It can be hard to imagine what all the gold in the world would look like if it were all in one place. This graphic gives you an idea of how much gold there actually is, who has the most of it, what it’s used for and what it’s worth. An interesting fact about the worth of all this gold is that even if the US owed all of it, it still would not be enough to pay off the current national debt. All of a sudden your consumer debt doesn’t seem like that much, huh?

From: Number Sleuth

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The entrepreneur’s ultimate goal is to get to the point where he can sit back, revel in his success, and earn money without really doing much work at all. Sound like a pipe dream? Well, this can be your reality if you learn to channel the power of passive income streams. You may need to put in some legwork in the beginning, but if you keep your eye on the finish line, you can be among those lucky business owners who watch their income grow long after they stop actively working. Here are five passive income streams for you to consider.

1. Real estate:

You’ve heard that the country is in a recession, and that property values have plummeted. For many areas, this is true. For those willing to be patient and put in some extra work, though, investing in real estate is still a great way to eventually earn passive income. Face it: today’s lower property values are not going to last forever. Throughout history, home prices have risen and fallen, and this current situation is no different. Now is a great time to snap up some investment property. Many properties have been foreclosed upon and will need some basic landscaping and fix-up work. Do this yourself or hire it out, but get it done so your new property looks great. Rent it out for a few years, and when property values rise, sell it for a hefty profit.

2. Write an eBook:

What do you know a lot about? Write up some information about it and publish it as an eBook. Unlike traditional books, eBooks involve very little startup cost. Ask others to advertise your book for a commission, and voila, you will begin earning income. How much time and effort your eBook takes to write is up to you – try to fill a niche and give people information that they can’t get easily elsewhere.

3. Affiliate marketing:

You can be one of the people advertising others’ e-books or various other products for a commission. All you need is a blog or website, and every time your readers click on the link to the advertised website, you will earn a few cents. This type of income is not a lot in itself, but if you have many websites with many links, dollars will begin to pour in, with no effort from you past the initial setup.

4. Set up vending machines:

While this requires some start-up money and effort, soon you will see income that you are not working hard for, if at all. You will need to persuade business-owners to allow you to set up vending machines in their buildings. Sell coffee, soft drinks, snack foods or gumballs. Once you fill the machines, whatever money they bring in is yours.

5. Run websites:

If you have a popular web-based community, you can charge membership fees and allow it to pay for itself, and then some. You can also place some of your affiliate links on the site, preferably on the pages that non-members can see. If you have knowledge about a particular industry, consider gearing your site toward others who work in that field. Or you may prefer to set up a social site. Once you get one site running well, open up others; you may have some overlap in clientele, which can be a good thing for bringing in even more people to your sites.

Remember, passive income does not mean that you don’t work at all for your money, but it does mean that with time, soon your money will be working for you. The more time that goes by, the more passive you can become, and the more income you can expect to see.

Andy is the co-founder of Credit Card Compare, one of the leading independent websites for the comparison of Australian credit cards. On their blog, he enjoys helping readers to better manage their personal finances and investments. To keep up with his work or to get in contact, go to www.creditcardcompare.com.au or follow @Boydster on Twitter.

Many people are fascinated by the idea of a heist, which is why they have been the idea for many film plots over the years. How will it be pulled off? How much loot is at stake? Will they get away with it? There may be more famous heists throughout history, but these are ten heists which happen to be some of the most high dollar crimes in history.

British Bank of the Middle East

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In 1976, amidst the chaos of civil war in Beirut, a group said to be affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization broke into the British Bank of the Middle East. No, they didn’t pick the lock or break a window, instead they decided to make a grand entrance via a church next door and blow their way through an shared wall. Once inside, they did resort to the knowledge of locksmiths to open the vault and loot somewhere between $20 to $50 million in an assortment of currencies, gold, and jewels.

