Evan Vitale

Evan Vitale – Save Money, Be Creative

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By Evan Vitale

The holidays will be upon us soon and, for many, the need for extra income becomes an extra financial burden when it comes to purchasing gifts for friends and family members.

Many stay within their means; abide by their budget and buy as their budget allows.

Therefore, our next two blogs offer some suggestions when it comes to gift-giving for the upcoming holidays:

  • Obtaining a part-time job for extra income (next week’s blog).
  • Being more creative with less expensive gifts.

Remember, no matter what you give to someone during the holidays, it’s the thought that counts. If you are going to purchase something, keep the individual in mind and – more importantly – keep your budget in mind!

Inside of buying a gift, here are some great ideas:

  • Consider making him or her a personal photo album. Photos are always appreciated, even more so when you take the time to collect and organize them in a way that will remind the person of a place you visited together or of a family member or event. This is a very inexpensive and impressive gift that anyone would enjoy. It’s always appreciated.
  • Get those creative juices flowing and make a gift basket. Again, include things in the basket that the receiver would enjoy: their favorite candy, snacks, fruit, beverage, etc. Including some baked goods (baked by you) are also appreciated. There’s no limit to what you can create and bundle together to make a personal gift basket. And, yes, men enjoy receiving gift baskets as well!
  • Purchase a small gift and include with it a poem or a story about the person. If the recipient is your romantic better half, you could also buy a series of inexpensive gifts and bundle them together. Think: The 12 Days of Christmas and give the person a “pear” on the first day of Christmas, chocolate turtles (for turtle doves) on the second day of Christmas, etc. Very clever!
  • Make something. If you sew; knit or have good woodworking skills, start now by making someone a personal (and unique) gift. Your costs will be very inexpensive, but the gift would be extremely appreciated!

Get those creative ideas going now and get started working on your gifts!

Evan Vitale – Big Budget Savings (Part II)

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By Evan Vitale

Let’s continue and conclude our blog series on finding ways to trim the fat; stay within your budget or just save some extra money for a rainy day (or a vacation), check out these tips that can help you find some extra money.

  • Credit Cards. This is also a biggie. If you carry a limit on a credit card, you should try to pay it off as soon as possible to reduce the amount of interest you are paying on that card. Another option is to transfer the balance to another card (or a new card) that offers an introductory offer of 0% for the first year. Then pay it off within the first year that you hold that card. In addition, give strong consideration to calling your credit card provider and negotiate the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) that they are currently charging you.
  • Look for Bargains. Overall, this means you should stop paying too much for everything you use in your life. Visit discount and “dollar” stores to find items that you are buying on a regular basis. You’ll be surprised to learn that you’ve been paying too much money for everyday basics, such as paper products, etc.
  • Use coupons. This doesn’t mean clip and use every coupon you find. Instead, look at printed and online coupons that match what you normally buy each week, month, etc.
  • Buy in bulk. If you use a lot of a particular product, check out the advantages and disadvantages of visiting those big bulk stores such as Sam’s Club, Costco, etc. in order to say money in the long run. Connect with family, friends and neighbors in order to split large cases of products (i.e., paper towels, etc.).

As you have seen in our two-part series, there are some easy and simple ways that you can save big. Start trimming the fat today!

Evan Vitale – Big Budget Savings (Part I)

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By Evan Vitale

If you’re looking for ways to trim the fat; stay within your budget or just save some extra money for a rainy day (or a vacation), check out these tips that can help you find some extra money.

Cable TV – This is huge and chances are you can find some opportunities here to save some money. If you are happy with your current cable package, take a look at possible bundling packages with your service provider. By adding internet and telephone services, you’ll save big. If you’ve already bundled, call your cable company and see if they can help you find ways to save money (without pulling the plug). Sometimes, they’ll give you a better rate for being a good customer or, perhaps, you may have the option to drop drown a package tier. It might mean less channels, but it can add up to big savings.

