I actually found 6 items that would work great in my wardrobe. This sale was right on time, I had $50 budgeted for some new clothes and this helped. I got 6 things at $5.99 or less each!
I agree with you 100%, overspending backed by poor banking credit policies pushed the houses beyond the sustainable equilibrium, leading to a collapse (correction) in the poorly priced loans of the financial services sector. This correction is semi-permanent, thus I warn investors to be cautiously optimistic of the US property market.
I use 'em as often as I can on items that I routinely purchase or have a genuine desire to try but I try to be very conscious to avoid letting coupons sway me into buying stuff that I wouldn't considered otherwise. And I also don't usually let coupons strongarm me into paying more for a name brand than the competing generic - assuming that the items are very similar.
You can leverage coupons for a moderate savings and still not let them cloud your decisions. Just keep a healthy dose of skepticism and if, upon some comparison, the coupon isn't going to save you money or offer some distinct advantage, then leave it on the shelf for someone else to consider using.
If the plan has a match, and you can afford it, put in enough to get the whole match. (Lots of plans will match what you put in, up to the first 3% or 6% of your salary, at 50 cents or even 100 cents on the dollar).
Generally, a match is such a good deal (free money) that it almost doesn't matter what your financial circumstances are--pick up the match if you can.
After that, it gets a bit more complicated. Money that you put into a 401(k) is tax deferred--you don't pay taxes on the money this year (the year that you earned the money). Instead, you pay regular income taxes the year that you take the money out. That makes it impossible to know for sure what the best thing to do is, without knowing the future.
As the eldest child myself I can confirm that I cost my parents way more than my other siblings. With the first child it is all about trying unknown things including day care, cloth and food while with other kids parents often use their experience and can save some money. Overall I think children cost a lot, definitely more that $140 a month!
X C
This web site is very insightful as to why renting makes way more financial sense than owning a home (read the left hand column very carefully): http://patrick.net/housing/
I know it's nearly impossible to do, but unless you plan to go with the nuclear option i.e. not paying your mortgage, sell your house now or rent it out until you can sell.
One more thing: you might want to think twice about buying a home. We are a long way from the housing bottom, at least 2 years if not considerably longer. If you buy something now, be prepared to lose 20% value in the long run. That's not a good investment, especially if your putting that hard-earned 20% down on your property.
Welcome to the new reality of American Economics... the "Vow of Poverty" Edition.
Sure it's really fun to play these games but guys...we are in a recession and we are GIVING our money to these fat pigs. I mean sure you have a chance of winning a few hundred dollars but the chance of you winning the big prize is one in a billion. Let me ask you this? You are spending what $1.00 - $8.00 a DAY for many of you for these pieces? Right? Well why don't you just buy a lottery ticket. It's one dollar, about the same odds, and you don't have to eat that nasty food? I'll tell you why. Because the thought of monopoly sounds fun. All they are doing is taking your money and making you all think that you have a chance of winning these HUGE prizes. The amount that people are going to spend on finding these tickets should be used to pay down your credits cards, your loans, save it for when things get worse. But if you want to play this game then go for it. Or you could just do something equally stupid and take five dollars each day until the game ends and through it out the window. Or put one hundred dollars in a bag and go hand it to McDonald's. At least when America goes down...McDonald's will still be filthy f*cking rich!
It is clear that the innocent, that is savers, are being punished, while the guilty extreme debtors, are being rewarded.
The only solace that the innocent renters have to look forward to is lower home prices.
The over-indebted homeowners can stop paying their mortgage, live rent free for 9 to 24 months and without any tax liability, buy again in 5 to 7 years. The really brilliant, are buying another house like the one they own at 50% off and then walking away from the overpriced house they had.
Yes, all of the ways to profit from this big time are in the hands of the guilty. And before the Great Depression of the 1930’s it was also so. Get use to it. Life is unfair. Mozillo is tanned, rested, and ready and you cannot make ends meet. Nothing new here.
If you vote for McCain, Nader, or Ron Paul expect more of the same. It is a contest between McCain and Obama. With Obama you have a chance. With McCain, you have 4 more years of minimal change but no earmarks! Your 401K cannot stand 4 more years!