Fortaleza’s Banco Central, Brazil

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In 2005, several men set up a landscaping business in Fortaleza, Brazil. Well, at least that’s how it seemed to the people of Fortaleza. It happened to be located just a couple blocks from the Banco Central. While some of the neighbors noticed trucks hauling dirt away from the “landscaping” business, it wasn’t considered out of the ordinary, after all, don’t plants grow in dirt? Over the course of three months a well constructed tunnel, complete with air conditioning, was dug until it reached just beneath the bank. Finally their day had come, the group of men dug, sawed, and cut their way through the concrete floor and began their looting. By the end of it all, they had stolen approximately 165 million in Brazilian reals. In today’s exchange rate that would be over $80 million US dollars. Several of the men suspected in the crime have been arrested or turned up dead, however several more have never been apprehended.

Antwerp Diamond Center, Belgium

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In 2003, one of the largest and most baffling diamond heists took place at the Antwerp Diamond Center in Belgium. It was and is highly regarded as one of the safest places in the world to store gems. Many gem dealers worldwide used the facility to safeguard some of their stock. Antwerp Diamond Center boasts a very high tech and complex security system including motion, heat, light, and seismic sensors. It’s amazing that any thief would be able to get inside, much less make off with approximately $100 million euros worth of diamonds from the safety deposit boxes. Although some of the men responsible have been caught, the diamonds have not been recovered.

Harry Winston, Paris

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Harry Winston jewelry store in Paris may be a lovely place to pick out an engagement ring with your sweetheart, but in 2008 it was robbed for over $100 million in diamonds and jewels. Armed men, some in drag, quickly went in, subdued the staff and any shoppers, grabbed the goods and disappeared into the crowded streets all in about a quarter of an hour. No arrests were made in the heist, but it’s highly suspected to have been an inside job due to the speed in which it was executed. Apparently one of the robbers even called a worker by name.

Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

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This heist in 2005 at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam was executed quite smoothly. Thieves, arriving in one already stolen KLM truck, drove up to another KLM truck carrying uncut stones bound for Antwerp. They forced the men driving to lie facedown while they drove off with the goods in the second, now stolen, KLM truck. The value of the stones is difficult to estimate since they were uncut, but could be up to $118 million.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

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The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston is the scene of a tremendous heist with an estimated $300 million in artwork stolen in one fell swoop. Two men dressed as policemen knocked on the door, and the guards allowed them inside only to be tied up as they looted famous paintings such as “The Concert” by Johannes Vermeer and “Landscape with an Obelisk” by Govert Flinck as well as works by Degas and Rembrandt. What good is a $300 million dollar heist if you can’t ever get the money for it without getting arrested? Expensive decor, anyone?

Dar Es Salaam Bank, Baghdad

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In 2007 a few opportunistic security guards took advantage of their positions at Dar Es Salaam bank in Karrada district, Baghdad. They stole $300 million dollars as well as over $170,000 USD in Iraqi Dinars before leaving work, permanently. That’s quite a severance pay!

Sumitomo Mitsui, Japan

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The largest hacker heist that nearly got pulled off was in 2004 when hackers broke into Sumitomo Mitsui, a Japanese bank, and attempted to transfer approximately 423 million to ten different accounts around the world. Fortunately the bank implemented a program in October of 2004 that noticed these transactions and foiled the robbery.

Iraq’s Central Bank

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Hours before the US began bombing Iraq in 2003, men affiliated with Saddam Hussein pulled trucks up to Iraq’s Central Bank, and began to load up. Before they were done, they had taken $1 billion dollars from the bank. Now that’s a substantial withdraw!

Treasure of Benghazi, Libya

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It has now been reported that the “Treasure of Benghazi” was stolen sometime prior to July of 2011 from Benghazi, Libya. Since it was not announced right away for fear of getting bad press, many of the artifacts are now less likely to be recovered. The thieves drilled their way through the ceiling of an underground vault to get to the treasure. They looted a collection of over 7,000 ancient coins made of gold, silver and bronze. They also stole away with a various assortment of jewelry items, fifty figurines or small monuments made of precious metals, and a small cache of precious stones. Because of the items which were stolen while others in the vault were left untouched, it’s suspected that it was an inside job. The value of all the items missing are considered “priceless”.

