Make your own biodiesel fuel and save a bundle. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Chemistryland)

Gasoline prices are out of control, prompting more consumers to consider alternative fuels. For diesel vehicle owners, biodiesel is an environmentally conscious option that costs less than $1 per gallon. Biodiesel fuel can even be made at home. While there are pros and cons to the process, it’s hard to deny that running a diesel vehicle on biofuel is cheaper in the long run than gasoline.

Biodiesel requires a diesel car and production kit

Your vehicle must have a diesel engine in order to take advantage of biodiesel fuel, and you’ll need some equipment to make biodiesel. Bankrate writes that several companies offer do-it-yourself biodiesel kits, ranging in price from $400 to $5,000, depending upon the quantity of biodiesel you want to produce, pump and store at one time. Thankfully, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit can make up for up to 30 percent of the cost of making biodiesel fuel at your primary residence. Remember that for your 2011 taxes.

Putting the bio in biodiesel

The time required to make the fuel can be as little as a few hours, depending upon the production kit used. The big question is what suitable organic substance you’ll use to make biodiesel fuel. Soybean oil is most commonly used in the U.S., although any old yellow grease taken from cooking oil will work. Get friendly with your local greasy spoon restaurants and they may let you haul away their grease for free.

The only caveat to this path is that restaurant grease may be too dirty to produce the highest-functioning biodiesel fuel. Impure biodiesel can also expose your gas tank to bacteria, mold and fungus and can end up costing thousands of dollars to repair. The more expensive production kits filter out impurities, but of course you have to pay more for the most efficient kits. The purest biodiesel is B100 or B99. That means the fuel is 100 or 99 percent biodiesel, with the rest being petroleum diesel, says Bankrate. However, an 80/20 mix may be less likely to clog your fuel injectors if you live in a colder climate. Consult with your automaker if you’re unsure of which mix to use.

Cost on percentage

How much you save using biodiesel fuel instead of standard petroleum diesel depends in part upon the mix. If you’re able to obtain free soybean or cooking grease, production costs should ideally average out to about 70 cents per gallon for the other required ingredients specified by your production kit. As stated above, equipment will cost extra. But it beats living with high gasoline prices.

Sources

Bankrate.com

How Stuff Works

Journey to Forever

More on making biodiesel fuel

Will that umbrella still be there if he has a heart attack? (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Affordable Life Insurance Policy)

Which health conditions are most likely to send your life insurance premiums skyrocketing? Bankrate.com asked New York Life’s chief underwriter Stephen Bloom and chief medical officer Dr. Jacki Goldstein for some of the top health hazards as they would apply to life insurance for a 40-year-old man. Here is their tale of the unhealthy red tape.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure can lead to a host of organ diseases, said Goldstein. Coronary artery disease, stroke and kidney damage are just a few. While life insurance industry underwriters show the most favor to those who control their blood pressure, people with high blood pressure may still qualify for a preferred policy, as long as they’re taking steps to manage it.

“Different carriers have different categories of preferred, but yes, high blood pressure that is well-managed, most carriers would have that qualified for preferred,” said Goldstein.

Type 2 diabetes

Adult onset diabetes (Type 2) takes a toll on the body’s vascular system, with coronary artery disease, renal failure and blindness being some of the potential risks. If a Type 2 diabetes sufferer is younger, the potential for higher life insurance premiums increases because the condition generally does not improve with time.

“If I get diabetes at age 70, I might already have coronary artery disease or a stroke anyway, so the impact of the diabetes might not affect my life expectancy in the way it might a 40-year-old. A 40-year-old is unlikely to qualify for preferred in my experience,” Goldstein told Bankrate.

Heart disease

A massive heart attack relates to a host of heart conditions that can be difficult to document, which makes a life insurance underwriter’s job more difficult. If the situation is indeed severe, the person may not be insurable, says Bloom.

“We do consider family history in our underwriting assessments,” Bloom said. “Generally, this is associated with immediate family members — father, mother, sister, brother — who may have developed heart disease or had a stroke.

Asthma

The chronic respiratory condition asthma can, while rare, lead to death if not carefully controlled. If it is carefully controlled, a preferred life insurance rate class is not out of the question.

“For the most part, asthma will be extremely favorably underwritten,” said Goldstein.

Cancer

Depending upon the type and severity of the cancer involved, life insurance premiums can be affected to a negligible degree or quite severely. According to Bloom, if New York Life were to underwrite a policy for a cancer patient, the company would want to monitor the patient for six months to a year before making a policy decision.

“Cancer conditions may require a longer period of time depending on the location of the cancer, the staging and type of treatment involved,” he said.

More of the top health risks for life insurance are cataloged at Bankrate.com.

Source

Bankrate.com

Billy Mays on health insurance

Rupert Murdoch shakes his fist at news ninjas who avoid his paywall. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Jason Wilson/New Matilda)

If you’re an online news addict with limited funds, the move toward news paywalls could be horrible news. Without information, you could end up choking in the digital dust. Thankfully, there are some tricks you can use to circumvent digital news paywalls and continue to enjoy your daily information fix.