The world economic order is being rewritten today in Paris. By the time we have elected a new congress and president, we will no longer or shortly be unable to write our international debts in dollars that we can print. No one trusts us anymore. Cut your spending, smile at your boss, pay down your debts, and get use to it. The age of free money via the home equity loan is over!
im in my early twenties and im in the first job in my life that i see myself working for a long time. They opened enrollement for 401k since ive been here a year. I have never read anything about 401k other than it is a good savings plan for the future. I have many questions like if i should sign up for it. i earn around 2200/mo not counting bonuses. how much do you think i should set aside for 401k or a savings avenue (counting i do rent an apt and have car payment)?
You are absolutely correct. And this is what happens when too much government destroys the values of a strong society. There was a time when we had debtors prisons. There was a time when society, your entire social circle, would shun you for such an event. But now we do it proudly and our social circle does not care. You just have to be careful. If you loan is owned by the government (e.g. fannie or freddie) then I would stop paying. But if your home is in a good area and it's value has not dropped too much then you might not get any help.
Yes, I think I'll skip the magazine as well. I tend to be very resistant to print publications since we move around from time to time, and I can easily use the funds elsewhere. Not that we don't have ANY magazine subscriptions. I did Dwell last year, and my husband does and astronomy one or two. He used to do National Geographic, but we've cut that one too.
But for a buck a month . . .I know I save enough today to cover the entire year's fee. Waiting until we close on the house, though.
I absolutely agree.
I did entertain hopes of owning a home one day...
Don't see that happening now. Ah well.
I guess there's always RVs, right?
We can all become gypsies!
I totally agree with you!! I am in Australia and we havn't had it hit us as bad as you in the US, but it is starting to happen and I have been worried about exactly the same thing, why should we pay any extra on our mortgage when the house may be worth less. Prices have already started to go down in Australia and like you we have done the right thing - we don't have credit and our only loan is our mortgage in which a quarter of it is equity we put up when we bought it, we may lose that yet.....sad days and not knowing what to do is frustrating. Good luck with you and yours:) Courtney.
I was hesitatant to "pay" for a money-saving tool, but this has paid for itself more than 100 times over... If you're pinching pennies, just get the shortest subscription and skip the printed magazine. Totally doable on most any budget.
Hark at those trolls, hatin' on the woman's personal list, in a blog no one forced them to read.
What kind of spiritually deprived baggage do these haters carry around, that they insist on tearing down someone else to feel good? It's not even effective vitriol--just froth and nonsense.
To Julie, and those of you who've been happily commenting and thinking on the subject of effective prioritizing: You're lovely, and I've really enjoyed reading what you wrote.
Please forgive the smackdown I'm about to give:
Trolls:
Anyone who's worked hard and managed to pull a decent life together is going to be grateful for what they have. They're not going to be ashamed about it, nor should they be. That doesn't make them unmindful of those less fortunate. You, on the other hand, seem to have missed the boat on the whole empathy thing.
If you have strong feelings about those with less than you have (you've clearly been fortunate yourselves at some point, or you wouldn't be able to read, write or access the internet), than do something constructive about it. Attacking bloggers isn't constructive, it's self-indulgent--which is precisely what you're accusing Julie of being. You've blown your own argument. Think about that, and look to your own glass house before you make comments.
Free Advertising Online-D.C., MD, VA Businesses, Retailers, Services
by dcMagazineOnline
PRESS RELEASE: 16OCT08
DC Magazine Online Offers Free Business Advertising Online
Free Full Page Advertising & Real Ad Sense Online ~ DC Magazine
72Hr. After-Math in the Wall Street Market Run
DC Magazine
B2B Stock Market Solution~To Ring In The New Year!
Open to D.C., Virginia, & Maryland Businesses, Retailers, and Services primarily.
If your in the business of offering---home owner refinance solutions, selling digital media, a local retailer, have a fitness gym or a physician, and run a performing arts
theatre or, an art gallery---this opportunity is especi-
ally for you and yet any company in the tri-state
can can sign.
Yet offer is open to national and out-of-states businesses
DC Magazine is debuting online and in a B2B partnership ---to get over the market crash hump---we're offer local companies
the opportunity to make contract with DC Magazine, given your business and/or services are what our readership patron.