Wouldn’t the world be a nicer place if the price tag or advertised price was actually the amount you paid? Many businesses have begun resorting to sneaky hidden charges as a way to advertise a more attractive price to lure you in, but often times it’s only after you’ve already signed a contract or received services rendered do you realize you’ve been had. Consumers need to be aware of all the fine print add-ons that will drive costs up so that when presented with a bill they aren’t utterly shocked at the real prices vs. what they thought they were getting goods or services for.

Banks

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Banks can cost you a lot of cash if you aren’t careful about reading the fine print and asking the proper questions when you open your account. Some banks charge maintenance fees monthly on checking accounts, although some offer “free” checking. Make sure you know how many checks per month you are allowed to write before additional paper charges get billed to your account. Also, if you use online bill pay, find out if the service is free or if there is a charge for electronic payments debited from your account. Be sure you know your ATM withdrawal limits, some banks have a set limit per month in which you are allowed to use your ATM at their branch ATMs without a fee, and after said number there will be additional charges. ATMs which are not at your branch will charge an additional fee to access your cash, so try to be aware of where your bank’s ATM locations are. If accidents occur and you become overdrawn, you should be aware of overdraft fees charged to your account. Some banks process debits before they process deposits, so even if you think you have the money there in time, it may still result in overdraft charges. You may even be charged for a paper statement at certain banks. With all the fine print it’s sometimes difficult to know what you might be penalized for at your banking institute.

Credit Card Companies

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Credit card companies are also notorious for having fees for many different things. Recent laws have changed things somewhat, but mostly companies have shifted fees around so they have new fees for similar fees that are now prohibited. Beware of introductory offers where only the first year’s annual fee is waived, the APR is only low for a small period of time, and the 0% rate on balance transfers may come with a hefty transfer fee! As with nearly everything, there is a late fee charged if you do not pay your bill on time. The fee is limited now, but they are allowed to raise your APR for not paying on time. This will allow the company to potentially make more than their previous late charge penalty. Some companies will remove your reward points from a period of time for paying late, and for a fee will return those reward points. For merchants processing credit cards can be a nightmare riddled with obscure charges. There may be fees tacked on with names such as file fee, security fee, audit fee, conversion fee, over-limit fee, or excessive transaction fees which are all basically “because we want to” fees when it comes right down to it. Also, some companies delight in charging customers for discontinuing service with them. For a merchant finding a reliable and trustworthy processor is exceedingly difficult, however some do exist. Even if you aren’t a merchant, you are still affected by this because as it costs the merchant more money to be able to do business, you will be paying more for the goods or services they provide!

Cell Phone Service Providers

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Cellular telephone companies are well known for having obscure official looking charges added in after your plan’s cost and the average consumer has no clue what the additional charges are for. On occasion some companies have even charged fees for services that were not yet available in certain areas, but charged those areas anyway as part of their standard billing. Overage fees are quite steep in any plan, so be aware of what your limitations are on talk, text, and data. Wireless data charges seem to be the most difficult for consumers to understand their limits and result in overage for the new data users. Using directory assistance for cellular customers can cost up to $3.49 in areas of the country, however there is an alternative to paying the price if you need a number immediately. Try using 1-800-FREE411 from your cellphone instead and save a bit on your bill. Also, be aware that on occasion outside companies can charge your cellphone for texts or ring tones and sometimes getting your phone number removed from these billing lists can be a nightmare. Often it’s aimed at younger users who will send a text to sign up, and when the parents receive the bill it’s not pretty.

