As I was doing some research I came across this article on your most important financial task that I really enjoyed. Take a look and let me know what you think. Take a minute and post some one or two of your most successful budgeting or spending plan ideas.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Fight for your Money - Call Customer Service
About a year ago my brother and sister-in-law bought a Vizio Surround Sound Speaker system from Costco for about $400 and were pretty happy with it. It played well and sounded great. Recently, the speaker system started to short out and became a danger if they used it. They didn't purchase a warranty with the product and so were concerned about their options. My brother-in-law suggested they not worry about it and just go buy another one. My sister-in-law said "Be Frugal Live Wealthy", meaning me, would say let's fight for our money; she called Vizio's 800 number and let them know the situation. She told them she bought Vizio because it was a great product. She asked them what she could do. The customer service representative at Vizio said she'll talk to her manager. After a few minutes she got back on the line and said they would send them out another speaker system.
They sent the new system out by Federal Express and it arrived in 2 days. Vizio even sent out a return slip so they didn't have to pay for sending the old one back. My in-laws set the new system up and it works great!!
My brother-in-law was so impressed that he sent Vizio an email indicating that and that he wouldn't buy another brand.
When Jody shared this experience with me I was so excited and let me tell you why:
It was so easy! My sister-in-law called the 800# and explained her situation and they made it real easy for my in-laws. The entire phone call probably took less than 15 minutes. Companies are striving to see that their customers are satisfied with their products and will work hard to make sure of it.
As a side note the more you "fight for your money" and make the necessary calls to customer service personnel the easier it will get and the more you'll be able to ask for discounts, coupons, etc. I've also found it gives you more confidence in your negotiations.
If you have issues that are costing you money such as an article of clothing that's too big or an item you purchased that you are not satisfied with and may require some customer service personnel intervention give them a call. It may save you some money.
My challenge to you is to determine an issue that needs resolved and take the necessary steps to resolve it.
Thank you and have a great day,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
They sent the new system out by Federal Express and it arrived in 2 days. Vizio even sent out a return slip so they didn't have to pay for sending the old one back. My in-laws set the new system up and it works great!!
My brother-in-law was so impressed that he sent Vizio an email indicating that and that he wouldn't buy another brand.
When Jody shared this experience with me I was so excited and let me tell you why:
It was so easy! My sister-in-law called the 800# and explained her situation and they made it real easy for my in-laws. The entire phone call probably took less than 15 minutes. Companies are striving to see that their customers are satisfied with their products and will work hard to make sure of it.
As a side note the more you "fight for your money" and make the necessary calls to customer service personnel the easier it will get and the more you'll be able to ask for discounts, coupons, etc. I've also found it gives you more confidence in your negotiations.
If you have issues that are costing you money such as an article of clothing that's too big or an item you purchased that you are not satisfied with and may require some customer service personnel intervention give them a call. It may save you some money.
My challenge to you is to determine an issue that needs resolved and take the necessary steps to resolve it.
Thank you and have a great day,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 13, 2011
"Fight for your money" tip 3 - Ask for a lower price
I've missed blogging over the last week because we've been so busy preparing a financial education booth for Prairie Days in Yelm on June 23rd to the 25th and working on our house. We've been talking about pulling up the carpet and getting new flooring for a few years now. The holdup has always been me because I wanted to make sure we could pay cash. I had done a walkthrough with a couple a few years ago and in passing they said they remodeled one room at a time as they had money. This thought has always stuck in my mind. If you can't pay cash...Wait until you can.
Finally, we got our taxes back, did some much needed car maintenance, went on vacation and we made sure we had enough left over to pull the carpet and put down laminate. Jody is real excited and can't wait to have it completed!!
We spent a lot of time looking for the right laminate, weighing price, value, and choices of flooring. We set a budget for the job and kept our eye on making sure we stayed under budget. Well, we finally found the right laminate that we knew would look good in our home. One weekend we saw it at 2.69/sq ft and we asked them if they could go lower. They said they could go as low as 2.49/sq ft. We kept that in the back of our minds. When we finally determined that this place was the one, we looked online and they had it for 2.89/sq ft. Our hearts sank, because that would put us over our budget. I called the company and told them our budget and that we needed to make it under that. It was the end of the month and they were willing to make some deals and move some inventory so we asked them how low they could go, and they said they could go down to 2.49/sq ft. We did the math and 550 sq ft @ 40 cents saving /sq ft saved us over $200 on our purchase because we were willing to ask for a lower price. This kept us under budget, so we went and bought new flooring that day! We're so happy because we like the flooring and got it for a good price.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
Finally, we got our taxes back, did some much needed car maintenance, went on vacation and we made sure we had enough left over to pull the carpet and put down laminate. Jody is real excited and can't wait to have it completed!!