Google News: A news aggregator escape from the paywall

Google News links to news websites across the Web. It’s a great place to get your daily news fix. As it is arranged in a clear, easy-to-digest format with top news, local news and news categories, it’s easy to take care of your digital news jones.

Newspapers app: An iOS portal to publications across the US

For $1.99 in the Apple Apps store, Newspapers is an app that provides users with a directory of links to literally every online newspaper website in the country. Read articles on your iPod, iPhone or iPad in Safari. If you prefer to download a story for later, send it to an app like Instapaper.

Reeder: A smarter RSS reader

RSS feeds are a great way to keep up with the news that’s important to you, and Reeder does it the clean and easy way. It has a newspaper-style interface, and the iOS app cuts the ads and reformats the page for optimal reading pleasure. Get it for your Apple device for only $2.99.

The Zite-geist of iPad news

The free iPad app Zite acts as a kind of “personalized magazine,” says Business Insider. It recommends news you may like, via connections to your Twitter and Google Reader accounts. However, simply picking articles to read from within the app can also drive your customization experience.

Free Associated Press and CNN apps

Mobile apps by the Associated Press and CNN are great iOS and Android options for world, national and local news. Users of the AP app can even choose their favorite local and national broadcasters and follow their stories in print and video. CNN’s app presents streaming video in a polished fashion, and allows users to submit their own photos of news events via the iReport feature.

Jobbing the system: How to obtain free access to NYT and The Daily

Twitter users have been able to create a list of each NYT Twitter feed. Clicking the links via Twitter or blog postings don’t count toward the 20 articles per month limit the Times has imposed, so this amounts to free access. A similar process work with The Daily, which is indexed by the blog The Daily: Indexed.

Peter Kafka of MediaMemo reports that the NYT will limit free referrals via Google to five per day, although using other search engines like Bing may not have the same restrictions – for now.

Why did the Times put up a speed bump for Google? Because users could simply Google an article headline and get into the article without going through the front door, so to speak.

Sources

AP Mobile app
Business Insider
CNN Mobile app (iPhone)
The Daily: Indexed

What to expect with the NYT paywall

How can you lower your homeowners insurance premium? That's the burning question. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Homeowners Insurance Quote)

Everyone wants to reduce their homeowners insurance premium, but not everyone knows about hidden homeowners insurance credits that can be applied to lower their bill. Don’t stop at raising your deductible, installing a smoke detector and burglar alarm or taking a multi-line discount with your insurer. Reach for savings with these homeowners insurance credits.

Save big money on homeowners insurance

Madelyn Flannagan of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America reminds homeowners that while insurance agents are primarily concerned with minimizing loss, the benefit to homeowners is of course lower premium payments. Individual homeowners insurance credits can be worth up to 25 percent off the monthly premium.

“Insurers give a discount to encourage people to be more careful and to better understand the homes they’re insuring,” Flannagan told Bankrate.

Get credit for your gated community

The added layer of security living in a gated community affords the homeowner may reduce premiums by as much as 20 percent, depending upon the insurer. Reducing the risk of vandalism and theft keeps everyone except the vandals happy. If you happen to live near your local fire department, there may be additional savings. Ask your homeowners insurance company.

Don’t get your wires crossed

New electrical wiring can qualify for as much as a 10 percent premium credit, according to industry estimates. The U.S. Fire Administration states that home electrical problems result in 67,800 fires per year, which led to 485 deaths and $868 million in property loss, according to 2006 data. Installed professionally, new wiring minimizes outages, shortages and fires. It saves both lives and money in the long run.

Install impact-resistant roofing

Wind, rain, hail and debris wear down a roof over time. If a roof is compromised, damage claims can cause insurance premiums to spike dramatically. With impact-resistant roofing that uses the most up-to-date UL 2218 materials, homeowners may be able to enjoy a 5 to 10 percent savings on their homeowners insurance each month. Go for a Class 4 roof, which is the sturdiest available and most attractive to insurance companies.

Avoid small claims whenever possible

Fewer claims translate into lower insurance premiums; it’s a fact. Many companies offer a 20 percent discount if a homeowner goes claim-free for 10 years. Even if you’ve had a claim, however, there may still be discounts available. Keep in mind that many insurers will drop a homeowner after 2-3 small claims, according to Kiplinger.com.

A homeowners association has its benefits

Even if you are not a member of a homeowners association, if your home is located within an HOA area, some insurers will grant the insured a 5 to 10 percent discount. Having a group of like-minded neighbors who want to preserve the safety of their community counts.

“It’s because of the security aspects of HOA communities, with things like community watch,” says Flannagan.

Don’t smoke

Going smoke-free is a benefit to your health and the health of your home. According to Flannagan, most insurers charge non-smokers 5 to 15 percent less on their homeowners insurance premiums, due to the reduced risk of fire and tobacco smoke damage to walls, ceilings and property.

Sources:

Bankrate

Kiplinger

MSN Moneycentral

Get great insurance at a great price

Get serious about extreme couponing and save cash. (Photo Credit: CC BY-ND/Dana/Cooking at Cafe D)

Saving money can be rigorous, but the rewards are ample. This is particularly true with your grocery budget. Tricks of the trade like “extreme couponing,” stockpiling and waiting for sales and clearance may seem like a bother at first, but the money saved and the pounds lost are worth the effort.

