While the gas prices have come down from their all time highs experienced around the country just a few months ago, they’re still higher than what most of us would like to pay to fuel up our vehicles. The job market is tough, and many people are forced to take jobs that are further away than they’d like to commute, simply because it’s all that is available to them at this time. Commuting is among many family’s highest weekly expenses, which reduces the amount of income you actually earn after your commuting expense- but here are some tips for saving money on your commute that should help you stretch your income a bit further:

Car Pooling

Is there anyone you work with that lives near you? Why not take turns driving each other to and from work? While not as convenient as jumping in your car and taking off, sharing the driving responsibilities means you aren’t always using your own car to get to and from work – reducing your gas use and mileage on your vehicle.

If no one you know works in the same place that lives near you, think a little more outside the box. Does anyone live near you who also works in a near-by building? If you’re both traveling from your home neighborhood to the same general location to get to work, couldn’t you ride together and drop each other off at work or within walking distance to your place of work?

Public Transportation

If you live in an area where there are buses and public transportation, consider using them to get to and from work a few days a week. Often, buses and commuter trains are very inexpensive and cost much less than driving your car to and from work – and while they’re not as convenient as having your own wheels, they do have some other advantages. You can read while commuting, or give your presentation slides one last look-over before arriving in the office for example. These are things you can’t (or should not!) do when driving yourself.

Consider a Smaller Car or Hybrid

Smaller cars and hybrid vehicles are usually more fuel efficient than larger cars. When you buy them though, they tend to have a higher price tag than the other cars so it can be difficult to decide whether or not you really get any savings over the long term. Play with some numbers and see what you come up with for your personal driving needs to see if this is an option that will save you money long term.

Can You Work From Home?

In some cases, employees can eliminate the commute expense altogether by working from home. If it’s not possible to work from home every day, perhaps you could work from home a few days a week. Depending how far to and from work you drive, you could very well save considerable amounts of money in gas and wear and tear on the vehicle by working from home a few days a week. In addition, driving less miles per week is one way to lower your car insurance premiums, which can be another source for saving money for you if you can telecommute.

We have all been looking for ways to shave costs in recent months however there are some situations where you must exercise caution when saving money. One of those situations is when you seek legal advice. A good attorney can advise you how to proceed in certain circumstances that otherwise could land you in hot water legally or financially should you attempt to handle them on your own. Here are a few ways you can save some money without putting yourself at risk.

• Gauge what services you need in advance. With hourly rates ranging from a few hundred to a thousand dollars, hiring a lawyer is without question an expensive endeavor. For this reason it would pay for you to do a little research on your own before ponying up a retainer. You can then get an idea exactly what you need your lawyer to do and what work you may be able to shoulder yourself to save money.
• Understand that bigger isn’t always better. Depending on what legal advice you are seeking, you may be able to find a solo practitioner or small firm that can handle your case for much less than a major firm. In most cases due to the smaller overhead and structure of the smaller business you will see rates that are smaller as well.
• Look into resources on the Internet. The world wide web is an excellent place to find information on just about anything including legal advice. Simply type “free legal advice” in your browser and you will see there are many sites available that offer advice or forums to discuss legal questions. Of course as with anything on the Internet you should carefully consider the information you find, however in some cases you might find the answer to your question without having to physically retain a lawyer.
• Ask about flat rates. There are some lawyers or firms that recognize the convenience of charging flat fees for certain services. This makes it easier for both parties as you know what you will be paying in advance and the lawyer knows exactly what they are making for services rendered.
• Know what doesn’t require a lawyer. If you are looking to have certain legal documents drawn up you may be able to use a document preparer instead of an attorney. Remember document preparers are not lawyers (which is why it cost less money) and they are not able to give you legal advice or guidance. In states that allow document preparers to work independently of attorneys however you may be able to save money by using their services.

 In the end it is your decision which circumstances warrant hiring an attorney and how much you are willing to pay for certain services. Keep in mind that some situations are better handled by an experienced attorney familiar with the laws and your rights, making it a wise investment in the long run.