We spent a lot of time looking for the right laminate, weighing price, value, and choices of flooring. We set a budget for the job and kept our eye on making sure we stayed under budget. Well, we finally found the right laminate that we knew would look good in our home. One weekend we saw it at 2.69/sq ft and we asked them if they could go lower. They said they could go as low as 2.49/sq ft. We kept that in the back of our minds. When we finally determined that this place was the one, we looked online and they had it for 2.89/sq ft. Our hearts sank, because that would put us over our budget. I called the company and told them our budget and that we needed to make it under that. It was the end of the month and they were willing to make some deals and move some inventory so we asked them how low they could go, and they said they could go down to 2.49/sq ft. We did the math and 550 sq ft @ 40 cents saving /sq ft saved us over $200 on our purchase because we were willing to ask for a lower price. This kept us under budget, so we went and bought new flooring that day! We're so happy because we like the flooring and got it for a good price.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
Monday, May 30, 2011
Are you a money manager or a money watcher? Step 2 "How do you feel about money?"
Growing up, my mom was pretty savvy with money. She was responsible with her finances and did fairly well for a single parent on a secretary's income. It seemed as though we always had enough money and I didn't go without. My mom also did her best to teach me the value of a dollar, if I wanted something extra I had to buy it myself or pay the difference. I delivered newspapers from the time I was 13 and then worked a more glamorous job at McDonald's when I turned 16.
I grew up when Star Jeans and Moon Jeans were in style. These jeans were $25-30 and my mom wasn't going to buy them for me, they were just too expensive and in her eyes, unnecessary.
Another time when I was 14 my mom bought me a bike for my birthday. It was a great bike, but it didn't have the coolest looking parts. As soon as I brought it home from the store I started making changes to it, and this took up a majority of my discretionary money. I started with a new set of handlebars and then a new seat and pedals until eventually I had an entire new bike. All of my money went into transforming this bike into the coolest bike in the neighborhood, or so I thought. The unfortunate thing, with such frivolous spending I never really learned how to be more disciplined with my money. All my money went to me, and I spent every last penny.
Looking back on that time in my life I wish I was a bit more disciplined. Not only would I have more money but I would have learned earlier to save money no matter what the scenario.
Jody was raised a little differently. She didn't work a regular job but if her and her siblings kept their grades up they would have the right to ask for money if they needed it, within reason. If they needed some money for a movie or some clothes he would give it to them. Her dad was a salesman and some months were more plentiful than others. He would tell them at the beginning of the month if they could ask for money or not. This worked for their family.
Growing up there's a scripting that happens in your home depending on how the financial decision makers, usually your parents, made financial decisions. In some cases this will affect you the rest of your life, for good or not-so-good. If you grew up with some bad financial habits you can make necessary changes. I want to ask you How do you feel about money? Or, what is your relationship to money? The way you answer this series of questions can change your life and turn your finances around. I found a quiz online that will help you answer these all-important questions. Please take a few minutes to respond to this quiz and I promise it will help you determine your relationship to money and help you make some necessary adjustments.
Thank you for your continued support, we work to assist you in getting your finances in order. If you would like to see a particular topic covered please let us know.
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
I grew up when Star Jeans and Moon Jeans were in style. These jeans were $25-30 and my mom wasn't going to buy them for me, they were just too expensive and in her eyes, unnecessary.
Another time when I was 14 my mom bought me a bike for my birthday. It was a great bike, but it didn't have the coolest looking parts. As soon as I brought it home from the store I started making changes to it, and this took up a majority of my discretionary money. I started with a new set of handlebars and then a new seat and pedals until eventually I had an entire new bike. All of my money went into transforming this bike into the coolest bike in the neighborhood, or so I thought. The unfortunate thing, with such frivolous spending I never really learned how to be more disciplined with my money. All my money went to me, and I spent every last penny.
Looking back on that time in my life I wish I was a bit more disciplined. Not only would I have more money but I would have learned earlier to save money no matter what the scenario.
Jody was raised a little differently. She didn't work a regular job but if her and her siblings kept their grades up they would have the right to ask for money if they needed it, within reason. If they needed some money for a movie or some clothes he would give it to them. Her dad was a salesman and some months were more plentiful than others. He would tell them at the beginning of the month if they could ask for money or not. This worked for their family.
Growing up there's a scripting that happens in your home depending on how the financial decision makers, usually your parents, made financial decisions. In some cases this will affect you the rest of your life, for good or not-so-good. If you grew up with some bad financial habits you can make necessary changes. I want to ask you How do you feel about money? Or, what is your relationship to money? The way you answer this series of questions can change your life and turn your finances around. I found a quiz online that will help you answer these all-important questions. Please take a few minutes to respond to this quiz and I promise it will help you determine your relationship to money and help you make some necessary adjustments.
