Low Cost Travel Tips and Advice

Low Cost Travel Tips and Advice

How to Budget your Finances

November 7th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Introduction
Learning to budget your finances is one of those things where some people have no problem, yet others cannot do it for the life of them. Those of us who find budgeting easy and satisfying don’t really understand those people who can never manage their money properly.

1. Mr Macawber in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, purports the concept of budgeting. “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound nought and six, result misery.” Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, 1849 English novelist (1812 - 1870)

overspend and you will always be in debt, as I found to my cost when first setting up my web development business, specialising in cms, But spend a penny less than you get and you will always feel rich which we have now achieved. This may seem very evident, but how often do we find we are spending more than we can afford? There are tempting offers within our grasp every day and it’s difficult to resist when they try to make us believe we might never get such an opportunity again.
• Hands up if you are someone who has difficulty managing your money?
• Hands up if you do not know how to control your finances?
• Hands up if you find it difficult to resist tempting offers?
• Hands up if you are in arrears?
• Hands up if you don’t know how you are going to make ends meet for the year to come?

If you have all your hands in the air (and your feet!) it’s time to do something about it. (In other words take yourself in hand!!) Sorry about the pun.

2. The first thing you need to understand is that people who are trading are in business to make money and they want their businesses to grow. To do this they have to increase sales, so they have to make things irresistible to the customers like you and me.

So remember, the next time you are owing money and struggling to pay the bills, there is some big guy out there raking in the profits. They are taking your hard earned cash and leaving you poor.

Change of Mindset
People who do not budget and find it difficult to manage their money seem to have a particular mindset. For instance, there may be an idea from childhood that being careful with money indicates to the world that a person is miserly. Being reckless then equates with generosity and open handedness. If you are loaded then spending money freely is not a problem, but if you are on a limited income or just never seem to have enough, then good financial management looks like a good idea.

3. One of the ways to change your thinking is to ask yourself, ‘who is the best person to benefit from your hard earned money’? Is it the big companies who are making loads of profit already(Fat cats) paying their executives million pound bonuses, or you!

Anxiety about your ability to manage your money and fear of figures may cause you to ignore. I had a friend who admitted this to me and when I said I enjoyed the online banking system and being in charge of moving my money around and how easy I found it; she immediately changed her mind set and decided she could handle the online banking system and researched the best way to invest her money to make more of what she had.

Give yourself permission to think that being in control of your money is a practical way to remove the stress you experience around finance. That will give you more energy to enjoy life more and make even more money.

Guidelines to Liquidity
The most difficult thing to do is to face the truth. When someone is on a spending spree they are out of control and out of touch with reality. The fantasy ignores the cost and the consequences of overspending (ie. How it’s going to get repaid).

So the first thing you need to do is keep an account of everything you spend your money on. At this stage do not try to change what you normally do. Have a cash note book and write down all the things you can think of that you buy. This includes household bills and food, mobile phone, TV. Put a figure in the corresponding column. If you have actual amounts put them in, if not make a stab at it. Leave space for the things you don’t remember or even consider expenses. Beer, cinema, clothes even the coins you toss to street entertainers. Categorise it as fun money or entertainment funds.

Every time you take money out of your pocket/wallet/credit card/bank, write down what you use it for. Do this over one month, and by then you will have a fairly comprehensive list of your expenses. Make a total at the bottom of the page and on the opposite page write down all your income. When I first did this I found that one of my largest expenses was shop bought sandwiches every day!

Compare the totals. Have you spent more or less than you receive? Is your life going towards happy or miserable? It is at this point you really need to make a shift in your thinking.

Start by being penny pinching to people who want to sell you things. Look around for the best deals and always ask for a discount. I went on a negotiating course some years ago and the following week I put into practise what we had learnt. I reduced my spending by $350, just by asking!

Carry only a minimum amount of cash on you so that you are not tempted to fritter away $20 on some impulse purchase you don’t need. Those dollars add up fast and before you know a hundred dollars in your pocket is gone.

Cut up your credit card unless this is the most convenient way to pay regular items and you clear the balance at the end of each month. Use only one credit card, and find one that gives points for purchases. These mount up and you can claim vouchers to spend in your favourite stores. Also find a credit card that will take the full amount by direct debit every month so you don’t miss payments, accrue interest charges and generate a large fine.

Make a list when you go shopping and only buy what is on that list. OK, some things you may have forgotten to put down but make sure you avoid the impulse purchases. Keep a list in the kitchen and only put things on it when you have run out. Use up products in the cool cupboard and freezer to reduce waste and keep spending to a minimum.

