Wednesday, September 13, 2006

I'm quite busy since last week, moving work place and some new responsibilities. I will write more tips when I've the time. Let takes some time to get to know what kind of attitude you MUST have towards MONEY.

A healthy attitude toward money will set you free.

Our interaction with money is one of the most important yet complex relationships in our lives. If our money dynamic is balanced and positive, it adds to our overall level of health and happiness. If we build a negative relationship with the dollar bill, it's reflected in our thoughts, feelings and actions. Many people Worry about the amount of wealth in their lives, yet fearful thoughts actually push prosperity away, depleting our creative energies and inhibiting our ability to make smart choices. As a result, we are not only consumed by a sense of material impoverishment but spiritual poverty as well.


Conversely, when we're feeling confident and grateful for what we have, we attract money-making opportunities to us. People prefer to do business with those with an upbeat outlook rather than those who project nervousness and expect little from their efforts.
How can we develop a healthy relationship with money? By not buying things that camouflage our deepest desires. Examine your checkbook. Does it reflect your values and long-term goals or a life of constant distraction? While a new outfit or gleaming gadget can make us feel good for a few moments, it can't give our lives a lasting sense of purpose. To develop a nourishing money dynamic, we need to devote our dollars to what will make us happy in the long run--a bigger TV will never make up for a demoralizing job but adult education classes might.


To get clear on how to use money wisely, first ask yourself, "What will really contribute to my long-term satisfaction?" This question will bring your spending patterns--of time and money--into sharp focus. Additionally, write down five things that would bring you a sense if this were your final year of life. Perhaps you'd want to travel, visit loved ones, write songs or help someone in need. When you spend money on things that promote a rich experience of love, creative expression and personal growth, you are spending healthfully.


By contemplating what would boost your sense of well-being, you may realize you really don't require any more money than you already have. Sometimes a simple change in attitude is all that is needed to feel good about your life. People often think, "If only I could get a promotion or a new car, I'd be happy." Yet, most of us live better than kings did just 100 years ago. To further yourself a second question: "What do I feel grateful for in my life?" Take a couple of minutes right now to feel thankful for all you have--and you will feel instantly wealthy. As you dwell on the bounty of your life, and as you spend money on what brings you enduring satisfaction, you'll experience what true wealth is and the joy it brings.

Jonathan Robinson is the author of Real Wealth: A Spiritual Approach to Money and Work (Hay House, 1998) and Shortcuts to Bliss: The 50 Best Ways to Improve Relationships, Connect with Spirit, and Make Your Dreams Come True (Conari Press, 1998).

Thursday, September 07, 2006

I 've read an article about credit card debt and I would like to share it with you. The article is written by Karolina Linares. She is an inspiring author with a message of her own struggles and finally winning the battle with credit card debt.


Something Different About Credit Card Debt


There is a major crisis with people falling into large credit card debt. Rather than going through the numbers, the statistics and ratios, to help you get a realistic view of your debt situation, this will give you a different perspective. On any article site, e-zine, printed newspaper or magazine, there are literary millions of write-ups about the condition of our national debt problem. We see TV reports and talkshows about this ever-growing problem. There are millions of tips about everything from debt consolidation, refinancing, and personal debt relief to the all important CREDIT SCORE. Now, here is a new and different mode of thinking. If you have credit card debt so extensive, that other financial problems have occurred in your life, why does the credit score really matter at this point? It’s really a low priority in the large scheme of more important life changes you need to start looking at making. If you already own a house, have a job and are to the point where you can’t make ends meet, that credit score will not help you now. So trying to repair it right away or keep it from getting worse is the least of your worries. If you are renting, now is the time to chalk your credit card debt up as a major life learning experience and start to change your attitude about the debt, to pave a healthy road towards future financial goals as well.
It boils down to this, and reading every technicality about how to get out of debt, what will happen if you do A or B, will not solve the physical, mental and emotional turmoil that got you into debt in the first place. This is a task that will require a whole lot more dedication, than reading every source of information on the internet. There are not a lot of articles that deeply cover the changes you will have to make and the majority of them make it all sound so easy. It’s not easy to break free from using credit cards unwisely when it’s a bad habit. It didn’t start out this way, but slowly it got out of hand, because after the bills started piling up and a few unexpected life emegencies happened, you became stuck. Stuck in vicious cycle and this is now the most important part of breaking that credit card habit. Some of the consequences are inevitable and can only be helped as time goes on, with your first decision to stop the cycle. Yes, it’s important to get help or advice if you have been subject to debt collection agencies. Find out what your rights are by gaining wisdom from those who have experienced it.
People who are in debt are not happy with tendencies towards depression, stress and anxiety. They may start to incur physical health problems as a result. In turn medical care, especially with no insurance plan, causes more bills with added worry and stress. How will it all get paid? This is living a life, where falling apart financially has snowballed into physical, mental and emotional anguish. These three components are the core of your debt problem. There is definitely not enough focus on this aspect of it. Making a plan in your everyday to life start from there can and does actually help.
There is a way to get a healthy balance of becoming debt free, learning wise budgeting skills, healthy spending and saving habits in order to become a whole and happy person. If this is where you need to start, the truth is that is not a quick, easy road. It may take more determination and discipline that you’ve ever put forth into anything. It will take sacrifice, with a realistic knowledge that it’s only temporary. Instant gratification, will need to be left behind hundred percent and the things you were always used to or liked may have to be given up. It’s worth it for your goal of paying off those credit card debts, while still maintaining the bills of your survivial in our culture. To avoid it or to try an easy way out, will only cause more pain and turmoil in the long run, while trying to make ends meet.
When you succeed and start to see the end of the tunnel with your debts, the world will open up to you with a new found freedom, that’s more important than physical property, looking good on the outside and keeping up with the “Joneses”. There will be a sense of peace and new maturity that will drive you to become proactive, not just with your finances but with many other areas in your life. This is the way happy people operate and you can obtain this goal. Happiness and freedom in life are virtues that need constant but well worth up keep.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Frugal Tips 3 : DIY (DO IT YOURSELF)


