As the country continues to struggle economically and the threat of a new recession is a very real possibility, many people will soon be reassessing finances again in order to see the areas in which money could be saved. If you are short on pennies or are facing financial trouble due to an expected emergency, check out these 5 ways of improving the situation and putting yourself on a far more comfortable financial footing.

Method One: Cut Down on Spending

As payday draws ever nearer each month, you will undoubtedly be looking forward to a little spending spree whilst your bank balance looks healthy. We are all prone to spending too much every so often however if you are trying to save money, cutting down on excessive spending on non-essentials is highly advisable.

Essentials including food, shopping and bills are a must however if you are prone to enjoying several meals out over the course of a month or spend every Saturday strolling round the shops, cutting down may be the best option. Instead, enjoy one or two nights out to ensure you really make the most of it and as most chefs will also tell you, there is nothing quite like hearty home-cooked food. When it comes to shopping, perhaps one shopping trip a month could see you through?

Method Two- Obtain Financial Help

Whilst obtaining financial help in the form of a loan may seem daunting, the process is far more simple and straightforward than you may think. With an online lender, the application procedure can be completed from the comfort of your own home and should you be approved, the money you require can be sent to your bank account in as little as ten minutes of approval.

Although you may worry about lengthy repayments with unexpected hidden costs, choosing a reputable online lender will make a big difference as every detail of your loan will be made available to you before you submit your application.

Method Three- Cut Travel Expenses

In today’s society, with prices continually on the rise, one of the largest expenses over the course of a month is now fuel. If you are forced to travel long distances on a regular basis due to work commitments, discuss the possibility of a car share with a fellow employee who lives in your area. This will enable you to share the cost of fuel and see an immediate reduction in the amount you spend each month.

For shorter journeys, consider the possibility of walking or cycling as alongside saving money on fuel costs, you will also be promoting a healthier lifestyle due to regular exercise. You never know, you may enjoy not using your car as much!

Method Four- Budget, Budget, Budget!

It may sound like a boring thing to do however effectively budgeting can make all the difference. Work out what you need to spend each month, compare this to how much you get paid and then whatever is left over will be there for you to enjoy.

By creating a spreadsheet or a simple list that is stuck on the front of the fridge, you will be able to see what outgoings you have for the month ahead and will then not be left struggling for funds at the back end of the month.

Method Five: Don’t Suffer in Silence

The worst thing you can do when struggling financially is to suffer in silence and bury your head in the sand. The situation will not resolve itself so you need to take positive steps to improving your finances. Talk to a family member, friend or even a financial expert as they will be able to offer advice and guidance on the best way to move forward. In addition, talking to someone will ease the pressure on you and will be a big weight off your mind.

If you are fed up with struggling through each month, take these five methods of improving your finances into consideration and you could well see significant improvements in the overall situation. Dealing with financial matters, especially your own, shouldn’t be a scary proposition so take the first steps to a more secure financial future today.

Written by Oliver Kyle on behalf of Pounds to Pocket; a fully licensed lender providing unsecured loans to help resolve all manner of financial situations.

It’s that time of year again when we wait to hear the pitter patter of reindeer hooves on the roof and anxiously anticipate Santa Claus to slide down the chimney. Unfortunately, getting everything on Santa’s wish list can often prove to be expensive – and with today’s harsh economy, Santa’s gifts may be magical, but his limited budget is very real.

How to Put Smiles on Faces – Without Going Into Debt

Christmas is known for being a happy time of year. However, for many people, it can be the most stressful time, too. In addition to the extra added hustle and bustle, the end of the year can be particularly harsh financially.

The good news is that you can still put a smile of the faces of those on your gift list, without the need to hide when your credit card bill arrives in January. By offering gifts in terms of your talent and time, you not only give a gift from the heart, but potentially one that can last all year long.

Give the Gift of Your Talent

Before deciding on the perfect gift, take some time to really sit down and think about what your loved ones need and how you can offer your talents. If, for instance, you are good at wood working, even small gifts like a homemade foot stool or other small item could be the perfect match.

Certainly if you are a good cook, it goes without saying that a good batch of cookies or brownies can go a long way. If you aren’t the next Julia Childs, though, but are more familiar with things like computers and the world of website building, you could offer your talent in creating a webpage or setting up a Facebook or Twitter account for a loved one who may not be so well versed online.

