Ways to save Money Part 8

Ways to Save Money Part 8

We are very happy that you are visiting our site today.  Below, you will find another great tip that you can use to save yourself some money.  If you find this tip helpful, please check out our blog archives for more informative information that may help you with your finances and personal credit report.

Tip #8:  Reduce Your Entertainment Costs!

We all need a way to unwind and release stress.  It is important that you don’t let your whole life be about work and responsibility.  You have to incorporate fun and relaxation as well.  So, before you read this tip, let us just say, don’t worry.  We are not suggesting that you cut the fun out of your life.  We are simply suggesting that you cut the cost of the fun.

Here are a few things that you can do to decrease the cost of entertainment:

1.  Have Friends Over Instead of Going Out.

True, you may have to spend a little extra time cleaning up the house, but it is well worth the effort for the money you can save.  The cost of dinner and a movie out is far greater than the cost of preparing dinner at home and renting a movie.  Plus, don’t be afraid to ask your friends to bring something to eat or drink with them.  This can cut your “night out” cost even more.

2.  Go to the Movie Theater During the Week Instead of the Weekend.

Did you realize that it is cheaper to visit most movie theaters during the week?  If you wait until Monday to visit the theater instead of going on the weekend you could save around 50% off your ticket price!

3.  Buy Movies and Video Games Used. You can save a lot of money buy purchasing used games and movies instead of new ones.  Check out ebay.com, half.com, amazon.com, and your local game store for used movies and games.  You could save 50% - 75% off the original price tag.

Remember, it is important to have a good time, but you won’t regret it later if you find ways to cut your entertainment expenses.  Check out our blog tomorrow for tip #9 on how to save more money.  You won’t be disappointed!

If you need assistance with your credit, please feel free to give our caring staff a call at 704-503-3669.  We are waiting for your call!

Ways to Save Money Part 7

Ways to Save Money Part 7

Today’s tip for saving more of the money you earn will be especially helpful for many of you.  As with all of our tips, please read them with an open mind.  We don’t want for you to automatically reject a suggestion because it is too hard or too uncomfortable for you to implement.  Changes in our finances may not happen over night.  However, you can begin taking baby steps immediately.

Tip #7:  Eliminate Late Fees and Other Penalties!

One of the biggest ways to waste our money is through late fees and/or over limit fees. The average late fee charged by a creditor is $30.  Some mortgage late fees can be as high as $60 per month!  Did you know that if you pay 3 late fees per month that you are giving away an average of $1,080 per year in excess fees?  Many people lose even more than $1,080 per year in late or over limit fees!  Be honest, for most of us losing $1,080 or more per year hurts.  This is money that you could be using for more important needs and bills.

The only way to successfully stop these fees from occurring is to take control of your monthly spending.  Making a budget and, more importantly, sticking to your budget, is the best way to overcome this problem.  Once you have your budget set up, you may want to consider scheduling automatic payments for some or all of your monthly bills.  By scheduling automatic payments you can eliminate the possibility of simply forgetting to pay a bill on time.

Finally, remember that you can always call a creditor and request for a late fee to be waived if you accidentally forget to make a payment on time or if you are unable to make a payment on time.  If it is your first time requesting that a late fee be waived you are more likely to see it removed.  Also, be kind and don’t just take “no” for an answer.  If the first employee tells you that your late fee cannot be waived then respectfully ask for a supervisor.  Don’t be rude, but be persistent until you are transferred.  You just might save some money.

If you need professional help with your credit or help establishing a personal budget, please give HOPE a call at 704-503-3669.  We would love to offer you our assistance.

Ways to Save Money Part 6

Ways to Save Money Part 6

So, you think we are running out of tips on how you can save more money?  We’re not even close!  Due to the popularity of this blog series will be continuing our theme of saving money next week as well.  Keep visiting our website daily to learn more!

Tip #6:  Quitting Your Bad Habits!

So let’s be real for a minute.  Most of us have bad habits.  What’s worse is that most of our bad habits cost us money!  Chances are that you want to quit your bad habit for health reasons anyway.  Here are a few more reasons to finally take control and quit that thing that has had such a strong hold on you.  Use this extra motivation to your advantage!