Any company in the D.C., VA, and MD area signing with DC Magazine Online for the minimum contract of 1 year--- to take Full Page Advertising, regular flat rate of just $150 monthly, being 5.5 X 6.5 inches of "print-style display advertising" ---will get 3 months of full page advertising for free.
So ring the New Year---reducing your online marketing budget now and in the long run! And let us not forget those "holiday sales and business increases" we all need---given the market crash aftermath.
Yet no business online can beat DC Magazine's Monthly Flat Rate and amount of Ad Space, even as generally offered!
Deadline for all companies is midnight Sunday night, October 19th.
Companies simply need to sign within this 72 hr. time- period to take advantage of this opportunity and pay one months ad space rate, upon signing. We'll e-mail the contract--- you FEDEX it back, with one month's payment and bill us for the delivery!
Contact Info & Details are at http://dcmagazine.ubianation.com and our office hours will be extended to receive your call during this time-period.
Here's to business restoration in the red, white, & blue and a darn good New Year, and Thanks for the B2B Partnership!
"I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore" -Network
We have all been suckered into the belief that we do as our parents have done we'll be OK. That was fine when housing wasn't expensive, or in oversupply or jobs were centric to one area. Mobility, escalating costs and abundance has made me rethink whether an investment is even worth it. And every one is under the assumption that you can sell in 20 to 30 years. But will that be true for the area you are living in? Would it better to rent? Can investing the difference in renting versus buying accrue to more than what you can sell you house for in 30 years?
Yes you always need a place to hang your hat, and housing may get better, but if the economics are not there to begin with, why make those typical assumptions.
I actually found 6 items that would work great in my wardrobe. This sale was right on time, I had $50 budgeted for some new clothes and this helped. I got 6 things at $5.99 or less each!
I agree with you 100%, overspending backed by poor banking credit policies pushed the houses beyond the sustainable equilibrium, leading to a collapse (correction) in the poorly priced loans of the financial services sector. This correction is semi-permanent, thus I warn investors to be cautiously optimistic of the US property market.
I use 'em as often as I can on items that I routinely purchase or have a genuine desire to try but I try to be very conscious to avoid letting coupons sway me into buying stuff that I wouldn't considered otherwise. And I also don't usually let coupons strongarm me into paying more for a name brand than the competing generic - assuming that the items are very similar.
You can leverage coupons for a moderate savings and still not let them cloud your decisions. Just keep a healthy dose of skepticism and if, upon some comparison, the coupon isn't going to save you money or offer some distinct advantage, then leave it on the shelf for someone else to consider using.
And of course, remember to shop the perimeter.
If the plan has a match, and you can afford it, put in enough to get the whole match. (Lots of plans will match what you put in, up to the first 3% or 6% of your salary, at 50 cents or even 100 cents on the dollar).
Generally, a match is such a good deal (free money) that it almost doesn't matter what your financial circumstances are--pick up the match if you can.
After that, it gets a bit more complicated. Money that you put into a 401(k) is tax deferred--you don't pay taxes on the money this year (the year that you earned the money). Instead, you pay regular income taxes the year that you take the money out. That makes it impossible to know for sure what the best thing to do is, without knowing the future.
Sadly the article came through Saturday morning. I'll have to think about doing it sight unseen.
As the eldest child myself I can confirm that I cost my parents way more than my other siblings. With the first child it is all about trying unknown things including day care, cloth and food while with other kids parents often use their experience and can save some money. Overall I think children cost a lot, definitely more that $140 a month!
X C
This web site is very insightful as to why renting makes way more financial sense than owning a home (read the left hand column very carefully):
http://patrick.net/housing/
I know it's nearly impossible to do, but unless you plan to go with the nuclear option i.e. not paying your mortgage, sell your house now or rent it out until you can sell.
One more thing: you might want to think twice about buying a home. We are a long way from the housing bottom, at least 2 years if not considerably longer. If you buy something now, be prepared to lose 20% value in the long run. That's not a good investment, especially if your putting that hard-earned 20% down on your property.
Welcome to the new reality of American Economics... the "Vow of Poverty" Edition.
