Money for nothing

In these difficult economic times, the average American family is forced to live paycheck to paycheck — if they are lucky enough to have jobs at all. When the U.S. government bailed out Wall Street, the major banks got huge cash infusions. Since then, major banks like Chase and Bank of America have been reporting record-breaking profits.

Is this because they are making profitable loans to consumers and businesses, earning money the way banks traditionally do? No. In fact, banks’ lending levels are the lowest they have been in more than a decade. What is the secret to their record profits? Fee revenue, or as we all call it: Overdraft Fees.

NSF fees are costing Americans billions

According to the Washington Post, consumers paid a stunning $23.7 Billion dollars in overdraft fees in 2008, and that number is expected to rise dramatically in 2009. An estimated 51 million Americans have been forced to pay at least one overdraft fee in the past year at an average of $35 each.

Ouch. These fees are making cash-strapped families hurt even more. What is worse, banks used to have more forgiving policies regarding overdrafts, but now some only allow one overdraft fee per year to be removed.

Congress is regulating overdraft fees

Congress is considering overhauling the laws that govern overdraft fees, but it could be years before those laws go into effect. Yet, many Americans have discovered a secret method for preventing overdraft fees and saving money, while being able to cover their daily expenses until their next paycheck. What is the secret? Online payday loans.

Borrow money through your computer

Most Americans loathe the idea of getting a payday loan from a cash advance store in a strip mall. People are embarrassed to admit they are having financial difficulties, and frankly being seen at a payday loan store could be a huge social stigma.

Thankfully, the internet has revolutionized the way people can borrow money when they need it. You can receive up to $1,500 in two hours or less, and have the money deposited directly into your checking account. You don’t need good credit to qualify for these loans, and you don’t even need a fax machine!

The true cost of overdraft fees

Look at the math. Say you were getting paid on Friday, but your bank account came up just $3 short on Thursday. One single overdraft fee would cost you $35, creating an effective annual interest rate of 260,245 percent! As most people know, having just one overdraft fee is rare when your account balance is low. If you just buy gas, go to the grocery store, pay for child care, and pay your electric bill the day before payday, you could owe $140 in overdraft fees and in reality be paying more than 1 million percent interest!

Payday Loans help you save

Online payday loans just make financial sense. If it cost you $15 to borrow $100, and it saved you $140 in overdraft fees, its like putting $125 in your pocket. The key to saving money on payday loans is to make sure to pay them back quickly, as the fees can get expensive over time. If you don’t have the money to pay the loan back within then next two weeks, consider an installment loan, which offers a more affordable payment plan.

Your secret to beating the banks

Your banker will tell you that payday loans are dangerous and expensive. What they don’t want you to know is that they are making a killing on overdraft fees, and wouldn’t want that money to go away. Do your own homework, and you’ll find out that banks are profiting billions while America suffers. Take matters into your own hands and get an instant cash advance today.

If you need an instant cash advance, APPLY HERE

(Photo via Bensonkua, Flickr.com)

Black Friday has been the top trend for the past several weeks. Everyone is itching to find great deals offering for Black Friday 2009. Black Friday, which lands on the day after Thanksgiving Day, unofficially kicks off the holiday shopping season. And boy, things are looking hot, hot, hot.

Dirt Cheap Target Appliances

Who needs payday loans when you can get $3 Target appliances? Apparently, according to rumors, Target’s $3 appliances will include toasters, coffee makers, sandwich makers and slow cookers to name a few. And we’re not talking low-quality products. $3 Target appliances are made by Chefmate. Target will also give away a $10 gift certificate for every Benjamin you spend between 5 a.m. and noon. My question is what the heck is Target thinking? Don’t they know this could possibly start a war?

More Black Friday Deals at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Black Friday ads is particularly causing excitement because of their hot Black Friday special on Blackberry phones. Wal-Mart is offering a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase with a 2-year contract. Fortunately, buyers will not have to deal with just one cell phone carrier. Wal-Mart has teamed up with all four major cell phone carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. Even better, you don’t have to wait till Black Friday to take advantage of Wal-Mart’s Black Friday offerings. Items from Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 will hit store shelves on Saturday November 14.

Best Buy: Making the Best of Black Friday 2009

Best Buy, one of America’s favorite retailers for consumer electronics, is also catching headlines with their extensive Black Friday ads this year. From what it looks like, you probably won’t need payday loans to make the best buys. They have cell phones, kitchen stuff, household appliances, television, computers, digital cameras, video games, movies, and more – all with incredible markdown prices!

For instance, you can get an Insignia Blu-ray Disc Player for less than 100 bucks. What about a Magellan SE4 GPS? With this GPS device you can easily locate interesting destinations in all the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The Magellan SE4 GPS is going for only $119.99 at Best Buy. That’s a $60 saving on just one item! Check out Best Buy’s Black Friday ads for more offerings.

Don’t Forget To Plan and Budget!

With all these offerings available during this time of the year, more people are feeling the urge to spend. Of course, Black Friday is the best time to spend and save money along the way. Your urge to spend, however, can still leave you in need of financial help if you’re not careful. So don’t forget to plan and budget for all your holiday needs.

(Photo imuttoo, Flickr.com)

Best Buy Black Friday ads can now be found online and it’s definitely causing hype. How would you like an Insignia Blu-ray Disc Player for less than a $100? What about a Dynex 19″ 720p LCD HDTV for less than a $150? Save your drools, however, because things are about to heat up ever more.

Best Buy is tackling Black Friday with their hottest Black Friday deals from Kitchen & Housewares to automotive and home theater appliances. With Best Buy’s great Black Friday offerings, you probably won’t need payday loans after all to make ends meet during the busy holiday season.

Best Buy Black Friday Ads 2009

According to BlackFriday.info, you can find great Best Buy Black Friday deals throughout the whole store. For instance, if you happen to need a new phone, check out these Black Friday cell phone deals at Best Buy.

AT&T Sony Ericsson W518a – Free w/2 Year Contract *

BoostMobile Motorola Clutch i465 – $59.99 eBay

DLO Jam Jacket For iPhone – $9.99

Jabra BT-2080 Bluetooth Headset – $19.99

LG Chocolate Touch From Verizon w/Two Year Activation – $0.00 *

MiFi 2200 By Novatel Wireless w/Two Year Activation – $0.00

What about a new television set? I know the hubby would love a bigger screen at home, right in time for the 2010 Super Bowl bash.