Everywhere you look people are finding ways to save money. A little here, a little there and it all adds up to a lot each month. Saving money means frequenting places and sites that can allow you to get what you need for a lot less money. The old adage ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’ rings true.

Here are some activities and entities that are thriving in this economy.

Thrift shops

The local second-hand thrift shop has come into vogue again. Offering a lot of clothes, used household items and toys for kids are among the more popular items. If you watch closely you can find some good buys on electronic items like radios and CD players and the occasional computer. Also, furniture is an item that can surface from time to time. Major appliances are harder to find and are often snapped up quickly.

Garage and yard sales

This is where some real bargains can be found. The really good items sell out quickly so you have to know when the sales begin and put on your running shoes in order to capture the best things. But of the things that remain, you will find good used clothing and some household items as well.

Classified ads

Although not as popular, classified ads are a good source because they feature just one item for sale. Many times these are the bigger ticket items like appliances and vehicles.

Given the current economic conditions, demand is high for these things and supply can be short, so the down side is that you might find higher prices and less willingness to go down on prices. But it never hurts to ask.

Watch what you buy

Many times, things that are sold in this manner are not necessarily in good working condition. If you are handy you can sometimes fix little things that are bad and put them into acceptable working condition. Some things like car seats for children you cannot buy used because you do not know if they have been in an accident or have been compromised from a safety standpoint.

Sell some things yourself. Community or neighborhood garage sales are popular. Get your neighbors together and set a date. Then, take the opportunity to not only sell things you need to get rid of, but also do some cooking and/or baking to supplement the income. You will be surprised at how easy it is to raise several hundred dollars in just a few short days.

Be aware of what is happening in your community because sometimes there are large sales at local parks or armory locations as well.

Using these and other tips, you can save money on many things that you need for living.

A Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulb is now the lighting source of choice for households and for good reason.  In the philosophy of saving energy they line up nicely with current sentiments about green living and benefits for the planet.
Some might not be aware of what these bulbs are and how they can be so energy efficient, so the facts are given here for further illumination.

What are CFL bulbs? The CFL bulb is an illuminating device based on florescent principles that is used in many applications to generate light for indoor uses.  Incandescent bulbs have been the standard for many years, but now CFL bulbs are taking their place.  A CFL bulb uses the same components to generate light as do their long counterparts which do the same.

How are they made? There are two main components of a florescent light.  First is the gas-filled tube and the ballast.  The ballast is either electromagnetic or electrical and its function is to charge the gasses in the tube to create the light source.  The electrical ballasts are the newer of the two and are more reliable and almost completely eradicate the slow starting of the light bulbs.

How do they work? When the ballast is charged with electricity, then it energizes the gasses in the bulb which emits an ultraviolet light.  That light then excites a phosphor on the inside of the bulb wall which in turn, emits visible light.

What are the advantages? The main advantage of CFL bulbs is that they are much more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.  This means that with less energy, they produce more light.  And not only do they do that well, but they have a longer life span.  This means less electricity is consumed in their use which also decreases the amount of electricity needed to power our electrical grid.  That has the net effect of allowing us to burn less coal.

The CFL bulbs use between one-fifth and one-third of the power equivalent to incandescent bulbs.  How much can you save on your electricity bill?  It depends on the rates that you are paying, but you can generally expect about a 12% decrease in your utility bill if you completely outfit your house with these bulbs.

What are the disadvantages? The CFL bulb has disadvantages that are easy to overcome.  First is that they use a small amount of mercury in order to operate.  Mercury is a known toxin which is harmful to animal life on earth.  This fact makes it clear that you should always dispose of these bulbs in an environmentally acceptable manner when they are completely spent.  Next, they are much more expensive than incandescent bulbs.  But this is overcome by their longer life spans.  As more and more are produced, the prices will drop accordingly as well.  Finally, they are not known for their dimming properties, although dimmable models are available.