Give the Gift of Your Time

On top of using your talent, you could also give the gift of your time. For example, do you have elderly friends and relatives on your Christmas gift list? If so, offer to cook them dinner once a month over the next year, or to mow their lawn each week throughout the summer. These gifts, although not wrapped in pretty paper and bows, can prove to be much more meaningful and useful to those who could use them.

Are you good at doing handy work? If so, make “coupons” for your gift recipients that will allow them “one free gutter cleaning” or “painting the living room.” Do you have a loved one who has been “meaning to” clean out the garage for the past several years? They may be a good candidate for your garage cleaning services in the spring.

Gifts That Are Remembered All Year Long

When the gifts you give truly help those who need them, it shows that you put thought into your holiday gift giving. This can be beneficial to those who receive gifts from you, as well as being helpful to your financial budget.

By giving the gifts of your time and talent, your loved ones will really appreciate the thought you put into their items – and this can go way beyond the gratitude from simply opening another scarf or fruitcake – because they are not just receiving a gift from you, but rather a gift from the heart.

George Gallagher is a financial writer for things related to family and education. He also helps graduates find solutions for their student loan consolidation woes.

It has always been important to teach kids about money, as in later life this is a vital skill they need to master. Imagine a time when you were simply expected to learn about money in boring classes at school. Thankfully, those days are long gone. The site is being a good money role model for your children, kids of today also have a variety of toys to choose from to teach them about money. Whether it’s an inventive piggy bank or board games, there are toys that will make the process fun. Here are just five cool toys to teach kids about money.

Payday Board Game – $13.49

A classic for over 30 years, Payday is a game that teaches children the basics of making it through the month based on your paycheck. As the child makes it down the board, which resembles a calender page, she stumbles upon different expenses and bills she must pay from her paycheck. Best of all though, your child will not realize that she is actually playing something educational.

Learning Resources Pretend and Play Checkbook with Calculator – $16.99

While debit cards have become the norm in today’s stores, checks are still needed to mail the occasional bill. This play set not only shows children how to write checks, but how to balance their checkbook. This is one of the most commonly overlooked money management skills that can land adults in a bad position. Early introduction to check balancing can help prevent bounced checks in the future.

Electronic Learning Cash Cow – $24.99

Who needs a boring piggy bank when you can have a Cash Cow? This interactive piggy bank not only recognizes coins as they are inserted and shows the total on an LCD screen, but also teaches your children a thing or two about counting money. Best of all, when the child wants to get the money out, all he needs to do is push the cow’s nose and the mouth opens. No more broken piggy banks.

Monopoly Electronic Banking Edition – $30

Monopoly has been teaching children about money for decades. However, this edition not only uses more realistic prices, but also uses electronic payment methods. Children will have a blast buying multi-million dollar properties and charging expenses. My children still play the good old Monopoly game and would really love this one!

Barbie “Shopping Time” Cash Register – $40 – $95

Any little girl that is into Barbie will love this toy. The Barbie Shopping Time Cash Register allows children to ring up dozens of items as well as use credit cards or cash to pay for them. Children can even use grocery store savings cards. It’s a wonderful learning tool that is actually fun to use.

There are a number of ways to teach children about money, but when you make the process fun, they’re more likely to pay attention. Whether you’re teaching them how to balance a checkbook or pay for groceries, money skills are something every child needs to learn.

About the Author: Doyle Imbesi loves teaching children, especially when it is time to talk about money. He also writes about budgeting, grants for college, and employment agencies.

Saving money is turning in to a national pastime, and yes, you can save money just about anywhere, including at the dentist’s office. Part of saving money involves being a good consumer as well as a good patient. Here are few tips to help you save money while you’re sitting in the dental chair.

Insurance

If you have dental insurance, be a very good consumer and know what your policy covers. Dental policies may have annual limits on coverage, or may pay reduced benefits for certain services. Basic dental services like cleanings and x-rays are often covered in full as long as you follow the rules. Your dental insurance carrier will be able to provide a copy of your policy.

Traps to watch out for: procedures that are covered only periodically, or that are only fully covered when provided by a dental assistant. For example, your policy may cover a dental checkup once every six months or professional services that are customarily provided by graduates of dental assistant schools. To avoid being caught short, be sure your appointments are scheduled at least six months apart, and the dentist isn’t providing services that could be provided less expensively by a dental assistant.

