2012 May

How to Still Be Social Even When You Are Saving

Movie Night Many people have the idea that being frugal and saving your money means that you have to lead a boring life of sitting at home making budgets, counting pennies and staring at the wall.

However, this is absolutely not true. If you are saving for a financial goal or to pay off debt it doesn’t mean that you need to cut out your social life completely!

Although going out for drinks, meals and shopping with your friends is very expensive, there are other ways to spend time with the people you love without needing to splurge.

Dinner Parties Instead of Restaurant Meals

Eating out in restaurants is expensive, but you can have the same experience for much less by inviting your friends over to your home for a dinner party.

Cook a meal which is delicious but uses cheap ingredients, such as chili and rice, curry, stew or casserole. You can even have the event be a potluck and invite your friends to bring a few snacks of their own.

Buying wine from the liquor store and drinking it at home is much cheaper than cracking open a bottle in a restaurant.

Have some fun decorating your dining room and lighting candles and you will have all of the fun of dining out without the huge bill at the end of the night.

Movie Nights Instead of Movie Theatre Outing

Going to see a movie with your friends or family is lots of fun, but when you add up the rising price of tickets, popcorn, soda and chocolate bars as well as the price of gas and parking to get there, it can make a huge dent in your budget.

Instead, enjoy an exciting new release or an old classic by inviting your friends and family over for a movie night.

Set up as many comfy pillows, chairs and couches to lounge on as you can find and pop up a huge bowl of microwaveable popcorn.

The few dollars that you will spend on a movie rental and snacks is a fraction of what it would cost to watch the film in the theater!

Other Free Things to Do

Here are a few other free or cheap activities that you can do with your friends when you are saving money:

Going for picnics in the park.
Attending free concerts or festivals.
Walking on local nature trails.
Doing crafts together.
Baking desserts.
Visiting free museums and art galleries in your city.

Be sure to tell your friends about your goal to save money so that they understand why you are cutting back your expenses.

If they are good friends, they will support you in your goals and be happy to enjoy free and cheap activities together.

Cutting back your budget doesn’t mean cutting back your fun!

What Does Memorial Day Mean?

Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May every year and for most people it means that they will be able to enjoy a long weekend away from school or work and probably take a trip out of town.

However, Memorial Day means a lot more than just a holiday.

This day has special historical significance and it is important to know where the origins of Memorial Day come from.

Remembering Those Who Have Served

Memorial Day was created to honor the men and women who died while performing their service in the American military.

It began during the years shortly after the Civil War and it was first celebrated on May 30^th, 1868.

In 1971 it was officially designated as a federal holiday. During the Post-Civil War era the holiday was known as “Decoration Day” because people would visit the graves of their loved ones who died in the Civil War and decorate their graves.

The month of May was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country so people could pick fresh ones to place on the graves.

How Do You Celebrate Memorial Day?

Do you pay your respects to those who died in the military on Memorial Day? Many people will visit a cemetery or a war memorial on this day or participate in a parade. Every Memorial Day at 3pm local time, a traditional moment of silence is observed.

Another Memorial Day tradition is to wear a red poppy to honor the dead.

These poppies will be sold in many locations and the proceeds from their sales will be used to benefit American servicemen in need.

At Arlington National Cemetery, a ceremony is held where a small US flag is carefully placed on each of the graves in the cemetery.

How will you be celebrating Memorial Day this year?

Don’t forget to take a moment during your fun weekend to remember those who have passed away while serving in the military.

How to Not Become a Slave to Notifications

Sometimes with all of the buzzing, dinging, ringing, and beeping of all the separate devices in your life you can feel like you are living within a video arcade with hundreds of overactive pinball machines.

Your phone jingles whenever you get a text message, your laptop dings when a new email arrives, and your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites also join in the buzzing chaos.

We have gotten in the habit of checking these notifications every few minutes, no matter if they are important or not.

It can be incredibly difficult to focus when you are constantly being distracted by a host of jangling devices, so how can you manage your notifications so that they don’t interrupt your work flow?

Decide What is Most Important

The first thing to do is to determine which notifications are absolutely crucial to you, and which ones you can miss out on.

For example, text messages, phone calls, and emails might be the most important things in your workday, and you might get in trouble with your boss for not responding to an email quickly.

However, you might find that things like Twitter and Facebook are not as time-sensitive and you can ignore them for 8 hours of the day without missing anything urgent.

Make a list of everything you receive notifications for, and pick out the ones that are the most important.

