Back To School Dollar Stretching

According to a new Deloitte survey, parents will spend an average of $428 per child on back-to-school expenses for the 2013 season. That’s a hard sum to swallow for any parent, especially if you've got multiple children in school.

Credit Sesame  expert Tony Wahl has created some strategic shopping tips that take advantage of available discounts that will stretch back to school budgets enormously. 

Here are six shopping and financing tips that can make a big difference:

Tip #1: Save on School Supplies: 

Do not buy your child’s entire list of school supplies in the same store. It’s tempting to go down the list, adding pencils, glue, binders and the like to your shopping cart. Breathe a sigh of relief, and the shopping’s done, right? Right – but you’ve also significantly overpaid for your child’s supplies. Mass retailers and office supply stores will have many school supplies priced as “loss leaders,” such as .25 glue sticks, .20 notebooks, .10 folders. I keep my children’s lists with me, and as I am out and about, I’ll pick up only the items that are at super-low prices for the current week. As the first day of school draws near, I’ll look at the list and see if I need to purchase any other items. Usually, I’ve gotten the majority of the products picked up for the lowest possible prices, freeing up funds to purchase anything else that’s needed.

Tip #2: School Clothes Shopping:

 New school clothes are also on the kids’ minds as we head into August! Before we hit the stores to look for new school clothing, I take stock of what the kids already have and what still fits. Once it’s time to shop, I’ll allow the kids to each choose a new outfit for the first day of school, but I like to hold off buying entire new wardrobes for them for a few weeks. Once they get to school and see what their friends are wearing and what styles are in for the current year, they may have a few special items they’d like to buy. With Labor Day sales around the corner, waiting a few weeks often pays off too, as you can take advantage of clearances and coupons tied to the holiday.

Tip #3: Retailer Credit Cards:

 If you have store-specific retailer credit cards, ask your store if they’re currently running any discounts tied to them. Kohls, Target, and other retailers offer promotions where you’ll receive a percent-off discount when you pay with the store card. If the retailer isn’t running any special promotions, though, you’re better off using a general credit card, like your Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or Discover. Retail cards typically have lower credit limits and high interest rates, and this means your debt-to-credit ratio could negatively impact your credit score.

Keep in mind that stores may offer financial incentives to open a store credit card – cash off your total purchase, or a free product. If you’re currently carrying credit card debt, consider the high interest rates that retailer credit cards typically carry. If you plan to carry a balance on that store card, the “free” $25 you got when you signed up will quickly disappear when you’re paying interest rates as high as 20% or more.

Another factor to remember -- applying for that retailer credit card will almost always lead to a lower credit score.  Saving 10% on $425 of school supplies might seem like a good idea, but trading a “free” $42 for a lower credit score could cost you thousands in added interest down the road if you carry a balance. And, a lower credit score affects you long after you got a discount at the register. A lower credit score can lead to to a more expensive mortgage, refinance, or new purchase in your future. 

Tip #4: Shopping Online:

Your credit card may award you a percentage savings. Through the month of August, Discover card is offering 10% cash back when you shop online at popular retailers, including Macy’s, JC Penney, Kmart, and Foot Locker.  Other online stores, including Carsons, Aeropostale, Old Navy and Gap are offering  5% cash back.  I always look for coupon codes too when shopping online – coupon sites like RetailMeNot.com and CouponCabin.com keep track of percent-off and free-shipping offers for many online shops.

Tip #5: General Credit Card Rewards: 

 When I shop with credit, I always use a rewards card of some kind – whether I’m getting cash back, hotel points or the like, it’s better than simply paying for items without receiving that bonus. We took a vacation earlier this year, and we enjoyed free hotel-room stays for half our trip because I’d earned enough bonus points for free nights!  I’m a big fan of cash-back credit cards too – when the bill comes at the end of the month, I’ll use my cash-back rewards to help pay the balance of the bill.

Tip #6: Sales Tax Holidays:

 Quite a few states are also having state sales-tax holidays, in which you will not have to pay sales tax for back-to-school supplies, clothing, shoes and electronics.  Check with your state’s department of revenue to determine if your state is offering sales tax holidays.

Gerry's Handy-Work

Selling if we get a local buyer on our online buy and sell. For now, it's sitting on our deck.

Gerry and I had bought a used foot/head board and he added his own boards for the seat. The head board alone was covered in kid's stickers when we got it, so Gerry had to take all those off,sand it down then paint.

I had seen a few of these benches online and copied him out a picture. He just went by looking at the picture to make it.