Thank you for your continued support, we work to assist you in getting your finances in order. If you would like to see a particular topic covered please let us know.
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
http://www.befrugallivewealthy.blogspot.com/
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Are you a money manager or a money watcher? Step 1
My family loves to go beachcombing and we also love lifting up the rocks and seeing all the living things that scurry out from under them. One of the things that I notice at the beach is how constant the tide is, it effortlessly goes in and out bringing new life to the beach.
Several years ago I used to be a money watcher. I would watch money go in and watch it go out, much like the ocean tide, but never really managed it. Every night I would come home from work and call the bank and check my bank balances. It made Jody crazy because it seemed to be the focus of my life. This was before the days of online banking and it seemed to take a bit longer to get the desired information. The problem was I never really did anything about it. It was because I really didn't know what to do. So as a result, even though I was watching, we overspent. I wonder if it's because we were caught up in a shallow tidepool, not able to and we just didn't know how to get out. Does this sound like some of you? We want to show you how to stop the ebb and flow, keeping more in and less going out, and give you control back so you can be a money manager instead of a money watcher. Over the next few posts we'll show you how you can be a more effective money manager.
Step 1 - Make a record of all your expenses
For the next 2 weeks or even a month keep track of everything you purchase. Carry a small notebook and a pencil around with you; wherever you go write down all your expenses. If you go out to lunch, write it down. If you pay a bill, write it down. Even if you buy a pack of gum or a can of pop, write it down. At the end of the 2-week or 1 month period review the items in your list. You'll be surprised what you discover. This will establish a spending baseline for you and help you to see where your money is going and where you need to make adjustments. We encourage you to start making a record and let us know how it's going, including the challenges and triumphs.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Several years ago I used to be a money watcher. I would watch money go in and watch it go out, much like the ocean tide, but never really managed it. Every night I would come home from work and call the bank and check my bank balances. It made Jody crazy because it seemed to be the focus of my life. This was before the days of online banking and it seemed to take a bit longer to get the desired information. The problem was I never really did anything about it. It was because I really didn't know what to do. So as a result, even though I was watching, we overspent. I wonder if it's because we were caught up in a shallow tidepool, not able to and we just didn't know how to get out. Does this sound like some of you? We want to show you how to stop the ebb and flow, keeping more in and less going out, and give you control back so you can be a money manager instead of a money watcher. Over the next few posts we'll show you how you can be a more effective money manager.
Step 1 - Make a record of all your expenses
For the next 2 weeks or even a month keep track of everything you purchase. Carry a small notebook and a pencil around with you; wherever you go write down all your expenses. If you go out to lunch, write it down. If you pay a bill, write it down. Even if you buy a pack of gum or a can of pop, write it down. At the end of the 2-week or 1 month period review the items in your list. You'll be surprised what you discover. This will establish a spending baseline for you and help you to see where your money is going and where you need to make adjustments. We encourage you to start making a record and let us know how it's going, including the challenges and triumphs.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Sunday, May 8, 2011
I need your help with an experiment!!
Good Evening!
Over the last couple of weeks Jody and I have been doing an experiment to see if we can save money on having our kids bring homemade lunches. The girls had been having school lunch for the past 3-4 months and it's been very nice because we don't have to shop for lunch food or make lunches which makes it easier. I suggested to Jody, why don't we do a real test and see if having the girls bring their lunches from home would save money. Jody's a terrific sport in trying to make things work that I suggest.
The first week we tried it. Jody bought some lunch food and before we knew it Jody had spent $40 even before we had enough food for lunches.
The second week was similar and it seemed like in order to have lunch for 3 children with a variety it seemed to cost about $50.
We are looking for things our readers have done to keep the costs down for lunches and made it more cost effective than buying lunch.
What have you done to keep your lunch costs down and have you made a decision to feed your children school lunch or homemade lunch?
I'd like to get your thoughts on what you've done to feed your kids homemade lunches on less and still give them a variety. Please make a comment in the comment section and let me know how you've beat the homemade lunch game.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Over the last couple of weeks Jody and I have been doing an experiment to see if we can save money on having our kids bring homemade lunches. The girls had been having school lunch for the past 3-4 months and it's been very nice because we don't have to shop for lunch food or make lunches which makes it easier. I suggested to Jody, why don't we do a real test and see if having the girls bring their lunches from home would save money. Jody's a terrific sport in trying to make things work that I suggest.
The first week we tried it. Jody bought some lunch food and before we knew it Jody had spent $40 even before we had enough food for lunches.
