Monday, May 21, 2012
His & Hers Cheat Sheet cont’d...
Sunday, May 6, 2012
His & Hers Cheat Sheet
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Pay Yourself First
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Power-Dressing for Pennies on the Dollar
Goodwill Industries and The Salvation Army Thrift Stores often have valuable finds at an absurd fraction of the original costs on clothing for the entire family, as well as a wide variety of household items. In some places, same-kind items all go for the same price. For instance: all ladies or men’s jean go on the same rack, to be sold for the same price. That’s usually somewhere around $7.00 each these days. It doesn’t matter whether they are designer labels or utility jeans. For many people, these donated items are simply an easier way to dispose of wardrobe changes without the bother to resell them themselves. The generous tax deduction is more expedient for them.
- Too heavy? – Layer soft fabrics for an elongated appearance.
- Too thin? – Not too tight. Go baggy instead.
- Tall? – Wear wide brimmed hats and pleated slacks.
- Short? – Wear narrow brimmed hats and straight-legged slacks.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Living Smart from the Start
In your early years, avoid shopping at elaborate malls. These merchants pay dearly for their space and exposure there. That cost is then passed on to the consumers. That’s business. However, malls do offer the following perks:
1. You can see what's current in merchandising and fashion trends.
2. You can learn current market values.
3. You can learn about competitive pricing.
Good bargains can be found in their post-season sales.
Experiment with store brand foods and unfamiliar generic brands to stretch your food dollars. Many major food store chains contract with food packaging and canning companies for use of their products for their own private labeling. (By the way, this is also true of some cosmetic companies.) In most cases, the product is the same quality as in name-brand labels, but the cost is considerably less due to bulk purchasing and private labeling. These savings are then passed on to the consumer at the retail level.
For the greatest bargains on meats, poultry and other food products, shop the first of the month, whenever possible. That's when many people receive their monthly checks or food allowances. Most supermarket chains stock heavily at this time, and reduce prices to encourage volume shopping. In fact, you will find that family-size packages of steaks, chops and poultry are generally priced at 20 to 40 cents less per pound than smaller packages of the same cuts. This is when I clean, season and freeze meal-sized packages for later use. Now you are saving money and time in your busy life.
We pay higher prices for the convenience of prepared or pre-cooked foods. Use your cookbook and plan meals in advance instead. My personal favorite cook book is 'Better Homes and Gardens'.
If you already own an automobile, you are in a better position to take advantage of more money-saving options. One of those options is 'Closeout Stores'. They are often located in suburban neighborhoods because they cater to homeowners and families. This is where I begin shopping for almost everything. These stores are stocked from discontinued merchandise from various manufacturers, as well as from other store-chains’ liquidations. Their inventory includes food products, cosmetics, clothing, tools, greeting cards, cleaning products, electronics and sometimes furniture. You will be amazed at the savings you will realize, without sacrificing quality.
Ladies, learn how to take care of your own hair and nails in your early years. It would be wise to consult your favorite hairdresser to learn how to use the proper products and tools for your hair type, but doing-it-yourself can save you hundreds of dollars over a year’s time. When you are ready for a new cut or color, then you should return to your favorite hairdresser. If you are not established with a particular hairdresser, try a beauty school for tremendous savings. The instructor will be on-hand to monitor the procedure of the student, so there is less gamble with mistakes by choosing this option.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Stretching the Everyday Dollar
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... and more. My purpose for this Blog Spot is to share with you some of my 'learning experiences’; my successes as well as my failures, so that you don’t have to re-invent-the-wheel. I call it, 'The Cheat Sheet’. You will get there someday… on Your terms, by learning to live consciously, realistically, virtually debt-free, and, all in one piece. So, If you are right out of school facing life on your own, (plus a Student Loan), the last thing that you want to do is accumulate more debt. That could sabotage your peace of mind and financial future in a 'New York Second'. So, it is of ultimate importance that you prioritize your Needs. You must approach your personal lifestyle and financial growth on a conscious level. That means you must (a) Come out of the box (b) Resist the temptation to 'fit-in' or 'follow the crowd'. Everybody's reality is different, so you have to know who You are; i.e., your dreams and your aspirations, your likes and dislikes. Explore your hidden talents. A great deal of pride can come from accomplishing a goal for less than the rest. That's what makes you 'Uniquely You'. Let's explore a few scenarios: You just graduated from high school, tech school or college, and landed that 'starter position’. Now you want to cut-the-cord and explore life on your own. Your worldly possessions consist of just enough money for first, last and securities on a one-bedroom/one-bath apartment. Many young people find themselves settled into an undesirable location because of the lower monthly rental costs. If they don’t own a car, public transportation is also a consideration; at least until they can save enough money for a down payment on one. Then, there are furnishings to provide immediately, such as a bed, a dresser, a few kitchen items, as well as a professional wardrobe and transportation… all on your starter income. And that’s where the 'cycle of struggle’ begins. Using the same scenario, there is another way to avoid the 'cycle of struggle’, and 'start right to stay right'. Confine your apartment search to areas closest to your job. This will eliminate your immediate need for a car. Some of the benefits of that are: (a) The cost of an automobile can buy a lot of furniture, if you go about that right; (b) There are no additional expenses for auto insurance and maintenance; (c) The daily walk could substitute for an expensive 'fitness center’ for a while; and (d) You are already 'uptown’, livin large. If you are in a big hurry to 'live large’, and patience is not your strong point, consider finding a roommate to share expenses for the first couple of years. With the right chemistry, you could each save an average of 43% per month on rent and utilities by leasing (1) two bedroom apartment to share, as opposed to (2) one bedroom apartments each. But the right chemistry is important! Shop Thrift stores, Consignment stores, Yard sales and Estate sales for your starter furnishings, household items and entertainment equipment. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasures”. You can always upgrade as your income increases. Choose these same options for your professional wardrobe also. If you check the enclosed display counter at a Thrift or Consignment store at the register, you will often find heirloom costume jewelry and other specialty items at a good price. A great deal of personal pride and confidence can be gained from a quality find that makes you look like a million bucks, for little more than the cost of a six pack of beer. The money you save on your professional wardrobe can be used to buy the social wear that expresses your personal style. To be continued… |