Free 2008 Calendar

Get a free 2008 Calendar at one of these links:

North American River Runners - Free Calendarhttp://www.narr.com/inforeq4.asp
Free Vanity Fair 2008 Calendarhttp://www.vfinsider.com/index.aspx
Free 2008 Senior Calendarhttp://www.seniorcalendars.com/samples.htm
Free 2008 calendar from Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (email)http://www.ahfmr.ab.ca/AnnualReport/order.php
Free 2008 Baptist Calendarhttp://www.abchome.org/contact.htm
Free 2008 Kids Hemophilia Calendarhttp://biorx.net/wp/biorx-offers-free-2008-kids-hemophilia-calendar-7
Free 2008 On Sacred Ground Calendarhttp://www.unityonline.org/calendar08/index.htm
Free Mom Car Calendar Fill Out Car Infohttp://newcarformom.24ex.com/
Free Scenic Calendar for Life Quotehttp://aaafreequotes.notlong.com/
Free Football and Sports Calednarshttp://sportsfreebies.headplug.com/
Free 2008 Calendar Magnetshttp://www.houseofmagnets.com/acatalog/Catalog_Request.html
Free 2008 Holiday Calendarhttp://www.cmw.com/calendar.cfm
Free 2008 Mercy Ships Calendarhttps://secure.mercyships.org/webinfo/standard
Free 2008 Wall Calendar - Church Mutualhttp://www.churchmutual.com/index.php/choice/risk/page/ads_calendar/id/35
Exploring Spasticity - Free 2008 Calendarhttps://www.medtroniceducation.com/kma/www/exploring_spasticity/calendar_order.jsp
Free Magnetic Refrigerator Calendarhttp://www.tipsforyourtrip.com/Free_Gift.html
Several Free Education Calendars and Magnets Fill Out School Info Requestshttp://chooseyourschool.1sta.com/
Free 2008 Range Riders Calendar, need company namehttp://www.experiencethewest.com/sample.htm
Free Personalized Custom Wall or Desk Calendarshttp://www.vistaprint.com/vp/gateway.aspx?S=8115650545&affid=CD14544
Free Golf Travel Plannerhttp://www.travelgolf.com/travelform/
Guild for the Blind:2008 Pocket Braille Calendarshttp://www.guildfortheblind.org/index.htm
Free Art Institute Calendar and Info Kit - Reghttp://tinyurl.com/34pgf6Enter zipcode, then scroll down to art and design in drop box, then hit submit
Free Tech Geek Calendar and Info Kithttp://www.momurl.com/teckgeekkit/
Free 2008 Wild Life Calendarhttp://wildlifegifts.com/calendar.lasso
Free Business Planning Calendarhttp://www.imdiversity.com/mediakit/calendar_form.asp
Free ADHD Kit with DVD Calendars and Morehttp://www.momurl.com/adhdforparents/
Free USA Flag Calendars for Quoteshttp://usainsurancequotes.org/
Free Direct TV Info Kit and NFL Schedule Calendarshttps://www.satex.com/online_quote_nb.html?nbid=10454
Free Mommy Home Biz Kit with Calendarhttp://mommyhome.2savvy.com/
Free Charity Calendar from 4Chttp://www.charitycards.org/Register/Calendar.aspx
Free 2008 Grayarc Calendarshttp://www.grayarc.com/samplerequest.aspx
Calendarshttp://mediaplusforms.btobsource.com/enduser/products/subcategory.jsp?key1=MAJ-HOL+CA&key2=CALENDARS&key3=DEPOWALL+C
Free 2008 Charles River Calendarhttp://www.criver.com/agrochemical_services/agrochemical_services/whats_new/2008_calendar_agro.html
Up to Four Free 2008 Calendarshttp://www.weprintforless.com/samples.htm

A Cheaper and Effective Cough Remedy

Ginger Tea

1 inch of fresh ginger root, sliced thin or grated
1/2 a fresh lemon, sliced but not pealed
1 clove garlic, mashed
~2 c water
1 T honey

Place water, ginger, lemon, & garlic in saucepan; bring to boil, then turn down heat and simmer gently for 20 min. Strain into mugs and add lots of honey.