Auto Dealers

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Automobile dealerships are known for having a sticker price then adding on this and that for various bells and whistles on a car. This has come to be expected, but prospective buyers may not realize that when they finance through a dealership they may also pay up to an extra 2.5% that gets paid directly to the dealer. It will automatically be added in the paperwork so there will be no disclosure as to whether or not your dealer has inflated your finance rate. Knowing your credit score prior to purchasing can help you determine if you are paying a fair rate or not. When you find the car of your dreams you and the dealer want you to ride home in your new car that day, but it may be prudent to shop around for the best financing rate before you commit to buy. If you’re leasing and not purchasing, be aware you may be charged an additional fee sometimes called an acquisition fee or assignment fee. Always research before you buy or lease, ask questions, and always read the fine print!

Airlines

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Airlines have been making news about additional or hidden charges since they started charging for baggage checking. But extra charges don’t stop at merely checking your bags. Some airlines are now charging for carry-on luggage as well. Want to reserve a window seat instead of an aisle seat? Need a headset? Blanket and pillow? Snack or drink? All of these could cost you extra as well depending on your airline. Sometimes reserving your ticket over the telephone might result in an additional fee added into your ticket cost. Something came up and you need to change your flight? If you didn’t book directly through the airline, you might end up not only paying the airline extra money to change your flight, but whichever service you booked through might charge you as well, so make sure you are positive about the date and flight you’ve reserved. If you don’t fly often, research who you’re booking through as well as the airline you’re considering to see what kind of extra fees other than taxes might appear on your final bill or be sprung on you at baggage check or even on the flight!

Hotels

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Hotels have started following in the footsteps of airlines with little charges added into your final bill that you may not be aware of until time to pay. The more expensive the hotel, quite likely the larger the fee. You may find yourself paying extra charges for housekeeping, local calls, Wi-Fi access, your in-room safe, or access to amenities on the premises such as a gym or pool. Bringing a pet? There could be an extra charge added to your bill for that. Need a rollaway bed to accommodate an extra person that you’re being charged for in the room? There’s likely going to be another charge for that. Ordering room service or having a bellhop help with the bags? Some hotels automatically charge a gratuity for these services, even though tipping should be common courtesy. That minibar is not complimentary, just a courtesy, so you’ll likely be charged a restocking fee for anything there that might strike your fancy, even if it’s just a small snack. Some hotels may even charge you for parking. Proper research and reviews may help inform you of fees you’ll likely be charged outside of standard room rates.

Car Rental Agencies

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Car rental agencies are another place where you don’t want to take an advertised or quoted price for granted. Aside from taxes, you could face added charges of licensing fees, fuel charges or penalties for returning without a full tank, drop-off charges if you don’t return the vehicle to the same location you rent from, or an airport surcharge if the rental company is located at an airport. If you’re under 25 you might pay extra for being in that age group. If you drive over an expected number of miles, you’ll likely be charged for that. Many companies will abide by a 24 hour (increment) agreement, meaning that your return needs to made before a specific time of day or you could be charged for an extra day. Should you need to return the vehicle early, you may get penalized, especially if you had gotten charged a weekly rate. Insured drivers may be able to avoid the insurance fees if their own policies cover rental cars, but you always want to make sure that you have adequate coverage before trying to avoid that additional fee.

Moving Companies

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Moving companies aren’t where you might expect to find hidden charges, but there are some companies out there who will charge you many extra fees for things you may or may not think about. Depending on the company you choose you may incur extra charges if you live in a an apartment on the second story or higher, or if there is an elevator or steps involved, or if the carrying distance from door to truck is longer than normal. Also some companies may charge to disassemble beds and wrap mattresses. On rare occasions companies may charge for blanket rental or for packing tape. You may want to check into whether the company bills on mileage or actual travel time, since travel time has so many variables. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be sure to read all paperwork and research companies before you choose who is going to be handling all of your worldly possessions.