Dynex 19″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L19-10A) – $149.99

Dynex 32″ 720p LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L321-10A) – $299.99 *

Dynex 40″ 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Model # DX-L40-10A) – $499.99

Insignia 42″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV (Model # NS-L42Q120-10A) – $699.99 *

LG 32″ 1080p LCD HDTV (Model # 32LH30-UA) – $439.99

Who needs payday loans at this rate? You can get the extended list for Best Buy Black Friday Ads 2009 here.

Go beyond Black Friday Ads and save money!

If you want to save money take advantage of all the special offerings for Black Friday 2009. But if you want to save more money, do your own research. You can find other great deals than just Best Buy Black Friday Ads. Major retailers like Wal-Mart, Sears and Target are doing their best to attract more customers during this time of the year when people are searching for the best places to spend their money for the holiday festivities.

Keep in mind, however, that just because it’s a Black Friday offering doesn’t mean it’s the best deal out there. Make a list of things to buy, search for Black Friday deals from various retailers, and compare prices. You’d be surprised with how much more money you can save just by doing a little research.

Image from Flickr.

Black Friday. I understand why people head to the stores in droves when retailers advertise great in-store deals for Black Friday. What I don’t understand is why stores do this, especially in the case of Target’s $3 appliances, which are being publicized in the Target Black Friday ad.

Target $3 appliances, rumor has it, include toasters, coffee makers, sandwich makers and slow cookers to name  a few. Furthermore, I read that the $3 Target appliances are made by Chefmate, so they’re not low quality. With deals like this, taking out cheap payday loans to be able to take advantage of Black Friday sales might end up saving you money. Unfortunately it appears you must go to a Target store and deal with the craziness to take advantage of the sale; you can’t buy Target $3 appliances on the Internet.

More deals in Target Black Friday ad

Besides Target $3 appliances, the Target Black Friday ad also says it will give a $10 gift certificate for every $100 you spend between 5 a.m. (5 a.m.!?) and noon. There will be toys and board games on sale for $10. Some clothing will be marked down to 50 percent off.

There are also deals on more expensive things, such as a GPS and a couple of high-definition televisions. Though these items are in the $90 to $500 range, they are deeply discounted from their regular prices.

A Black Friday mystery

As several other members of the blogosphere have pointed out, Target $3 appliances are not going to make the store any money. As far as I can tell, the only thing  Target$3 appliances will do is create total mayhem in Target stores. So my question is, why do stores to this to themselves on Black Friday?

Target no doubt is hoping people will come in for the $3 appliances and buy stuff that the store will actually profit from. But for the life of me I can’t understand why stores create these scenarios where there will be total chaos for a few hours or a day. Why make Black Friday a circus? Why not stretch the sale out?

I’ll be home for Christmas shopping

I thought the Internet would end the Black Friday mayhem as people found online sales and took solace in the fact that they could shop from the quiet comfort of their own homes. It appears that stores like Target are making sure people have to come into the stores and deal with the madness of Black Friday.

But the store has to deal with the Black Friday madness, too. Are retailers really making so much money on Black Friday that they are inclined to keep doing this to themselves year after year? I am aware that Black Friday is a huge money-making day for stores, hence the name, but I wonder what would happen if they just let the sales go on for a little longer so every bargain hunter doesn’t converge on the store at the same time.

(Photo: Wikimedia.org)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Start your holiday savings now! It’s the perfect time to start your holiday shopping budget (if you have not yet already) and take advantage of hot deals offerings for Black Friday 2009. Tons of Black Friday Ads have leaked on the internet like Wal-Mart Black Friday ads 2009. Although many major retailers have not yet officially released details of their 2009 Black Friday ads it’s obviously getting a lot of people excited. I mean, what’s better than saving money during the holidays?

Before you can settle on any item, however, you must first search and compare different offerings in order to uncover the best Black Friday deals. Like I said earlier, Black Friday Ads 2009 can easily be found on the internet. So avoid the last minute need of a payday loan and start researching!

Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 – Blackberries Galore!

Get a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase! (Photo via Honou, Flickr.com)

Wal-Mart is not only great for the holidays; it’s the place to go to save money all year long. Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 have also leaked online and you won’t have to wait till the day after Thanksgiving to get a Black Friday deal. Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 will fall in effect this Saturday November 14.

Among the best holiday discounts put forth by the world’s largest retail store, Wal-Mart’s Blackberry deals are getting the most attention this year. Wal-Mart is offering a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase with a 2-year contract. Much like Personal Money Store, a place that works through a wide network of lenders to eliminate the traditional hassles of getting a payday loan, consumers will not be limited to one cell phone carrier. You can choose a BlackBerry phone from all four major carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Comparing Wal-Mart Blackberry Deals

Okay, so you get a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase. Sounds good. But as a smart shopper, I can’t help but wonder how much money I will actually be saving with Wal-Mart’s Blackberry deal.

Well, according to several news sources, it’s a pretty sweet deal. Here are a few examples from I4U News:

AT&T BlackBerry Bold 9000 Price: $78.88
The BlackBerry Bold 9000 sells on AT&T for $199.99 after $100 mail-in rebate. Amazon charges $39.99 for the AT&T BlackBerry Bold, which is $38.89 less than Walmart charges for it. Overall with the $100 gift card you only save $61.11 on the Bold. On LetsTalk the AT&T Bold is even free with contract reducing the potential savings to $21.12.

—-

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520 Price: $28.88
The Curve 8520 sells on T-Mobile for $129.99. On Amazon you only pay 1c and the activation fee of $35 is currently waived. With the $100 gift card deal you save here $71.12. If Walmart charges an activation fee you have only saved $36.12.

Who needs a payday loan at this rate?

Wal-Mart Wireless on High Demand

People go to Wal-Mart for one thing: To save money. At Wal-Mart, you can find everything from the cradle to the grave… literally. Wal-Mart is now offering cheap caskets online in case you didn’t know. It’s clear, however, that Wal-Mart wireless is what’s causing the hype this year. They’re sweet phones with sweet prices. Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009, however, highlights a lot more than just Blackberries. So start researching for the hottest Black Friday 2009 deals for all your holiday needs.