Become a prudent shopper and consumer. Try and use up coupons, saving a few saved cents per purchase can really add up. Searching through clearance sections in stores is another way to save money. You may be pleasantly surprised to see how much you can reduce your bill on your usual grocery haul.

Conclusion
Budgeting is not for the fainthearted. It means fighting the urge to buy what is not needed. I run a web design company and if you are like me the temptation is strong to buy all the latest gadgets. But if you can think yourself into a new mind set you will find it much easier to change the habits of a lifetime. Be sure that all expenses are accounted for when you take stock of your situation. Once you have your finances under control, there will be enough surplus to save and allow to grow for the special events you may want to treat yourself to in life.

If you still have difficulty curbing your shopping habit, take a friend or relative with you on outings. Someone you can trust to steer you away from temptation. Once you conquer your shopping demons, you will be proud of yourself for doing so and feel a great sense of accomplishment. So don’t be overwhelmed, grab that pen and paper and get on track to prosperity.

Happy Budgeting

www.sapster.net

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A Payday Loan - With CCJ’s?

November 7th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Most pay-day loan amounts range from around £75 - £1000.
However you can start at the lower end of the pay-day loan scale and pay it back on time. After this it’s often the case that lenders will be willing to lend you a higher amount the next time you approach them for money.

In order to get a pay-day loan firstly you must be in work. Also you must have your wages paid into your bank account. For pay-day loan qualification your bank account should possess either a cheque book, a debit card or both. However generally speaking, a cheque guarantee card is not needed.

Do remember you don’t have to panic and sweat until pay day, quick cash is available from lots and lots of payday loan firms right now.

Watch out though. Short repayment periods often mean that payday loan fees can sometimes be prohibitively high. Fees of 20 - 25 percent of the pay-day loan amount are not unusual. Also remember that you should beware of the dreaded - hidden charges.

It’s safe to say that payday loans can be a life-saver. However it also must be stated that they should only be used in moderation if you are to avoid financial disaster in the end.

Some good things to remember are that you can often still get a pay-day loan even if you already have one which has not been fully paid back. Also normally you will still be able to get pay-day loans even if you have CCJ’s provided you can meet the above requirements.

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Flying Cheap to Orlando

November 7th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Are you looking into flights to Orlando? You aren’t alone. Orlando, Florida offers a unique mix of family fun that appeals to almost everyone. Whether you want to visit one of the world famous theme parks, check out the PGA golf courses, or simple relax on a white sand beach, Orlando is the perfect destination locale.

There is a lot of fluctuation in the prices of orlando flights, so it’s important to shop around. You can check out the prices available from a travel agent, from an online travel planning site, and from the airlines themselves. Sometimes the fares change if you connect through more or less cities, or if you are willing to fly during less busy times. There is usually a huge variation in fares between any two places, so be sure to consider every possible option.

Flights to Orlando may be purchased as part of a vacation package. These can include just airfare and hotel, or be so comprehensive they include these as well as food, rental car, theme park tickets, and just about every service a vacationer could need. You should know what you would spend if you were buying them separately and make sure the package deal adds up to a bargain. This will ensure that you always get the best deal.

Flights to Orlando, Florida can be pricey, so shopping around and comparing deals may save you a bundle. The internet has given people choice when it comes to travel, so don’t be afraid to shop around. The saved money will be more than worth it. For more flights information, Visit costless flights.

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Be fit fast

November 6th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

There’s something to said when every single american currently wants one and only one thing–to get in shape quickly. Our current society’s obsession with perfection and working out means that everyone needs to be able to be very fit and slim and in shape or you’re out. I highly suggest that everyone takes the time to read things about how to get healthy and if you’re a guy that could mean building your muscles quickly. That’s really not as hard as it sounds.

But if you’re a girl then you need to think weight loss. That’s just the truth of how our society opperates–guys need to be buff and girls need to be thin.So if you’re a female and you’re wondering how to get in shape than I would very strongly suggest weight loss. There are tons of great blogs that will teach you how to lose 10 pounds in a week and if you follow the advice you should be fine and you don’t really need to worry about finding a solid plan since it’s already been provdided.

The next step in building muscle and losing weight is reading online sources that will show you how to build muscle so that you understand what I’m talking about when I say things like “all protein diet”. Hopefully this weight loss and muscle building will go smoothly for you.

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Welcome

November 6th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Welcome to The Art Of Living Healthy. Art is defined, in this sense, as a learned power of doing something competently acquired by experience, study, or observation. This blog is dedicated to providing quality information and products to everyone.

So many people have become disillusioned with traditional medicine and turned to alternative health options. After watching many friends and relative become discouraged with the results, I became determined to find out why.