Talent Agencies

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While legitimate talent agencies may not charge fees to register, there may be optional services to pay for such as professional photographs for a portfolio or what-not. Be aware that there are several companies or people claiming to be affiliated with certain big name studios that are more than willing to ask for upfront cash in exchange for big opportunities to meet with people in big name production companies. While many states have had laws passed preventing true talent agencies from asking for money upfront from clients to register with them, there are still nefarious companies lurking about ready to reap riches due to you or your child’s dreams of being discovered. In some cases parents have been taken for over $8,000.00 from a traveling company that advertised on the radio to be in town for a weekend supposedly seeking new talent for big name companies. When seeking talent services for yourself or your child, make certain that you choose a legitimate, well established company that won’t charge ridiculous fees for possible opportunities. Never be afraid to ask questions about whether or not there is a fee or charge for something, because a true talent agent will make money when the client gets work, not for merely registration.

Retailers

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Retail companies aren’t exempt from slipping in hidden or sneaky charges and fees. If you’re purchasing electronics, be certain you got the model that you want, because several retail shops will charge you a restocking fee of up to 15% of the purchase price if you choose to return it. Companies that do this claim it’s to prevent people from purchasing something such as a camcorder for a specific use, then returning it the next day for a full refund. However, there are cases where people have been charged this fee for a defective device return. Layaway has made a comeback in these hard economical times but, some companies are now charging service fees to layaway items, and if you change your mind there can also be a restocking or cancellation fee charged to you. Certain auto parts will charge you a “core charge” tacked on in addition to the charge of the auto part, but fortunately this is usually refundable if you bring the old part back to the place of purchase. In recent news, Starbucks was fined for adding a completely hidden charge of $1.50 per bag of coffee that weighed less than one pound (in addition to the original price per pound of the coffee) that was sold in their stores. They have since removed the hidden charge to avoid any confusion to their customers.

Online sales aren’t always safe either. Always read the fine print when filling out anything online. There was a gentleman who purchased a book online that ended up costing him well over $100.00 over a period of 15 months because he checked a box for a discount on his purchase and shipping unwittingly signing him up for a recurring payment for a plan he didn’t know he had.

It seems like the price of everything keeps increasing at an alarming rate; therefore, you need to look for ways to save money. But that’s not the only thing you can save because while you can economize and budget at home, you can also help the environment by going green. In fact, not only can you save money by going green, but it can also help to improve your quality of life by reducing the clutter that gets in your way and helping you focus on the things that really matter. Here are 10 ways that you can help save the environment by going green; thus, saving you money.

Go with paperless statements

Most banks and major retailers will give you the option of paperless statements. This can save you from having unwanted clutter in your kitchen, and it can save on printing cost and stamps. Some companies even offer a discount if you sign up for paperless statements. Not only that, but sending fewer statements means that fewer items have to be trucked and air freighted around the country, thus potentially saving vast amounts of CO2 from being pumped into the atmosphere. With the internet so readily accessible at home and via smartphones, the reasons for having paper statements are diminishing quickly.

Plant a vegetable garden

Growing your own food can really help with the savings. You can grow things such as tomatoes, potatoes, squash, fruit or green beans in back yard with ease and they cost a lot less than what you would buy them for at the store. While it may save you money in the long term, it also reduces the number of miles your food has had to travel from producer to table. Those tomatoes may have been flown in from Spain, so growing them yourself really does help to reduce your own household carbon footprint. And of course there’s the added benefit of knowing exactly what has gone into them.

Buy a fuel efficient vehicle

Owning a car can be expensive, as you have the cost of insurance, fuel, car payments, registration and maintenance. Therefore, you need to choose a car that gets good gas mileage as possible, especially if you use it to commute to work and run errands. There are dependable models that cost less than $10,000 and are very fuel efficient. And don’t overlook diesel vehicles in hybrids when looking for a fuel efficient vehicle. But don’t run out and trade in your old beater for a new model on a whim. A new car may be more fuel efficient than your current model, but it may also mean taking on a new car payment and it also incurs an environmental cost as the car will have used a lot of resources to construct.