Kathy Spencer knows how to stock up and save

Boxford, Mass., mother of four Kathy Spencer spends a few hours each week clipping coupons and browsing the aisles of her local supermarket. According to MyFox Phoenix, the self-proclaimed “Coupon Queen” spends as many as four hours per week at the grocery store, hunting for deals. This dedication has enabled her to feed her family of six (plus one dog, two cats and a rabbit) for less than $10 per week.

Spencer’s nose for extreme couponing and stockpile-friendly deals even reduced the bill on a recent grocery shopping trip from $279 to 39 cents.

“I had always used coupons for items I would buy regularly, but as I started pairing what coupons I had with what was on sale versus using a coupon for what I normally was brand loyal to, I soon discovered if I had more $1 off coupons for items that went on sale for $1, I could get a stockpile of that item and not pay a penny,” Spencer told WorkItMom.com.

Double your coupons and freeze for savings

Buying multiple copies of the Sunday newspaper in order to secure multiple copies of valuable grocery coupons and frequenting online coupon sites work, but the real trick is to shop at stores that will double coupons. Spencer does it, and so can you. Doubling a 50 cents off coupon to get $1 off makes a big difference and makes stockpiling food possible.

Storing non-perishable or long-lasting bulk foods that are free or almost free can save you from emergency or impulse buys later, which almost always come at a premium. Plus, freezing meats for the long haul can give families numerous healthy food options.

Dietitians say it can be done

USA Today reports that in a recent study, a group of dietitians found that it is possible to feed a family of four for less than $10 without resorting to extreme measures like gonzo coupon-clipping. A popular suggestion was to make big sandwiches with fresh-baked, whole-wheat bread. Use sliced turkey, some cheese and green- or red-leaf lettuce. Leave out the lettuce and turn it into a panini if you want it hot.

By doing this and serving seasonal fruit as a side dish, families can not only save money by avoiding packaged, processed foods but can eat healthily. Substitute hearty soups, simple chicken dishes, Sloppy Joes, large salads, omelets or other egg dishes for similar effects.

For the meatless crowd, Keith Ayoob of New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggests cubing a 12-ounce block of tofu, cooking it in tomato sauce and pouring it over whole-wheat pasta. Add a salad and you’ve got a healthy, inexpensive meal.

Sources

MyFox Phoenix
USA Today
Work It. Mom!

Saving $100s weekly

Moving is tough. Deducting moving expenses on your taxes doesn't have to be. (Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Claude Boucher/Wikipedia)

If you relocated for business purposes last year and are looking for a healthy tax deduction to tip the IRS scales in your favor, consider deducting moving expenses. Provided you’ve saved your receipts, it’s a great way to recoup the costs of such things as the moving van, packing materials, gasoline, lodging and more. Unfortunately, meals and sightseeing don’t count.

Take the moving expenses litmus test

Moving expenses can be tax deductions, provided they meet the following three criteria:

1. Relocation must quickly lead into the resumption of business at the new location.
2. The distance of the move must meet the IRS’s distance test.
3. The time frame in which the move occurs must pass the IRS time test.

It doesn’t matter whether the job is your first or whether you’re self-employed or an employee. The overall moving expense is declared on your 1040 form, without itemization, Schedule A or income-based restrictions. However, IRS Form 3903 – the Moving Expenses worksheet – is required. Form 3903 is where costs are detailed, possibly including loan fees on payday loans with no credit check if they apply toward the business-related move.

Getting there with Form 3903

If the move occurs entirely within the U.S., no special residency restrictions are required. However, if you’re moving outside the U.S. or a U.S. territory, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien in order to be eligible to deduct moving expenses on your 1040, says the IRS. If there are multiple business-related moves within the same tax year, a separate Form 3903 must be completed for each.

Pass the tests

The IRS requires tax filers to meet distance and time tests when it comes to moving expenses. See IRS Publication 521 for more details, particularly when it comes to special considerations for members of the military and whether loan fees from business-related no credit check payday loans apply for the tax deduction. The following rules apply to most circumstances.

Distance

A work-related move must take you at least 50 miles farther from your previous residence than your old place of work. If your old work was five miles away from your old home, the new location must be at least 55 miles away from the old home. If the job at the new location is your first, the job must be at least 50 miles away from your previous home. The IRS requests tax filers to calculate distances using the shortest common route available.

Time

For the first 12 months after your move is complete, you must work full time at your new place of employment for a minimum of 39 weeks. Self-employed tax filers must work a total of at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months, post-move. If you do not meet the time test before your return is due, filers can amend the return with Form 1040X. See Publication 521.

Sources

Bankrate.com – “Let Uncle Sam help pay for your move”

IRS.gov Form 3903 – Moving Expenses

IRS.gov Publication 521 – Moving Expenses

Only job-related moves apply

Millions of Americans hand over extra money to the IRS because they overlook deductions hiding in the complicated U.S. tax code. Image: hackerfriendly/Flickr

It’s easy to overlook tax deductions buried deep within the thicket of the U.S. tax code. Millions of Americans overpay their taxes every year by overlooking tax deductions. But you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on an accountant to find tax deductible expenses.

