and an overpriced bassinet that you can’t really afford is not going to do your baby any favors. Make a deal with yourself to save where you can, to keep from overspending on items that may be beautiful but not particularly necessary in the long run, and to be smart about your baby’s purchases. Here are some ways to save money without compromising your sanity or your baby’s health and happiness.

Breastfeed whenever possible

Breastfeeding has been proven as the healthiest option for feeding your baby during the first years. Not only is it healthier for your baby than bottle feeding, it is also more economical. Most doctors agree that breastfeeding exclusively during your baby’s first half year of life will help give his immune system a boost. Not only will your baby benefit from increased health, your wallet will benefit from increased savings. Some mother’s are not able to breastfeed their children. If this is the case, you can save money by avoiding the brand name formula and buying the store brand or generic formula instead. Generic formula costs on average 30% less than name brand formula and, by law, must meet the same FDA standards as the brand name formulas. You can also save on formula by signing up for coupons from manufacturer’s mailing lists. Your pediatrician can also provide you with free samples. Always look past the attractive name brand packaging, because in most cases that is what you will be paying for.

Save money by switching to generic diapers

If you want to save money on disposable diapers, always opt for the generic brand. Many larger chain stores carry their own store brand of disposable diapers which are usually just as good as the brand name diapers. You can expect to save about 30% on disposable diapers simply by buying the generic store brand.

Shop at garage sales and second hand stores for used baby clothes

Most babies will quickly outgrow their expensive little outfits. You can often find nearly new or gently used baby clothes at garage sales and at used baby clothes. While it may be tempting to shop at chain baby emporiums, you will quickly save on baby essentials if you get into the habit of frequenting gently used baby stores.

Shop consignment stores for great deals on baby furniture

One of the biggest expenses you will have as a new parent is furnishing the baby nursery. You can save a lot by shopping for gently used baby furniture, including high chairs, bouncers and cribs. Shop consignment stores and gently used baby stores for great deals on used baby furniture. You can also find great baby gear such as bathtubs, strollers and monitors.

Eight Ways to Save on your Drug Prescriptions

Taking medication for different aliments is essential to the treatment of any problems you may be having. However, prescription drugs are expensive and having to purchase many medications can be draining on your wallet over time. Luckily, there are some solutions and ways for you to save money of your prescription medication. Follow the steps below to learn how to save money on prescription drugs.

Buy generic. Almost every medication on the market has a generic equivalent. These generic medications are just as effective and much more cost effective. When you doctor prescribes a medication to you, ask if generic is an option.

Become a smart shopper. Instead of getting your prescriptions from the pharmacy that is most convenient, study the prices of various pharmacies to see which place will save you money on your medication.

Have an open relationship with your doctor. Before buying expensive prescription drugs, speak with your doctor about your medical problems. You may find out about another, cheaper medication, or that you don’t need medication at all.

Get insurance. There are several different insurance companies that are willing to cover your medication expensive to some extent. Find the insurance companies for which you are eligible and see how much money you can save on prescription drugs.

Get a discount card. Most pharmacies have different cards that can be used in the stores that give discounts on prescription drugs, offer coupons or help you to earn points that can go towards future prescription drug prices.

Additionally, besides following the above mentioned steps, remember to make sure hat you need the medication before you begin taking it. If there is a chance that you don’t need the medicine, or can reduce the amount of medication you take, you can save money over time.

Remember that if you are trying to cut costs on medication by ordering medication from different countries, you may not be choosing the safest option. These medications are not always approved or checked by the government and can be dangerous to your health.

Today, it’s common for the average person to owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt. Even if you owe as little as $100 on a credit card, you should always pay more than the required minimum payment. Try to double your payments wherever possible or pay at least 25 percent more than required. For example, if your required minimum is $20, try to send $40 or no less than $25.

Monitor your interest rate. If you have a high rate, ask your credit card company for a lower one. If your credit card company declines your request for a lower rate, consider transferring the balance to another credit card company. Also, consider consolidating your debt to a single card. Credit card companies may “forgive” and remove one late payment within a 6- or 12-month span. However, this is not an automatic service. You must call the credit card company to ask that the late fee be eliminated.

Avoid late fees. Mail your payment no less than five business days before it’s due. In fact, in some cases try to send your payment no less than six or seven days prior to when it’s due because some payments are considered late if received after a certain time of day (e.g., 1:00 p.m.) on the day it’s due. Avoid cash advances on your bank credit card. The interest rate may not make it a feasible choice. Considering the poor economic trends, you may want to apply for credit card insurance to cover periods when you are unemployed. If unable to make your payment, contact your credit card company to suspend your payments voluntarily for three months.