Turn Everything Else Off

This may be difficult to do, because many of us have become addicted to our technology, but it’s time to pull the plug on your electronics.

Turn off all of the automated email reminders and pop-up windows on your computer, and power down your cell phone if you don’t need to be reached by phone.

Check at Set Times

Rather than skipping over to check your email every two minutes, get in the habit of making set times to check and respond to all of your communication.

You could check for 10 minutes every morning before you start work, lunchtime, and after work. You won’t miss anything urgent, and you can use the time in between much more productively.

If you can learn to manage your notifications more effectively you can make much better use of your time and avoid getting distracted!

How to Make Your Retirement Savings Grow As Fast as Possible

Blue Pig Bank Have you started saving for your retirement?

When you are young it might seem like a long way away, but in order to save enough money to stop working the earlier you start, the better.

But what if you want to make your retirement savings grow faster and perhaps retire a few years earlier?

Here are some tips that will help you accelerate towards your goal:

Have a Concrete Goal

Amassing enough wealth to comfortably retire is a long and methodical process and it takes a lot of commitment and delayed gratification.

It is a lot easier to stay dedicated if you have a specific goal and you can see yourself getting closer to it.

Before you start saving, calculate the lifestyle that you hope to have when you retire and what it will cost.

Don’t forget to factor in future inflation. Now keep this goal in your mind to motivate you to work towards it.

Pay Yourself First

One of the most foolproof ways to increase your savings faster is to pay yourself right away so that you won’t make excuses or forget to save.

Set up an automated deposit which will transfer a portion of every paycheck into your retirement fund as soon as it enters your bank account.

This way, you will get used to not spending that money and you won’t even notice it is missing.

The regular payments will add up over the years and leave you with a sizable nest egg for retirement.

Maximize Your Tax-Advantaged Retirement Accounts

Take advantage of your 401(K) because this is one of the best options available for saving for retirement.

Your contributions will be tax free and in some cases your employer will match your contributions, which is an easy way of getting free money.

Put Raises into Savings

After you have been working for a while, you might end up getting a raise into a higher pay bracket.

What tends to happen is that most people find ways to spend this extra money on a bigger TV, nicer clothes and other things that make their lifestyle slightly more luxurious.

However, think how much faster your savings could grow and how much more comfortable your retirement would be if you put the extra money from your raise into your savings and continued to live on your old wage?

These are just a few ways that you can make your retirement savings grow faster and build a nest egg which will support you in your golden years.

Doh! The Biggest Job Interview Mistakes

The job interview is one of the most important parts of applying for a job and the first impression that you make in this interaction is mostly what the employer will be basing their decision on.

That is why it is very important that you present yourself professionally in your job interview so that you can really impress the employer.

However, there are a few major mistakes that many people make in job interviews that can really damage their chances of getting hired.

If you have ever not been called back after a job interview you might want to ask yourself if you have committed any of these blunders and how you can avoid them in the future:

Not Preparing Properly

Keep in mind that the interviewer will likely ask you a question along the lines of “what do you know about this company?”

If you stutter and stumble through your answer because you have not done any research, they will assume that you are not really dedicated to the position.

Before you go to your interview, go to the company website and read their “About Us” section to that you have something to say in response to this question.

Not Dressing Professionally

First impressions really make a difference and if you enter the job interview dressed like a slob the interviewer will immediately make a judgment about you.

They will think that if you cannot make the effort to iron your shirt and wear clean shoes then you will not put the effort into the job either. Make sure that you go the extra mile to look polished before your interview.

Answering Your Cell Phone

This is a huge no-no during an interview, because it tells the employer that your cell phone is more important than what they have to say to you.

Cell phones don’t belong at an interview, so make sure it is switched off completely so that you won’t be tempted to answer. In fact, just leave it in your car so you aren’t embarrassed by the phone ringing in the interview!

Badmouthing Your Last Boss

Ok, perhaps your last supervisor was an arrogant jerk but there is no need to go into detail about this in the job interview.

It will unfortunately only make you look bad and make them think that you might badmouth them as well.

If you are asked about your previous job remember to be as diplomatic as humanly possible.

Avoid these mistakes and you will increase your chances of success at your next job interview.

Happy job hunting!

Celebrating Armed Forces Day

What have you got planned to celebrate Armed Forces Day this year?

This year’s Armed Forces Day falls on Saturday, May 19^th.

What is Armed Forces Day?

Armed Forces Day is a holiday which celebrates the service and sacrifice of members of the military. Armed Forces Day is a common holiday celebrated in many countries throughout the world.

