Money & Finances

A Few Frugal Cooking Tips To Save You Money

One of the things that most of us have a tendency to spend a lot of money on is food. While this is as it should be, buying food and cooking it shouldn't break the bank.

See the frugal cooking tips below, and then check out these frugal recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner too!

• Freeze your leftovers and then use them to make new meals or to eat by themselves later.
• Take leftovers to work and have them for lunch, just add a salad and you're ready to go.
• Make your meals at home from scratch instead of going out or getting takeout.
• Plan your meals a week in advance.

To save even more money, learn how you can get creative with your leftovers!

How To Survive A Layoff

In these tough economic times none of us are strangers to layoffs.

It seems like at least once a week you hear about a friend who has been laid off their job, usually not because they were a bad worker, but because the company can no longer afford them.

Still, it is possible to survive a layoff.

In the unfortunate event that you are laid off at some point, you will need some tips for managing your money. Here are 11 tips for surviving a layoff, including what you should do and what not to do!

The Federal Minimum Wage Has Increased

The federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25 this last July.

States like California, and Oregon have state minimum wages that are above this already at $8.00 and $8.40 an hour, so workers in those states are already ahead.

Here are some more interesting facts about the minimum wage in the U.S. 

Why I Follow Suze Orman's Financial Advice (...But Not Everyone Does!)

Suze Orman is the author of several New York Times Bestsellers, including:

• Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny
• The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke
• The Laws of Money, The Lessons of Life: Keep What You Have and Create What You Deserve
• The Road to Wealth
• The Courage to be Rich: Creating A Life of Material and Spiritual Abundance
• The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying

As a columnist, motivational speaker, and popular talk show guest of the likes of Oprah and the Today Show, Suze Orman is a force of celebrity proportions. 

Suze Orman's Financial Advice

Suze’s motto is simple: “people first, then money, then things."  This is the advice she gives when counseling people on what should be most important in their lives. 

What she means when she says this is that people should focus on having meaningful relationships before money.  Still, money is the key to take care of your needs, so you need to next make enough money to buy the things you need. 

Continue reading: Why I Follow Suze Orman's Advice

Should You Dumb Down Your Resume To Get The Job?

“Overqualified” is the last word that a job seeker wants to hear. 

First of all, it’s hard to pinpoint why the job interviewer feels you are too qualified for the job. 

Do they feel it is beneath you? 

Do they feel that you are too old or mature for the job? 

Is overqualified code for “I don’t like you”?
 

Most often (and when the interviewer is being sincere), overqualified means that the job is at a lower level than your previous experience or your education places you.  It means that the interviewer feels that in just a short while you may become restless in your job and begin to look for other opportunities, or want advancement faster than they can offer it. 

Usually, they simply don’t want to waste your time, or theirs. 

While this is generally a compliment of your abilities, being overqualified in a tight job market means you are left jobless for an extended amount of time.  It means that even though you know you are overqualified for a job, you may be willing to take a step or two back to feed, clothe, and house your family. 

It also means you may have to dumb down your resume in order to get the job you want. 

Continue reading: Should You Dumb Down Your Resume?

The Cost Of Raising A Toddler From Age 2-4

 In another article, I addressed the cost of having a baby and raising your child from birth to age 2. 

I focused on absolute necessities that parents would have to buy including food, clothing, diapers,  and hospital costs.  Not included were things like a crib, the cost of a bigger home with an extra bedroom, and toys, because a savvy parent can probably do without those items or figure out how to get them for free.
 
As your child reaches age 2, your family will find it absolutely necessary to carve out personal space for the newest member of the family.  He or she will need a bedroom, a bed, a full wardrobe, and other necessities. 

Following are the types of expenses generally required when raising a toddler age 2-4...

Continue reading: Cost Of Raising A Toddler

Federal Minimum Wage - Little Known Facts

Minimum wage in the United States was established by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. So, the minimum wage has been around for awhile.

Every state is different as to what their minimum wage is. Many states have established their own minimum wage -- which is usually higher than the federal minimum wage.

For example, the current federal minimum wage is $7.25. (It increased from $6.55 on July 24, 2009.) But in my home state of Washington, the minimum wage is $8.55.

The nice thing about this is the fact that in situations where the federal state laws have different minimum wages, the higher wage always prevails. This works to the benefit of minimum wage workers, so employers cannot choose to pay the lower minimum wage.

Here's a list of minimum wages by state. (Interesting!)

photo credit: will engelmann

Continue reading: Current Minimum Wage

Homeowner Tax Credits For Using Energy-Efficient Products

Home ownership is more expensive than ever today. Plus, the cost of fossil fuels is climbing again and will likely continue until the time comes when there literally is no more to be had.

Doing everything possible to reduce our use of energy in the home goes beyond our desire to keep U.S. dollars here at home. It's imperative that we do everything we can to support new technologies that are aimed at removing our reliance on oil and other resources that at some point in time will just run out.

Fortunately, the federal government is seeing the light on these issues. And because of our rather lackluster economy, the government is now offering a multitude of incentives aimed at encouraging homeowners to invest in upgrades and home improvements.

The goal is not only to help reduce our use of fossil fuels, but also to provide an avenue for homeowners to make longterm money-saving improvements to their most important investment: their homes.

There is one problem with having this long list of incentives that TV commercials and news broadcasters have seemingly addressed in a rather piecemeal manner...how is one to know if they've heard about all of the possible homeowner-related tax breaks?

Continue reading: Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for Home Owners

Best Places To Get Home Insurance Quotes Online

Homeowner's insurance is definitely something that every household needs to take seriously!

How many times have you read about some poor family who let their insurance lapse -- only to have their home burn to the ground? Experiencing a home tragedy of any sort can be a guaranteed trip to financial ruin... if you don't have a good homeowners insurance policy in place.

With construction costs continually rising and prices for home furnishings climbing just as fast, do you have enough replacement coverage on your home to replace what might be lost in a fire, flood, or home break-in?

How about personal injury? With medical costs skyrocketing, an old policy with a low coverage ceiling could leave you holding the bag when the neighbor kid gets injured on your property.

And don't forget, flood Insurance is not a normal part of your typical homeowners policy. This video shows how scary rising waters can be after days of heavy rain:

Thankfully, the process of getting an up-to-date home insurance online quote these days is easy... and quick.

Yep, the Internet can lead you to the best deal around without ever leaving your house!

Here are tips for finding home insurance quotes online...

Continue reading: Best Places To Get Home Insurance Quotes Online