Conserve water

Water is one of our most precious resources, so it should be conserved. For too long we’ve taken it for granted that we can simply turn on the tap and enjoy and endless supply of water, or, worse, buy bottled water from far flung corners of the world just to look cool. We should ask ourselves what those less fortunate would think of us before indulging in such selfish activity. Here are some tips to conserve water at home.

• Avoid bottled water as it will cost you a considerable amount of money over time and drink tap water instead. It not only saves you money, but it is also good for the environment.
• Recycle your old bottles and fill them up with the water you need to take some with you as you leave your home. Better yet, invest in a metal water bottle that can be used for years to come, and help you to consume less plastic.
• Unless you have a solar powered hot water system, take shorter showers at a cooler temperature. It’ll use less energy and save you money. You’ll probably also be brighter in the morning after a cooler shower!
• Make sure your dishwasher is completely full when you turn it on to avoid waste.
• Store surface runoff water from your roof to water your garden, wash your car, etc.

Purchase power strips

Your electronics are normally left on when you leave the house; thus, increasing your electric bill. And the more gadgets you buy, the worse i t gets. However, if you put your television, computer, printer and other electronics into one power strip, you can turn them off when you leave, going green and saving you money. Don’t leave your phone or iPod charger plugged into the wall when they are not being used. Even your cordless phones will use up excess electricity if left in their docking stations for too long. Be mindful of leaving things plugged into the socket while they aren’t being used – it’ll cost you, and the environment.

Don’t leave computers and entertainment centers on overnight

Following on from the previous point, you should turn your computers and entertainment centers off before you go to bed. At the very least, they should be in standby mode when they aren’t being used, but even that uses up considerable amounts of energy.

Go with cloth napkins

If you go with cloth napkins, you could not only save trees that are used to make them, but you could also save your family money. Cloth napkins or rags would be just as effective as paper towels. If you have kids, you may also want to consider going old-school and using cloth diapers instead of Pampers. There is a trade off in convenience and having to use much more water because of the increased amount of washing needed, but they mean you’ll throw out much less garbage.

Carpool

Most people use almost 8 gallons of gas each week while going to and from work; therefore, you could pay more than $1000 each year on gas alone just to go to work. If you find someone at your workplace that lives close to you, you could carpool and save a huge amount of money. You also will put fewer miles on your vehicle, which can decrease your cost in maintenance bills and increase the life of your car. Add to that the reduced amount of CO2 being produced and it’s a clear winner.

Cook at home

The cost of eating out can really add up, so by cooking at home, you can save money and help the environment. If you cook your own food, you can use healthier ingredients; therefore, you have more control over what you consume. Hopefully you’ll also be using as much home grown or local seasonal produce to further economise and conserve.

Buy second hand items

With the internet widely used today, you can easily buy things that are used. Sites like eBay, Amazon, Craigslist and Gumtree are a great way to go green and save money. You could also shop at flea markets, garage sales, second hand clothes stores or second hand book shops. By purchasing second hand items, you’ll help save the energy cost that it would cost to manufacture and ship a new product.

Contributed by Finance Choices, a UK based comparison and reviews website for financial products. Check out their blog for more posts like this.

Once upon a time in the land of America there was a method of payment called, Cash. Cash was made up of a series of printed paper called bills and round pieces of metal with stamped images on them. Cash was very nice, it helped the economy by providing an easy method of payment which was standard to everyone. However, flaws were soon found.

Cash was easily stolen and looked the same for everyone; possession was the ultimate victor. As a result, if you carried a lot of Cash around with you, you became a target for thieves and muggers. If you didn’t carry your Cash with you, you didn’t have money with you to pay for needful things on your journeys and it was left unprotected elsewhere.