The incredible value of tax deductions

About 46 million U.S. taxpayers who choose to itemize their tax deductions prevent nearly $1 trillion dollars from falling into the hands of the government. About 85 million taxpayers use standard deductions to protect another $700 billion. Most people who use standard deductions are probably cheating themselves out of money that’s there for the taking in the U.S. tax code. Even those who take advantage of tax deductions such as interest paid on mortgages and student loans, real estate property taxes and state sales taxes could be giving the government extra money.

Career-related tax deductions

With the U.S. job market as bad as it has been lately, one of the most commonly overlooked tax deductions is job hunting expenses. For job hunters with total itemized deductions greater than 2 percent of adjusted gross income, job hunting expenses can be deducted. However, the job search must be in the same industry as the taxpayer’s previous position. First-time job hunters can’t deduct job hunting expenses, but if they move more than 50 miles to take that first job, moving expenses can be deducted, including 14.5 cents per mile. For taxpayers going back to school to change careers, $2,500 of college tuition can be claimed as a tax credit. While a tax deduction lowers taxable income, a tax credit lowers the taxes owed. Single taxpayers making $80,000 or less or married couples making $160,000 or less are eligible for the tuition tax credit.

More overlooked tax deductions

Taxpayers often overlook tax deductions related to home and family. As more Americans take care of their elderly parents, they become eligible for a substantial tax deduction. If they provide more than half their parent’s financial support and that assistance costs them more than 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income, they qualify for a dependent parent deduction. U.S. automakers have been offering a lot of incentives, and for those who bought a new vehicle in 2010 and earned $135,000 or less, the sales tax can be deducted, even without itemizing deductions. Green energy tax credits worth up to $1,500 are available for taxpayers who invested in energy-efficient home improvements. Finally, don’t overlook the Making Work Pay tax credit. The 2010 tax year is the last chance to take advantage of the Making Work Pay tax credit. This tax credit is often taken care of by employers who withhold less, but singles can take $400 off their tax bill and married couples can save $800 by completing Schedule M along with the 1040 form.

Sources

MSN Money

U.S. News and World Report

ABC News

A bad credit score or unfixed credit score errors can rob a person of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. Image: CC everydayminimalist.com

Consumers who don’t know their credit score or don’t think a credit score is important are robbing themselves. A credit score factors into everything from getting a job to getting a good deal on a house or a car. The simple process of checking a credit report can lead to action that results in thousands of dollars in savings over time.

A bad credit score costs money

Just about everyone a person does business with, from landlords to mortgage brokers to wireless carriers, uses credit report information to decide how much credit will be extended and how low, or how high, the interest rate will be. The difference between a good credit score and a bad one can add up to $5,000 in interest payments on a $20,000 auto loan. Maxing out credit cards or not paying bills on time could add 25 percent to the cost of that vehicle. The time and effort it takes to optimize a credit score can save an individual hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Correct credit report errors

For most responsible people, ensuring accuracy is the key to a good credit score and credit reports should be checked frequently. Credit scores are available online through FICO and the three credit-reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The government site annualcreditreport.com offers one free credit report per year, but it does not include the credit score. The different credit reporting agencies interpret information in different ways, so the best approach is to check all three resources. Information on credit reports can often be erroneous. Federal law requires that credit reporting agencies must correct inaccuracies free of charge. However, the agencies are known for making the process of correcting credit report errors difficult. Sometimes the money spent hiring a law firm that specializes in correcting erroneous credit report information is worth the time saved.

A good credit score saves money

One of the best examples of how a bad credit score costs money is current mortgage interest rates. Mortgage interest rates are lower than they have been for decades, but not for everybody. Borrowers with weak credit scores will pay several percentage points more on a fixed rate loan. According to FICO, a borrower with an excellent credit score might get a 5.9 percent interest rate on a $200,000 30-year fixed rate mortgage and pay $259,074 in interest over the life of the loan. A borrower with a bad credit score, if he or she can get a loan, may qualify for an 8.5 percent interest rate and end up paying $355,200 in interest. The bad credit score will have cost more than $127,000.

Sources

MarketWatch

FinanceTalks

BankRate.com

Photo Credit: CC BY-SA/Jeff Kubina/Flickr

On local and state levels, numerous studies indicate that the economic effects of biking versus driving cannot be ignored, reports Elly Blue on Grist. Conservative estimates based upon available data indicate that U.S. workers save themselves $3,000 to $12,000 per year, simply by becoming bike commuters. Every year, the total grows by approximately $1,000.

Bike-friendly communities wanted

The money-saving aspect of biking definitely provides incentive, but it has become increasingly difficult to find bike-friendly communities in the U.S. For those who do not live in cities designed with cycling in mind, a bike commute may only be a dream.

In his paper “Estimating the Economic Benefits of Bicycling and Bicycle Facilities: An Interpretive Review and Proposed Methods,” Dr. Kevin Krizek of the University of Minnesota’s Civil Engineering program points out that the way in which cities are built has contributed to the decline in public health and rising cost of health care:

“Sprawling land use practices and resulting auto-dependent travel are themes that now have moved front and center into the American consciousness; the link to public health and the declared obesity epidemic remains an important component of this discussion,” writes Krizek.

