money tips

5 Things Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Cash Flow

Mar 16 2019

5 Things Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Cash Flow

There are certain business fundamentals that have remained unchanged for centuries. One such principle is cash flow. Businesses of all sizes and types experience a certain amount of cash flowing in and out of company coffers. How that cash is managed is one of the most critical aspects in determining whether a company succeeds or fails.

Any entrepreneur looking to start a new business absolutely must understand the principle of cash flow. He or she must have a handle on cash flow management even before the idea of financing is ever entertained. Why? Because business lenders are concerned about cash flow. All of the business loans UK lenders offer will be somehow tied to cash flow. The same is true for equity investing, crowd funding, and so forth.

Here are five things every entrepreneur should know about cash flow:

1. The Difference Between Cash and Real Cash

The term ‘cash’ has two meanings in the business world. In general, cash refers to company assets and liabilities that are, for all intents and purposes, liquid. Assets would include money in the bank as well as outstanding invoices representing cash that will eventually be paid. Liabilities include outstanding invoices the company has yet to pay.

The term ‘real cash’ applies to the bills and coins coming in and going out. A restaurant is an example of an all-cash business that deals in real cash. They accept currency, debit cards, and credit cards all representing cash payments. In turn, they pay their suppliers and workers in cash represented by cheques and electronic bank transfers.

The difference between these two terms is important when managing cash flow. Cash flow management relies almost exclusively on real cash for the simple reason that outstanding invoices don’t really have any value when you need money to pay a bill.

2. The Difference Between Cash and Profit

Next is the difference between cash and profit. Cash is a tangible asset you can hold in your hand. It is an asset that can be accounted for on a bank statement. Profit is not an asset. Profit is a measure of accounting. Why does this matter in terms of cash flow? Because it’s entirely possible to turn a profit and still not have any cash.

Accounting principles may demonstrate that a company is turning a profit. But that profit is only based on total revenues versus total expenses. It doesn’t account for outstanding receivables. A company might be turning a profit on paper but still be short on cash due to excessive receivables.

3. Cash Flow is Indicative of Strength

Next, cash flow is indicative of a company’s strength. This is so because cash represents that company’s ability to sustain operations. Remember that cash is ultimately the only thing that pays bills. So if cash is constantly limited, a company is in a more precarious position.

You might be interested to know that buyers give quite a bit of weight to cash flow when considering whether or not to acquire a new business. Smart buyers know that consistently limited cash flow is a sign of internal weakness.

4. Cash Flow Affects Borrowing

The fourth thing entrepreneurs should know about cash flow is that it affects borrowing. You previously read about how business loans are often tied to cash flow. They have to be. A lender takes a certain amount of risk by loaning money to a business. If the business consistently deals with insufficient cash flow, a lender has to question that company’s ability to pay back what is borrowed.

In the end, the fact that cash flow is indicative of company strength means that it also affects a company’s ability to borrow. And because borrowing is a normal part of doing business in the modern era, it’s critical that companies manage their cash flow with borrowing in mind.

5. Budget Priorities Are Affected by It

Finally, entrepreneurs need to understand that budget priorities are affected by cash flow. The best way to illustrate this is to talk about payroll. Where a vendor is likely to allow up to 30 days to pay an invoice, workers don’t extend that same courtesy. They don’t allow employers to operate on credit.

The need to pay workers on time demands there be enough cash in company accounts to make payroll on time. That means other items in the budget might either have to wait or be addressed through credit. An entrepreneur cannot spend all his/her cash and then expect workers to wait to get paid.

As you can see, cash flow is a fundamental business concept on which sustained success rests. If you are going to start a business of your own, make sure you have a handle on cash flow first.

By Jonny • Budgeting, Money • 0 • Tags: ,

Jul 9 2014

Five Ways to Get Extra Money

Bills have a way of cropping up when they are least welcome, especially during the summer months when the electric bill can skyrocket to levels unseen since Enron decided to play around with the California electrical grid.

Here are five ways you can make a quick buck to help catching up on expenses.

images2Freelance

Starting your own company can be one of the most rewarding experiences possible in a modern capitalist society. You will encounter new people and face challenges that the average office drone will never encounter.