To solve this problem, banks were formed. Banks were protected “houses” where people could store their money and remove bits at a time for purchases. Banks also provided vouchers known as checks that could be used in place of Cash. Unfortunately though, through error of people writing checks that they didn’t have Cash in the bank to cover, and the slyness of thieves being able to duplicate the checks, they too became an unpreferred method of payment. One would think Cash would be delighted at this, as it would become the preferred method of payment once again!

Much to the dismay of Cash, a new method of payment was born. The debit card. Banks also made machines used to withdraw money by using the debit card either during or after banking hours, called ATMs. But soon, most debit cards were soon backed by credit cards making them readily acceptable in most businesses. Since the business now took the card directly as a form of payment, why visit the ATM to pick up Cash? Now, Cash knew this was a bad idea, but many Americans still cast poor Cash aside in favor of convenience.

What Americans didn’t realize, but Cash knew, was that these debit and credit card payments would eventually cause a rise in prices everywhere! Even though the banks generally didn’t charge a fee to use the card, the people who process the fees for the merchants did! Generally the fees were small and scaled on the size of the purchase. When few people used cards for their purchases, this didn’t effect the merchants income very much. Soon enough, the widespread usage of card payments by everyone had a much larger impact! Cash was feeling quite neglected.

Merchants found themselves giving up 2 to 5 percent of their income from credit and debit card payments just to get the cash from the banks or credit companies several days after the purchase was made. So, even though the average consumer had no immediate fees to pay, merchants soon had to increase the costs of their wares in order to compensate for their lost income to processing fees. Merchants who did not accept card payments lost sales to merchants who did accept the new plastic form or payment. Cash let out a hearty laugh, knowing that more of him had to be made somehow to cover the cost of all of this. It seemed to Cash that the only ones truly benefited from paying with their card was the processing companies!

The ending of this story is up to us, the consumers! The question is, will Cash defeat his evil twin Plastic? Plastic has the guise of being a free and convenient method of payment which is more secure, but it is certainly far from free. Will Plastic win out and drive our economy further into ruin through its convenience? Will Cash become more popular once again in and improve our economy by beating the fees consumers don’t often realize are being charged? Next time we go to make a purchase, we should think about poor Cash, because only consumers can decide if Cash can live happily ever after.

One of the easiest ways to save money is right at your fingertips. With a pen and paper you can create a plan to organize your spending and hang on to more of your cash.

Pay Your Bills On Time

Avoiding late fees or reconnect fees is a great way to save money. If you have a hard time remembering when things are due, keep a calendar posted in a convenient location and mark the due date or the day before the due date on your calendar. There is no bigger waste of money than paying a late fee that could have easily been avoided if only it hadn’t slipped your mind.

Plan Your Errands in a Logical Pattern

If you need to run several errands around town, plan a gas saving route between them. Do an errand a day ahead of time if it fits into your travel circle for that day instead of making a special trip. Not only will this save valuable time, but it saves on gas, which we all know is expensive. An added bonus is that it reduces your carbon footprint, which is better for the planet.

Don’t Be Afraid to Clip and Use Coupons

You can keep your coupons in an envelope in the car, so they’re always with you when you go out to shop. This also works well for couples who share a car and shopping duties. You’ll never be in the shop wishing you’d brought your coupon along for an item you need now.

Pay Attention to Store Circulars and Sale Papers

See what’s on sale and check your coupon supply. If it’s a non-perishable item that you use and it’s on sale, buy it then with the coupon instead of waiting until you run out. Stocking up on sale items with a coupon is a great way to save. Don’t be afraid to buy a generic brand to save a bit of hard earned cash, especially if you compare the ingredient labels and they are identical. Sometimes even a name brand on sale with a coupon won’t beat the price of a generic that is all but identical. Try to be savvy and choose your generics and name brand products wisely to maximize your shopping savings. Also, buying in bulk sizes can save money in the long run, even if it is a bit more out of pocket at the time of purchase.