The only health store in my hometown was owned by a Mennonite family. The only supplements they would carry was Nature’s Sunshine products, so those were the ones I used. As time went on and I had access to more variety, I began to notice the same lack of results with supplements and equipment I used. This is when I really began looking into the quality, potency, and purity of different product lines.

What I discovered is QUALITY MATTERS. If you want to obtain the desired results from your healthy living program, don’t use inferior quality equipment, supplement with no potency, or products that can add to the problem through lack of purity.

I also discovered that pursuing quality takes an enormous amount of research, time, and effort. I have found it to be well worth the effort, but not everyone has the resources to pursue the search. So I determined to provide easy access to quality information and products to everyone interested in pursuing a healthy lifestyle.

This is the second site of what I hope will be a growing list dedicated to quality info and products. For quality aromatherapy information and products visit The Art Of Aromatherapy.

I hope you will join me in mastering The Art Of Living Healthy.

Disclaimer: This blog, and these websites, are about living healthy and educating yourself about your own needs. The statements and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult a doctor before taking any medical advice. If you have any specific health problems or medical conditions, you should consult a doctor before beginning any exercise or nutritional program.

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How To Refinance Your Home Mortgage

November 6th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Homeowners interested in a home mortgage refinancing program have a few options to consider. Here are some things to consider.

Should I Get a Fixed or Adjustable Rate?

A typical fixed rate example has a fifteen or thirty year term and a fixed rate. Many homeowners like this home mortgage refinancing option because the consumer knows that his interest rate will not change during the life of the loan. The fifteen-year term is a comfortable timeframe for many customers as well, although a thirty year term can also make sense for some. Many homeowners are more attracted to an adjustable rate mortgage loan. This option can actually cost less in the long run. However, it is a bit of a gamble. If interest rates increase, so does your home mortgage loan rate. If you know your finances well, and weigh the possibility of higher rates, then to refinance home loans with an adjustable rate can save money. And if rates drop, this option can really help with your monthly expenses over the course of time.

Costs To Refinance Your Home Mortgage

Of course, there is a price for a refinance home loan. You need to consider whether the costs outweigh the benefits. However, in many cases the homeowner can save a significant amount of money throughout the term of the loan. When consumers refinance home loans, they are not simply reducing your payments or changing your interest rates. This process consists of paying off the original loan in full. The refinanced loan is completely new in spite of the fact that you have been making payments for the same property. Since the loan is brand new according to the lender, it is subject to the same fees, points and other fees you paid for your initial mortgage agreement.

There is another significant fee that many homeowners do not consider when they try to get a home mortgage refinancing loan. Pre-payment penalties can be pretty costly, and you should not get a loan that includes them. You can check with your lender and with the regulations in your state to see if the pre-payment penalties apply to your specific loan or not.

The process of finding the right home mortgage refinancing package does require some preparation and homework. However, you can find a great deal that will pay off over time.

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How to Travel to a Hockey Tournament

November 5th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Youth Hockey requires travel and sometimes lots of it. However, if you do it right you can do it efficiently and for less money. First of all it is important to carpool with as many other players and families as possible. Of course this is only if the trip is within driving distance. Next, find a vacation home with as many bedrooms as possible. This way, you can fit quite a few people into one house and typically pay about the same amount for the whole house per night as one hotel room, only the hotel room only fits about 4 people comfortably.

For example, when we used to travel to a hockey tournament in Phoenix, AZ. We would only take about 4 cars total. We would also rent a Vacation Home in Phoenix Arizona that would house about 10 - 12 people. We saved a lot of money just by doing these two things. On one occasion we were able to trade our Vail Home with a family in Phoenix.

The next big expense is eating. Hockey players like to eat a lot, but usually are not too picky about what they eat. Therefore, we would go to the buffets where the kids could get all the food they needed to keep up with the energy their body was using.

If you can save money in these three areas, you will save quite a bit of money on these typically expensive hockey trips. Of course some expenses like hockey equipement and trips to the dentist are unavoidable!

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Citi Bites the Construction Loan Dust Despite Profits

November 5th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Citi Mortgage has officially bit the dust no different than all of the other lenders like Indy Mac Bank. Citi Mortgage Group Bank has failed just like all the the other failed banking institutions in helping families build the American dream.

A true tell tale sign whether a banking institution is in major financial trouble and my be the next buy out is when the bank closes a low risk profit center like their construction loan department.

Construction loans are the back bone and a key strength indicator of not only the bank but of the entire economy and since most large national banks have mostly closed down their construction loan departments nationwide the economy is definitely in unforeseeable trouble.