Ginger tea is very soothing to the throat. It will warm and open the chest and nasal passages. Plus there are all those vitamins and other good things!

Money Saving Links

If you have small children, here are a few links that offer samples or gifts.

www.pampers.com

www.huggies.com

www.clubmom.com

Website: www.coolsavings.com

www.JohnsonsBaby.com
www.Baby.com

www.BabyToBee.com

www.welcomeaddition.com

www.enfamil.com

www.gerber.com/special

Pay Your Library Fines!!

Many local municipalities are crunched for funds. Some cities have hired collection agencies to ferret out unpaid parking tickets and library fines. This may not sound like a big deal, but if you haven’t returned your long over due books, and your name is turned over to a collection agency, your credit scores may be damaged. Any time a debt goes to a collection agency, your credit score may be dropped by as much as 100 points.

Advice From Suze Orman

America’s financial advisor Suze Orman suggests an easy way to save money: raise your FICO score. This score determines how much interest you pay on everything from credit cards to mortgages. If you could raise your score from 500 to 760, you’d save $78 a month on car payments for a $20,000 vehicle. Thirty percent of your FICO score is your debt-to-credit-limit ratio. If you can’t pay off your credit card, request an increase in your limit, but don’t actually use the extra credit. Another thing you can do to raise your FICO score is to have a relative with a high score add your name as an authorized user to his or her card. Your relative doesn’t actually have to give you a card. This will help your score, without lowering your loved ones.

Get a (Really) Free Credit Report, No Strings Attached

Many websites and TV commercials flaunt information about “free” credit reports and use gimmicks to rope you into paying for a credit report or a monitoring service. You can get a free credit report from the three major credit reporting companies, no strings attached!! Just go to www.annualcreditreport.com, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will provide you with a free report once a year, just for asking! If you space your request, that’s one report every four months. It is wise to keep an eye on your report and check it for accuracy. If you would get your report by mail, just call 1-877-322-8228.

Save Pennys with Blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid

Say "Hello" to a very versatile and surprisingly multi-purpose household product, Blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. Here are nine ways to save with Blue Dawn.

ICE PACK. Partially fill a strong zip-type sandwich bag with Dawn dishwashing liquid, close and freeze. Just to be safe, double bag it. Freeze. The liquid soap stays cold much longer and it can be re-frozen many times. It will conform to the place you need an ice pack.

BUBBLE PARTY. Combine ten parts distilled water and one part Dawn Dishwashing Liquid to make your own bubble solution. And add 1/4 part white corn syrup (like Karo) if you want to make more sturdy bubbles. Gather up things like clean soup cans that have both ends cut off orHula-Hoops with makeshift handles attached. If you want to, you can pour the solution into a plastic kiddy pool and make huge bubbles. Turn it into a scientific experiment and go on a hunt for bubble-making items in your kitchen. This is a super cheap idea that's lots of fun.

HAND DEGREASER. Forget those pricey automotive hand cleaners. Full strength blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid cuts through grease and gets hands and nails clean with no harsh chemicals.

CLEAN AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS. Soak them in a solution of Dawn dishwashing liquid before you put them away to remove all the oil and grime. As a bonus Dawn will help prevent rust from forming on the tools.

MANICURE SECRET. Soak fingers in full-strength blue Dawn It makes the cuticles soft and easy to work with. And it removes the natural oil from the fingernails, which allows the polish to adhere very well.

REPEL ANTS. Spray countertops, cupboards and any other area where you see ants with a solution of Dawn and water. Wipe dry The slight residue of Dawn that remains will not be a problem at all for kids or pets, but ants hate it. Should you see a trail of ants, go ahead and hit them with the Dawn spray. You'll see. It will kill them.

BATHROOM CLEANER. Original blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid has some kind of miraculous quality about it that makes it "melt" through stubborn soap scum and hideous build-up on showers and tubs, no matter whether porcelain, acrylic or fiberglass. Use it straight up and you'll bless the day you read this column.

HAIR PRODUCT BUILDUP. Once a month use original Dawn as you would shampoo. It will remove excess oil from your hair and scalp and strip away any build-up of styling products-without any damage. Perform this once a month and you won't have to buy expensive salon products that do the same thing.