In cities with easy-access bike lanes and biking trails, adopting the bike commute routine can benefit the local economy even more than driving a car; plus, it keeps saves consumers money.

Discovering the new bicycle economy

As Blue puts it, the “new bicycle economy” has made a big difference in urban areas with low levels of traffic and adequate bikeway networks. A 2008 study in Portland, Ore., found that the bicycle industry alone contributes $90 million to the local economy annually. Bike tourism plays a big role in such figures, and as former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley reminds, those efforts create jobs.

A 2010 Wisconsin study indicated that bicycle tourism brought a whopping $1.5 billion into the state. Those dollars were produced by state bicycle manufacturing, sales and service industries, reports Wisconsin State Journal. To Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison) – who commissioned the study – it’s a sign of the times.

“I don’t think folks in Wisconsin appreciate just how important (biking) is in the state’s economy,” said Spencer. “We make a lot more bikes here than we do cars.”

Ditch a car, save a lot for your economy

According to AAA research, U.S. commuters spend an average of $8,485 per year on cars, and $1,390 of that remains in the local economy as a result of licensing, registration, taxes, repairs, tires and maintenance. That leaves $7,095 that typically leave the area in gasoline, insurance, finance charges and the purchase price of the vehicle computed out over time.

On a larger scale, if an entire city cut down car ownership by 15,000 vehicles, an estimated $127,275,000 would stay local. This is based upon data compiled in Washington, D.C., from 2005 to 2009, writes Blue.

Sources

Estimating the Economic Benefits of Bicycling and Bicycle Facilities

Grist

National Trails Training Partnership

Wisconsin State Journal

The Netherlands do bicycling better

Hard times have made consumers more determined to negotiate and businesses more willing to make a better deal. Image: CC jazzengirly/Flickr

A positive side effect of the recession for many Americans is learning how to negotiate for better deals. Dickering on price is ingrained in many cultures, but Americans traditionally negotiate only on cars and houses. However, tough economic times have an affect on sellers as well as buyers. Businesses in home repair, car repair and even health care will forgo a few dollars to get your business.

Negotiating medical bills

When it comes to negotiating medical bills, doctors and hospitals do it all the time with insurance companies. As people lose their health insurance and are forced into lesser coverage, negotiating with patients is becoming more common. A procedure often has different rates based on whether Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance pays for it. Doctors and hospitals would much rather work with a patient than deal with a bill collector. Negotiate for a better deal directly with the doctor. Offer to pay quick cash up front. When the hospital gives a quote, make a counteroffer. It’s easy to find the going rate for medical procedures in different regions of the country online.

Negotiating auto repairs

Americans are accustomed to negotiating for a better deal with auto dealerships. So why not do the same with auto mechanics? Take a look at the auto repair estimate and ask if after market parts can be substituted for original equipment. Never give auto mechanics carte blanche. Some of the items on the estimate could be eliminated outright. Never ask questions such as “do I need a tune up” that may signal uncertainty about what repairs are required. If the car repairs aren’t an emergency, shop around for the best deal. Find an auto repair estimate database online. Always know exactly what kind of work will be done on your car before dropping it off.

Negotiating home repairs

Home repair contractors are notorious for including costly change orders that grossly inflate the original estimate. Get several bids, check references and wait until the home repair contract is signed before handing over any money. Include a budget for contingencies and unexpected problems. Each payment in the contract should rest upon a particular degree of progress made on the project. A sum equal to 15 percent of the total home repair contract should be held as a final payment that isn’t made until all the work is complete.

Sources

New York Times

Supermechanics.com

Suite 101

To find cheap airline tickets, plan ahead, buy early, check weekly airfare pricing trends and take advantage of technology. Image: lemoncat1/Flickr

To find cheap airline tickets, it’s best to study airfare pricing trends, do your homework and remain vigilant. Airlines offer a certain percentage of seats at a discount to fill planes, but they don’t want to make it too easy. Because airfares are in a constant state of flux, finding cheap airline tickets takes timing and a little bit of luck.

Finding the cheapest airfares is a challenge

Airlines can change ticket prices several times a day. To know when the cheapest airfares are available, it’s best to sign up for e-mail alerts on travel web sites that track constantly changing airfares. Some travel web sites also help you to stay informed about airfare pricing trends, fees and surcharges. The earlier you purchase airfares, the better. Having that flexibility expands your options, especially if you want to borrow money with a short term loan to take advantage of savings on a dream vacation. Airlines start marketing the cheapest airfares about four months ahead. Planning ahead also helps you identify trends to determine when the cheapest airfares are available.

Airfare pricing trends

When you can’t plan ahead, savvy travelers say the cheapest day to buy airline tickets is Wednesday. Airfare pricing typically goes through a one-week cycle. Most sales, in which seats can be discounted up to 25 percent, begin Monday night. A discount carrier such as AirTran will offer a deal, and its competitors will match the price. Airlines often try to bump up airfares across the board on Thursday night. Such behavior makes Wednesday from midnight to 1 a.m., in the time zone of the airline’s home base, a good time to buy. That’s when airlines dump reserved low-fare reservations that aren’t booked. Get online late at night to snap up these opportunities because they go fast.