The potential for profit extends beyond the first client. You can potentially build up a company that you can sell for a decent profit down the line. A business is an investment in yourself and your name. Take great care, and it will turn you a profit both now and in the years to follow. If you’re not sure how to get started here is a good article on freelancing.

Donate Blood or Plasma

Blood banks constantly need fresh supplies, especially for rarer blood types. Contact your local commercial blood bank and find out if they are accepting paid donations today. If so, make a point to stop by and do your civic duty.

Going to a blood bank does more than give you a quick buck – it enables you to take solace in the fact that you could very well be saving a life.

Go to a Pawn Shop

Few people are willing to part with any of their possessions. In a pinch every option must be considered. Is that old television really worth keeping around? How about that computer you replaced with the last tax check?

Take an inventory of your home, and try to offload everything you do not use. Pay close attention to unneeded items that run up your bill, such as that old CRT television in the kids play room. It is an electrical nightmare, costing dollars per day.

Ask For More Hours

If you work in service, approach your employers about working more hours. During the summer months, the amount of business the company receives will normally increase. By offering to take on a greater work load, you can not only make more money but put yourself in a more favorable position for a promotion to manager.

Write a Story

Magazines are looking for stories all the time. So are publishers, both big and small. Drag out that half-finished story you typed up one slow day and finish it. Bring in your worst enemy, and ask that he does his worst. In the end, you will have a well written story ready for submission to many different organizations.

This is a good way to be creative and make a quick buck – additionally if you are successful, this will create a new revenue stream to help you out in the future. As a bonus here is a good article on how to get money fast which has ways not mentioned here.

Do not be afraid to ask for help, new writers come on the scene every day, so take advantage of the resources offered.

By Jonny • Finance, Money, Savings • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Jun 6 2014

Get Rid Of Your Bad Spending Habits And Save

Its always easier to blow right through a budget than it is actually to stick by one. Shopping, eating out, and just purchasing impulsive items is something that we all have probably done in the past. And when you see your credit card statements, you won’t be smiling. But you can always begin with a fresh start, and put a savings plan together.

So read on for some tips you that you can use to get you started on the right track today.

You can get many tips all over the Internet that you can implement in your savings plan. But what can you use that will affect you each and everyday?

It Might not be the Big Ticket…

It might not really be about the big ticket items that are draining your bank account. For example, are you a coffee drinker? If you go to the coffee bar daily, you might be spending upwards of $3 per day. These items tend to add up over time. If you figure that you might purchase one each workday, then that is $60 per month. If you put that in a savings or checking account, then that adds up to $720 for the entire year You can also click here to know more about it. And this can apply to anything that you purchase in small amounts.

Try bringing your lunch with you rather than going out to eat. The savings will start to really add up. This will also give you a great opportunity to cook your own meals, which can help you lose weight or stay in shape.

Don’t Make This Common Mistake…

Most people make the minimum credit card payment each month. It really will feel great to pay down your debt. Add money to your credit card payments each month. Don’t make the minimum. Soon you may see it as a game and challenge to get your debt down to $0. And your bank account will thank you.

 

Now how many people wait for their paycheck and then splurge and start to purchase items they don’t need. Why not put as much as you can in a savings account, and just take out what you must.  But if you just can’t seem to store away some of your savings each month, there are some strategies you may not like, but they will work. ‘

Have Your Employer Automatically…

You can actually have a certain amount of money automatically deducted from your bank account each month, and have that transferred to a savings account, or even a Roth IRA. Many employers will deduct money from your paycheck if they offer you a 401K. Many professionals highly recommend that you contribute as much as you can to the 401K.

Remember that only you will be able to control your spending, and reel in your poor habits. It will take some work, and soon enough you won’t see it as a hindrance, but as something that you’re proud of. It’s not painful to save money, in fact, your will be happy as your bank account swells.

Featured images:

By Henry H. Hernandez

Henry Hernandez is an avid hiker, father and veteran from the lone star state. Henry works with an online Houston apartment locator, http://www.houston1apartments.com/. You can find Henry on Google Plus.