STAIN SPOTTER. Original blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid used full-strength gets just about any kind of spot out of washables. Keep a small squeeze bottle in the laundry room so it's always handy. Especially Ketchup!!!BONUS: Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is biodegradable, while other chemical solvents may not be.

Timing is Everything!

Different bargains can be found during different times of the year.

The best time to find a deal on the following:

Cars September
Computers July and August
Furniture January and July
Linens January
Major Appliances September and October
RV's Fall and Winter

Thrifty Tips

Tub Tips:
If you think your tube of toothpaste is empty, cut the tube in half and you will find enough past to last 5 or 6 more brushings.

Use baking soda as a toothpaste, it is just as good as store bought paste.

To remove stains from your teeth, occasionally brush with lemon juice.

Make your own mouthwash using a few drops of essence of peppermint and a pint of water. This costs a fraction of commercial mouthwashes.

Bath Sachets:
2 Cups ground up soap slivers
4 Cups fine rolled oats
1 Cup powered borax
2 t. sachet power

Mix all ingredients together and spoon into small squares of material, gather edges together and tie with a ribbon. This makes a cute, inexpensive gift. I you want a quick fix, spoon ingredients into an old sock, tie and toss in the bath.

Don't want to make bath sachets? Don't waste your soap slivers. Take a fresh bar of soap, prick holes in one side of the fresh bar and one side of the sliver. Wet both and press the soap tightly together for a minute and leave overnight. When using the "new" bar, use the side with the sliver first.

Make liquid soap with your soap slivers. Put the slivers into the blender with a little water. Blend on low until you are happy with the consistency, pour the liquid soap into a dispenser.

Why Do Middle-Class Americans Struggle

The Commerce Department recently reported that the national personal savings rate for 2006 slumped to the lowest level since the Great Depression. On Average, Americans not only spend all the money they make after taxes, but also are digging into their savings or putting more debt on their credit cards.

Many middle-class Americans struggle because of corporate greed, downsizing, outsourcing and out of control health care costs. While these are all legitimate problems and concerns, could it also be that we are not willing to give up our wasteful ways and current lifestyles?

Remember last January, before the Super Bowl? 2.5 million Americans went out and bought themselves a high-definition television set just for the game!! Add to that expense, and average of $49.00 per person was spent on related merchandise, food and beverages.

If you are an average, middle-class, hard working two family income household, do you think these are expenses that you could afford? Were you able to make ends meet after these expenditures?

It's A Tea Party!

If you’re a tea sipper like I am, you probably have dozens of tea bags laying around your house in your drawers and cupboards. Friends and family give me tea as gifts for all occasions. I pick up bags at restaurants, hotels and even send for free samples. Here are a few tips to help you save a few pennies and us up those extra bags of tea.

As an air freshener mix one quart brewed tea and four tablespoons lemon. Put in a spray bottle and shake well and spray!

Cold tea is an excellent cleaning agent for any kind of wood. Dampen a soft cloth with tea and gently clean your wood furnishings and molding.

Mix one part tea to one part double-strength beef stock as the liquid when making a pot roast or stew.

To accelerate the germination of seeds, mix two tablespoons of cold strong tea with each pound of seed. Cover and set in the frig for five days. Before sowing, spread the seeds out onto papers to dry and let dry.

To relieve minor burns, apply a wet tea bag directly to the burn.

Soothe canker sores by applying a wet tea bag directly on the sore.

Soothe tired eyes with cool bags of tea. Place bags over closed eyes and rest for 15 minutes.

Get relief from a sun burns by patting the burn with wet, cool bags of tea.

If you would like to add highlights to your red or brown hair, rinse your hair with brewed tea.

Quotes

Think what you do when you run in debt; You give to another Power over your Liberty.
Benjamin Franklin

They that go a-borrowing go a a-sorrowing.
John Clarke

New Tax Breaks For 2006 Taxes

Every year there are changes in tax laws, deductions and credits. To get the biggest federal tax refund, you need to know what these are. Here is a list of some of the major changes in tax breaks for individual filers for 2006:

Energy credits for homeowners. If you installed certain energy-efficient products in your home during 2006, such as windows, exterior doors, insulation, and heating and cooling equipment, you could receive a tax credit up to $500.