Going, going, gone …

The weekly airfare cycle is a relic of the time when airlines advertised daily sales in the newspaper and travel agencies sold tickets Monday through Friday. Sales launched early in the week gave time for the word to get out. Sales launched at the end of the week didn’t get noticed. The pattern still holds, even though the Internet lets airlines sell their own fares and screaming deals can pop up in Twitter tweets on smartphones anytime. It won’t be long before airfare prices are unpredictable. Ultimately, to find the cheapest airfares, you need technology on your side.

Sources

MarketWatch

ABC News

Seeking Alpha

A new car loan could be cheaper than buying used thanks to 0 percent financing and a low inventory of used vehicles for sale. Image: CC madro21/Flickr

In an economy turned upside-down, a new car loan has become more affordable that buying used. Car buyer incentives from some automakers are so generous that conventional wisdom about car buying can be tossed out the window. Certain makes and models cost less per month new than the same vehicle driven for a year by a previous owner.

Free financing sends auto lending askew

Unless you’re paying quick cash, getting a loan for a new car could be smarter in many cases than buying used. Because interest rates remain extremely low in the aftermath of the recession, loan rates for new vehicles have imploded. According to Edmunds.com, the average rate for an auto loan was a mere 4.16 percent in December. Strangely enough, more than 15 percent of auto loans are virtually devoid of interest. General Motors, which is showing signs of life after a notorious government bailout, offers 0 percent financing on 50 percent of its auto loans. However, 0 percent financing isn’t for everyone. Strong credit is needed to qualify for such a sweet deal, to the tune of a FICO score of at least 650 and sometimes above 700.

How new cars can be cheaper than used cars

While average interest rates for new car loans are about 4 percent, rates for used cars are still about 8 percent. Plus, the price difference between used and new cars has also narrowed for a number of reasons. The “cash for clunkers” program in 2009 cleared the market of about 700,000 used cars. The financial crisis and credit crunch that hit new car sales so hard affected the amount of used cars being traded in. And some deals on new cars are so generous that a new vehicle is cheaper over the life of a five-year car loan that a one-year-old edition of an identical model.

Which new cars are cheaper than used cars?

To make a list of new cars that are cheaper than used cars, Edmunds.com compared the average used car interest rate of 7.7 percent with a 0 percent new car loan available for certain models. Auto loans were for five year terms, and other incentives were figured in. Some of the vehicles on the list include the Audi S4 Premium Plus Quattro Sedan, with a savings of $1,020; the Honda CR-V EX with a savings of $1,320; and the Toyota FJ Cruiser base model, also with a savings of $1,320.

Sources

MarketWatch

MoneyWatch

Edmunds.com

Learn how to plan a wedding on a budget the easy way. (Photo: SimonShaw/Flickr/CC-BY)

Preparing for the “Big Day” doesn’t have to be a painful, expensive ordeal. If you are open to creative ideas and concerned about saving money rather than spending it, you can easily plan a wedding on a small budget and have fun doing it. The following ideas will show you how to plan a wedding on a budget and still have a beautiful wedding and lifelong memories.

Plan a wedding on a budget and choose the right dress

If you need to plan a wedding on a small budget, consider one of the main highlights of a wedding: the wedding dress. You can save big money by shopping around and comparing prices. If you can’t find anything in your local walk-in stores, try looking online. There are many online stores that offer great deals on wedding gowns. There are even auction sites backed by former brides looking to make some extra cash or vendors looking to sell unused items that have been damaged or discontinued. So before you settle on a wedding dress, consider your options.

Cutting the guest list helps you plan a wedding on a budget

Do you really want people you don’t know showing up on your wedding day? If your answer is no, here’s an idea on what to do. First, put a list together of people you want to invite to your wedding, and don’t be afraid of skipping those you haven’t seen in years or ones you can’t stand to be with. If you plan on inviting 50 people, plan for 100 and let each person know they are allowed only one guest. Each time a name is added onto the list, you are adding more tension to your budget. So don’t worry about hurting anyone’s feeling — it’s your wedding, after all.

Off-season months are great for a small budget

Another great way to plan a wedding on a small budget is to plan a wedding during an off-season month, which will vary depending on your regional climate. For warm-weather states, off-season savings starts during summer and vice-versa for places with colder climates. Many wedding vendors are out hunting for business around this time of the year, and they will do almost anything to get it.

Anyone can plan Christmas on a budget. (Photo: untitled13/Flickr/CC BY-ND)

Families everywhere are looking for ways to celebrate Christmas on a budget. The economy has changed the nature of consumerism, as many hard-working individuals are still hurting and undergoing financial crisis. Nevertheless, celebrating Christmas on a budget doesn’t mean you have to cut down on quality. There are many things you can do to ease the financial burden and still enjoy the holidays without burning holes through your wallet.

