Ways to earn extra income and save money
January 16, 2012
Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck and worrying about unforeseen expenses? You might be looking for ways to make extra money each month. That is a really wise decision and it’s easier than you might think. We’ll show you some great ways to make extra income each month and save money.
Job market is tough but online selling is strong:
Is your basement, attic or garage full of unwanted and unused items? You could find a lot of stuff that you want to get rid of and sell it online. Post any items that you think have value on eBay, Craig’s List or an online consignment store. If you don’t want to sell online, then have a yard sale or find a local consignment shop and try that. You’ll have less clutter and more money in the bank.
Freelance writing for online companies:
If you enjoy writing then you might want to look into getting paid to write articles, blog posts, etc. for companies online. It’s really easy to set up an account to collect the funds and post your work. Check out sites like https://www.elance.com/, http://www.freelancercareers.com/, and http://www.freelancewriting.com/.
Take online surveys and get paid:
This can be a fun and rewarding way to make some extra cash. It’s not that time consuming either. You just answer simple questions and give your honest opinion. Sign up for free with several survey sites and jump right in. Avoid sites that want you to pay for an account. There are survey scams out there, so do research and read reviews about the company.
Teach people a skill or talent:
You can try teaching a cooking class, knitting class, scrap-booking class, etc. at local recreation centers or community centers. Try picking up a swim teacher gig, if you’re a good swimmer. Keep in mind that some places may require a special certification. If you like yoga, check out what it takes to become a yoga instructor. There are always ways to make money teaching and showing people a new skill or talent.
Check your credit score and save money:
One of the best ways to save money is by checking your credit score and fixing errors on your credit report. The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian & Trans Union) have a big influence on your current interest rates. Improving your credit score could save you money on interest payments. Check out Annual Credit Report for your free credit report once every 12 months.
Design Company Logos or Banners:
If you’re good with Photoshop or other design programs, you could make some decent cash by designing and creating company logos or banners. Companies usually don’t have the resources to design their own logos, so they look online for help with that. There are many freelance design sites that you could sign up with and get started making bids on projects. Just remember to use good time management when working on a project.
Focus Group Participant:
Become a member of a focus group in your city and get paid for participating. Call your local university, museum, or look in your local paper for opportunities. Some of these studies include weight loss, quitting smoking, stress tests, etc. Not only would you make money but you could also improve your health.
Get a part-time job as a Census Taker:
Work opportunities usually begin around spring. The local Census Bureau hires field staff to help gather some information. There are part-time temporary jobs that often require evening and weekend work. In late 2012, nearly 5 million businesses will receive 2012 Economic Census forms. You could make some extra income this way.
There are many ways to make some extra cash and to save money. It just takes a little research and motivation. We’d love to hear from you about how you’ve earned extra income or some ideas that you might have floating around. Let our audience know about what works and what doesn’t work. Please leave us a comment and we’ll get this conversation started! Thank you.
Don’t take advice from a movie character when putting personal finances in order
January 13, 2012
Millions will watch the upcoming Golden Globe Awards (Sunday, Jan. 15th 8pm EST). Some will be envious of the movie stars’ talent and lifestyle. However, even though the stars’ lives may appear glamorous, it might not be financially smart to think like some of the characters that have been portrayed on the big screen throughout the years.
AdvantageCCS reflects on the following famous movie lines and relates them to personal finance:
- “Gone with the Wind”- “I can’t think about that right now” didn’t work out too well for Scarlett O’Hara, and it won’t work for today’s financially strapped heroine, either. Delaying reaching out for help with your financial situation will only make matters worse.
- “Casablanca” – Wanting Sam to play the same song over and over is one thing, but repeating the same financial mistakes month after month is not music to anyone’s ears. If your financial hole is getting deeper, it’s time for a new tune.
- “Wizard of Oz” – Dorothy knew that “there’s no place like home,” and the millions of Americans who have been displaced from their homes would agree. A home is typically a person’s largest investment. Don’t risk losing yours. Reach out for help at the first signs of trouble so that you and Toto will always have a roof over your heads.
- “Dr. No” – James Bond was a convincing secret agent in dozens of films, identifying himself simply as “Bond, James Bond.” Today, even James Bond could have trouble keeping his personal information secure, as thieves have sophisticated methods of stealing identities. Unauthorized charges on existing accounts, new accounts opened in your name, and drained bank accounts are just some of the results of being a victim of identity theft. To keep from needing your own secret agent, educate yourself with identity theft protection tips at www.ProtectYourIDNow.org.
- “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” – Many may think that this movie title describes their financial life. If so, do something about it by facing the financial facts. Take charge of your financial future by tracking spending, creating a payday cash-flow calendar, and knowing how much you owe. It’s your money and your financial future. No one cares more about it than you.
AdvantageCCS is a proud member of The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), the nation’s largest and longest serving national nonprofit credit counseling organization, can help build a financial plan that’s customized to your situation. To find the location closest to you, call (866) 699-2227, or go online to http://www.advantageccs.org.
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Holiday spending has got you down in the dumps
January 4, 2012
Did you spend way more on the holidays than you had originally planned? Believe me, you are not alone. The NRF (National Retail Federation) said that the average American is projected to spend around $704.18 on holiday shopping this year. That is a big number and sometimes we don’t realize how much we’ve spent until it’s too late.