By Jonny • Finance, Money, Savings • 1 • Tags: , , ,

Mar 20 2014

Money Advice You Should Ignore

There are a lot of financial “gurus” out there and plenty of blogs and magazines that offer the “best financial advice”, but a lot of them are just interested in writing an article or they are just misinformed. You may even have a close friend or family member who means well, but just doesn’t know what they are talking about when it comes to money.

Some of this expert advice could actually end up harming your financial situation rather than helping it. So how can you tell the good advice from the bad? What advice should be listened to and which advice should be ignored? It’s hard to know sometimes, but here are a few pieces of advice that should be ignored…

Cut the Cards

cut card

I hear it all the time and it’s not 100% bad advice, but taken to the extreme it could be really bad. That advice is to destroy all of your credit cards. Remember, the problem isn’t the card, it’s the one using the card.

I am firm believer in staying out of credit card debt, but I am also a firm believer in building your credit through the use of credit cards. The problem with destroying your credit cards, as I see it, is that it is really hard to build your credit score without them. Also, in cases of emergency a credit card can be a lifesaver. The trick is to pay off your credit card bills in a timely manner by paying more than the minimum monthly payment.

My advice is to pay off your credit card debt and then destroy all but one credit card for emergencies and for the sake of building your credit back up.

 A Life Plan For Your Children

A lot of insurance agents guilt trip well-meaning people into investing in a life plan for your kid should something tragic happen to you. It’s good to plan for the future, but what if nothing ever happens to you? Then you have been paying for something totally useless!

I recommend that instead of investing in a life plan you invest in your child’s college fund. This way they get the money w

hether or not you die and you can actually use it toward something.

No Fun

So you are in debt, you don’t have the greatest income, but you are still human. I hear it all the time that you shouldn’t budget for “fun” when you are in debt, but if you don’t make provision for fun or entertainment then you will go crazy, hate life and resent being money smart. It doesn’t have to be a lot and you don’t have to do something every weekend, but set aside a little something for occasional fun or else you will go mad.

The Cost of Couponing

Couponing has become a craze recently and that’s not a bad thing, but like anything you can do it wrong and waste a lot of time and energy doing so. Actually do the math when couponing and make sure the savings are worth it.

A lot of people who coupon end up buying stuff they don’t need because they are “saving”. You are not saving if you buy something that you don’t really need, want or will ever use. Coupons can be a trap that people fall into, so remember that when you coupon the goal should be saving money on what you were already going to buy. Anything else is money down the drain.

With any advice I suggest that you chew the meat and spit out the bones. What I mean by that is that you should take in the good advice and ignore the bad. If you’re not sure then do some more research on your own and find out what you think would work best for you and your financial situation.

Featured images:

By Henry H. Hernandez

Henry Hernandez is a veteran from Texas with a lrge family. Henry works with an e-commerce site that sells cheap checks online www.cheapchecksplus.com. You can connect with Henry on Google+.

By Jonny • Finance, Law • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Mar 18 2014

10 Practical Ways To Save Money In Everyday Life

If you have a money-picking tree in your back yard, please invite me over and stop reading this now. Otherwise the following 10 easy and practical money-saving tips below were created just for you! These ways of saving money prove it is possible for anyone, anywhere to get the things they need in life, without emptying the bank account to do it.

While there are literally hundreds of ways to cut costs inside of your home, we’re providing you with 10 of the best, most practical ways to keep more money in your pocket to spend on the thing that you want.

1. Use VoIP Services

Voice over Internet Protocol service include Google Talk and more popular, Skype. Each of these services enable to you to make local and long distance calls, sometimes at no charge, as well as international calls at some pretty awesome rates. You can save tremendously and there’s no special software of equipment needed.

2. Cut Off the Water

Would you believe that a leaking bathtub can be very costly? That drip may seem harmless enough, but each trickle into the tub or sink can add up to more than 90 gallons of waste water per year!

