My brother-in-law told me that Dave Ramsey told him that no one ever got rich on credit card points.  Ha!  Yeah right.

As it turns out, you won’t get rich on credit card points.  Go figure.  For a while now, Husband and I have been meaning to evaluate our credit card rewards to make sure we chose the right program.  Our credit cards are both through USAA and have the option of either going for the Rewards Program (where you get points that you can spend on stuff or airline tickets or whatever) or the Cash Rewards Program (where you get cash rebates for your purchases). 

Here are the summaries of each of the programs:

click site     Rewards Program
When You Buy:	Your Points are Worth   X% of Your Purchases
Airline Ticket	1.00%
Merchandise	0.71%
Cash	0.83%
Charity	0.83%
Cruise	0.99%

https://www.tuseguro.com/kambjasie/2900 Cash Back Program
When You Spend:	You Get $X Cash Back:
First $5,000	0.45%
$5,000 – $10,000	$22.50 + 0.85% On Purchases Over $5,000
$10,000 – $17,000	$65 + 1% On Purchases Over $10,000
$17,000+	$135 + 1.25% On Purchases over $17,000

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Article publié pour la première fois le 24/06/2010

No matter what the score (even a 15-7 loss for the Oklahoma City Redhawks last Saturday), there’s nothing like the ambiance of a baseball game on a summer night.  There’s also nothing like a $10 ticket, even if it is the Minor Leagues.  I’m just sayin’. 

 

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Article publié pour la première fois le 06/08/2010

This is a guest post from Lisa @ Frugal Living

https://distillery244.com/frnew1/391 Personal finance tools can help you take care of your present and future financial needs.  But which tools do you need?  Here are five of the best tools to consider when setting up a personal finance plan, with alternatives to help you choose the plan that is most convenient.

1. Microsoft Excel

Don’t want to mess with your average budgeting program?  Worried about a program going out of style, and the hassle of learning an interface and switching devices?  For those that prefer simplicity, there is Microsoft Excel.
While it can take a little bit longer to use Excel than a paid or online option, the customization and control that you receive is great if you’re looking for simplicity.  Also, you can’t beat the format and universal nature of the program.  You can track every aspect of your finances on Excel, without a doubt.

2. Budgeting Program of Choice

If you want to keep track of your finances and aren’t a spreadsheet guru, you should definitely consider using a budgeting program.  Adaptu, Mint and Quicken are solid choices for financial management.

Mint is the most popular example of this category within personal finances.  Smartphone users might be familiar with Pageonce, which is another name to remember.

These programs and services work to automate all of your financial accounts.  Then you will be able to see the transactions that are being made.  This is more of an easy way to see your finances, and then you can easily fill in your budget from the automated elements of the program/service.  It is worth a look; you can’t beat the ease that is offered.

Take a look at the free and paid programs, according to your needs.  There are plenty of freeware programs that are great for personal finance plans.  See what’s out there; you’ll surely find something that works for you.

3. Smartphone Users Rejoice

If you have a smartphone, you could choose to keep all of the personal finance tools you need on your mobile device.  It’s simple and easy to keep track when you can check in as time allows, throughout the day.

Pageonce is a good start for mobile users.  PayPal is another accurate and easy way to track payments – especially if you’re an entrepreneur or freelancer. There are literally hundreds of phone apps available from your bank and credit cards, investment accounts, etc.  When you start depositing money from your mobile device, investing while on the train, and taking advantage of these tools – you will realize how your smartphone can be a great tool in your personal finances, taking care of some or all of such needs.

4. Pen and Paper

Indeed, you can use pen and paper if you wish.  Bookkeeping on paper may be a lost art to the tech community, but ideally you should use whatever method works for you. The envelope method can be a good choice for people who like to pay by cash: simply withdraw the amount of cash needed to pay your bills or household expenses, and divide it into the envelopes. Pay the bills… and when the money is gone – it’s gone!

If the high-tech programs and options bewilder you, and you’d rather write everything out – by all means!  Whatever it takes to keep track of your budget and finances, and provide yourself direction – it will work.  For any method, you just need to stick with it and allow it to guide your financial decisions.  As long as it is sound and functional, it will work.

What program or tactic do you use to track your finances? Share your tips here!

Article publié pour la première fois le 19/10/2011

One man’s junk might just be junk.

Have you seen these jars full of buttons?  Almost every antique store has them.  That, and pictures of families to whom you have no relation.  To give them credit, there is something cute about them.  But what is their value?  Unless you are planning a button-crafting-bonanza, what are these objects going to do for you?  I don’t care if they are only $10 for the pair, think about where they will end up in your home 2 months from now.  Stuffed up on a shelf.  In a cupboard.  Dumped out in your “junk drawer”.  

It might just be best to leave these babies on the shelf for that button crafter who will be happening along after you.  Hey, you can put the $10 you save away for that cruise you can’t afford to go on right now.

Photo Credit: hill.josh

Article publié pour la première fois le 18/06/2010

It’s another scorcher out there today folks!  This summer has been a killer all across the country, and where is it hurting me the most?  My wallet!  This month’s power bill was more than double that of last month’s, and that was me trying to be judicious about when to use the AC.  It has sent me searching for other ways to stay cool on the cheap, some of them are a little silly I realize, but they really do work!  I present free and nearly free solutions for the heat…

Before you take a shower put your underwear in the freezer or for more extreme heat soak clean underwear in water, wring, and then freeze underwear.  After your shower, slip into something more comfortable.

Use your pulse points.  Press something cold, like a soda can into places on your body where blood flows close to the surface of the skin like the crook of the elbow, inner wrists, or temples.  It cools down the passing blood that then flows throughout the rest of the body.

Try an arctic wind.  Place a bowl with a block of ice in it behind a floor fan.  Now, sit directly in front of the fan.  This pulls air over the ice making it chilly and then propels it at you.

Remember—fans don’t cool the air. Turn off a fan if you are not in front of it—it doesn’t actually cool the air, but only gives a cooling sensation for you.

Avoid the heat.  Use blackout curtains or blankets to cover windows during the day.  And don’t use stove, oven, dryer, blow dryer, or get the hot water heater going during the day.  If you must use them, do so at night.

Open the window and have a fan blowing out through it, sucking the heat out of your house.  FYI:  Not a good tip in extremely hot climates.

Make sure your AC vents are not closed or covered by furniture; you need that sweet cool air more that the back of the couch does.

Take a clean sock, soak in water, wring it out, and freeze.  Later, wrap frozen sock around the back of your neck and Aaaaaaah!  If you want a cold one available at all times rotate with the mate.

Remember your second grade Science—evaporating water creates a cooling effect.  Mist yourself often with a spray bottle of water.  It’s easy and portable, a 4 oz travel size fits in your pocket.

Wear natural, breathable clothing like linen or cotton in light colors and never wear hats, shoes or socks indoors.  Let that body heat escape!

Light = Heat, so keep any unnecessary lights off.

How low can you go?  If you live in a multi-level home head to the ground floor or, even better, a basement to wait out the afternoon.  That is the spot to find the coolest air.

Lower your inner thermostat by eating or drinking something very cold.  A pint of Rocky Road is a lot cheaper than cranking up the AC all afternoon.

If your home becomes unbearable in the heat of the day, enjoy some free public air conditioning in the fish sticks isle at the supermarket or the nearest library, mall, or café.

his explanation I want to hear your ideas for keeping cool.  What tricks help you survive the summer sun?

Article publié pour la première fois le 13/08/2012