1.  Quit Smoking. 

Most cigarettes cost around $5.00 per pack.  So, if you have a pack a day habit did you know that you spend around $1,820 per year on cigarettes?  You probably didn’t know that smoking was costing you so much money.  Quitting this bad habit could put a lot of extra cash back into your budget.

2.  Stop Drinking Energy Drinks.

Here is another habit that can cost you a lot of money.  Most energy drinks run about $2.00 per 16 oz. can at your local convenience store.  If you drink 2 energy drinks per day then you spend around $1,456 per year on this habit. Quitting this habit entirely is the best way to go.  However, if you aren’t ready to quit, try to cut back.  Plus, if you buy your energy drinks by the case at your local warehouse (i.e. Sams Club, BJ’s, etc.) then you will save an average of $0.77 per can.  Buying this item in bulk could save you over $560 per year!

3.  Prepare Your Own Meals.

Eating out and ordering fast food is something that we all do.  However, if you can cut back on your food expenses by eating at home you can save big bucks.  Plus, eating at home is generally healthier since you can control how the food is prepared and cut back on calories if you like.  Preparing your own food more often can literally save you thousand of dollars per year! 

Examine your daily spending.  If you find that you are spending a lot of money on one of the habits listed above, or even on another habit not listed, consider quitting or at least cutting back.  You could add thousands of dollars back into your annual budget by making a few sacrifices. 

Please remember, our credit specialists at HOPE are available to assist you.  If you have a credit problem or poor credit scores there is a way to change your situation.  Call us at 704-503-3669 today for more information.

Ways To Save Money Part 5

Ways to Save Money Part 5

So far this week we have been sticking to the theme of “saving money.”  Today’s blog is a little different since it will show you how to actually put some money back into your pocket.  We hope you enjoy today’s tip.  If you do, please forward a link to someone else.

Tip #5:  Have a Yard Sale!

More than likely, you have some excess clutter lying around your house.  These items could be sold and turned into extra cash!  The easiest, quickest way to sell your extra stuff is by holding a yard sale.  Here are a few extra tips that can help to make your yard sale more successful:

1.  Hold your sale on the first weekend of the month. 

2.  Put up large, neatly printed signs around your community the day before your yard sale is scheduled.  Signs should include the address where the sale will be held.

3.  Don’t overprice your items.  People come to yard sales to find good deals.  If you overprice the items in your sale, people may leave without making a purchase.

4.  Display your items neatly.  Whether you spread your items out on tables, blankets, or hanging racks, the more neatly your items are displayed, the better.  If people have to rummage through boxes to see what you are selling they are likely to buy less.

If you live in an apartment or if your homeowners association will not allow you to hold a yard sale don’t fret.  You can still sell your extra items through another venue such as ebay.com, amazon.com, or even buy renting a table at your local flea market.  Plus, you might have a friend or family member who would allow you to hold a yard sale at their home for a small fee. 

We hope you are enjoying this series, Ways to Save Money, from the HOPE Program.  If you need help with credit problems please give us a call at 704-503-3669.  We would love to schedule a personal credit consultation for you to speak with a HOPE credit specialist.    

Ways to Save Money Part 4

Ways to Save Money Part 4

There are many practical tips available that can help you to make the most of your income.  If you haven’t already, please check out the Recent Posts section on our website for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this informative series.  We hope that you will find several ways to save more money.

Tip #4:  Whenever Possible, Buy in Bulk!

This tip is especially helpful in stretching your dollars if you purchase mainly non-perishable items when you do your bulk shopping.  Things like cereal, toiletries, canned goods, rice, pasta, and frozen items usually cost less per unit when purchased in bulk.  However, unless you have a very large and hungry family, buying things like fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, milk products, and other perishable items in bulk may actually be a waste of your money since the items may expire before they are all eaten.   

Also, when shopping at a bulk supply warehouse such as Sams Club, BJ’s, or Costco it is very important to remember to bring a shopping list with you.  Going to any store without a shopping list will likely result in spending more money than you had planned.  As long as you make a list and stick to it when you get to the store then you should be fine.

Tune in tomorrow for another great money saving tip from the HOPE Program.  Don’t forget to forward this blog to your friends and family if you find it helpful.  Remember, if you need personalized and professional help with any credit problems you may be facing, HOPE can assist you.  Just give us a call at 704-503-3669.  “Hopeless” is not in our vocabulary!