3. Cut off the Power

A common thing for people to do is walk into a room, flip on a light, an appliance or electronic item, use it and then go about their business, leaving the light and the other item going, using up a plethora of power as it goes along. Make sure that you do not do this because just like a drip it can be very costly.

2102396938_83992de0414. Use Coupons

Coupons are lots of fun, they’re quick and easy to print, and they save you A LOT of money. Although those extreme couponing shows you see on the TV may be a bit far-stretched, you can really rack up the savings if you learn how to use the coupons effectively, such as combining with sales/clearance deals.

5. Stop Wasting

Whether it is food or drinks, paper products or bathroom toiletries, wasting the items that you use can cause you to buy the items more frequently and spend money that could be put to good use elsewhere.

6. Stop Rushing

Being in a hurry to make a decision oftentimes results in inadequate thought or planning put into that decision. You’re far more likely to regret your choice later, and this can be costly. Think about your bank, the credit card in your wallet, even the utility providers that you are using. Are they really the best? Do you know this for a factor or just think? You can always make free and easy comparison if you stop rushing and take the time to do it.

7. Make a Shopping List

Going to the market prepared with a shopping list will make our time in the market easier, and it will also help you save money since you have already made your comparisons, clipped you coupons and know just what you want. Stick to the list and you will notice a nice change in the dollar amount your receipt is tallying…a nice 10 to 25% can be noted, and even more if you’re super savvy!

8. Switch You Appliances

How old are your appliances? If they are past the 10 to 15-year timeframe it is safe to say that it is time to replace them. Not only will your appliances start to wear down and cause problems, they’re probably not energy efficient, and could be costly you dearly.

9. Try DIY

There are many DIY projects you can tackle and save money, and a great deal of it if you allow your creativity to soar. Make your own shampoo and soaps, make your own cleaning and beauty products, make your own repairs –the list of things that you can do on your own Is endless.

10. Stop Eating Out

At $7 to $10 (and more) per person for fast food dining, a family of four can easily spend $40 or more. Add this up three times per month and you’ve wasted $120. Eliminate the amount of money that you spend eating out. Save that money for a rainy day!

You can find number of other ways to save money as explained by Priya N. on Jobs8Home. Money saving is money earning and if you are really serious about saving good money then you must bring these tips into practice.

By Jonny • Coupon, Finance, Money, Savings • 0 • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Feb 28 2014

Top 5 Ways To Save Money

Saving money is something we’ve all needed to become better at doing in recent years. However, most people would probably admit that they could do more. With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at the top five ways you can save money, with some included that could even help you to make extra money on top of the savings for a double dose of financial benefits.

Save MoneyConsider Your Lifestyle

Yes, we know this is probably a very boring idea that you might not want to hear, but the stark reality for the vast majority of people is that changing their lifestyle will have the biggest impact on their finances.

Why don’t people do this? Generally, it’s because they believe their lifestyle is something that is fixed and they then look to earn money to satisfy this. Not a problem, but at the same time if you want extra money it isn’t always going to be easy to get another job and a pay rise.

Think about what you’re spending and if you really need to be spending such amounts. Many people don’t make savings when they think they’ll only save a little, but in terms of the bigger picture you’ll save a great deal more than you expect. It all adds up!

Lose the Car

Some people might throw this into the lifestyle category, but for us many people see a car as an essential rather than as a lifestyle choice. Take it from this author, who thought he needed a car until the day he got rid of it and has saved a small fortune since, without having any problems getting around or living his life. Oh, and he has kids, too.

Yes, public transport costs are increasing, but using it is still cheaper than owning a car in most instances, and you’ll be doing the environment a good turn, too.

Find a Wealth Manager

Even wealthier individuals find themselves looking to save money. If you’re one of these, then using a wealth management company like ACPI is definitely something you should explore.

You can even connect with employees of these companies online through various social media websites, making it easy to discover what they do and how they can make a difference to you. This is an idea that can make you money as well as save you money.

Downsize Your Home

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to where you live. We’re not saying you need to go to IKEA and get one of their concept homes that puts a whole house into a very small space, but do you really need the two spare bedrooms and third that you’ve converted into an office?