Saving money means having plans in place in and around your home that includes CFL bulbs.  Even if you care nothing about environmental issues, making these a part of your life will save money over their life span.  And that alone makes them worth the money.

Finding yourself behind on your car loan does not mean necessarily that you will lose your car to repossession.  As long as you are not severely behind (like months) you still have some options that can help you out in a jam.

Evaluate the car. If you can get by without the vehicle, then attempt to sell it.  If you can get out of it what you owe, then you are free and clear.  Be sure to communicate with your financing company what you are attempting to do with the vehicle so that they will be aware that you are trying to bring the issue to a resolution.

Lease options. If you are in a lease, then you will need to add up all of the costs that are associated with breaking the lease agreement.  Call the leasing agent and find out if they are willing to re-negotiate with you.  The value of the vehicle and the attitude towards keeping you in the lease will play a part in whether you are successful or not.  Part of that will be determined on what kind of customer you have been in making your lease payments.

Loan options. The good news with a loan is that the financing company stands to lose money if they have to repo the vehicle.  They would rather negotiate and get something rather than take the loss.  Even if you owe more than it is worth, you should still find a willing lender.  You might be able to re-finance the car at a better rate with a different lender.  The caution here is to try to avoid a long term – make it as short a term as possible.  Be sure to check out the local credit unions in your area.  They often have the best rates and are more willing to work with customers because of their focus as a lending institution.

Extensions.  If you are just a month or so behind, you might find the lender willing to grant you an extension on your loan.  What this will do is to extend the terms of your loan by a month or two and get you current.  Keep in mind, however, that these programs are limited and you can only apply for them only about once per year.
Hopefully you can find a way to keep your vehicle and maintain your credit at the same time.  This is a win-win for all concerned and will help you get through a tough time.

Summer is just around the corner! It may not seem like it for some parts of the country, but before you know it, the sun will be shining and we’ll be shedding sweatshirts and layers for cut off jeans and tank tops!

For many, summer is a time of outdoor fun, family vacations, and multiple visits to local theme parks and attractions. Unfortunately, most of these activities come with a price tag. Here are some tips for saving on summer time fun – and if you start now, you should have plenty of time to plan out an event-filled summer that won’t break the bank (or put you further in debt!)

Weekly Summer Savings

If you start with this week’s paycheck, you’ll have a good 16 weeks before July starts. At just $25 per week, you could be looking at a healthy $400 in your summer savings fund. While not enough to take a family vacation to Disney, it’s enough to go camping, spend a weekend out of town, go to a few theme parks or visit a handful of other attractions.

As a bonus, if you manage to get into the habit of saving $25 a week leading up to the summer months, why not continue that savings habit and prepare for the 2009 holiday season early, make a big payment on one of your debts to pay it off quicker, or establish your emergency account?

Free Summer Activities

Don’t forget there are always activities you can participate in for free, which helps you have a good time and stick to the budget. Check your local library, community center, and newspaper for event information. Many communities host picnics and pot luck gatherings; open the community pool for evening swimming, or otherwise plan fun events that allow you to socialize and keep your entertainment budget under control.

When the weather is comfortable, go hiking, bike riding, or visit different parks for picnics and a leisurely walk. Gather a group of friends for a game of volleyball or frisbee, and enjoy the great outdoors the way nature intended (free!)

If you like to go camping but don’t have the funds this year, why not pitch a tent in your backyard, or a friend’s backyard? All you need is to be outdoors to really experience camping, and you don’t necessarily need to pay a campground in order to enjoy it if you find a rent-free camping zone!

Well duh! That sounds simple, right? Well to most people is seems logical that to save more money you need to spend less money but how many people can honestly say they don’t get suckered even a little bit when they go to the store. With the promotional deals, the two-for-one specials, and the other ploys marketing geniuses play on us consumers, it is nearly impossible to get out of the store without a few extras.

But nearly impossible does not necessarily mean totally impossibly. It is up to you to change your spending habits. In order to do that, consumers must change their minds and their actions when they get into the store if they hope to save any money.