Stewart
bull
Yes just look for arches avenue, I have like 3 of those
Sure it's really fun to play these games but guys...we are in a recession and we are GIVING our money to these fat pigs. I mean sure you have a chance of winning a few hundred dollars but the chance of you winning the big prize is one in a billion. Let me ask you this? You are spending what $1.00 - $8.00 a DAY for many of you for these pieces? Right? Well why don't you just buy a lottery ticket. It's one dollar, about the same odds, and you don't have to eat that nasty food? I'll tell you why. Because the thought of monopoly sounds fun. All they are doing is taking your money and making you all think that you have a chance of winning these HUGE prizes. The amount that people are going to spend on finding these tickets should be used to pay down your credits cards, your loans, save it for when things get worse. But if you want to play this game then go for it. Or you could just do something equally stupid and take five dollars each day until the game ends and through it out the window. Or put one hundred dollars in a bag and go hand it to McDonald's. At least when America goes down...McDonald's will still be filthy f*cking rich!
It is clear that the innocent, that is savers, are being punished, while the guilty extreme debtors, are being rewarded.
The only solace that the innocent renters have to look forward to is lower home prices.
The over-indebted homeowners can stop paying their mortgage, live rent free for 9 to 24 months and without any tax liability, buy again in 5 to 7 years. The really brilliant, are buying another house like the one they own at 50% off and then walking away from the overpriced house they had.
Yes, all of the ways to profit from this big time are in the hands of the guilty. And before the Great Depression of the 1930’s it was also so. Get use to it. Life is unfair. Mozillo is tanned, rested, and ready and you cannot make ends meet. Nothing new here.
If you vote for McCain, Nader, or Ron Paul expect more of the same. It is a contest between McCain and Obama. With Obama you have a chance. With McCain, you have 4 more years of minimal change but no earmarks! Your 401K cannot stand 4 more years!
The world economic order is being rewritten today in Paris. By the time we have elected a new congress and president, we will no longer or shortly be unable to write our international debts in dollars that we can print. No one trusts us anymore. Cut your spending, smile at your boss, pay down your debts, and get use to it. The age of free money via the home equity loan is over!
Phil,
im in my early twenties and im in the first job in my life that i see myself working for a long time. They opened enrollement for 401k since ive been here a year. I have never read anything about 401k other than it is a good savings plan for the future. I have many questions like if i should sign up for it. i earn around 2200/mo not counting bonuses. how much do you think i should set aside for 401k or a savings avenue (counting i do rent an apt and have car payment)?
I FOUND THIS TICKET ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF McD TWO DAYS AGO???? IS IT A WINNING TICKET????
You are absolutely correct. And this is what happens when too much government destroys the values of a strong society. There was a time when we had debtors prisons. There was a time when society, your entire social circle, would shun you for such an event. But now we do it proudly and our social circle does not care. You just have to be careful. If you loan is owned by the government (e.g. fannie or freddie) then I would stop paying. But if your home is in a good area and it's value has not dropped too much then you might not get any help.
Hey, I'm a renter. I knew I couldn't afford a house, so I didn't buy one. Where's my free money?
If both parents are working, one will now have to stay home. There goes a ton of income!
If one parent does not stop working, they will have to pay for daycare (which costs wayyyy more than $141 a month).
Health related costs, new equipment (stroller, high chair, clothes that they grow out of in about 2 months, toys, crib), etc.
Sooo yeah, no idea how anyone could think getting married and having a kid would help financially. Getting married, yes, having a kid, no.
Yes, I think I'll skip the magazine as well. I tend to be very resistant to print publications since we move around from time to time, and I can easily use the funds elsewhere. Not that we don't have ANY magazine subscriptions. I did Dwell last year, and my husband does and astronomy one or two. He used to do National Geographic, but we've cut that one too.
But for a buck a month . . .I know I save enough today to cover the entire year's fee. Waiting until we close on the house, though.
I absolutely agree.
I did entertain hopes of owning a home one day...
Don't see that happening now. Ah well.
I guess there's always RVs, right?
We can all become gypsies!
I totally agree with you!! I am in Australia and we havn't had it hit us as bad as you in the US, but it is starting to happen and I have been worried about exactly the same thing, why should we pay any extra on our mortgage when the house may be worth less. Prices have already started to go down in Australia and like you we have done the right thing - we don't have credit and our only loan is our mortgage in which a quarter of it is equity we put up when we bought it, we may lose that yet.....sad days and not knowing what to do is frustrating. Good luck with you and yours:) Courtney.