Set a limit and plan Christmas on a budget

Celebrating Christmas on a budget requires some simple calculations. You need to know how much holiday cash you can afford to spend this year. Looking at your monthly income and expenses — such as food, utilities, rent, car payment, etc. — will help you determine the exact dollar amount for gifts and other holiday purchases. Once you know your limit, make sure to stick to it.

Do what Santa does and make a list

Have your list prepared at all times before any shopping trip. This will help you stay on track and avoid impulse buying. Write out all the names of people you plan on buying gifts for and assign one item to each name. Remember, you don’t always have to buy a gift for each person; you can get one gift for an entire group or family.

Christmas on a budget requires smart shopping

Don’t always settle on the first price you look up. Chances are, another retailer may have the same item up for sale, but at a lower price. Take the time to shop around for the best prices. Your Christmas budget will be thankful for it.

‘It’s the little things that count’

Another way to save money is to cut out any small holiday expense. Unless you find a really good deal, it’s best to wait until close to the last minute to get all the little miscellaneous things, such as gift wrapping paper. If you wait until the week before Christmas, you can usually get  wrapping paper for 50 to 70 percent or more off. So pay attention to the little things; they can help you plan a Christmas on a budget.

Find the best holiday websites for deals

If you want the best holiday deals this season, get the deal-hunters to do the dirty work for you. Dealnews.com, for instance, tracks more than 2,000 retailers online and updates the site at least 200 times a day with thousands of hand-picked holiday deals. Shoppers can also sign up for e-mail alerts and RSS feeds of products and stores you’re interested in. Another plus to the site is that it bans stores with poor customer service, so you know you always get the best deals with quality service.

Compare prices the fast way

If you already have an item in mind and want to know where to go to find the best prices, check out Pronto.com. It scours the Internet to create a price list of millions of products from more than 25,000 online merchants. You simply sign up for e-mail alerts that let you know when your favorite products go on sale. So, instead of driving to different brick-and-mortar stores to compare prices on the items you want, save time and holiday money right from the comfort of your home.

Free shipping websites

Shipping costs can add up quickly, and it can be a huge drawback when planning the holidays on a budget. However, with holiday websites like FreeShipping.org, you can get your hands on free-shipping coupons for more than 3,800 retailers. Another site to check out is freeshippingday.com, where merchants sign up to guarantee Christmas-Eve delivery for all items — for free. So grab your calendar and mark off Dec. 17 as Free Shipping Day 2010 and save even more this season.

Source

Yahoo! Shopping

Creating a holiday money-saving shopping list is easy. (Photo: Iain Farrell/Flickr/CC BY-ND)

‘Tis the season to shop. Everyone can agree that the holidays are definitely the best time to go out and save a bunch of money on items you’ve always wanted. However, it is also a time of hardship, as most people are either unemployed or wait until the last minute to put together a holiday money game plan. Nevertheless, there are many things you can do to save this season; all you really need is to stay focused, particularly on ways to save money.

Create a holiday money budget sheet

First things first, figure out how much holiday money you have by analyzing how much you can afford to spend. This means you will need to figure in your monthly expenses: rent, food, gas, utilities, etc. Once you come up with a reasonable dollar amount, make sure to stick to it. You may also want to budget in at least $50 over that limit for unexpected expenses.

Make a list and stick to it

Write down all the names of the people you plan to buy gifts for. Then, write out the things you plan on getting for each person on that list, and don’t go overboard or choose items you feel will never be used. What’s the point of spending money on something that will only collect dust?

Remember, you can skip buying individual gifts and get one item for an entire family or group.

Bargain shop with your holiday money

Once you have your list in place and know exactly what you want to buy, it’s time to go hunting. Go online and look for holiday saving deals; there are many holiday money saving opportunities available right at your fingertips. Comparison shopping is the most important thing you can do. You don’t want to settle on the first sweet offer only to beat yourself up later because you could have saved more money somewhere else. So take your time to shop, but start early in the season. The holiday money-saving opportunities won’t last long, so get your list started and begin budgeting now.

Find a good source of information

Finding a good source of information is the first step. If you don’t have the time to research the things you need yourself, then find someone who already knows what to look for and where to find them. Start working with them on ideas and new ways to cut your taxes. Having all your information in order and getting it in early gives you and your tax person extra time to come up with effective ways to save money. If you already have a tax preparer, but he or she does not discuss saving ideas with you, find a new one who will. Unfortunately, some tax preparers get confused and think they work for the IRS — the good ones remember that they work for you!

Resources online

There are many resources online that will help you investigate your options. You can even look them up in the comfort of your own home or office. If what you’re reading confuses you, dig deeper to find another source. Someone else may have the same information but in a more user-friendly format. Knowing ahead of time that there are ways to save money on your taxes will help you persevere until you find the right opportunity for you.

Business taxes

Big corporations hire full time attorneys, and doing taxes is generally their only job. They watch the income and suggest new ways to help the big companies save money on taxes. Many people assume that individuals don’t have the same options and end up using payday loans online, instead. But whether you find yourself a knowledgeable person or do the research yourself, getting ready now to do your taxes can help keep more money in your own pocket, rather than flying out the window unnecessarily, straight into the pocket of the IRS.