Another television opportunity is to switch providers entirely by signing up with a satellite dish network. A friend of mine dropped his cable TV service and switched providers – a $40 per month savings (plus more channels)!

Cell Phone – Here is another area in which you can save big. Call your current provider and negotiate for a better rate. In some cases, you might be able to extend your current contract; get a new phone and find a package that can save you some money. If not, shop around for a different provider.

Alarm Service – If you have a home alarm service, call them and negotiate a better rate. Chance are good they will work with you rather than lose your business all together.

These three tips are just a start, but you can find big savings in all three areas.

Get started now. Save now. We’ll have some more tips next week!

Evan Vitale – Curb Holiday Spending

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By Evan Vitale

Soon, the holiday months will be upon us with many opportunities to get together with family and friends and enjoy the seasons.

Unfortunately, the holidays can also mean spending temptations and the urge to buy decorations, gifts, food, etc. It is very easy to get caught up in the spirit only to face the dreaded credit card statements come January.

So, with that in mind, here are a few tips to stay within your budget and don’t overspend:

– Halloween is becoming one of the largest “spending” holidays of the year as many adults are now participating in decorating and parties. You can still become part of the fun and stay within your means. Always use what you have on hand for decorating and costumes.

– Thanksgiving meals can sometimes be expensive if you want to host a family dinner. If so, you can stay within your budget by having each guest bring an item (i.e., a pitch-in).

– Black Friday shopping, which now actually starts on Thanksgiving, is a huge temptation. Yes, you can save money by shopping for specific gifts, but you need to make sure that the items you want to purchase are indeed a bargain. Stick to a budget. Don’t buy more just because you’re saving money.

One of the big ways to save on gift purchases for the holidays is to seek out and use layaway plans. Big box stores such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. are currently offering layaway opportunities that allow you to make purchases and follow a payment plan. The store will hold your items until your balance is paid in full (usually around December 21).

Layaway plans are good as long as you make the scheduled payment and you avoid additional gift purchases along the way.

Think smart during the upcoming holidays. Don’t over-spend or over-extend.

Evan Vitale – Back To School Savings!

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By Evan Vitale

As summer seems to quickly come to a close, attention has started to shift to back-to-school themes as children get back in the routine of books, lunches and homework. If your child hasn’t started the new school year yet, you probably know the first day of school is approaching fast.

For many families, back-to-school expenses can be costly. This can include new clothes, shoes, school supplies, fees and, in some cases, new calculators or computers. Being thrifty in purchasing back-to-school items doesn’t mean you have to be cheap or skip on some essentials.

Here’s how you can help fit your child with what they need AND save on money at the same time:

– Always look for and take advantage of “Back To School” sales. Almost every major store (and even some local stores) offer back-to-school sales. Here’s where you’ll find all your discounts on school supplies as well as an opportunity to stock up on those supplies your child may use and need all year (i.e., pens, pencils, paper, glue, etc.).

– Think eBay. Here you’ll find name brand clothes and backpacks at great prices. Most sellers are quick to answer questions (before you purchase) and free shipping. Shop early, so your orders will arrive before school begins. If there’s a problem with your order, most sellers offer 30-day return policies.

– Shop, if you can, without your child. By doing so, it’s easier to select items based on price and not on what the child wants. Typically, the items the child wants are usually more expense than what the child needs and your back-to-school list and budget is quickly skewed.

– Avoid fancy items and those items with cartoon characters. Yes, a Spiderman backpack is going to cost more than a simple red and black backpack.

Think smart. Stick to your list – and to your budget – and you’ll be able to arm your child with that they need in order to start school on the right foot!

Evan Vitale – Keeping Your Car Cool

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By Evan Vitale

Traditionally August is the hottest month of the year. Soaring temperatures and high humidity can take a toll on the human body.