Where will the American family turn to in obtaining financing to build their dream home over the the next couple of years? Do these families that want to build their dream home have poor credit risk? Do they not bring enough equity or down payment to the table? Do these families have low liquid assets in their bank accounts to protect the risk of any default? Are these loan requests stated income loans?

The answer to all the above questions is almost always no and by all means may be the least riskiest loan request in the entire mortgage industry today. So CitiGroup has dropped the ball big time and failed just like Chase, Indy Mac Bank, Flagstar, First Horizon, National City and a whole lot of other banks that sold out the American public and the entire mortgage industry.

The only reason I believe this has happened was to protect the Ceo’s golden parachute payoffs.

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Love Discount Coach Bags?

November 5th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

Do you love Coach handbags?  Then you’re not alone as Coach is a brand loved by millions of people the world over.  Unfortunately it’s merchandise can seem pricey to many of us so we have to do what we can to pick up our Coach bags at a discount.

Like so many things today the best way to obtain discount Coach bags is to buy online.  Isn’t there anything you can’t buy from the comfort of you own home these days?  Answers by email please if you know of something.

The only challenge with this strategy is that you can’t always be sure you are buying genuine merchandise.  And did you know that the term Coach Knockoffs is a very popular search on Google?  Yes there are lots of people out there looking to import fake goods to pass them off to you as genuine.

However, this should put you off looking for discount Coach handbags because there are some great deals out there.  If you’re really lucky you could secure an as new pre-owned discount Coach purse as much as 90% below retail.  How pleased would you be with that?

So how to ensure you item is a genuine bargain?  Well you probably already know.  The eBay marketplace is a great place to start looking for discount coach bags.  eBay itself offers a good level of protection against fraud and if you check out the sellers feedback you can quite easily ascertain if they are trying to scam you or not.

There are hundreds of trusted sellers offering genuine Coach merchandise for sale so get on line and grab your discount Coach purse today.

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Kids made the difference with their hugs

November 4th, 2008 Filed under: General by admin Print This Post Print This Post

I never was good at having too close of a personal relationship with anyone because of my unstable (for a lack of a better term) childhood. The one thing I knew at a very early age was that I shouldn’t have any children of my own. I was convinced that if I had children I would be unloving, mean, abusive and totally detached as my mother was to me and my siblings.

As I grew physically, mentally and emotionally I analyzed why someone would have babies and then never regard them as anyone or anything of value. My conclusion is that it revolved around ignorance and laziness. My mother didn’t take contraceptives or learn anything about parenting because she didn’t want to. Another contributing factor for her ignorance was that she was a victim of her environment. She certainly didn’t have any good examples to follow from her childhood and so she adapted as a child and accepted that way of life in adulthood.

Enough dwelling on my mother. As I stated I made my decision very early in life not to have children. I lived for my career. I Worked hard, went to college nights and made it well known that I was ready for every promotion I sought.

By the time I reached fifty I had purchased my dream house; the one I was going to retire in (I thought). I was taking long walks on the beach at the crack of dawn, traveling whenever and where ever I wanted and I had no ties. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, lets just label the next chapter of my life as a 360 degree life change.

I am not the type to make decisions impulsively so my decision to bring two boys into my life and my home was after a long assessment of the situation. My sister had three children and her oldest was already out on her own after having a baby at sixteen. My two nephews were twelve and nine. Both of them were doing below grade level in school and had enormous freedom to come and go as they pleased. So many factors revolved around me taking custody of the boys that I could write a book but I will spare you. I knew that I could make a difference for them financially but also I saw an opportunity to further break up that pattern in our family of poor education, lack of standards and expectations and set a good example of hard work pays off.

So, twelve years ago I brought two boys into my life so I could teach them how to pursue a better quality of life by getting a good education and working hard for the things they want. What I got in exchange was them teaching me how to open my heart and let love into it for the first time in my life. These guys have made me laugh, made me cry, and helped bring out the mothering qualities I never thought I had. They convinced me that I would have made a wonderful mother. They are twenty-five and twenty-one, well educated, in loving relationships and working hard toward goals and dreams that they have set for themselves. I see them often and always have my arms and heart open for all the hugs and “I love yous” they have to offer.

So, as I plan my retirement I look around my house that is purposely in a neighborhood with lots of children, a town known for its multitude of children programs and in a school district recognized state wide for its academic excellence. I chose this town and house especially for the boys and get teary eyed as I plan to sell. But, those tears are short lived when I think of how great they did and how proud I am that I could help to groom them into wonderful, productive, society contributing young men. I also know that with the three of us breaking that pattern in the family of non-educated, non-productive and lacking motivation there is hope and high expectations for future generations of this family.

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