Saturday, July 31, 2010

Save money make your own laundry soap

I picked the easiest recipe I could find so I couldn't fail. I Have been using this recipe for a year now and I see no difference in the cleanliness of my clothes. Plus I know there are no fillers in my soap. I try to make small batches at a time so it doesn't have a chance to go bad. I have bought the washing soda and the Borax only once so your investment in those items will last at least a year. Next time I purchase them I will let you know the cost in our area of the world.


Powdered Laundry Detergent

2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed )

1 cup Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
Use 2 tablespoons per full load. (I use an old formula scoop)


For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Where is your Financial Statement?

One of my favorite sayings is that if you fail to plan you have planned to fail.
So what is your financial plan...if you do not have one well you may be in your way to financially failing.

One of my favorite writer tells us that our life’s report card is our financial statement. Do you have a financial statement? How do you know if you are failing or passing if you never get a report card or learn about your financial statement.

Make your own Financial statement
If you do not have a financial statement you can put one together. Use a spreadsheet and list all or your assets on one side and all you debts on the other and include you home loan on the debt side. On your assest side put your savings balance, your checking balance, your cd's and your 401k. Make your debt negative balances and your assets positive. Then add both totals together are you negative or positive. Don't worry too much if your total is negative this is just your starting point and your financial statement just need to get better each year by getting that number positive and larger.

Use your Financial Statement to make your financial goals
Your Financial statement is a great tool to evaluate where you are now and where you want to be in the future. Make sure to share this financial statement with your spouse than you can write down your goals for the year. By sharing this information with your spouse they might have some ideas to increase your assets faster and they may have some ideas on how to reduce spending and get out of debt faster.
Store your Financial Statement and put the date at the top
In a year or every six months update your financial statement and see if your score is better. Is your total better? If yes your are on your way to being in control of your financial life. yea!!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Lets dissect your budget

Tithing
No cuts in the tithing department it is 10% nothing more nothing less is required.

House Payment
If you are paying 6% or higher interest rate I would look into refinancing to save money on interest. Then after all of your other debts are taken care of you can choose to pay your house off. I would plan to have your house paid off before you retire.

Elec/Gas
Think of ways to make this bill smaller turn off lights when you leave the room. Insulate the attic, Insulate the basement, buy energy efficient appliances

Water
Here is a cool article to check out on this subject http://www.thefrugallife.com/waterbill.html

Trash
Look into recycling more and then get the smallest trash can.

Daycare
Not sure how to save on this one I always want the most qualified person to take care of my children. One way to cut this bill is to work from home if you can find an at home job/career.

Cell phone
Make sure you are not buying too many minutes, plus you can eliminate you home line if you always are carring your cell phone with you anyways.

Car ins
Make sure you have the best rates by comparison shopping

Cable
If you need to get out of debt and need money to get started you may want to try life with out cable just for a while until you get out of debt. If you really love your cable it may motivate you to be debt free faster. Another friend of mine watches tv on their computer and doesn't miss cable at all.

Internet
Are you home enough and use your internet enough to justify the cost of your internet if not cut it from your budget. You can always go to the library to use the internet.

Loan payments
Put these on your debt repayment plan and if your credit card rates are high you may want to transfer them to a bank loan. It can't hurt to try to get a lower rate on any of your debt. But remember to pay all your debt off as fast as possible no matter and switching your debt to a different spot is not helping to get you out of debt.

Gym memberships
Make sure you need and use your gym membership get quotes and tour all the gyms in your area to make the best decision about which gym to join. If you have a gym membership and never use it, it may be time to cancel the membership


Well there was a look at my budget and ways to do some cuts let me know if you can add to these ideas. I need to impliment a few of these things so I can save even more money in my budget.
goodluck

Its not about how much you spend but about how much you keep

How much are you keeping? Are you putting money in your 401k are you putting money in your rainy day fund and how about your vacation fund. Every time you get paid try and think how much am I paying myself when I get paid. Is your whole paycheck going out as fast as it came in? Do you only have money for the few hours on pay day? I remember getting paid only for the whole thing to be spent already. One of the best ways to save money is to have your employer hold some each pay day. Just think if you don't get it you can't spend it. I personally had them hold 50.00 out each week. At first it was hard to adjust to a smaller paycheck but I adjusted. And by doing this I paid for my Wedding and my honeymoon with no debt. Yea!

So go ahead and ask you employer if they have programs to help you save money. If not you can try your bank next and open a special savings account. They can transfer money in for you automatically each month.
If the auto thing is hard to handle I did transfers to my savings account everytime I got paid online right before I went to deposit my check into my account.
I like the automatic saving thing it helps me to not forget to save. And I don't want you to forget to save so if you can automate it....automate it.

