Browsing Category: Money

My Quick and Easy Money Saving Tips

First thing first, I’m not a financial expert. Actually, I’m, the furthest thing from and I’ve had past credit reports to prove it.

However, over the past year or so, I’ve been making strong efforts on not only improving my credit, but also just saving more money, in general.

Since we are in the midst of income tax return season, some of you might have received you return money and don’t have any idea what to do with it..other than spend it. So, I thought this would be a good time to share some of my favorite quick and easy tips for saving money.

Savings Account

If you want to save money, one of the first things you need to do is open a savings account. You wouldn’t believe how many people don’t have a savings account. Once you open a savings account, you will have a safe and convenient spot to place and save money.

However, there are some things to keep in mind when opening your savings account. Compare interest rates for your savings account for an high interest account. The monthly interest might seem like chump change, but the more you save and get in the long run. There are also various tax advantages go along with savings accounts, as well as a number of free tax calcs to alleviate some of the tedious complications often associated with taxes.

A plus about savings accounts, is that if you open them at the same bank as your checking account, they can be synced together. You will have the ease of transferring money from one account to the next.

Unfortunately, this can also be a hinder to some, because just as easy as it is to move money to your savings account, it can be just as easy to move money from your savings to your checking. This was an issue that I was initially having when trying to save and keep money in my savings. With the ultra convenience of my online banking app, I could and would move money back and forth between accounts. I would nothing to show except an ridiculously high fee, because my bank would charge for transactions from my savings.

So, I decided to open an account at a different credit union. Therefore, I wouldn’t be easy to get the money. This small move has helped my increase my savings tremendously.

Cut Expenses

One of the hardest things I had to learn how to do was assess where I was spending my money. Here I was thinking that just buying a tall caramel macchiato instead of a venti was being financially responsible. Instead, you multiple  $3.75 (price of tall caramel macchiato) by 5 (times a week) and you will quickly realize that you are spending almost $1000 a year on something that you finish drinking before you pull into the parking garage at your job.

Once you’ve assessed all of your expenses, you might realize that you can save quite a bit of money with just a few minor spending changes. Cut back on the trips to Starbucks, eliminate cable, and cancelling one or two premium streaming services and you will notice just how much more money you have to put into your savings account.

At the end of the year, you will be quite pleased and estatic about having an extra grand in your account just by simple making your coffee at home before heading to work.

Create Additional Income

It’s been said that the average millionaire generates at least 7 sources of income. Imagine just what one additional source can do for us typical people who would just like a little extra to have for a rainy day  or yearly family vacation.

In today’s world of online businesses and constant need to for various services, you can generate extra income by simple selling items you no longer use around the house on ebay, sign up to be a part-time Uber driver, or even create your own online shop selling teas or what ever you have a knack for creating.

 

Do you have any tips you use to save extra money?

 

 

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Inspired by Chevy Malibu Style


When it comes to car, a lot of people look at the outside, but I seem to focus more on the inside. Case in point, Chevy’s new Malibu 2013. A little sidenote, I received a 2004 Chevy Malibu for my college graduation that my little sister drives now and it’s still going strong. Anyway, the interior is sleek, clean, and sophisticated. Chic and appealing. So, I created a Pinterest board inspired by the new Chevy Malibu. Click here to view my Malibu Inspired board.

The images I pinned were images I thought reflected the interior, such as clean make-up, leather outfits, and sleek boots.   Smart technology, impressive styling, a luxurious interior and confident handling all come together in the all-new 2013 @Chevrolet #Malibu to take your drive to the next level. Discover  #MalibuStyle.

 

Stay Stylish!
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Chevy Malibu via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Chevy Malibu

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My First Car…presented by Subaru


Everyone loved their first car. No matter how beat up or broken down, it was a taste of freedom and you loved it. Even though it lasted only for a brief time, that emotional connection is an experience that unites us all. Check out my custom illustrated story, you can submit one too at firstcarstory.com and bring your story to life with animation and music and share it with your friends.

 

Stay Stylish!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the advertiser

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Leaps and Bounds


Leaps in life. The next big leap I want to take is to buy a house. Why beat around the bush? It’s something I’ve tried in the past and just fizzled out for numeroud reasons. However, like any big step in life, there are a couple of things I would like to do before approaching this huge task.

  • Learn to save more money. Probably the biggest hurdle I have in my life….PERIOD. I’m so focused on this step, that I’m actually looking at attending some money workshop on how to manage and control my spending.
  • Know what I want in a home. In case you didn’t know, buying a home can be expensive and requires you to stay their for awhile. So, making sure you have a  list of things you need is essential. I know more of what I don’t want than what I do. However, my wants are starting to flourish more as I delve more into this next big leap.

From bumper to bumper, the all-new CR-V is loaded with pretty much everything you need to tackle your Leap List. It’s your ultra-versatile adventure partner, and it’s built to take you just about anywhere you want to go. Learn more at leaplist.honda.com.

What is your next big leap of faith? Picking a college? Getting married? Buying a new car or house, too? Let me know!

 

 

 

 

We’d like to know what your next big leap will be and the list of things you’d like to accomplish before taking that leap! For more inspiration for your next leap, please visit: http://automobiles.honda.com/leap-list/?from=leaplist.honda.com

Stay Stylish!

Compensation was provided by Honda via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Honda

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Guidance is Golden


I’ve never been a fan of asking for assistance with anything. I was and still am the “independent”one of my parent’s children. So, whenever I want or need something, I’ve always seeked out how to get it myself.
Unfortunately, there have been a few times where I needed someone to help me and I just couldn’t swallow my pride to ask and instead, went without.

However, that all changed when I decided to go ahead and get my health on track. I’ve never been a skinny person. I’m always going to be naturally “chubby” and I’m okay with that. What I’m not okay with is the fat on top of the chubby that’s not trying to go away on it’s own. Oh, how I wish that could happen. Anyway, a few months ago I decided to join a gym. I thought that would be just what I needed and I could do everything myself.

Here’s the thing, gyms have a lot of equipment….A LOT! Aside for the treadmill, elliptical, and exercise bike, everything else just looked like extras from the Transformers movies. After a few weeks of going to the gym sporadically and just hopping on the treadmill for an hour, I knew I needed some help. So, my wallet and I discussed it and decided I should hire a trainer. I have an awesome trainer. Not only did he show me all the equipment and how to use it, but he also gave me the motivation to get up every morning and be deligent about going to gym and sticking to it.

So far, I’ve lost 10 pounds by just going to the gym and my clothes are starting to look baggy, which I’m not really feeling. Still, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made to ask for help and guidance to a path I’ve been trying to get on for years.

So, the moral of this small, but fat tale is that it’s okay to seek guidance when you can’t do it yourself. Hey, we’re not superheroes. Heck, even Superman needed Lois Lane to keep him in the loop on things. This is the time of year when you really need help for your taxes.

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Stay Stylish

Disclaimer – Compensation was provided by H&R Block® via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of H&R Block®

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