February 27th, 2009 by Esswi

FatWallet.com, simply as one page listing coupons for a handful of retailers. With the addition of a Hot Deals forum, FatWallet.com became a community of savvy shoppers. 

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Find coupons for more than 20,000 stores at RetailMeNot.com

“Kathryn Finney, a.k.a. the Budget Fashionista, is the expert on all things chic and cheap. Now she opens up her Prada bag of shopping and style tips to make you fashionably frugal, with change to spare. It’s as easy as 1-2-3! 1. Know your budget: Learn innovative, money-saving ways to increase your clothing funds. 2. Know your style: Get helpful hints from fashion insiders and use them to develop your own mode of self-expression. 3. Know your bargains: Discover the art of scoring exclusive friends-and- family coupons for your favorite department stores Whether you’re a homemaker from Nouston, a grandma from Grand Rapids, or an M.D. from Manhattan, you don’t need to break the bank to look your best.”

-Now to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less by K. Finney

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Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 27th, 2009 by Esswi

Direct excerpt from http://saving-energy.suite101.com

Standby Vampire Appliances

Instant-on Appliances Use Energy When Turned Off

Written by Beverly Bright

Recognizing energy “sucking” appliances and implementing ways to reduce costs can be a significant savings to a household.

Reducing the energy used by Vampire Appliances, or Instant-on Appliances, can remove five percent to ten percent of the energy costs of a household.

Mark Pierce, a Cornell Cooperative Extension associate in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis (DEA) in Cornell’s College of Human Ecology, says “Off doesn’t mean off anymore, but standby and as a result, we are using the equivalent of seven electrical generating plants just to supply the amount of electricity needed to support the standby power of our vampire appliances when they are off.”

A report released by the U.S. government in 2008 suggests that even though there are more appliances in use today, latest studies show that standby power is decreasing, resulting from improved technologies and heightened consumer awareness.

Standby Vampire Appliances

Common Instant-on Appliances include:

· TVs

· VCRs

· DVDs

· Portable stereos

· Cordless phone chargers

· Washer/Dryers

· Microwave ovens

· Toaster ovens

· Clock radios

· Answering machines

· Computer modems

· Laptops that are plugged in and not running on battery power

· Space heaters

· Cell phone chargers

· Baby monitors

· Portable cordless power tool chargers

· Garage door openers

For spotting Instant-on appliances look for equipment that has features of remote controls, continuous digital displays, rechargeable batteries or soft-touch keypads.

The “Home Electronics” section of the EnergyStar website has lists of electronics that cut energy waste by using less standby power.

Certain appliance functions do require small amount of electricity. Good design can reduce the power requirements for these functions, but not down to zero.

· Maintaining signal reception capability (for remote control, telephone or network signal)

· Monitoring temperature or other conditions (such as a refrigerator)

· Powering an internal clock

· Battery charging and continuous display

The standby power of a computer monitor costs an average of $57 a year when the computer is shut down overnight and on weekends. If the computer’s sleep function is used, the power costs about $40 a year for those night and weekends, costing almost as much a year for the nights and weekends as it costs to run the computer on weekdays.

Saving Energy with Vampire Appliances

· If an appliance is not frequently used, unplug it. For example, unplug appliances not in use toaster ovens, microwaves, washer/dryers, the television set in the quest bedroom can also be unplugged.

· Use a power strip (surge protector strip) for clusters of computer or video products. Everything can be switched to zero with one simple action.

· When shopping for new appliances, check with the EnergyStar products list and locate appliances with lower standby energy requirements.

· Purchasing a low-cost watt-meter to measure each device in the home to determine the biggest energy vampires will allow the homeowner to take appropriate action. This aggressive approach can reduce the standby energy consumption of 30% or more.

The term “vampire” refers to the external power supply, the little black cubes which have two plugs, and “suck” electricity when plugged into a power supply while not performing their intended function. The vast majority of consumers are not aware that Vampire Appliances continue to draw electricity when turned off.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 18th, 2009 by Esswi

Join My Free Telecoaching Call Tues, Feb 24th

“Back by popular demand, I’ll be hosting another live teleconference on Tuesday, February 24th at 8:00 pm eastern. Space on this call is limited so register by clicking here. You can also register on our Facebook Page.