Have you tried a money fast

Back in my single mom days money was short and money was tight. I actually only spent money on Fridays after work and on Saturdays. I got paid every Friday and then paid the bills that were on my schedule to be paid. I put fuel in my car for the week, paid for daycare. I then got groceries on saturday as well as hit a few rummage sales. At rummage sales I looked for things for my children like clothes and somtimes I would let them get one thing for them. I always told my self that this helped with getting shopping out of my system.
After Saturdays I would then leave my wallet at home so I wouldn't be temped to buy anthing from the snack machine at work. I would drive home during lunch and eat lunch at home. If anyone needed any money from me I would tell them to wait till Friday when I got paid. Money fasting was an easy way to track where all my money was going. Since I only had to worry about two days a week of out flow of money. During this time I paid for a mobile home for me and my kids to live in and completely paid off all my debts and then bought a three bedroom home since my kids were growing out of there little mobile home rooms.
How many days can you go without spending any money? Can you leave your debit card at home? Hey it might help you to save and to reach your fiancial goals for the future.
Good Luck and let me know how it goes.
Happy Money Fasting

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

How much interest are you really paying

Almost a year ago now I noticed that the interest rates were at an all time low so my husband and I looked into refinancing our home to lock into these very low rates. When looking into refinancing we found out the that in the first three years of our home loan most of our payment went to interest and about $80.00 went to the principal each month. This got me into tracking my interest and finding ways to save on interest.

If you have lots of debt tally up each month how much interest you are really paying each month. If you have 10 credit cards and pay them $30.00 to $50.00 on interest each month. That is $300.00 to $500.00 a month or $3,600.00 to $6,00.00 per year. Just think you could be investing that amount each month for your future instead your lenders are getting that money each month. In a sense you are letting them take you future, This could be the money you could be stashing away for your retirment.

I challange you to look at all of your debt statments and see how much in dollars your debt is costing you each month not just the percent. I think this number alone will motivate you to get your credit cards paid off as soon as possible.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

How to get Out of Debt

How to get out of debt


The debt blaster plan

Before you read this and start this program you need the desire to want to be debt free. It does take commitment after your personal plan is mapped out. Good luck!

Debt is not healthy it can make us feel sick, it can affect our physical and mental health and it can impact our relationships. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common for those with uncomfortable amounts of debt. So many times debt leads to stress and in our busy lives nobody needs any extra stress.

I chose to teach others about this topic because I love learning about how to improve my financial situation and I love to study money. I just think there is a better way than to live pay check to paycheck. After I got out of debt for myself I also felt strongly inspired to share this debt blaster plan with others.

The Debt Blaster Program

(Hint) try and make this program a lifetime habit

Step 1

Stop accumulating bad debt (bad debt is debt that doesn’t bring in a return). First we need to stop spending especially using credit cards, try to pay with cash or with your checking account. If you do use your credit card, it has to be paid off by the end of the month no exceptions!!

Second, never pay a credit card payment late, first of all this shows up on your credit report, second of all they charge a hefty fee and this is just like giving away money.

Third, don't pay fees for using your ATM card to get cash. I say this because you should not have to pay to get your money out of the bank. Some banks charge 2.00 to get your money out at a gas station.

Fourth, watch for tricky schemes that credit card companies use to get you to spend more. Don’t be seduced by credit card offers such as airline miles and points. These programs are designed by the credit card companies to trick you into using your card more than really needed.


Step 2

See where you are at financially with your debt; write down all you owe and what your monthly payments are. This process is like getting directions. In order for you to get you where you want to be financially you need to know where you are right now. This will be your starting point..

To do this you need to list all of your debts include personal loans, car loans, all credit cards, student loans and you can even include your home mortgage. Put this information into 3 columns

Amount owed – minimum payment - # of months till paid off – interest rate

Step 3

Determine the best way to pay off the debt by ranking them. Look at the column with number of months to be paid off. Rank them by putting the account with the lowest number first, the one with the second lowest number second and so on. Now you know the most efficient order in which you should pay off your debt. You have now got directions to getting your self out of debt.

Step 4

Find additional income- try to find $50-$200 per month. This may seem hard but if you really want to get out from under debt you will be able to find additional income. If you have the will there is a way, if you believe you can do it you can, if you believe you can’t you can’t. Your own belief in yourself will determine your success.

Here are some ideas on how to find additional income, get a second job, increase hours at current job, and ask for a raise. Tutoring, mowing lawns, babysitting could give you some additional income. Stop spending on movies and get them at the library instead. Does your family really need cable? (Just let go of cable til you are out of debt) Like eating out? Try picnicking. Stop shopping just to shop. Magazines do you really need them? You could sell an extra car, or trade an expensive car for a less expensive car that has no payment. Give your self manicures and pedicures.

Find our where all your money is going by making a journal of everything you spend. Just by having to write it down you will automatically spend less. What about your tax refund? Your tax refund could jump start your get out of debt plan or it could blast your way closer to your goal of being debt free and/or in control of your financial life. Analize your budget can you save even ten dollars a month by having the smallest garbage can and recycling. Call your around to see if you can save on your car insurance.