I was hesitatant to "pay" for a money-saving tool, but this has paid for itself more than 100 times over... If you're pinching pennies, just get the shortest subscription and skip the printed magazine. Totally doable on most any budget.
Linsey
Hark at those trolls, hatin' on the woman's personal list, in a blog no one forced them to read.
What kind of spiritually deprived baggage do these haters carry around, that they insist on tearing down someone else to feel good? It's not even effective vitriol--just froth and nonsense.
To Julie, and those of you who've been happily commenting and thinking on the subject of effective prioritizing: You're lovely, and I've really enjoyed reading what you wrote.
Please forgive the smackdown I'm about to give:
Trolls:
Anyone who's worked hard and managed to pull a decent life together is going to be grateful for what they have. They're not going to be ashamed about it, nor should they be. That doesn't make them unmindful of those less fortunate. You, on the other hand, seem to have missed the boat on the whole empathy thing.
If you have strong feelings about those with less than you have (you've clearly been fortunate yourselves at some point, or you wouldn't be able to read, write or access the internet), than do something constructive about it. Attacking bloggers isn't constructive, it's self-indulgent--which is precisely what you're accusing Julie of being. You've blown your own argument. Think about that, and look to your own glass house before you make comments.
Or isn't.
I tried to order one and they're out of stock.
Free Advertising Online-D.C., MD, VA Businesses, Retailers, Services
by dcMagazineOnline
PRESS RELEASE: 16OCT08
DC Magazine Online Offers Free Business Advertising Online
Free Full Page Advertising & Real Ad Sense Online ~ DC Magazine
72Hr. After-Math in the Wall Street Market Run
DC Magazine
B2B Stock Market Solution~To Ring In The New Year!
Open to D.C., Virginia, & Maryland Businesses, Retailers, and Services primarily.
If your in the business of offering---home owner refinance solutions, selling digital media, a local retailer, have a fitness gym or a physician, and run a performing arts
theatre or, an art gallery---this opportunity is especi-
ally for you and yet any company in the tri-state
can can sign.
Yet offer is open to national and out-of-states businesses
DC Magazine is debuting online and in a B2B partnership ---to get over the market crash hump---we're offer local companies
the opportunity to make contract with DC Magazine, given your business and/or services are what our readership patron.
Any company in the D.C., VA, and MD area signing with DC Magazine Online for the minimum contract of 1 year--- to take Full Page Advertising, regular flat rate of just $150 monthly, being 5.5 X 6.5 inches of "print-style display advertising" ---will get 3 months of full page advertising for free.
So ring the New Year---reducing your online marketing budget now and in the long run! And let us not forget those "holiday sales and business increases" we all need---given the market crash aftermath.
Yet no business online can beat DC Magazine's Monthly Flat Rate and amount of Ad Space, even as generally offered!
Deadline for all companies is midnight Sunday night, October 19th.
Companies simply need to sign within this 72 hr. time- period to take advantage of this opportunity and pay one months ad space rate, upon signing. We'll e-mail the contract--- you FEDEX it back, with one month's payment and bill us for the delivery!
Contact Info & Details are at http://dcmagazine.ubianation.com and our office hours will be extended to receive your call during this time-period.
Here's to business restoration in the red, white, & blue and a darn good New Year, and Thanks for the B2B Partnership!
"I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore" -Network
We have all been suckered into the belief that we do as our parents have done we'll be OK. That was fine when housing wasn't expensive, or in oversupply or jobs were centric to one area. Mobility, escalating costs and abundance has made me rethink whether an investment is even worth it. And every one is under the assumption that you can sell in 20 to 30 years. But will that be true for the area you are living in? Would it better to rent? Can investing the difference in renting versus buying accrue to more than what you can sell you house for in 30 years?
Yes you always need a place to hang your hat, and housing may get better, but if the economics are not there to begin with, why make those typical assumptions.
Man, I think she might have a convert. I found several cool items including freebies on cereal, deodorant, cleaner and butter. Thanks, Linsey!