However, August is also tough on automobiles, so here are a few tips on how to keep your auto running well during this hot month and avoid a trip to the mechanic:

  • When your car is cool, check your radiator fluids. If your radiator coolant has a milky or rusty color to it, then it’s time to have it flushed and changed. Remember: never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot. If you don’t want to do this yourself, have your mechanic check it for you during regular oil changes. You should always have your system flushed every 24,000 miles.
  • Visually check your hoses for any leaks or cracks.
  • Get into a regular habit of checking your oil level. Learn where your car’s dipstick is located and how to check your oil level. Depending on how much your drive, oil should be changed ever 3,000 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first).
  • Keep an eye on your battery for corrosion around the battery posts. This will cause a poor connection making it difficult for your car to star and pull proper power during the summer months.
  • Obviously, air conditioning is extremely important during the hottest month of the year. An easy test is to stick a thermometer through your car’s air vent to see how cool the air is that’s pumping into your car. If it’s not cool, you may want to consider changing your car’s cabin filter, which should be done every 20,000 miles. If you can’t get your AC to blow out cool air, then you should see an auto mechanic.
  • Always keep an eye on your automobile’s temperature gauge (located on the dashboard) to make sure your car is not getting ready to overheat. Typically, driving at high speeds, idling in traffic or at a stop sign or running the AC will cause your car to heat up faster. If your temperature gauge is starting to climb to HOT (and possibly overheat), a quick solution is to turn off the air conditioner and turn the heater on MAX (yes, the heater!). This will help vent some of the engine heat and keep your car from overheating.
  • The biggest concern during the summer months is an overheated car. If your car becomes overheated (and the little light on the dashboard warns you of such a problem), you should never continue to run your car as this can lead to expensive damage.
  • Always keep an eye on your tires during the summer months and check your tire pressure frequently. Check your automobile manual to make sure you’re inflating your tires at the correct specifications.

These tips will help you – and your car – stay cool during the hottest month of the summer. Drive safe!

Evan Vitale – Budget Coupon Power!

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By Evan Vitale

So, you’ve cut unnecessary expenses; use coupons from time-to-time, but you’re always on the lookout for ways to help stretch your budget from week-to-week and month-to-month.

Face it: the No. 1 item that you can’t go without is food. You need to make healthy (and smart) choices for meals for you and your family. If you haven’t done so already, taking a closer look at coupon usage at the grocery store is definitely a way to stretch your budget.

Here are five easy ways you can save more at the grocery store without having to skimp on food quality:

Look for and use coupons that offer “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” offers. This is the best way to save, but you need to always be on the lookout for these kinds of deals. Check your coupons in the Sunday paper or online. In some cases, these deals might be available in-store only, so keep your eyes opened when you scan the grocery store shelves.

Watch your expiration dates on coupons. If you want to be a true coupon-clipper, coupons only work when you use them before they expire.

Don’t be afraid to purchase off-brand every once in a while. You might find the grocery store brand tastes just as good and might be even cheaper than using a coupon for the national brand item. Canned green beans are canned green beans. Right?

Use store brand coupons and shopping discount cards. Look for those deals that let you know 10 cans of corn for $10 but only when you use your shopping discount card. When it comes to groceries, always become a proud discount card holder. Discounts here and there add up when you hit the cash register and, in some cases, many store chains offer points for more discounts or gasoline discounts when you use your shopper card.

Share or trade your coupons with family and friends, especially coupons you don’t need or use. Some neighborhoods will form a coupon club. Why not trade baby food and formula coupons with someone who needs them in exchange for coupons that you and your family can use?

Once you get started clipping and using coupons, you’ll quickly be surprised on how much money you and your family can save and still enjoy the same times of foods and products that you’ve been purchasing all along.

Evan Vitale – Big Savings At Dollar Stores

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By Evan Vitale

You’re probably used to seeing them in just about every town and, sometimes, they are located in nearly every strip shopping center these days.

No, we’re not talking a Starbucks Coffee shop, either.

