All the Ways you Should be Saving Cash
As the cost of living increases and we find ourselves paying more for things we’ve always bought, finding easy tips to save a few pounds are always welcome. Today you can find bargains by following a these easy tips for keeping money in your pocket and out of the till!
Home Purchase
Always have a thorough survey completed on the house and use the findings to negotiate a lower price for a smart sale.
Mortgage Refinancing
If you can refinance your mortgage, look for a rate at least one percent lower than your current mortgage and commit to several years with this new rate.
Major Appliances
As always, research the appliance beforehand and save yourself up to£50 or more! Compare the quality of various brands and contact at least four retailers for a quote, always asking for the lowest price.
Home Improvement
Research qualified and experienced contractors who are fully licensed and will submit written, fixed-price quotes for the job. Always inspect contracts and never sign asking for full payment before the project completion.
Telephone
Check phone bills a few times a year, reviewing calls and costs from at least three months before. Take note of the rate of local, long distance and international calls, and compare them to new packages and offers from other providers.
Credit Cards
Switch to a card with a low annual percentage rate (APR) and get rid of excess cards, keeping the two you use most, or pay with cheque, cash or debit card at the till. Reduce fees by avoiding late payments , staying within your credit limit and save hundreds of pounds a year by paying a credit card balance by its monthly due date.
Food
Begin with a shopping list and try local bargain grocery stores. Skipping expensive convenience stores could save hundreds of pounds a year! Always compare price-per-pound and lower unit prices on shelf labels , stocking up when the price is right.
New Cars
Save hundreds on new car purchases by selecting one with low maintenance, petrol and repair costs, and researching low financing and insurance rates for that car. Checking quotes with at least four dealers, letting them know you’re contacting other sellers, will give you a clear idea of the actual cost.
Car Rental
Shopping around is a great tool to compare the prices each car rental agency offers, and can save you quite a lot on basic rates. Always ask the agent about any additional charges before booking, and be sure to inquire about special offers the company might be running.
Petrol
Compare the prices of petrol at many stations. Keeping a well tuned engine and properly inflated tyres at the proper pressure could snag you an extra £20 at the end of the year.
Airline Fares
Flexibility is key to saving a bundle on air travel; buying in advance, using low fare carriers and taking trips with Saturday evening stay-overs can bring the cost of your flight down by as much as two- thirds!
Martin Lukac
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/all-the-ways-you-should-be-saving-cash-98881.html
June 30th, 2010 at 4:43 am
is it still worth saving, or should you find another way to stash your cash?
well the interest rate is rubbish,
you might as well put it under the mattress
June 30th, 2010 at 4:45 am
I’m still saving, what other option is there? Under the mattress is stupid.
References :
June 30th, 2010 at 4:47 am
Save and invest.
References :
June 30th, 2010 at 4:49 am
It is always worth saving. There will come a day when you find yourself unemployed or an emergency crops up and money can solve a lot of problems. The pros are now saying to keep enough to sustain you for 9 months without income in ready cash. This may vary according to your personal situation. I don’t know your age, income, or obligations. Stash your cash in a crappy-yielding savings account or put some there and some at one of the on line banks that pay a little more.
After that, fund a Roth IRA and begin your lifetime study of the stock market. Direct it yourself because nobody cares as much about your money as you do. You don’t have to invest the IRA money from the beginning…wait until you’re ready. You can put it into the IRA now and leave it in cash until you decide to invest some or all of it specific stocks or funds. You can set up an IRA with a discount broker online for as little as $2,000 or $3,000 or possibly less. (I like Scottrade.) The stock market will be trending upward for the next several years. You can always take it out later if you need it for a home down payment or education expenses. It is best if you don’t have to touch it until retirement because you can’t make it up later. However, it’s not locked in forever.
After that, keep your 9 month emergency cash replenished, fund your IRA every year, and become an investor. Re: Investor…read books and the Internet, watch TV shows, and network with others that have been successful. Open a non-retirement account at a brokerage and begin to build your wealth. Above all, stay diversified and don’t hesitate to dump something that is underperforming.
If you work for an employer, now or in the future, maximize your contributions to a 401k if they offer one. You can set aside much more for retirement in a 401k (than an IRA) but you’ll be penalized for withdrawing prior to age 59.1/2.
It’s not how much to make, but how much you save. Good luck!
References :
June 30th, 2010 at 4:51 am
You must save a modest sum & then invest before saving a further modest sum. But it’s the choice of investment that is the interesting part. I still mentally buy shares & then follow the market to see how well they do. It’s all a matter of research, but if you don’t have a sum to invest then you cannot score.
References :
June 30th, 2010 at 4:53 am
You could make like the prodigal son, and bury your money in a hole. There are some fixed rate ISA’s which are still giving 3% or more at the moment, try Yahoo’s financial site for the best rates.
References :
Myself, and Yahoo’s Financial site.
June 30th, 2010 at 4:55 am
spend it while you can, while it is still worth something. anyway as you are now nearly 24 you should have some fun with it.
References :
June 30th, 2010 at 4:57 am
I saved mine for yrs. When I got into legal trouble I hired a lawyer that got it all. This man was no more qualified than a public defendant. I should have spent it on me.
Put it in a safety deposit box … they are fire/burglary proof … or … get a fire proof safe that is hidden in the fabric of your house.
References :