Posts Tagged ‘family’
Free, Valuable Consumer Tool
February 9th, 2010 at 12:09 pm by Amy HannoldFrugal Living, takes more than making the smarter, healthier choices. It means that we must be smarter than the average slogan or sales promise.
We must have the tools, (and use them), so that we are effective, efficient consumers. Instead of impulse buying and buying in “blind faith”, it is important to have a working knowledge of our options and rights. Taking the time to seek out the best product, and then find it at the best price is one way to use our resources wisely.
Consumers have tools at the ready, available to help them in nearly every situation – it just takes knowing where to look. Being aware of these tools before you need them (that is, before disaster strikes), is arming yourself (and those close to you), with priceless information.
Connect yourself to what I consider to be the “Go-To Yellow Pages” of buying, selling and being a wiser consumer. The Consumer Action Handbook (http://www.consumeraction.gov/) is available on-line or you can order a print version. If you have a consumer question, a need in your life for signing contracts, filing a complaint or recovering from identity theft (and more subjects), you must have a copy of this FREE and valuable resource.
It is enlightening reading. I find that in listening to others, I am the one who is able to point them in the right direction – and often time save them a lot of time and money, because I know of the Consumer Action Handbook.
What sort of information is found in the Consumer Action Handbook?
*A step-by-step process for filing a consumer complaint
*Identity theft prevention and recovery
*Contact information to major corporations, including retail and manufacturer
*Buying a car, home or looking to invest? – You can find tips and references here
*Your local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau
*Military Specific Better Business Bureaus (for military-related consumer news) and Military Support Agencies
*Teaching outlines for Teachers and other Consumer Mentors
*Subject information for Internet, Travel, Television, Health Care, Insurance and More
*Tips for shopping from home, junk mail and telemarketers – be aware of your rights.
How Can Consumeraction.gov be of help to me?
*It acts as a guide when you meet a consumer crisis. It begins with “be calm”, and continues as it provides a sample letter for you to use as you resolve your circumstances.
*If you want to learn the signifigance of your credit score and how to improve it, or you want to know how to correct negative information on your credit report. (Links to all major credit-related organization and governing agencies.)
*When you have issue to report a fraud, product defect or safety hazard, or want to be informed of current product recalls and safety guidelines.
Tools You Can Use in These Financial Times:
*“How to Make Ends Meet”, tools and links to forms which can help you calculate your circumstances and forms to apply for assistance: http://www.aarp.org/money/personal/real_relief_aarp/
*Ten Things You Must Keep in a Fireproof Safe:
*Ten Ways to Protect Yourself against Scams and Fraud:
http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/ten_ways_to_protect.pdf
Once you have become familiar with these tools, pass it on.
Frugal Quote for Thought:
“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.”
-Author Unknown
Think Taxes Now –Save Time & Money Later!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:04 pm by Amy HannoldTax time is upon us. Consider your tax-filing situation. Here are some things to think about:
Contribute to an IRA for yourself and your spouse. You have until April 15, 2010 to make IRA contributions for 2009. (From cnn.com: check out CNN.com or MSN.com for their money-related articles)
Consider your withholdings allowances and withholding status: Though many of us look forward to a tax refund every year, ask yourself if what you’re getting back could be paid to you throughout the year, instead of loaning it to Uncle Sam at 0% interest—wouldn’t that be better? Evaluate your W-4 and see if any changes can be made.
Get Organized: Make it a resolution! Designate one area in your home and one set of files to organize all of your financial/home data. Start collecting those pieces of information that you’ll need at tax time. Being organized can save you lots of time and money when you know what you have and can find it fast! This includes receipts for big purchases, warranties/instructions, credit card statements, etc.
Want More Money Information? Check out these sites:
Money Instructor:
http://www.moneyinstructor.com/
This site has information for parents, teachers, homeschoolers and individuals who want to teach kids money matters—and learn for themselves as well! Read more about personal finance and other helpful money saving/investing/credit ideas.