Image from Flickr.

Rent the Runway, a web site that uses the Netflix mail-order model, would have been a good idea even when the economy wasn’t bad. However, it appears Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Carter Fleiss, the site’s creators, are destined for guaranteed success during a time when everyone is trying to save money.

Rent the Runway is a service that allows women to rent super-expensive, haute couture dresses for between $50 and $200 for a four-night rental. So in and emergency, someone could get a small short term loan and be able to show up for a function in red-carpet-worthy attire. Purchase prices on the dresses range from $500, to “seriously?!”

Understanding fashionistas

I’m the type of person who would pay $50 for a dress that I could keep and wear several times. But I watch “Project Runway.” I know that for some people, fashion and wearing clothes created by Diane Von Furstenberg and Catherine Malandrino is of utmost importance.

Furthermore, fashionistas also believe it is crucial to wear a different super-expensive dress to every function. However, many fashionistas have had to resign themselves to the fact that spending $3,000 on a dress every time an invitation shows up in the mail just isn’t feasible. As you probably know, this is a huge group of people, and they will be all over the Rent the Runway service.

Most successful startup ever?

Rent the Runway has several things going for it. There’s the fact that many women already spend thousands of dollars on dresses they wear only once. The recession means more women are trying to find ways to save money, and Rent the Runway is a perfect way for them to continue their high-fashion, low-usage habits without spending so much money.

Furthermore, Rent the Runway means women who have only dreamed of being able to afford haute couture will have access to it. I don’t know whose idea it was to run a feature on Rent the Runway in the New York Times right at the start of the holiday season, but that move might bring this startup company more business than it can even handle.

Rent the Runway challenges

Of course, the No. 2 rule of being a fashionista, after wearing a dress only once, is that you must never wear last season’s dress. So Rent the Runway will have to make sure it always has the lastest fashions. Because Rent the Runway buys its merchandise, this will be an expensive venture. However, because of the convenient rent-by-mail model and the huge customer base, this shouldn’t be a problem. Or at least it wouldn’t, except…

Right now, Rent the Runway is a by-invitation-only service. If you go to RenttheRunway.com, it says “Sign up here to be added to Rent the Runway’s wait list.” This move is geared toward making the service appear more exclusive and maintaining its value. However, I think this is a terrible business decision.

Why nix the invitation requirement?

Women who think renting a dress is tacky (i.e. really rich women) won’t use Rent the Runway regardless. The invitation requirement only will keep women who want to use the service from being able to; it will not encourage women who are concerned about exclusivity to use it.

Perhaps the invitation/wait list business is meant to keep orders under control so that Rent the Runway can handle them. After all, if a customer doesn’t get her dress on time, disaster ensues. However, Rent the Runway could not only do more business, it could give people jobs if its service gets too popular. I have two suggestions for Rent the Runway:

1. Get rid of this invitation and wait list business and let your service grow and serve as many women who want to use it.
2. Figure out a way for people to catalogue the even they’ll be wearing their dress to, so women can check to see if anyone else has ordered the same dress they want to wear. After all, we all know Fashionista Rule No. 3.

When did fall get here? Image from Flickr.

Even those of us who like to live in denial every year — wearing flip flops well into October, even in northern states — must now admit that fall has officially set in, and winter is well on its way.

The cold months cause many people to stay at home more, which is not great news on the exercise front, but it is good news on a money-saving front. People are less inclined to go out for meals when it’s cold outside. They also spend less money on other entertainment that requires them to leave the house. Of course, this could be because of the ever-steepening costs of celebrating various religious events, but nonetheless, winter is a great time for frugality.

So, in order to make the best of the cold and the aversion to the outdoors and avoid needing credit counseling, here are some great fall recipes for a three-course meal that will warm you right up.

Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

Ingredients (4 servings)

1 tsp butter
1 TB all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable stock
29 ounces canned pumpkin puree
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
3/4 cup half-and-half
1 TB sofrito
1-1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika

Directions

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook until it turns golden brown. It should take about three minutes. Whisk in the vegetable stock. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Whisk in the pumpkin puree until smooth. Add chipotle peppers, half-and-half, sofrito, Worcestershire sauce, salt and paprika. Return to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until thickened and hot (about eight minutes).

Black Bean and Butternut Burritos

Ingredients (4 servings)

1/2 TB oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 tsp cumin
dash cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup cooked black beans, drained
4 tortillas
3/4 cups grated cheese
sour cream
cilantro
salsa

Preheat oven to 350. Heat oil in a large skillet, and saute the onion until tender. Add squash. Cover and cook over medium heat until tender. Mix in cumin, cinnamon, and salt and add beans. Cover, and heat through.
Fill each tortilla with mixture and cheese, and roll up. Place seam-side down in a greased 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa and cilantro.

Country Apple Dumplings

Ingredients (8 servings)
You’ll want seconds!

• 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
• 2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 12 ounces Mountain Dew

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350.  Cut each apple into eight wedges. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough, starting at the small end. Pinch to seal; place in greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour mixture over the dumplings, then pour the Mountain Dew over the dumplings. Bake 35 to 45 minutes (until golden brown).

Image from flickr

Although many people are not aware of it, the medical industry is one of the few American industries where negotiating the price is not only acceptable, but common. The reason many uninsured or underinsured people are quoted higher prices than insured individuals is because the price for many services has already been negotiated down by the insurance companies and HMOs. However, this practice is not limited to major institutions. Individuals can — and do — negotiate the price for particular services on a regular basis and this can result in significant savings.

Negotiating can save you up to 60 percent

According to Consumer Reports, only about thirty percent of Americans even try to negotiate with medical care providers; however, of those who try, 93 percent are successful at least once. The average savings are between thirty and sixty percent of the original amount owed, though there are many stories of people saving as much as ninety percent through effective negotiation. There are no guarantees that negotiation will get you a discount, but experience shows that most people who make the effort are successful to some extent.