(Photo: MissMessie/Flickr/CC BY-SA)

Coupons are everywhere now. Almost all retail businesses use coupons to entice new customers. You can save a lot of money on almost anything and prevent the need for a payday loan just by using coupons. Even if you feel you don’t really need to save money, you can use coupons to start a fund for your favorite charity. Everything you save from coupons will be much appreciated by food banks, Toys for Tots foundations and many other organizations in need of donations.

Saving money with coupons

Coupons are easy to find. Type “coupons” into your web browser and click search. Your local newspaper’s website should have them, as well. There are multiple websites now that are offering thousands of coupons ready for you to take advantage of. They can be very substantial, too, such as the 50 percent off fabric store coupon at JoAnn Fabrics and free shipping coupons at Cabela’s. Many of them have Internet codes that let you get a discount right off your online order. Next time you go shopping, take a minute to look up coupons for the store you’re buying from or perhaps on a particular item you’re looking for. You never know what you might find.

Double your coupon value

The local papers also put out coupons for everyone. Sometimes, you can even find “double coupon” savings. This is when you really want to take advantage of those small coupons, as you could double your savings easily. There are folks who buy all their household items with coupons. A program once documented a woman buying $125 worth of groceries for only 25 cents! Who needs a payday loan or cash advance loan at this rate?  To think you could save yourself that much or benefit your favorite charity that easily.

Begin slowly by simply looking for coupons. Start collecting them and pay heed to discounts offered online. Then, when you do go shopping, you will already have your own collection to use.

These are the repossessed homes that banks no longer want to sit on. Banks are more than willing to work with you in any way possible to sell off the home. It’s smart business, if you ask me, and it is all to your advantage if you don’t have a home of your own.

Banks, mortgage lenders and Realtors

The best part about it is that it doesn’t cost anything to look into this amazing opportunity. Why not shop around? With interest rates as low as 4.25 percent, you just might score an amazing deal. It can be fun, too, rather than an emotional, upsetting adventure. There are plenty of horror stories out there about banks not performing well and Realtors who are only hungry for their commissions. However, all banks, mortgage lenders and Realtors are not created equal. You won’t find the good ones if you believe they are all bad.

Finding the right people

To find the right personal loan mortgage lender, ask around and don’t believe everything negative someone tells you. My friend (the Realtor) found a guy who can almost always get a loan done in a very short period of time. Now, is that because he is cheating or dishonest? Not at all. He just knows his business and only gets paid if he processes an approved loan. On the other hand, those working at banks may be paid on salary and won’t really care how long it takes to get you approved. Ask, and keep asking until you find that one lender that’s fast, efficient and professional.

It is to your advantage

It might take you a little while to find the right people; stay calm and be patient. What happens, typically, is we get excited about buying a house and jump on the first available opportunity, then get dragged through the mud, only to swear we won’t do it again. Just take the time to find the right lender. Make it an adventure and remember, you can always apply for a payday loan or a cash advance loan to help you along the process.

You may need some of these during your back-to-school shopping. (Photo Credit: CC BY/Chris Metcalf/Flickr)

The recession continues to hit American families hard, leaving them in need of money to meet recurring expenses. Even the cost of putting children through public schools becomes an issue when supplies and other back to school shopping items are considered. However, families with young children and a need for quick cash in North Carolina will catch a break this weekend: it’s tax free weekend NC 2010.

Tax free weekend NC 2010 runs today, August 6 through Sunday, August 8

Families hoping for cash quick have reason to cheer on tax free weekend NC 2010. Individual school supply items may not be expensive, but an entire list of must-haves for the first day of school can quickly add up. Not having to pay sales tax can make a big difference for financially disadvantaged families. The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that many retailers are getting in the spirit and running sales on school items to help even more.

Pencils, paper, notebooks and more will fly off the shelves. Nicole Lawrence, operations supervisor of an Office Max in Buncombe County, North Carolina told the Citizen-Times that “It’s insanity around here. Tax-free weekend is busier than Black Friday for us. It’s that way for most office supply stores.”

Helpful strategies for back-to-school shopping

Consider going to retailers that sell more than just school supplies. Places that sell clothing, sporting goods and other tax-free items could make for a more efficient shopping trip. Remember, less driving means less gasoline consumed. Before leaving, check newspaper and online ads for sales, and do some comparison shopping. If you need a popular item that’s on sale, don’t wait to leave for the store. Perhaps most importantly, be patient. Stores will be busy, and good will is always appreciated.

For those who need extra help

Families who need more financial assistance than North Carolina’s tax-free weekend can provide may be in luck. Such programs as Eblen Kimmel Charities’ “Tools for Schools” program provides some school supplies for families in need, Communications Director Jan Blunt of Buncombe County Schools told the Citizen-Times. The child’s Social Security number and grade level will be necessary for families to participate. Supplies can be picked up at Eblen Kimmel’s main office at 50 Westgate Parkway on Aug. 16. Those who would like to donate new, unopened school supplies for the giveaway are encouraged to do so on Wednesday, Aug. 11 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Ingles market on Tunnel Road.

Sources:

Asheville Citizen-Times

Eblen Kimmel Charities

Ingles Markets

Tax-free back-to-school shopping tips from the BBB