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7 Ways to Make Extra Money in 2011
Tweet Share on Facebook December 30, 2010 Comment (18)Job security might be out, but freelance, contract, and temporary work is in, which makes it easier than ever to moonlight as a graphic designer while you spend your days as a public relations rep. Slimmer staffs mean companies often need the extra help, and new websites offer free tools match potential employers with workers. And earning extra money beyond your steady paycheck, if you’re lucky enough to have one, can provide a big boost to your financial security.
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2011: The Year of the Consumer
Tweet Share on Facebook December 28, 2010 Comment (2)If 2010 was a year of financial volatility, then 2011 should be the year of relative calm after the storm for anxious consumers. A series of moves over the last 12 months give consumers more protections than ever before, whether they’re shopping for baby cribs or groceries. “Congress and federal agencies put one landmark consumer protection after another on the books in 2010,” says Travis Plunkett, legislative director for the Consumer Federation of America.
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How to Double Your Savings Rate in 2011
Tweet Share on Facebook December 22, 2010 Comment (5)At the website MyLifeList.org, where people share their goals, some of the most popular, life-changing goals include becoming financially independent, buying a first home, and starting a business. All of those dreams take money, which is why we rounded up the best advice from financial experts on how to double your savings rate in the New Year. Here are their top ten suggestions:
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What Pop Songs Tell Us About Our Money
Tweet Share on Facebook December 21, 2010 CommentThink pop music is all about glitzy lifestyles and superficial topics? Think again. Today’s hits reflect the financial instability that Americans are feeling almost as accurately as the stock market
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5 Tips for Hassle-Free Gift Returns
Tweet Share on Facebook December 20, 2010 Comment (1)As hard as we try to pick out the best gifts for family and friends, we’re going to fail some of the time. The National Retail Federation estimates that about one-third of consumers will end up returning gifts this year. That’s not necessary a bad thing, since returning gifts gives recipients a chance to pick out an even better present for themselves, although some people take offense when their gifts are returned. (If you fall into that category, then you might want to consider giving gift cards to save yourself the heartache.)
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How 2010 Impacted Your Money
Tweet Share on Facebook December 14, 2010 CommentWhen it comes to your money, the last 12 months offered highs (recovering stock market) and lows (lingering unemployment). Here’s a guide to understanding how 2010 affected your bottom line—and how you can take advantage of some of the changes:
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5 Last-Minute Shopping Tips and Tricks
Tweet Share on Facebook December 13, 2010 Comment (1)If you still have a few people on your shopping list, then you might be getting desperate. But don’t let that desperation lead to wasted money. Instead, use these five last-minute tips to find affordable gifts that you can’t wait to see people open.
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The Benefits of Envelope-Based Budgeting
Tweet Share on Facebook December 9, 2010 Comment (3)I’m always on the lookout for new budgeting tools, so I was curious to hear about Mvelopes, a service that helps people track their spending and start saving more. The concept, as the name suggests, is based on traditional budgeting with paper envelopes—a system that four in ten people use, according to a recent Chase Slate-U.S. News Consumer Monitor survey. Mvelopes is a subscription-based service that helps you track your expenses, savings, and bills online. So, how exactly does it work? I spoke with Mvelopes’ rep Delilah De La Rosa, who has used the service for five years. Excerpts:
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Gen Y’s Frugal Holiday Shopping Plans
Tweet Share on Facebook December 9, 2010 Comment (4)If you put 20-somethings on your holiday shopping list, be warned: You might not be getting much in return. One in three members of Gen Y plan to spend less on each person to stay within their budgets, according to the Western Union Payments Money Mindset Index. That younger generation reports being more budget-conscious than older groups, with an average allotment of just $245 for all their gifts. (Members of Gen X plan to spend almost $300 total.)
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8 Easy Ways to Green Your House in 2011
Tweet Share on Facebook December 9, 2010 Comment (1)If your New Year’s resolutions include saving money and being greener, then you’re in luck, because you can accomplish both those goals at the same time. These eight tips, adapted from the book Generation Earn: The Young Professional’s Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back, will help you save over $500 next year.