Emergencies Don’t Have to Bankrupt Your Family

According to a recent Federal Reserve report, American homeowners together owed more than $13 million in outstanding mortgage debt as of the fourth fiscal quarter of 2012. The same report showed that almost $10 million of that total mortgage debt owed was on family homes, while just over $2 million of that debt is owned on non-residential structures of some kind.
What does this mean for the average American family’s’ personal finances?
The above numbers could mean many things; for many families in debt, it means that an unexpected emergency could leave them in financial ruin. However, it does not have to mean that your family’s financial life has to be ruined should something unexpected happen.
If your family manages their personal financial situation better now, you can stave off financial ruin later should your family encounter an unexpected emergency.
Emergencies that Bankrupt Families
No matter how much money any given family has saved, it may not be enough if an emergency arises. In fact, even the most financially secure of families have gone bankrupt because of the unexpected emergencies that ruined their financial situations. Some of the most prevalent emergencies that typically bankrupt families include:
·  Natural disasters that destroy homes, cars, and other possessions
·  Unexpected medical bills that arise from any number of unexpected medical situations
·  Arrests that require families to pay bail, which could require bail bondsman services 
Hurricane Sandy and other Natural Disasters
Natural disasters historically cause the financial damage more than any other emergency. Take Hurricane Sandy, for instance. The country’s top economists estimated that after the storm passed, residents were going to have to deal with between $20 and $50 billion in financial damages. Not only did the hurricane crush the entire New Jersey Boardwalk, but the hurricane also swept away beaches and every home inside the coastal area, not to mention the hundreds of businesses.
Because the insurance companies typically do not cover natural disasters 100 percent, the families have wiped out their savings trying to supplement what FEMA has helped with, in an attempt to rebuild. Many families have since gone bankrupt.
This is just one example of how not being prepared for an unexpected emergency can ruin a financially sound family, and just one reason that managing your personal finances better now is crucial to staving off financial crisis.
Putting up Bail for Family
A personally unsettling emergency, such as having a family member arrested for any number of reasons, can also bankrupt a family. The amount of bail set by the court depends on the charges against your loved one, and depends on the likelihood that your loved one will flee if allowed on bail. Because a bail amount is a way to guarantee that the accused person will return to face the charges levied against them, the person paying the bail amount typically puts their own name – and their own money – on the line.
For many families, the amount of bail set is so much that they cannot afford to do pay it, which is why many visit professional bail bonds agents  to pay the bail for them. While the agent typically requires something as collateral, the trade off is that the family can get their loved one out of jail until the trial is finished, or the charges dropped, and they don’t have to bankrupt themselves to do so.
Manage Finances Better
A number of ways exist for families to reduce debt, and save for the future. Some include:
Paying down debt– reducing your debt in any way you can now means you can put more money into a savings account for an emergency
Consolidate debt – while this option isn’t for everyone, it is a good option for those families that have more debt than income. Consolidating your debts could help lower your interest rate and in turn, lower your monthly payment. The money you save every month can go into savings.
Zero balance transfer card - wherever possible, take advantage of zero balance transfer credit cards – especially if your credit card debt is large. This will allow you to take advantage of lower interest rates, which allows you to pay off more of the principle, which saves money in interest payments.
Better managing your family’s personal finances now is a good way to ensure your family can save money, and while using these tips might only allow you to save a few hundred or a couple of thousand dollars now, putting that extra money into savings could mean the difference between being able to handle an emergency situation or going bankrupt.

Review and Giveaway: Lush Beach Box (Canada/USA)

Nothing beats the smell of summer, the smell of the ocean on your skin and the wind in your hair. In that moment you can close your eyes and get away from it all...without ever leaving your home. I recently reviewed Beach Box by Lush cosmetics. Lush is a terrific company that makes some very high quality, natural and unique beauty and bath products. Some of them are so beautiful, that many people save them and use as display in the bathrooms.

The Lush Beach Box contains sea vegetable soap, dream cream hand and body lotion with the smells of lavender and oatmeal, seanik solid shampoo bar which keeps the skin bright. Additionally the Beach Box features ocean salt face and body scrub which is great for exfoliation and brightening along with sea spray hair mist which makes your hair soft and full of volume.  All the products smell wonderful and are very nice and gentle on your skin with specific ingredients straight from the ocean. So if a seas side vacation is not in the cards for this summer, check out this beach box, close your eyes, and maybe just maybe you will hear the gentle hum of the ocean.

Lush would love to give one of our lucky readers a chance to win their very own Beach Box.

A random draw will be made by Random.org on August 18, 2013 from all entries received from Canada/USA.

To Enter:

Leave a comment for Lush about their Beach Box and your email.

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Best of Luck to all!

Tips to Ease Management of Personal Finances

For many people, personal financial management can be a real problem, and their struggle to cope with this sometimes leads to them ending up overstretched or even ending up in debt. This is why it is important for everyone to find ways to take control of their finances.

Although it can be a daunting prospect to try to get and keep your finances in order, it is something that can be done when you put the right measures in place. Some of the ways in which you can ease the strain of personal financial management include:

Set up a spreadsheet

It is highly advisable to set up a spreadsheet where you can log all of the money that goes into your account as well as the payments coming out. This will then enable you to calculate how much disposable income you have left each month so you know what you have left to play with.