The second week was similar and it seemed like in order to have lunch for 3 children with a variety it seemed to cost about $50.
We are looking for things our readers have done to keep the costs down for lunches and made it more cost effective than buying lunch.
What have you done to keep your lunch costs down and have you made a decision to feed your children school lunch or homemade lunch?
I'd like to get your thoughts on what you've done to feed your kids homemade lunches on less and still give them a variety. Please make a comment in the comment section and let me know how you've beat the homemade lunch game.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Greg and Jody's vacation tip 3 - H2O is great for you-and for your wallet!!
This is one of Jody's great ideas. One of the things that we did as part of our pre-vacation food purchases is bought a couple of gallons of water and got the girls water bottles for the trip. This did a couple of things, it saved us money on drinks plus it didn't allow them to continually sip on juice and pop the entire trip, thus saving long-term on dentist bills.
There were times when they would get tired of water and so we would splurge and purchase a soda or juice but if you keep it cold with ice it seems to work better. Usually when you fill up on gas you can fill up on ice to refreshen your H2O.
Send us your vacation tips that helped you or your family. We look forward to hearing from you,
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
There were times when they would get tired of water and so we would splurge and purchase a soda or juice but if you keep it cold with ice it seems to work better. Usually when you fill up on gas you can fill up on ice to refreshen your H2O.
Send us your vacation tips that helped you or your family. We look forward to hearing from you,
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Greg and Jody's Vacation Tip 2 - Mommy, Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom
You're on vacation and you've just stopped and filled up with gasoline, maybe got a few snacks, "got the wiggles out" and you're back on the road getting closer to your destination with every turn of the tires. You've been traveling a while and you're in a hurry to see your family and relax for a while. Then from the back of the car you hear, "Mommy, Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom." In your mind you're thinking and might even blurt it out, "Why didn't you go when we were at the gas station?" "I didn't have to go then." comes the hesitant answer. What should you do now?
In a time like this and other times, instead of having to stop at a gas station or mini-mart and buying snacks you can stop at a rest area for a break. This will take away the temptation of having to spend a fair amount on snacks. In a mini-mart, especially one right off the freeway some products will cost you double what they do in a grocery store. I've attached a link to a study and money traps that compares the difference between shopping at mini-marts and grocery stores.
This thought came to mind after we had just spent $10-15 at a mini-mart. We drove by a rest area and I realized that the rest area is not just a place to take a break but it's a place to save you money on vacation. If you have more vacation tips please send us a comment to our blog.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal live wealthy
In a time like this and other times, instead of having to stop at a gas station or mini-mart and buying snacks you can stop at a rest area for a break. This will take away the temptation of having to spend a fair amount on snacks. In a mini-mart, especially one right off the freeway some products will cost you double what they do in a grocery store. I've attached a link to a study and money traps that compares the difference between shopping at mini-marts and grocery stores.
This thought came to mind after we had just spent $10-15 at a mini-mart. We drove by a rest area and I realized that the rest area is not just a place to take a break but it's a place to save you money on vacation. If you have more vacation tips please send us a comment to our blog.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal live wealthy
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Greg and Jody's Vacation tip 1
Here's our first Vacation Tip
Before we left Jody had a great idea. She gave the girls some money so they'd have some money to spend however they chose. This was so we didn't have to continue entertain their questions like, "Mom and dad, can you buy me this?" or "Can I get that?" This gave us the option to answer, "Sure, you have money, you can buy it." One of the requirements to have this money was to track it in their check register which Jody had given them. This encouraged them to write in their register and track their expenses.
Another twist to encourage them to keep track of their expenses, I gave them a couple of reminders and then if they had purchases that weren't entered in their register I started to take some money back from them. This lead to them not just letting money go through their hand but actually managing their money.
This worked great because it helped them to see a big picture of their expenses and helped them to manage their money more effectively. Stay tuned for vacation tips coming in the next couple of days. Have a great day and enjoy planning for your summer vacation.
Greg and Jody
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Before we left Jody had a great idea. She gave the girls some money so they'd have some money to spend however they chose. This was so we didn't have to continue entertain their questions like, "Mom and dad, can you buy me this?" or "Can I get that?" This gave us the option to answer, "Sure, you have money, you can buy it." One of the requirements to have this money was to track it in their check register which Jody had given them. This encouraged them to write in their register and track their expenses.
This worked great because it helped them to see a big picture of their expenses and helped them to manage their money more effectively. Stay tuned for vacation tips coming in the next couple of days. Have a great day and enjoy planning for your summer vacation.