Another item: x-rays. Your policy may cover standard bitewing x-rays once per year, but may not cover a panoramic x-ray at all. If your dentist offers both, you could get a pass from your insurance company on the bitewing pictures, but have to shell out for the panoramic view of your teeth.
Fillings may also cost a little more if you elect to use epoxy resin, but your policy only covers the less expensive (and less attractive) silver amalgam. Your insurance may only cover the cost of the cheaper material, leaving you to pay the balance.

Bottom line: know what your policy does and doesn’t cover.

Shop Around

Contact your dental insurance provider to find a list of local dentists who accept your insurance. Then contact providers and request a copy of their “usual and customary fees.” The difference between what your policy will cover and the fees the dentist charges will be your out-of-pocket costs for choosing one provider over another.

You may find some significant differences in costs between dentists. After you’ve checked out the costs, check out local reviews, and the state licensing board to find out if your potential provider has any outstanding complaints. Choosing a less expensive provider doesn’t mean that you’ll be getting lower quality care, but it could mean the difference between higher and lower dental bills.

Bottom line: Compare services and go with what fits your budget.

Dental Care “Out of the Chair”

Taking good care of your teeth ultimately saves money at the dentist. Brush your teeth regularly, especially after eating, and avoid sugary snacks that can promote tooth decay. Use a tartar control toothpaste (yes, they really work!) and floss between your teeth every day.

Long-term dental health is the goal, so don’t forget to address problems that could take years to develop. For example, if you grind your teeth, spend a few hundred dollars to get a custom-made bite splint. This device, which will last for several years, is worn at night and prevents you from grinding down the surfaces of your teeth. In the long run, this will preserve the strength of your teeth, protect the tooth enamel and help you avoid problems with dental sensitivity.

Don’t use your teeth to open packages and avoid acidic foods like fruit juices and sodas, which can also destroy tooth enamel, weaken teeth and increase sensitivity. Ultimately, the less work your dentist has to do, the lower your out-of-pocket costs will be. By taking good care of your teeth and developing good habits, you can help keep your costs for good dental care within reach.

Bottom line: taking care of your teeth always reduces the cost of dental bills.

Sara House is a recent college graduate  that is looking for work. Her passion is writing and enjoys to freelance anytime she can.

A newborn baby can bring a lot of joy to new parents but that joy also comes with responsibility, and usually with responsibility comes stress. One thing you don’t want to be stressed with when having a baby is money. Money problems can ruin the entire mood of what should be the best time in a couple’s life. There are different solutions that new parents can employ to take care of money problems.

With a little bit of help you will not fall prey to the stress that comes from money problems by following these 10 money tips for new parents:

1.       Saving money ahead of time

It’s easy to save money, you just have to prioritize and sacrifice some conveniences once in a while. For example, you don’t have to take your child to McDonalds so often, but save that money and take him on a picnic. Most of us were used to our mother’s cooking at a young age and even found it more fun and healthy to eat at home.

2.       Save money when it’s plentiful

In the time before your child is born you should make sure to save up as much as you can. In those years when you don’t yet have a child lamps do not break and toys don’t need to be purchased. You should make sure you think ahead of time for when you have the child. Also, with one parent on maternity/paternity leave, your income will be slightly reduced.

3.       Get rid of debt before having a child

Studies show that couples expecting a child that are still in debt fight more than couples without any debt. Arguments about money lead to a bad environment to raise a child and can even lead to divorce. Also, families that save up and have no debt are more stable and become the most caring parents. You should make sure that all your debt is taken care of before having a child.

4.       Don’t refuse help

Most couples refuse hand-me-downs because they want nothing but the new and best for their child, but the truth is that children break things and can sometimes be messy, so if you are offered good clothes, toys or even furniture you should not say no. You will have plenty of other things to pay for.

5.       Know the difference between need and want

One of the best ways to save some money instead is to know when not to waste it . For example you don’t need to go from a baby crib, to a toddler size and then to a normal children’s bed, you can easily skip the toddler size. Another good example of saving money is by not spending it on something you get for free. For example, you don’t have to buy a swing for your back yard when the the park is nearby. Even better, you can do it yourself if you are far away from a park.