In the USA, Armed Forces Day is always held on the 3rd Saturday of the month of May.

It usually falls at the end of Armed Forces Week which occurs between the second Saturday and the third Sunday in May.

What sort of Events are Held?

The day is an official holiday and it is often celebrated with parades, open houses, air shows, festivals and other family-friendly events.

Often military members will give displays and performances for the public and there will be educational activities for children to learn about the armed forces.

Some locations around the USA will even have motorcycle rides with a “Support the Troops” theme.

Usually the weather is sunny and warm at this time of the year and many families will take a picnic and sit outside while they watch the parades and the festivities.

This day is also an opportunity for the military to showcase its state-of-the-art technology and equipment to the American people.

Most cities, towns and communities will have their own Armed Forces Day celebrations, so be sure to take a look at what is happening in your hometown on this special day.

What are the Historical Origins of Armed Forces Day?

This holiday was created in 1949 in order to honor the Americans who served in the five branches of the United States military; The Army, The Navy, The Air Force, The Marines, and the Coast Guard.

In the past, these five branches each had their own special day until President Truman created a single day when all military members could be celebrated.

It was established as an official holiday by President Kennedy in 1962.

This Armed Forces Day, find out what events are happening this year and get out there to join in the party.

Have a great Armed Forces Day this year and be sure to give thanks to the brave members of the military for their patriotic service.

Don’t Make These Financial Mistakes When Buying a Home

New Home First Time Homebuyers Owning a home is a very important milestone in life and for most people it is the largest purchase that they will ever make.

Many first time home buyers are so eager to move into their new property that they overlook the fine print and details and make some mistakes.

Buying a home is a complicated process and there are many things to keep in mind when you are making these important decisions.

Here are a few financial mistakes to avoid when buying your home:

Not Making a Large Down Payment

One of the first rules to buying a house is that you should pay as much of a down payment as you can possibly afford.

A popular strategy is to save up for a few years first and pay down as large of an amount down as you can afford. Many times the easiest approvals and lowest interest rates are offered if you can put at least 20% of the value of the home down.

This is an advantage because when you pay more money up front you will have a smaller mortgage and less interest to pay over the years.

Even a 5% increase in your down payment can make a difference of tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.

Buying Too Much House for Your Budget

Just because your mortgage lender has told you that you can afford a house of a certain amount, it doesn’t mean that you need to buy a home which is expensive.

If your house just barely fits within your budget, you will stretch yourself to make your payments every month and be under pressure to keep earning a lot of money.

If something happens, such as your hours get cut at work or you lose your job, those large payments get overwhelming very quickly.

It is better to choose a house which is very easily in your reach so that you can make smaller monthly payments with some breathing room just in case.

Failing to Make a Budget

The best way to find out what you really can and can’t afford is to take a close look at your finances by making a budget so that you know exactly what is coming in and out.

Take stock of all of your spending and earnings over the last few months by entering your expenses and income into a spreadsheet, and don’t forget to consider non-monthly expenses such as vacations, birthday and wedding gifts, and auto repair expenses.

This will help you see exactly where your money is going, what you can cut down on and how much you can realistically afford to spend on mortgage payments.

House on Fire! Easy Tips to Save You Money on Home Insurance

House Fire Home Insurance Tips Earthquakes, windstorms, rain damage, flooding, falling trees, vandalism, burglary… there are many things which could possibly happen to cause damage to your home.

This is why homeowner’s insurance is important, so that you can be protected in these unfortunate events.

However, home insurance doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think.

There are a few ways that you can reduce the cost of this insurance and protect your home for less.

Take the Time to Shop Around

You don’t need to sign up for the first home insurance that you come across, as you will likely be able to find a better offer if you take a while to compare prices and packages.

You can also ask your friends and coworkers for recommendations, as well as looking at consumer guides and online quote comparison websites.

Reduce Safety Risks

There are certain measures that you can take to reduce the risk of theft and fire in your home which may lower your insurance premium.

For example, you can install a burglar alarm and modern locks, plant prickly bushes under your windows, put your lights on a self-timer, and join the Neighborhood Watch and much more.

You can also reduce your fire premiums by maintaining your smoke alarms and having your home inspected by a fire safety officer.

If you are in an area prone to earthquakes, you can make your home safer by reinforcing your roof and adding stronger materials to the structure.

Include the Value of the House, Not the Land

When you are deciding how much homeowners insurance to buy, you don’t need to include the land underneath your house.