Greg and Jody
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Cheap things to do for Spring Break
I spent 2 years serving a church mission in Japan. One of the things I can remember is how beautiful the cherry blossoms were in springtime. The colors were so full and rich and real pleasing to the eyes. I notice we're seeing those beautiful cherry blossoms which is a sign that spring is around the corner. And with spring around the corner that means Spring Break for the kids and college students. What are you and your children going to do for Spring Break? What is the financial situation like? Have you spent all of your tax refund? Some of you may be looking for some fun things to do for Spring break.
It seems like we've always had to find things to do on a smaller budget and here are some of the things we've done with the kids:
We are in the middle of a vacation, we took our kids on a road trip to Idaho and Utah this Spring break. Stay tuned for my daily entry on how to save money while on a road trip.
Greg and Jody
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
It seems like we've always had to find things to do on a smaller budget and here are some of the things we've done with the kids:
- Go on a hike - Going on a hike is a great way to be in the out of doors, get exercise, and enjoy spending time together. Leave the electronic devices at home and I think you'll find this a great way to reconnect.
- Contact your local library - Your local library is a great resource and they may have added extra activities in their schedule that kids will enjoy.
- Eating out - When you're out the family will get hungry and you'll need to have lunch. A couple of ways to negotiate this is to put a spending limit on the meals according to your budget. If you're able to go on a hike you can bring a picnic lunch
I did some research and I found some more websites giving you ideas for all members of the family to do to keep them engaged on a smaller budget. - Here is a site mainly for college students or young adults
- This is for staying in town:
- This is great for families:
We are in the middle of a vacation, we took our kids on a road trip to Idaho and Utah this Spring break. Stay tuned for my daily entry on how to save money while on a road trip.
Greg and Jody
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Sunday, March 27, 2011
How can I save money on a wedding!!
"Mom, we're getting married!" one of your children comes home and says with great excitement!! You knew this day would come but you weren't expecting it so soon. You have a little bit saved up but what are you going to do about the rest? You want to make it memorable but don't want to break the bank. According to http://www.costofwedding.com/ on average, US couples spend $24,066 for their wedding. However, the majority of couples spend between $18,050 and $30,083. I checked other sites and they estimate about $20,000 on the low side and about $40,000 on the high side. Also, on http://www.costofwedding.com/ I took a wedding survey. Let me tell you what I found. In my hometown, if I were to plan a wedding it would cost me between 28,000 and 47,000.
Do not fret!! There are several ways to pay for yours or your children's nuptuals without breaking the bank.
Do you have to be extravagant to make your wedding day memorable or are there some things you can do to cut the costs of getting married?
We spent between 3000 and $5,000 on our wedding and here are some of the things we did it.
This is an important day, one which you should enjoy and be proud of, but don't get caught up in the line of thinking, "This is a once in a lifetime event and you need the best". If you do you may be paying for a long time with a lot of interest.
You can either spend a lot on your wedding or scale back significantly and use some of the money and put a down payment on a house. This will pay you in the long run as you begin to build equity. May you have a wonderful day filled with love, friends, and family.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
PS. Next week we'll discuss Inexpensive Activities you can do for Spring Break
Do not fret!! There are several ways to pay for yours or your children's nuptuals without breaking the bank.
Do you have to be extravagant to make your wedding day memorable or are there some things you can do to cut the costs of getting married?
We spent between 3000 and $5,000 on our wedding and here are some of the things we did it.
- Jody worked at a print shop and she made our wedding announcements. Not everybody has the luxury of working in a print shop but you can buy announcements and make your own. $25
- Jody's mom made the wedding cake and did a great job! $30
- We reserved our church and decorated it with some decorations we purchased. $50
- We had a friend who was studying photography who took our pictures $200
- We asked a friend of ours who worked in horticulture to arrange our flowers $200
- Knowing you looked for and found ways to scale back on the price of your wedding Priceless
This is an important day, one which you should enjoy and be proud of, but don't get caught up in the line of thinking, "This is a once in a lifetime event and you need the best". If you do you may be paying for a long time with a lot of interest.
You can either spend a lot on your wedding or scale back significantly and use some of the money and put a down payment on a house. This will pay you in the long run as you begin to build equity. May you have a wonderful day filled with love, friends, and family.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
PS. Next week we'll discuss Inexpensive Activities you can do for Spring Break
Monday, March 14, 2011
A note of caution when donating money to important causes
Japan has experienced one of the most challenging natural disasters in the last century. Most of you have seen footage of the powerful 23-foot waves come in from the western shore of Japan mowing down whatever was in its wake including homes, large buildings, businesses etc. Our heart goes out to the many thousands of people who have lost their lives and the families and friends that were left behind.
With the thousands of deaths and damages that accompanied the disaster many causes will pop up on the internet, grocery store counters, email requests, etc. with opportunities to donate to the cause of the people in Japan. Just a note of caution, be careful to choose reputable causes to which to donate your hard-earned money. Make sure and read their prospectus and financial statements, and do other research which may be required.