Retirement plan tax savings increased. If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, you can now create a qualified Roth contribution program.

Charitable Donations. Clothing and household items donated to charity after Aug. 17, 2006, must be in good used condition or better to be deductible.

Telephone Excise Tax Refund. Individual taxpayers will be able to request a refund if they paid the federal excise tax on long-distance or bundled service.

New Split Refund Option. Taxpayers now can split their refunds among up to three accounts held by up to three U.S. financial institutions, such as banks, mutual funds, brokerage firms or credit unions.

Green vehicles tax credit. Owners of new hybrid vehicles purchased in 2006 are eligible for tax credits up to $3,400, depending on the model.

For more information, visit the http://www.irs.gov IRS website. Or refer to Publication 553, Highlights of 2006 Tax Changes, and the instruction book for Form 1040.

Grandma's (inexpensive) Carpet Cleaning Solutions

Carpet Cleaning Ideas

To give your light colored carpet a fresh look, brush with cornmeal before vacuuming.

Homemade Carpet Shampoo:
1/2 c powdered detergent
1t ammonia
1 quart of warm water

Mix ingredient in a bowl, stirring constantly to work up a layer of froth. Using froth only, rub carpet lightly with a sponge or cloth. Stir solution to get additional froth. Allow carpet to dry and vacuum.

If you are shampooing your carpet with a carpet cleaning machine, cover your furniture legs with plastic baggies to protect them and to keep your carpet from getting rust stains caused by metal legs on damp carpet.

Carpet Stain Removal Ideas

Mix a diluted solution of vinegar, dish soap, and water. Dampen a cloth with this solution and press firmly against the stain for several seconds. Blot dry with a clean cloth.

Shaving cream can be used as an emergency carpet stain remove. It works on coffee, wine, ketchup, chocolate, and tea.

Sprinkle salt liberally on fresh stains and allow to soak up the moisture, then vacuum. Salt is great for absorbing mud stains.

Homemade Carpet Stain Remover:

Mix equal parts of salt and baking soda. Add several drops of white vinegar and enough water to make a paste. Check carpet for color fastness, then apply the paste to the stain and let it set. When it is dry, brush it away and the stain should go with it. For a particularly nasty stain, scrub it when you first apply the paste.

Homemade Pet Stain Remover:

1 C of hydrogen peroxide
1 T of baking soda
1/2 t of dish soap

Mix all ingredients and stir well. Apply solutions to the stained area with a sponge. Let dry and vacuum!

Do You Know Your Budgeting Guidelines?

Here are the recommended debt guidelines. Creditors use this guideline when reviewing and approving your credit application.

Housing: Your housing expense (mortgage, rent, taxes, repairs, improvements, insurance and utilities) should not exceed 35% of your income.

Transportation: Monthly car payments, gas, oil, repairs, insurance, parking or public transportation should not exceed 20% of your income.

Debt Budget: Credit cards, personal loans, student loans and any other debt payments should not exceed 15% of your income.

Investments & Savings: Stocks, bonds, cash reserves, art, etc., should be at least 10% of your expenses.

All Other Expenses: Food, insurance prescriptions, doctor and dentist bills and clothing should not exceed 20% of your income.

Take some time to calculate your debt to see how your budget measures up. If you are spending more in one category than the guideline suggest, make a list of what you are buying and brainstorm ways to cut cost in that category. If you are under in one area, you may add the extra percentage to another category.

Are You spending More Than You Make?

According to a recent survey, most people are spending 10% more than they make! The average person may know what their check will be each payday, but they have no idea how much money they spend in a pay period. Based on the average American income we spend $431 per month more than we make. No wonder the average credit card debt in $8,500.

When setting up a budget, I'm sure we all remember to list the big expenditures like the car payment, house payment/rent, food and utilities. What we sometimes tend to over look are what I call the "Budget Suckers".