Ask for lower interest rate

Help yourself get out of debt faster by calling each credit card company and asking for a lower interest rate. This way you are paying less interest to the bank and more money on your balance.

Here is a script:

"I have [name of card] with you and my interest rate is [X] percent. I received another offer in the mail from [other bank's name] for [X] percent, but before I take it, I want to see if you can lower my interest rate instead."


Step 5

Attack the Debt you ranked number one. Keep paying the minimums on everything except the first debt to be paid off (the one you ranked number one), pay the minimum plus the additional income (this amount can be any amount you decide just keep it the same or more every month) Keep doing this until the first debt is paid off. After the account is paid off, do not close the account, keeping this account open but not in use will help your credit score. Just make sure you are not paying any annual fees on this account to keep it open.

Credit score tip: if you do use a credit card only us up to 50% of the maximum

Congratulate yourself!! (at this point you should start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, plus have less stress caused by debt)

Step 6

Attack the debt you ranked number two. Pay the minimum on every bill except the second debt to be paid off you now pay the minimum due plus the entire amount you have been paying to the first debt Continue till everything is paid off. Keep doing this over and over til you debt is gone. Then Congratulate your self!! You are now debt free!

Step 7

By this time your monthly payment on your last debt is likely to be big now take this money and build your self an emergency savings fund with at least 6 months of living expenses set aside. I personally put my emergency fund in to a CD ladder to earn more interest than in a regular savings and I can have access to a portion of my emergency fund every month. After having you emergency fund in place I suggest putting at least 15% of income away for retirement. Look to 401k and Roth IRA as places to start.

Here is an example of how to get out of debt

Here is where we are at

# of months

Bal. owed Payment till paid off ranking

Visa Card 2,000.00 90.00 23 2

Herbergers 600.00 30.00 20 1

College Loan 3,000.00 50.00 60 4

Reg Loan 1,500.00 50.00 30 3

Car Loan 9,000.00 280.00 33 5



Here is our plan (it will approximately take us 28 months to be debt free).

In our example we have $100.00 of found additional income

Pay all bills as usual except pay $130.00 (100.00 + 30.00) to Herbergers. In 5 months it will be paid off – celebrate!

Next pay all bills as usual except pay $220.00 (130 + 90) to the Visa Card. In eight months it will be paid off. Yea!

Now start on the debt ranked 3, pay all bills as usual except on the home reg loan. Pay 220.00 plus the minimum payment of 50.00 equaling 270.00. In four months this will be paid off. Half way there!

The college loan is next, pay 270.00 + 50.00 =320.00 on your college loan

7 months till paid off.

Now apply 280.00 minimum payment plus 320.00 equaling 600.00 on your car loan this will be paid off in 4 months. Celebrate!

Last step is to build an emergency fund, put away the 600.00 per month till you have six months of your income put away. Learn about a CD ladder Then start putting away money for your retirement and other goals.

I hope this information will change you life like it did mine. Please share it will anyone you wish. If you have any questions please email me.

I hope your debt free soon!

Gina Wadding

Why I want to be your debt freedom coach

Why I want to be your debt freedom coach

I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck and now that I am not living paycheck to paycheck (by taking control of my money and having no debt) it pains me to see my friends and family and clients living that way. All there freedom is tied up in debt payments.

Here is an example of your lost freedom: This week... A friend of mine is selling her car for $500.00 and it is uner 90,000 miles I think it is an amazing deal so I tell my circle of friends and everybody wants the car but not one person can seize this great opportunity to have this awsome car for just $500.00.

The sad thing is our society can put them in a loan for $150.00 - $200.00 per month for 6 years and tie up for freedom for for 6 years and who likes to drive the same car for 6 years.. ok I know a small percent of people who keep there cars around more than 6 years. (personally I am on three years with my van and am trying to go for 2 more) But when I was getting loans for cars I would trade every two years to get something nicer or somthing better on fuel. One car loan I had gotten was very hard to pay each month after I moved back to MN and didn't make the same salary as I did in a big town in Iowa. It felt like I had a chain around my neak I had to work and pay one weeks pay to my car loan each month, Plus the thing needed fuel to get to work and I had to have full coverage Insurance on the car too because I had a loan on the car. After trading into a lower car payment and into a older car(I was upside down in this car too). My advice to anyone in the same tax bracket as me do not have a car Payment of more than $200.00 per month even better advise is have a emergency fund and a fund for your freedom like a vacation fund, my next car fund, or any my next opportunity fund.
(I am not rich so if your are rich you probably do not need my advise unless you have a debt problem)

Well back to my point I want everyone who wants there freedom back and wants get ahold of their finances to tap into my disire to help you be debt free. I will give you tips and things that I learned the hard way and help you become debt free too.