With many telemarketers calling requesting donations to one charity or another I have found that donating to my church gives me comfort. I've seen the causes that they donate to and I trust the administrator of the money, and these are some good criteria to use when choosing a charity.
I found a great site that helps us determine to whom to donate our money. Here are some of the tips which they give:
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
With the thousands of deaths and damages that accompanied the disaster many causes will pop up on the internet, grocery store counters, email requests, etc. with opportunities to donate to the cause of the people in Japan. Just a note of caution, be careful to choose reputable causes to which to donate your hard-earned money. Make sure and read their prospectus and financial statements, and do other research which may be required.
With many telemarketers calling requesting donations to one charity or another I have found that donating to my church gives me comfort. I've seen the causes that they donate to and I trust the administrator of the money, and these are some good criteria to use when choosing a charity.
I found a great site that helps us determine to whom to donate our money. Here are some of the tips which they give:
- Wait and See how the charities will donate
- Designate your investment-You can designate your donation to go to this particular crisis
- Be careful of email solicitations-Be Leery Of People That Contact You Online Claiming To Be A Victim
- Consider The Nature Of The Charity’s Work-Not every charity responds in the same way
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
How to save money on your vacation
As we've been planning our summer vacation this year, we're looking forward to visiting and reconnecting with family. This year we are focusing on something we haven't done in the past-we're working on a cash only policy. In years past we've put everything on a credit card and deal with the costs when we return home. As we've learned from previous posts you spend 20-30% more money when you use a credit card. So with this year we have to be more frugal in our choices. Here are some things that we have found to help us out:
Start with a $ goal amount in mind-Are we going to spend $1000, $2,000, or $5,000, or $10,000 on this vacation? This will help you keep your unnecessary costs down. Be realistic when setting this goal because if you don't, it may cause stress, and you'll come home more stressed than when you left.
Plan ahead-Plan ahead including your routes, restaurant and motel or hotel stops. Mapquest is a great way to help you determine your routes; are you looking for the quickest route or the scenic route?
Allow some time and money flexibility - Even though this is a personal finance blog aimed at helping you save money on all facets of your life you want to make sure you are not so planned that you are adding stress to your life and the lives of your family members. Sometimes the best experiences are those that are done on the spur of the moment.
If you're taking a vacation to include flight, hotels and rental cars take a look at this video, it may give you some tips to help you save money.
Here are some more tips to help you plan a successful vacation: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/01/15/ten-money-saving-vacation-and-travel-tips/
http://consumerboomer.com/20-ways-to-save-money-on-your-vacation/
As we get on vacation we'll keep you posted on some of the things that we've done to help save money. Share with us some of your tips for fun, economic vacationing and have a great Summer!!
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Start with a $ goal amount in mind-Are we going to spend $1000, $2,000, or $5,000, or $10,000 on this vacation? This will help you keep your unnecessary costs down. Be realistic when setting this goal because if you don't, it may cause stress, and you'll come home more stressed than when you left.
Plan ahead-Plan ahead including your routes, restaurant and motel or hotel stops. Mapquest is a great way to help you determine your routes; are you looking for the quickest route or the scenic route?
Allow some time and money flexibility - Even though this is a personal finance blog aimed at helping you save money on all facets of your life you want to make sure you are not so planned that you are adding stress to your life and the lives of your family members. Sometimes the best experiences are those that are done on the spur of the moment.
If you're taking a vacation to include flight, hotels and rental cars take a look at this video, it may give you some tips to help you save money.
Here are some more tips to help you plan a successful vacation: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/01/15/ten-money-saving-vacation-and-travel-tips/
http://consumerboomer.com/20-ways-to-save-money-on-your-vacation/
As we get on vacation we'll keep you posted on some of the things that we've done to help save money. Share with us some of your tips for fun, economic vacationing and have a great Summer!!
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Sunday, February 27, 2011
What will you do with your tax refund?
I have just finished filing our taxes and we should receive them in a few days!! As I consider how we should spend our tax refund I thought to myself, should we spend it on something fun? Or should we spend it on something like bills, car repairs, or paying down credit card debt? I checked a couple of sites to see what others were doing with their refunds. Some spent all their money on themselves, some put it all in the bank or other investment vehicle, but I like the idea of doing a little of both. I think it's an issue of leverage, what will give you more "bang for your buck"? For example, if we spend some money on our cars they may last longer, prolonging the time when we have to purchase another car. I think it's important to go on a vacation with your family and spend quality time with them allowing you to create lasting memories a happy home.
