Sunday, February 10, 2013
Shouldn't your bank encourage you to save, instead of costing you money every month?
A dollar here, $2.50 there. Some bank fees may not sound like much, but in the long term, they can seriously add up. Banks are in business to make money, and they do that by keeping some of yours. Some fees, like overdraft and return-check fees, are easy to spot and easy to avoid. Then there are others, like maintenance fees and debit card "swipe" fees. The American Bankers' Association estimates that the average "free" checking account costs customers about $300 a year in fees to maintain. Here are some tips on avoiding some of these fees, and for getting the most bang for your proverbial buck at the bank: Direct deposit - Some banks waive monthly fees for checking accounts when you sign up to have your employer automatically deposit your…
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Select the right health insurance coverage, and pay less.
Selecting a health care plan can be an overwhelming task, because the options and coverages can be seemingly endless. Which insurance company should you choose? How much of a deductible should you opt for? Is your current doctor "in network?" Which is better, a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) or HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)? Consumer Reports has a guide to help you understand the different "managed care" options available, and to choose the best one for you. The features and differences are many. For example, if you don't want to have to worry about referrals and finding providers "in network," you may want to choose a PPO. With an HMO you might have to pay the full cost to see a provider out-of-network. Consider a plan's …
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Take advantage of after-Christmas sales to save big for next year.
On Dec. 26, many retailers slashed the price of their Christmas goods, as well as many of the products they overstocked but didn't sell during the Christmas shopping rush. Their loss is your gain: You can save 50 to 75 percent, and in some cases even more, on gift wrap and decor for next Christmas, and consumer goods you can use now and all year long. Retailers slash prices on other goods this time of year, to encourage shoppers who received gift cards to get out and buy. So if you're not totally shopped out, here's a how-to guide on getting great post-Christmas deals: What to Buy Gift wrap - Wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, gift tags, boxes, tape, ribbon, bows. Since it never goes bad, you can buy for next year and beyond. Also …
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Procrastinators rejoice: You can still find great deals buying gifts online, with free guaranteed Christmas Eve delivery.
Didn't get everything on your list on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Not to worry, deals are still to be had. Free Shipping Day is coming, Dec. 17. On Free Shipping Day you'll find plenty pre-Christmas deals online, with free shipping with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. Many stores who always offer free shipping will lower or eliminate the minimum purchase amounts required for free shipping. FreeShippingDay.com has a list of 1,173 merchants participating in Free Shipping Day this year, from Kohl's and Home Depot to Best Buy, Tiny Prints and Red Envelope. "Free Shipping Day makes procrastination possible," the website proclaims. You can try to plan ahead and put off making purchases from participating retailers until Free Shipping Day…
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Because it's such a traditional holiday, Thanksgiving is an easy one to do on a budget.
The least costly way to do Thanksgiving on a budget? Eat at someone else's house. All kidding aside, it's possible can host a turkey dinner for family or friends, where the wishbone is what's breaking, not your bank. Epicurious has a plan to help you make Thanksgiving dinner for eight people, on a budget of $80 or less. Helpful hints from this plan can be adapted into any Thanksgiving meal, including buying things like herbs and produce in season. You'll get more for your money, and the stuff you're buying will be fresher. Buy whatever you can at a farmer's market. Also, know that a supermarket turkey is just fine! This time of year, grocery stores offer huge savings on the fall-weather fowl - I've seen turkey prices as low as 37 cents a …
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The difference between thinking you're getting a good deal, and actually getting a good deal requires simply knowing what things cost.
For example, my husband came home from the grocery store and said he saw a buy-one-get-one-free deal on London Broil. It was $6.99 per pound. Some people would see the BOGO offer and stock up, thinking that buy-one-get-one-free is automatically a good deal. My husband didn't buy it because he knew better. $6.99 a pound isn't a good price for London Broil. Even $3.50 - the BOGO price - isn't that great. For the record, I usually buy London Broil when its being sold for under $3 a pound. I buy ground beef or boneless, skinless chicken breasts when they're $1.99 a pound or less. So how do you know what things cost, so you can tell the difference between a good deal, a great deal, and no deal at all? For starters, know that "Special Buys!" "…
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Cable: Can't live without it? Can't live with the bill?
Have you been watching your cable bill rise, while features and channel offerings are falling? Nothing is more frustrating than paying more for less. But you don't have to sit idly by while the cable company raises your rates. First, look over your bill. Do you know what you're paying for? Do you use all of the services you subscribe to? If not, cancel them. Premium channels come with a premium price. Can you live without them? Cutting out those expensive networks could save you a bundle. Do you watch all of the channels your package includes? If not, you may be able to downgrade to a less-expensive cable plan. Next, call the cable company. Ask them how you can save on your cable bill. Talk about alternative packages, or a la carte …
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Save big by shopping after-season sales.
Find steals on everything, just by buying out-of-season. That $50 Halloween costume? Get it for $25 on Nov. 1. A $10 pack of detailed Valentines will be $2.50 on Feb. 15. And the $90 leather boots will be a mere $22 come spring. Spend less money just by waiting it out. After Holiday Sales The day after a big holiday, like Valentine's Day, Halloween or Christmas, stores mark down everything, sometimes as much as 75 percent off, to clear the shelves for the next holiday. After Valentine's Day, stock up on Valentine's cards and envelopes for next year. They're paper, the never go bad. Pick up a few bags of heart-shaped or pink-wrapped candy to snack on. After Halloween, of course, you'll find discounts on costumes and decorations at big box …
Saturday, October 6, 2012
On a tight budget? Wishing for the latest iPhone? Want to pad your savings account a little? It could be as simple as quitting your Starbucks habit.
Save a few bucks here and there on a regular basis, and it might not seem like much, but over the course of a month or a year, it’ll really add up. Cut back just $10 a week and you’ll find yourself more than $500 richer at the end of the year! Save on gas Many grocery stores offer points that can be used towards gas savings. Just 10 cents off per gallon can save you a few bucks every time you fill up with your points. Never let those points expire without a fill-up! Sign up for rewards. More and more gas stations are instituting bonus cards, good for savings on gas and in-store purchases. With the My Sheetz Card you’ll save 3 percent on every gallon of gas, plus lots of savings and rewards on purchases. Turkey Hill Rewards gives you …
Henry F Potter
10:15 am on Monday, March 25, 2013
"minor" courtesy fees are what set solvent banks apart from the building & loan, that george bailey, he's a trickster....give your money to us. more ›