Yahoo Finance:
http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes
Several finance articles on money and personal finance can be found here. Lots of information on new tax laws and how to prepare for filing taxes.
Best Consumer and Finance Freebie: Order your free copy of the “Consumer Action Handbook”! It’s the yellow pages/encyclopedia of everything you need to know to protect yourself, make wise spending decisions and more!:
Put Your Emergency Plan in Writing
February 7th, 2010 at 11:02 pm by Amy HannoldEmergencies can occur at any moment. Our best chance for survival and protection of further damage is to be prepared – in writing. You can not only protect your family by being prepared, but you are able to make a difference in the lives of others when you’re not in chaos over your own circumstances.
Ready.gov:
http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html
Ready.gov is the best and most user-friendly emergency preparedness resource. This website will lead you through the process of putting your plan in writing. Ready.gov advocates that we “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed”. Here are some of the resources you can download, complete and refer to. You can complete them online or print them and fill them out by hand.
Family Emergency Plan: Communicate now how your family will reach each other and where you will go in the event of an emergency. Make copies once you’ve completed them (for your emergency kit, automobile, work, and vital contact people):
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf
Family Communication Plan: This form identifies and establishes communication plans should an emergency occur while the family is separated:
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/family_communications_plan.pdf
Adult Folding Wallet Card: An emergency plan, to carry with you in your wallet.
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/fep_download/FamEmePlan_Adult.pdf
“QuickShare” Your Emergency Contact Information, The Email Text Option: Complete this form online. Your information will be transferred into a text format which you then email to those who need this information. Ready.gov suggests that families complete the Family Emergency Plan to be best prepared; the Email Text option is not as comprehensive.
http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/quickshare.html
“Readiness U”: Communicating With and Including Children in the Emergency Preparedness Process: Children, with their caregivers, can find emergency preparedness information at this website. Features are written in an easy to understand language, with the help of Sesame Street Characters and other kid-friendly activities.
http://www.ready.gov/kids/home.html
Sesame Workshop has an entire “Let’s Get Ready” website devoted to explaining emergency preparedness to young children. Printable activities, video segments, and more can be found here:
http://www.sesamestreet.org/ready
In our next segment, we will list resources which will help families prepare an emergency kit.
New Year’s Resolutions – Free Encouragement
January 12th, 2010 at 1:22 am by Amy HannoldThere are a few websites which will help you in your journey to keep your New Year’s Resolutions:
43 Things.com:
Be encouraged by people who have already accomplished what you’ve set as a goal for yourself, or find people to partner with in your shared goals. You can even set up for automatic emails to be sent to you, reminding you of your goals. There is also an iPhone app from 43 Things.com
SparkPeople.com: is the place to find free advice and assistance in meeting your diet goals. Free diet plans, calculators, and trackers are some of the tools you’ll find.
MoneywiseWomen.com: Washington State based network of finance authors, speakers and mentors who provide information to inspire women to have the best financial futures possible. Sign up as an email member and you will receive free periodic articles, full on encouragement and vital information.
Moneywise Women is holding a one-day conference in several Washington State cities this year. For their conference in Bellingham on March 20, they are offering half-price tickets (limited supply) for those that register soon. Visit their website for a full list of upcoming conferences.
Free Consumer Action Handbook ( full edition available online):
Order your free copy of this annual encyclopedia of all things money. Consumers become instantly wiser when they get their hands on this free publication — or view it in its entirety online. Anything you want or have to do with your money — it’s here. Be aware of scams, “who to contacts” for when circumstances go wrong, and how to prevent your becoming a victim of identity theft — and more! The processes of filing a complaint, investing, bankruptcy, and other topics are here in a convenient, easy-to-read format.
Great Dinner, After 3, Affordably
September 6th, 2009 at 12:59 am by Amy HannoldAt the end of my day, like many days, I wanted to know “what’s for dinner?” I pride myself on being the organized one in my social circle (at least I am known for it) — but dinner eludes me more days out of the week than I would publicly admit to.