Step One: Negotiate in advance

The first step to negotiating medical expenses is to negotiate terms in advance for planned medical visits and examinations. Due to problems with delayed payment, many medical service providers offer “prompt pay” discounts that can reduce your medical bill by as much as ten to twenty percent. These discounts are usually reserved for those who are able to pay for planned medical services at the time of the visit. However, many providers will also offer a prompt pay discount to those who are able to make large, although partial, payments on the spot.

Step Two: Talk to the CFO

The next step is to speak with the provider’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) after you have received your bills. More often than not, just asking the CFO for a discount will get results. However, to do this effectively you have to know what is reasonable from the provider’s point of view. For this reason, you should know the average cost in your area for the services provided and you should ask for a price in that range. You can find out what the normal charge for various services is by looking at websites like Healthcarebluebook.com and many insurance company sites.

Step Three: Discuss payment options with the billing department

If you get a discount from the provider’s CFO, you probably will not be able to negotiate further discounts from the billing department. However, you may be able to negotiate an interest-free payment plan. The interest that accrues on medical expenses paid over time can be significant. Negotiating a payment plan that does not include interest will greatly reduce the amount you ultimately pay.

You have nothing to lose and much to gain

Contrary to the impressions of many people, most medical service providers are willing to negotiate and rarely expect everyone to pay every cent originally charged. In fact, many providers specifically budget for a lower repayment than they initially bill. For the consumer, there really is nothing to lose by trying to negotiate discounts and reasonable repayment terms. The worst case scenario is that the provider will refuse to grant a discount. But negotiating is worth the effort. As Consumer Reports has documented, 93 percent of those who try do in fact get a discount.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25103209@N06/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

I am so looking forward to Black Friday 2009. I’ve been waiting all year for this day to come and boy, with all the hot deals I’ve discovered, I’m afraid I might need an installment loan if I don’t reach my Black Friday budget goal.

One major retailer, however, is already buzzing with hot deals. Just to give you a head ups, Sears Black Friday ads for 2009 have already leaked online. Starting Oct. 31, and every Saturday after that up until Christmas, Sears will kick off Black Friday deals with layaway options making the traditional act of giving a lot easier and affordable. From electronics to housewares to jewelry and apparel, you can find an incredible selection of goods with hot deals for all of your holiday needs.

Sears Black Friday Now Event

Here is a small sample of Sears “Black Friday Now” deals for Saturday, Oct. 31:

• 50 percent off (save $200) Craftsman® 302-piece mechanic’s tool sets
• $79.99 (reg. $259.99) 3/8 ct. diamond stud earrings
• $174.19 (reg. $259.99) 7 1/2 ft. Wakefield Christmas tree with 700 Never Out(TM) clear or multi lights
• 50 percent off all DieHard workboots (reg. $75.00) and $19.99 (reg. $39.99) on all Covington low-shaft boots
• $399.99 closeout (reg. $699.99) ProForma XP elliptical 16-in stride length

If you think that’s not good enough, check out the extended list of hot deals for Sears Black Friday Now event here.

What is “Black Friday Now”

According Reuters, “Black Friday Now” was created after a hard wave of customer demand for day-after Thanksgiving doorbuster values came crashing in earlier in the season. Consumers who would much rather avoid the 4 a.m. morning rush right after Thanksgiving Day can take advantage of the Black Friday Now deals on each of the five consecutive Saturdays through Thanksgiving. Wow… on second note, I doubt I’ll need an installment loan with this type of offering at hand.

A membership at a warehouse store can save money. Image from Flickr.

Consumers are still searching hard for debt relief in today’s economy. Although there are some signs that the recession is coming to an end, many people are still wary of returning to old spending habits and are looking for ways to cut back. Many normal daily activities were put on hold or cut out of budgets in an effort to increase income. But there are some things that cannot be put off and are actually worth their cost in the long run. Here are some things you shouldn’t cut out of your budget:

• Having a furnace checkup annually is not something to scrimp on. Many consumers have put off household fixes, but this is one that shouldn’t be put off. In the end the cost of the checkup will pay for itself with lower utility bills. In addition, faulty equipment can cause fires or create fumes that are toxic to families. It’s also a great way to avoid emergency fixes if consumers periodically have their furnace checked. A good tech can avert bigger problems down the road.
• Hiring a professional to draw up a will is another expense that needs to occur. Regardless of the economy, some things need to be settled. Consumers’ after-life wishes are one of them. People can find lawyers who charge reasonable fees to settle complex estates and the fee will be well short of an expensive legal battle later on. A good lawyer can spell out exactly what your wishes are and create a rock-solid plan that will stand up to any probate court, beneficiaries or those who are left out of the planning.
• Another added expense that is worth it in the end is joining a warehouse club. Warehouse clubs can provide great money-saving deals on staple items. Eggs, butter, milk, cheese, pop and bread can all be purchased at notable discounts. Also, larger items like furniture and electronics normally come with even bigger savings. The average warehouse club strives for margins of 11 to 15 percent, as opposed to supermarkets, where they need a margin of 25 to 30 percent to survive. These are great places to find some debt relief because most consumers shop on a weekly basis, and cutting back on each trip can add up to big savings. The only caveat here is to purchase wisely. Consumers need to buy only what they will use. Throwing food away isn’t saving anything.
• Renter’s insurance is another positive expense. Consumers need to be aware of the unknown and if disaster strikes, a renter’s insurance policy can save them from having to replace everything. Fire, flood or other disasters can happen and protecting themselves with a $150-$250 a year policy is the best way for consumers to prepare.

These are all items that are worth the cost in the end and consumers shouldn’t be quick to cut them out of their budgets.

Saving money

Although in today’s tough recession everyone wants to save money, there are some items that should be looked at as necessities. Consumers need to find debt relief in other areas, while still protecting themselves from disasters. One of the best ways is to realistically think about an expense. If the savings in the long run outweighs the expense to maintain the item now, then they should include the expense in their budgets.

Help your employees be more efficient.

A business owner understands and accepts the responsibility of effecting change for the good of her or his business. It’s part of the nature of running a business.

Needless to say, you cannot effect change without compromising on something. However, there are ways to be more effective and increase your profits without demoralizing your staff and being apparent to your clients. Start by cutting down on unnecessary in-house expenses.