During the call, I’ll be focusing on the most relevant and timely ways that you can start fighting for your money today. So, I want to know what’s on your mind and what questions you have, related to saving and spending in today’s economy. Submit your questions to me at success@finishrich.com and I’ll do my best to answer it live during our call. Hope to “see” you there.”

Financial Blessing,

Nisha E.

February 12th, 2009 by Esswi

Make credit work for you - Score tips in any economy

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

Credit is the foundation of the American Consumer’s financial house. Learning how to build a solid base with the right materials is essential to creating fiscal soundness. A good credit rating affects buying a home, getting insurance and even getting a good job. So, how can you improve your credit? This webinar will teach you how to: Find out the myths about credit cards Achieve debt consolidation Overcome fear in today’s economy Differentiate “good credit” and “bad credit” Still get a loan

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm EST Location: A computer and telephone are all you need to join the webinar Cost: *F*R*E*E* RSVP: Click here to register online. About our speaker, Jacqueline Frank: Jackie is a Mortgage Loan Originator with Guaranteed Home Mortgage for 15 years. She works with individual home owners to refinance and prospective buyers obtain mortgage financing. She lives and works in Manhattan and Long Island. Guaranteed Home Mortgage is based in White Plains, NY. Financial Blessings, Nisha E.

February 9th, 2009 by Esswi

Excerpted from www.freebudgetkit.com

Jennifer Openshaw ask you to Build Your Financial Future Now!

Why Budgeting Matters

Why does budgeting matter to your financial future?

Retiring Right
Eliminating Debt
Avoiding Arguments
Covering the True Necessities
Reaching Life Goals

For many, the word “budget” brings to mind a dull life of scrimping and saving. But it doesn’t have to be that way at all. A budget is really a spending plan that serves as a solid financial foundation upon which you will be able to realize your financial dreams.

Today, families and individuals all across America are having to do more with less financially. Daily money issues leave us stressed, often creeping into our relationships. We work hard and then wonder what we’ve gotten for all of that hard work. Where has our money gone?

Virtually every company in America operates by a budget. Managers develop plans for how they’ll spend company dollars, whether it’s on supplies, staffing, or marketing a product. As the CEO of your household, you need to build the same budget, too. And it doesn’t have to be hard, really.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 6th, 2009 by Esswi

To save on long distance calls, go to www.saveonphone.com

1. Select you State and be linked to the lowest long distance rates
2. Customize your cell plan
3. Choose monthly price limit or amount of minutes you wish
4. The site sort through plans that meet your needs

Do you want to Swap an Expensive Contract?

Do you want to Avoid Paying Hefty Termination Fees?

Go to:

1. www.celltradeusa.com
2. www.trademycellular.com
3. www.cellswapper.com

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 6th, 2009 by Esswi

Excerpted from The AARP Magazine January/February 2009 edition written by Jeff Yeager who wrote The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road to True Riches (Broadway, 2008).  www.ultimatecheapskate.com

TIMING IS EVERYTHING:

• Hire business when their services aren’t in demand-in exchange for a discount
• Make a midweek appointment with your auto mechanic
• Hire a tree-care service to trim your trees in winter
• Get married between the months of November and April
• Schedule exterior home-repair jobs in the fall and winter, and interior jobs during the spring and summer sessions
• Ask your accountant for a break on fees by offering to file for an extension on your taxes
• Bargain down weekend rates at business and midweek rates at resort hotels and retreats
• Have your lawn mower tuned up in the winter and your chimney swept in the summer

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 4th, 2009 by Esswi

Forwarded by Javoni.  Thanks Sis! ;0)

While at www.textbooks.com I found the following information:  Although the initial cost of the book wasn’t very competitive ($91) the guarantee buyback price ($53) actually gave me a net price of $38, I guess you can look at it as a “rebate check”   :  )  Here is the info:

Guaranteed Buyback
Guaranteed Buyback is yet another way Textbooks.com saves you cash. Here’s how it works.
1. Look for books labeled “Guaranteed Buyback” (or the icon, )
2. Look for the Guaranteed Buyback price.
3. Return your book in good condition at the end of the semester, and we’ll give you that amount of cash back… guaranteed!