If you find yourself in a position where you're not sure how to spend your refund take a look at this neat site I found as I was researching this entry. The site is http://www.saveorspend.com/ and it will give you some ideas of how others will spend or have spent their tax refund.
Another article I read titled 5 smart ways to Spend your tax refund talked about 5 goods and services on which you can spend your money. Some of these items are not only great to have now but keeps your money in your pocket longer.
Take a look at these links and let me know if they helped and if you had some good ways to spend your tax refund. Next week we'll be discussing "How to most economically prepare for your summer vacation".
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
If you find yourself in a position where you're not sure how to spend your refund take a look at this neat site I found as I was researching this entry. The site is http://www.saveorspend.com/ and it will give you some ideas of how others will spend or have spent their tax refund.
Another article I read titled 5 smart ways to Spend your tax refund talked about 5 goods and services on which you can spend your money. Some of these items are not only great to have now but keeps your money in your pocket longer.
Take a look at these links and let me know if they helped and if you had some good ways to spend your tax refund. Next week we'll be discussing "How to most economically prepare for your summer vacation".
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Sunday, February 13, 2011
How to create a peaceful financial environment with your spouse
Marriage is a great institution that can bring a lot of joy into our lives. But even in the best marriages you have conflicts and hurdles that are hard to mitigate. What is the one thing that married couples argue about most? Money!!! Is it the same in your home, or have you found a way to manage your home finances without arguing? If you have, you're ahead of most of the couples in America. As promised last time I'm going to discuss some topics and ideas with you today that will help you and your spouse communicate better financially. Eventually if you're going to be successful financially it will be necessary to discuss finances with your spouse, you'll have to overcome your obstacles. Here are some suggestions, let me know how they work in your lives.
1) It all begins with me - Sometimes we have our own issues and challenges about money, perhaps caused by the way we were raised or maybe we've adopted a line of thinking that doesn't lend itself to discussing money with our spouses. We may have to do some soul searching and determine why we can't discuss money matters with our spouse.
2) Determine your comfortable dollar amount - I was asked by a friend the other day if we had a "comfortable" dollar amount. You know, the amount of money you and your spouse can spend without the other's permission. If you can determine this you may save yourself and your spouse a lot of headache. I think a lot of the conflicts in marriage is when money is spent without the spouse's knowledge.
3) Make a plan to discuss your finances - Ask your spouse if they will sit down with you and discuss your financial life. This should be a time when both are relaxed. Some like to do it when they're dropped the kids off for ball practice or after the kids have gone to bed. This shouldn't be when your spouse is at work or in the "heat of the battle".
4) If you're the money handler make changes that the "non-money handler" suggests- This is one I learned from Dave Ramsey. In most marriages one of the spouses does the finances. This includes paying the bills, allotting allowances, and basically keeping the family on a budget. Now that you're able to sit down and discuss how you should manage your finances encourage the "non-money handler" handle to make decisions and the money handler should make the requested change, even though you don't feel it's the right move. This will help the non-money handler to buy into the budget and feel comfortable about making suggestions. In our home, I do the finances and one of the reasons my wife doesn't like to spend time on finances is because she makes good suggestions and I don't execute the changes.
I have to tell you a neat experience Jody and I had today. The kids were gone and we were able to sit down for about 45 minutes and go through our bank accounts and spend some time on our spending plan. She was able to ask questions and make suggestions and we were able to work together, and it was a positive experience for both of us. I came away ver hopeful for future discussions. It wasn't always like this, I had to make some changes and work more cooperatively, and apply some of her changes
Last of all, I want to share a short video that will help you in your quest to be more united as a couple, avoid conflict, and have more peace and harmony in your home.
Let me know if you have more suggestions that have worked for you and your spouse.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy!!!
1) It all begins with me - Sometimes we have our own issues and challenges about money, perhaps caused by the way we were raised or maybe we've adopted a line of thinking that doesn't lend itself to discussing money with our spouses. We may have to do some soul searching and determine why we can't discuss money matters with our spouse.
2) Determine your comfortable dollar amount - I was asked by a friend the other day if we had a "comfortable" dollar amount. You know, the amount of money you and your spouse can spend without the other's permission. If you can determine this you may save yourself and your spouse a lot of headache. I think a lot of the conflicts in marriage is when money is spent without the spouse's knowledge.
3) Make a plan to discuss your finances - Ask your spouse if they will sit down with you and discuss your financial life. This should be a time when both are relaxed. Some like to do it when they're dropped the kids off for ball practice or after the kids have gone to bed. This shouldn't be when your spouse is at work or in the "heat of the battle".