Here are a few Budget Suckers that may not be included in your monthly budget:
Your car's oil changes, tire rotations, new windshield wipers, new batteries, the cost to renew your drivers license, tolls, inspections, parking meters, newspapers and magazine subscriptions, the morning coffee or juice from the juice/coffee bar, chipping in for the co-workers gift, the garbage bill, haircuts, tips, vet bills, and when company arrives, increased food, and utility bills. Most of us remember to budget for birthday gifts, and holiday gifts, but what about cards, wrapping paper, bows and tags? Have you over extended yourself??

Are You Green?

Are you green? If you are not ready to jump on former Vice President Al Gore's green band wagon, you should still consider a few green ideas that could save you some cash. Here are a few money saving tips to make any tree hugger proud!

1. Unplug appliances and electronic when you are not using them. This could reduce your electricity bill by 20% a year.

2. If you drive with your foot in the carburetor (as my Dad used to say!) take it out. If you drive 55 mph instead of 65mph you will save an average of 15% on fuel.

3. An annual savings of $10- $40 can be yours if you put your computer in sleep mode when it is not in use.

4. Paper! Use the back side of junk mail envelopes to write notes, or to make lists. Save sheets of paper that are only used on one side. Let the kids use the clean side of the paper to draw or doodle on . Use the back side of the paper in your printer to print out drafts, one time recipes, etc.

5. Speaking of your printer; when printing a draft or unimportant document use your preference selection under "print", click on draft and then gray scale. This will make your print cartridge last twice as long.

6. Pay your bills on line to save postage and paper.

7. Invest in a programmable thermostat. Programing your furnace at a lower setting when you are gone or asleep will net you a savings of $100 a year on your utility bill. Keep your daily temperature at 68 degrees and wear a sweater. If you are sitting and you are chilly, get up and move around for exercise and it will warm you up.

8. Replace your incandescent lite bulbs with a compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). The saving to replace just one 100 watt incandescent bulb is about $30 over the life of the bulb.

9. If you like crafts or like to sew recycle old blue jeans and flannel shirts in to warm and cute quilts. Turn old T-shirts into pillows, use old panty hose as stuffing. Turn old sweaters into purses. There are many craft/sewing ideas on the Internet for recycling old clothes. These handmade items make wonderful gifts. People love to receive handcrafted gifts.

10. With spring coming soon, many of you may be getting "spring fever". If you love to garden get together with friends and neighbors to swap cutting from each others existing perennials. When making new plant purchases, go together with friends and split flats of plants. Make a donation to the Arbor Foundation and they will send you free trees.

Cash in on "Stuff"

Are you "over stuffed?" Make extra money selling your "stull" to the "under stuffed!" Clean out your cupboards, your closets, your garage and clean out your basement. Anything and everything has been known to sell on eBay. Get rid of your clutter, junk, and clothes you haven't worn in a while and make some extra cash by selling it on line or have a garage sale. If it is your first time selling on eBay, get a friend, or neighbor with eBay experience to help you list your items. It is a fairly simple process to list things, but it would be nice if someone could help you get started. Most kids over 12 know the ins and outs of eBay. Beware that eBay charges a fee for listing your item and then will take a percentage of your selling price. Don't forget to calculate a shipping price, buyers usually pay for shipping and want to before buying what the charge will be. You will need a PayPal account to sell on eBay. PayPal will also take a cut of your profits. If you live in a metropolitan area, try listing your "stuff" on Craigslits.com. Craig's List does not charge anything for listing an item, but it only sells locally. I personally have had great luck selling on Craigslist and would recommend it.

Now that you have cleaned out your nooks and cranny's and have taken in come cash, DO NOT BLOW THE MONEY!! It is sooooooo tempting to tell yourself that you deserve a treat, or something special because you worked hard to earn the extra cash, but you need to stand strong in your effort to get out of debt. TAKE THIS MONEY AND PAY IT ON A CREDIT BILL, or make an extra car payment or ad extra to your house payment,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,PLEASE DON'T JUST BLOW IT!!

WD-40, A Miracle Spray?

You may be wondering what an article about a lubricant is doing on a blog about saving money, but that is just the point! WD-40 is a miracle in a can and can take the place of a lot of different expensive cleaners and does a better job than most high-priced products.

