How to Stick to Your Budget in the Heat of a Sale

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Guest

The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me.

When a sale arises, it can be difficult to turn away or to avoid shopping altogether, especially when there is merchandise you may feel you ‘need’ or have to own. If you are out shopping but on a budget, sticking to the set amount you have to spend can seem difficult and even overwhelming when our ‘buy now’ mentality is activated by phrases like, “Before it’s too late!”

Knowing is Half the Battle

Before you head out shopping, understanding your own finances and the bills or expenses you are required to pay each month will help you to create a spending budget regardless of what you are looking to buy. Planning your finances ahead of time and knowing when specific bills are due is highly recommended if you have difficulty staying away from impulse purchases or sales. In this instance, the cliché holds true: Knowledge is power. Continue reading →

Honesty in Blog Advertising

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jeremy

Photo: CarbonNYC

Check out my new guide for starting a blog to learn how to go about properly creating your own blog.

As I continue my own blogging journey I find myself learning more and more. Combine that with all of my website marketing experience and I guess I have a lot of info to pass on.

So what started as just a short term series has grown into a weekly series. Like a boulder rolling down the hill, there’s no stopping it once it gets going.

I’m always open to topic suggestions if there’s anything particular you’ve been unsure about. I know lots of you e-mail me random questions that could probably turn into posts themselves. So I guess there’s always my e-mail archives to dig through for topic ideas. Continue reading →

Financial Free for all: 9 Tips to Avoid Money Anxiety

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Guest

Photo: BLW Photography

The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me.

If I had $10.00 for every psychotherapy client who listed money problems as a reason for seeking counseling, I wouldn’t be writing this right now.

I’d be sipping Piña Coladas on the tropical island adjacent to Ricard Branson’s.

Humor is an essential resource for any financial tool kit.

So is gratitude.

And not to bring anxiety into the quarterly statement, but I wager the majority of us are thankful we’re not living in certain European countries.

Economic downfall is especially dire in Italy, Spain and Greece. According to Newsweek magazine (June 25, 2012) the financial collapse has spawned a wave of suicides never reported in the past 100 years. Continue reading →

Renovate Your Home Without Wrecking Your Budget

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Guest

Photo: ActiveSteve

The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me.

We’ve all heard the nightmare stories about a renovation budget that has blown out by tens of thousands of dollars due to inadequate financial management and planning. No matter the size of your project, it is always smart to monitor the growing costs of your renovation rather than to wait until the end for a drum-rolling “grand total” — it will undoubtedly be grander than you ever imagined.

The truth is, while all home improvement projects start with the best of intentions, things can go wrong quickly if you are not careful with your finances. To protect your renovation from becoming another horror story, check out these simple tips to keeping on top of your finances when looking to renovate.

Budget

Before you start swinging the sledgehammer, create a financial budget. Factor in every possible expense you can think of, including the unavoidable costs such as council fees and the preparation of preliminary plans. Allow at least $2,000 for this. In addition, consider builder’s fees and materials, architect’s fees, storage fees and bank fees for taking out a personal loan or extending your mortgage. Be wary of overcapitalising, especially if the idea is to add profit to your home at sale. Continue reading →

Financial Benefits of a Low APR

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Guest

Photo: ralphunden

The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me.

A credit card can give you access to money in an emergency, and if you’re looking for a way to establish a credit history, getting a credit card can help you achieve this goal. However, not all credit cards are the same. While you may be thankful for a credit card that offers a generous credit limit, your focus shouldn’t be on how much you can spend, but rather the annual percentage rate or APR.

Credit card APR is the annual interest you pay for using a credit card. This is how your credit card company gets paid. And the more you shop with your credit card, the more interest you pay. Continue reading →

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