Budgeting Finance

Back to School Expenses: They Sure Add Up Quickly!

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:02:10 +0000

September is an expensive month. In fact, at times, I think I spend more money in September than I do in December at Christmas. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I do spend a lot of money in September. Back when the kids were in public school, there were school supplies to buy, which can run up to $70+ for two children. As a homeschooling mom, I still buy school supplies, but we don’t spend THAT much anymore. Another thing we’d have to buy, if we weren’t homeschooling, is a P.E. uniform for my daughter. Even though we skirt the regular school district expenses, activities are starting up, and all of those activities come with a price. The boy started soccer this week. The girl will begin choir this month. And the boy goes back to AWANA this month. Fortunately the girl just goes to regular junior high youth group. Each of those activities requires not only a registration fee, but a uniform. Fortunately my son’s soccer shirt still fits and he is in the same AWANA group as last…

Source: Beingfrugal

India Finance Minister: Economic Recovery Strong On Brisk Growth

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:56:18 +0000

India Finance Minister: Economic Recovery Strong On Brisk Growth

Best CVS Deals 09/05 – Stride, Dentyne Pure, Schick Hydro, Revlon, Wisk

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:56:01 +0000

Here are some great CVS deals available for this week. Thanks to Madame Deals for sharing them. You can see the entire list of deals for the week here . If you are new to couponing or need help with the “coupon lingo”, please see the *coupon key* at the end of this post. As always if you have any questions or need more information, please leave a comment below. If you scored a great deal at CVS this week feel free to leave a comment below (and a link if you are a blogger) and let us know! Stride, Dentyne Pure, Shift or Trident Layers $0.99, get $0.99 ECBs (Limit 1) $1/2 Trident Layers Gum printable FREE Stride Shift Gum wyb any Stride Gum, exp. 10-31-10 (SS 05/16/10) Schick Hydro 3 or 5 $8.97, get $4 ECBs (Limit 1) $5/1 Schick Hydro Razor, exp. 9-30-10 (SS 08/08/10) Revlon Eye or Lip Colors psa $3.90, $5 ECBs wyb (2) (Limit 1) $1/1 Revlon…

EU finance ministers to discuss new bank levy

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:35:19 +0000

(AP:BRUSSELS) European Union finance ministers are set to discuss the possibility of introducing a levy on banks and whether a tax on financial transactions can deal with another banking crisis, as they gather Tuesday in an atmosphere more benign than when they last met in July.

5 Housewarming Gifts Under $20

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:35:16 +0000

Have you been invited to a housewarming party but have no idea what gift to buy? I know that lots of us struggle to find the right gift while keeping within our budget. If you know someone really well it is a little bit easier, but what do you do when you don’t know the new homeowners very well or even at all? Here are a few ideas that might help out: A Cookbook A new cookbook is the perfect gift to buy for a housewarming present since every household should have at least one. It’s also a very convenient gift because you can purchase a good one for under $20 and there are lots of options. Gift Card A gift card is a thoughtful gift if you don’t know the new homeowners very well. It will allow the new homeowners to go out and buy something that they really want or need for their new place. Great choices would be a gift card from a home improvement place …

Campaign finance report shows NY Rep. Charles Rangel spent $111,000 on legal bills since July

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 09:14:40 +0000

NEW YORK – A federal campaign finance report shows embattled New York Rep. Charles Rangel has spent more than $111,000 on legal bills since July.

It’s a Good Thing I Opened the Letter

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:29:23 +0000

Recently I wrote a post about the importance of reading bank notices for GoBankingRates.com . I almost found out the hard way that opening every notice and letter is not only important in regards to banks. Let me explain. A few weeks ago my family went on vacation . When we returned home, I was quickly overwhelmed with email, blogging, and regular mail that had piled up. I was trying to get through everything as quickly as possible. When I opened my mailbox to reveal a letter from my insurance company, I figured it was probably a letter reminding us that it was time to re-evaluate our insurance needs. We get a letter like that about twice a year, usually in February and August, when our auto insurance policy renews. I almost dropped the letter in the recycle bin on my way into the house. Instead, I opened it, just to make sure it was nothing. Imagine my surprise when I read the following: We value your business and are concerned you are without insurance protection. As of the date this was mailed, we have not received the required payment for renewal of this policy…

Source: Beingfrugal

Personal Finance Daily: Good news for Labor Day drivers: Gas prices drop

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:12:03 +0000

Driving somewhere this weekend? If so, there’s good news for you at the gas pump.

5 Expensive Grocery Store Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:12:00 +0000

Going to the grocery store can be an expensive affair. We all have the story of the time we went in to spend $10 and ended up spending $100. However, with a little planning and good decision making, any grocery shopper can keep his or her bill low. Here are 5 mistakes every shopper should avoid to save money at the grocery store. Buying Name Brands These days almost every name brand item has a generic substitute. In most cases these generics have the same level of quality as the name brand. Sometimes they are even made at the same facility, but with different packaging! Make sure and go for the generic items unless you have some reason not to do so. Buying Too Many Perishable Items It is easy to overestimate how much you will use before another trip to the store. Be careful not to buy to much of…

Failed Strategic Finance’s deficit $195.5m

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:48:46 +0000

Former glamour funder Strategic Finance, whose directors include ex-All Black captain Jock Hobbs, is in the red to the tune of $195.5 million, grim news for 13,000 investors. read more