Start With Office Procedures

If your business has been operational for several years, the tendency is for certain standard operating procedures (SOPs) to get complicated. You need to review your operations from the bottom up and trim the unnecessary steps.

For instance, when a job order comes in, how many people does it take to process the order? Sometimes, shifting manpower around can help without making a dent on the finished product or service. In the process, you avoid spending more than you should.

Strive For Business Process Excellence (BPE)

Be open to adopting new measures for optimum productivity in your employees. The point of doing this is to lessen red tape. Take the example of an incoming order. How many forms are needed to process the order? If you have to set up a new account, how much paperwork is involved? How detailed are your forms, and can they be incorporated into one form instead?

BPE is an ongoing process. It isn’t just overhauling your SOPs once, but constantly reviewing them. It starts with the right documentation. Do you have an existing office manual? Update this and implement it. Schedule quarterly reviews with your officers. Require them to submit a report on the effectiveness of their respective area of responsibility.

The last step in BPE is automating your office. As the owner, and with the right software, you can keep tabs on everything that goes on in the office. If you are using different software, you might want to consider consolidating them. This will allow you to have data when you need it. This can provide employees with answers without having to leave their desks, and a faster response time with clients. Ergo, your customer service will improve, and you start building loyalty among your clientele.

Get Your Employees Involved

Effecting changes without discussing them with your employees will not be effective. This is because you need their support to get the business back on track. In fact, feedback from your staff will be very valuable. If you are in manufacturing, members of your production department can suggest positive change towards improving productivity; frontliners can come up with better ways of dealing with walk-in customers; and your accounting department might have a few good ideas about collection and approving credit terms for new clients.

Think Out Of The Box

The internet is a powerful marketing tool. It has widened the spectrum of clients for all businesses worldwide. Today, you don’t have to limit your marketing to your community, city, state, or even country. You need to start thinking globally.

You can even consider outsourcing. It is quite possible that you can subcontract some of the work. This will help cut down cost on utility bills, manpower, and resources. The advantage of outsourcing is that you can reject work done if you are not happy with it. With a regular employee, whether he does the job well or not, he will get paid for his time. It isn’t the same with outsourcing. You have the option of not paying for substandard work.

Cost Cutting Starts With You

As the business owner, you need to set the tone. Unless you practice cost cutting yourself, you can hardly expect your employees to willingly accept changes.

Get instant payday loans without leaving the house

I was chatting online with my friend one day, and he wrote, “OMG, I almost overdrew my bank account!” So I asked him what he did to avoid it, and he wrote “Yay for short term loanz!” (That’s how he spells it; he considers himself quite the comedian.) I asked him how he got his short term loan, and he told me he had gone to a local payday loan store.

“Didn’t you know you can get instant payday loans online?’ I wrote. He replied that he knew he could get a payday loan online, but he thought he’d have to wait to get his money, and he needed cash right then. “You needed it in less than two hours?” I asked. “Well … no,” he wrote.

Same money, less hassle

I told him that if he had applied for an instant payday loan at Personal Money Store, he would have had money deposited directly into his bank account in as little as two hours, he was surprised. When he thought about the time he’d spent going to the payday loan store and then going to his bank to deposit it, only to go home and pay bills online, he agreed that he’d have saved himself a lot of time and effort by getting a payday loan online.

Furthermore, he told me how much the lender’s fees were at the payday loan store, and they’re the same or even more than lender’s fees available online! I was glad we had that talk, and so was he. Next time he can save himself some hassle, some time and maybe even more money than he saved in the first place. He’d gotten a payday loan so he wouldn’t overdraw his bank account, so he ended up paying $17 rather than the $35-per-transaction bank overdraft fee.

If you need an instant payday loan, APPLY ONLINE for a hassle-free loan.

If you're considering mortgage loan modification, do your research and see if it's right for you first. (Photo: photos.com)

Some consumers are looking for a mortgage loan modification now that the recession seems to be stabilizing. In the midst of the lending crash, many banks were closing their doors to even the highest-credit-scoring customers. Now that there seems to be some leveling off of the problems, consumers are trying again to procure modifications. Larry Flauter of Flauter Realty in Tampa, stated, “Now is a great time to get back into seeking modifications because prices are still low, so deals are still out there and there are safeguards built into the system.” Banks are once again moving toward underwriting, but this time with moderate interest rates and requirements. Thus, modifications are available to a wider variety of consumers. There are some things to watch out for during the process, however. Here are a few of which you should be aware.

Unlicensed Lenders

One major problem before the recession, and growing once again, is an explosion of unlicensed lenders. Almost everyone who has ever looked for a mortgage product has probably come in contact with a few. Because of the real estate bubble’s burst, many unscrupulous lenders lost their licenses. This was due to creating fraudulent paperwork or failing to disclose fees. Unfortunately, these lenders have returned with a vengeance to the real estate world. Many are now underwriting FHA-insured mortgages. For FHA-approval, they merely change their names and are able to register as a new lender. Dani Babb, founder of The Babb Group, stated, “The government doesn’t have time or manpower to track down these fraudulent lenders, so preventing borrowers from being lured into [these] mortgages will be difficult.”

Second Mortgages

Some consumers are looking for second mortgages to help them with homeownership. Although this may be helpful on the surface, they should be careful. This is a practice that occurs when homeowners need extra upfront cash. They use the extra money to pay off bills, to handle home repairs or buy necessary big-ticket items. Although there is an immediate payback, there are some long-term repercussions. These loans have substantially higher interest rates, sometimes as high as 25 percent. If consumers take a step back and look at the situation, it may be clearer. They are setting themselves up for one loan payment that is carrying the bulk of their loan. Then they’ll have another loan payment that is probably close to the first due to interest. The problem is that most consumers aren’t prepared financially or mentally to make two payments for the next few decades. If anything happens with their employment status or a disaster, they could be setting themselves up for financial ruin. It would be a better idea to put off their mortgage loan modification and save money with a second job or cut-backs. Second mortgages are almost always a bad financial idea.