Think Hard About the Big Stuff
When we spend a large sum of money on a big-ticket purchase or for an event we have to pay a lot of money for, such as a vacation, it would seem logical that we would do all we could to get the most out of our money much like when we go to the grocery store. But statistics show that most consumers do not carefully plan out their road trips as carefully as we should. Many consumers will spend a considerable part of their total annual income on their vacation so it makes sense that you should dedicate at least a portion of your pre-planning time looking for bargains all the way around, from the cheapest gas prices along the way to the best price for airline tickets. Any big ticket item should not be taken at face value just out of excitement and there will be a bargain somewhere, provided you hunt for it. The big purchases that only happen from time to time count just as much as the more common shopping expenses.

Sharpen Your Comparison Shopping Skills
It takes a lot of focus to find the best prices for the merchandise you are looking to buy. You need to look at different levels of the product, find what features you need and calculate the average range of price. Then you need to get focused solely on those features and that price range and forget the alternatives. If you do not apply this focus, you will likely be swayed and opt to buy the more expensive option.

Forget Where the Money Comes From
When you are dealing with the money you earn from hard work, you are more likely to be careful with every dollar spent. When you come into money outside the realm of your payroll check, such as lottery winnings, gifts, or tax refunds, consumers have the tendency to spend more freely. The next time you incur a windfall of cash, no matter how big or small, deposit it into your bank account and let it sit for a time and work to “forget” where it came from. Readjusting your accounting mind, you may be better able to control your impulse spending that is typical with “free” money. It also helps to get into the habit of spending money before you even have it. How many people have you heard discuss taking their next vacation with their tax returns or fixing up the house with grandma’s inheritance? Instead of spending in your mind, commit to depositing the money into your account and plan out your next big purchase as if you never got the lump sum of cash but rather needed to continue on a savings plan for your next vacation or new living room furniture.

The best way to save money on car insurance is to not have to pay any at all which is only an option if you live in a major metropolitan area where owning a car is not a necessity. If you do not have access to mass public transportation then you likely have a car and with a car comes the responsiblilty of car insurance. It is very easy to have a car insurance policy in place and then forget about it. Perhaps it is time to expend some mental energy and take a look at your car insurance policy to ensure you are not paying too much. Keep in mind that before you make adjustments to your current car insurance policy you should research your states minimum insurance requirements.

• Drop coverage you don’t need. If you bought a new car…several years ago, consider dropping collision or comprehensive coverage on your vehicle. When financing a new car there are certain insurance requirements that you need to maintain and in many cases we forget about the policy coverage and continue paying higher premiums long after it is necessary. Assess your car’s current value and adjust your policy accordingly.

• Own a lower-risk vehicle. Certain vehicles attract thieves, are more expensive to repair or sport less than great safety records. If you own one of these models you will pay a higher premium. Before purchasing a new vehicle consider researching the model’s risk levels to ensure you are not setting yourself up for higher insurance payments.

• Request a higher deductible. If you are looking to lower your insurance bill, raise your deductible. If you are in an accident the amount of money that comes out of your pocket before the insurance kicks in will increase; in return your will pay less per year for car insurance.

• Research available discounts. Look into discounts available for teen drivers who are insured under their parents policy. If your teen maintains good grades and passes an educational driving course they may qualify for reduced rates. You may also find discounts available for more experienced drivers if they are older than 50 or 55, retired, been accident free for three years or even as a reward for being a longtime customer.

• Combine policies. If you have more than one vehicle, own trailers or recreational vehicles or have a homeowners or life insurance policy you may qualify for reduced rates by having all of your insurance through one company.

• Carpool or limit your driving. You may qualify for a reduced rate if you drive less than the “average” number of miles per year. Contact your insurance carrier to see if you limited mileage will reduce your premiums.

As technologies and product lines first become available, there is always a frenzy of consumer interest. Unfortunately, during the launch of a new product, there is also a little thing some consumers just can not get passed – and that is the price tag. But rest assured, some of the most popular items on the shelves right now have gone down in price considerably in the last ten years, sometimes by as much as 80% or more.