Instead, “dollar” stores are becoming a very popular retail destination for many people (young and old) when trying to stretch your dollar, stay within your monthly budget, and find good days on every days products.

Dollar stores have come a long way. They are no longer the dirty, low-rent stores selling absolute and out-dated products. Have you visited one lately?

Dollar stores are easy to operate and, in some cases, the inventory is refreshed with new products added almost daily. Here are a list of things you can expect to find at a dollar store:

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Paper goods, such as napkins, paper towels
  • Personal health care items, such as shampoo, etc.
  • Toys, coloring books, etc.
  • Party supplies
  • Pet care, automotive products
  • Office supplies and back-to-school supplies
  • Seasonal items, especially for Christmas, Halloween, etc.
  • And, yes, in some cases, food items including soup, tuna, bread, drinks, candy, etc.

When you visit a dollar store for the first time, take your time and browse every aisle. You’ll probably be surprised at what you find and you’ll quickly spot items that you’ve purchases elsewhere (and paid more money).

Get into a habit of saving money by making the dollar store a regular weekly stop on your shopping trips. Some will visit the dollar store first before going to their regular grocery store.

If you’ve haven’t been a regular shopper at a dollar store, it’s definitely something you should consider when living on a tight budget and saving some money!

Evan Vitale – Getting Out Of Debt (Part V)

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By Evan Vitale

In this blog post, we’ll wrap up our series on debt and, more importantly, how to get out of debt. While it’s true we always carry around some form of debt, it’s certain not enjoyable to have a lot of credit card or tax burden debt hanging around your neck.

It’s true that we are living in a time where debt seems like it’s encouraged. We’re bombarded with credit card offers in the mail and by the cashier at the department store. We’re told how easy it is to buy tickets and rent a beachside condo for a vacation in Jamaica and how we can earn points for spending, spending, spending so we can upgrade flights at any time, etc.

In addition, loan brokers tell us that we can borrow up to 125% against our home equity and, if we need quick cash, you can get a loan on your car title.

At times, it definitely sounds like a mound of debt is the way to go, but it’s not pleasant when it’s time to pay the piper.

When money is tight, many people take the easy route and pay for things with a credit card. Try to avoid that temptation, especially if it’s not for essentials such as food, medical, gasoline, etc.

Instead of going into more debt, see if there are opportunities for more work or overtime at your place of employment, seek out a part-time evening or weekend job or tighten your belt and spend less money.

Debt isn’t always a bad thing. You’ll need to carry some level of debt when buying a house or a car or going to college. Someone once said to foster the debts that help the cause and banish the ones that don’t.

Always be looking for ways to control your spending and debt. Cut back on unnecessary purchases and expenses. Save. Save. Save.

Evan Vitale – Getting Out of Debt (Part IV)

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By Evan Vitale

As we know, credit cards can get you into a lot of debt very quickly. Credit cards are easy to obtain but if you don’t control and manage your spending, you can get into a lot of trouble very quickly.

So, what happens when you get in over your head and you can’t keep up with paying off credit card debt? After all, paying the minimum payment each month is not nearly enough to provide relief.

Here’s when most people consider hiring a debt consolidation agency to help and guide them through the debt consolidation process. Here’s how it works:

A debt consolidation agency will help you develop a plan that will help you pay off your debt. In addition, some agencies will continue to provide additional services after the debt is resolved in order to restore and rebuild your credit score. Debt consolidation agencies pool your entire debt together so that you’ll make one payment per month until your debt is paid off. In some cases, they will work with the credit card companies and may be able to get some of your debt excused.

A word of warning: debt consolidation agencies charge fees so make sure the amount you pay them won’t be more than the interest you’re paying to credit card companies.

Do a little bit of research before you hire a debt consolidation company. Read their websites; check out their reviews and call them to schedule an appointment. It’s always nice to have someone on your side you can help guide you through your debt process and make like a little bit easier on you.