A frugal person prefer to remake, repair and renew everything by themselves in order to use the item for a long period without spend a penny on it. This is a frugal lifestyle. They will try to repair or even patches as long they don’t have to buy or call for service. They will keep junk stuff like used wires, cardboard, tape, bubble gum and others so that they can use it to fix thing.

One of the simple DIY like patched the leak with bubble gum where the pressure is little. One of the best examples was my frugal friend who learnt and does cleaning the engine oil. He used a long rubber and a plastic jug. He managed to save more than $30 for the mechanic job. In one year he managed to save more than $150 for engine oil.


Actually, there are a lot of things you can fix it if you know how to do it. Try to get some tips or manual from internet to help you. Or, you can get the manual or book from the library. Maybe your friends and relatives who does the job can guide you. When you broke something, try to fine alternatives to fix it from your surrounding. Try to be like Mc gyver who always can get out from trouble by fixing. You may suprised and amazed that you actualy can save a lot of money simply by
DIY .

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Frugal Tips 2 : STOP ! Using credit card


The most important thing you MUST do is quit using your credit card. DEBT is a DISASTER. Do you know the fact that who are using a credit card will face continually debt on unnecessary thing? Furthermore, there are some people who don’t know how to survive without credit card. Why? It simply is caused all their basic NEED was actually managed by a card. So, just imagine how some people trapped in debt just for food.

When using a credit card, you will end up paid an item or service at higher charge. There some people claimed to use credit card ONLY for emergency case like hospitalization. But how many percent people can control themselves not to use for others purpose. People may trap in a situation where they don’t know what is really necessary and what is not.

You will find that you don’t need to rely on this card, if you manage your financial wisely. Allocate some money for saving and emergency back up. Do not use your saving as emergency back up. Saving is your future during retirement.

Monday, August 28, 2006

Frugal Tips 1: Calculate your car mileage


One tip to control your fuel assumption and engine performance is by calculating how many km/L. By doing this, you can budget your monthly fuel assumption. Besides, you maybe can rectify your engine problem at early stage.

After that, make a comparison between each petrol station. Make a record and list down the out come of each petrol station. Finally, you may get the best petrol that gives you more mileage.

If you noticed that your car begin to consume a lot of petrol, it is actually a sign to go for service. From here, we can rectify the problem at early stage and protect the car from serious damage. Furthermore, you save a lot of money on changing a new part.

Unable to distinguish between NEED and WANT


I’m sure everyone failed to distinguish their NEED and WANT when come to spend. The more money we make, the more we tend to spend. Let say, you really want a TV for your entertainment. Instead of buying TV you’re also purchased the DVD set and then Hi-Fi system. The end of the day, you spend a lot of money just to get entertain. This is an endless point, where we don’t know where to stop spending.

What is NEED? A requirement or a thing necessary for life. We need food, clothing, shelter, reliable transportation, education, enrichment, and the technology necessary to do our work. Sometimes we need some thing like special treats for our kid and ourselves.

What is WANT? More to desire of something. The feeling of having a latest notebook, PS2, high spec camera digital and others. These things will make you happy only at that time. But think back, how much money you have paid equal how much money did I lost for my saving You will get terrified if you think deeper, how much your monthly income spend just to satisfy your want! Let say, you bought a luxury car which equal to 10 years of monthly income. Is this NECESSARY?