The money you’ll save on a smaller home is huge, too, especially if you’ve paid off your mortgage and will make a profit on the sale; you’ll even have the money for a great holiday!

Go to the Bank

If you don’t want to make too many changes to your life and want to keep your money saving simple, then go to the bank and try a fixed term bond. You can’t withdraw your money, so you’re certain to save rather than spend!

Spend time online and look for financial resources that will help you to make the best decisions for you.

Featured images:

Graham Barker likes to consider himself a savvy individual who does a lot to save money in his home. As a result, Graham is able to have luxurious holidays every year although he still lives very comfortably despite having a simple life.

By Jonny • Finance, massive, Savings • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Why You Should Know These Basics Before Trading In Stocks

Jan 14 2014

Why You Should Know These Basics Before Trading In Stocks

Are you interested in trading stocks? If so this is the article written just for you. Many people have made the decision to trade in stocks, as it is a fun way to produce massive profits without a lot of effort or time involved with the process. However, it is only those who are knowledgeable in stocks and all things related that produce those types of profits. There are many things that you should know before you start trading in stocks, including the following basics:

What does Trade mean?

Trading stocks means that you are buying or selling stock. More than one billion stock market trades are made on a daily basis. Trades can be made on the exchange floor as well as by electronically means. The most common trading market is NASDAQ, but there are several others as well.

What is the Exchange Floor?

The exchange floor, or the NYSE, is the most common of exchange floors. Once you tell your broker how many shares you want to buy, an order is sent to the floor clerk who then finds a floor trader to help find someone find you those desired shares. A price is negotiated and the deal goes through once the broker calls you back. This is a simple trade.

What is an Electronic Exchange?

An electronic exchange is one that is performed via electronic means. Computers are used to find buyers and sellers and there is no human contract with another person required. You can buy and sell stocks from any location, at any time of the day, with instant confirmations. It is one of the easiest ways to trade stocks.

Do you need a Stock Broker?

A stock broker is someone that you will always need. although you can handle stocks on your own, or use a company, a stock broker has the knowledge, experience and dedication that will make all of your transactions much easier. Always consider hiring a stock broker, especially with larger trading shares going on.

What type of Trading do you want to do?

There are several different trading styles that you can do. This includes day trading, short-term trading, weekly traders and more. You can change your mind later if you determine that it is not suitable for you, but you want a clear idea of the various types of trading and how to choose the one that you like the most.

Use Low Risk Trading methods

There is always some risk involved with the stock market and trades that are being made, however, some of them are riskier than others, and it is important that you identify and use the most low risk methods that are out there, especially when you are just starting out in trading.

Trading Stocks is Right For You

If you want a good return on your investment, using these tips can certainly help you attain great things in the stock market. When you do not understand the stock market and how things work you can make many bad decisions that end up costing you greatly. There is risk, yes, but when you go in with a clear head and the knowledge that basic stock trading requires, you can get more bang for your buck.4

Know When it is Time to sell

Sometimes you need to sell stocks because there is going to be a big decline in their value or for other reasons. It is essential that you let go of those stocks quickly. Thus you should know when it is time to sell and act upon that as soon as possible.

This article is contributed by Ajit Panchal who is an independent financial consultant working in Delhi. He likes to write about investment tips.

By Jonny • Trading • 0 • Tags: , , , , , , ,

May 6 2013

5 Tips for Saving Money When Buying

children summer clothesThe coming of summer means that it’s time for another round of clothes shopping. However, this can be an expensive venture, especially if you have multiple kids, and chances are good that they’ll outgrow their new duds by next year. Therefore, it’s important to find any way possible to cut costs. Here are five ways to save money when buying your children summer clothes.

Take Advantage of Sales

Sales are a parent’s best friend. Whether they’re clearance sales, end of season sales or back to school sales, you’re sure to find deals that will save you a bundle. If you restrict your shopping to stores that are running sales, you shouldn’t have to spend too much on summer clothes. Furthermore, it’s also a good idea to check the ads that come with your paper. You may be able to find coupons for additional money off. Do your research, so you know when the best sales are happening and the best deals are available.