Letting your children know the difference between need and want when they are young will teach them what true value is. Giving your children an allowance and letting them spend it on what they want will also teach them how to prioritize and not be wasteful.

6.       Short on money? Try a payday loan.

If you are having money problems and think about cutting down on the essentials just to able to get to the next paycheck you should think about payday loans. You should not keep essentials from your child. A short term loan will help you until your next pay day.

7.       Take a look at your health insurance policies.

If you and your partner both have health insurance, you should check which one offers the best protection for your child. If buying a new insurance plan provides better coverage for your family you should do that. If you don’t have any health insurance, you should think about getting one soon if you are a new parent.

8.       Make a will.

The last thing you want to do when you are a new parent is to think about who will take care of your child if you are no longer, but the truth is, getting this sorted out as early as possible is best. A will can save your child from awful guardianship proceedings if something were to happen to you. Knowing who the legal guardian of your child will be can be very reassuring.

9.       Think about life insurance.

Life insurance can be a very helpful tool for new parents because of the wide range of situations it can protect your family from. Depending on the type of policy, you can use it to protect your family against loss of income, the death of your spouse but can also be used to provide an inheritance for your children and many more.

10.   Make sure your paperwork is in order.

After you have checked health and life insurance of the list you should make sure the other paperwork is in order. What the other paperwork means is a living will, a healthcare proxy and the services of an attorney. These should be taken care of early so you don’t have to think about them later.

This article is a top 10 tips type of guide for new parents. One of the solutions for handling money problems is by purchasing life insurance and taking out payday loans to help for short periods of time.

I’ve thrown my hat into the ring for many causes over the course of my life. I’ve tried saving the whales, saving the baby seals; I even tried saving Tibet one time. By the time I purchased the official T-shirts, bumper stickers and DVD orientation for these worthwhile causes, I realized the one thing I wasn’t saving was my money. If you don’t have a pending lawsuit against a whale poacher that’s going to net you a windfall or a great uncle who is going to leave you a cottage in Tibet for your inheritance, you can still get rich the simple way and that’s by saving your money.

When you’ve taken the necessary first steps of saving money, the next phase for financial success is parlaying into saving the cash. Saving money may have gotten a bad wrap from people saying how hard it is and how much they have to sacrifice but when you break it down, saving money is simply not spending it. You’re not being sent off to some slave labor camp and you can still enjoy freedoms of humanity, you’ll just be doing so in Tough Stuff jeans and generic shoes.

Almost everyone will tell you that long term financial security heavily outweighs the satisfaction of instant gratification from buying that current hot CD or celebrity endorsed smell.  After you’ve saved enough money to gain your financial independence, you’ll then have the ability to splurge on J-Lo’s newest fragrance without creating a wormhole in your monthly budget and that is truly being rich.

Most of us don’t realize how much money we throw out the window on a daily basis.  If we could just change a few of our daily habits and combine that with some effort, then we could watch our savings increase significantly.  Too many people don’t realize that you can turn your financial situation around by simply making the decision to do so.   If you’re in a pinch, then here are five money saving ideas that will help you to start saving money today:

1.  Give up your vices.

Habits are very expensive to keep.  Whether it’s alcohol, cigarettes, sweets, or fast food, it’s time to kick the habit.  Giving up your vices provides instant savings and could even improve your health both mentally and physically.

2.  Carpool.

There’s a carpool lane for this reason.  If someone you work with lives close to you, then why not ride   work together and alternate who drives?  This can also be an asset when taking your kids to school.  If your neighborhood’s kids go to the same school as yours, then why not get together with your neighborhood and switch out who takes both kids to school?  You’re not only saving yourself money and time, but you’re also helping someone else to save.

image: http://www.joe-ks.com/

3.  Invest in a bike.

It’s fun, gets you in shape, and saves you some serious money on gas and upkeep. Riding your bike instead of driving your car everywhere will save you enough money by the end of the year to start a nice nest egg.  You could even cancel your monthly gym membership for double the savings.