Don’t Shop Without a List

Impulse buys can blow your budget in a big way. Furthermore, without a list you will find yourself making extra trips to purchase items that you forgot, wasting gas, time, and money. Stick to your list and limit your browsing. Labels and displays are made to grab your attention and have you digging into your wallet! It’s likely an item you don’t need if it’s not on your list, and if you decide later it’s something you DO really want, put it on your shopping list for next time. While keeping to your list and not browsing along, you’ll be able to save time as well as money!

Plan Your Meals

If you know what you’re eating and when you’re going to eat it, you’re far less likely to swing through a drive-thru or go out for dinner instead of eating at home. Restaurant meals are much more expensive than a home cooked meal or thrown together sandwich. If you’ve dined out, of course there’s the added gratuity for your server in addition to the cost of the actual food. It all adds up. If you plan your meals and eat at home you’ll save much more money in the long run, and quite possibly eat healthier as well.

Take Time to Create a Budget

Sit down and figure out a workable budget for yourself. If you’re like the average American, you feel like there’s just not enough money for everything you need or want. Keep track of your spending habits. Once you figure out where your money is going, it should be a lot easier to find out where things are going wrong and how to improve them. When you’re looking at your figures, think of things in long term, rather than short term. For example, if you’re spending on average $2.00 on candy bars a week, which you don’t need to survive, sure that’s just $2.00. A WEEK. That’s $104.00 a year. That 104.00 could be at least one month’s water bill paid. Thinking of things in the long term rather than short term may help you trim the fat from your budget and improve your overall financial situation.

Getting organized isn’t an instant way to remove the stranglehold of debt or get rich quick, but it should help you avoid overspending or needless fees. Armed with pen, paper, and scissors, you can get ready to save some money and prevail over your debt! If there is no plan at all; there is no plan for success!

First of all, getting the best deal on a product you don’t need and won’t use is not necessarily a great deal. Internet shopping is geared for impulse buying; so before you break out your credit card, decide whether you are buying an item just because it is incredibly cheap or if it is really something you want to spend your money on.

You should also familiarize yourself with the online seller’s return policy just in case you have a change of heart after submitting your order. Note that many eBay sellers will not accept returns, so if you get caught up in a bidding frenzy or impulsively click “Buy It Now” you will be stuck with the item you purchased. If eBay is where you ultimately find your best deal, you should also check the seller’s rating and feedback profile before committing to a purchase. If other buyers have had issues with the seller, it might be best to keep searching for the best deal or surrender and pay a little more and buy from someone with a clean record.

Similarly, getting a great deal on a sub-standard product is not a good value. Part of the beauty of shopping online is the fact that virtually any product available, unless it is brand new, has been previously purchased and reviewed by other consumers. This can be incredibly helpful when comparing brands and similar products, as unpaid reviewers are typically very honest and straightforward with their opinions of what they’ve bought. If other consumers consistently rate a product poorly, there is a very good chance you wouldn’t like it either. You can often avoid buyer’s remorse by researching product reviews and ratings online before parting with your money.

Once you have narrowed the best price on a product down to a handful of retailers, it’s often worth a quick Google search with the retailer name and the words “coupon code” after it. If you find a coupon for a retailer that already has a good price on the item you can enter it during checkout to save even more.

Sometimes the best price on an item isn’t online. After finding a great deal online, you have to also consider what the shipping charges for the item will be. This can often negate the savings, making it a better deal to buy the item locally. Most chain stores have websites you can use for price checking. If you find you can save money by picking up your purchase the old fashioned way the bonus is that you have your item instantly and won’t have to wait by the mailbox for the next week or so to get it.

Using the Internet to gather information before buying a product can help you save money and increase your overall satisfaction with your purchases. Anyone can use Google to enter nearly any product name followed by the word “review” and be rewarded with pages of search results for unbiased text and video reviews or demos. The next time you’re thinking of letting go of some hard-earned cash, do some quick searches first to make sure you’re getting the best price on products that are worth buying.