At gyms across America, it’s hard to get a treadmill in January. That’s good news for gym owners; within the next month throngs of new gym-goers will pony up initiation fees, sign year-long membership contracts and—in general—pay too much.

But not you. If you’ve resolved to join a gym in 2010, you don’t have to go broke to get fit.

Most gyms do offer incentive plans right around the New Year, but don’t stop there. Try these tips to negotiate your way to an even deeper gym discount: Read more…

Dec 29th, 2009 by Carrie from "Carrie...On The Cheap" in Frugal Living
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Do you have an “army” of cashback credit cards? Is this plastic in your wallet a force to be reckoned with? Does each of your credit cards serve a special role that, when combined, earn you a ton of rewards just for your ordinary shopping?

These days, some argue that a cashback credit card is a necessity. After all, if you’re going to shop with a credit card, it doesn’t make sense to swipe a card that doesn’t give you something back in return—whether that’s cash, rewards points, or airline miles.

But the savviest spenders have taken cashback credit cards to a whole new level. Every cashback or rewards credit card works a little differently, but many cards pay higher rewards in specific spending categories like gas, groceries, dining, or air travel.

Pulling out one card while shopping for groceries, another at the gas pump, and another one at your favorite restaurant isn’t that out of the ordinary. Having an arsenal of cashback credit cards at your disposal serves one primary goal: Earn as much cash back as possible.

Let’s look at how a few popular cashback credit cards can work in tandem to optimize your cashback earnings. In this example, my army of credit cards includes: Read more…

Dec 28th, 2009 by Simon Zhen in Credit
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About 75 percent of Americans have done at least a little saving for retirement. Yet only 55 percent of full-time employees in America contribute to an employer-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan, according to reports by the Employee Research Benefit Institute.

Although some employees choose not to contribute their employer’s 401(k) plan, other employees would love to invest in a 401(k) plan but can’t; their employer doesn’t offer one. In some cases, an employer may simply choose not to offer a 401(k) plan. Or, you may not be eligible for the plan because you either work part-time or haven’t worked long enough to qualify. Read more…

Dec 23rd, 2009 by David Weliver in Investing
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For most of us, tax season is anything but a good time. That said, you may just find some fun in unearthing some hidden tax breaks that you’ve been missing out on! And it’s a good year for it: the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 created several completely new tax credits and deductions.

Here are six tax adjustments that could save you big bucks this year: Read more…

Dec 22nd, 2009 by Carrie from "Carrie...On The Cheap" in Taxes
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I know what you’re thinking: How can high unemployment rates, declining stock markets, and having less cash in your wallet be good things? We like to think that in a perfect world, we would never have to endure the hardships associated with economic downturns like lost jobs, watching our 401(k) accounts dwindle, or worrying about how we’re going to keep the lights on and the refrigerator stocked.

But the truth is: recessions are part of a normal economic cycle in capitalist societies. In other words, recessions are necessary evils.

On the bright side, there are three reasons I believe recessions are actually good for the economy:

1. People’s attitudes change (for the better)
2. We see growth and innovation in underdeveloped sectors and shrinking of overcrowded, bloated sectors
3. We have the opportunity for self-evaluation

Read more…

Dec 21st, 2009 by Stan in Economy
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The American Express Zync Card, a charge card geared towards twenty-somethings, is my most recommended credit/charge card product for anybody under 30. I have always been a big a fan of Amex charge cards (I use one myself), and the Zync Card is even better that their other charge cards because it only costs $25 a year.

So what’s the Zync Card all About?

You may have noticed that American Express has been running ads to renew interest in the product that made Amex famous to begin with—charge cards.

Basically, Amex is betting that as consumers wrestle with the recession, try to spend wisely, and face credit cards that have raised rates and slashed credit lines, Amex’s charge cards will look attractive. Why is that, exactly? Charge cards like the American Express Green, Gold or Platinum card work like credit cards, with some key differences: Read more…

Dec 18th, 2009 by David Weliver in Credit
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How often do you write a paper check? A few times a month? Less? Debit cards, online bill-pay, direct deposit, and electronic checking accounts are making the paper check more and more obsolete. And soon, checks will vanish completely.

In Britain, banks are expected to vote today to eliminate paper checks by 2018. Ireland and some Scandinavian countries have already begun phasing out check payments.

Let’s face it: In today’s digital world, checks are slow, cumbersome, and a liability. (Where else can a thief get all of the information he needs to drain your bank account than from the front of any standard check?) Read more…

Dec 17th, 2009 by David Weliver in Personal Finance
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For the first three years of my post-college life, I had this nagging, troubling pain in the pit of my stomach at the end of every month. Will I be able to pay rent this month? Can I pay my credit card bill?

I came out of college with no personal finance experience and had no idea how to control my money. I quickly found myself in a pile of student loan, credit card, and car loan debt. It didn’t take me long to realize I hated that awful feeling in my stomach and wanted to get rid of it. I knew that I needed to do something about my debt, and I wanted quick results.

Here is how I got out of debt, using a little “tough love”. If you’re struggling with debt, perhaps it can help you, too. Read more…

Dec 16th, 2009 by Carrie from "Carrie...On The Cheap" in Debt Help
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If you shop online, you’re already accustomed to getting the hottest fashions and gadgets at the best price—without finding parking at the mall and waiting in lines—delivered right to your door. But these days there are so many Internet retailers clamoring for your business with crazy-sounding sales and discounts, how can you really know you’re getting the best deal when you shop online?

A few weeks back, I hastily bought a coat online when I came across a site having a one-day sale. The subtotal was $100 less than the retail price, but tax and shipping ate up about $25 of that discount. Even worse, when the coat arrived, it didn’t fit. Then, when I exchanged the coat at a store, I received a small refund for the sales tax I paid; the Website charged me more sales tax than I would’ve paid by shopping at a store in my state!

Although I still saved money on the coat with this online sale, the experience taught me there are plenty of little things to watch out for when shopping online. Overlook just one of these things and a deal could turn out to be less fabulous than it looks. Read more…

Dec 15th, 2009 by Simon Zhen in Frugal Living
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Whether you’ve been on your own for a few days or a few years, try to avoid these common money mistakes young people make. Already made them? Don’t be hard on yourself; chances are you just didn’t know better (a big part of money smarts comes from learning from your mistakes). Read more…

Dec 14th, 2009 by David Weliver in Personal Finance
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