Quick Claim Deed

If payments are completely unmanageable, some consumers are trying to avoid foreclosure by handing over ownership of properties with quick claim deeds. In this situation, a relative or friend agrees to make the mortgage payments until the owner can sell the home. Prospective sellers need to be careful with these types of transactions. There are some types of loans that will not sustain this type of purchase. The problem is that some government-backed loans don’t allow buyers to purchase homes that haven’t been owned by the same person for 90 days or less. A seller could find their perfect buyer, but in the end they may be unable to take the property due to restrictions on their loan agreement. The buyer not only is unable to make the purchase, but they also lose the loan.

Mortgages – A Pledge Until Death

Mortgages can be difficult to handle and mortgage loan modification plans can be equally as strenuous. Consumers need to be sure they understand the requirements for their loan, the changes they want and the changes they are being offered before they sign. Taking extra precautions will pay off in the long run.

Image from wikimedia.

How often do we look on packages at the grocery store and check out what the serving sizes are? It’s clear as day what are the recommended portions, yet we tend to eat much more than that.

Get in the habit of measuring every meal by its serving size, and you could save on your grocery bill and avoid using credit cards.

Buy In Bulk? What For?

Often we are told to buy in bulk for savings. It makes sense to do so with household items such as toilet paper, boxes of Kleenex, or paper towels.

However, food shouldn’t be treated in the same manner unless you expect a terrible storm or a massive famine. If the food is in the house, you are likely to eat it unnecessarily which can lead to weight gain. And once the shelves look empty, who’s to stop you from buying even more food?

Getting Fatter

It’s well known that obesity is a serious problem in America. With every fad diet out there telling you what to do, what to eat, how to eat, it’s no wonder that Americans are confused.

We have a plethora of information, but we’re still getting fatter, and we’re spending even more money to learn how to stop. Isn’t there a simpler way to go about this, such as portion control? Measuring your serving size?

Calories In and Calories Out

Experts still emphasize that calories expended must be more than calories taken in to lose weight. They also hammer portion control, sometimes making analogies to visual cues. For example, a serving of steak should be the size of your fist.

Those visual clues can be confusing, though, and don’t apply to many foods. It might be just easier to go with what the labels says. The nutrients are already divided up and measured for you.

If one cup of pancake mix produces four servings, and you’re the only one eating, you only want to eat one quarter of the amount. That equals one serving. Don’t go over that. By strictly following what’s on the labels, you can save on your wallet, waistline and future medical bills.

Get Some Exercise

Get some daily exercise. It doesn’t matter whether it’s walking, running or whatever. Get the blood flowing and the metabolism kicking into gear. You read about it all the time. Just do it.

If you’ve eaten according to serving size, you should know how many calories you’ve consumed and what you need to burn in order to maintain or lose weight. It’ll be easier to keep track of your budget, and you can rack up on savings each month. Plus, if you plan your meals each day, you can then determine how much food to buy for the entire week. No overspending. No shopping carts filled to the brim with unnecessary food. No spending hundreds of dollars in excess food bills.

Sometimes love just isn't enough (photo by creativecommons.org)

Pet owners love their animals and many of them use payday loans to pay for emergency pet care. Regardless of economic conditions, people will always find ways to provide the best care they possibly can for a loyal dog or a faithful cat.

Today, the average pet owner may have to stretch the budget to the breaking point to pay for an emergency veterinary visit. Dr. Ganner, MD, a veterinarian in Cleveland, Ohio, states, “You never know when a pet can get ill, just like a human. Pets’ surgeries can cost more due to lack of insurance and specialized care. It’s an immediate out-of-pocket expense.”

Save on day-to-day pet expenses

For anyone with a pet, there will always be unexpected medical emergencies. The most basic way to lessen the strain of emergency expenses is to put a little money aside all year long. Here are some ways to save money for your pet’s emergency, without cutting back on the quality of daily care.

1.  Fill prescriptions at Petmeds.com or a human pharmacy. When you fill an animal’s prescription at the veterinarian, you typically pay 30-70% more than you would online or at a regular pharmacy. Rather than blindly accepting the prescription medication handed out at a veterinarian’s office, pet owners should ask veterinarians for written prescriptions and then fill them at regular or online pharmacies.

2.  Buy pet food at superstores like Costco or Sam’s Club. Superstores purchase inventory in great quantities at huge discounts. They carry fairly wide arrays of pet foods, and you are likely to find one of your pet’s favorite brands in their well-stocked aisles. If you don’t find the brand you prefer, talk to the manager and ask if the store will order it. When enough customers ask, superstores respond by purchasing requested products. Their goal is to stock everything their shoppers need, and they work hard to live up to that.

3.  Buy pet toys at superstores or grocery stores. Toys at pet stores and boutiques can cost 50% or more than the same (or very similar) toys at a superstore or grocery store. The reason for this is that pet stores mark up all their products to pay for advertising and promotions. Retail sales are their only source of income, so they have to maximize their markup.

Start an emergency pet fund

If you put aside the money you save on these everyday pet expenses, it will be easier to pay for those inevitable emergency expenses. If your savings are adequate to cover the emergency, a small payday loan can make up the difference. As Dr. Ganner stated, “If people have huge monthly budgets for their pets, it’s difficult to then extend that budget even more when an emergency comes up…but, finding ways to save throughout normal times, can make it much more manageable.”

Love knows no bounds (photo by creativecommons.org)

Love without bounds . . .

People are going to care for their pets regardless of what happens on the economic front. It’s estimated that the pet industry generates over $45.5 billion annually. Global market expert Eugene Fram stated, “It’s a substantial market. The numbers bear that out with more than 60% of households having a pet. It’s a good business and a great target market to pursue.”

But avoid heartache by economizing

Because pet owners are willing to spend so much on the daily care of their pets, they frequently compromise their ability to pay for emergency care. To avoid finding yourself in that stressful situation, it’s a good idea to treat pet care like your other budgeted expenses.

Cut back on daily pet expenses and put the savings aside in an emergency pet fund. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much easier it is to afford the best possible pet care when you need it most if you save just a little every day. With an emergency pet fund at the ready, when emergency strikes, you’ll be able to pay for it without borrowing; or in the worst case, with a much smaller payday loan or a lot less help from family or friends.

If you need a payday loan to get started, Apply NOW!