Buy used or buy new. Either way, you get the same amount of cash back. Get at least 50% of the purchase price guaranteed!

Books purchased between June 1 and November 30 must be received back at our warehouse by December 31 of the same year. Books purchased between December 1 and May 31 must be received back at our warehouse by the following June 30.

To sell back Guaranteed Buyback books back, simply log in to “My Account.” We’ll provide you with a shipping label to send us the good condition book back free of charge. You can also sell back other good condition books and see if your books qualify for our 10% Bonus Buyback program.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 4th, 2009 by Esswi

BY DAVID SALTONSTALL
DAILY NEWS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

What’s in the package?

“Everything and the kitchen sink,” said Barry Bosworth, an economist at the Brookings Institution, only half-jokingly.

The total price on Obama’s package is a whopping $819 billion, of which $211 billion will pay for new tax cuts. The remaining $608 billion is government spending.

The shopping list is long and varied: $43 billion for transportation projects, $19 billion in water projects, $21 billion for school modernization projects, $32 billion to fund a so-called smart electricity grid, $6 billion to bring high-speed Internet access to rural America and many, many more items that some call pork, others jobs.

On the tax side, the big ticket item is a $500-per-worker ($1,000 per couple) tax cut for two years for anyone making less than $100,000 a year ($200,000 per couple). The government would simply not withhold as much as it does now, leaving workers with an extra $20 a month or so in their paychecks.

The theory is that, while workers would stuff the money under the mattress if handed to them in a lump, they’ll spend it if it’s spread over 24 months in smaller chunks.

How will it help?

Obama has predicted his plan will create up to 4 million jobs over the next two years, much of it through huge increases in government spending on roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

That’s good for welders, bricklayers and anyone else in the construction trades, as well as engineers and other white-collar types dedicated to improving the electrical grid or boosting Internet services. And the money they can spend from their earnings will help the economy at large.

The money could also serve as job protection for many state and city workers, who right now face the prospect of layoffs as tax revenues plummet. A hefty $88 billion is intended to shore up Medicaid and the many health care jobs the program supports, and $4 billion in grants is earmarked to boost law enforcemen

Whom will it help?

Much of the stimulus package is weighted toward the working poor, a group Obama repeatedly vowed to help during his campaign. Workers who right now pay no income taxes, for instance, will be entitled to $1,000 per-child tax credits and other new benefits.

But there are other perks even for middle- and upper-income workers caught in the economic tsunami.

Couples making up to $160,000 a year, for instance, would be entitled to $2,500 in new tax credits to pay for college in 2009 and 2010.

And laid-off workers - no matter how high their previous incomes - will qualify for Medicaid under Obama’s plan.

Alternatively, if laid-off workers want to pay to maintain their health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, better known as Cobra, the feds will pay two-thirds of the cost. Now, they pay none.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.

February 1st, 2009 by Esswi

Save as much as $600 a year with your phone bill.  You can try Magic Jack 30-day free trial.

Magic Jack is a new service that gives you a number, voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, etc. and a little phone jack. It is a USB phone jack that plugs into a computer and then you plug a phone into the other end allowing them to make or recieve calls for free. All you have to do is buy the phone jack for $39.00 which includes the first year free service and $19.99 per year thereafter.  Now, Magic Jack is offering 5 years for $59.99.  That is not bad for a phone service. All you need is internet service to utilize Magic Jack.

I actually use magic jack as my personal home phone. And I love it.  It works fine for me.  There aren’t any delays.  Once in a blue moon the phone will cut off.   Like any other, if your internet service goes down then of course you cannot use it but the service doesn’t beat the money.  It offers free local long distance, free phone number, free voice mail, free caller ID and lots more.  You can even take magic jack with you to other countries or hotels or even a friends house that has internet service.  You ensure you have internet service, plug in any analogue phone to the other side of the USB port and you call away.  You can call the U.S. and Canada for FREE.

You can’t beat that.  Save yourself hundred of dollars a year.

Financial Blessings,

Nisha E.