WD-40 was developed in the 1050’s by three chemists looking for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser. This Water Displacement formulas (WD) was born on the 40th formulation, thus; WD-40 was born! It is safe for you (the basic ingredient is fish oil) and cleans most all surfaces. Here are a few useful ideas for using WD-40:

1. It will remove lipstick from cloths. Saturate the lipstick spot with WD-40 and wash.
2. It will remove crayon from walls. Spray and wipe with a clean rag.
3. It protects silver from tarnishing.
4. It will remove road tar from your car.
5. It will clean and lubricate guitar strings.
6. It will rid rocking chairs, swings, tricycles, wagons bikes or anything else that squeaks of their squeak.
7. It will remove bugs from the bumpers of your car.
8. It attracts fish. Spray a little on lures or live bait. It is cheaper than the chemical attractants that are sold for this purpose.
9. It can be sprayed on your joints to relieve arthritis pain.
10. It will remove tree sap from your car.
11. It will remove stickers from most surfaces
12. It will remove splattered grease on your stove.
13. Clean your bathroom mirror with it and the mirror will not fog up
14. It will restore and clean the leather dashboard in your car.
15. If you live in a snowy climate the white stuff can build up on your dish and screw up your reception. Shoot a coating of WD-40 on the dish and the snow will slide off instead.
15. If you squirt the threads before you install the bulb it won’t get corroded and break when you try to change it.
16. It will keep the squires away from your bird feeders if you spray it on the feeder poles and it will keep the pigeons off the porch.
17. Spray it on an ant bite immediately and it will take the sting out and stop the itch.
18. It will loosen stuck sippers.
19. It will remove water spots on polished aluminum.
20. Use it on anything that needs lubrication. (fans, sprockets, fan belts, saw blades and other tools.)

Buy on Sale

Every week check your favorite stores sale flyer. If you use an item a lot that is on sale, but you are not out of it,,,,,,,,BUY IT ANYWAY!!! Always buy your favorite (nonperishable) foods on sale. Stock up that pantry. Not only will you save by buying the items on sale, but you will save gas and time by making fewer trips to the store. Don't be afraid to use coupons for extra savings. Coupons can save you at least $5.00 a week easy.

Natural (inexpensive) Recipies for Baby and Mom

Here are a three natural recipes to sooth baby and mom as well. My grandmother used these recipes on here children.

Natural Oil
You will need:
A container with a lid
1/2 Cup of Lavender Essential oil
12 drops of olive oil
5 drops Mandarin Essential Oil

Mix ingredients in container by shaking to blend oils.
The blend of Lavender and Mandarin is not only beneficial to the skin, but is relaxing and can calm a baby along with the massage given as you apply the oil.

Teething Gel
You will need:
Small container
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil or glycerin
1 drop of Clove Essential Oil
In a small bottle, mix the Clove Essential Oil with the vegetable oil and shake till well-blended. Rub on babies gums to sooth the pain of teething.

Baby Wipes
You will need:
A Container with a tight lid
High quality paper towels
1 cup of distilled water
1/2 cup of Aloe Vera Gel
20 drops of Lavender Essential oil
3 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 t vinegar

Put all ingredients in container, cover and shake to blend. Mix well.
Essential Oil is healing to the skin, the vinegar and Tea Tree will help to prevent diaper rash and it will help the wipes from becoming moldy.

Cut the paper towel roll in half and remove the center cardboard. Put 1/2 of the paper roll into a container and soak in the solution. More solution may be added if the roll seems dry. Start by removing a towel from the center of the roll. Refrigerate the remaining solution for later use.

Charitable Ddonation Tax Changes UpDate

Taking effect in 2007, the Pension Protection Act changes the tax laws for charitable donation. Under the new law, any tax payer wanting to claim their donation as a tax deduction must show a receipt from the charity, a canceled check, or credit card statement to prove their donation. As with most deductions, no tax deduction will be allowed if the taxpayer cannot provide any supporting documentation. Taxpayers will not need to mail in the receipts with their tax return, just make sure that you keep them with your copy of the return in the event that you should be so unlucky as to be audited by the IRS.

This new law modifies the rules for non-cash donations as well. Items donated, such as clothing, household goods, and cars, must be in good condition. However, the term 'good condition' has not been defined.