So where does that leave you now that the holidays are over? If you’ve used credit cards for your purchases, you might start falling behind on your bills. Maybe you can’t make the minimum payment anymore and then the extra fees come. You could feel like you’re in over your head. This is the case for many people after the holiday season. Here are some tips that could help:
Set up a realistic budget for shopping.
Budgets are easy to create but a little harder to stick with. That’s why you have to be honest with yourself and set obtainable goals. Think about what you spent last year during the holidays. If you have old receipts, checkbook entries or credit card statements from the previous year, look over them. They will help you figure out what you’ve spent in the past and where you might be able to cut corners.
Heading out to go shopping with a budget plan is a smart idea. How many times have you purchased things for yourself while shopping for others? Those unexpected things can really add up. If it’s not in your budget, it doesn’t go in the shopping cart. You may need some wiggle room for unforeseen expenses after the holidays.
Really try hard to stick to your budget.
Eliminate impulse buying to help you stay on track. If you set a limit to spend $25 or less per person, don’t spend $50 on a friend just because they spent a lot on your gift last year. Be strict and mindful when you are at the mall, boutique or shopping online.
Budgeting isn’t about how much money you have, but how you handle the money you do have. It can be scary when you find out how much you’ve been spending on coffee, clothing and accessories but you need to know. That’s the first and most important step to fixing your personal finances.
If you need help with planning a budget or you need some free counseling, contact Advantage Credit Counseling Services. We are a non-profit organization. AdvantageCCS educates consumers on debt management and the responsible use of credit. We assist thousands of people each year through free, confidential credit counseling, debt management program and various community education presentations.
Involve Your Family in Financial Plans
December 28, 2011
You’ve thought about your financial goals for the upcoming year. You’ve made a good plan, you have your goals written down and your budget ready. So now it’s time to put your plan into action. You start to do this when all of the sudden you hear, “Mom, I need new shoes for basketball.” Or, “Honey, we need to change the oil in the car.” You can already feel control over your well planned budget starting to slip away. Let’s regain some of that control with these tips on involving your family in your budget.
Sharing Your Goals
A main key to reaching your families’ financial goals is letting everyone know what those goals are in the first place. If no one in your family is aware that you’re working towards financial goals, they’re not going to be able to help you to reach those goals. Remember that you’re going to have a much easier time reaching your goals if you work as a team rather than just by yourself. Also, if you or another member of your family is having a tough day, you can be there to pick them up a bit. Sharing goals also leads to more accountability when it comes to your goals. When you share a goal with a family member you’re then going to be accountable not just to yourself but to that family member also. It creates a network of support and encouragement which is only going to help you to reach your goals.
Keep Track of Progress
It’s a good idea to chart your progress towards your goals as it can be very reassuring to know that you’re on the right track. Keeping a daily journal can also help your progress, especially if you’re just getting started. You can use it to reassure yourself that you’re making progress during those times when it seems like you aren’t getting anywhere. Also make sure that you’re communicating or sharing success. A dry erase board on the fridge can be the perfect forum to share financial successes that you had that day with the rest of the family.
Being clear, open, and honest with your family about your financial plans will definitely help you to reach more of your financial goals in the future.
Does Buying Pre-owned Really Save You Money
December 25, 2011
When thinking of pre-owned products, vehicles often come to mind. They are some of the most marketed products in society. We see television commercials to newspaper ads talking about the greatest used car prices around. While we have all seen these ads, cars aren’t the only pre-owned purchases we make. Below we are going to take a look at three different items that we use daily, which we could potentially save money on if we purchased them pre-owned.
Housing:
If you are looking at buying a home, essentially any home will be new to you, but we are going to dissect in regards to the build year.
In 2009, an average American house consisted of 2,700 square feet with and average mortgage of $200,000. With approximately 125 million homes in the U.S., about 1% consist of new home builds according to Bankrate. That being said, approximately 99% of houses in the U.S. are “pre-owned.”
With $200,000 being the average price for a 2,700sq ft home, let’s look at the costs associated with a new home build with the same square footage.
In the same year, the average price per sq. ft to build was about $90. Multiply that by 2,700 sq. ft, a home is already at $243,000. Now this doesn’t take into consideration the cost of the land, which can often be expensive in its own right.
Needless to say, if you aren’t hell-bent on a new home, you can save a substantial amount of money for a “pre-owned” house. Decision goes to “pre-owned.”
Electronics:
With technology emerging at the rate it is today, once you buy a shiny instrument and get it out of the store, it often becomes obsolete. The quality may still be amazing, but the technology is yesterday’s news. This is often true with computers and tvs, which are often highly marked up. Deals can often arise from this. With many people needing to make room for the newest and best products, they often liquidate their slightly used ones.
If you aren’t one to fret over a minor ding or scrape, you may find solace in acquiring a perfectly functioning electronic device. Decision goes to “pre-owned.”
Textbooks:
This one is for all of our college students, and those who have college students. Text books, much like electronics, become obsolete rather quickly. A book in physics may present a 3 year old theory, only to have that theory disproved a year later, meaning new books will need to be created to reflect the findings. And as you may know, textbooks aren’t cheap, especially new ones. By purchasing a used book, or even 2011’s more popular option of renting books, you can find yourself saving boat loads of cash. Decision goes to “pre=owned.”
You have two or more options with almost every purchase in your life. Buy new, or find quality used goods. Granted this doesn’t work for everyone, or every product; like diapers, but can provide you with comfort all around.
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