I did not say that wanting is totally a bad thing. You can want a thing but THINK before spend it. Think, what the effect is if I buy that thing? Did my saving enough for the bad times? Did I willing to work to pay the thing? If possible question yourself back a few times, do I need it. If possible get your husband/wife or others opinion especially involve a lot of money. After through all this and you decide to buy, I’m sure you will not regret it.
The amazing thing is that once you learn to live on less, it becomes a habit. The peace of mind that comes from relying less on materialism to define success usually leads to a greater and deeper happiness.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Moving to the DEBT FREE
What a nightmare? Everyone felt the same way when come to the monthly loan payment. A long list to go, credit card, house and car loan or maybe worst, some of the home applieances also under loan. It's unfair, we struggled and worked almost 20 days/month but the end of the day, more than half from our monthly earning is actually belong to the creditor.
Most of the family lives under financial squeeze, they spend each money they earn and trapped in debt just to satisfy them. Everyone will find 1000 excused to use credit card even for unnecessary thing.

Debt will slow the path to financial freedom. You must convince yourself and set your goal that I must get the debts disappears in a short period. There will be some challenging against you, but don’t get depressed. Stay focus to your goal.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Places You Can Save Money

Most families are spending more and more money every year (and not just because the cost of living rose) while also saving less and less. One reason is that few household managers spend much time reviewing expenses and expenditures to find ways they can save money. However almost every family has places where costs can be cut and pennies can be pinched — and if those freed up funds are then used to pay down debt and save for the future it could have a dramatic impact on their quality of life.

Food is one big area where many families could be more thrifty. Families spend an average of $2,434 on food away from home, according to the Consumer Expenditure Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you (and your spouse and your children) eat lunch out every day of the week then try brown bagging at least one of those days. If just one of you does it you may save up to $400 a year and if you can double or triple that savings you could finance a family vacation with it.

Another major expense is your home. When was the last time you looked at refinancing? Can you find a lower interest rate? Can you renegotiate to a shorter time frame? Even if you can’t change your mortgage payment you may be able to pay a bit extra each month which over time will help pay down your mortgage faster. Also, don’t overlook your utilities. There are ways to save in this area as well including updating your insulation and weather stripping, keeping up-to-date with maintenance and cleaning of your furnace and air conditioner or using a programmable thermostat to take advantage of those times when your house is empty or the family is asleep.

Transportation is another major expense for many families. Not only are vehicles expensive to buy but also to maintain and operate especially with gasoline prices at such high levels. Is carpooling an option for any members of the family on at least a part-time basis? Make sure to combine errands and trips to cut down on your travel and save money when buying gasoline by taking advantage of special programs and discounts and remaining vigilant about gas prices. In addition, following a regular maintenance schedule and proper tire inflation can also help you achieve maximum gas mileage for your vehicle.

Choosing your bank wisely can be another way to save money. Make sure the bank you use offers free (or at least low cost) checking as well as electronic bill-paying. Electronic bill-paying and a debit card can cut down on your need to use checks and postage which will save you in the long run as well as help you better manage payments so you will avoid fees, penalties, and higher interest rates.

Cutting your credit card costs can be another major savings. This means making sure you are using the best possible credit card with a low interest rate and low or no annual fee. Shop around until you find your perfect match and don’t forget to cancel and cut up those rejected suitors.

Health care is not really an area where you can cut expenses but you can save money by taking advantage of special offers and programs. For example, many employers offer a Flexible Spending Account where you can save money before taxes for out-of-pocket medical expenses for prescription and nonprescription drugs, dental expenses, and eye care.

Tuning up your insurance policies can also help you save money. When did you last compare rates for your home, your vehicles, and yourself? Some other ways to cut costs are to raise your deductible level or using the same company for multiple coverage (your home and vehicles). When you are shopping around make sure to give your current company a shot at keeping you. Sometimes they can offer a better rate too.

Another major expense for many families is the cost of communication including local and long distance phone service, cell phones, cable or satellite television, and internet access. Review your expenditures and cut out the services you don’t need. Can some of these expenses be bundled to save money? Are there better plans for your needs?

When looking to save money it is important to become an aggressive shopper. The internet makes it possible today to compare prices and product reviews while not spending a lot of time and money driving from store to store. Any big ticket item (and that includes your weekly groceries, cleaning products and health and beauty aids) deserves a closer study.

Over the next month take time to review your family expenses and expenditures in each of these nine areas. Making a few alterations in your family’s spending habits will soon make a difference in the overall household budget. You can raise your family’s quality of life by making just a few changes in your monthly budget.