Greatest Hits
- (L)Earning What I'm Worth
- The Save-to-Spend Budget
- Salary Negotiation Post - Retraction
- Money Types: Carrie, Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte?
- How Jenny Earned $15,000 on eBay
- The Fashionomics of Retail Begging
- Create Other Income Streams
- Challenge: Wear Just Six Things
- Rx for a Bloated Budget
- Stop Wasting Time on Things That Will Never Make You Money
- End the Superwoman Syndrome
- The High Cost of Part-Time Work (+ working mom poll)
- Smash Student Loan Debt
- Prep for More Pay
- Personal Account: My Brain on Sales
- On Becoming a Financial Grown-up
- Pop Quiz from DailyWorth!
- Bouncing Back From Bankruptcy
- Personal Account: Gabrielle's Reflection on Worth
- To Coupon or Not?
Fill Your Pot of Gold
By MP Dunleavey Wednesday March 17, 2010
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we'd like to shift away from "the wearin' of the green" to the earning, saving and investing of it.
Pick one action from the list below to fill your pot of gold today.
Then, sure, have a green beer!
- Put off a purchase. (Then bank the money you didn't spend.)
- Set some earnings targets: How much would you like to be earning in 2011? In 2015? In 2020?
- Haggle for a lower price or demand a better rate.
- Cash in on these fun St. Paddy's Day freebies
- Cancel that subscription or membership you never use.
- Ask a friend what her best money habit is. Try it on.
- Negotiate a higher fee, raise your prices or do research on what it would take to get a raise.
- Call your bank, credit card, utility company or landlord. Ask them to refund a late fee. All they can say is no.
- Get used to asking.
- Define financial peace: What does it look like, feel like, smell like?
Go mbeire muid beo aran am seo aris
May we all be alive and well, this time next year!
So, what is your best money habit?
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Written by carolina, March 17, 2010
My best money habit so far is bringing my lunch to work every day (no more $10 sandwiches!), meeting friends for drinks instead of full dinner, and making sure to look at my expenses and savings accounts on a weekly basis to re-assess each week how much is left and how much I need to cut back on. Saving is hard for me but I am getting better at it each week by just paying attention!
Written by Alicia, March 17, 2010
My best money habit is having $200 of each paycheck automatically deposited into my savings account. It adds up so quickly! Next step is to stop dipping into that savings account for vacation and other "fun" purchases occasionally.
Written by Lucy, March 17, 2010
My best money habit is to never ever shop for full-price items... only the sale racks for me!
Written by Shirley, March 17, 2010
I don't go to town five miles away unless there is more than 2 things to do. I make cloth napkins. I make my christmas presents. I am getting ready to make homemade laundry soap. I make more in the summer money wise than winter, but it is good to save for winter so do this always.
Written by Lori, March 17, 2010
I show my 4 kids the treasure-hunting fun of shopping in thrift and consignment stores and using Craigslist and Ebay. We recently scored a $700 snowboard/bindings/boot set for $150, a $300 bike for $50 and our favorite TV series on DVD for $20 less than retail. Another bonus is by not taking the kids in to a regular full-price store we avoid impulse shopping. In fact I avoid taking my kids shopping at all costs!
Written by Theresa, March 17, 2010
I save all my pennies, nickles and dimes and roll them once a month to deposit into my 4 grandchildren's savings accounts. My oldest grandchild is 3 1/2 and she already has over $300 in her account.
Written by MP Dunleavey, March 17, 2010
I love it! These are so inspiring. My best money habit, I think, is asking for a better price, better rate. I just figure I can't lose by asking--I can only gain. Can you pay me more? Can you charge me less? Can we swap? It's amazing how many wins I score. I got my husband's cc rate reduced. I got a repairman to charge less for a tree removal. I turned down a project b/c the pay was low (I asked, they said no, fine)--and another project came along a month or two later that paid double the rate.
Written by dreamcatcher, March 17, 2010
I would have to say right now my best money savings strategy is putting $60.00 away every payday, no matter what, and sticking to that and not touching it for anything for one whole year, and on Dec. 15, 2010 I get to go see how much I have saved and then get to decide what I am gonna do with it. I am either gonna keep saving, or I will be able to use it for christmas shopping, or put it towards a car, or whatever I want on that day.