List your debts

If you have a range of debts, make sure you keep a separate list of them along with the amount you owe. It is a good idea to have a column that provides an end date for each of your debts if you know them, such as the end date for a personal loan.

Pay down debts

If you have debts such as credit cards, try and pay them down by making larger payments. The quicker these are paid off, the easier your financial management will become, as you will have fewer transactions to deal with and you'll have more money to play with.

Seek help when necessary

If you find that you are drowning in debt that is becoming increasingly difficult to repay, seek assistance from experts. The worst thing you can do is to ignore the issue and hope that it resolves itself, as it will only get worse. Counselors at Consolidated Credit can offer valuable advice and assistance in cases such as this. 

By taking these steps, you should find it far easier to manage your finances more effectively. 

Succeeding in a Home Business

Finally! You have a great idea for a home based business. This is truly half the battle. Home businesses are a wonderful way to earn some money while maintaining a good work/life balance. As you progress in your endeavor, here are some things to keep in mind to make your business a success.

Be online:
An online presence has a huge impact on your business performance. These days people will search online for reviews before spending money.  Consider making a business website or a Facebook page. This will be a great way to showcase your work and interact with your clients. Many website platforms are free and are a great way to start.

Keep your business money separate:
When you have a home based business it may seem easier to blur the line between private money and business money.  Set up business banking and look into places offering business loans. This will make you seem more professional, and as your business expands it will make managing your finances that much easier.

Network: 
In any job the power of networking is always stressed as the key to success. With a home based business you can canvass around your neighborhood, but make sure to be present online as well. Interact in your business community, and do not underestimate the power of social media as a way to grow your capital.

Have a game plan:
 Endeavors without planning are just wishes. The first few months of any business can be especially difficult for anyone. This is the time that you iron out the kinks in your work. Sometimes it takes a little time to gain momentum. Make sure to have a goal in mind and be persistent.  It may take time and work, but as long as you see a light at the end of the tunnel it will be worth it.

Review: Unmentionably Cheeky

When shopping for the  unmentionables, nothing beats online shopping. You don’t have to fight crowds, and shift through products in front of prying eyes, in search for the perfect size. 

Recently, my daughter Erika reviewed Unmentionably Cheeky underwear line of products.  The line of underwear is fun, flirty, and feminine. You choose your size of underwear that you want, which comes in a huge variety of colors and styles and are very affordable. With free shipping to Canada and the United States, you do not have spent more than you want to meet a certain minimum to qualify for free shipping. This ensures that you only spend your hard earned money on what you exactly want. With a handy  size chart you can ensure that you find the right size to fit your body. With great price, affordability, and  great customer service, you can even more good shopping from the comfort of your home.

Erika's pluses were fast shipping and presentation of the shipped product. It's a fun service she said!

Review: Unmentionably Cheeky

When shopping for the  unmentionables, nothing beats online shopping. You don’t have to fight crowds, and shift through products in front of prying eyes, in search for the perfect size. 

Recently, my daughter Erika reviewed Unmentionably Cheeky underwear line of products.  The line of underwear is fun, flirty, and feminine. You choose your size of underwear that you want, which comes in a huge variety of colors, and are very affordable. With free shipping to Canada and the United States, you do not have spent more than you want to meet a certain minimum to qualify for free shipping. This ensures that you only spend your hard earned money on what you exactly want. With a handy  size chart you can ensure that you find the right size to fit your body. With great price, affordability, and  great customer service, you can even more good shopping from the comfort of your home.

Erika's pluses were fast shipping and presentation of the shipped product. It's a fun service she said!

Review: Derma e Natural Skincare

Feeling great starts with great feeling skin. 

Recently I had the chance to review some of the  Derma e natural skincare line. I received some full sized products and samples.

With this line you are not putting some unknown chemicals to seep into your skin. Within the skincare line you you can treat your skin to vitamins, antioxidants, and botanicals that will make you look and feel great. Everything in the line of products feels smooth and smells simply natural and wonderful. When I try any product or before I buy a product, smell is always something that is important to me. I want something I am using to smell great!

There are many products to choose from with Derma e, such as moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and many skin care options that can be chosen for many skin care types and people facing many different skin issues. Being healthy is not just about what you put into your body, but it is also of what you put onto your body. So be healthy to your body inside and out. Health conscious living starts with treating your mind and body with natural products that will make you looks and feel great!

Mark Your Calendars! It's National Root Beer Float Day August 6th- FREE Root Beer Floats A&W (USA)

                   Free A&W ROOT BEER FLOATS!*

Stop in to your local A&W Restaurant anytime between 2 p.m. and store closing. Find an A&W near you.