4.  Make everything you possibly can.

You can make anything from soaps and scrubs to candles and cookies at home.  Homemade items are deemed as being from the heart so this makes them great gifts.  If you don’t already know how to crochet and sew, then there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube that will teach you how.  Whenever a piece of clothing rips or a button pops off repair it rather than just throwing it away.  Additionally, make all your gifts and decorations.  Wreaths and ornaments are cheap and easy to make.  Buy yarn for $5 to crochet a toboggan with a scarf instead of buying it in a store for $20.

5.  Never purchase an item at full value.

There are lots of ways to get what you need for cheap and sometimes even free.  If you need new furniture, then just take a drive around the neighborhood.  Often people will set brand new items on the curb as trash which allows you to get nice furniture for free.  The next place you need to look is on eBay and on craigslist.  Craigslist even has a section where people post up free stuff and tell you to come pick it up.  There’s a plethora of high quality items that you can buy on craigslist for a very affordable price.  Second hand stores are also gold mines.  On a good day, you can purchase several items for the price of one in a regular store.

Have you got a 106cm High Definition Flat Screen TV, or a car that costs half as much as a house. How many Televisions have you got and do you even know? Does your mobile phone take pictures, play music, and browse the internet? Well if your last name isn’t Jones, then why are you trying to keep up with them???

Have you ever stopped and thought about all of these needless possessions and conjured up a genuine reason why you have them? My theory is if you associate the word need with an item, it justifies the copious amount of money you just spent on it. I am constantly reminded about my spending’s and possessions as my mother was born in 1934 when these items were not available. She always says “We never had that when I was young. And we survived.” It would be great to be able to go in the back yard and gather your vegies, kill Betsy the chook, and cook dinner. Not me though. The very thought of killing something to eat makes me cringe with horror. I couldn’t eat that, but will happily buy one from the local butcher. And I do not want to know the details of how he got it to look that way. 

Mums generation learnt to be careful with money, whereas my generation throws it away. Some of my nephews and nieces are travelling down the fast lane quicker than I ever did. They are in the under 30 bracket, but have the Flat screen LCD TV, the flash car, and the fancy mobile phone. Sometimes I wonder if they are keeping up with the Joneses or is it just in their blood. They have been bought up with having everything and now its turned into a necessity. Can they even live without a gadget in their pocket or at least in close range. What happened to working your way up to all of this. 

Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t always as easy as it used to be. Everyone already has everything. Now its just a matter of how big or fast yours goes. My simple word of advice, and I am sure my mother would agree, is to hold onto your pennies because you may need them for that rainy day. Forget about the Joneses, and trying to keep up with them, because they are probably in debt up to their ears…

Think about things before you buy them. Ask yourself a few questions first. Why am I buying this product? Do I need it and why? Can I make do without it? Learn to distinguish between your needs and wants and do not buy something because your neighbour, Mr Jones has it. Even though you may be jealous about the new 30ft swimming pool or the mini home cinema, remember that these posessions will not bring you happiness. 

Comic By Gary Varvel
From the Cartoonist Group.

 ”Who said money doesn’t buy happiness?” Whoever said this sounds like they had just come into some money. I have to disagree with this statement, however not totally. Mind you, this is a hard subject to evaluate when there are so many situations to consider.

Having no money at all:

Money could buy you happiness if you won lotto just before you were about to declare bankruptcy. If you have bills to pay then money to pay them is going to put a smile on your face. That is true in anyone’s language. But what about the people that have nothing as in possessions and worldly goods but have all they need. If you do not need money to survive, then you do not need it to make you happy in life. If you need food to survive then food will make you happy. That is enough.

Having loads of money:

People with loads of money usually end up not appreciating what they have in life…the flowers, their family and friends. The small things are not important and they miss the essence of life. This is not always true of course. We look at rich people and wonder why they are not happy? What is wrong with them? The ones that have money and are happy, we are seriously jealous of.

Enough money does buy happiness:

This is my theory. If you need $20 a week for your expenses and you can easily earn that, being happy that you are getting through life can be enough for you. Even people that need $900 a week to pay bills and household expenses can be happy if they can handle that. Its when you can’t get enough of what you need. That’s when your life becomes stressful. If you need money to buy food then you will be happy to get money to buy food.

The money you HAD doesn’t buy happiness, its the money you HAVE right now that can make you happy. It is depressing when you have wasted your money and it is a great ahcievement when you have saved it.

How do we get to the stage where we are content with the money we have?