You can also take advantage of sales by shopping and getting together with friends. Get together with those people you know who like to shop sales, and share shopping tidbits and secrets. Then head out on a shopping spree that is sure to save you big bucks and provide entertainment with your friends or family.

Shop Online

Oftentimes, buying your kids’ summer clothes from online retailers results in big savings. These sellers don’t have the same expenses associated with local stores, and that money saved is passed on to you as the customer. This also opens up the ability to take advantage of coupon codes. These can give you bargains like a discount, free shipping, or even a free purchase.

When shopping online, ensure that you are getting the best deals by comparing several different sites and several different brands. The ease of online shopping allows you as the consumer to pick and choose only the best deals and compare prices of clothes. Take a few minutes to find the best deal, and your wallet will be thanking you.

Get Social

Many retailers today have a presence on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. If you follow them or become a fan, you can be privy to exclusive sales, discounts, coupons and codes. If you focus on stores that already tend to have low prices, you could end up saving even more. Some stores will even have giveaways or free products on their social media accounts. Get in contact with these accounts and stay updated to get the best deals possible.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores and second-hand shops have become extremely popular ever since the economic downturn. When you’re looking to buy kids’ clothes, don’t be so quick to pass these places up. You can find a wide range of stylish clothing brands at a fraction of the cost of buying them from regular stores. Sometimes, you can even find brand-new clothes with the tags still on them. These shops are a particularly good place to search for jeans, which are very expensive new. However, some searching may be necessary as they often mix the kids’ pants into the women’s and men’s jeans.

Hand Me Downs

If you have more than one child, you can save a ton of money by handing older kids’ clothes down to the younger ones. This way, it’s possible to cut your clothes shopping bill by half or more. Often times these clothes will still be in great condition. This is a great option to use when kids are growing out of things so fast that they barely get to use them. Furthermore, younger kids will love to have clothes that once belonged to a sibling they look up to.

Author Bio

This article was written by Dixie Somers. If you’re looking for great deals on fashionable clothes,  Reem Basics – mens jeans is a great place to start.

By Jonny • Frugal, Money, Savings • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Feb 21 2013

The Top 10 Ways That A Notepad Can Improve Your Finances

When making ends meet starts to become a struggle there are a large number of different things you can do to help boost your finances. For most this will mean changing bill and service providers, writing out a fresh budget, or getting a loan of some sort – but there are other more subtle means to improve your financial well-being too that that involve changing your own behavior and the way you think about your cash.

One great example is to start carrying a notepad. This is a tiny difference that will cost you very little and add barely any weight to your load – but once you start using it daily it can make a big difference in the way you handle your money and add significant value to your overall finances. Here we will look at why a notepad can be so useful and how you can use it to improve your cash flow.

Cash Book

The first and most obvious use of a notepad is to use it to keep track of all your expenditures and purchases. This way you can turn any notepad into effectively a cash book that will allow you to keep track of what your balance should be at any time. In turn this will make it easier to stick to your budget, and to keep a running total of how much money you should have (making it easier to spot discrepancies).

Of course you will ideally keep a spreadsheet or another more complete system for keeping track of your money, but carrying a laptop everywhere with you is hardly practical and remembering every little transaction can be tough too. With a notepad you can write down your purchases right there and then, and then just add them to your spreadsheet when you get home.

Wish List

Sometimes you will find yourself in something of a ‘mental battle’ with yourself when you really want to make a purchase but aren’t sure if it can be justified or not. In such a situation you can stand in a store beating yourself up, and more often than not you’ll end up making the impulsive decision to just buy the item and worry about it later. Unfortunately though, you’ll often find that when you get home, you realize you didn’t need that item and you just wasted your money.

What’s going on here is that you’ve made an emotional decision influenced by the in-store marketing, and by the desire to get that new thing. The whole way stores are laid out and their advertising is employed is designed to prime you into a mood where you want to buy things – which means the decision is often almost out of your hands. You can feel like you need to get it now because you’ll forget to come back for it otherwise and because you want desperately to use it that night.