That land is not at risk for theft, fire, rain and wind damage like your house will be, so the value of it doesn’t need to be included in your insurance policy and you will end up paying a higher premium if it is.

Instead, just pay according to the amount it would cost to rebuild your house on the land.

Ask for Other Discounts

Did you know that there are several types of discounts that you might be able to negotiate on your home insurance?

For example, if you are retired you are more likely to be at home and will spot a fire quicker and will be less likely to get burglarized.

You will also have more time to maintain your home.

Some companies will give up to 10% discount for policy holders who are older than 55 and retired. Be sure to ask your insurance representative about any discounts that you might qualify for.

Another popular discount is offered if you have multiple lines of insurance with the same provider. For instance, if you insure your home and your automobiles with the same insurer, then you very likely qualify for a significant discount.

These are just a few ways that you can save money on your home insurance so that your house is protected no matter what happens.

The Most Beautiful Travel Destinations in the USA

Sedona Arizona Cathedral Rock From jagged mountains to sandy beaches to farmland as flat as the horizon, the United States has a huge variety of landscapes within its borders.

There are many places in the USA which will cause your jaw to drop in awe when beholding a particularly stunning landscape.

Here are a few examples of truly gorgeous places in the USA:

Aspen, Colorado

This mountain town is surrounded by lofty peaks topped with a dusting of snow, verdant pine forests, and tranquil lakes, ensuring that you will have a stunning view in any direction.

Many people head to Aspen every summer to enjoy the excellent hiking, fishing rafting, mountain biking and camping.

In the winter, this town becomes a snowy paradise ideal for skiing and snowboarding.

Sedona, Arizona

Whenever you see a stunning vista of red rock canyons in a Western, there is a good chance that the footage was filmed in beautiful Red Rock Country near Sedona, Arizona.

There have been at least one hundred movies and TV shows set within this beautiful landscape where deep canyons, majestic buttes and dramatic rock formations personify the freedom of the Wild West.

These colorful cliffs were once home to American Indians in ancient times and there are legends of their spiritual power.

Once you have watch the sun slowly sinking in the sky above this raw and rugged landscape, you will understand why.

Kalalau Valley, Hawaii

This lush tropical valley is one of the most beautiful areas on Kauai, one of the islands of Hawaii.

It is very remote, only accessible by kayak and it is almost entirely unspoiled by mankind.

High green cliffs tower over water that is unbelievably blue and the cacophonous calls of exotic birds fill the air.

This valley is very popular with hikers, campers and other outdoor lovers.

On your next holiday, why not travel one of these American destinations and marvel at the natural beauty of this land?

Looking Good? How to Find Your Personal Style

Models on Catwalk Have you ever felt like some people just look stylish and put together all of the time, whereas you never quite know what to wear to look good?

How do chic and fashionable people make themselves look so good every day when you feel so frumpy and awkward?

Whether you are male or female, if you are slightly fashion clueless don’t despair!

Style doesn’t come naturally to everyone but it is still possible to learn how to put outfits together so that you look on trend and polished.

Stylish people don’t wake up looking that good; they have put time and effort into thinking about their personal look and creating a certain effect.

The trick is to find your personal style and identify which colors, patterns and cuts look the best on your particular body.

When you know what these things are you can mix them up to create stylish outfits that are guaranteed to look good!

Identify Your Body Type and Color Scheme

The first step is to know what clothes will look good on your body.

For example, if you are a short man with a broad stature, a suit with very wide lapels and big shoulders will make you look even more broad and boxy.

You will want to look for a slim shape with vertical lines that will make you look slimmer and taller.

If you are a woman who is “pear shaped” which means that you are slightly heavier on your hips and stomach, you will want to avoid tight and clingy skirts and instead go for more flattering shapes such as an empire waistline.

You can also identify which colors look the best on you.

Hold up different colored clothing and fabric next to your face in the mirror. Which ones bring out the color in your hair and eyes, and which ones clash against your skin and make you look washed out?

For example, if you have very pale skin wearing the wrong shade of red can bring out the redness in your skin and make you look unhealthy.

Collect Inspiration

This is the fun part! It’s time to start collecting inspiration for your style!

Go through fashion magazines, advertisements, and photos online to find images that you find attractive. Collect them in a folder or clip them into a notebook and use them as a guide to building stylish outfits.

Most of all have fun with it and don’t take it too seriously. Refining your personal style should be fun and should make you feel confident and more self assured!