This day was no different. Bored with cooking dinner — and having watched some television with fast food looking so easy and so good — I challenged myself to take the “better road”. I wanted something better than burgers — and I wanted it for the cash I had in my pocket.
Kids in tow, I was on a budget for both time and money. 3:30 in the afternoon is past my shopping curfew. My kind, with coupons and averaging unit prices, aren’t too welcome at this time of day. Shopping today, after my better hours, I was unarmed.
It nearly hurts me physically to pay full price for anything. This day, even with kids and without my coupon file, I would stay within budget – and eat well tonight.
Produce came first, as I wanted a salad. I like to “up-do” a bagged salad with any fixings I can find for a reasonable price. Right away, I see that Fresh Express Salads are BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) — and I do happen to have one coupon for them in my wallet (I carry coupons for my favorite things).
Avocados are $10/10 (an ingenious marketing tool by most grocery retailers– and so easy to match with coupons when they’re name brand products). I grab one to top the salad. I pass by all of the other vegetables. When my kids beg to buy apples, I compliment myself. We’ve already got apples at home (bought cheaper at a competitor store earlier in the week) — but I like to mentally record the price of produce to compare prices later. It’s a good idea to know what items of produce sell for in the area.
Fresh Meat, up next. (No, I’m not describing myself to the grocery manager — It’s the department I find myself in.) I want something “good”, but I have walked into the most expensive store in my city. No problem, I say. I walk past the “premium beef” displays, visualizing my husband’s falling lower lip, and head for the meat’s clearance department. On first glance, and between refereeing the kids, I don’t see anything of great savings. I do see though, that family packs of pork chops are $1.99/pound.
I do love pork chops — and, they’re not chicken. Chicken is the least favorite of my Navy husband. (He tells me frequently how on “on the ship, it’s all chicken…chicken this and chicken that…) Pork then, so far, has been the great compromise. I tell him, ‘It’s the other white meat’ — it’s meat, its lean and it’s better for you than red meat — so eat!” I grab a package large enough for two meals. Only my husband and I eat meat at our house (unless it’s breaded or on a stick, the kids choose cereal or soup.)
A quick glance back to the clearance meats; a roast catches my eye. I picture it over the potatoes and onions I already have at home, with steamed carrots and just the right amount of hubby’s “poor man gravy”. It’s 30% off? No, wait, it’s 50% off! My money savings-brain instantly calculates the sale price of the roast and figures out that for the original price of the roast; I’ll get nearly everything in my shopping basket.
Success! Spending under $15, I brought home at least 4 meals for the price of a roast! We took the challenge head-on; only one coupon, two kids and shopping after 3 PM in the afternoon.
My advice, if not plain in this narrative already, is to look for the savings and know where they can be found. For a fast food price, following these guidelines will feed you well for a meal or more. I could have filled the basket with faster, more expensive food (or bypassed the grocery store completely and just ran through the drive through). But, then I’d have heartburn, both fiscally and physically.
I bring my kids along to make things interesting and to entertain the older couples who think my kids are fun. While we’re entertaining the public, I hope to be teaching my kids something about making good choices and getting the most for their money. They raid the coupon feeders in the aisles (that always gets the “looks”), but they also have learned to read the labels and count for themselves how much money we’re saving.
They’re taking part in the choosing of and enjoying a variety of meals. Granted, they don’t eat roast or salad (their dinner was waiting at home), but they can tell their friends (and Grandma) that they helped me save money. That makes them feel pretty smart too.
The roast was delicious; the pork chops were enjoyed for two later meals. I loved the thought that I was eating a $15 roast (and got all of dinner for that price) and husband loved eating a $15 roast. Add to that, he had something to brag about at work the next morning. I had money for the next “need” the kids came up with. I think it was ice cream.