I also allowed room for drawing it out. It only can be drawn out for a (heavan forbid) death in the family, or house burning down. And one time I can draw it out for one of those weekends when you just have to get away for the weekend and can't put up with your co-workers, kids, or S.O. And you can only draw out some of it not all of it. I haven't decided yet what amount of it I can draw out at those times. But would like to figure out an amount that would not hurt my savings. Maybe 5%-10% might be ok.
My sister joined me in this crusade so I hope it works out for both of us.
I also allowed room for drawing it out. It only can be drawn out for a (heavan forbid) death in the family, or house burning down. And one time I can draw it out for one of those weekends when you just have to get away for the weekend and can't put up with your co-workers, kids, or S.O. And you can only draw out some of it not all of it. I haven't decided yet what amount of it I can draw out at those times. But would like to figure out an amount that would not hurt my savings. Maybe 5%-10% might be ok.
My sister joined me in this crusade so I hope it works out for both of us.
Written by Amanda (DW Founder), March 17, 2010
I'm auto-saving $300 a month into a remote ING account for "Oops - we're over budget this month!" moments. I have around $1,500 in there now. I see some things coming down the pike in the next month where it will probably get cleaned out, but then I'll start again. Better that cash than on our credit card!
I'm also always focused on the top line -- seeking out ways to improve margins in my businesses and expand revenue opportunities. There's always more when you look for it -- you just have to know where to look. I firmly believe we're our only limitations when it comes to earning. I'm trying to shed myself of all limitations when it comes to earning. I'll let you know how it goes!
I'm also always focused on the top line -- seeking out ways to improve margins in my businesses and expand revenue opportunities. There's always more when you look for it -- you just have to know where to look. I firmly believe we're our only limitations when it comes to earning. I'm trying to shed myself of all limitations when it comes to earning. I'll let you know how it goes!
Written by Roxanne, March 17, 2010
Money is tight because my husband's income has dropped by almost half since he switched jobs last year. We also have a big tax bill this year because he's a freelancer. So we are always looking for money-management ideas. We save our change, pack lunches, etc., as everyone has mentioned. I have an Amazon seller account and I've been slowly reducing my substantial book collection - and not allowing myself to use the money to buy more books! I also have my art business which has been slow to catch on but I'm working on it. We do whatever we can to reduce our spending, put off big purchases, and try to reduce our debt. Thanks for all the tips!
Written by Sue, March 17, 2010
I'm a book junkie! When I see a book IJustHaveToHave, I reserve it from the library and when it's in, they send me an email to come pick it up. Since I rarely read a book twice, not only am I saving money, but it's less items that I have to dust going forward! :)
Written by Monette Satterfield, March 17, 2010
I'm a big believer in putting money aside before anything else and that has paid off well over the years. But, a more immediate habit is asking "What am I going to do with this?" before purchasing items I want.
Often, the answer isn't as compelling as the perceived need to acquire. Things that will end up being unused or collecting dust are revealed by this most practical question. It turns the mind to more objective reasons for buying which can be helpful.
Great tips!
Often, the answer isn't as compelling as the perceived need to acquire. Things that will end up being unused or collecting dust are revealed by this most practical question. It turns the mind to more objective reasons for buying which can be helpful.
Great tips!
Written by Syd Palmer, March 17, 2010
I don't charge things I can't pay for at the end of the month. Yup, call me my grandmother, but if I can't pay off the credit card come bill time, I don't do it.
Written by Melissa, March 17, 2010
I always use a coupon whenever possible. There are so many great coupon websites, i.e., Groupon, halfdepot.com, etc and coupon books such as Entertainment that really add up, if you use them. It helps make my day to find a great deal on something I like!
Written by Jen, March 17, 2010
The best saving habit I have is cooking my own meals. Last night my roommate and I made dinner with enough leftovers to last the rest of the week. And it only cost about $15 between the two of us. So much cheaper (and healthier) than ordering pizza!
Written by Jill , March 17, 2010
I have two habits that are the best money habits. One is I subscribe to www.e-mealz.com. It has cut our grocery bill in half. The other is that everyday I put my spare change in a jar and save it. When I save enough, I pay it on a bill or put it in savings.
Written by Linna, March 17, 2010
Sue, I do the same thing! I don't really buy books anymore, and borrow them from the library instead because I don't really read over the books that I have on my bookshelf!