Check out what merchandise may not be within your price range.

The Price of Toys
In the last 10 years, toys have dropped in price by over 40%. With as much hyped marketing that is backing toys, it is good to know that you may now be able to afford some of today’s most popular toys. There is one word of caution however, some of the toys have been outsourced to other countries and with that some of the quality has been compromised. As long as you are a smart shopper and will pay attention to what you are buying, you should be able to find some great deals to keep the little ones happy.

The Price of Electronics
The price of electronics have gone down nearly across the board: computers (down more than 80%), televisions (down more than 75%) and audio and visual equipment (down between 20-40%). Over the last 10 years, technology has allowed for manufacturers to improve the way things are made and enabled the prices to drop pretty dramatically for better technology. Competition has also made this price drop possible. It will always be worth your while to do your research and compare the prices of electronics before you hit the stores.

The Price of Phones
Ten years ago, cellular phones and service were still new things. In the last decade, the price of services has dropped over 30%. The advent of new technologies for cellular phones and services, as well as the services for land line phones has enable prices to drop. There is also a large amount of competition between phone manufacturers and phone service providers. Shopping for the best deal for your can really help you save even more money. While some phone brands are still ridiculously expensive, the overall prices of some pretty cool phones are now more affordable than ever before.

The Price of Clothing and Shoes
Interestingly, in the past it was the “clothes that made the man” but now technology has almost replaced that old adage. Clothing prices have dropped over 10% in the last few years and it no longer costs ridiculous amounts of money to keep your growing kids in clothes or for you to be able to afford a wardrobe of work clothes. Shoes have also gone down in price by almost 4% thanks in large part to the growing crop of discount outlets that help reduce the price to consumers.

The Price of Vehicles
While not many people are buying cars right now, the overall price of vehicles has dropped over the years while the technologies have certainly improved. Ten years ago, the price you would pay for a vehicle with existing technologies would be much more expensive in comparison to how vehicle manufacturers are building today with better technologies and lower prices.

For years, environmentalists have promoted the benefits of helping our environment by wasting less and decreasing the amount of “stuff” we put into your landfills.  A side benefit of reducing the amount of waste you create is that is helps you save some cash, too.

Paper Towels: As convenient as anything disposable tends to be, you can get used to replacing most paper towel use with rags and washcloths.  Keep a box of rags in the kitchen for messy spills, and use a clean washcloth to wash the children’s hands and face after eating.

Water – Keep your water bill down by catching rain water in buckets to use to wash your car and water plants and gardens.  You can catch the cold water coming out of your shower faucet in a bucket to use as well, while you wait for the water to heat up to the proper temperature.

Laundry Detergent – Most detergents are made with formulas that require far less soap than they did in previous versions.  Keep a close eye on the measuring lines in the cap of your detergent as they can be very deceiving!  Often you only need to fill the cap a quarter of the way for a normal load of laundry, yet habit has most of us filling half way or more.  Often you can even use less detergent than the directions say, and still wind up with clean clothes.

Electricity – Stop giving the electric company money for phantom electricity use.  Whenever you aren’t using your electronics, unplug them.  Anything with a digital clock or lights when not in use is drawing electricity.  If it’s easier, you can plug your electronics into power strips and hit the on/off switch to use or turn off.  Don’t forget to turn the lights off when leaving a room, replace lightbulbs with the energy-efficient version, and use task lighting rather than overhead lights to reduce energy consumption.

Heating – Many homes keep their heat on warmer than is really necessary to be comfortable.  If you turn the heat down a few degrees, chances are you won’t notice the difference.  Move the temperature down a degree or two a day until you start to feel chilly, then add a sweatshirt!  You can wear warmer clothes and reduce the amount of heat you need to be comfortable.    If you’re still cold after a day or two of wearing warmer clothing, you can raise the temperature a degree or two until you find the perfect temperature.

The money you save while reducing waste can be used to start or add to your existing savings account or investment plan.