Of course waiting for a few days and coming back later is by far the best way to avoid these very emotional financial decisions, and that means getting your urges under control. Using a notepad can help you to do this simply because it means you can write down what you want. Once you’ve done that you’ll know you aren’t going to ‘forget’ it, and you can come back to it later. This allows you to breathe easily in the store, and to make a more logical decision later on.

Math

Having a notepad and paper allows you to do math and calculate totals when you’re adding items to your shopping cart, or when you’re looking at the cumulative price of all your bills. This is very useful when making decisions about your finances, and particularly when you’re out and about and you don’t have a calculator on hand.

Notes

Of course with it being called a ‘notepad’, the main use of this little tool is to allow you to write notes. This can be any number of things from remembering to take out the trash to writing a to-do list for your day. So it follows that you can also use a notepad for notes that pertain to your finances, and whether this is remembering to pay a bill or remembering that you need to transfer some cash, it can often help you avoid getting into trouble.

This article is authored by Chris Snelling. He is the owner and editor of the popular financial blogging site www.budgetways.com. He believes that the best way to save money is not to spend it in the first place. You can visit his website to read his latest article on effective and skillful budgeting. You can also follow him on Twitter.

By Jonny • Budgeting, Finance, Money, Savings • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

10 Ways to Save Cash Today By Cutting Unnecessary Expenses at Home

Mar 29 2012

10 Ways to Save Cash Today By Cutting Unnecessary Expenses at Home

Even though the recession has been declared officially over, most people are still struggling to bounce back. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to save cash today that do not require a great deal of effort. Consider the following 10 suggestions:

1. Don’t pay for extended warranties. When you buy household appliances, even inexpensive ones, the clerk will probably ask you if you want to pay for an extended warranty. Save your money. Technology is becoming so much more affordable that replacing an item is usually less expensive than buying the extended warranty.

2. Cut coupons and watch for specials. It’s a good idea to have a membership card at the grocery stores where you shop, because the best deals usually stipulate that you must have a shopper card. Coupons, on the other hand, can be used anywhere and can save you anywhere from a few cents to several dollars.

3. Buy non-perishables in bulk. When you see a great store special for a product like toilet paper or canned foods, stock up. You know you’ll use these products eventually, so you might as well get them at the best possible prices.

4. Buy only clothes that fit. Both women and men fall prey to the temptation to buy clothes that are a little too tight because they know that they’re “planning to lose the weight.” Unfortunately, weight loss is not an easy task, and the clothes that were purchased with so much hope usually spend a year or two in the closet before being donated – unworn – to Good Will. If you want to save cash today, buy only clothes that fit you comfortably and that you know you will enjoy wearing.

5. Combine your errands. If you have several errands to run in the same part of town, do them all in one day to save on gas as well as wear and tear on your car.

6. Avoid past due fines and fees. Having to pay fines on a late library book or getting dinged for paying a credit card bill late is like burning your money up or throwing it in the trash, since you’re getting no good out of it whatsoever. Use a paper or an electronic calendar to remind you when bills and other items are coming due.

7. Go to matinees. If you love movies, or even live theater performances, attend the early afternoon performances. They are almost always much less expensive than their evening counterparts.

8. Cancel subscriptions you don’t use. Most of us have subscriptions to magazines that we never have time to read. If you have such a subscription, see if you can cancel it and get your money back. At the very least, don’t renew it when it runs out.

9. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs can help save on both money and enery. They last up to 75% longer than regular light bulbs, and produce 75% less heat. This means you not only save by not having to buy new light bulbs every time you turn around, you also save on air-conditioning costs during the summer.

10. Seal air leaks. Air leaks around the windows and doors can make your home feel awfully cold in the winter. This means you’ll have to run the furnace more often and end up spending more money. Taking a weekend to find and seal the worst leaks will save you money during the cold season.

Everyone needs a little extra cash today. If you follow these simple ideas, you’ll soon find yourself with much-needed extra money in your wallet.

Matt H. is a financial writer for GetCashToday.com. He writes about money saving tips, personal financial planning, and show people how to get cash today.

By Jonny • Budgeting, Finance, Money, Savings • 0 • Tags: , ,

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