I've committed to saving $500 each month to fill up the 2010 Roth IRA contribution, and to saving extra for my emergency account. One big thing I'm working on is bringing my lunch every day and not spending money on coffee that I should have brewed in the morning but woke up too late to do.
Overall, these are great tips in the blog that everyone has been sharing!!!
I've committed to saving $500 each month to fill up the 2010 Roth IRA contribution, and to saving extra for my emergency account. One big thing I'm working on is bringing my lunch every day and not spending money on coffee that I should have brewed in the morning but woke up too late to do.
Overall, these are great tips in the blog that everyone has been sharing!!!
Written by carrie, March 17, 2010
Since I get pd every 2 weeks I get 26 paycks a yr. Due to this I calculate all of my bill based on 2 paychecks a month (24 pays a year). On the months I get 3 paychecks I use 1/2 of the extra paycheck to pay down the mortgage and the other 1/2 to pay up all of my car insurance for 6 months. It's a mind game I play but I save on both.
Written by deborah, March 17, 2010
I have automatic payments made to my 403B account where I work,I put in so much and my employer matches it!!! Also enrolled in the savings bond program on an automatic basis, I always have a years' worth of bonds that I can cash out if I need an extra$50.00 or so unexpected expenses! Also have automatic amount set up for my savings account, again to use for emergencies and such!
Written by Petunia, March 17, 2010
Love this thread! I think, for me, the one thing that works the best is to save first. A close second is to pop into sites such as this one, it really helps me keep my goals in mind.
Written by emma, March 17, 2010
I have three tips, we get paid monthly so on pay day I withdraw $100 for each week of the month, plus one bonus $100 for extras. I then keep that in my wallet separated into the different weeks. I have a coin purse that I use to carry my "current weeks" money. At the end of the week whatever is left gets taken out and saved and the next weeks money gets put in the coin purse. Some weeks it might be only a few dollars but sometimes it can be up to $50 left over. The saved cash we use for unexpected expenses (like when our fridge died and we needed $900 for a new one) and for treats like "lets go out for dinner tonight instead of cooking."
Second tip is that I work out what my hourly rate is and when I want to buy something I work out how many hours I would have to work to pay for it. "Do I want to work 3 hours to buy this expensive pair of jeans?"
Third tip is that if the item I want to buy is in a shop that I can easily get back to and is not on a sale that is about to end then I buy it the next time I go back there. I find this way most of the things I "had to have", are just impulse items and I don't need it anyway.
Second tip is that I work out what my hourly rate is and when I want to buy something I work out how many hours I would have to work to pay for it. "Do I want to work 3 hours to buy this expensive pair of jeans?"
Third tip is that if the item I want to buy is in a shop that I can easily get back to and is not on a sale that is about to end then I buy it the next time I go back there. I find this way most of the things I "had to have", are just impulse items and I don't need it anyway.
Written by Marlene, March 17, 2010
I pay my credit card in full and never ever pay finance charges.
I always ask for a discount, all they can do is say no, but more often they will take something off,or give upgrades, including big stores, hotels, antique stores etc.
I always ask for a discount, all they can do is say no, but more often they will take something off,or give upgrades, including big stores, hotels, antique stores etc.
Written by Marlene, March 17, 2010
I also go on line to find things at the best price, especially ink for my printer, and there are always promotional coupons to help ease the pain of purchase.
Written by Karla, March 18, 2010
Thanks for all the great tips!! I often get more from the comment section of an article than the article itself!! Great stuff!!
Written by Amanda (DW Founder), March 18, 2010
Karia -- I know -- we feel the same way! We're going to start referencing the comments (our brilliant and money-savvy readers) as part of our daily email. It's in the works.
Written by Cate, March 18, 2010
I have also switched to getting all my books from the library. I am the type of person who buys a book as an impulse purchase then lets it accumulate dust on my shelf without ever reading it. Now when I'm in the bookstore, I just write a list of things to find at the library. The three-week time limit motivates me to read more, so it's both a money-saver and an intelligence-booster.
With the money I save, I go out and purchase used hardcover copies of favorite books (the ones I'll read over and over). Not only do I save money on books, I save money on bookshelves as well. :)
With the money I save, I go out and purchase used hardcover copies of favorite books (the ones I'll read over and over). Not only do I save money on books, I save money on bookshelves as well. :)
Written by sell jewelry in tampa fl, April 16, 2010
I am extremely interested to reading this.
keep up great writing.
keep up great writing.