You can save money on groceries by switching from name brands to store brands. Image from Flikr.

Everyone has some variable expenses in their budgets, and if you are not careful, an unexpectedly large electricity or gas bill can really break your budget.

Payday loans can help in this situation, but the secret to staying on top of your budget is to reduce your variable expenses wherever possible.

Utilities

One area where it is possible to save money is your utility bills. If you struggle to pay gas, water and electricity bills when they are due, find out whether your utility company offers different payment methods. Most do,  and it is a good idea to take a look at these.

You might be able to have your gas and electricity payments averaged out to a monthly cost. Although this may mean having to make changes in other areas, it is worth doing. When your utility bill is averaged and split evenly, you don’t have to worry about hefty bills during the winter.

Mortgage

If you currently have a variable rate mortgage, you may want to consider refinancing. Refinancing does involve closing costs with your current lender, but most lenders now will add the closing costs to your new mortgage. If you have the money available, it is far better to pay the closing costs at the beginning  because then you will save on interest later on.

\Switching from a variable to a fixed rate mortgage may not seem like a good idea, but the fact is that a fixed rate actually saves you money in the long term. When you have a variable rate mortgage, it is great when interest rates go down and you can pay less, but then there are the times when the interest rate goes up and this could wreck your budget. You can save hundreds of dollars a year in the long term if you switch from a variable to a fixed mortgage rate.

Food bills

The current economic crisis has sent food bills through the roof. A loaf of bread now costs more than double what it was twelve months ago, and it is not only bread that has gone up in price, it is virtually everything. The first thing you should do is to switch from brand-name goods to store brands, as this can save you a lot. Most store brands are just as good as name brands, but they can be as much as 40 percent cheaper.

Some people are switching supermarkets to save money on their food bills, and  this is another good way to save money.

The Holistic Moms Network encourages people to get close to nature.

The cost of medical care is weighing down families as Congress unsuccessfully tries to finish and pass a health care reform bill. Some Americans are turning their backs on the health care industry and turning to holistic medicine and avoiding illness through holistic living.

The Holistic Moms Network is an online resource for information on holistic living. It is also a nonprofit organization dedicated to “connecting parents who are interested in holistic health and green living,” according to the Holistic Moms Network web site.

Green living and parenting ‘from the heart’

It’s easy for Americans to fall into a way of life that has their children constantly going the doctor all too often, taking prescription drugs at ever younger ages and eating food filled with chemicals. The Holistic Moms Network shows parents that there are other ways to raise  your children that promote healthier kids and as a bonus can save a lot of money. With mortgages and car loans and other big expenses to worry about, families are trying to save money any way they can. The Holistic Moms Network site says:

We encourage moms to trust their instincts, to parent from the heart, use their innate sense of what is best for their children, live in balance with the Earth, and learn about the pros and cons of all healthcare and parenting options.

The Holistic Moms Network also gives little tips, such as how to make fruits and vegetables last longer by freezing them. Any advice that helps families avoid wasting food saves them money.

Parenting tips from Holistic Moms Network

The Holistic Moms Network has several sections filled with articles and book recommendations to help parents with questions such as “Is it safe to sleep with my baby?” and “Should I let my baby cry it out?” Sections on the site include Holistic Health, Natural & Positive Parenting, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Green Living, Vaccinations, Whole Nutrition and Holistic Education.

The Holistic Moms Network isn’t totally against Western medicine. The Vaccinations section has articles about pros and cons, including information about how effective they are. There are books saying children should be vaccinated and some books saying they shouldn’t. From the web site:

The Holistic Moms Network believes that parents need to make informed and educated choices about all healthcare options for their children, including vaccination, and that they deserve the freedom to make the choice that works best for their family.

Whether or not you agree with the Holistic Moms Network philosophy, you will come away from the web site with great insight and information. I encourage people to always look for ways to save money, lead healthier lives and do what’s best for their kids, and I like that the Holistic Moms Network explores all of these things.

Banks get rich by making me poor

I just can’t stop kicking myself. First, I got slammed with $105 in bank overdraft fees. I am still recovering from it. Then, I came across this story in The Huffington Post that says banks made $24 billion from overdraft fees last year. That’s Billion. With a B. In one year. I feel like such a sucker.

I especially feel like a sucker because I knew all about payday loans. I know how much they cost. I know how quickly they are completed. And now I know that I could have saved a bunch of money if I’d gotten a payday loan in time.

Reputation versus reality

Payday loans have gotten a bad rap. A small, loud group of angry people have convinced a lot of people, including my dad, that payday loans, or unsecured loans or cash advances — whatever you want to call them — are bad. The people who are angry about payday loans are the ones who used them irresponsibly and got hit with late fees.

However, those of us in the know realize that getting a payday loan on purpose and paying it back on time is far less expensive than accidentally overdrawing your bank account. My bank charges $35 for the first transaction that puts me at a negative balance. After that, it charges another $35 for each transaction after that until my account is returned to a positive balance. It doesn’t matter if it’s $5 or 5 cents, I get charged $35. That’s how I ended up losing $105 because I made three small purchases after an automatic payment went through and I didn’t realize my account was drained.

Where I live, the average fee for a $100 payday loan is $15. That’s a one-time fee. It doesn’t matter how many purchases I make with that $100. I could have gotten a $200 payday loan , and it would have cost me less than one bank overdraft charge.

Don’t fall victim to your bank

So everyone is going after the payday loan industry because lenders charge fees if you don’t pay back your loan. But where is the outrage about the ridiculous amount banks charge if you overdraw your account by even a dollar? Given the fact that the banks made $24 billion from overdraft fees in 2008, and they are on target to make $27 billion this year, people are starting to take notice.

The Huffington Post writes that “some banks post debits from the highest amount to the lowest, rather than chronologically, so a $4 purchase at 10 a.m. at Starbucks is posted to the account after a $68 dinner bill that created a negative balance.” That means the customer should have only been charged once, but she or he was charged twice. How messed up is that?

Don’t trust me, trust the numbers

You might still be thinking “I’m not sure if I want to do this.” Well, there is one sure way to figure out whether you are doing the right thing: Do the math. You don’t have to accept the terms of your payday loan until after you already know what your lender’s fees will be.