The Pension Protection Act permits taxpayers over 70.5 years of age to donate money to their favorite charity directly from IRA accounts. Since the distribution will not be included in taxable income, individuals will not be able to claim a tax deduction for the charitable contribution.

7 Savvy Tips For Saving Money On Your Insurance

Take a few moments the next time your insurance bill arrives to look it over. The Insurance Information Institute suggests taking a look at your bill and call around for comparisons. It may take a little time, but you could save big. The average family’s car and home insurance totals over $2000.00. If you could save just15%, that equates to $300 a year. Here are a few other ideas for saving some bucks on insurance:

1. Raise your deductible. Typically, insurance companies start their deductibles at $250. If you raise your deductible to $500 you would save 12%, $1,000 you would save 24%, and a deductible of $5,000 would save you 37%.

2. Purchasing your car insurance and home insurance from the same insurer will typically save you 5% to 15%.

3. Take measures to increase your security. Add dead-bolt locks, burglar alarms and fire alarms.

4. Did you know that smoking account for more than 23,000 residential fires a year? STOP SMOKING!! Some companies offer a lower premium to non smokers.

5. Find a good company and stay with them. Some companies offer discounts to policy holder that have been with them for several years. As little as six years may get you a 10% deduction.

6. At least once a year review your policy limits to the value of your possessions. Make sure any new major purchases are covered.

7. Insure your house, not your land. The land that your house sits on is not at risk for fire, wind, theft or other perils that your homeowner’s policy covers so don’t include its value in deciding how much insurance to buy.

Five Tips to Help You Cut Your Credit Card Debt

Is your credit card debt consuming your life? Is there any hope of crawling out from under the heavy burden of plastic? If you are up to your gluteus in maximum credit card payment, there is hope. It is in the credit card companies to work with you on your payments. After all, they would rather see you make some payment versus no payment.
Here are a few tips to help you get a handle on you debt:

1. Make a budget and stick with it! Know what your monthly expenses really are. Don’t forget to include the cost of items that may be billed quarterly or yearly like car insurance, or life insurance. Know what these things cost you and set that money aside in an interest bearing
account until you need to pay that bill. And, NO dipping into the account for frivolous items!!

2. STOP using your credit cards. Take them out of your purse/wallet and cut them up!! Learn to live within your means. Set aside a certain amount of cash from each pay check to use as “disposable” cash. When that cash is gone, your done spending! Don’t buy things that you don’t need.

3. Contact your creditor and let them know that you are having a rough time making your payments and that you sincerely want to make an effort to keep current on your payments. Ask for a lower interest rate. Be firm in your request, it is within their power to lower your interest.

4. Make extra payment on your credit cards each month. Even a small amount will go a long way in cutting interest and years of off your bills. The same goes for your house payments, every little bit will help.

5. Live within your means! Cut out some of the “special” things you blow money on each month. Do you really need a weekly pedicure? How about that 700 calorie latte in the mornings? Instead of dinner at Morton every week, try Village Inn. Take the money that you have saved and make an extra payment on your credit cards!

Debt Consolidation, Take control of your spending

This is it folks! The year 2007 is the year to take control or your spending, get your financial ducks in a row and stop living pay check to pay check.

Sounds like a great idea! How are you going to dig yourself out of that olympic size hole you have dug for yourself? Debt consolidation may be the first step in reaching for that life preserver. What are the alternatives? Bankruptcy ? (Bankruptcy will remain on your credit history for 10 to 13 years.) Continue paying the credit card companies 21% interest for the rest of your life? Winning the lotto?

If you have been treading water in an olympic size pool of charge cards and debt for years, it will take some planning and determination and probably a change of life style. Debt Consolidation might be the life preserver that will help you get a grip on your finances.

Many companies offer debt consolidation loans. To find one that you will feel comfortable working with, do a little research. Call several companies and ask to speak with the loan offices. Ask them what commissions they charge, what are the fees involved and what will the interest rate be. Let them know that you are shopping around and that you will be giving your business to the company that offers the best deal.
Remember, you are making a change to “take charge” of your finances. Don’t be bullied into signing with the first company that you call. There are many to choose from, find one that you are comfortable with and one that treats you with respect.

Now………..make that call, take the first step in climbing out of the ‘hole’!