4) If you're the money handler make changes that the "non-money handler" suggests- This is one I learned from Dave Ramsey. In most marriages one of the spouses does the finances. This includes paying the bills, allotting allowances, and basically keeping the family on a budget. Now that you're able to sit down and discuss how you should manage your finances encourage the "non-money handler" handle to make decisions and the money handler should make the requested change, even though you don't feel it's the right move. This will help the non-money handler to buy into the budget and feel comfortable about making suggestions. In our home, I do the finances and one of the reasons my wife doesn't like to spend time on finances is because she makes good suggestions and I don't execute the changes.
I have to tell you a neat experience Jody and I had today. The kids were gone and we were able to sit down for about 45 minutes and go through our bank accounts and spend some time on our spending plan. She was able to ask questions and make suggestions and we were able to work together, and it was a positive experience for both of us. I came away ver hopeful for future discussions. It wasn't always like this, I had to make some changes and work more cooperatively, and apply some of her changes
Last of all, I want to share a short video that will help you in your quest to be more united as a couple, avoid conflict, and have more peace and harmony in your home.
Let me know if you have more suggestions that have worked for you and your spouse.
Thank you,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy!!!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Tax Time - File your taxes early!!!
Well, it's our favorite time of year again, you guessed it-Tax Time!! If you haven't already received your W-2 form you should be receiving it in the next couple of days. Receiving your W-2 is a sign that you can get those taxes done. For those getting money back it may be something you want to do sooner than later; but for those of you who have to pay April 15 can't be far enough away, so we procrastinate until the very last minute.
I did some research and found a great article to help you save time and money on your taxes. Included in this article is several ways to make sure your deductions are air-tight and other money management tips.
Click on this link and see how you can save time and money on your taxes and maybe it will act as a catalyst to help you get going on them.
Take a look at the article and let us know if you have any tips to getting those finances done quickly and efficiently.
Next week we'll talk about how to keep from arguing about money and be on the same page with your spouse.
Have a great week,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
I did some research and found a great article to help you save time and money on your taxes. Included in this article is several ways to make sure your deductions are air-tight and other money management tips.
Click on this link and see how you can save time and money on your taxes and maybe it will act as a catalyst to help you get going on them.
Take a look at the article and let us know if you have any tips to getting those finances done quickly and efficiently.
Next week we'll talk about how to keep from arguing about money and be on the same page with your spouse.
Have a great week,
Greg and Jody Roche
Be Frugal Live Wealthy
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Happy New Year from Be Frugal Live Wealthy!!
Happy New Year from Be Frugal Live Wealthy!!
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. I spent time with my family just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.
Now that the VISA bills from Christmas are starting to come in and you may have to pay for Christmas the way most americans do--after the fact, I want to discuss with you a couple of items you may want to do to prepare for the coming year and even prepare for Christmas 2011 so you don't have to go into debt to finance it.
First, if you haven't done so take inventory of those gifts you bought for Christmas 2010 and write down the values so you'll know how much you spent on Christmas. You may be surprised how much you spent, especially if you didn't plan for it. If you have some gifts that could be returned because you realize you don't need them or they don't fit right return them and either get cash back, money added back on your account or a gift card. This will help reduce the financial and physical clutter.
Second, use the values you determined in step one and divide by 12. This will give you a monthly amount you need to save in order to prepare for Christmas 2011. Make it automatic by contacting your bank and asking them to take it out of your account on payday so you don't see it. If you don't see it you won't be tempted to spend it; out of sight out of mind.
Third, Take some time to rebalance your portfolio. Take a look at this video and look for ways to rebalance your portfolio and get your retirement plan back on track.
Let me know if you have other tips to help our readers prepare for 2011 so they won't go further into debt and push away financial freedom further.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. I spent time with my family just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.
Now that the VISA bills from Christmas are starting to come in and you may have to pay for Christmas the way most americans do--after the fact, I want to discuss with you a couple of items you may want to do to prepare for the coming year and even prepare for Christmas 2011 so you don't have to go into debt to finance it.
First, if you haven't done so take inventory of those gifts you bought for Christmas 2010 and write down the values so you'll know how much you spent on Christmas. You may be surprised how much you spent, especially if you didn't plan for it. If you have some gifts that could be returned because you realize you don't need them or they don't fit right return them and either get cash back, money added back on your account or a gift card. This will help reduce the financial and physical clutter.
Second, use the values you determined in step one and divide by 12. This will give you a monthly amount you need to save in order to prepare for Christmas 2011. Make it automatic by contacting your bank and asking them to take it out of your account on payday so you don't see it. If you don't see it you won't be tempted to spend it; out of sight out of mind.
Third, Take some time to rebalance your portfolio. Take a look at this video and look for ways to rebalance your portfolio and get your retirement plan back on track.
Let me know if you have other tips to help our readers prepare for 2011 so they won't go further into debt and push away financial freedom further.
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