Simply calculate which will be higher: the payday loan fee or the overdraft charges. Don’t forget to take into account that you’ll get charged the overdraft fee on every purchase you make. You will only be charged your payday loan fee once.

Avoid overdraft charges. Apply for your payday loan HERE

In an effort to attract new customers, banks are starting to help consumers with debt relief.  If you do an online search for “banks and deals,” you’ll surely find a wide variety of choices.

Banks are now realizing that to bring customers in, they need to  view the economy from the consumer’s point of view. Potential customers are wary about investing due to the recession, but saving is still a primary concern.  To capitalize on this, many banks are advertising specials that truly have a customer focus.  Here are some of the advantages you can find as reported by Bankrate.com and Money-rates.com.

Reward cards

A reward card can bring you as much as a 6 percent return by opening the account.  With these types of cards there are some rules to follow. First of all, you’ll need to make a certain number of debit purchases per month.  You’ll probably have to sign up for direct deposit and your transactions will be paperless.  If you fail to meet the requirements, though, you’re limit could drop to 0.5 percent, but if you can heed them, there are considerable savings involved.

The top three reward cards currently available are:

• Southern Missouri Bank. This bank offers an APY of 6.01 percent if you set up direct deposit and make at least 12 debit card transactions a month.   You can also hold a balance of up to $25,000 and still get this rate.
• Kansas State Bank. This bank offers the same APY, but you only have to make 10 debit card transactions monthly.  You have to sign up for direct deposit and must be an active online-user at least once a month.  This type of account also has a $25,000 cap.
• Rocky Mountain Bank. Again, this bank offers the same APY, but there is no requirement for debit charges.  You have to sign up for direct deposit and the deposit cap is $25,000.

Rewards cards can be very useful if you are an online user and frequent debit-card user.  It isn’t difficult to find these types of cards with a large returns that help to maximize your savings.  The extra money can help you find debt relief quicker.

Bonuses

Many banks are offering lucrative sign-up bonuses to new customers.  One tip for finding them is to look to your community banks rather than huge nationwide names.  Many smaller local banks are extending great savings to the public to lure new customers.  Here are some banks offering bonus programs to new customers:

• Wainright Bank and Trust in Boston offers a $200 savings bond for any new customer who opens an account with an initial deposit of $10 or more.  You will have to maintain a $500 balance, however, to avoid monthly fees.
• Citibank is offering a $25 bonus on their Ultimate Savings Account with $1,000.  It comes with an APY of 2.1percent, but you have to keep your balance for a minimum of 3 months to get the bonus.
• HSBC is offering bonuses of $25 to $75, depending on the plan you choose.  For a minimum $1,500 deposit, you will get you the higher bonus and you have to maintain a $15,000 combined HSBC account balance.  With a $500 deposit and maintaining a $1,500 combined balance you can earn the $25 bonus.

Online-only savings

Going online is still one of the easiest ways to find deals when it comes to banking.

GMAC is offering an APY of 2.65 percent for accounts opened online. The minimum deposit is $1, and there are no minimum balances or service fees.

Beverly National Bank Online is offering an APY of 2.6 percent for $5,000 minimum deposits.  You must maintain the $5,000 minimum to avoid monthly fees.

Heartland Bank Direct is offering an APY of 2.55 percent  on minimum deposits of $500. Again, there are  no minimum balances or monthly fees if you maintain the $500 balance.

Consumer savings

Consumers are looking for additional savings to help with debt relief. The recession depleted savings, stretched budgets and left people in an overall state of fear.  Fortunately there are banks that are providing beneficial services that will help you to increase savings quicker.

Don't forget, even cheap furniture is expensive to ship. Image from Flikr.

It never fails. Any time a business is mentioned on the “Today” show, it suddenly becomes infinitely more popular as people seek to find the company’s web site, study it and book mark it so they will be able to find it any time they are trying to do the thing that “Today” suggested they use it for.

Today the lucky business is Boyle’s Furniture, a discount furniture store in North Carolina. The “Today” show ran a short segment this morning about saving money on furniture and other housewares such as wallpaper and fabric. Boyle’s Furniture was mentioned by name, and now everyone wants to know about this magical place where the “Today” show says you can get a $5,000 piece of furniture for $500.

The Boyle’s Furniture web site

I visited the Boyle’s Furniture web site, and it reminds me a lot of retail stores that sell brand name merchandise at discount prices. That is, the clothing isn’t super cheap like you’d find at a thrift store, but you can get expensive brands at regular prices. I would still have to take out cheap loans to get a new wardrobe at those places, but I could get fancier stuff than I’d be able to afford otherwise.

Most of the stuff I saw at Boyle’s Furniture cost about half of the retail price.  That means a $2,000 piece of furniture costs closer to $1,000. While that is a significant discount, the piece of furniture featured on “Today” was a $5,000 piece that was on sale for $500. This is very rare, so don’t get your hopes up too much.

Spoiled by online shopping?

There are two main sections of the Boyle’s Furniture web site. One is Discount Furniture Shopping and the other is Online Furniture Outlet. As far as I understand it, you can buy the discount furniture, not the outlet furniture, on the web site. The outlet furniture section shows things that are available in the Boyle’s Furniture show room.

I think the crazy, 90 percent off deals are only available in the showroom. I can’t exactly verify that right now because the Boyle’s Furniture web site is crashing. So here’s some information to prepare you for what you can expect when you are able to visit Boyle’s Furniture web site:

• Pieces are mostly 50 percent off
• Shipping costs extra
• A lot of items are not available for shipping

Plan ahead, see the big picture

One of the people on the “Today” show commented that even if you did have to buy a plane ticket to go to a furniture warehouse where the merchandise was 80 to 90 percent off, you’d still save money. That is true. However, before  you go hopping on any planes to buy furniture, just remember you’re not going to be able to check an armoire with your other bags or stow an armchair in the overhead compartment.

You are still going to have to pay for shipping if you go to a furniture sale outside your area. The best way to save money on furniture if you live in North Carolina is to go to the Boyle’s Furniture show room and pick up the cheap stuff. Likewise, if you live somewhere else, search for a local furniture outlet so you don’t have to pay to have your furniture shipped.