5 Things Worth the Splurge

According to USAA's Summer 2011 edition, there are five things to splurge on when you buy to get the best value for your money.  Buy the best that you can afford.  Surprisingly, a "great deal" may not be your best buy.  Check websites for advice on particular brands.

.   Interior paint - $10 - $50/gal (usually about $25)
.   Estate planning - $800 - $1800+.  The more complex your issues, the more the cost.
.   Mattress - check coil count, coil guage and filling maerials.  A decent queen size with innersprings = $700
.   Kitchen knives - premium knife has high-carbon steel blade forged out of a single sheet of metal and a         handle made out of hard, crack-resistant material.  A full set may be about $400
.   Running shoes - entry level may be as low as $50

Now's the time!

Everyone is slowing their spending down these days.  Even if you are not out of work, it will be a great idea to really look at your spending.  Sometimes we pay for things that used to be a good idea, but in truth we don't need that service, idea, magazine, etc. any more.  www. robinroost.blogspot.com included an extensive article concerning couponing.  Be sure to read it and see if it might be of great help to you.  It might also be a good idea to look at http://www.bankrate.com/ to see if your bank savings might make even a little bit more using an online bank.  You have to set up your account and link it to your checking account, but after while even a little makes more.  Take the time to overhaul your finances - you'll find lots of ways to have a little extra money.  God bless you!

A novel idea!

Remember that while getting totally out of debt (except your house payment), it is necessary to deal in cash and to keep each month's money in the same month.  However, if you are debt free, there are some options available that you can use.  Some Credit cards are offering 5% cash back on gas purchases and 1% back on everything else.   It's a whole lot more than savings accounts are paying right now - usually less than 1%.  Depending on how you spend, that could mean a 2-3% saving.  When it was first offered, I just enjoyed the reduction in our credit card bill (we use credit card for travel and gas purchases).  Then I realized that it was a SAVING and began writing a check for that amount and putting it in one of our special savings accounts (emergency, furniture, etc).

***A way of keeping the expense in the same month would be to have cash for your monthly expenses and when you use your card, take that amount out of cash and put in a special place.  When the credit card bill comes, take the cash and deposit it back into your checking account.  You can then pay the bill on the correct month's allowance.  You could also transfer your cash amount you would spend in a month and transfer it to a connected savings account.  This may take a little time, but you will be able to get the savings and not get yourself into credit card debt.  Once you are out of debt - never go back!  It's just a thought and strategy.

Enjoy the whole blog

This blog has all kinds of fun information included:  financial, every day, recipes, etc.  My other blog has only financial information on it and the way to order my book, "FREEDOM FROM DEBT - A Simple Guide". This small book is like a stick of dynamite showing you basic finances for beginners (and those who think they might have missed a step) as well as new married and career folks.  The information is basic but  like secret tips.  Hope you enjoy it.  http://www.wisdombuildsahouse.blogspot.com/

10 Great Reasons to go cash

Smart Money Magazine provided this information to Yahoo Finance!.  The article "10 Reasons I'm Cancelling My Credit Cards" is by Brett Arenda and posted on Friday, July 8, 2011.  You will find it very interesting and helpful.  I'm listing the categories, but you will want to read the article.
#1 I'll spend less;     #2  The card bonuses aren't worth it;    #3  Cash makes budgeting easy;    #4  Less worry about identity theft;    #5  Fewer impulse purchases;    #6  I can still shop online (prepaid card);   
#7  Say Godbye to debt;  #8  Privacy;    #9 Cash rebuilds the link between what I earn and what I spend;   #10  Cash helps peopole I want to help (merchants & suppliers - no fees). 

It's the best starting place to get your financial health together!

5 Things to Splurge On

According to USAA's Summer 2011 edition, there are five things to splurge on when you buy to get the best value for your money.  Buy the best that you can afford.  Surprisingly, a "great deal" may not be your best buy.  Check websites for advice on particular brands.

.   Interior paint - $10 - $50/gal (usually about $25)
.   Estate planning - $800 - $1800+.  The more complex your issues, the more the cost.
.   Mattress - check coil count, coil guage and filling maerials.  A decent queen size with innersprings = $700
.   Kitchen knives - premium knife has high-carbon steel blade forged out of a single sheet of metal and a         handle made out of hard, crack-resistant material.  A full set may be about $400
.   Running shoes - entry level may be as low as $50

ANOTHER use for baby wipes

When I paint a wall, I also paint myself.  I came home from helping paint the church nursery with both hands and arms a lovely shade of green.  We found that baby wipes were the answer for paint spills.  They are inexpensive, sturdy, moist and disposable.  After multiple drips, swipes and puddles, we were able to quickly mop up the messes and leave the nursery without disaster.  (The green walls are the background for our artist to paint figures and murals - the kids will love it!)